Digital
Nigeria’s financial sector is undergoing transformative change. At the helm of this transformation is a new breed of bold, visionary Nigerians who are breaking barriers and reimagining the future of finance.
Shola Akinlade, Co-Founder and CEO of Paystack, has made an impact beyond numbers and milestones. At a time when Africa’s digital economy was still nascent, he recognised the critical need for a simple, reliable, and secure payment infrastructure.
Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint Inc., bet on everyday Nigerians when digital banking was primarily focused on elite urban consumers.
Odunayo Eweniyi has played a defining role in revolutionising how millennials and Gen Z Nigerians manage their money. In a country with low financial literacy and a once non-existent saving culture among young people, Eweniyi saw a gap and filled it.
Eloho Omame is the Founding Partner of FirstCheck Africa, a female-led angel fund and syndicate. She is on a mission to rewrite the investment narrative, one in which African women aren’t just building startups but are also backed with capital.
Razaq Ahmed, Co-founder and CEO of Cowrywise has built a platform that brings investment opportunities once reserved for the rich into the hands of everyday Nigerians—young, old, salaried, or self-employed.
Read about them on pages 8 through 10.
This week, our fashion pages discuss how to style a wrap skirt. This wardrobe staple can be worn to work, formal events, or laid-back days. See how you can style your wrap skirt on pages 4 and 5.
Scroll to page 16 to download the playlist curated specially for you. You’ll love it.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
Photo: Kola Oshalusi
@insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
OnahNwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN
SUNDAY, JUNE 01, 2025 THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnews.com
THEWILLNIGERIA
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COVER
Obi, LP Face Daunting Challenge Ahead
BY AMOS ESELE
It is no longer news that the Labour Party, LP, is currently fractured. The factions within the party may continue to make news headlines until its stakeholders take concrete steps to enforce the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025. “It is the media that is creating the factions by their reportage,” Special Media Adviser to Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, Ken Asogwa told THEWILL, Friday.
“I need to fault the premise that there is an Abure faction. The truth of the matter is that the Supreme Court judgement is very clear. It ousted Julius Abure from his position as National Chairman of the party. The court removed him from the party. What the party leaders have done is to suspend him for six months, he said.”
The official disclosed that the party held its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting on April 11, 2025, and Usman’s designation was changed, from Chairman of the Caretaker Committee to Acting National Chairman.
poll, Peter Obi, in clear violation of the party’s constitution.
He said, “According to our party’s constitution, it is the National Chairman and the National Secretary that can summon a NEC meeting,” he said.
When reminded that the apex court in its ruling, sacked Abure, who was the national chairman of the party, Arabambi said the import of the judgement was that “courts lacked jurisdiction over party matters. In any case, the Supreme Court in its judgement also did not appoint a new National Chairman.”
Furthermore, he said the party’s constitution recognised only the party’s National Chairman and state chairmen, an elected President on the party’s platform, elected state governor, elected President of the Senate, elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives as NEC members.
After her elevation, she set up a special investigation panel on May 7, headed by Senator Ireti Kingibe and charged it to, within three weeks “examine all allegations levelled against Abure, including alleged anti-party activities, misappropriation of party funds and recommend appropriate sanctions to be given to him.”
Contacted for response, a spokesperson for Abure, Abayomi Arabambi told THEWILL that the letter that convened the said NEC meeting was signed by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023
The decision to restrict the membership of the NEC was taken during the time of former National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, who is now Chairman of Zenith Labour Party, Arabambi noted. “Even Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not recognise the position of Caretaker Committee. So, Obi, Otti, Usman and National Assembly members cannot constitute the NEC of the party,” he further stated.
According to him, the Abure-led faction ignored the other faction and worked on a new constitution for the party which it has submitted to the Independent National Electoral Committee, INEC. In the new constitution, the party clearly spells out the powers of the National Secretary, with regards
COVER
Obi, LP Face Daunting Challenge. . .
ABRIDGED VERSION OF SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT
The Apex court judgement, now subject of interpretation by rival LP factions, was delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, who read the lead judgement.
Justice Barka held that the appellate court did not consider the two separate appeals filed by the appellants since they centred on party leadership, on which the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate. He said anything done outside jurisdiction amounted to a nullity.
He read, in part, “In this case, the court below, after recognising that the 1st respondent’s main relief was relief number five (5), based on the leadership of the 1st respondent and thus not justiciable, strayed beyond its jurisdiction into the realm where even the angels dread to tread to pronounce Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the 1st respondent.
“The law applicable here is as expressed in the Latin maxim: Nihil nonexpetant aedificare store, meaning that ‘one cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. The 1st respondent’s suit at the trial court had no legs to stand in the circumstances and deserves to be struck out…”
“In summary, both the trial court and the court below lacked jurisdiction to entertain the 1st respondent’s suit, whose main relief, as observed, was relief number five (5), treated as an appendage. As a result, the decisions of both the trial court and the court below, which recognised Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the 1st respondent, are set aside, and Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 is struck out for want of jurisdiction…
“Before I am done, may I admonish political parties and their members to endeavour to always allow their constitutions, rules, regulations and guidelines to guide them in choosing their officers as well as candidates. That way, incessant internal rifts which always find their way to court will be reduced. If the constitution of a politician has prescribed duration for tenure of office of an officer, such officer should be humble enough to exit at the expiration of the tenure.”
The litigants interpreted the judgement differently. For Abure, the judgement did not remove him from office. It merely held that the courts lacked jurisdiction to interfere in internal party matters, thus striking out both Senator Usman’s appeal and LP’s original suit.
The party’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kehinde Edun, said the apex court had clarified that courts should not decide on political party leadership matters, thus validating the convention that elected Abure and the current NEC, whose tenure he maintained was still in effect.
alleged single-handed involvement in coalition talks with the opposition, planning to give President Bola Tinubu a run for his money in 2027. Additionally, there is the reaction following his coalition talks and moreover, the stand of the largely nonpartisan ‘Obidient Movement’ on all of these issues.
Finally, there is the influence of the zoning formula along the North/South dichotomy on his decisions. In sequence and order, Obi’s involvement in the coalition talks has polarised the party and the ‘Obidient Movement,’ into naysayers and supporters, thus opening his leadership at a time of party crisis to critical questioning from within.
Members of the ‘Obidient Movement’ are said to be in support of Obi’s participation in the coalition talks so long as he does not accept anything less than the position of presidential candidate or else they will vote with their feet against him.
Erstwhile Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Usman said, “The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman, declaring it meritorious, while dismissing the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party as unmeritorious, is a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for our democracy.” 10 days after she was appointed Acting National Chairman of the party by its NEC.
ENTER OBI
In the midst of this unresolved crisis, Obi, who last week disclosed that he would contest the 2027 General Election on the platform of the LP, is also at a crossroads, just like the party. He has three issues to contend with, according to investigation.
The first issue is the intra-party perception trailing his
According to Arabambi, echoing an earlier statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, who said that the party would not support any coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and that no aspirant, including Obi and Otti, would be granted an automatic ticket for the 2027 Presidential Election, Obi’s participation in coalition talks is dividing the party further.
“This party has been in existence for the past 25 years and people should remember that it had also had high-profile personalities like ex-governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege before he defected to the APC. Obi did not discuss his decision with the hierarchy of the party. We read about it on the pages of newspapers which was quite embarrassing, particularly after he had said he would be running on the party’s platform in the 2027 election.”
For Senator Nenadi Usman, Obi’s involvement in the opposition coalition is in line with leadership of the party she heads as acting National Chairman. Her Media Adviser, Asogwa, said Obi’s participation in coalition talks received the blessings of the party and remains his decision, even if the talks fail to materialise.
“Even if the talks fail to reach a consensus, Obi has the right to seek election on the platform of the party,” he insisted. When asked if the party gave Obi some proposals to guide his participation at the talks, Asogwa replied that though he was unauthorised to speak on it, he could only guess that such talks entailed give and take.
“All I can tell you is that he is authorised to participate in the talks. We formally approved Obi’s involvement in the ongoing patriotic efforts to rescue Nigeria from the current administration.”
Earlier, Asogwa had questioned the Abure-led NWC of misleading the public about its status and right to speak for the party. “It is curious that individuals who were suspended for anti-party activities are now questioning a move rooted in the national interest. Whose interest is Julius Abure really serving? Is he denying that Nigeria is in crisis and that unified action is needed? His actions suggest an agenda contrary to what the Labour Party and Obi stand for.”
“
I believe we should have a retirement age for politicians. By 2027, I will be 65. If the presidency goes back to the North in 2031, it may not return to the South until 2039 — by then, I will be 77. I wouldn’t want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything
National Coordinator of the movement, Tanko Yinusa told this newspaper that their concern in agreeing to Obi’s participation is that “Nigeria is in a quagmire and the discussions is how to get the country out of its dire straits. As far as we are concerned that is the position on the table.” He said Obi remains in the Labour Party and has not done anything to warrant statements of disapproval of his candidacy on its platform.
Debunking reports that the coalition had debated and offered Obi a Vice-Presidential position for one term in an envisaged Atiku Abubakar presidency, Yinusa said, “There is no such discussion. People are flying kites, as far as we are concerned. If there will be such a deal we will consider it and make our position public.” Asogwa said there is no such thing. “Obi and Atiku have debunked it, he quipped.
The influence of the North/South dichotomy revolves round the view that any presidential aspirant from the South who fails to take the presidency in 2027 would have to endure a tortuous, almost endless wait for 12 years should President Tinubu get re-elected in 2027 for another 4 year-term to complete the tenure of the South region in 2031. Even Obi left a hint in his recent statement that if he fails to run in 2027, he may not run again.
“I believe we should have a retirement age for politicians. By 2027, I will be 65. If the presidency goes back to the North in 2031, it may not return to the South until 2039 — by then, I will be 77. I wouldn’t want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything,” he said last Monday.
So, he must make hay while the sun shines. Seeking a platform, forming an opposition and joining coalition talks are almost like an endgame for him now, which, during his pursuit, would continue to impact interests and alliances.
WAY FORWARD
Asogwa said the Labour Party under the acting chairmanship of Senator Nenadi Usman is forging ahead to reposition the party. It has got NEC’s approval to begin registration and validation of new members within 90 days. “The target is 10 million Nigerians,” he disclosed.
Interestingly, a dependable source in the Abure-led NWC disclosed that in the event of the party being unable to address the prolonged leadership crisis, it will move on with its plans for 2027. According to him, the party has concluded plans to draft Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, as its presidential candidate in 2027.
“We have sent an emissary to her and she has told us she needed to make wider consultations and get back to us.” Reminded that she had just won re-election as WTO DG, he replied that, “President of Nigeria is more important than being a DG of WTO.”
Also reminded that Okonjo-Iweala is an admirer of Obi and she may reject an offer that will hurt their relationship, he quipped, “A party is an institution. We have had high ranking senators and past governors on our platform before. Even if she refuses the offer, she will at least know that Nigerians who want the best for their country are thinking of her as a potential saviour.” But he agreed with Arabambi’s submission that the party’s stakeholders will have to sink their differences and agree to unite under a common purpose for the party to stop drifting and “becoming easy targets for divisive forces from within and without.
L-R: General Manager, Rome Business School, Nigeria, Mr. Olakunle Asunmo; the Dean and Founder, Prof. Antonio Ragusa; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu and Head of Didactic Dept. at Rome Business School, Mr. Sam Igwe, during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina, on May 29, 2025.
NEWS
West Africa Set to Unlock Trade, Investment as Nigeria Hosts WAES 2025
BY FELIX IFIJEH
President Bola Tinubu has announced the convening of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025.
Scheduled for June 20–21 at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), the landmark regional event will serve as a pivotal platform to unlock trade and investment opportunities, strengthen regional integration, and empower West Africa’s youth, positioning the region for inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
Theme: “West Africa Economic Summit: Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region”, WAES 2025 will bring together regional Heads of State, Ministers, investors, CEOs, SMEs, development partners, youth innovators, and media stakeholders to deliver actionable solutions to the region’s most pressing economic challenges.
The summit aligns with Nigeria’s revitalised foreign policy agenda, the 4D strategy — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora — with a strong emphasis on leveraging West Africa’s demographic potential and driving inclusive development through
Assembly Directs
BY KAJO MARTINS, MAKURDI
trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Key Highlights of Summit includes “High-Level Policy Dialogue: A Presidential Roundtable and Private Sector CEO Forum will culminate in a Communiqué outlining strategic priorities for trade and investment across the region. “Investment and Partnership Opportunities: The WAES Deal Room will host targeted B2G and B2B sessions aimed at securing at least five landmark investment deals or PPPs.
“West Africa Business Expo: A showcase of investmentready SMEs and regional projects designed to promote intra-African value chains and entrepreneurship.
“Cultural and Youth Empowerment: Events such as the West Africa Art Exhibition and Innovation Pitch will spotlight the region’s creative economy and youth potential.”
WAES 2025 will address regional priorities including economic resilience, youth employment, infrastructure development, and trade facilitation. The summit seeks to establish West Africa as a globally competitive economic bloc.
Revocation of Titles Within Varsity
The Benue State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Land and Survey to revoke the adverse title to Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, for overriding public interest.
The House equally directed the Ministry to allocate an alternative site to the affected persons, as well as settle issues of compensation in line with the 2015 State government White Paper Report.
The House committee chairman, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, said the decision followed its hearing on the lingering dispute between the University and Mission House International, held at the assembly complex, Makurdi.
It further directed the Ministry to comply with the directive within sixty days and follow due process, saying the
implementation of paragraph 33 of the report will address the lingering land dispute between the University and Mission House International. Other members of the committee are Abu Umaru, Matthew Damkor and Terwase Uchi, all of whom adopted the resolutions and expressed optimism that it will resolve the dispute.
The Commissioner for Land and Survey, Mr Martin Shaagee, who appeared before the assembly committee, disclosed that from the available records, the stretch of land from Wurukum to the river bank intersecting with the Inland Water Ways boundary up to Gyado Villa along Gboko road belongs to the university.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Tor Joe Iorapuu, has felicitated Governor Hyacinth Alia on the second year anniversary in office.
Tinubu Mourns Kano Contingent Involved in Tragic Accident
President Bola Tinubu has received with deep sorrow the tragic news of an accident involving members of the Kano State contingent who were returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
“This is a devastating blow to the nation. It casts a shadow over the National Sports Festival, a celebration of unity, talent, and excellence. It has long served as a platform for discovering and nurturing athletes who bring pride to Nigeria on both national and international stages,” the President said.
President Tinubu paid tribute to the accident victims, whose dedication and aspirations in their various vocations embodied the resilient Nigerian spirit.
He affirmed that the greatest honour the country can accord them is to take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future and improve safety standards across the nation’s transportation systems.
The President prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and asked God Almighty to grant strength and comfort to the bereaved families.
In a related development, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the severe flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, which has led to the loss of lives and the displacement of numerous families.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the good people of Niger State at this difficult time,” the President stated on his X handle on Friday night.
Upon receiving the initial reports, President Tinubu directed the immediate activation of the National Emergency Response Centre and has since been fully briefed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the scale of the disaster and the urgent humanitarian needs.
Search-and-rescue operations are underway, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilised to support the Niger State Government’s response. Relief materials and temporary shelters are being deployed without delay.
“I assure all those impacted that our government stands with you. We will continue to coordinate with the Niger State Government to ensure a swift, coordinated, and compassionate response—one that prioritises lives, restores dignity and accelerates recovery,” the President said.
President Tinubu also directed security agencies to assist in emergency operations and mandated that NEMA and the National Emergency Response Centre provide continuous coordination and updates.
He called on all Nigerians to keep the people of Mokwa in their thoughts and prayers.
EFCC, ICPC Recovered $105m in 2024 - AGF Clarifies
BY FELIX IFIJEH
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered $105.9 million in 2024. The AGF, in a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday, dismissed as “grossly misleading” recent media reports that the country’s asset recovery efforts yielded $967.5 billion in 2024.
He said the misreported figure is “completely at variance” with the facts he presented in his keynote address at the Asset Recovery Summit held in Abuja on May 27. Themed “Synergising Towards Effective Assets Recovery and Management”, the Summit served as a platform for stakeholders to assess progress and strategies in the recovery of looted public assets.
Making clarification on recovery efforts in 2024, the AGF recalled: “What I said in my speech is that, in 2024 alone, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reclaimed over N248 billion, $105 million, and 753 duplexes in its asset recovery efforts.
these sums, a total of $102.88 million and £2,062,000 was recovered from 2024 to date.
“While we commend the media houses that reported the correct figure, we appeal to those who reported the erroneous figure to do the needful by correcting the anomaly.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains resolute in its pursuit of transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in the management of recovered assets.
“Asset recovery is a fundamental pillar in our strategy to address corruption, economic crimes, and illicit financial flows, which undermine our national development. It is quite a significant strategy, as it serves as a deterrent, deprives criminals of the benefit of their criminal actions and restores confidence in the government.
“I am pleased to note that Nigeria has earned global recognition in the area of asset recovery, and no room should be given for mischief in these efforts.
Rivers Debunks Reports of Julius Berger’s Withdrawal from Ring Road Project Site
The Rivers State Government has debunked reports that Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has “begun withdrawing its services from project sites in Rivers State due to alleged shortfalls in payments by the government”.
Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Rivers Administrator, described the report as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts and a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
The statement emphasised that “The Rivers State Government has consistently and dutifully met all its contractual obligations to contractors, including Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, which has received all payments due since the declaration of Emergency Rule in the state.
Igbikiowubo described the report authored by Bertram Nwannekanma, and published in The Guardian Newspaper on May 27, 2025, as baseless
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, also successfully recovered N29.685 billion in cash and $966,900 in assets.
”The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has equally intensified its efforts in seizing assets linked to drug-related crimes, ensuring that illicit proceeds do not fuel further criminal activities.
“With regards to international recovery and repatriation of assets, it is pertinent to state that from 2017 to date, the Federal Ministry of Justice working in collaboration with its counterparts and international partners (the US, UK, Bailiwick of Jersey, Ireland, Switzerland), has facilitated the execution of various agreements, leading to the payment of fines, recovery and repatriation of assets in the sums of USD763,734,000, and £6,472,610. Of
“These funds are being managed through internationally recognised frameworks, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles.
“From 2017 to 2024, USD 659,900,000 and GBP 6,472,610 of recovered funds were invested in conditional cash transfer and to partly fund critical infrastructure development under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund Projects (PIDF) namely – the Lagos Ibadan Expressway (LIE), 2nd Niger Bridge (2NB), and Abuja-Kano Road (AKR).
“Furthermore, part of the repatriated assets has been earmarked for the renovation of selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Bayelsa State, provision of renewable energy under the Rural Electrification Project and development of the Rule of Law and Counter-Terrorism Project under the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law.”
Titled “Julius Berger Withdraws From Rivers’ Project Sites”, Igbikiowubo said the “baseless report is nothing more than a campaign of calumny orchestrated after failed attempts to pressure the Rivers State Government into approving an exorbitant and unjustified variation request for the ongoing Ring Road project.
“The original contract sum for the Ring Road project was N195,695,980,239.61 billion.
“Julius Berger submitted a variation request demanding an additional N171,755,448,105.05 billion, representing an 87.77% increase in project cost. If approved, this would raise the total project cost to a staggering N367,451,428,344.66 billion.
“It is important to note that in an attempt to forestall such unreasonable claims and protect the State from such arbitrary variation requests, the Rivers State Government at the commencement of the project took a facility from a bank and paid a 77% advance payment in the sum of 150,000,000,000.00 to Julius Berger.”
L-R: Deputy Senate President, Barau Jubrin, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State during the commissioning of the First Phase of the LagosCalabar Coastal Highway by the President in Lagos, Saturday May 31, 2025.
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COLOUR BLACK AND WHITE SPECIAL SPOTS
Ending Systemic Corruption in Nigeria Police Force
RThe six erring officers, including their supervising officers, a Chief Superintendent of Police were marched in to appear before the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who has condemned their actions as shameful, distasteful and utterly unacceptable
“
eports of police harassment and extortion of the Nigerian citizenry continue to trend on social media almost every other day despite assurances from the authorities of adherence to operational standards, rules of engagement, order room trials and summary dismissals of errant policemen.
The Nigeria police authorities should be embarrassed that increasing room trials and public assurances to cleanse the Force of corrupt officers have had little impact on the attitude and behaviour of policemen, especially those manning our highways, where they frequently subject travellers to harrowing experiences. Thanks to social media and the boldness of victims, many of these disturbing experiences may not even become public knowledge.
A blatant case in point is a viral video showing acts of extortion by police officers along the Benin bypass in Edo State. At the checkpoint, a fully kitted, well-fed policeman, obviously acting on behalf of others, appeared unbothered whether he was being recorded or not as long as his victims met his demand for N5,000 each or nothing. Good to hear that the police authorities have reacted swiftly and clamped down on them.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, “the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its zero-tolerance on
extortion and unprofessional conduct, has taken immediate action. The six erring officers, including their supervising officers, a Chief Superintendent of Police were marched in to appear before the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who has condemned their actions as shameful, distasteful and utterly unacceptable. He further ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary procedures against all six officers involved.” Sounds familiar.
We are going to hear this kind of statement again and again as a response to similar actions of erring policemen. The reason is not far-fetched. Police extortion and harassment of Nigerians is a culture that is bred and sustained by the system. Doubtless that disciplinary measures are a core aspect of police administration, we hasten to say that the authorities should shift their attention to more concrete and basic procedures that sustain the odd characters in the ranks.
There is no doubt that poor methods of recruitment, poor remuneration, inadequate accommodation, insufficient training and questionable oversight have all combined to contribute to making the average policeman a terror rather than a friend to the people they ought to be guiding. Taking disciplinary action alone by the authorities can only amount to scratching the problem on
THEWILL NEWSPAPER TEAM
OPINION
Nigeria Not Ripe for One-Party System
BY PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON
Nigeria is a country that lives and breathes variety—literal and metaphorical. From endless debates over who owns the crown in the jollof wars to the deep-rooted pride in regional delicacies like Amala, Tuwo, and soups brimming with protein, Nigerians are hardwired to resist uniformity. This culinary mosaic mirrors our politics: colourful, competitive and impossible to boil down to a single flavour. The idea of a one-party system in Nigeria? As implausible as nationwide agreement on the best dish.
The 2023 Presidential Election is a prime example. It wasn’t a landslide nor coronation. Instead, it was a fragmented mandate that exposed the cracks in Nigeria’s political landscape. Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won 8,794,726 votes (37 per cent), narrowly beating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 6,984,520 votes (29 per cent) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) with 6,101,533 votes (25 per cent). Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) followed with 1,496,687 votes (6 per cent).
Tinubu’s victory—secured with the lowest winning percentage since 1999—was neither overwhelming nor invincible. In fact, the combined opposition vote (over 13 million) far outstripped his total. Had Kwankwaso joined forces with Obi or if Atiku had shelved his ambition, the APC might have been defeated. Instead, the opposition’s inability to unite sealed their collective fate.
But the problem wasn’t just tactical. It was existential.
The PDP, once the dominant force in Nigerian politics, now lumbers like a retirement home for outdated ideas. The LP’s impressive surge was largely built on Obi’s personal charisma, not on robust party structure. The NNPP remained a regional blip. Meanwhile, Tinubu governed with a fractured mandate in a country where 63 per cent voted against him.
The election results also painted a vivid map of division. Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi each won roughly the same number of states—12, 12, and 11 respectively (plus the FCT for Obi). This split tells a deeper story: a nation unwilling to be conquered by a single power. Tinubu may have dominated the Southwest, Atiku the Northwest and Northeast, and Obi the Southeast and South-South, but none held sway across the board. Even in Lagos, Tinubu’s backyard, Obi caused an upset. In Kano, Kwankwaso’s NNPP upended the APC’s dominance. Nigeria, clearly, is no one-party playground.
Yet, despite this diverse playing field, our politics remains driven less by ideology and more by identity. Ethnicity and religion still dictate voting patterns. Obi’s Southeast support came from Christian Igbos. Atiku drew strength from the Muslim North. Tinubu’s “national victory” was more a patchwork of alliances than a cohesive vision.
As for the APC, the warning signs are already blinking. The party, having absorbed defectors from PDP and LP since 2023—governors, senators, influencers—boasts about its swelling ranks. But this influx is a double-edged sword. History reminds us: Nigerian defectors are opportunists, not ideologues. Think Governor Godwin Obaseki, who dumped APC for PDP, only to later clash with his new team. Or Senator Dino Melaye, whose loyalty changes with the wind.
These political nomads weaken party cohesion and invite chaos. What looks like strength might actually be a Trojan horse. A party bloated with rivals becomes a battleground. The APC could well be marching down the same self-destructive path the PDP took before its fall in 2015.
And while APC juggles internal instability, the opposition isn’t exactly gearing up for a renaissance. Their inertia is glaring. Beyond mouthing criticisms of APC’s failures— rampant insecurity, economic despair, widespread corruption—what fresh solutions have they tabled?
TINUBU’S VICTORY— SECURED WITH THE LOWEST WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE 1999—WAS NEITHER OVERWHELMING NOR INVINCIBLE. IN FACT, THE COMBINED OPPOSITION VOTE (OVER 13 MILLION) FAR OUTSTRIPPED HIS TOTAL
Youth unemployment stands at 53 per cent, yet neither PDP nor LP has presented a concrete plan to harness this demographic powder keg. What’s the plan for 92 million Nigerians lacking electricity? For reversing the healthcare brain drain?
Instead, we hear echoes of the past: “restructuring,” “unity,” and other buzzwords drained of meaning. Peter Obi, who lit up 2023 with youth-driven momentum, now leads a party that leans more on online theatrics than political groundwork. Atiku, at 77, keeps chasing a presidency in a country where 63 per cent of the population are under 25. The opposition mistake antiAPC sentiment for genuine support. Nigerians want results—not recycled slogans.
But perhaps the loudest message from 2023 came not
My Takeaway from PDP NEC Meeting
BY DANIEL ALABRAH
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) eventually held its long-expected National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. It was the 99th in the series. The meeting, held at the party’s Legacy House in Abuja, was significant for many reasons. To be sure, it was an opportunity for the party that had been enmeshed in a self-inflicted crisis since the 2023 presidential poll to re-invent and reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general election.
The atmosphere at the meeting, which had in attendance key leaders and organs of the party, was convivial. For a party that had in the last two years severally shifted this all-important meeting, it was not only an opportunity for frank deliberations but also for some form of back-tapping.
Indeed, it was an important turn of events given that not a few had lost hope in the party. Some undertakers had even predicted that the NEC meeting would never hold as the PDP was in the intensive care unit and just waiting for its funeral. But the meeting belied such predictions as the PDP again showed the capacity to resolve its internal crisis and bounce back to reckoning. Despite the absence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and its presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, and its tormentor-in-chief, a former Rivers State Governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, the meeting took some positive decisions. Chief among these was how it intelligently navigated round the niggling and contentious issue of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the party. It was smart of the NEC to have deferred the decision till next month’s meeting in order to meet the requirements of the PDP constitution on the removal of its elected officials.
The party also showed that it had the balls to rebuff Wike. The FCT Minister had been on rampage verbally tormenting his ‘own PDP‘ and attempted to scuttle the meeting after officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration sealed off the party’s national headquarters over issues bordering on ground rent.
For observers, the action a day before the meeting was deliberately timed and aimed at the PDP jugular. But the party proved naysayers wrong by quickly activating a Plan B even at the last minute.
Two notable events were of personal significance. One was the emergence of my principal, Governor Douye Diri, as chairman of the National Convention Zoning Committee. His affirmation by the NEC after his nomination at the April 14 meeting of the PDP Governors Forum in Ibadan was indicative of the confidence reposed in him by the party.
Senator Diri has been a reliable bulwark of the PDP and by his outstanding performance in office, he has ensured the party was well entrenched in Bayelsa State. Under his leadership, PDP has a vice-like grip on the state with its members occupying the three seats in the Senate and the five House of Reps seats. PDP also has an overwhelming majority in the state House of Assembly.
Apart from his likeable persona, the Bayelsa helmsman is a politician of conviction, who does not sit on the fence nor given to prevarication. The job to apportion party offices equitably to the six geo-political zones could not have been assigned to a more worthy choice. Diri is the perfect exemplar of who the cap fits let him wear it.
GIVEN ITS SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT, THE MEDIA MUST OF NECESSITY GUARD ITS RESPONSIBILITY JEALOUSLY. OBJECTIVITY, BALANCE AND FAIRNESS MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED ON THE ALTAR OF THE HIGHEST BIDDER
Also, for me and watchers of events in Bayelsa, particularly in the last two months, the NEC meeting had another weighty signpost. It was also an opportunity to test the waters politically. Sometime in March, an amorphous group known as the NEW Associates, claiming allegiance to Wike, suddenly surfaced in the state. Its activities were audacious just as they were brazen.
The group forced its way into the state’s consciousness by announcing a rally, which it initially claimed was in honour of Wike but later added President Bola Tinubu, for effect. This came at a time the Ijaw nation had an ax to grind with Wike over his unsavoury comments against the ethnic group. The rally earlier slated for April 12 in Yenagoa was shifted by two weeks due to the tension it generated in the state.
The intent of the NEW Associates left many flustered. For instance, how would a group whose leadership pledged allegiance to the
Ponzi Schemes Threat to Financial Stability, Investor Confidence -- SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again warned of the dangers of Ponzi schemes, highlighting their devastating impact on investor confidence, financial stability and the Nigerian capital market.
This was the central theme of a paper titled, ‘Ponzi Schemes: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Illegality’ presented by the Head of the Enforcement Department of the SEC, Dr. Sa’ad Abdulsalam, at the Capital Market Enlightenment Programme organised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos.
Abdulsalam noted that the proliferation of fraudulent investment schemes continues to erode public trust in formal investment platforms. By offering unrealistic returns and operating outside the regulatory framework, destabilised investor sentiment and undermined participation in legitimate capital market activities.
“The erosion of market confidence caused by Ponzi schemes leads to significant volatility and reduced investor engagement,” he said. “The fallout not only damages individual finances but also tarnishes the reputation of regulatory institutions tasked with protecting investor interests.”
Beyond the capital market, Abdulsalam emphasised that the social and economic consequences of Ponzi schemes are farreaching. Household financial losses, often involving life savings or borrowed funds, intensify socio-economic stress and threaten community cohesion.
“These losses are not just figures on a balance sheet,” he explained. “They represent broken trust, devastated livelihoods, and increased poverty in affected communities.”
EDITOR Sam Diala
as Domestic Portfolio Sustains Rally
Nigeria has a long and troubling history with Ponzi operations. According to Abdulsalam, from the infamous Umanah Umanah scheme in the 1990s to Nospecto in the early 2000s and the widespread MMM craze of the 2010s, fraudulent fund managers have repeatedly exploited regulatory gaps and economic vulnerabilities.
Abdulsalam noted that over 400 unlicensed fund managers were uncovered in 2010 alone, underscoring the scale of the threat.
He attributed the rise of Ponzi schemes to several factors, including limited financial Continues on page 35
which saw a spike in domestic portfolio, signaling renewed investor confidence especially among the local players.
Foreign portfolio investment into Nigeria’s equities market fell sharply by 92.39 percent
percent to the N62.76 trillion that closed trading on December 31, 2024
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Harnessing Values for Sustainable Business Growth
BY VICTOR OLUSOJI
Effective leadership in today’s business environment is no longer just about making smart decisions, managing resources, or executing plans. It is about creating something deeper that transcends routine operations and connects with the very essence of an organisation.
In many high-performing Nigerian businesses, there is often a unifying sense of purpose that energises teams and fosters shared focus. This is not accidental. It is the result of a carefully cultivated corporate culture anchored in three essential elements: mission, vision, and core values.
A company’s mission defines why it exists. Its vision outlines where it intends to go, while its core values guide how it plans to get there. These three elements influence decisions, shape employee conduct, and affect how customers perceive the brand. Without them, a business can lose direction and struggle to maintain cohesion.
GTBank provides a clear example. Its mission, “to be the best in class”, is more than a slogan. It is a guiding principle that shapes daily operations and has helped the bank maintain its position as one of Nigeria’s most profitable banks for over a decade.
Wolf Jeffrey et al., in a 2011 Organisation Development Journal article, observe that when the mission, vision, and values are clearly defined and adopted by all members of an organisation, the result is often a highly productive and unified workplace. This insight prompts a critical reflection.
If your employees were asked today to state your company’s mission, vision, and values, could they do so accurately? If not, a major opportunity for alignment and performance is being missed. An effective mission must resonate emotionally with employees and customers.
It should clearly identify the problem the business is solving. Authenticity and clarity matter more than lofty language. The Dangote Group’s mission, “to touch lives by providing their basic needs”, guides its expansion from cement into food and energy. This purposedriven focus has helped it dominate a large share of the market.
Even small businesses have experienced growth through meaningful missions. A modest bakery in Lagos saw its sales triple after embracing a simple but honest mission: “nourishing families with affordable, wholesome meals”. A compelling mission unites internal teams and earns customer trust.
While the mission explains the present, the vision points to the future. A good vision statement offers direction and inspires longterm commitment.
Flutterwave offers a striking example. Its vision, “to simplify payments for endless possibilities”, has guided the company’s growth from a Nigerian startup to a panAfrican fintech valued at over $3 billion dollars.
In 2023, Flutterwave processed over $12 billion in transactions, a direct reflection of its forward-looking vision. However, a vision only works when employees are inspired by it. If staff members cannot articulate or connect with the company’s direction, the vision may need to be re-examined.
Core values are the practical principles that shape everyday behaviour and decisions. They define what is acceptable and what is not. These values must be reflected in actions to have any real impact.
Access Bank’s emphasis on innovation led it to develop West Africa’s first fully digital bank, aiming to include Nigeria’s underserved population.
Similarly, Konga’s commitment to putting customers first is reflected in its 24-hour delivery policy, which distinguishes it from competitors. Values must be more than words.
If a company claims to prioritise integrity but tolerates unethical practices, it will lose credibility with both staff and clients.
Establishing a values-based culture starts with leadership. Leaders must model the values they promote. When Tony Elumelu became CEO of UBA, he led by example. He eliminated a huge number of executive privileges, punched in the staff cafeteria, and held regular town halls.
If a company claims to prioritise integrity but tolerates unethical practices, it will lose credibility with both staff and clients
These actions reinforced transparency and unity, helping the bank expand into 20 African countries. Frequent communication is also essential. For instance, recognising employees who embody company values is important. If teamwork is valued, collaboration should be rewarded.
If innovation is encouraged, both success and learning from failure should be recognised. This kind of reinforcement builds loyalty and drives innovation. Cultural fit should also be a priority during hiring. Skills matter, but shared values are critical.
Paystack, for instance, attributes its high employee retention to hiring people who believe in its mission to empower businesses. In an economy marked by regulatory shifts, inflation, and fierce competition, a strong organisational culture is more than a nice-tohave. It is a competitive advantage.
According to Gallup’s “State of the Global Workplace 2023” report, employees who are aligned with what their company is about are 4.6 times more likely to be engaged at work. During the COVID-19 lockdown, businesses with clear values, such as Flutterwave, adapted quickly to changing realities, while others struggled.
Mission, vision, and values are not decorative statements. They are the foundation of resilience and long-term success. Nigerian companies like Dangote, GTBank, L&Z Nigeria Ltd,
Flutterwave, and The Chair Centre Group are thriving not just because of their strategies but because they live their values every day. By clearly defining your organisation’s purpose, consistently reinforcing it, and modelling it from the top, you can build a company that not only withstands challenges but also leaves a lasting impact.
• Olusoji is a Management Scholar and Research Fellow.
Leading in Uncertainty: The CFO’s Role in Crisis and Calm
BY SIKIRU SALAMI
In uncertain times, occasioned by economic shocks, currency volatility, regulatory policy rigmarole, or geopolitical tensions, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, making smart bets, and holding the nerve when others can’t. For Chief Finance Officers (CFOs), this isn’t a detour from their job. It is the job.
The COVID-19 years were an eye-opening explainer of how things we never planned for could change everything as we knew it. Major crises sometimes just show up without visible signals. And for the most part, we can’t tell what has gone wrong or the scale thereof until after the fact.
The CFOs who are the financial stewards in companies have the unique benefit of insights to tell the scale of impact that such crises may have caused. This is because they are at the heart of managing risk, driving strategy, and anchoring stability in the organisation. For CFOs in Nigeria and other volatile economies, this role has become more intensified in recent years.
With currency volatility, rising inflation, FX illiquidity, and subsidy removals (first on fuel and now likely on electricity tariffs), uncertainty is no longer a one-off episode but the default operating environment for businesses. In such times as these, boards and CEOs should turn to their CFOs not just for financial reports but for foresight, steadiness, and strategic leadership.
Uncertainty today takes multiple layers and shapes. At the macro level, we face external shocks provoked by the US slowly disengaging from its global big brother role, as seen in the reduction of USAID support for developing countries and the imposition of country-specific trade tariffs.
The shocks could also be attributed to the global supply chain crises, crude oil price swings, geopolitical tensions in the Baltic and the Middle East regions, amongst others.
At the local level, the Nigerian business environment adds regulatory flux, infrastructure deficits, and sudden fiscal policy pivots. And within companies, digital disruption, rising costs of operations and acute top talent shortages occasioned by Japa syndrome are evolving faster than what sound governance frameworks can fix.
Borrowing McKinsey’s lingo to define my context here, businesses now operate in a
As the executive with visibility across finance, operations, procurement, HR, and strategy, a CFO is in a unique position to coordinate responses across departments and functions
against some budget numbers, which underlying assumptions may have been overtaken by events.
Another point is that in times of extreme uncertainties, waiting for perfect data may often lead to paralysis. You need to master
SHOTS OF THE WEEK
Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]
Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Tolulope Odunaiya (6th l); Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Ariyo-Gbeleyi (m), with some Directors of PTAD and (BPE), during the visit of Executive Secretary of the PTAD to the DG’s Office in Abuja on May 28, 2025.
Executive Director, IHTEF, Chibuikem Diala; Senior Director West Africa, Marriott Hotels, Dami Adepoju; Regional Sales Manager, Enterprise Sales, Moniepoint, Isoken Aigbomian and Group General Manager, Continental Hotel Group, Karl Hala at the 8th International Hospitality, Tourism, and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) / Abuja Hotel Expo 2025, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, recently.
L-R: Training and Operations Officer, SchoolNET India, Mr. Lawrence Manggei; Teacher, SBSS Community Secondary School, Rivers State, Mrs. Blessing Unuafe; General Manager, Capacity Building, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Timbiri Augustine; Nigerian Content Officer, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), Nkem Aghadiuno and K-YAN Digital Teaching and Learning Device Training Facilitator, Dr. Christopher Belonwu, during the K-YAN Device Teacher Training and Schools Donation Programme, organized by the NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture in partnership with NCDMB, on May 15, 2025.
Building Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adebayo Aruya (r), receiving award of excellence from member, National Trustees, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Isah Jibril (l) and President of the Association, Ogechi James, during the inauguration of newly elected executive members of SSASCGOC, NAN Branch in Abuja, May 28, 2025.
L-R: Hon. Sunday Samuel Amuna; Executive Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PLSUBEB), Emmanuel Tang’an Pangchen; Board Secretary, (PLSUBEB); Mrs. Keithleen Rahab Favour Nyango; Director of Schools, Ministry of Education; Ms.Tonia Uduimoh; Head, Oando Foundation, Her Excellency Josephine Piyo; Deputy Governor, Plateau State, HRH, Ujah Anaguta, Pozo Johnson Jauro Magaji II, Chairman, Trad. Ruler, Jos North and His Royal Highness (HRH), The Sum Pyem of Mangu, Charles Mato Dakat, during the commissioning of back-to-school learning materials, by Oando Foundation in Jos recently.
L-R: Representative of the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Mr. Ismail Adedigba; representative of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Robert Ngwu; Director-General, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Raji; 130th Lord Mayo of Leeds 2024/2025, Ms Abigail Marshall Katung, during the inauguration of NBTI’s NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025, in Abuja on May 28, 2025.
L-R:
Gateway Games: Celebration of Nigeria’s Sporting Talents, Rising Stars
BY JUDE OBAFEMI
The curtain has fallen on the 22nd National Sports Festival, the Gateway Games 2024, hosted in Ogun State, but the echoes of its triumphs, setbacks, and spirited moments continue to resonate. Over 12,000 athletes from across the country converged in Abeokuta, Ikenne, Sagamu, and IjebuOde, competing in more than 32 disciplines in what has long been dubbed Nigeria’s version of the Olympics. This year, the stakes felt higher, the ambitions louder, and the vision clearer.
From the electrifying opening ceremony at the newlyrefurbished MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, that featured Davido and Asa, there was a palpable sense that this festival would be different, not just another routine sporting event, but a showcase of Nigeria’s dynamic athletic identity.
Perhaps the clearest sign of that evolution came in the form of a controller and a screen. For the first time, esports made its debut as a medal event. It may have seemed like an unlikely pairing at a festival traditionally rooted in track and field, wrestling, and football, but it landed well. The inclusion drew younger audiences and signalled a shift: Nigeria is not just chasing medals; she is catching up with global sporting trends.
Every sports festival delivers winners. However, NSF 2025 delivered stories. Ogun’s own Kolade Otunla made waves, literally, in the men’s 100m backstroke, rewriting the record books with a time of 1:02.41. Faith Osamuyi clocked 13.26 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles, staking her claim to international contention. Yet, perhaps the most touching moment came from 13-year-old Tofunmi Ibidapo of Oyo State, who took silver in the 200m breaststroke. Her performance did not just break a seven-year swimming medal drought for her state, it stirred hearts and reminded everyone that talent knows no age. Then, there was Amarachi Chijioke, a weightlifter many had never heard of before the Games. Now, her name is already being whispered in national training programme discussions. The festival, once again, proved itself as a launchpad for future champions.
On the medal table, Team Delta continued their reign at the top. The Deltans have now clinched the NSF title for the fifth consecutive time, and ninth time in all. Their sustained dominance is attributed to significant investments in sports infrastructure, talent development, and athlete incentives, including substantial cash rewards for medalists. However, it was the host state, Ogun, that turned heads, finishing second overall with 93 gold medals. More than just numbers, the feat reflected both preparation and pride. Football drew crowds too, none louder than those cheering Ogun’s emphatic 4–1 semi-final win over Kwara.
Behind the scenes, Ogun State invested heavily. The MKO Abiola Stadium was not just patched up, it was transformed, with international-standard lighting, seating, and turf. A purpose-built Games Village housed athletes and officials, designed with legacy in mind. The state is already eyeing future events, including the 2025 Under-18 and Under-20 Athletics Championships.
What set Gateway Games 2024 apart was not just what happened on the track or in the pool. The Games felt like a festival in the truest sense, alive with culture, music, and local pride. The ‘Omo Ogun’ mascot brought the host state’s spirit to life,
while the theme song, E’kaabo (“welcome” in Yoruba), echoed through every venue, blending warmth with unity. Tourism spiked, with visitors flocking to heritage sites like Olumo Rock and the Adire market. And when Davido and Asa hit the stage during the ceremonies, sport met culture in a fusion that made the festival feel bigger than medals.
Local businesses flourished too. From hotels and taxis to food vendors and artisans, the economic impact rippled across communities. According to the state’s tourism board, Ogun saw a notable uptick in cultural site visits and hospitality bookings throughout the festival period.
No event of this scale goes off without hiccups. Several events were scrapped due to incomplete facilities, a blow to athletes who had spent months preparing. Transport delays in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode frustrated some teams. The National Sports Commission acknowledged the shortcomings and promised reforms. Still, for many, the bigger picture remained: Nigeria must do better by its athletes, not just in the spotlight of competition, but in the everyday grind of preparation and support.
As the dust settles in Ogun, the baton passes to Enugu State, host of the 2026 edition, the Coal City Games. Enugu’s Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu, has already promised to raise the bar. Plans are underway to upgrade sporting infrastructure and market local gems like Ngwo Cave to visitors.
Indeed, the blueprint has been drawn. Ogun did not just host, it aspired. And in many ways, it delivered. More than 12,000 athletes arrived. Many will leave with medals but all leave with memories. For some, this was the beginning of careers that could end on Olympic podiums. For others, it was a lesson in perseverance. For the nation, it was a mirror, reflecting where we are, how far we have come, and where we still need to go.
Gateway Games 2024 reminded Nigeria that sport is more than competition. It is culture. It is community. It is the quiet determination of a 13-year-old in the pool and the roar of a crowd celebrating something bigger than just a goal. It is a story still being written. And, that will continue to inspire generation
ogannah@thewillnews.com
Nigeria’s Deadly Floods Expose Years of Inaction by Government
The search for bodies continues along the banks of River Niger, where rescue workers have pulled at least 115 people from the waters that submerged Mokwa, a market town in Niger State. The death toll from Thursday’s flooding keeps rising, with officials warning that more victims remain missing after torrential rains turned the commercial hub into a watery grave.
This latest tragedy comes barely eight months after more than 1,200 people were killed and 1.2 million displaced in at least 31 out of Nigeria’s 36 states in 2024, making it one of the country’s worst floods in decades. The pattern has become grimly predictable: heavy rains arrive, drainage systems fail, communities drown and the government promises action that rarely comes.
The Mokwa disaster began when floods submerged the market town following torrential rains, turning streets into rivers and sweeping away homes with families still inside. The scale of destruction in this single town reflects a broader crisis that has made Nigeria one of the world’s most floodprone nations, where the annual rainy season has become synonymous with mass casualties.
What makes these deaths particularly tragic and painful is their preventable nature. Nigerian authorities have known for years that the country’s drainage infrastructure cannot handle heavy rainfall, yet systematic improvements remain absent. The same towns flood year after year, the same warnings go unheeded and the same communities bear the deadly consequences of government inaction. What a shame!
The 2024 flooding season alone demonstrated the scope of this failure. Over 300 people died and 1.2 million were affected by floods in 33 states, whilst aid agencies reported that populations in Nigeria were dealing with the worst floods in 30 years. These were not sudden, unpredictable disasters but the culmination of decades of poor urban planning and neglected infrastructure.
The human cost extends far beyond the immediate death toll. In September 2024, flooding in Borno State was so severe that at least 274 inmates escaped from a prison following heavy flooding when the prison walls collapsed. In Niger State alone, 16,559 individuals in 2,337 households were affected by floods in 18 local government areas, illustrating how entire communities remain vulnerable to predictable weather patterns.
Nigeria’s flood problem is fundamentally a governance problem. The country possesses meteorological agencies that can predict severe weather, but those in government either do not care or lack the will and capacity to act on their warnings.
I have come to accept this very difficult and shocking notion that human life in this country is easily expendable.
Urban drainage systems remain blocked or inadequate, dam maintenance is irregular, and emergency response coordination between federal and state agencies is often chaotic. Corruption and weak state institutions have deeply hurt us.
The economic impact of these floods compounds the human tragedy. Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which employs millions of people, suffers massive crop losses each flooding season. Markets like Mokwa, which serve as commercial hubs for surrounding rural areas, are destroyed just when farmers need them most. The cycle of destruction and rebuilding consumes resources that could have been invested in prevention.
International aid agencies have repeatedly warned about Nigeria’s flood vulnerability. The International Rescue Committee noted that floods would exacerbate food insecurity in the region with the destruction of farmland and significant crop losses. Yet these warnings, like domestic meteorological predictions, fail to translate into concrete preparation measures.
The pattern is visible across West Africa, where hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds killed by what experts call the worst floods in 30 years. However, Nigeria’s losses consistently exceed those of neighbouring countries, pointing to specific failures in disaster preparedness and infrastructure maintenance and upgrade.
Early warning systems exist but remain disconnected from response mechanisms. The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency issues flood predictions, yet communities receive little advance preparation support. Evacuation plans are rare, temporary shelters inadequate and emergency supplies often arrive too late to prevent deaths.
The Mokwa tragedy should mark a turning point, but history suggests otherwise. Previous mass casualty floods have prompted temporary government attention followed by business-as-usual neglect. Ministers and governors make speeches, committees are formed, funds are allocated on paper and then the next rainy season arrives with the same deadly results.
What Nigeria needs is sustained investment in flood prevention infrastructure, not just post-disaster emergency response. This means maintaining drainage systems, upgrading dam safety protocols, improving early warning communication and implementing strict urban planning standards that account for flood risk.
The human stories emerging from Mokwa mirror those from countless previous floods: families separated by rushing water, homes destroyed in minutes, livelihoods wiped out, and communities left to rebuild without adequate support. These stories repeat because the underlying causes remain unaddressed.
Nigeria cannot continue to treat annual flooding like an unpredictable natural disaster when it is largely a man-made crisis rooted in infrastructure neglect and planning failures. The death toll in Mokwa will eventually be confirmed, more bodies will be recovered, and officials will promise that such tragedies will not happen again.
But without fundamental changes to how Nigeria prepares for predictable weather patterns, the 2025 rainy season will likely produce another round of preventable deaths. The choice facing Nigerian authorities is clear: invest in flood prevention now or continue counting bodies after each storm. The people of Mokwa and countless other vulnerable communities deserve better than empty promises delivered over their graves.
Nigeria cannot continue to treat annual flooding like an unpredictable natural disaster when it is largely a man-made crisis rooted in infrastructure neglect and planning failures