When Valerie Obaze started R&R in 2010, she was living in Lagos and searching for 100 per cent natural products that she could use on her newborn. She struggled to find anything that met her requirements— something locally made with plant-based ingredients. So, she decided to create a product herself, leveraging her experience in consumer branding and the locally available botanical ingredients. This led to R&R’s first product being born—Shea Body Oil (liquid gold). Long before clean beauty became a trend, the brand had already established itself as a clean beauty brand, which came with its own set of challenges. Coming from Africa, Obaze was required to learn a great deal about natural ingredients, such as shea butter and baobab oil, as well as the quality and value of African-made products.
Valeri Obaze’s story is an interesting one; read all about her journey to creating her sustainable luxury beauty brand on pages 8 to 10. You will be inspired.
Something about freshly painted toenails makes you feel put together, even if you are lounging at home in your slippers. This week’s beauty page is all about colours to try on your toenails this season. You must read this; we highlight some fun colours. Scroll to page 12.
It’s the rainy season here in Lagos, and fashion this time of year can be a little tricky. However, don’t worry — we’ve brought you a guide on how to dress when it’s pouring outside. Who says you can’t slay in the rain? You’ll find all you need to stay fashionable in the rainy season on pages 4 and 5.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
Photo: Kola Oshalusi
@insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
OnahNwachukwu Editor,
THEWILLNIGERIA
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025
THEWILLNIGERIA
COVER
ADC, APC in Fierce Battle for Buhari’s 12
BY AMOS ESELE
Shortly before former President Muhammadu Buhari died, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, was already facing an implosion ahead of 2027. Aloof and hobbled by illness carried over from office, the late President had told his allies to be free to make their individual political choices, even as he pledged his loyalty to the governing All Progressives Congress, APC.
The CPC which he founded and led into a merger with three other legacy parties - Action Congress of Nigeria, a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the All Nigeria Peoples Party - to form the governing All Progressives Congress, APC in 2013, had become a divided house before he passed on. More so, after he reaffirmed the same stand on his allies before members of the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led Progressive Governors Forum when they paid him a post-Sallah visit in April, 2025 to plead with him to halt a feared mass defection of CPC loyalists after el-Rufai’s defection.
With Buhari’s passing on July 13, 2025, the division in the CPC has further widened. The late President groomed no successor and the members of an already divided house could not agree to choose a successor among themselves. Moreover, there is none among the present crop of politicians with the stature to step into his shoes.
In reality, however, the factors that contributed to Buhari’s fame have since evaporated during the course of 26 years of democratic governance, making no room for the emergence of another hero.
A source with the knowledge of the inner workings of the northern establishment confided in THEWILL that the threat posed to the North’s political dominance by the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, feared for its independence in addition to the assertiveness of radical elements in the South-West, had compelled many northern leaders to approach and convince Buhari to join politics as a rallying point.
In a follow-up to the Progressive Governors Forum, a CPC group, led by former Nasarawa governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and his Katsina counterpart, Aminu Masari and 21 others met on April 16, 2025 and pledged their loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the APC, saying that, “attempts to sow disunity within the party and the country do not reflect the will or position of genuine CPC core members and are wholly unacceptable.” The next day, former Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, a staunch CPC chieftain, rebuked the group of 23. “You can’t speak for the CPC block,” he roared, claiming that only those still loyal to Buhari, like himself, have the authority to speak for the CPC.
The source said, “President Obasanjo was too independent minded hence they went for Buhari, especially after the recourse to Sharia law by some governors failed to do the work,” the source said, adding: “The late President was the one with the significant clout to challenge Obasanjo’s government and over time in contesting for the presidency, he built a significant cult-like followership that eventually earned him the number one office in the country. But today, the North is battling with internal challenges, such as banditry and insurgency. By 2022 and 2023, the Buhari myth had faded away after people saw through his pre-election policies like the new Naira design aimed to check the
ADC, APC in Fierce Battle for Buhari’s 12m Northern...
from claiming that they were excluded from choice federal appointments by the government, the aggrieved CPC members are also miffed by the government’s habit of blaming the Muhammadu Buhari Administration for “managing the economy badly.”
These aggrieved members are part of the crowd led by el-Rufai, Malami, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former Minister of State for Education; and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
By chance, the coming of the ADC has given them a platform to seek relevance and fight back. And many are abandoning the APC up North in droves, THEWILL checks can confirm. Their battle cry is that the NorthWest where their late leader, Buhari comes from, delivered the highest vote to make Tinubu president in the 2023 general election. Defection to the ADC will help to salvage, if not consolidate the votes, acclaimed to be 12 million, much of which is concentrated in the NorthWest geo-political zone.
“I consider myself one of the leading lights of the CPC from day one, even before the party was registered. We were Buhari’s people. I was with him in APP, ANPP, and CPC. I understand the spirit of the party,” said former SGF, Lawal while stating that the “CPC bloc and other stakeholders in the North-West are poised to dislodge the APC in the 2027 presidential poll.” In fact, the Sunday, July 13, 2025, that Buhari died witnessed a mass defection from both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ADC in his Katsina home state.
From the PDP side came former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa; former Minister of Defence, Lawal Batagarawa; former senator representing Daura Zone, Ahmed Babba Kaita and Hon. Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua and their supporters.
From the CPC were a former Special Adviser on Girl Child Education and Child Development to former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, Amina Lawal; former Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd) and Hon. Babangida Talau of the NNPP also dumped their parties for the ADC.
The second CDC group has pledged loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu. They include serving governors like Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda; Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Al-Makura; and Masari. Others are Babale Ila, Ibrahim Gobir; Senator Ibrahim Musa; Sanusi Aliyu; Mohammed Tukur; Senator Ahmed Sani; Ibrahim Chachangi; Yusuf Bala; and the party’s current North West National Vice Chairman, Garuba Datti, former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, M.B. Shehu; Chairman of the NDLEA, retired General Buba Marwa; former presidential adviser on Public Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla; former DG of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; Senator Ibrahim Musa; and Nasiru Argungu are also pro-Tinubu. Others are Senator Mustafa Salihu; Almajiri Geidam; Waziri Bulama; Dr. Nasiru Argungu; Dr. Captain Bala Jibrin; Uche Ufearoh; Yusuf Salih; and Alkali Ajikol and Ex- Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu.
SLIPPERY CPC POLITICS
Investigation shows that the post-Buhari CPC is still a shifting theatre of cold political calculations, muted campaigns and strategic alliances.
THEWILL gathered that three state governors from the North-Eest and two from the North-Central are still hurt by what sources referred to “as the public humiliation” of Vice President Kashim Shettima over an alleged plan by the APC to replace him in 2027. One of these aggrieved governors is a CPC member who is a point of contact with the others. The only weakness they
have is that three of them are doing their second term in office, which may weaken their powers to effectively challenge the party and President Tinubu in the 2026 primaries and the 2027 presidential poll.
The Director of Publicity of the governing APC, Bala Ibrahim disclosed the impact of Buhari’’s death on the party. He said, “Yes, the political atmosphere will change for our party. But it is not a vacuum that will deform the party. It is a vacuum that will push the party into sobriety… The party is doing something to reconcile, reassess the situation, and see to it that there is a very good sense of mending.”
appointed IBB’s son, Mohammad Babangida and some Northerners into government agencies.
Muhammad was appointed as the new Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture. Lydia Kalat Musa from Kaduna State was named Chairman of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), while Jamilu Wada Aliyu from Kano State was appointed Chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
WHY THE FIGURES COUNT
The death of Buhari has thrown his 12 million Northern votes for grab.
President Tinubu won the election with 8.79 million votes, followed by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who scored 6.98 million votes, and Peter Obi of the LP with 6.1 million votes and then Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, who got 1,496,687. The North had a total of 13, 716,667 votes as against 9, 020,741 for the South in 2023.
Of the northern share, President Tinubu got 5,346,404 votes followed by Abubakar with 4, 834, 767 votes; Obi of LP with 2,080,247 votes and Kwankwaso of the NNPP with 1, 545, 649 votes. Comparatively, Obi led the pack in the South with 4,020, 687 votes, followed by Tinubu with 3,026,969 votes, Abubakar with 1,751,047 votes and Kwankwaso with 42, 038 votes. These same candidates are still vying to contest again in 2027. Interestingly, the North-West zone gave President Tinubu the highest number of votes in the 2023 general election.
Tinubu got 30 per cent of the total number of 8,794,726 votes he scored in the 2023 election from the NorthWest. This is almost one-third of the total votes he scored in the entire poll. In comparison, the South-West, where he hails from, gave him 2,542,979.
THE PRESIDENCY’S GAME PLAN
In the face of the ongoing calculations, following Buhari’s exit, the President’s men are said to be strategising. Apart from coming up with a plan to woo Kwankwaso and make him VP to President Tinubu in 2027, considering the former Kano governor’s grip on the state’s considerable bloc vote as a foothold to the critical North-West, they are said to have devised a plan to woo Christian voters in the middle-belt by grooming a visible ‘Christian politician’ from the zone with the promise of handing over power to the chosen one in 2031. In addition, he has just
“ I consider myself one of the leading lights of the CPC from day one, even before the party was registered. We were Buhari’s people. I was with him in APP, ANPP, and CPC. I understand the spirit of the party
Also from Kano State, Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa was appointed Chairman of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), while Sanusi Musa (SAN), also from Kano, was named Chairman of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
In addition, Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu from Sokoto State was appointed Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), and Sanusi Garba Rikiji from Zamfara State was named DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).
Mrs. Tomi Somefun from Oyo State was appointed Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), while Dr. Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria from Kaduna State was named Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).
Analyses have convinced the President’s men that 14 out of 19 northern states have a sizeable middle belt population that is culturally organic rather than being mere political. This plan is said to have unsettled political stakeholders in the North who believe that the game plan is to use a Muslim like Kwankwaso to retain power in 2027 only.
Speaking on this game plan, the spokesperson of the Middle Belt Leaders Forum, MBF, Luka Binniyat told THEWILL that the basis for the group’s support for a southern candidate in the 2023 and 2027 polls, alongside Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum PANDEF, is that in 2031, a middle-belter would in turn be supported by these groups for the presidency in 2031. Even so, he disclosed that if any party were to offer the VP ticket to the middle-belt in 2027, the MBF would support such a party.
He however said that if any political party is considering picking a ‘Christian candidate’ from the middle-belt in 2031, it should formally announce it publicly so that it can be held in trust.
He said, “The middle-belt comprises 14 out of the 19 states in the North. Unlike the other states that make their case in political terms, we are more united culturally and on that basis vote for candidates or for collective choices. Promise about getting a Christian middle-belter as successor to the President in 2031 can only be taken seriously if a political party makes a pronouncement to that effect. This is because you can only get power through a political party.”
Binniyat, who was recently appointed as spokesperson for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMLF, comprising MBF, Ohanaeze, Afenifere and PANDEF, in replacement of late Yinka Odumakin, said the SMLF, would at the end of July hold a world press conference on the direction and stand of the group on the 2027 election.
Former Head of State who midwifed the current republic, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) noted the impact of Buhari’s death on future politics while paying glowing tribute to the late President as a transparent and honest leader, even though his appointees failed to live up to expectations.
“ With the passing away of Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change — I hope for the better,” he said.
Tinubu Appoints Babangida’s Son, Muhammad, 7 Others to Key Federal Posts
BY FELIX IFIJEH
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Muhammad Babangida, son of former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as the new Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture.
The appointment was announced on Friday in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Muhammad Babangida, 53, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University, Montreux, Switzerland.
He also attended the Executive Program on Corporate Governance at Harvard Business School in 2002. His father, Ibrahim Babangida, served as Nigeria’s military
president from August 1985 to August 1993. According to the statement, President Tinubu also approved the appointment of seven other individuals as chairpersons and heads of federal agencies. Lydia Kalat Musa from Kaduna State was named Chairman of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), while Jamilu Wada Aliyu from Kano State was appointed Chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
Also from Kano State, Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa was appointed Chairman of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), while Sanusi Musa (SAN), also from Kano, was named Chairman of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
In addition, Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu from Sokoto
State was appointed Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), and Sanusi Garba Rikiji from Zamfara State was named DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).
Mrs. Tomi Somefun from Oyo State was appointed Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), while Dr. Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria from Kaduna State was named Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC). The Presidency stated that the appointments are part of Tinubu’s drive to reposition strategic institutions for better service delivery in line with his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Gov Diri Decries Endless 1999 Constitution Review
BY AMOS OKIOMA
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has faulted the endless process of reviewing the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday, when he hosted members of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Governor Diri recalled that he was a member of the committee when he was in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2020, and expressed concern that successive administrations in the country had not implemented the committee’s recommendations.
Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the exercise was becoming a waste of time and resources as every National Assembly session embarked on the same process without the recommendations being implemented. The Bayelsa governor expressed the hope that the current Federal Government would ensure that the ongoing review reached a logical end.
come to an end one day. “But this is not good for us as a country. We cannot be holding a Constitution review and nothing comes out of it. It is becoming a waste of time and resources. I want to believe that this government has what it takes to implement the decisions that will be arrived at this time.
“I was a member of this same committee and nothing happened. But I am hoping that the President we have today, who is a democrat, will implement the recommendations.”
The Bayelsa governor said the state was in a hurry to develop and that the concerted effort of everyone in government had resulted in the steady progress of the state. He equally faulted those describing Bayelsa as a small state, noting that it is bigger in land mass than about nine other states in Nigeria.
to change in the Constitution. According to Ihonvbere, only a transparent and participatory process would guarantee development in Nigeria.
He commended Diri’s leadership style, which he said had brought development to Bayelsa just as he is also providing leadership for the South South region of the country.
He said the Bayelsa governor left an enviable legacy at the National Assembly and as his former colleagues, they were not surprised about his performance in the state.
“Let me thank you for what you are doing in Bayelsa State. Leadership is at the centre of whether a country or state moves forward. You left your legacy in the National Assembly and we are not surprised about the development of your state.
Diri restated the need for equitable distribution of the country’s resources, and emphasised the injustice to Bayelsa, an oil-producing state making huge contributions to the economy, in having only eight local government areas.
He said for Nigeria to make progress, it must practice fiscal federalism and uphold justice. His words: “I thank you for choosing Bayelsa to host the zonal public hearing on the review of our constitution. “I appreciate the Speaker of the House of Reps for sustaining this ritual, which I hope will
“I do not agree with anybody who refers to Bayelsa as small. Bayelsa is big enough. It is injustice for Bayelsa to have only eight local government areas while others that are not as big have more. Let us stand for one another. This country can only develop when we operate true federalism.”
Earlier, Majority Leader and Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committe, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said his Team A, covering Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states, was in the South South zone to consult with people of the three states and hear from them on the areas that needed
“Your focus and ability to prioritise the development of the people makes us proud of you. You are providing leadership for the South-South and we want to thank and encourage you to keep doing what you are doing.
“This committee represents Edo, Bayelsa and Delta. Our goal here is to deepen consultations and listen to the people in their own zone. We are open to welcome any contribution in any language.
“We believe that with a consultative and transparent approach, we will have a more robust perspective on how people see our Constitution,” Ihonvbere stated.
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Yusuf Abba of Kano State during a condolence visit to the late Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata’s family in Kano, Kano State on Friday, 18, 2025.
Nigeria Assures Full Implementation of Nelson Mandela Rules
BY FELIX IFIJEH
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules. The Nelson Mandela Rules are United Nations Standard Minimum Rules adopted for the treatment of prisoners.
The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, made the commitment during a project exhibition by the United Nations Office on Drugs and
The Federal Government has dismissed reports linking it or the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to the recent acquisition of shares in FBN Holdings (First HoldCo).
The rebuttal follows widespread reports that billionaire businessman and Chairman of FBN Holdings, Femi Otedola, acquired an additional 10.43 billion shares, representing about 24.9 per cent of the company’s total outstanding shares, bringing his total stake in the company to approximately 36.7 per cent.
In the wake of this development, ThisDay newspaper and Arise TV on Thursday reported that 25 per cent of the group’s shares had been transferred to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s trustee.
P&ID Scam:
Crime (UNODC) to mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Mandela Rules. The event, held at the UN House in Abuja on Friday, brought together high-level government officials, diplomats, human rights advocates, and correctional experts to reflect on a decade of progress in promoting humane and dignified treatment of persons deprived of liberty. It also served as a call to action for governments and correctional institutions worldwide to consolidate gains, close remaining gaps, and
invest in correctional systems that are just, humane, and transformative.
In his remarks, CG Nwakuche commended the long-standing support of the UNODC in the ongoing NCoS reforms and noted that the Service has continued to embrace programs centred on inmate welfare, rights-based rehabilitation, and staff professionalism.
FG Denies Involvement in First HoldCo Share Acquisition
Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity in the AGF’s office, Kamarudeen Ogundele, described the report as “inaccurate, misleading, resentful, and malicious.”
It added, “We are compelled to respond to a publication by ThisDay Newspaper of July 17, 2025, and Arise TV suggesting that 25% of FBN Holdings (First HoldCo) shares were transferred to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) trustee,” the statement read.
“The report is inaccurate, misleading, resentful, and malicious. Neither the Federal Government of Nigeria nor the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice participated in acquiring the shares in question.”
The AGF’s office said it issued the clarification to prevent
public misconceptions about the ownership and governance of First HoldCo. Ogundele further explained that the circumstances surrounding the shareholding structure were unrelated to any form of government involvement. However, he noted that the Federal Government is aware of a trustee arrangement initiated by First HoldCo and approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with Stanbic IBTC appointed as a third-party overseer.
The AGF’s office urged the media to uphold professionalism and due diligence in their reportage to avoid disseminating false information and breaching legal boundaries.
He reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the rule of law, justice, equity, accountability, transparency, and responsible governance.
Surety for Fleeing Briton Arrested, Produced in Court
An Abuja traditional chief, George Kadiri, who stood surety for Mr James Nolan, a British national, at the centre of an ongoing $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) scam trial, has been arrested.
Kadiri, a retired civil servant and traditional chief in Gwagwalada, was on Thursday, produced before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court at the resumed hearing in the matter.
Justice Mohammed had, on September 28, 2022, revoked the N100 million bail granted to Nolan, a director in P&ID, following his refusal to appear for his trial.
In the ruling, the judge issued a bench warrant against Nolan, and ordered that he should be arrested by security agencies, including the Interpol, anywhere he is sighted within or outside Nigeria and be produced in court to stand his trial. The judge also directed that the surety appear in
court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.
The order followed the application made by EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, that Nolan had jumped bail. However, after the case was re-assigned to Justice Lifu, Kadiri had been evading court sitting, which led to an order for his arrest.
In a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 filed by his lawyer, O.J. Aboge, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the surety had sought more time within which to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.
When the case was called on Thursday, Sanga said the commission had brought Kadiri to court in obedience to a court order.
Aboge, who appeared for Kadiri, sought a date to address the court on the issue of forfeiting the bail bond of N100 million.
“This charge here is different. I humbly apply for the bail
bond that should be forfeited. The cases before Justice Egwuatu and the one here are the same. I want to produce an argument on the various points raised before the court”, he said and prayed the court for the surety to be released to him on bail.
Defendants’ lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, agreed to take Kadiri on bail.
“Chief Kadiri, the surety, is a traditional chief in Gwagwalada. He will not run away. I stood surety for him at EFCC. This is my first time taking someone on bail”, Erokoro begged.
While the anti-graft agency’s lawyer neither opposed the submission made on bail nor objected to the request for an adjournment. Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until November 5 for further proceedings and a hearing on the issue of forfeiture of the bail bond entered by Kadiri.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, at the Presidential Villa on Friday, July 18, 2025.
L-R: Chief Security Officer, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. Sandy Udoeden; Head of Defense Desk, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos, Mr. Kelvin Okunzuwa; National President, ISPON, Mr Timothy Iwuagwu; Head of NAN Editorial Operations, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole; fellow, ISPON, Dr. Timi Ajayi and Deputy Editor-inChief NAN, Mrs. Ijeoma Popoola, during a visit by ISPON delegation to NAN office in Lagos on July 17, 2025.
NEWS
Presidency Urges Nigerians to Ignore ADC ‘Political Noise’ on Buhari’s Burial
BY FELIX IFIJEH
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to ignore the recent allegation by the African Democratic Alliance (ADC) that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is “exploiting” the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain, describing the accusation as “utterly ridiculous” political noise designed to achieve relevance. The ADC had described the recent tributes by the Federal Government on Buhari as “hypocritical, opportunistic and carefully stage-managed”.
Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi of the party on Friday said the Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council’s public mourning, including the presence of Buhari’s son, Yusuf, was part of a calculated public relations stunt designed to whitewash the government’s image, especially in the North.
“The choreographed Federal Executive Council tribute, complete with a publicised appearance by our late President’s grieving son, was not a demonstration of genuine respect. It was a calculated public relations stunt by an unpopular government, carefully stage-managed to distract Nigerians from the administration’s deepening failures and to rewrite history while the nation mourns. This is hypocritical and in bad taste”, said Abdullahi. However, responding in a statement on Saturday, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communications, said the ADC’s accusation is not only
dishonest but also an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourn the loss of former President Buhari.
It described ADC’s remarks as an opportunistic and desperate exercise for relevance. “The latest outburst from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding former President Buhari’s state burial is nothing but an opportunistic exercise in manufactured outrage — a laughable tantrum by a poorly amalgamated political contraption desperately clutching at straws for relevance it will never attain.
“This is not the first time the ADC — in its pitiful, stuttering attempts at reinvention — has embarrassed itself with hollow, attention-seeking criticisms and press releases. A party still grappling with an identity crisis presumes lecturing the President of the Federal Republic on governance, decorum, and public accountability. How utterly ridiculous.
“Since its emergence, the ADC has resorted to issuing disjointed press statements on every passing event to remind Nigerians it now exists. In its desperation to look like an opposition party, it has now crossed every known line of decency.
Their latest press release, alleging that President Tinubu’s government is “exploiting” the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gain, is not only dishonest — it is an insult to millions of Nigerians who genuinely mourn
the loss of a statesman, and who watched the State Burial accorded Buhari with solemn respect and dignity”, Dare said. In a counter-accusation, the Presidency accused the ADC of exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention.
“Let it be said clearly: the ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government. They have chosen to dance on his grave for relevance. From Atiku and El Rufai’s choreographed arrival in Daura — greeted with chants seeking to make political capital from the solemnity of the moment — to this disgraceful press statement, the ADC has shown itself to be utterly shameless”, it added.
Refuting the claim by the ADC, Dare said, “President Tinubu’s administration is neither desperate nor searching for cheap popularity. This government would rather allow its growing list of achievements to speak louder than the noisy irrelevance of groups like the ADC.”
He added that the “burial of former President Buhari was conducted with the complete honour befitting a leader of his stature. That is why world leaders showed up, millions of Nigerians tuned in on television and across social media, and even ADC promoters were falling over themselves in Daura, prancing about the Buhari family compound like eager real estate agents scouting new territory.”
FCC, ICPC Join Forces to Tackle Job Racketeering
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have entered into a partnership to establish a Joint Task Force to tackle job racketeering and promote fairness in recruitment across federal government agencies.
The collaboration was announced on Thursday during a high-level meeting between the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), and the Acting Executive Chairman of FCC, Dr Kayode Oladele.
Speaking at the meeting held at the FCC headquarters in Abuja, Aliyu said the collaboration was in response to growing public complaints, particularly from young Nigerians who allege being sidelined in job opportunities due to backdoor recruitment practices and nepotism in the federal service.
“We are seeing a lot of job racketeering in the public sector. Almost daily, ICPC receives complaints from young Nigerians who were denied jobs because recruitment was done through the back door. Some top officials give jobs mostly to people from their villages or states, and that is unfair”, he said.
Highlighting disturbing examples of lopsided recruitment practices within federal agencies, Aliyu said one official was found to have allocated 94 job slots exclusively to his state. This, he noted, led to a gross imbalance, with one geopolitical zone reportedly receiving 189 slots over a twoyear period—more than double the allocation for other regions.
“In one agency, a state accounts for 65.72% of the total staff, while others have less than 1%. In another state, one has 12.9% of the workforce, while some states have as low as 0.4%. Is this fair?” he questioned.
The ICPC boss warned that such imbalances, if left unchecked, could deepen public mistrust in government institutions and fuel disillusionment among qualified citizens.
Aliyu said the proposed Joint Task Force will be mandated to monitor recruitment exercises, share intelligence, and prevent employment abuses before they occur. He further called for the immediate formalisation of the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to be signed within two weeks.
“This partnership is about ensuring equity, fairness, and justice. It is also about restoring confidence in public recruitment systems. Let us show Nigerians that institutions can work together to build a better future”, he said, adding the ICPC will continue its system reviews across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and share its findings with the FCC to enable swift corrective action.
ceremony for 2025 final year student of the school on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Senator Kingibe Accuses Wike of Granting Illegal Land Waivers to Sons
BY FELIX IFIJEH
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of illegally granting massive land allocation waivers to his sons, drastically reducing their fees from N200 million to N2 million within 48 hours.
Kingibe made the claims during an interview on Arise TV, a clip of which has since gone viral. She described the minister’s actions as unethical and unfair, insisting that she had obtained documented evidence to support her allegations.
“I have documents to show that Wike allocated land to his sons, huge tracts of land. Fine, they may be entitled to land.
“But I have documented bills of N200 million, N100 million. They wrote to him, asking for a waiver. Within 48 hours, the payments were reduced to N2 million. This is not only illegal; it is deeply unfair,” she said.
The senator added that she intends to present the documents before the National Assembly to demand accountability
from the minister.
Kingibe also alleged that Wike revoked land earlier allocated for a government hospital in Bwari, with plans to replace the facility with a market or shopping mall.
Reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister dismissed the senator’s claims and launched a personal attack on her.
“Responsible people don’t go on national TV to claim they have evidence of corruption—they release the evidence and forward it to the relevant agencies,” Olayinka said.
He described Kingibe as an “accidental senator impersonating by bearing the name of a man she’s no longer married to,” and dared her to publicly present the documents.
“She should know that the Senate seat she got by accident in 2023 won’t be retained in 2027 using Wike as a launchpad.
The earlier she accepts this, the better,” he added. Earlier reports had alleged that Wike, through a firm named JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited, allocated 2,082 hectares of land to his second son, Joaquin, and another 1,740 hectares to his other son, Jordan, amounting to 3,822 hectares allegedly valued at $6.45 billion.
Responding to the claims, Wike said: “Assuming—though not conceding, that my children applied for land, are they not Nigerians? Are they Ghanaians? Even if they applied, does my position as Minister disqualify them from entitlement to land?” He also challenged the accuracy of the figures being circulated.
“First, calculate the total land area in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you’ll find 2,000 hectares. It’s impossible. I know where this story is coming from—Adamawa State. The whole thing is rubbish. Bring the documents. Bring empirical evidence,” Wike said.
A/Ibom CJ Frees 123 Inmates in Four Correctional Centres
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaette Obot, has freed a total of 123 inmates in four Correctional Centres– Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Ikot Abasi Correctional Centres.
Of the number, were those who were found to be either seriously sick, lacked convincing evidence and/or had overstayed in the centres, considering their level of crime, on Thursday, at the end of a three-day facility tour of correctional centres in the state.
The breakdown of the number shows that 62 out of the 123 inmates were released on health grounds. It shows that four inmates regained freedom in Ikot Abasi custodial centre; 17 inmates were released in Eket centre, 29 in Ikot Ekpene centre, while 73 were set free in Uyo custodial centre.
The chief judge frowned at the fact that most of the offenders had minor offences and had overstayed in the custodial centres beyond the period they were supposed to stay, even if they were to be convicted.
She, however, released some on compassionate health grounds and lack of diligent prosecution.
A typical case in the Uyo custodial centre was a case of one Etieno Okon, who was 15 years old when he was detained and had been in custody for five years, without trial, for an alleged cultism charge.
The CJ, in discharging the inmates in all the centres, charged them to be of good behaviour and to shun all acts that might bring them back to the custodial centre.
the fundamental rights of the accused. Commending all the Judges, Magistrates, Court officials and Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command for their commitment and steadfastness throughout the threeday exercise.
She prayed to God Almighty to grant the sick ones released speedy recovery and sustain those still in incarceration.
THEWILL reports that the CJ’s official visits to the custodial centres across the three senatorial districts began on Monday, July 14, and ended on Thursday, July 17.
She expressed displeasure at the number of inmates awaiting trials, some without any charge preferred against them, still in custody, with some staying more than the sentence of their crime if convicted.
She tasked prosecutors with the need to ensure that no one was denied justice, and they should not infringe on
In his remarks, the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Frank Okonkwo, thanked the Chief Judge for her visit to the facilities and the goodwill extended to the custodial centres in the state. Highlighting some of the challenges confronting the centres, Okonkwo includes dilapidated facilities and a lack of logistics vehicles to convey inmates to court on time.
He appealed to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to extend support and assistance to custodial centres in the state to ensure better welfare for inmates.
L-R: Mr. Segun Salami, PTA Chairman, Secretary to Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, Dr. Aminu Patrick, Proprietor of Celebrity International School and Senior Pastor, Revival House Church, Lokoja during the prize giving day
BY UDEME UTIP, UYO
POLITICS
Adeleke Faces Stiff Defection Opposition
BY FELIX IFIJEH
Almost a year to the off-cycle governorship election in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke is battling a major hurdle that is currently heating up the polity in the state. Should he defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, or not? The question whether he should remain in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appears unnecessary as stakeholders having already expressed their desire to “follow him wherever he goes.”
Last Sunday, the leadership caucus of the PDP in Osun State passed a vote of confidence on Governor Adeleke, pledging full support for any decision he makes amid speculation of a possible defection.
Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the Governor, said the leaders of the party reiterated their support for Adeleke during a high-level meeting held at Government House on Saturday in Osogbo.
Following a detailed briefing by the governor and deliberations by leaders, including lawmakers, party executives and former officials, party leaders from across state and national structures vowed to follow Adeleke “wherever he goes”, while noting he is still consulting on his next political steps.
The governor who was voted into office for the first term in 2022 and gearing for a second term, had consistently denied the rumour that he was planning to defect to the APC, but after a publicised visit to President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock, shortly after his Delta counterpart, Sheriff Oborovweri, had defected from the PDP to the APC alongside his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, local government chairmen, members of his cabinet and Akwa Ibom Governor Eno Umoh’s defection was being processed, the rumour took a life of its own until last Sunday when PDP stakeholders in the state agreed to support his move.
Furthermore, the governor’s body language had lent credence to his rumoured defection. He was conspicuously absent at the South-West caucus meeting of PDP held in Ibadan at the weekend, even before his spokesperson issued the statement of the PDP stakeholders’ support of his move.
One of the major reasons for his readiness to move, apart from securing the ticket for a second term, is the state government’s ongoing litigation with the Federal Government over the legitimacy of the Local Government Election held against the legal advice of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kayode Fagbemi.
Sources say that the withholding of Osun local government funds over the absence of elected political functionaries at the local government councils has almost crippled the state financially, forcing the governor to seek a middle ground and plan to join the defection bandwagon for redemption.
Sources say, as a condition for getting the financial allocations released, the governor must join the ruling APC with a likely offer of automatic governorship ticket for the 2026 poll. But the Osun APC is pushing
back, leaders and followers alike.
At the weekend, a pocket of APC youths stormed the Ogo Oluwa secretariat of the party protesting alleged imposition of Governor Adeleke as the candidate of the APC in the state by President Bola Tinubu.
The youth spokesperson who welcomed the rumoured plan by the governor to join their party, insisted that he would have to join the party through the normal channel and present himself as an aspirant to be voted for at the primary election along other aspirants.
Also at the weekend, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who had exchanged brickbat with Governor Adeleke over the latter’s claim that Osun got worse during the administration of the former, disclosed that Adeleke had perfected a plan to defect to the APC.
Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, however, reacted immediately to the rumoured claims of defection, saying that Governor Adeleke has constitutional hurdles to cross before joining APC but for now, the governor remains in the PDP.
The party further said it observed that some of the allies of the governor had become ecstatic about the possibility of him joining APC, “which at the moment remains within the realm of speculation.
Olabisi said, “We want to state categorically and unequivocally that it is a lie from the pit of hell being told by the governor and his lieutenants that the state helmsman has defected into our party, as nothing of such is happening or being contemplated at all the levels of our party.
“At no time was there any pressure from the Presidency that Governor Adeleke should defect into our party, as
it has been the rumour by the governor’s lieutenants and his co-travellers.”
Irked by what he described as an unwanted baggage, former APC National Chairman and one-time governor of the State, Bisi Akande has urged the governor to remain in PDP and help to resolve the crisis affecting the main opposition party in the country.
Chief Akande who described the governor’s defection plan as “politically dangerous, morally confusing and strategically ill-advised,” warned that allowing “Governor Adeleke to defect to the APC after benefiting from the platform of the now-crippled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would undermine the party’s credibility and insult the loyalty of longstanding APC members in Osun State.”
“Let him test his popularity at the 2026 polls. If the people of Osun still stand with him, he can then consider joining APC as a free citizen, not as a sitting governor hiding under a collapsing structure. The APC is not a refuge for collapsing politicians.” Akande added.
Akande said the APC was not formed to provide shelter for politicians seeking relevance after failure, but as a movement grounded in progressive ideas and accountable leadership. Governor Adeleke’s defection at this stage would distort that vision,” he said.
“Osun APC must not be sacrificed for temporary political deals. Those who have built the party from scratch, who stood firm through electoral defeats and court battles, cannot be asked to step aside for someone who only just yesterday led the charge against us.”
In the meantime, about nine stalwarts of the APC have thrown their hats into the ring for the governorship contest, brushing aside the possible defection of Governor Ademola.
They include the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who said he would forgo his ambition only if the President Tinubu says so; Omooba Dotun Babayemi, Prof Rafiu Durodoye, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Mudasiru Hussen, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji and Chief Benedict Alabi. Remarkably, the governor himself has uttered no word amid the swirling rumours around him.
Governor Adeleke to defect to the APC after benefiting from the platform of the nowcrippled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would undermine the party’s credibility and insult the loyalty of long-standing APC members in Osun State
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Illegal Admissions in Tertiary Institutions
TOnly recently, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, restated in Abuja at the recent 2025 policy meeting of JAMB, with stakeholders and heads of tertiary institutions in attendance, that all admissions conducted outside JAMB is illegal. He went on to spell out the sanctions that culprits would face: Institutions and the candidates involved in such malpractices will be held accountable and sanctions may include withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of culpable officers or governing council members
he disclosure by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, JAMB, that many universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have by-passed the Central Admission Processing System CAPS, to offer admissions to students speaks to the unending issues with corruption and due process in our country.
JAMB described the admissions as “fake admission,” meaning that apart from being illegal, the illegality also jeopardises the educational future of the student so fraudulently admitted.
According to JAMB, 9,469 admissions across 20 tertiary institutions nationwide in the 2024 academic session were fake. Involved in the admission racketeering are federal, state and private institutions alike.
They include Kano State University of Science and Technology, which offered fake admission to 2,215 fake admissions, followed by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with 1,215. In the third position in this ignoble act is Gombe State University, with 1,164; Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, 761; Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 534; Ambrose Alli University, 514; Igbinedion University, 365; AkwaIbom Polytechnic, 340 and College of Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, 281.
Others are Achievers University, 267; Nigeria Police Academy, 263; Abia State Polytechnic, 256; Osun State University, 224; Federal University, Lafia, 189; Niger State Polytechnic, 182; Federal Polytechnic, Ida, 171 and Edo State
Polytechnic,166.
In the rear are Anchor University, 133; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, 116 and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, 113.What these institutions have done by flouting JAMB’s CAPS, is to practice corruption and indoctrinate and indulge impressionable students in it. This misconduct reduces the image of these institutions in the estimation of reasonable people and deals a blow to the overall concept of education as a means of exposing the mind to enquiry, broadening the mind’s horizon and the imagination.
Only recently, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, restated in Abuja at the recent 2025 policy meeting of JAMB, with stakeholders and heads of tertiary institutions in attendance, that all admissions conducted outside JAMB is illegal.
He went on to spell out the sanctions that culprits would face: Institutions and the candidates involved in such malpractices will be held accountable and sanctions may include withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of culpable officers or governing council members.
But as JAMB found out, many of those who attended the policy meeting have been sabotaging it. Even before Alausa’s warning and the policy meeting, JAMB has continuously alerted institutions to the dangers inherent in back-door admissions offered to candidates outside CAPS.
The candidates offered admission outside CAPS were barred from the
THEWILL NEWSPAPER TEAM
OPINION
OPL 245: Adoke and the Malabu Saga
BY REUBEN ABATI
OPL 245 is probably the most well-known oil block to be awarded by the Nigerian Government—known less for its vast reserves than for the years of legal disputes and international arbitrations surrounding its acquisition. The controversies involve the Federal Government of Nigeria, Shell, and Malabu Oil, alongside a cast of actors across courtrooms in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Italy.
Although OPL 245 is a deep offshore oil asset off the Niger Delta, similar to other blocks aimed at promoting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector, it has become enmeshed in a complex web of corruption allegations, bribery claims, and prolonged melodrama—both within and outside the courtroom.
In his earlier book, ‘Burden of Service’, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, touched on this controversial Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL), also known as Malabugate. In the current work, a sequel, Adoke turns the spotlight fully on OPL 245, giving a detailed and expansive account of the allegations leveled against him, the “clinical persecution” (p. 149) he endured, and the “lies and lies and more lies” (p. 153) he says were told against him—culminating in his eventual vindication.
Adoke’s new book, ‘OPL 245’, is by his own admission “therapeutic”—written to set the record straight, to document the facts, and to clear his name. At the heart of it is his role as Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice from April 2010 to June 2015.
When the OPL 245 saga began in 2003, Adoke was not yet in government. He was also not involved when the Obasanjo administration revoked the block on July 2, 2001, or when the Settlement Agreement was signed in 2006. But upon becoming AGF in 2010, OPL 245 became one of the cases he inherited (p. 23). During his tenure, the Jonathan administration confirmed the award of OPL 245 to Malabu.
According to Adoke, the politicisation of OPL 245 was the doing of President Olusegun Obasanjo “who woke up one morning and set OPL 245 on fire” (p. 21), revoking the block without cause, triggering years of litigation between NNPC, Malabu and Shell that stalled the asset’s development.
One of Adoke’s early tasks as AGF was to resolve the legal impasse. He advised that the 2006 Settlement Agreement remained binding. In the Resolution Agreement of April 2011, Shell and Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd. (NAE) were to pay $1.3 billion into a JP Morgan escrow account in London, with $1.092 billion to be paid to Malabu as “full and final settlement.” As Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer, Adoke believed he had acted appropriately. This book, however, explores the consequences of that decision— particularly the legal and personal battles that followed.
On May 29, 2015, after President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, Adoke said he was warned to expect persecution. He left the country, ostensibly for further studies at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, but his travails began shortly after. He was accused of receiving a N300 million (US$2.2 million) bribe from the OPL 245 deal, and also faced money laundering and abuse of office allegations linked to another $801 million. Though he insisted on his innocence, Adoke remained in exile from May 2015 until December 19, 2019.
During that period, the EFCC filed multiple charges against him. His name surfaced in legal matters in Italy, the US and the UK. His home was raided in the Netherlands and in Nigeria. A global arrest warrant was issued, leading to a 35-day detention by INTERPOL in Dubai. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was detained by the EFCC for another 55 days and was even questioned in relation to the P&ID case. It wasn’t until April 2024 that Nigerian courts acquitted him of all charges—after nearly eight years of persecution and threats to his life.
In his words: “…when President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015, he chose to come after me. Agreed that he misruled Nigeria for eight years, but he at least got distinction in one thing: destroying my name. He turned me to the poster boy of a scandal that never was…”
The book is divided into five parts and 26 chapters—a no-holds-barred, cold-blooded account of Adoke’s battle for vindication. In Chapter 5, he calls former President Obasanjo “clever by half” and says he owes Nigerians an apology for “blatantly lying” (p. 43). On President Buhari, Adoke claims the pursuit against him was “vengeance for the Abacha family,” saying Buhari “harbored a collection of bitter feelings against me for reasons best known to him” (p.13).
ALTHOUGH OPL 245 IS A DEEP OFFSHORE OIL ASSET OFF THE NIGER DELTA, IT HAS BECOME ENMESHED IN A COMPLEX WEB OF CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS, BRIBERY CLAIMS AND PROLONGED MELODRAMA— BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM
Part One, titled “Intrigue and Vendetta,” sets the stage. Part Two, “A Den of Defamers,” targets those Adoke considers his persecutors—Buhari, Professor John Paden (Buhari’s biographer), Muhammadu Abacha, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Bode Johnson, Adoke’s successor Abubakar Malami, Global Witness, Italian prosecutor Fabio de Pasquale, HEDA Resource Centre, Sahara Reporters (called “an-anything-goes-website” on p. 63), and Premium Times. Chapter 8, “The Ruthless Enforcer,” focuses on the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu, whom Adoke accuses of running a “Magu pandemic” (p. 74). He dismisses EFCC prosecutor Bala Sanga as “one lowlife… miserable” (p. 73).
Why Sowore’s Planned Police Protest Will Fail
BY ADENIKE AJANLEKOKO
In a country where social unrest simmers just beneath the surface and public confidence in security institutions remains fragile, it’s hardly surprising that Omoyele Sowore, perennial presidential candidate and self-styled activist, has once again chosen the path of confrontation. His latest crusade? A planned protest against the Nigeria Police Force, announced with his signature theatrical flair.
But beyond the noise and symbolism, there are compelling reasons why this protest is bound to fail, not just logistically, but also politically and morally.
To begin with, protests only succeed when they genuinely reflect the people’s pain. While Nigerians certainly have valid concerns about police misconduct, Sowore’s planned protest lacks grassroots credibility.
Unlike the #EndSARS movement, which rose organically from the frustrations of everyday Nigerians, particularly the youth, this appears more like a top-down initiative designed to revive Sowore’s waning relevance than to deliver meaningful reform.
There is also a growing weariness among Nigerians over one-man activism disguised as mass resistance. Over the years, Sowore has turned nearly every national grievance into a campaign prop, blurring the lines between political ambition and social advocacy. The public is increasingly reluctant to rally behind performative activism that ends in empty headlines and no change.
Even more concerning is the timing. The Nigeria Police Force is currently undergoing a slow but necessary transformation. Under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, institutional reforms have been rolled out focusing on welfare, training, professionalism, and human rights compliance. The journey is far from perfect, but calling for mass protest just as the reforms begin to take root seems not only premature but dangerously counterproductive.
Instead of reinforcing reform or bridging gaps between law enforcement and the public, Sowore’s protest risks undoing fragile gains. It sends a dangerous message— that confrontation is superior to collaboration, that chaos is more effective than consultation.
Moreover, Sowore’s past protest records don’t inspire confidence. From Revolution Now to countless Twitter tirades, his activism has been marked by legal pushback,
poor turnout, and security clampdowns.
The Nigerian state will not sit idly by while what it views as an anti-police rally is staged, especially by a figure with a history of incendiary tactics. Law enforcement will be on high alert, and the state has more than enough legal instruments to disrupt any action it sees as a threat to public order.
The national security context further complicates things. With banditry, terrorism, and communal conflicts stretching the capacity of security agencies, a disruptive protest could invite a disproportionate response—alienating even those who might agree with Sowore’s larger message.
Beyond that, Nigeria’s political landscape has changed. Today’s young Nigerians are more strategic, more policy-oriented, and more discerning about who speaks for them. The 2023 elections marked a generational pivot: structure, organisation, and long-term planning now matter more than loud protests and grandstanding.
Unlike #EndSARS, which united diverse social groups under a clear, non-partisan goal, Sowore’s protest feels like a personal vendetta cloaked in activist garb. Without a shared vision or collective ownership, it’s doomed to fizzle.
Sowore has cried wolf too many times. Nigerians have seen this act before. They’ve grown immune to the cycle of noise, arrest, hashtags, and silence. Activism without consistency and credibility is just noise. Nigerians want results, not rhetoric. They want policy reforms, legislative advocacy, improved community policing, and strategic partnerships—not endless, ineffective protests.
OMOYELE SOWORE’S PLANNED PROTEST AGAINST THE NIGERIA POLICE MAY TREND ONLINE OR GRAB HEADLINES, BUT IT WON’T MOVE THE NEEDLE
In conclusion, Omoyele Sowore’s planned protest against the Nigeria Police may trend online or grab headlines, but it won’t move the needle. Not because Nigerians are content with the police. Not because they’ve given up on reform. But because change requires more than outrage—it requires vision, patience and trust-building leadership.
Sowore’s playbook belongs to a bygone era—one where spectacle was mistaken for substance. Nigeria has evolved. It’s time he did, too.
•Ajanlekoko is the Publicity Director of the South West Youth Alliance and writes from Lagos State.
Industry Leaders Defend Local Content, Rally Behind NCDMB at NOG Energy Week
At the NOG Energy Week in Abuja, industry leaders robustly defended Nigeria’s local content policy, rejecting claims that it inflates business costs in the oil and gas sector.
They cautioned that such criticisms jeopardize the nation’s industrial progress and lauded the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its pivotal role in building indigenous capacity and fostering innovation.
During a panel session titled “Technology as a Business Strategy”, panellists championed NCDMB’s contributions, emphasizing its success in driving local expertise and technological advancement.
Dr. Daere Akobo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Pana Holdings, dismissed critiques of local content as arguing that its benefits to Nigeria’s economy far outweigh any perceived cost increases.
“Claims that local content drives up costs are misguided,” Akobo said. “How can you prioritize cost over GDP growth? Where will our youth find jobs? Undermining local content for short-term gains is a mistake. Nigeria must stay the course.”
Akobo highlighted his company’s work on Africa’s first digital refinery, a pioneering project showcasing the synergy between technology and local content. He identified fragmented data in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as a key barrier to cost efficiency.
“Technology drives accountability and curbs cost inflation,” he said. “But our data remains siloed. Consolidating it is critical for industry efficiency.”
Mr. George Onafowokan, Managing Director of Coleman Cables and Wires, praised NCDMB’s data-driven approach, crediting it for significant strides in local content development.
“Data is the backbone of growth,” Onafowokan said. “Effective data collection and accessibility are vital. Thanks to NCDMB, we’ve achieved 52% local content—a remarkable milestone.”
EDITOR Sam Diala
GTCO Records 66.8% Gain Y-t-D, Emerges First Banking Stock Above N100
Shares of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) recorded a 66.8 percent gain, year-todate, as of Friday, July 18, 2025, closing at N95.05 per share against N57 it opened at the beginning of the year.
In an unusual performance that points to strong mid-session gains on July 16, 2025, GTCO shares broke through to N101, thus becoming the first banking stock to cross the N100 mark on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
Although, the achievement underscores strong investor confidence, supported by the bank’s sustained positive performance since the start of the year, the group’s recent dual listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) provided the impetus for 6he unusual bullish trend.
GTCO had announced plans to raise approximately $100 million through a fully marketed equity offering and transition from its current Global Depositary Receipts structure to a full listing of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities.
The financial services group which disclosed this in a statement filed with the NGX and made available to the investing public on Thursday, July 17, 2025, noted that the exercise was geared towards the banking recapitalisation policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to the statement, the offering which commenced on July 2 and closed on July 3, 2025 would admit GTCO’s ordinary shares to the London Stock Exchange scheduled for July 9, 2025.
The panelists unanimously agreed that integrating technology, consolidating data, and strengthening institutions like NCDMB are critical to building a resilient and competitive oil and gas sector.
They urged policymakers, operators, and international stakeholders to reject narratives blaming local content for rising costs, Continues on page 35
A senior stockbroker, Dr Paul Uzum, described the bullish performance of the GTCO shares as the aftermath of the LSE listing. Uzum told THEWILL that the impressive performance of the shares on the LSE reinforced strong investor confidence in both the Nigerian equity market and the
and its recent successful listing on the London Stock Exchange.
This positive momentum mirrors the broader bullish trend in the banking sector, with the NGX Banking Index already up - over 22 percent in July.
It also follows GTCO’s recent dual listing, which saw 2.29 billion ordinary shares admitted to trading on the LSE on July 9, 2025, and a subsequent listing of 2.28 billion shares on the Nigerian Exchange the following day.
GTCO’s rally is likely fueled by positive market reaction around the cross-border listing and strong Q1 2025
In an unusual performance that points to strong midsession gains on July 16, 2025, GTCO shares broke through to N101, thus becoming the first banking stock to cross the N100 mark on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)
GTCO Records 66.8% Gain Y-t-D, Emerges... BUSINESS WEEKLY
Continues from page 34
latitude to ‘play’ with its revenues, unlike its peers which had to clear their commitments as required by the regulatory authorities.
Following the announcement, GTCO was the only Tier-1 bank stock to close in the green on the 17th of June 2025, gaining 5.8 percent as the banking index struggled.
recorded as at December 2024 to N3.22 trillion in March 2025.
While deposit liabilities grew by 7.7 percent from N10.40trillion to N11.20trillion during the same period.
Continues from page 34
advocating instead for robust frameworks and investments to drive inclusive growth and long-term industry stability.
must lead again, driving investments that benefit the entire continent.”
GTCO’s recent move to seek global capital is expected to lift investor interest.
“On July 9, 2025, it listed 2.29 billion ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, followed by an additional 2.28 billion shares on the Nigerian Exchange the next day,” observed Uzum.
Commenting on the dual listing, Group CEO Segun Agbaje said GTCO is targeting a minimum dividend yield of 15 percent and return on equity (ROE) of at least 25 percent — reflecting confidence in the group’s growth outlook.
The Group which sustained the growth momentum reported profit before tax of N300.4 billion on the back of strong performance posted on the core earnings lines of interest income which grew y-o-y by 41.1 percent and fee income up by 41.2 percent. The strong performance enabled the group to douse the impact of the N331.6 billion fair value gains recognised in Q1-2024 which did not recur in Q1-2025.
Further analysis of the the Group’s Q1 2025 performance showed that its loan book (net) increased by 15.6 percent from N2.9 trillion
TThe Group recorded growths across all its asset lines and continued to maintain a robust, wellstructured and diversified balance sheet in all the jurisdictions it operates. Total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at N15 trillion and N3 trillion, respectively.
Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very robust and strong, closing at 34.6 percent, equally asset quality improved as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.3 percent at Bank Level and 4.5 percent at Group. Cost of Risk (COR) closed at 0.4 percent from 4.9 percernt in December 2024.
“Our Q1 2025 performance reflects the strength of all our business verticals and our capacity to generate strong and sustainable earnings. While the fair value gains of N331.6billion reported in Q1 2024 did not recur this quarter, the Group recorded solid growth across most income lines, underpinned by a diversified revenue base and a healthy, well-structured balance sheet,” Agbaje had said.
Sam Ndata, a stock broker and former Doyen of the Stockbrokers pointed out that the current bullish trend in the performance of the GTCO shares could lead to high rate of profit-taking as investors rush to offload their stake, thereby weakening the current strong value.
Similarly. representatives from Ghana, and other African nations have underscored the growing influence of Nigeria’s local content framework and urged stronger cross-border policy alignment. They spoke at the the just concluded NOG Energy Week in Abuja,
Dr. Ernest Nwapa, NCDMB’s pioneer Executive Secretary, highlighted the Nigerian oil and gas sector’s resurgence, driven by increased production, deregulation, and improved governance. He emphasized the need for longterm sustainability to sustain this momentum.
“Africa is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” Nwapa said, pointing to initiatives like the West African and African Gas Pipelines, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First, Africa Next” strategy as evidence of Nigeria’s continental commitment.
“When Nigeria enacted its local content law, it faced Western criticism from bodies like the WTO and EU, who labelled it anti-trade,” Nwapa recalled. “Today, over 16 African nations and even the United States have adopted similar laws. Nigeria
Ghana’s Deputy Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Nasir Alfa Mohamed, noted that African nations have long looked to Nigeria for energy sector leadership. He called for dismantling barriers to regional integration and advocated for standardized regulations.
“A Ghanaian company should be able to compete for contracts in Nigeria based solely on merit,” Mohamed said. “We need joint regulatory bodies, mutual recognition of standards, and robust support for platforms like the African Oil Forum.”
Mohamed also highlighted Ghana’s growing partnerships with Nigeria and others, including a memorandum of understanding with Uganda. He noted that Ghana is currently the only African nation participating in the International Upstream Forum.
Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), represented by Prof. Zainab Gobir, stressed the importance of joint infrastructure, uniform tariffs, and coordinated regulations for true economic integration.
Nigeria Green Bond Market Development Programme Launches Sustainable Finance Bootcamp Industry Leaders...
he Nigeria Green Bond Market Development Programme (NGBMDP), a strategic partnership of FMDQ Group PLC and Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa), has announced the launch of the Sustainable Finance Bootcamp.
This is a tailored programme designed to empower Nigerian businesses by providing them with the essential tools, knowledge, and strategic connections needed to unlock sustainable funding and scale highimpact, climate-resilient solutions.
Set to launch in August 2025, the Bootcamp will bring together SMEs, startups, and impact-driven enterprises across Nigeria’s sustainability space for a dynamic, hands-on learning experience.
Through practical workshops and technical mentoring, the Programme will address critical barriers in green finance, increasing awareness of sustainable financial instruments and demystifying the complexities of building investor-grade projects.
The FMDQ group in a statement said that participants will gain exposure to practical workshops covering project development, structuring, and funding strategies for sustainabilityfocused initiatives.
“In the global pursuit of climate action and inclusive economic growth, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more critical.
“However, in Nigeria, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups continue to face significant challenges in accessing the resources needed to
implement climate-resilient and socially impactful initiatives.
“Barriers, such as limited access to finance, lack of awareness or understanding of sustainable finance instruments, weak investor networks, and poor project structuring, persist”, the FMDQ said, adding that the programme is aimed at bridging the gaps.
The curriculum will also include a session on developing robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, emphasising the importance of investor-grade bankability.
The Bootcamp features personalised mentoring from industry-leading legal and financial experts, as well as live pitch sessions with institutional investors, enabling businesses to effectively showcase their ideas and attract vital funding to scale their impact.
Since its inception in 2018, the NGBMDP has played a catalytic role in shaping Nigeria’s green finance landscape.
The Programme successfully supported the issuance of Nigeria’s first and second sovereign green bonds, along with landmark private sector green bond issuances by reputable entities such as Access Bank PLC, North South Power Limited and One Watt Solar, among others.
In partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria, the NGBMDP also developed the Nigeria Green Bond Guidelines, boosting investor confidence and establishing a benchmark for sustainable financial instruments. The Programme’s impact includes training hundreds of issuers, investors, and intermediaries across Nigeria
and facilitating the certification of Agusto & Co. as the first local green bond verifier in the country.
With transformative initiatives like the Bootcamp, the NGBMDP remains dedicated to advancing sustainable financial inclusion and market development in Nigeria.
The Sustainable Finance Bootcamp is supported by leading organisations, including the Bank of Industry, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited, Udo-Udoma & Belo-Osagie, and Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, underscoring a multi-stakeholder commitment to empowering enterprises to become climate-resilient and socially
*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com
inclusive. Applications are now open at https:// bootcamp.fsdafrica.org/.
FSD Africa is a specialist development agency funded by UK International Development and based in Nairobi. Established in 2012, it works to strengthen financial markets across sub-Saharan Africa to support inclusive growth and climate resilience.
Operating in over thirty (30) countries, FSD Africa collaborates with regulators, policymakers, and market actors to design and implement reforms, build capacity, and deploy catalytic capital. FSD Africa focuses on green finance, risk markets, capital markets development, and financial inclusion, with the goal of mobilising long-term finance to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, strategically positioned to provide registration, listing, quotation and noting services; integrated trading platform, clearing & central counterparty, and settlement services for financial markets transactions; depository of securities, as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives, and equity markets, through its wholly owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited. As a sustainability-focused FMI group, FMDQ Group, through FMDQ Exchange, operates Africa’s premier Green Exchange – FMDQ Green Exchange – positioned to lead the transition towards a sustainable future.
ECONOMY
Africa’s FDI Surge: Real Growth or Illusion?
BY OYEWOLE SARUMI
In 2024, Africa made global headlines with a staggering 75 percent surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reaching a historic $97 billion. At first glance, this suggests a continent finally gaining traction in the competitive global capital marketplace. However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality.
According to the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025, this unprecedented growth was disproportionately fuelled by a single megadeal—a UAE-backed sovereign investment in Egypt. Without this outlier, Africa’s FDI growth would have been a modest 12 percent, raising critical questions: Is this surge a sign of genuine economic momentum, or does it mask deeper structural challenges?
THE GLOBAL INVESTMENT CLIMATE: A DOWNWARD SLIDE
To properly evaluate Africa’s FDI performance, we must first consider the broader global context. In 2024, worldwide FDI flows contracted by 11 percent, falling to $1.5 trillion. Infrastructure investments slowed, industrial sectors faced strain, and developing nations—those most in need of capital— were left behind.
UNCTAD data reveals stark regional disparities: Developing countries saw stagnant FDI at $867 billion, East Asia experienced a sharp 12 percent decline (driven by China’s 29 percent drop), and Latin America and the Caribbean suffered a 12 percent fall due to softer energy prices. Project finance deals plummeted by 26 percent, while greenfield investments declined by nearly 20 percent.
Against this bleak backdrop, Africa’s performance stands out— not just because of Egypt’s megadeal but also because, even excluding it, the continent managed a 12 percent increase. This divergence, though modest, signals resilience worth acknowledging.
INSIDE AFRICA’S $97 BILLION FDI: WHAT’S DRIVING THE SURGE?
The headline $97 billion figure is undeniably striking, but its composition tells a more complex story. The UAE’s sovereign investment in Egypt single-handedly skewed the data, while the remaining $64 billion—representing a 12 percent net growth— reflects pockets of resilience across the continent.
Certain sectors showed promising traction: digital infrastructure projects grew by 4 percent, digital platforms and services expanded by 17 percent, and greenfield manufacturing investments in electronics and textiles remained stable. Yet, Africa continues to lag in attracting transformative investments in renewable energy, green manufacturing, critical minerals, and knowledge-intensive services—sectors crucial for long-term competitiveness.
THE ILLUSION OF CONCENTRATION: A FEW WINNERS, MANY LEFT BEHIND Africa’s FDI landscape remains heavily concentrated, with Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria dominating inflows while smaller economies struggle to attract meaningful capital. This uneven distribution underscores systemic challenges: investment is urban-centric, overly reliant on extractive industries, and vulnerable to geopolitical instability.
Nigeria’s energy sector, for instance, continues to grapple with security risks despite reform efforts. Ethiopia, once a rising star, has seen foreign capital retreat amid internal conflict. Francophone Africa, despite bright spots like Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, remains peripheral in global investment flows. Without broader inclusion, Africa’s growth will remain dependent on outliers rather than collective progress.
GLOBAL INVESTORS ARE SHIFTING: IS AFRICA READY?
The global investment paradigm is evolving. Nearshoring and friend-shoring are rising as firms seek to mitigate geopolitical risks. Green and impact investing are gaining momentum, yet Africa’s renewable energy sector saw a 12 percent decline in project announcements in 2024. Digital readiness is now a prerequisite, but many African nations still lack foundational infrastructure.
Investors today prioritise political stability, skilled labour, digital connectivity, and regulatory ease—areas where Africa still underperforms. The World Bank’s Doing Business report highlights persistent barriers: bureaucratic red tape, corruption, and logistical inefficiencies. To compete, Africa must address these gaps urgently.
A ROADMAP FOR SUSTAINABLE FDI: WHAT AFRICA MUST DO
For Africa to transition from sporadic mega-deals to sustained investment growth, systemic reforms are essential.
DEEPEN REGIONAL INTEGRATION
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds immense potential, but its success hinges on harmonising policies and bridging infrastructure gaps to create a seamless market of 1.4 billion people.
INVEST IN DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND EDUCATION
Africa’s digital sector growth must be accelerated through expanded data centres, enhanced internet backbones, and public-private partnerships in tech education to cultivate a globally competitive workforce.
STREAMLINE BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Reducing bureaucratic hurdles—simplifying business
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds immense potential, but its success hinges on harmonising policies and bridging infrastructure gaps to create a seamless market of 1.4 billion people
registration, digitising tax compliance, and ensuring judicial transparency—will enhance Africa’s appeal to investors.
PRIORITISE GREEN ENERGY AND CLIMATESMART INVESTMENTS
With global capital shifting toward sustainability, Africa must leverage its abundant solar, wind, and agricultural resources to attract ESG-focused funds.
REBRAND AFRICA’S INVESTMENT NARRATIVE
Shifting perceptions from “aid dependency” to “growth frontier” requires targeted investor outreach, diaspora engagement, and strategic partnerships with global media and consultancies.
ESTABLISH SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS AND CREDIT GUARANTEES
De-risking investments through sovereign wealth funds, blended finance models, and regional guarantee schemes can significantly enhance investor confidence.
THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Governments cannot act alone. The private sector must align with global ESG standards, while development finance institutions (DFIs) should expand guarantee programmes. Multilateral lenders must prioritise infrastructure projects that connect landlocked regions to ports and digital networks, advancing inclusive growth.
Is this a tipping point or a temporary spike with Africa’s recordbreaking $97 billion in FDI that may offer cause for celebration? I think it also demands sober reflection on the part of our leadership. A single mega-deal cannot eclipse the continent’s structural challenges. Yet, the opportunity is undeniable: the world seeks new markets, talent, and high-growth frontiers. By embracing integration, digitalisation, sustainability, and regulatory reform, Africa can transform its investment landscape from episodic to enduring.
The pivotal question is no longer whether Africa can attract investment but whether it can rise to meet the expectations of a global economy ready to engage. The time for strategic action is now.
•Prof. Sarumi is Chief Strategic Officer, LMS DT Consulting, Faculty, Prowess University, US, and ICLED Business School
Trends Every CEO and HR Leader Should Watch Out For
BY DEBORAH YEMI-OLADAYO
Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, Nairobi – name it. These commercial hubs are currently experiencing a particular shift in their corporate powerhouses. It’s not headline-grabbing yet, but it can’t be denied. You see it in the novel ways HR contemplates recruitment processes. You hear it in the pointed questions young professionals ask in interviews. You feel it in the careful decisions CEOs make with compulsive consideration of culture, leadership and technology.
So, what will the African workforce look like in the next five years?
This question has transcended from being rhetorical to a critical one; it is one that will determine Africa’s corporate climate for decades to come. The truth is, the change is already ongoing. The process has started, building up slowly at first and now, with a picked momentum, it is accelerating. It is no longer a debate on whether change is coming; the realistic question is, are we prepared for it?
To understand how we got here, we must first acknowledge where we’ve been. In history, African companies have always played by a one-way rule when it came to hiring: by degree, promoting by years of experience, authorised by hierarchy and led by controlling power. This is what we got used to, but things are changing and for a good reason.
titles and certificates.
The singular truth is that AI won’t take over our jobs but will replace repetitive low-value tasks, most of which should have been phased out years ago
It is important to have a mindset shift, particularly when our most valuable asset as Africans are the people. The fact is, we are home to the youngest population in the world. It’s an amazing advantage, but only if we know how to exploit it.
Today, the expectations of professionals have totally morphed. Employees, the younger generations, are invading the workforce with a variety of set expectations which is a complete opposite from what used to be. Unlike the older generations who were mostly just looking for jobs, these ones are seeking purpose, growth and alignment. For them it’s not just about clocking in; they want to play a part. This shift has heralded a new era in workplace structure across Africa.
We don’t have to look far to see it; there are examples staring at us. Hybrid work is an instance. A few years ago, everyone looked at remote work like some sort of privilege reserved for tech startups. The same idea was quickly dismissed here by the challenges of inconstant power supply, nonexistent policy infrastructure and the like.
Yet, even with all this awareness, the recruitment funnel in many African countries is still playing catch-up. The reality is that the majority of tertiary institutions are still detached from this enlightenment, amounting to the growing population of graduates who are ambitious but unequipped. No soft skills, little to no digital exposure or clarity is needed for today’s labour market.
Sadly, right now, we are battling failure in education and in alignment. A vast populace of young people is being released into the labour market full of passion but with nowhere to channel it. Our population has incredible potential, but there is little progress if there are no provisions to nurture this potential. For this reason, organisations and academic institutions must speak a common language and business leaders too must help lead that conversation.
Failing to do so means that our young professionals will seek growth and contribute elsewhere and this external search will not benefit Africa as a continent.
Here is another powerful thing that is happening but less obvious. A cultural reset in the work environment has come to stay. Employees are no longer attracted by paycheques alone, but to an environment that pairs with their ideas, one that values mutual respect.
But that plot is changing fast and a major contributor to this change was the 2020-star virus. It may have pushed us into a lot of uncertainties, but a key reveal to us was this: Flexibility. Is. Possible. Not only is it possible, but we also got to realise the many advantages it comes with: Productivity, sustainability, even profitability.
Once again, the question has transformed. The most progressive organisations no longer ask if they should allow remote work but are pondering such questions like, “What does an African version of hybrid work look like?”
This evolving question presents us with an opportunity. Moments like this are what births a rare avenue to redefine hybrid work or any other learnt business culture, in a way that suits our own reality.
We have to build systems that consider local realities (like co-housing, inconstant electricity or limited bandwidth) while still welcoming the future of work. We must do this because the alternative is implausible.
Equally important to this transition is the rise of a skillsfirst mentality; the era of worshipping degrees is surely fading away. Hiring managers now ask the right questions: Can this candidate solve real-life problems? Can they work across cross-cultural teams? Important questions that span across cultural, personal, and industrial compatibility are being addressed.
These are the traits that matter. These are the questions that should be asked. Not just paying huge attention to
This misalignment has created a gap and it is increasing. There is no need to debate who is to be held accountable; rather, the business community should take a stand to fix things quickly. The forward-thinking companies are already working to fill this gap by partnering with mentoring institutes, initiating internship programmes and many other programmes that offer real-world learning to graduates, surpassing the theoretical learning they are used to.
This is just mere clarity. Waiting for tertiary institutions to fix the labour gap alone will cost the business world valuable time and talent, which we cannot afford, especially in the face of accelerating change.
We cannot discuss change without mentioning its key driver, ‘technology’. The introduction of artificial intelligence and automated services is a major contributor to this change and a facilitator of some fears we all harbour, some justified, others misplaced.
The singular truth is that AI won’t take over our jobs, but it will replace repetitive low-value tasks, most of which should have been phased out years ago. What we need to ask ourselves is this: How far have we gone in preparing our labour force to do the type of work that AI can’t do? Works that require humane emotions like empathy, strategic thinking, creativity and even judgement. Are we ready?
If your answer is no, then you can see that we are not only just behind; we’re vulnerable.
This vulnerability is exactly why preparation demands us to act now. We have to change the mentality of upskilling being an option because it has become a core business function. The companies that will thrive are those companies that position their workforce to adapt alongside technology rather than in reaction to it.
Psychological safety is now a global priority in the workplace. It is more than just a quest by the “Gen Z”; it’s a human desire. What can we see today? Companies that make people feel seen, heard and valued, as well as attract and retain the very best talent. This is because top talent will always quest to cling to workplaces that can promise a community and respect their identity.
Where exactly does this leave us? It is evident that with every series of subtle, connected shifts, in every hiring decision, every policy revised, and every conversation about culture or team dynamics, we have all made it happen. The future of Africa is no longer a destination we are en route to; we are living in it as it unfolds.
In its unfolding, one truth is becoming clearer than ever: the companies that will have an edge in this era are not those with a tasty tech stack or extravagant budgets. They will be the ones that act with the awareness that the people are the biggest innovation opportunity they have. Africa, it is in this nick of time that we define what works for us.
We shouldn’t be obliged to do what the rest of the world is doing. We don’t need to fit into systems that weren’t designed in consideration of the African context. What we should do is possess the courage to create our own, to design a work model that puts the average African in context yet meets global economic relevance.
Remember, the future doesn’t wait, and neither should we.
•Deborah Yemi-Oladayo is the Managing
Director of Proten International.
SHOTS OF THE WEEK
Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]
L–R: Programme Director, The Digital Fair, Blessing Obaje; Founder/Convener, The Digital Fair, Adetutu Adetumbi and Founder/CEO, Seedar Group, a strategic PR and communications partner, Seyi Ajadi, during a press conference to herald the Digital Professional Fair, scheduled for August 6–8, 2025, in Lagos July 18, 2025.
L-R: Keynote Speaker, Mr Ibrahim Mukhtar; representative of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Mr Michael Terwase-Tsumbu; Chairman, House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Mr Kayode Akiolu; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu-Aliyu; representative of Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Romanus Odugu; Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Usman-Bello and Enugu State Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Tochi-Udeh, during ICPC Roundtable Engagement with State Attorneys-General in the Southeast on Strengthening ICPC’s Capacity for Corruption Prevention in Enugu on July 16, 2025.
L-R: Director, Regional Operation, East, IHS Nigeria, Olabisi Jolaiya; Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga; Medical Director, General Hospital, Eleme (Representing the CMD, Hospitals Management Board), Dr. Lechi Claribel and Regional Legal Counsel, IHS Nigeria, Nnamdi Ani during a courtesy visit and inspection of the oxygen plant donated by IHS Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF, to General Hospital, Eleme, Rivers State, recently.
L-R: Member, House of Assembly representing Lagelu, Akintunde Olajide; Chairman, Broadcasting Cooperation Oyo State, Mrs Dotun Olaitan; Speaker, Oyo State House Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; Assistant Director, News BCOS, Tola Teriba; House of Assembly member representing Ogbomoso South, Sanjo Adedoja; at the Guest Forum featuring Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan on July 15, 2025.
L-R: Chief Security Officer, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr Sandy Udoeden; Head of Defense Desk, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos, Mr Kelvin Okunzuwa; National President, ISPON, Mr Timothy Iwuagwu; Head of NAN Editorial Operations, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole; fellow, ISPON, Dr Timi Ajayi and Deputy Editor-in-Chief NAN, Mrs Ijeoma Popoola, during a visit by ISPON delegation to NAN office in Lagos on July 17, 2025.
La Decima Still in Play as Super Falcons Whip Zambia to Reach WAFCON Semis
BY JUDE OBAFEMI
The Super Falcons of Nigeria entered the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after winning their group with two victories and a draw, untroubled defensively with no goals conceded. That flawless record was never more evident than in their remarkable 5–0 victory against Zambia. In a match billed as a contest between Zambian speed and Nigerian solidity, Nigeria proved their supremacy when it mattered most.
In Casablanca, just two minutes after kickoff, Osinachi Ohale rose to meet an Esther Okoronkwo free kick and headed the ball past Zambia’s goalkeeper. From that moment their intent was clear: they would not be denied. Zambia’s threat duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji had been central to their rise in the tournament, but neither was allowed time to find her rhythm. Nigeria managed them effectively, restricting their influence even when Zambia threatened to gain possession.
The absence of any conceded goals during the group stage marked a watershed moment. For the first time since 1998, the Super Falcons maintained a fully clean sheet across all group matches. That reflection of discipline and structure under coach Justin Madugu has shaped the team’s identity, shifting from a one-dimensional attacking side to a more well-balanced, defensively tight unit. In the 0–0 draw with Algeria, they demonstrated maturity in ball management and organisation, preserving their unbeaten run.
Their performance against Zambia illustrated this transformation in sharp relief. That commanding 5-0 scoreline was not earned only by one fast start but also through sustained pressure. In the 33rd minute Okoronkwo slotted in a composed second goal after a well-worked build up from Rasheedat Ajibade. Just before the interval, Chinwendu Ihezuo seized a loose ball to make it three. A swift move down the wing caught Zambia off guard, exposing their defence and exploiting their hesitation with concise finishing.
After the break, Nigeria continued to dominate the game. In the 68th minute, Tosin Demehin applied a header from inside the box to extend the lead to four. That goal came from another free-kick service, indicating Nigeria’s edge in dead-ball situations. The final goal, in stoppage time, came from debutante Folashade Ijamilusi, who converted a pass from Ajibade. It was a sign of team depth and rotation, with substitutes also effectively taking up responsibility.
The performance marked a vindication of Madugu’s balance between defensive discipline and attacking sharpness. He has rotated the squad with purpose, combining defensive security with an effective, incisive front line. The use of players, such as Ajibade and Ijamilusi exemplified strength in depth. On defence, centre-backs Ohale and Demehin formed a solid
pairing. They dealt with long balls effectively and limited space for Zambia’s forwards. Ohale’s early action helped to establish control. Further support was provided by Ashleigh Plumptre, who was recognised in CAF’s team of the group stage. In goal, the everreliable Chiamaka Nnadozie was steadfast, handling any threat without conceding a goal.
The forward line combined directness with confidence. Okoronkwo showed finishing talent and aerial skill, while Ihezuo offered mobility and instinct. Ajibade combined creativity and movement, contributing two assists in the big win. The bench provided more value, with Asisat Oshoala and Halimatu Ayinde delivering for the team when it mattered most, as the game approached its last legs.
Zambia’s defeat highlighted their defensive weaknesses. Their plan began to fall apart from the opening whistle. Attempts to rely on Banda and Kundananji were blunt, with both flagged offside repeatedly. There was reluctance in midfield and poor coordination in defence. Yet before Nigeria, they had only conceded four goals in their group matches, revealing that Nigeria’s clean sheet record was far from accidental.
Nigeria now carries the momentum into the semi-finals. They will face South Africa or Senegal in a clash that could define possession control and tactical flexibility. Their shift from a purely attack-oriented approach to one where defence supports forward play should serve them well. Their set-piece threat and open-play forays strengthen their profile going forward in the tournament.
The key now will be maintaining discipline under pressure. They must remain compact and avoid rushing forward carelessly. While their clean sheet run is impressive, future opponents will scout their tempo and transitions. Matching intensity with patience, making use of tactical substitutions and guarding against yellow card accumulation will be crucial.
ogannah@thewillnews.com
Time to End Medical Tourism for Nigerian Political Leaders
Formerpresidential spokesman Femi Adesina sparked national debate with his assertion that if the late President Buhari had depended on Nigerian hospitals, “He could have long been dead,” because “There may not be the expertise needed in the country.”
Adesina further noted that Buhari’s preference for London medical care pre-dated his presidency and was, in his view, a medical necessity rather than a luxury. The irony lies in the fact that Buhari, like many of his predecessors, as well as state governors, invested little in building domestic healthcare capacity till date.
Nigeria’s health system has long suffered from inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and an exodus of medical professionals. In 2019, government spending on health reached only 3.7 per cent of gross domestic product, well below the World Health Organisation’s recommended minimum of 5 per cent. With such low investment, public hospitals often lack power, functional laboratories, diagnostic equipment and basic amenities, such as ventilators. It is little wonder that the country’s leaders and the affluent choose to seek medical treatment abroad and they are often treated by Nigerian trained medical personnel who migrated abroad in search of better opportunities.
Millions of dollars leave Nigeria every year for health services overseas. In 2022 alone, Nigerians spent over $1 billion on medical tourism. Beyond personal budgets this trend has a profound national cost. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation estimates it costs between $21,000 and $51,000 to train a medical doctor in Africa. Since 2010, the country has lost more than $2 billion in training costs alone, with over half of the doctors registered with the Medical and Dental Council practising abroad. Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio stands at one doctor for 5,000 patients, falling far short of the WHO benchmark of 1:600.
The scale of medical migration is staggering. Between 2016 and 2018 more than 9,000 Nigerian doctors moved to the United Kingdom. Around 40,000 Nigerian-trained doctors are practising abroad, including 4,000 in the United States and 8,000 in the United Kingdom. Almost half of licensed Nigerian medical doctors have emigrated, triggering a critical shortage.
The consequences of this exodus are dire. Rural communities frequently endure a single doctor serving over 20,000 people, while urban tertiary institutions struggle with overworked staff and limited equipment. The void created by outward migration is not merely quantitative but qualitative. Many Nigerians seek routine
check-ups overseas, while others travel for more complex care such as heart surgery or cancer treatment. Among these patients are influential public officials. Yet within the destination countries, Nigerian doctors are routinely among the most qualified, trusted and accomplished. It saddens me that a country that used to play host to foreign medical tourists in the 1960s, including the powerful Saudi Royal Family has destroyed its healthcare system through neglect, corruption and poor leadership.
It is painful to note that these same Nigerian political leaders who now travel abroad for care remain in government at federal and state levels but take no action to strengthen the domestic systems. The failure to build a world-class hospital with well-remunerated staff and modern infrastructure is not for want of resources alone but it reflects misplaced political priorities.
There is also an economic distortion. Billions of Naira drain out of public finance via government-funded medical trips for top officials, including former top officials – Presidents, Vice Presidents, Governors, Deputy Governors, et al.
That money might better improve local hospitals. Instead, it fuels a medical tourist trade that benefits foreign health systems. It as a self-reinforcing cycle: Weak domestic care drives foreign travel, which further reduces investment in public hospitals.
This stands in stark contrast to South Africa, where high-level investment enabled late ex-President Nelson Mandela to receive world-standard care in Johannesburg or at home, even into his 90s. During hospital stays for pneumonia or gallstones he was discharged to homebased high care, with a medical team giving him care in his own residence. His example shows that investing in domestic health infrastructure benefits society broadly and allows citizens, including former leaders, to receive care domestically.
South Africa’s system allows underlying benefits to cascade. A robust healthcare system and strong tertiary institutions can support all citizens, not only leaders. That does not require endless funding. It demands clear leadership, accountability and willingness to empower domestic professionals now, not after office.
In Nigeria, the cycle continues. Funds are channelled abroad, domestic hospitals deteriorate, professionals emigrate, citizens lose confidence and leaders grow more willing to fly out for even routine check-ups. This spiral has persisted across successive administrations at national and sub-national levels.
The core problem lies in the political ecosystem. Because the electoral system fails to reliably express the will of the people, public office is often detached from accountability. Officials invest in self-interest or foreign healthcare rather than in domestic institutions that would serve the electorate. That will only change when votes count and public office carries genuine consequences. If elections were free and votes were honestly counted, political candidates would have to show results, whether in roads, schools or hospitals, to retain power. Medical tourism for the few would end and domestic health capacity will become a symbol of competence.
Mandela never had to leave his country for the best medical care. Nigeria’s leaders insist on doing so. That refusal is shameful. Are they even thinking about the national security implications for the country in allowing foreigners to gain access to our president, vice president, governors, top officials and obtaining their medical records? This is troubling!
We must wake up from our trance in this country now and begin to fix the problems with the urgency they deserve.
It is painful to note that these same Nigerian political leaders who now travel abroad for care remain in government at federal and state levels but take no action to strengthen the domestic systems
