NMDPRA: We Will Not Allow Cartels Take Over Downstream Petroleum Sector
Says FCCPC confirms no indication Dangote tending towards cartelisation NUPRC assures new regulations will soon yield results Energy expert argues insecurity scaring investment in pipelines
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Upstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has argued
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L-R: Divisional Head, Extractive Industries, Bank of Industry, Taiye Emagha; General Manager Corporate Communication and Zonal Co-ordination, representing Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB),Esueme Dan Kikile; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Oil and Chairman, NCDMB, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D; Executive Chairman, Tamrose Limited, Ambrose Ovbiebo; and Executive Director, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, representing, Director General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Jibril Abba, at the “Celebration of Growth and Impact” event hosted by Tamrose Limited in collaboration with NCDMB to spotlight the company’s successful completion of a $10 million NCI Fund facility, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Continued on page 5
Akpabio: Tinubu Has Placed Search for Peace in Plateau at Centre of Nat’l Security
President’s emissary already in state to restore peace, foster inter-communal Harmony Presidential aide meets Christian clerics, Fulani Miyetti Allah community leaders
Community-based peace structure to stabilise north-central region
DSS nabs another suspected arms supplier in zone Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade and Linus Aleke in Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has assured the people of Plateau State that President Bola Tinubu is resolute on ending the years of bloodshed and violent crisis in the state.
Akpabio spoke at the weekend in Jos, where he represented Tinubu at a
He said Tinubu had placed the search for lasting peace on the Plateau at the centre of his national security strategy, adding that the state’s security situation is now a top priority at the highest level of government.
That was as the president sent an emissary, Dr Abiodun
Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu
with President of Kenya, William
during Elumelu’s visit to President Ruto as part of African tour to six countries, when agreements were reached on shaping Africa’s future
by collaboration, innovation and shared prosperity, and UBA’s readiness to finance infrastructure development in Mozambique, held in Nairobi, last Thursday grand rally organised by All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Jos Polo Field.
Continued on page 5
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The new elected National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Kabiru Turaki, has assured members of the party and
ELUMELU VISITS PRESIDENT OF KENYA...
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Ruto,
powered
FG, UAE Sign MoU to Expand Digital Education for Nigeria’s Young People
Emmanuel Addeh
in Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Digital School, under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative (MBRGI),
to expand access to digital education and practical skills development for Nigerian youth through the platform of Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).
The agreement, which was formally signed in Dubai, marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s
efforts to prepare its youth for active participation in the global digital economy. The partnership followed earlier engagements held in July 2025 between the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and key UAE government officials and development partners.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Olawande described the collaboration as “a promise to equip Nigerian youth with the skills, tools, and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing digital world.”
He expressed appreciation to the government and
people of the United Arab Emirates for their hospitality, leadership, and continued support for global development.
“What we celebrate today goes beyond Nigeria,” the Minister said. “It stands as a symbol of shared responsibility, shared
AKPABIO: TINUBU HAS PLACED SEARCH FOR PEACE IN PLATEAU AT CENTRE OF NAT’L SECURITY
Essiet, to Plateau State to help restore peace and enhance intercommunal harmony in the state.
Relatedly, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended another arms dealer linked to terrorist activities in Plateau and neighbouring states, Musa Abubakar.
The arrest came shortly after the recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, a Kuje Prison escapee, who masterminded the Owo and Deeper Life Bible Church attacks.
Akpabio addressed thousands of APC supporters, who gathered to witness what party leaders described as one of the biggest political realignments in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, Akpabio told the crowd that the president was deeply troubled by the years of killings, displacements, and
Nigerians, generally, of a new era of internal democracy in the once dominant, but currently distressed opposition party.
Turaki said there would be no more impunity and suppression of will in the party.
He made the assertions yesterday while delivering his acceptance speech after being declared the new national chairman of PDP at the 2025 elective national convention of the party in Ibadan.
Turaki scored a total of 1,516 votes to defeat his closest rival, Garuba Lado, who scored 41 votes, at the convention. The convention was not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and it is the subject of litigation in courts of law.
However, the South-west chapter of PDP described
Consumer Protection Agency (FCCPC) confirms its position.
Speaking during a panel session at the just concluded Energy Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) maiden conference in Abuja, NMDPRA's Secretary and Legal Adviser, Dr Joseph Tolorunse, also disputed insinuations that the fuel pricing templates provided by the regulator were opaque, stressing that this is published regularly by the
social fractures that had shaped life in many Plateau communities.
He stated, “Too many lives have been lost. Too many homes destroyed. The Plateau deserves peace, and anyone who wants to govern this state must be committed to peace. President Tinubu’s determination to end the killings is unwavering.”
The senate president added that he felt personally distressed each time tragedy struck the state.
“I cry whenever anybody is killed on the Plateau. This state is yearning for peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Although the rally was convened primarily to receive defectors from five opposition parties into APC, Akpabio anchored his remarks on national stability, insisting that the security of life and property remained the administration’s overriding priority.
the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, as the “Biblical Moses”, saying he rescued the party from aggressors determined to strangle it.
Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, stated that the PDP convention remained valid and legally recognised, despite earlier conflicting court rulings. Meanwhile, fresh details emerged on why Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and his Adamawa State counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, did not support the expulsion of Nyesom Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, Ayo Fayose and other party leaders at the Ibadan convention. The governor alluded to lack of consultation. Nonetheless, amid the deepening tensions in PDP, former presidential candidate and founding member of the
authority.
At the conference with the theme: “Four Years of the PIA: Achievements, Gaps and the Road Ahead,” Tolorunse maintained that since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, there has been a transformation of the sector.
The NMDPRA top official stated that the organisation will continue to protect the Nigerian people by strictly following its
He said the people of Plateau deserved to live without fear, and assured them that the federal government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence was total.
The event signalled a major political shift, as several influential figures formally crossed over to the ruling party.
Among them were Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represented Plateau North in the Ninth Senate; Latep Dabang, former director-general of PDP’s 2023 campaign; Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr. Patrick Dakum; and former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate, Alfred Dabwam.
Those that joined APC also included three serving members of the House of Representatives – Hon. Fom Dalyop (Riyom/Barkin Ladi), Hon. Ajang Alfred Ilya (Jos South/Jos East), and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago (Bassa/ Jos North) – as well as dozens of former legislators,
party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged immediate reconciliation and a return to the party’s original principles, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is at stake.
Turaki, in his address, assured party members that the confidence reposed in the new elected party executives would not be taken for granted.
He stated, “I want to assure you that the confidence reposed in the executives will not be taken for granted.
“There will be no more impunity and suppression of the will of Nigerian people and we shall open our ears wide to listen to you to determine what you want and what you want is what we shall give you.”
Turaki said PDP was currently at a crossroads, but pledged that the new executive was equal
pricing framework to protect Nigeria's consumers and also to ensure the development of the market.
“The role of the NMDPRA is to ensure that there is no abuse of dominant players and to also investigate whether there's going to be a monopolistic tendency. Where there's a monopoly, where we find out that there's a dominant player, a monopolistic tendency, the PIA empowers us to control
political actors, and grassroots influencers.
Akpabio described the influx of defectors as evidence that APC had become the dominant political force in Plateau under the leadership of the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
He declared, “The calibre and spread of those joining the party reflected its growing strength. My ears have heard and my eyes have seen that from today the entire Plateau is APC. Come 2027, Plateau shall deliver the APC.”
He praised Tinubu for endorsing Yilwatda as National Chairman, describing him as “a man of valour, integrity and dignity” whose emergence had reconfigured Plateau’s political landscape in favour of the ruling party”.
The senate president stated, “You can see that he has delivered Plateau State to APC before the elections,” adding that the party’s renewed strength is bolstered by the combined leadership of the
to the task.
He said the new executives would start visiting some of the aggrieved party members to appeal to those with genuine grievances to return to the party in order to “save Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse”.
South-west PDP Hails Makinde, Greets New Party Officers
The South-west chapter of PDP, in a press statement by the party’s zonal publicity secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said the successful conduct of the convention had restored the confidence of Nigerians, who had long yearned for genuine democratic leadership.
Atofarati said the yearnings of Nigerians contrasted with what he described as the manipulation
the price, setting the price at which it has to be sold.
“ So we discovered that of all the local refineries we have, only one is producing PMS. It's not enough to wet the whole country. I don't want to call figures here, but I just want to put it, it's not enough to wet the whole country. And what do we do? We have to have a system whereby more products are coming to ‘complement’ what local
progress, and shared hope for the youth of both nations,” he added.
president and the national chairman.
“When you are escorted by a lion like President Tinubu, you have nothing to fear,” Akpabio added.
Addressing the rally, Yilwatda said the mass defection marked the “final consolidation” of APC’s hold on Plateau State, adding also that the political reality in the state has shifted decisively. Yilwatda stated, “With this structure, with this firepower, Plateau will deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. All three Senate seats will be APC. All federal and state positions will be APC. The people have spoken: APC or nothing.”
He assured the newcomers of equal rights and privileges, urging them to see APC as a platform open to all who wish to contribute to what a new political era in the state.
The rally drew several highprofile dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.
through divide-and-rule tactics by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement said, “Governor Seyi Makinde has once again demonstrated exemplary leadership and must be commended for saving the party from total collapse.
“He can best be described as the Biblical Moses of the PDP, whose collaborative efforts with other well-meaning leaders have given the party a new lease of life.
“The Tinubu administration, having been rejected by Nigerians, resorted to masterminding the prolonged crisis that has beset our party.
“However, with the election of these eminent leaders into the National Executive Committee, the PDP can now focus without unnecessary distractions and
refineries can produce. And that has caused controversy.
“So in other words, we have to import, give import licenses to qualified individuals to ‘complement’ local refineries. And it's very much within our law. The PIA allows that if we don't have enough products in the country. The NNPC is the supplier of last resort to do that.
“Secondly, if I refine that, we can even allow you to import. If you are a reputable oil trader,
of Nasarawa State; Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; and Kogi State Deputy Governor, Salifu Joel, among other party leaders and stakeholders..
Tinubu’s Emissary in State to Restore Peace, Foster Inter-communal Harmony
President Bola Tinubu has dispatched an emissary, Dr Abiodun Essiet, who is currently in Plateau State to help restore peace and enhance intercommunal harmony in the state.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Essiet, a senior special assistant on community engagement in the North Central Zone, has already spent two days in the state meeting with Christian clerics and Fulani Miyetti Allah community leaders with the efforts culminating in a town
Continued on page 35
begin galvanising support ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
The South-west PDP said, “The APC’s political decline will begin with the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2026.
“While we congratulate all newly elected members of the National Executive Committee, we have unwavering confidence in their capacity to provide credible leadership that will entrench discipline and commitment to the ideals of the party.”
The party also commended PDP governors for standing firmly with the party, and lauded the government and the people of Oyo State for the peaceful conduct of the convention.
Continued on page 35
we can allow you to import. These are powers we have in the industry, in the PIA, which we are actually utilising,” he posited. Besides, the organisation stated that it will not shirk its role to ensure that feedstock, both crude and natural gas are guaranteed for the refineries and the gas processing plants as well as ensuring that there's adequate supply of products in the country.
Benjamin Kalu; Governor Abdullahi Sule
Olawande
LAGOS STATE SDGS VOLUNTARY LOCAL REVIEW VALIDATION (VLR) WORKSHOP...
L-R:
Suspension of 15% Duty on Imported Petrol Products: CPPE Tells FG to Avoid Short-term Measures Risking Long-term National Interest
Canvasses reinstatement Says Dangote Refinery, others are transformative national assets deserving protection
Dike Onwuamaeze
Following the suspension of the 15 per cent import duty on petroleum product, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called on the federal government to avoid short-term measures that could jeopardise the country's long-term national
interest. CPPE called for its reinstatement, saying it is essential to restoring competitive balance and safeguarding domestic refining investments.
It stated that Dangote Refinery and other emerging modular refineries in the country were transformative national assets worthy of protection because they were
well aligned with Nigeria’s long-term economic and strategic goals.
The views were expressed yesterday by Founder/Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, in a policy brief, titled, "Safeguarding Nigeria’s Domestic Refining Capacity and Energy Security: Policy Imperatives Following the Suspension
of the 15% Import Duty on Petroleum Products," in which he warned that "without protective measures, domestic refiners will be operating at a structural disadvantage."
Yusuf said: "Nigeria must avoid short-term measures that jeopardise long-term national interests.
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim order freezing the bank accounts of Plural Oil Marketing Limited and two of its directors over an alleged indebtedness of N3.17 billion and $835,486.76 owed to Providus Bank Limited.
The order, delivered on October 7, 2025, followed an ex parte application filed by Providus Bank through its counsel, Mr. Mitchel Aribisala.
The bank sought to restrain
the defendants and several financial institutions from tampering with any funds linked to the oil marketing company pending the determination of a substantive motion.
The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/L/ CS/2015/2025, are Plural Oil Marketing Limited, Mr. Babatunde Olukunle Oyefolu, and Ms. Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Oyefolu.
Under the interim order, Justice Aluko directed 30 commercial and merchant
banks in Nigeria to immediately freeze all accounts belonging to or associated with the defendants up to the value of N3,169,133,292.27 and $835,486.76.
The judge also instructed the banks to place a lien or post-no-debit (PND) restriction on any account operated by the defendants, directly or indirectly, pending the hearing of the bank’s motion on notice.
Additionally, the court directed several digital payment platforms and
settlement systems, including NIBSS, Interswitch, Opay, MoMo PSB, Unified Payments, Hydrogen Payment Services Company, and Hope PSB, not to honour any debit instruction on the accounts until further orders.
Justice Aluko further ordered the respondent banks to file an affidavit of return within seven days of service, detailing all accounts linked to the defendants’ BVNs, the balances in each account, and the transactional history for the past six months.
Julius Berger Restates Commitment to Community Development
James Emejo in Abuja
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through targeted community outreach initiatives across the country.
As part of activities marking the International Day of Charity, the company at its Region West operational area, recently extended its support to two notable institutions - Hearts of Gold Children Hospice, a palliative and respite facility for children with disabilities and the Shinning Light Beach
School Foundation, donating essential food and relief items to assist in their efforts toward providing care and education for the most vulnerable groups in society.
Speaking on behalf of the company’s management and staff, Mr. James Agama, said the company's approach to CSR goes far beyond philanthropy.
He said, “Corporate Social Responsibility at Julius Berger is anchored on longterm impact. It reflects our enduring commitment to building stronger communities, improving quality of life,
and supporting causes that promote inclusivity, education, healthcare, and social welfare across Nigeria.”
He stressed that CSR framework was strategically structured around four pillars, namely education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and community development, with each designed to drive meaningful and measurable contributions to national development.
In a statement issued by the company's Media Relations Manager, Emmanuel Isibor, the management of the respective
beneficiary institutions expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit and donations, even as they commended Julius Berger’s continued compassion and partnership, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.
At Shinning Light Beach School Foundation, the founder, Lady Salami Dorcas emphasised the Home’s reliance on goodwill donations, highlighting the scarcity of recent contributions and commending Julius Berger for their generosity, particularly in providing much needed items.
15 per cent import duty puts at risk Nigeria's energy security, industrialisation, foreign exchange stability job creation, backward integration and national economic sovereignty."
He added that "protecting domestic refining capacity is an urgent national imperative.
"Reinstating protective measures, supporting local refiners, ensuring policy predictability, and regulating import volumes are essential steps toward securing Nigeria’s industrial future.
"The Dangote Refinery and emerging modular refineries are transformative national assets.
"Safeguarding them aligns squarely with Nigeria’s long-term economic and strategic goals."
According to CPPE, Nigeria is at a decisive moment in its efforts to secure energy independence, deepen industrialisation, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
He said, "The federal government’s suspension of the 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel carries profound implications for domestic refining, investment confidence, macroeconomic stability, and the long-term competitiveness of the petroleum downstream sector."
FG Set to Unveil National Tourism Policy in Bid to Transform Sector
The federal government at the weekend said it was set to launch the “National Tourism Policy” in a renewed push to reposition the industry as a central pillar of economic growth, declaring that the long-awaited transformation of the sector is now underway.
Delivering her keynote address at the “Destination Nigeria Governors Tourism Conference” in Abuja, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the current administration had identified tourism as one of Nigeria’s strongest pathways to economic diversification.
Musawa stated that the National Tourism Policy, which had remained stalled for years, was now before the Cabinet Affairs Office and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) within weeks.
The minister, who was
represented at the conference by her Chief of Staff, Raphael Obi, stated, “For tourism, you must have heard over time that the only way to diversify Nigeria's economy is through tourism. And all over the world, tourism remains one of the greatest sources of revenue and development of any country.
“The National Policy on Tourism, or National Tourism Policy, is currently at the Cabinet Affairs Office of the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation. So our expectation is that in the next few weeks, this policy will be presented to the Federal Executive Council.
“I assure you that the moment this policy comes alive, tourism will begin to blossom in Nigeria. We have all manner of investors and the government has given us certain specific mandates.”
Wale Igbintade
Representative of Trussverse Consulting, Mr. Bayo Ayotade; Senior Technical Adviser to the Presidency, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Dr. Bala Yunusa; Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih; Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs, Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi; Director, Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Bashiru Oseni-Ope; and Senior Consultant, Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Olayinka Majekodunmi, at the Lagos State SDGs Voluntary Local Review Validation (VLR) Workshop, held at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos…recently
FIRST EXPLORATION AND PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT DAY...
Elumelu Embarks on African Tour, Strengthens UBA’s Continental Partnerships for Shared Prosperity
Meets six African presidents to deepen economic cooperation Bank set to scale investments in energy, infrastructure, entrepreneurship across the continent
Sunday Ehigiator
The Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu, has embarked on a multi-country African tour aimed at deepening the bank’s strategic partnerships with governments and privatesector leaders committed to accelerating economic growth across the continent.
Elumelu, who also chairs Heirs Holdings, visited key leaders across East, Central, and Southern Africa; including the Presidents of Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in a move that underscores UBA’s vision to serve as a catalyst for Africa’s economic transformation.
During a meeting at State House in Nairobi, Elumelu led the UBA delegation to President William Ruto, where talks centred on infrastructure, energy, innovation, and broader economic empowerment.
President Ruto praised UBA’s significant role in the $1 billion Road Infrastructure Securitisation Programme, to which the bank committed $150 million, saying such support is vital for regional trade and development.
Ruto also expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in transport, water, food security, and energy.
Elumelu in turn reaffirmed UBA’s long-term commitment to Kenya across sectors including hospitality, real estate, renewable energy, and financial services.
Gombe Leads North as Sole State Selected for Global-Standard Public Finance Review
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has received a team of World Bank consultants and staff who are in the state to conduct a comprehensive Public Financial Management Review (PFMR) under the globally recognized Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Subnational Framework.
Gombe is the only state selected in Northern Nigeria for this rigorous assessment, an acknowledgment of its visionary reforms, measurable progress and strong performance across key governance and fiscal indices. Cross River and Ekiti are the other states selected from the South.
The review, which is structured around 8 PEFA
pillars, 32 indicators, and 98 dimensions, is designed to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Gombe State’s Public Financial Management (PFM) systems. The exercise aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening transparency, accountability, and overall financial efficiency.
The team was led by Mr. Ben Akabueze, former DirectorGeneral of the Budget Office of the Federation.
Speaking during the meeting with the Governor yesterday, Mr. Akabueze explained the mission is focused on helping Gombe State deepen ongoing reforms and strengthen the institutional frameworks that guide budget preparation, execution, reporting and financial oversight.
“UBA is not just a bank; we are a development partner. Kenya’s innovation and youthful energy make it one of Africa’s most exciting markets,” he said.
In Lusaka, Elumelu met President Hakainde Hichilema, with discussions focused on energy expansion, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), he noted that over 350 Zambian entrepreneurs have benefitted from TEF’s $5,000 seed capital each, collectively
creating more than 16,000 jobs.
“The growth of Zambia and Africa must be driven by African institutions and African leadership. No one but us will develop Africa,” Elumelu stated, adding that UBA and Heirs Holdings stand ready to support Zambia’s energy ambitions.”
President Hichilema welcomed the commitment, saying, “The success of UBA is our success.”
Elumelu then proceeded to Maputo for a meeting with Mozambique’s President Daniel
Chapo.
Discussions centred on expanding UBA’s presence and supporting national priorities in energy, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure.
President Chapo commended UBA’s growing role in driving financial inclusion and development.
In Congo Brazzaville, Elumelu met with President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, reaffirming UBA’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in Central Africa.
He announced plans to
construct a new head office in Brazzaville to serve as UBA’s regional hub, promising enhanced digital platforms and partnerships to support financial inclusion, revenue mobilisation, and infrastructure growth.
Across Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Elumelu also held closed-door engagements with their Presidents, reinforcing UBA’s position as a pan-African financial institution dedicated to driving investment, integration, and shared prosperity.
Energy Group Partners NAPE to Promote Nigeria’s Energy Sustainability, Financing, Transition
Sunday Okobi
PAN Ocean and the Newcross Companies, one of the sponsors at the recent Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorers (NAPE) Annual International Conference and Exhibition, has disclosed its readiness to promote the country's energy future, access, and financing.
In his remarks during a panel session at the NAPE’s 43rd annual International
Conference and Exhibition in partnership with Energy Institute Nigeria held at the weekend in Lagos, the Group Executive Director of Pan Ocean and Newcross Companies, Dr. Bolaji Ogundare, while expressing his delight with the 2nd Executive Management Session, disclosed the partnership between NAPE and the Energy Institute reflects a vision they share to strengthen the relevance of the Nigeria’s
energy sector and drive sustainability in a rapidly changing world.
According to him, “The theme for this year’s session: ‘Financing the Future of Nigeria’s Energy Sector: Navigating Energy Transition and Driving Sustainable Development’, goes to the heart of our collective challenge: how to attract and deploy capital that sustains today’s production while enabling the cleaner, more
innovative energy systems of tomorrow.”
He added that: “With the global energy transition in progress, our nation's pathway must be pragmatic and future-focused. We must continue to optimise hydrocarbon resources while investing deliberately in gas infrastructure, renewables, and carbon-management technologies and positioning Nigeria for competitiveness and resilience over the next decade.
Egypt Indicates Willingness to Deepen Cultural Relations with Nigeria
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Egypt has indicated its willingness to deepen cultural relations with Nigeria.
The North African countries expressed its willingness through its Ambassador to Nigeria, Motaz Zahran, during a grand celebration to mark the official inauguration of
the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located less than two kilometres from the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza, Egypt.
Zahran speaking at the celebration in Abuja which was attended by the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Obi Asika,
members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of Nigeria’s cultural institutions, highlighted Egypt’s leading role in preserving Africa’s shared heritage and promoting cultural cooperation across the continent.
He used the occasion to call for stronger cooperation among African nations in the
areas of heritage preservation, museum development, and tourism.
The envoy reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to share its expertise with partner countries, particularly Nigeria.
He noted that: “Africa’s cultural renaissance must be built on mutual respect and shared pride in our past.”
L-R: Senior Contracts Administrator, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P), Temidayo Odulaja; Managing Director/CEO, Fast Track Intl. Ent. Limited, Bright Efekoro; Lead, Contracts and Procurement, FIRST E&P, Morinsola Aweda; Managing Director, Seaquest Energy Resources Ltd, Dr Alex Orewa and Deputy General Manager, Supply Chain Management, FIRST E&P, Gboyega Akintobi during the FIRST E&P Vendors' Day 2025 event held in Lagos, on Friday
Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
COURTESY VISIT...
In Bid to Stimulate Investment Drive in Abia, Zenith Bank, Others Extol State's Potential
Various stakeholders, including Nigeria's leading financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc, at the weekend urged local and foreign investors to tap into Abia State's vast investment potential, assuring that the environment has remained increasingly enabling enough to safeguard and guarantee investments.
Speaking at a luncheon held in Abuja ahead of the AbiaTurkey Investment Summit and Product Exhibition slated for Umuahia, the Abia State capital, between November 25 and 27, 2025, the stakeholders, including state officials, prospective investors, lawmakers, and financial institutions, among
others, were unanimous that Abia State is conducive for investment.
The General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Carl Akawarandu who was in attendance, expressed the readiness of his bank to partner with every investor desirous of investing in Abia State, not only in terms of financing, but in providing financial advisory services.
Akwarandu noted that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti epitomised impeccable integrity and credibility needed to make investors feel at home.
He alluded to the state's unrelenting propensity to improve ease of doing business, expressing Zenith Bank's strong commitment to supporting investors coming to the state.
Magnificent Leadership Conference Debuts in Abuja November 21
Sunday Ehigiator
The Magnificent Leadership Conference (MLC) is set to make its West African debut on Friday, November 21, 2025, with a high-profile gathering at the Fraser Suites in Abuja.
Curated by Maria Asuelimen, Managing Director of AMA Consulting LLC and Zen-AMA Global Springs Development Services, the event aims to ignite bold thinking and transformative leadership across the continent.
The MLC series, which is widely recognised for its global impact, marks a major milestone with its first Abuja edition themed ‘Go Big’.
The theme serves as a rallying call for leaders navigating an era defined by instability, rapid technological shifts, and the disruptive rise of automation.
Organisers say the conference challenges African leaders to “go big or go extinct” as they
confront new realities shaping industries and societies.
The conference will convene senior government officials, business executives and nonprofit leaders to explore the future of leadership across three development tracks: Leading Yourself, Leading People, and Leading Organisations.
Participants are expected to engage in interactive workshops, keynote sessions, fireside conversations and networking forums designed to equip them with practical tools for expanded impact.
Among the headline speakers is John Riordan, who will deliver a keynote on ‘The Power of Perceptions’. Sidney Sampson will lead a session on ‘Authentic Leadership Journeys: Big Collaboration, Big Change, Big Career, Big Legacy, Big Money’, while Dr. Mojisola Odeku will anchor a fireside chat on ‘Building an Army for Change’.
He noted that as an Abia son, he would encourage investors in his personal and official capacities to look towards the state as the investment destination of choice.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Investment Promotion and Public – Private Partnership, (PPP.), Chief Jerome Green-Amakwe, who is also the Chairman, Steering Committee for the summit, said Abia offers rare features needed for
investment to thrive, adding that among others, security is top notch as investors have no reason to worry about.
" I can tell you that in the whole of South East, let me not say the entire Nigeria, there is no place as safe as Abia State,. You hardly hear any kind of bad news. In Abia State, we are secure. We are working with the Nigerian military, the police and all the security agencies, so Abia is very safe.
"As we speak, we have over
21 Turkish investors that have already registered to be part of the summit individually and as corporate entities, Nigerian investors are coming too, but the focus is on the foreign investors," he said.
A former Senator representing Abia Central, Darlington Nwokeocha, thanked investors for reposing faith in the government of Abia State, noting that it has not always been like that.
Nwokeocha alluded to the
presence of indices that promote investment, including stable power supply in Aba, the prompt approval of Certificate of Occupany ((CofO) and the security of lives and property, among others He noted that in some states of the federation and Abuja, for instance, banks no longer collect land documents as collateral because they are not sure if the government would not wake up the next morning and revoke the ownership.
Ondo Refinery, FTZ Project Take Shape with Formalized JV Platform
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The proposed Ondo State refinery and free trade zone project are gradually shaping up after Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and the state government formalised a joint venture platform and commenced technical engagements including site assessments for a refinery and free trade zone project in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The latest lease of life came after Backbone Infrastructure Ltd recently disclosed it has
secured more than $50 billion in funding commitments for a 500,000bpd refinery and the Sunshine Free Trade Zone in Ilaje, Ondo State.
According to the disclosure, the funding was facilitated through a joint venture agreement between BINL and NEFEX Holdings Limited of Canada, which marks one of the largest single private sector investment packages targeted at Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas industry.
A statement at the weekend by the Vice President,
Corporate Services at Backbone Infrastructure Limited, Wale Adekola, revealed the agreement has led to the creation of Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited, which will serve as the execution platform for the refinery and industrial corridor. Adekola disclosed that the entity was established after months of technical reviews and information-sharing sessions with the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency, bringing together BINL, NEFEX Petro Line Limited and Cooldeal
Limited to work with the state government through ONDIPA. He noted the partners in the JV include Bacckbone Infrastructure Limited, NEFEX Petro Line Limited and Cooldeal Limited, working in partnership with the Ondo State Government through ONDIPA. Adekola said NEFEX is represented in the joint venture by Messrs Navid, Egbal and MJ, while BINL’s representation includes its Directors, Henry Owonka and Steve Dike. Namvapor Maryam Fard is representing Cooldeal Limited.
Ganduje Urges Security Operatives, Other Stakeholders to Provide Efficient Service at Lagos Airport
Chinedu Eze
The Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on the security operatives at the Lagos airport, other stakeholders urging them to provide the best service to travelers and eschew corruption to improve the image of the country.
Just as he disclosed that work has started at the second runway of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while government is effectively handling the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Ganduje stated this while fielding questions from journalists after the facility tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, yesterday,
saying there is the need for the major stakeholders at the airport to provide good customer service that will make the airport more functional and this could be achieved through effective coordination.
“We have been briefed that every month there is meeting with the major stakeholders at the airport. It is not only FAAN that will provide customer service that will make the airport more
functional. There are other major stakeholders.
“The Nigeria Immigration is there, the Nigeria Customs Service is there, the NDLEA is there, the Nigeria Police Force is there, the military is there, the DSS is there, even Civil Defence is there, and also the private sector. So, I think it is very, very important to have good coordination and build good attitude of providing services to travelers.
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
L-R: Executive Director, Coverage & Investment Banking, Femi Badeji; Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gbolahan Joshua, both of FCMB Group; MD/CEO, First City Monument Bank, Yemisi Edun; Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG; British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos, Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, and Deputy Country Director and Investment Officer, Nigeria, Department for Business and Trade, Morayo Adekunle, during their visit to FCMB Group in Lagos, recently.
NESTOIL VS FBN: Claims, Counterclaims and Suspicious Moves FOCUS
Recently, a battle unfolded in Nigeria’s oil industry, with serious consequences for the struggling sector. At its centre are Neconde Energy and its parent company, Nestoil, two indigenous firms that stepped into the ruins of OML 42 at a time when the asset was effectively abandoned. But opposite them stands FBNQuest Merchant Bank and FBN Trustees, which are attempting to takeover the assets of the oil firms, emboldened by a series of sweeping court orders which have been deemed suspicious in certain quarters, writes Emmanuel Addeh
Although ordinarily it should be a routine loan dispute, what has played out between the feuding parties, has been been described as a test of how the Nigerian business environment treats companies that take the greatest risks to revive the assets that keep the economy afloat. It is also a test case of how faithfully the judiciary balances commercial fairness, economic realities and the national interest.
Indeed, behind the legal tussle over the oil assets, lies a deeper story of the haranguing of an oil company that risked capital, reputation and technical capability to resuscitate an asset considered unbankable.
OML 42: A Field Nobody Wanted
When Neconde took over the interest in OML 42 from Shell in 2011, the asset was a shadow of its former self. Years of vandalism, community unrest, infrastructure decay and prolonged downtime had crippled production. Many international lenders stayed away. Risk appetite was low. Security concerns were high. The field needed extensive rehabilitation and sustained capital injections.
It was then that Neconde and Nestoil stepped in, clearly against industry trends to bet on the asset’s potential. They mobilised engineers, engaged host communities, restored pipelines, revived wells and overhauled the asset’s technical backbone. It was a difficult call, but within years, production climbed significantly from the near-zero levels inherited. The success attracted lenders who were now willing to fund what earlier looked like a lost cause.
This context is crucial because the current dispute rarely acknowledges that lenders benefited from a business revival they did not initiate. Without Neconde and Nestoil’s early investment and operational sacrifice, there would have been no value to lend against in the first place.
A Dispute That Grew Legs
On October 22, 2025, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, granted the ex parte orders in the case filed by the two subsidiaries of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, freezing the assets of Neconde Energy Limited, Nestoil, and other defendants in the suit.
The court permitted the receiver/manager appointed by the oil firm’s lenders to take over these assets, including Neconde’s interest in OML 42.
The ex parte orders restrained the defendants from operating or dealing with their funds or shares in various banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.
Pursuant to the orders, the receiver/manager appointed by the Nestoil lenders, Mr. Abubakar Sulu-Gambari (SAN) reportedly took possession of the companies’ head office in Victoria Island, Lagos and attempted to disrupt crude oil production and export activities in OML 42.
The matter revolves around a high-stakes debt recovery suit involving yet unverified claims exceeding $1.01 billion and N430 billion.
But Neconde Energy Limited has faulted its inclusion in the Mareva and receivership orders obtained by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited, describing the orders
as wrongful, oppressive, and a clear case of judicial overreach.
The matter has become more interesting as Glencore Energy UK Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited, and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) — collectively described as Senior Lenders – have filed motions seeking to be joined as defendants to overturn the sweeping ex parte court orders.
Through their counsel, Olufemi Oyewole (SAN), the Senior Lenders asked the Court to set aside or vary the ex parte orders of October 22, 2025, which they said threaten their security interests in Neconde’s assets and operations. They argued that the plaintiffs failed to disclose in their affidavit the existence of the Senior Secured Medium-Term Facility Agreement dated April 27, 2016, under which Neconde obtained a $640 million syndicated loan.
Petition over Judge’s Handling of Case
When the case came up on Friday November 7, 2025, Justice Dipeolu revealed that he had received the petition sent to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court concerning his handling of the case and related cases.
The judge subsequently suspended further proceedings pending the Chief Judge’s directive on whether he should continue or recuse himself.
The petitions accused the judge of judicial misconduct and reckless issuance of sweeping ex parte Mareva orders in two related cases — FBNQuest Merchant Bank & Anor v. Nestoil Ltd & Ors (FHC/L/CS/2127/2025); Aries Energy v. Neconde Energy & Ors (FHC/L/CP/1439/2025).
The petitioners alleged that Dipeolu granted freezing and receivership orders without verifying ownership of several properties, including Nestoil Tower, which allegedly belong to third parties not indebted to the plaintiffs.
They also accused him of granting freezing and receivership orders against Neconde without any basis and authorising the Nigerian Navy and Department of State Services (DSS) to assist a receiver in enforcing civil orders and selling crude oil from OML 42 — actions they said contravened the preservative nature of interim injunctions.
They urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the matter and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign all related cases to another judge to preserve public confidence in judicial impartiality. Neconde also filed processes in court praying the Court to discharge the ex parte orders.
In summary, it centres on loan facilities allegedly in default, renegotiated terms, repayment timelines, and lenders’ insistence on
FOCUS
Why FBNQuest Must Provide Account Statement for Purported Loan
Group Managing Director, Nestoil, Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi enforcement actions. But industry insiders say the narrative becomes distorted when the unique risks of Nigeria’s upstream sector are ignored.
Pipeline losses, shutdowns, sabotage, production downtimes, export terminal constraints, military operations in the creeks, oil theft and infrastructure underperformance are not theoretical risks. They are the lived reality of every operator in the Niger Delta. Yet these uncontrollable industry-wide disruptions seem absent in the aggressive posture adopted by FBNQuest and its co-creditors.
The truth therefore is that it is commercially unreasonable to treat upstream operations as though they function like manufacturing plants with predictable output.
Neconde’s production and consequently, cash flow was repeatedly impacted by pipeline outages and third-party failures. In a fair system, lenders adapt repayment schedules or restructure facilities based on such realities. Instead, it would appear that the dispute morphed into one of legal ambushes, ex parte court orders and the deployment of judicial processes that appeared more punitive than corrective.
Incautious Court Orders
What has further complicated the matter is the judiciary’s handling of some of the lender-led applications. Several court orders seen in the public domain appear excessively broad, disruptive to ongoing operations and granted without giving Nestoil or Neconde immediate opportunity to present their side.
This style of adjudication further fuelled the growing concern that courts have become too willing to grant interim orders that paralyse indigenous businesses before hearing both sides. In an economy that claims to champion local capacity and indigenous participation, this approach raises legitimate questions.
Why should a company that employs several Nigerians, manages complex engineering projects and contributes significantly to national production be subjected to business-crippling orders based on one-sided arguments?
Besides, why do some courts still issue ex parte orders capable of freezing critical accounts and obstructing operations in a highly capital-intensive sector? And more pointedly: Are Nigerian courts inadvertently enabling lenders to weaponise the legal system against indigenous operators?
The implication is that when courts fail to balance the urgency of creditor claims with the sustainability of the debtor’s business, they risk signalling that the judiciary is not a partner in economic growth but a tool of the strongest litigant.
Ignoring RepaymentsPrevious
Another dimension often overlooked is the repayment history. Industry sources note that Neconde has made substantial repayments over time, even in the face of operational constraints. There were restructurings, reconciliations and agreements, some of which lenders appear not to fully acknowledge in public rhetoric.
This raises another fundamental question: Have the lenders transparently accounted for repayments made, interest recalculations, and the effects of periods when pipeline outages made production impossible? If disputes persist despite repayments and earlier restructuring agreements, what exactly is the objective? Recovery? Or control? Is the goal to pressure the parent company into relinquishing its stake, even at the risk of destabilising operations across multiple projects?
Broader National Implications
The bigger picture cannot be ignored. The OML 42–FBNQuest tussle is more than a commercial disagreement. It is a litmus test for Nigeria’s seriousness about indigenous participation in its oil and gas industry.
Local companies are often urged to take over assets from international oil companies, invest in upstream operations and carry the burden of improving production. But the same companies are frequently left exposed when lenders react aggressively to market or securityinduced disruptions.
This contradiction raises urgent questions. How can Nigeria claim to support indigenous operators when the system punishes them at the slightest shock? How can the country attract serious local investors into refinery projects, marginal fields, gas development or energy infrastructure if those who took bold steps in the past are now fighting for survival in the courts? Who will take risks tomorrow if those who took risks yesterday are left vulnerable to legal and financial ambushes?
Expired InjunctionMareva
There’s yet another angle to the whole imbroglio. The ex parte orders obtained by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited may have lapsed by operation of law November 13, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
Legal experts have opined that, pursuant to Order 26 Rule 10(1) and (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the ex parte orders granted on October 22 had expired , having exceeded the 14-day statutory limit following the
filing of their motion to discharge the orders.
They noted that under the cited provisions, any ex parte order automatically lapses 14 days after the filing of a motion to vary or discharge it, unless the court expressly directs otherwise in the interest of justice.
The relevant rule stipulates that an order made on motion ex parte shall not, unless the court otherwise directs in the interest of justice, last for more than 14 days after the affected party has applied to vary or discharge it, or another 14 days after such application has been argued.
Furthermore, where the motion to vary or discharge an ex parte order is not heard within 14 days of filing, the order shall lapse unless the court otherwise directs in the interest of justice.
By this provision, the defendants’ motion to discharge the order, filed on October 30, 2025, remained unheard as of November 13, 2025, thereby causing all the orders to lapse automatically.
The experts cited judicial authorities affirming that ex parte orders, including Mareva orders, are interim reliefs intended to last only briefly and cannot subsist indefinitely.
They emphasised that “An ex parte order is, by its nature, made in the absence of the other party and is meant to last for a very brief period. By the relevant Rules of Court, such an order—whatever its form—shall not exceed 14 days in duration, and no more,” a legal practitioner who preferred anonymity said.
They further argued that the 14-day limitation upholds the constitutional right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as ex parte reliefs are granted without hearing the other party and are designed solely for urgent, temporary preservation of rights pending full hearing. Extending them beyond their lawful lifespan, one of the experts contended, would contravene constitutional principles of justice.
Managing Director/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria, Olusegun Alebiosu
Will Turaki-led New National Working Committee Salvage the PDP?
Kemi Olaitan reports that despite litigations, five state governors and other leaders of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, stormed Ibadan at the weekend to elect members of the party’s National Working Committee and asks if the new NWC will be able to unite the various factions of the party.
Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State was in the news at the weekend as it played host to the controversial National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with thousands of delegates of the party led by four governors thronging the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.
The two-day event from Saturday, November 15 till the early hours of Sunday, November 16, 2025, was more like a carnival as chants, drums, and colourful PDP banners and posters of governors and those vying for various positions lifted the atmosphere inside the stadium.
To ensure a hitch free convention, security personnel from the police, civil defence, the DSS, and Oyo State’s Amotekun Corps mounted strategic positions around the stadium, while traffic officials worked tirelessly to manage the heavy flow of vehicles along Obafemi Awolowo Road and nearby routes.
First sign that all is not well within the party ensued early in the day when angry delegates tore down posters of two absentee governors, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, protesting their refusal to attend what to them was a decisive convention that no party leader should shun.
However governors present included Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); Caleb Muftwang (Plateau); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and the host, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The convention also drew prominent PDP figures such as former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; a founding father of the party, Chief Olabode George; former governors, Udom Emmanuel; Babangida Aliyu and Ibrahim Shekarau, among other party stalwarts.
Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee and Governor of Adamawa state, Umaru Fintiri, while setting the tone for the convention, said Nigerians are again looking to the PDP for national rescue.
According to him: “Power to the party
stands for a party solidly formed on the tenets of courage and democratic ideals to rescue Nigeria. And it must at all times never veer off from the course of our fundamental tenets.
“Nigeria and Nigerians are still looking up to us to play that role that has always been our tradition. Indeed, Nigeria has reset back to the pre-PDP era and is dearly looking up to the PDP to pull its arm. We must admit that whatever bad that has happened to Nigeria over the past few years has also happened to our party. The soul of the party is still intact because there are men and women who believe in the party’s fundamental tenets.”
Governor Makinde, in his remarks, declared that the Ibadan 2025 Convention would be remembered as the turning point for the party. He said, “I want to welcome everyone to this convention, the resilient members of the PDP. Let me use this opportunity to welcome you to Ibadan, Oyo State. We have fought a long stretch of battle to get to this point, but here we are. And by the grace of God, this convention will go down as the convention that brought a turn-around to the PDP nationally.”
On a lighter note, he encouraged delegates to enjoy the hospitality of the host city, saying, “So, as you go around, don’t only politick, you should also use the opportunity to take Amala and Gbegiri in Ibadan. On that note, on behalf of the people of Oyo State, especially members of the PDP, we welcome you.”
Speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, highlighted the united presence of governors. He said, “As you can see, we are here today as a united front to take this party forward. We are appealing to everyone that is here to give us the maximum support so that we can save the future of Nigeria. I wish us a successful deliberation.”
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the convention as a major victory for the party. According to him, the party will not die as the gathering was a testament to the resilience, democratic spirit and collective commitment of members to the ideals of unity, progress and service to the Nigerian people, urging members of the National Working Committee to be elected to embrace inclusive leadership.
“I want to thank the delegates for coming but I can’t do that without thanking the host governor, His Excellency Seyi Makinde, for his resilience and for the resources. It is not easy. The task ahead requires unity of purpose, boldness, courage, discipline and
What is not in doubt is the fact that the convention proceeded in defiance of court rulings that sought to halt it as delegates and various speakers repeatedly referenced the litigations. However, for political observers it is in the belly of time to know whether the outcome will help in putting an end to the crises bedevilling the party or aggravate them.
an unwavering focus on the aspirations of Nigerians, who look to our party for hope and leadership.”
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing the PDP Senate Caucus, said the turnout demonstrated that the PDP remained a formidable force, saying “We have come, we have seen and we have conquered. The multitude that we have seen here today means that PDP is not dead, and it cannot die.”
On his part, Hon. Fred Agbedi, while speaking for the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives, assured the delegates of the caucus’ full support to reposition the party ahead of future elections while warning against internal sabotage.
One of the most consequential outcome of the convention was the expulsion of several high-profile members for alleged anti-party activities. Those expelled were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; the party’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN); Umar Bature; AbdulRahman Mohammed; Mao Ohuambuwa; George Turner; Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Ammah; and Dan Orbih.
The motion for their expulsion was moved by Chief George, and seconded by Governor Mohammed, receiving unanimous approval from the delegates present.
The climax of the convention was to come with the election of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kebbi State, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as the new National Chairman of the party. Senator Ben Obi, the Convention Secretary declared that Turaki secured 1,516 votes to emerge new Chairman.
Also elected was Mr. Solarin Adekunle, who emerged as the Deputy National Organising Secretary, while several other candidates were returned unopposed following withdrawals by their opponents.
l-R: PDP Govs Makinde (Oyo), lawal (Zamfara), Fintiri (Adamawa), Mohammed (Bauchi), Damagum (National Chairman) and Mutfwang (Plateau) at the party’s elective convention in Ibadan...weekend.
FEaturEs
With Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu as 25th COAS, Nigerian Army Tilts Towards Enhanced Combat, Operational Readiness
When Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu was announced as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, COAS, it was received with applause because when he speaks to troops, they listen, not because of his position, but because they know he has lived every word in the battlefield. Once wounded in action, the decorated commander and seasoned strategist brings a blend of operational experience, academic rigour, and unyielding commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that his appointment signals a defining phase in the Nigerian Army’s transformation towards enhanced combat and operational readiness, synergy, institutional reform and deepened intelligence-led warfare
Leadership in uniform is often spoken about in lofty terms like duty, courage, sacrifice, but rarely do these words find their fullest expression in one individual.
In the Nigerian Army today, that embodiment is Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, a soldier whose authority is rooted not in rhetoric or rank, but in lived experience under enemy target and fire.
Forged in the Field
Long before his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu had already built a reputation for courage in the nation’s toughest theatres of war.
From the hostile edges of Lake Chad to the dense, dangerous enclaves of Sambisa, he has led troops in environments where insurgency is entrenched, terrain is punishing, and decisions must be made with a clarity that only comes from experience.
His encounters with Boko Haram and ISWAP militants are not second-hand accounts. They are lived realities, marked by nights in the open, days of pursuit, and situations where the difference between success and tragedy rested on quick thinking and steady command.
When he speaks to troops, they listen, not because of his position, but because they know he has lived every word and that for Lieutenant General Shaibu, the frontlines have never been optional.
It is difficult to understand the man without referring to the picture used in this story. In this image, captured deep inside the Sambisa Forest during the Tura Takai Bango Operations, General Shaibu stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Major General Abdul Khalifa, who is now retired.
Even with the dusty background and the bush around them alive with tension, both men appear steady, focused, unshaken and fully present, which shows more than an operational moment but represents the kind of leadership that refuses to observe battles from afar.
The Wulgo Story: Where Grit Became Identity
How bravery didn’t start today. Looking back at his years as a colonel, the mission that many soldiers still recount with pride is the daring assault on Wulgo, an operation that remains one of the most demanding episodes of his early career.
Then a Colonel, Shaibu spent days navigating the treacherous waterways of Lake Chad, moving through an environment where danger hid in the water as much as on land. At one point, he was wounded in action. Most would have withdrawn. He pressed on.
The scar from that mission is more than a physical reminder. Within Army circles, it has become a marker of loyalty, to his troops, to the mission, and to Nigeria itself. Those who know him well say the mark on his body reflects the same mark he carries within: a refusal to abandon duty, no matter the cost.
A Nation’s Pride in a Battle-tested General
For soldiers in the trenches, leadership is never theoretical. They trust those who have stood with them in moments where survival is uncertain. This is the foundation of Shaibu’s bond with the rank-and-file.
He understands fear because he has felt it; he understands fatigue because he has marched
under it; and he understands faith in the mission because he has had to rely on it in the deadliest moments.
This is why his elevation to Chief of Army Staff was greeted with unusual enthusiasm among many who have fought in Nigeria’s toughest battles. They believe they have a commander who sees them, not as numbers or units, but as men whose lives he has shared responsibility for long before he became the nation’s top soldier.
Thus, at a time when Nigeria confronts complex security pressures, Shaibu represents a reassurance that leadership at the top is not experimental as he has lived through the realities of modern insurgency, confronted the evolving tactics of ISWAP and Boko Haram, and walked terrains that have broken lesser men. Nigeria’s confidence in him is not abstract. It is anchored in what he has already done.
Today, as COAS, Lt. Gen. Shaibu’s role extends far beyond battlefields. Those who have followed his trajectory describe his leadership as methodical, disciplined, and unyielding in matters of national security.
Yet even in this era of strategic responsibility, the soldier in him remains unmistakable. It is visible in the way he interacts with troops, the way he speaks about the mission, and the way he continues to draw from the experiences that shaped him.
Why His Story Matters Now
Nigeria sits at a crossroads where the difference between insecurity and stability may well depend on the quality of leadership at the highest levels of the Armed Forces. At such a moment, a battlehardened commander with scars earned in defence of the country becomes more than an appointment but a symbol of what must not waver.
This is because Lt. Gen. Shaibu represents a leader forged by combat, a strategist shaped by study and a soldier bound by loyalty to the national flag.
Essentially, his story is not just his own but that of thousands of men who have stood beside him, followed him, and been inspired by him. It is also the story of a country seeking reassurance in a time of uncertainty and finding it in one of the most seasoned officers of his generation.
Career Trajectory
Born on 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, General Shaibu was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1989 as part of the 41 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1994.
A mechanical engineer by training, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the NDA and multiple advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Strategic Studies (University of Ibadan), a Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C.), and a Master’s in Public Administration (University of Calabar).
His career trajectory reflects both grit and intellect. He has commanded formations across challenging theatres of operation, from Borno to Yobe, including his tenure as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri. His previous appointments include Chief of Training (Army Headquarters), Brigade Commander (21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama), and Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School.
General Shaibu’s leadership has been tested in major operations such as HARMONY, LAFIYA DOLE, HADIN
earning him the Purple Heart Medal for gallantry. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and has served on peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sudan.
A Fellow of the Defence College (fdc) and recipient of numerous decorations, including the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Shaibu is expected to consolidate reforms in the Army, enhance intelligence-led warfare, and deepen synergy in joint operations.
Task Defining-moment
Undoubtedly, Lt. Gen. Shaibu’s journey stands as a reminder that the strength of an army is often defined by the character of the man who leads it. His scars, his battlefield experience, and his unwavering commitment to the Nigerian flag form a legacy that resonates far beyond the trenches of Sambisa or the waters of Lake Chad.
At a time when the nation confronts evolving threats, his steady presence offers reassurance that its security is entrusted to a commander who has lived every danger his troops now face. He is expected to drive reforms that strengthen the Army’s operational tempo, deepen intelligenceled warfare, and enhance synergy across joint forces. The same determination he brought to Wulgo and Sambisa is now being channelled into institutional transformation, training, professionalism, and readiness.
As Nigeria looks ahead, the task before him is both immense and defining. Yet, if his past is any indication, he is a leader prepared for the weight of the moment, one shaped by fire, guided by discipline, and grounded in service. His story is that of a soldier who earned his place at the helm, not through declarations, but through sacrifice. And as the nation navigates its security challenges, General Shaibu’s leadership stands as a testament to resilience, duty, and the enduring spirit of those who choose to serve in the line of fire.
KAI, and DESERT SANITY,
L-R: The then Colonel Shaibu now COAS with Major General Abdul Khalifa (Rtd) at the battlefield of Sambisa during the Tura Takai Bango Operation
www.thisdaylive.com
NIGERIA AND ELECTORAL REFORM
Nigerian youth urge the National Assembly to pass election-related bills, writes HASSAN MATHIAS KABULU
KWARA 2027 AND INCLUSION OLUWATOMI
ABOLORE argues the need to support a Christian as the next governor of the state
opinion@thisdaylive.com
Civil authority must remain paramount, not because ministers are flawless, but because democracy cannot survive without it, argues PAT ONUKWULI
WIKE–YERIMA: A TEST OF CIVIL AUTHORITY
The clash between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Naval Officer A.M. Yerima at a contested construction site in Abuja quickly escalated beyond its initial scope. What should have been a routine administrative inspection instead became a national talking point, complete with viral videos, institutional responses, and the now-familiar public chorus against political overreach. Yet beneath the commotion lies something more serious: a quiet but profound test of Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
It is not surprising that much of the public outcry aligned with the naval officer. Nigeria’s political class has, over decades, built a reputation for arrogance, and citizens often respond instinctively to any display of restraint or assertiveness from uniformed personnel. To many Nigerians, Yerima symbolised discipline confronting impunity. The public reaction was therefore emotional, immediate, and understandable.
Wike’s reputation made it easy for many to see Yerima as a hero fighting against excess. The minister’s characteristic combative rhetoric often portrays him as a man too quick to wield power and too reluctant to temper authority with tact. Yet democratic governance cannot be based on individual feelings about public officials. However, the incident's more profound implications demand a more deliberate, dispassionate assessment.
Under Section 297(2) of the 1999 Constitution, all land in the FCT belongs to the Federal Government. Section 302 authorises the FCT Minister to administer such land. The Land Use Act, given constitutional status by Section 315(5), reinforces this authority by granting the minister powers of allocation, inspection, and revocation. Whether or not one agrees with Wike’s methods, his authority at that site stemmed not from personal bravado but from statutory and constitutional mandate.
Seen through this lens, Yerma's refusal to grant access becomes more than a mere disagreement. It raises the spectre of insubordination by a military officer toward a senior government official acting within the law. In any functioning democracy, the principle of civilian supremacy is sacrosanct. No matter how much the public may distrust or dislike a given politician, it is the office, not the office holder, that sustains constitutional order. In other
words, institutions matter more than personalities, and it is the office, not the office holder, that upholds civic order.
This is where the incident takes on a dimension reminiscent of Greek mythology. In the Iliad, Achilles defies Agamemnon not because the king is right or wrong, but because personal grievances cloud the clarity of hierarchy. The gods observe, some amused, others alarmed, as one warrior’s pride disrupts the order of the Greek camp. Nigeria, in this confrontation, found itself re-enacting a similar drama: personal dislike for a leader threatened to overshadow the fundamental logic of institutional authority.
The worrying part is how swiftly the confrontation escalated into an institutional standoff. The Nigerian military high command publicly defended the officer, insisting he acted under orders and should not be harassed. It even announced its intention to “investigate the authenticity of the land revocation,” a function clearly outside its constitutional remit. In effect, the military presented itself, not the minister, not the courts, as the arbiter of a civilian land matter. This is not only irregular; it is precarious.
Adding to the concern was the Defence Minister's stance, which seemed to endorse the officer’s actions. Instead of reaffirming the authority of civil law, the ministry appeared defensive and introspective, supporting the uniform rather than constitutional procedures. Such signals, however subtle, can easily encourage lower-ranking officers to see the uniform as a licence to obey selectively.
The police response added a curious twist. The Inspector General of Police declared that officers would not participate in “unlawful assignments,” implying that the policemen who accompanied Wike acted improperly. Yet, this stance appears selective. The same police have provided security during countless demolitions across
the country, some occurring while litigation was ongoing, others executed with insufficient notice to occupants. In Lagos, for instance, bulldozers have moved in, protected by police, despite heated disputes over their legality, especially in Lekki, Trade Fair Complex, Festac Town, Oworonshoki, Maryland, and others. In none of those cases did the police insist on determining the “lawfulness” of their involvement. Their sudden constitutional awakening in this matter, therefore, raises legitimate questions.
However, the judicial and administrative inconsistencies within the security agencies, though significant, still do not overshadow the core issue. This disagreement is not about Wike’s temperament or Yerima’s assertiveness. It concerns the structure of authority in a constitutional democracy. Can a naval officer, acting in his private capacity as a guard of a former superior, hinder a minister acting on behalf of the President? What does that imply for future civil–military relations? What message does it send to younger officers observing from afar, and what precedent does it establish for future conflicts between uniformed personnel and civilian authorities?
The episode also serves as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s still-fragile democratic ethos. It uncovers an underlying institutional fault line, one that Peter Obi aptly described as symptomatic of a nation where the boundaries between civilian and military roles are too often blurred. Even the public enthusiasm for the officer’s conduct reflects a deeper issue: Nigerians are so tired of political excess that they sometimes applaud actions which, in the long run, undermine democratic norms.
Yet one must exercise caution. Today, applause goes to a subordinate officer challenging a minister seen as overbearing. Tomorrow, the same logic could justify a soldier facing a judge, a soldier resisting a governor, or a military man obstructing civic agencies. Democracies seldom collapse suddenly; they decay gradually, through unchecked exceptions, misinterpreted gestures, and celebrated acts of defiance that weaken the foundations of civilian authority.
Dr. Onukwuli, a legal scholar and public affairs analyst, writes from Bolton, UK. patonukwuli2003@yahoo.co.uk
Nigerian youth urge the National Assembly to pass election-related bills, writes HASSAN MATHIAS KABULU
NIGERIA AND ELECTORAL
REFORM
Every election cycle, Nigerians look up to the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and the President to amend the Constitution, Electoral Act and other election-related laws, to improve the quality of our elections. Declining electoral integrity has remained a major concern for Nigerians, especially the youth. Nigerians always expect the process of amending our legal framework to strengthen our electoral process to be quick and seamless, but almost always experience the opposite. The constitutional and electoral reform process sometimes begins late, experiences significant and avoidable delays, and are only concluded when the next election is already around the corner. Then, after the polls, we return to the same conversation as if democracy is a wheel we keep pushing uphill only to watch it roll back. The 10th Senate and House of Representatives both inaugurated their Constitutional Review Committees in February 2024, seven clear months after their proclamation in June 2023. Setting up these committees within three months may have shown a greater sense of purpose. In 2024, the Senate and House Constitutional Review Committees released timelines for their engagements, including schedules for public hearings to receive input from the Nigerian public. The Senate Constitutional review committees ended up holding their public meeting in July 2025, nine months late from their original schedule of September 2024. The House also held theirs in July 2025, eight months late from their original schedule of October 2024. Our campaign, the Youth-Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija), attended all 19 regional and national public hearings held by the Senate and House Constitutional Review Committees and commend both legislative houses for the open and frank discussions held. Timing however, seems to be a bottleneck once again, as a vote on the Constitutional Review Bills discussed during those public hearings is not in sight, three and a half months after those public hearings. According to their original calendars, the Senate planned to vote on the bills between April and May, 2025, while the House scheduled their vote for April 2025. Information went out that per-
haps these votes would take place in October, but they did not. Being a process to amend the constitution, the bills will have to be transmitted to the 36 states' Houses of Assembly for concurrence by the National Assembly, after they pass them, in line with Chapter 1, section 9 of the Constitution. Both chambers of the National Assembly had planned to transmit constitutional reform bills to the State Houses of Assembly for concurrence between May and August 2025. There has been no new communication or updates on when all of these processes that have not been implemented will happen. We cannot keep repeating these delays as a people. Democracy doesn’t thrive on improvisation or last-minute actions; it thrives on clarity, consistency, and sincerity of purpose. If lawmakers do not fast-track these reforms, the 2027 electoral process will be a replica of the 2019 and 2023 process; when we were unable to create awareness about, and implement the full intent of the amended laws.
We have seen this before. In 2018, then-President Muhammadu Buhari withheld assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill multiple times, citing the proximity to the 2019 elections. The delay led to confusion. Political parties conducted primaries without much needed clarity in the environment; court cases multiplied; and INEC was left to organize a major election under outdated legal provisions, due to the President's refusal to sign the new law. Nigerian youth urge the National Assembly to rescue the constitutional and electoral reform processes by passing election-related bills before the end of 2025, and transmit the same to the State Houses of Assembly for concurrence. We are gradually approaching the timelines when international proposals on the early completion of electoral reform processes will apply to us. International protocols, including some from the African Union and ECOWAS, state that late amendment of election legal framework undermines the credibility of elections. Enough of the delays. When electoral reform is late, everyone pays the price, from voters to observers, parties to candidates. The ordinary Nigerian, especially young people, who queue under the sun to vote deserve more than legal uncertainty and technical half-measures. History is already watching. The question is whether our leaders will make history or repeat it. When reforms come late, democracy pays the price. But when they come on time, democracy breathes. The YERP-Naija campaign urges all young people to continue to reach out to their elected representatives, to pass all electoral reform bills before the end of 2025. We call on Nigerian youth, civil society groups and professional groups to add their voices to public calls for far-reaching electoral reform through traditional and social media engagements.
Kabulu is Member, Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija), North-East Chapter
ABOLORE argues the need to support a Christian as the next governor of the state
KWARA 2027 AND INCLUSION OLUWATOMI
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, Kwara stands before another defining political moment. The governorship race should, in principle, be about continuity — who can build on the strong foundations laid by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Yet, history teaches that competence and performance alone do not secure prosperity. Governance that lasts must rest on inclusion, fairness, and foresight — values that ensure every community feels seen, respected, and represented.
For a state whose strength lies in diversity, 2027 offers a chance to prove political maturity. Kwara can consolidate progress not just through economic prudence and infrastructure but through symbolic and structural inclusivity. Electing a Christian governor would show that leadership mirrors Kwara’s plural identity. This is not religious tokenism; it is justice and balance — proof that governance in Kwara belongs to all.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has undeniably redefined Kwara’s governance ethos. From the dusty roads of Baruten to Ilorin’s growing suburbs, his imprint is visible. Roads have been rebuilt, schools renovated, hospitals upgraded, and thousands of youths empowered through digital and vocational programmes. Fiscal discipline has restored confidence, while Ilorin is gradually transforming into a livable, modern city — the centrepiece of his vision for a productive, inclusive state.
Yet competence and development do not automatically guarantee lasting prosperity. The key question is not only who can perform but who can preserve progress without plunging Kwara back into stagnation. That lesson lies in the state’s political past.
Dr. Bukola Saraki’s administration (2003–2011) remains one of Kwara’s most productive eras. His reforms in healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure lifted the state into national reckoning. Urban renewal projects modernised Ilorin and spread growth across the senatorial districts. For a time, Kwara was a model of administrative efficiency.
But Saraki’s success was followed by a costly misstep — the wrong choice of successor. Abdulfatah Ahmed, his anointed candidate, struggled to sustain the tempo. Under him, debts ballooned, salaries went unpaid, and public morale fell. Projects stalled, and fiscal recklessness returned. By 2019, when Abdulrazaq assumed office, much of the progress of the previous decade had been lost.
The lesson is unmistakable: good governors often make poor kingmakers. Progress is never guaranteed by continuity alone. Leadership succession must reflect legitimacy, equity, and foresight — not loyalty. The choice of Abdulrazaq’s successor must therefore rest with the people, not political godfathers.
Across Nigeria, incumbents have chosen
successors in their image, only to watch their legacies crumble in the hands of mediocrity. When successions are driven by personal preference instead of popular will, decline follows. For Kwara, this is not just about political control. It is about ensuring that the next governor sustains today’s gains, deepens inclusivity, and preserves the peace that distinguishes the state from its more volatile neighbours.
Kwara’s calm amid the Middle Belt’s religious volatility is no accident. While states like Plateau and Benue have battled sectarian tension, Kwara has remained a bastion of moderation — a state where coexistence thrives. Its secret lies in balance. From Ilorin to Offa, Patigi to Omu-Aran, Kwara is home to Yoruba, Fulani, Nupe, Baruba, and others — Muslims and Christians alike. This mosaic is not only cultural; it is moral capital. But that balance must be consciously preserved.
A deliberate move to elect a Christian governor in 2027 would be both political and moral — reaffirming that leadership in Kwara is not reserved for any one faith or section. It would strengthen the bond of trust that has kept the state stable and united. More importantly, it would show that fairness is a foundation for progress, not a concession.
This call is not limited to any zone. A competent, visionary leader could emerge from Kwara North, South, or Central. The emphasis is not geography but equity — not token representation but broadbased trust. What Kwara needs is a leader who embodies both the moral courage of inclusion and the managerial discipline for governance.
History supports this path. The state once produced leaders like Cornelius Adebayo, whose tenure in the 1980s was defined by integrity, prudence, and service. His era reinforced harmony — proof that inclusivity strengthens, not weakens, the social fabric.
In an age when Nigeria struggles to prove that diversity and democracy can coexist, Kwara can lead by example. A Christian governor would send a powerful signal: that competence and inclusion are not mutually exclusive. It would resonate with young voters — a generation less bound by religious identity and more inspired by justice, merit, and progress.
Hon. Abolore is an Ilorin grassroots social mobilizer, critic, and public commentator
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
STATES AND THE PPP OPTION
States must cut down on cost of governance
While the World Bank-assisted States Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Programme (SFTAS) was to nudge sub-national governments into imbibing fiscal transparency and tame their appetite for indiscriminate borrowing, the programme has not worked. Despite increased allocations from the federation account, state governments across the country have continued to ramp up their borrowing from both local and international lenders. To compound the problem, most of the debts already incurred for future generations of Nigerians are expended on projects that bring little or no returns on investment. It is therefore concerning that at a period these humongous debts hang precariously on the neck of these states, many of the governors are borrowing more.
Apparently concerned by this development, the Director-General of Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, Ms. Patience Oniha, has called on governors to adopt the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model and prioritise tax revenue generation over borrowing to fund infrastructure projects. “This reduces the financial burden on government, accelerates project delivery, and often results in higher quality outcomes. PPPs can also create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and foster innovation,” said Oniha who admonishes governors to look inwards. We share Oniha’s admonition that the current challenge does not call for more borrowing, but rather creative resource management and potent revenue generation drive.
countries, legislative oversight problems in most of the 36 states in Nigeria makes implementing the idea to be fraught with problems. Since there are no reliable regulatory frameworks in many of these states, PPP arrangements could exacerbate their current financial indiscipline. In any case, it seems quite apparent that governors prefer securing loans.
The feeding bottle mentality must begin to give way to a better public finance management system anchored on resultoriented revenue generation mechanism
T H I S D AY
EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU
DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE
MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE
The challenge, of course, is that while the federal government has the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to manage PPP projects from conception to execution, most of such bodies created in the states are weak. Therefore, while deploying PPP as a vehicle for infrastructure projects rather than the traditional approach of government borrowing has proved effective for subnational governments in many
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
Regrettably, while borrowing must be done with a well-thought-out investment initiative conceived to yield maximum benefits, that has not been the case in many of the states. Besides, most of the funds being sourced are not invested in much needed social infrastructure like power, schools, hospitals and reliable institutions. And with that, poverty is being reinforced across the country. Indeed, the rising debt profile raises serious concerns, as most of the states have feeble revenue base. Despite the humongous debts incurred, the unanswered question remains: How much development have the 36 states brought except the creation of a multiplicity of agencies that are neither accountable to the people nor serve their interests?
In most cases, there are no roads, no provision of clean water for the rural folks, no electricity, no medical facilities for the sick and no schools for their children. What the current challenge calls for is not to borrow more money but rather to have a serious re-think of the fundamental assumption of the fiscal arrangements. States must begin to understand that federal bailouts and handouts from Abuja will not chase away the problem.
The feeding bottle mentality must begin to give way to a better public finance management system anchored on result-oriented revenue generation mechanism. The states must cut down on the enormous costs of governance and free resources for development and payment of salaries. They must create wealth to run their states as the template under which state governments exist as mere pay offices for redistributing the monthly proceeds of oil rent from Abuja is fast outliving its value.
Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.
POLICE AND VIPS’ PROTECTION
I write to humbly request a review and reduction of the number of police officers currently assigned to elected officials and political appointees across the country. A report published last week by the European Union Agency for Asylum notes that the Nigeria Police Force has an estimated strength of 371,800 officers serving a population of about 236.7 million. The report reveals that more than 100,000 officers are presently deployed to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons, raising concerns that ordinary citizens are left under protected.
As you are aware, assigning police officers to private individuals and political office holders has long been a concern. In June 2023, shortly after taking office, the Inspector General of Police ordered the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force operatives from VIP duties, stat-
ing that the tactical unit would be reserved strictly for strategic national operations. The IGP’s office issued another directive in April 2025, ordering a nationwide withdrawal of mobile police officers attached to VIPs. Despite these directives, a significant portion of police manpower continues to be used for VIP protection. In a video posted on the Nigeria Police Force’s official X account in September, the Police boss warned officers against intervening in civil disputes or serving private interests: “Let me reiterate without ambiguity: the Nigerian Police Force is not, and will never become, an enforcer for private interests. Officers have no business escorting parties for land recovery, disrupting legally existing occupations, or meddling in civil claims that lack a demonstrable criminal element. Every such incident erodes the neutrality of the Force and opens us up to
disrepute.” He added that disciplinary action will follow any officer who violates this directive.
Nevertheless, officers continue to escort parties for land recovery. A recent example is the clash involving the FCT Minister and Lieutenant AM Yerima in Gaduwa, reportedly stemming from a disagreement over documentation related to a property development. The incident escalated into a confrontation between the Minister, military personnel, armed officers of the Nigeria Police Force, and the DSS, all in the presence of unarmed civilians. But for divine intervention, the situation could have resulted in the loss of innocent lives through accidental discharge or direct gunfire.
Abba Dukawa, Kano abbahydukawa@gmail.com
D-SIBs Total Assets Hit N220.6trn on Improvement in Economic Outlook
Kayode tokede
On the back of intrinsic improvement in the overall economic outlook, the total assets base of Nigeria’s nine biggest banks expanded by about N22.1 trillion to N220.6 trillion in nine months of 2025 from N198.4 trillion declared in 2024 financial year.
The nine banks are: Access Holdings Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), and
Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).
Others are: Wema Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, First HoldCo Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc.
The likes of Access Holdings, UBA, Zenith Bank, ETI, control more than three-quarters of the country’s banking industry assets and are regarded as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) because they are key to the stability of the nation’s financial services sector and the economy.
They are euphemistically referred to as Tier-1 banks, which underscore their strategic importance to the economy.
Analysis of the banks financial data released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and verified by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), indicated that all the banks recorded considerable increase in assets, with the exception of First HoldCo, which suffered a marginal contraction.
The increase in total assets reflected substantial
improvements in customers’ deposits across the banks, with total customers’ deposits for the nine banks closing nine months of 2025 at N141.72 trillion, about 19 per cent increase over N119.3 trillion reported in 2024.
A breakdown of the top three banks with highest total assets showed that Access Holdings maintained the lead from N41.5 trillion in 2024 to N52.20 trillion as of September 2025, followed by Ecobank with N47.97 trillion total assets as of
September 2025, about 11 per cent increase from N43.3 trillion declared in 2024.
Also, Zenith Bank’s total assets moved from N30.38 trillion in 2024, to N31.2 trillion, up by nearly 3 per cent.
Analysts stated that the increase in the nation’s banking balance sheet was a good development for the economy and reflective of the intrinsic improvement in the overall economic outlook.
The Managing Director,
HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, stated that the increased in balance sheet base was a “good development”. He, however, noted the need for the quality of assets and the deployment of the assets as important factors in determining the state of the industry. Adonri said, “The quality of the assets is also important for measuring the soundness of their balance sheet.”
The Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) has disclosed that about N12.83trillion in Open Market Operation (OMO) bills and Treasury (T-bills) were sold in 2024 compared to N716.7 billion for the whole of 2023. This was disclosed by president, AIHN, Kemi Awodein during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and
presentation of 2024 financial statements in Lagos.
She revealed that the growth was driven by federal government policies and the anticipation of interest rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“This was driven by government policies and the anticipation of interest rate cuts in other markets. Significant in the year was the successful
issuance of the first domestic dollar bond by the Debt Management Office,” she said.
Awodein explained that the high-interest environment saw the crowding out of the private sector, affecting issuance activities.
She disclosed that government borrowing increased significantly, as efforts to manage liquidity were also heightened.
The AIHN financial statements for 2024 showed that total funds and liabilities grew from N452.6million in 2023 to N518.2million in 2024.
Its total income grew from N86.56 million in 2023 to N123.6 million in 2024, while expenditure for 2023 stood at N50.08 million. Spending for 2024 was N60.75 million resulting in a surplus of N36.4 million and N62.9 million for 2023 and 2024
respectively.
At its yearly Investment Banking Awards held at the weekend in Lagos, Awode urged Nigerians to embrace regulated investment products.
The event recognises excellence in Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem, while also unveiling the association’s new executive committee members.
The association noted that despite
tough conditions in 2024, companies have raised capital, pursued mergers and acquisitions, and issued debts, demonstrating confidence in the economy.
Awodein stated that the tough economic conditions in 2024 did not deter companies seeking capital for expansion, mergers and acquisitions, as well as debt issuances.
Kayode tokede
FG Seeks Communication Renaissance as ARCON Declares Industry ‘Critical Tool for Economic Growth’
Raheem Akingbolu
The federal government has urged marketing communications professionals to lead and galvanise the populace to take charge of Nigeria’s story as Nigeria prepares to reclaim its place on the global stage.
According to the government, during challenging times, great communication remains one of the most powerful tools for growth, hence the need for agencies and business owners to explore advertising as a major tool for economic growth.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who made the call while addressing industry leaders at the
fifth National Advertising Conference held in Abuja, challenged communicators to spearhead a communication renaissance grounded in truth, unity, and national pride. He warned against allowing false narratives, especially those portraying Nigeria as a “violator of religious freedom” to define the country’s global image.
“Marketing communication professionals have an enormous responsibility,” Idris declared. “You are not only storytellers for brands and businesses, you are custodians of national perception and image.”
He stressed that when misleading stories about Nigeria circulate globally, the nation relies on the creativity and strategic intelligence of
Lee Group
Sunday Ehigiator
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group have initiated plans to establish a multi-million-dollar sugar production project in Taraba State, as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency drive.
Leading a high-powered
delegation comprising officials of the council and management of the Lee Group to Jalingo, the state capital, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, met with Governor Agbu Kefas to seek the state government’s support and collaboration for the ambitious project.
its communicators to counter them. According to him, the industry has the power to replace misinformation with context, and fear-driven narratives with stories of resilience and hope.
“We must project Nigeria
as it truly is: a diverse, dynamic, and resilient nation of hardworking people who coexist peacefully,” he said. “Through integrated campaigns, digital storytelling, strategic partnerships, and value-based branding, our
marketers can reshape global perception, presenting Nigeria as a land of opportunity, innovation, and creativity.”
The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, in his
opening remark charged marketing communication professionals to leverage the convergence of creativity, data, and technology to drive sustainable growth for businesses amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.
MTN’s Over N757bn Accelerated Capex Investment Reinforces Improved Network Quality
Kayode Tokede
Amidst economic turbulence, MTN Nigeria has said that it deployed a staggering N757.4 billion in capital expenditure (Capex), excluding leases, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 - a monumental 248 per cent increase over the
previous year.
This aggressive investment, it said, is a deliberate corporate strategy aimed at enhancing network capacity and quality of service (QoS) for its over 85.4 million subscribers, fulfilling a critical commitment to the government and customers. MTN said this investment
surge is vital in tackling network congestion and ensuring reliable connectivity across the nation, especially as the active data user base swelled to 51.1 million.
The Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola, in a statement emphasised that the acceleration of capital investment was undertaken
to “improve quality of service in line with our commitment to our customers and the government.” The investment was directed toward capacity expansion, deployment of additional sites, rollout of its Fibre-to-the-Home network, and development of a new data centre.
Group Business Editor
Eromosele Abiodun
Deputy Business Editor
Chinedu Eze
Comms/e-Business Editor
Emma Okonji
Asst. Editor, Energy
Emmanuel Addeh
Asst. Editor, Money Market
Nume Ekeghe
Correspondents
KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets)
James Emejo (Finance)
Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)
Reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)
Bakrin described the initiative as a major investment that could accelerate Nigeria’s quest for local sugar production, job creation, and rural development. He explained that the Council’s mandate goes beyond policy development to include capacity building, training, sugarcane research, and technical support for investors in financing and land acquisition.
Speaking on behalf of the investors, the Project Director of Lee Group, Mr Lam Wing Ki Wilkins, expressed the company’s readiness to partner with the Taraba State Government to establish a large-scale sugar processing plant through its subsidiary, GNAAL Sugar.
As part of the arrangements to raise N15.9 billion through a rights Issue to existing shareholders, Champion Breweries Plc held a formal signing ceremony over the weekend.
The rights issue follows the
shareholder approval received at Champion Breweries extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held in July 2025.
The rights issue represents the first phase of a two-step capital raise, with a public offer to follow shortly.
Urged
The federal government has been urged to come up with policies that will promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders gave
Kayode Tokede
The federal government has awarded N200 million in grants to 14 exceptional women engineers to scale up innovations addressing Nigeria’s key development challenges.
The initiative, led by the Presidential Implementation
the advice during the Electric Vehicle Nigeria (EVN) Expo and Conference, convened in Lagos by Imaginarium Marketing Communications, themed: ‘Drive The Future.’
In his welcome address, CEO, Imaginarium Marketing
Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), marks the second phase of the Developing Engineering Leadership and Technology–Her (DELT-Her) programme, designed to tackle gender disparity in Science,
The company said the proceeds will be utilised to fund the strategic acquisition of the Bullet brand, an important step in its domestic and international growth agenda. Under the offer terms, 994,221,766 ordinary
shares of 50 Kobo each will be issued at N16 per share, on the basis of one new share for every nine existing shares held. The qualification date for determining eligible shareholders is September 4th, 2025.
Communications, Abiola Adekoyejo, stressed the need for electric mobility (e-mobility) and renewable energy that will power the growth of a greener future for all Nigerians.
According to him, “Fuel
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Speaking at the award ceremony held in Abuja, the Chairman of PICTT, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, described DELT-Her as a transformative step toward nurturing a new generation of women leaders in engineering and technology. “DELT-Her was born from
subsidy removal has laid bare the cracks in our transport system. Prices have soared, mobility has shrunk and everyday, Nigerians, especially small businesses and transport workers are bearing the brunt.
a national vision to rectify the gender imbalance in STEM fields, fostering an environment where women can lead groundbreaking innovations,” Mohammed said.
He explained that the programme had recorded remarkable growth since its inception.
Emma Okonji
L – R: Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Tosan Aiboni; Non-Executive Director, David Butler; Non-Executive Director, Eric Idiahi; Independent Non-Executive Director, Shuaibu Ottan; Non-Executive Director, Oladele Ajayi; Board Chairman, Mr Imo-Abasi Jacob; Non-Executive Director, Dr Jayne Thompson Shoboiki; Non-Executive Director, Mr Olufumniniyi Alabi; Non-Executive Director, Mr Samson Aigbedo; Managing Director, Dr Inalegwu Adoga and Finance Director, Mr. Rasheed Adebiyi, all of Champion Breweries Plc during the company’s Rights Issue signing ceremony in Lagos… recently
Nigeria, Indonesia Target $4.7bn Bilateral Trade, Deepen Economic Ties
The city of Jakarta recently played host to a landmark event in economic diplomacy as the Nigerian–Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) convened the fourth edition of the Nigerian–Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum (NIITF 2025).
Following the outcome of the forum, stakeholders
from both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations.
According to a statement, the event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and business leaders from both countries to explore opportunities in energy, manufacturing, agriculture, health, and technology under the theme, ‘Unlocking Potentials and
NASD Lists Jilnas’s N3bn Series 1 Commercial Paper
NASD Plc has officially listed Jilnas Nigeria Limited’s N3 billion Series 1 Commercial Paper (CP), the debut issuance under the company’s N10 billion CP Programme.
The offer opened on 27 August 2025 and closed on 4 September 2025, with maturity set for 2 June 2026.
Jilnas Nigeria Limited, founded in 1992, is a leading indigenous producer of edible vegetable oil. The company has evolved from a 50 TPD operation into a modern processing powerhouse featuring a 200 TPD solvent extraction plant, three storage
silos, a 200 TPD refinery, and a high-capacity roasting unit.
Jilnas is widely regarded as the largest supplier of processed edible oils across Nigeria’s Southeast and South-South regions, with an extensive footprint reaching Northern markets.
The company continues to post strong financial performance, recording revenue growth from N12.79 billion in 2021 to N45.57 billion in 2024. Jilnas also maintains an exemplary debt-service track record, having redeemed over N4.8 billion in previous CP and private note issuances.
REA, Others to Provide Plateau Community with Solar Mini-grid
Residents of the Namu community in the Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State have expressed excitement as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) led state and non-state actors to commission a 50-kilowatt solar mini-grid in line with Nigeria’s expanding clean-energy programme.
The project, implemented via partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Cloud Energy, Plateau State Energy Corporation, and
supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) forms part of an initiative aimed at transforming under-served communities through sustainable power solutions.
In his remarks, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Aliyu explained that Africa Minigrid Programme (AMP) of REA is a flagship initiative to support access to clean energy and enhance financial viability, promoting large-scale commercial investment in renewable energy in Africa.
Building a Sustainable Economic Future’.
President of NICCI, Ishmael Balogun, said Nigeria–Indonesia trade had grown from $1.73bn in 2019 to over
$6bn in 2023, describing the rise as “a clear testament to renewed confidence and cooperation.”
He urged Indonesian investors to explore Nigeria’s
vast opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy, fintech, and mining, while inviting them to a reciprocal trade mission to Nigeria in 2026.
According to Balogun,
trade between Nigeria and Indonesia rose from $1.73 billion in 2019 to over $6 billion by 2023, reflecting renewed investor confidence and deeper cooperation.
Standard Chartered Announces Cohort 6 Winners
Standard Chartered Bank (Nigeria) Limited has rewarded 5 female tech entrepreneurs in its SC Women in Tech incubator initiative with the sum of $10,000 each.
This edition which launched in July is the sixth edition
of the program in Nigeria. This follows the successful completion of the last 5 editions which has seen 25 winners emerge to date collectively receiving over $250,000 in seed funding for their businesses.
Speaking on the initiative, Executive Director, Financial
Markets, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Ayodeji Adelagun said, “We are immensely optimistic about the boundless growth opportunities that lie ahead and the far-reaching positive ripple effects this growth will inevitably have on the broader economy.
This initiative not only underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship but also builds upon the Bank’s distinguished and longstanding track record of significantly enhancing women’s access to entrepreneurial finance.”
FAAN Hold 2025 National Aviation Conference
Chinedu Eze
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to hold the 3rd Edition of the FAAN National Aviation Conference (FNAC 2025).
The event is scheduled to hold at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.
This year’s edition tagged FNAC 2025 is themed: “Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnerships, and Global Engagements.”
Speaking on the forthcoming event, the Chairperson of the FNAC 2025 Organising Committee and FAAN’s Director of Human Resources
and Administration, Dr. Emiola Luqman, stated, “The Nigerian aviation industry is at a defining stage, presenting vast opportunities for investment and innovation. With its large and growing population, strategic geographical position, and the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure
development and regulatory reform, Nigeria offers a strong value proposition for investors. FAAN, through FNAC, continues to provide a credible platform for engagement and collaboration, and FNAC 2025 will demonstrate how far we have progressed and the immense potential that lies ahead.”
International Breweries to Host Ceremony for Grant Winners
International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), has announced the upcoming Kickstart 2025 Awards Ceremony after the successful completion of the Bootcamp training. This year’s programme marks a decade of the company nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of business leaders.
The upcoming ceremony, themed “Sustain. Scale. Succeed – Building the Future of Nigerian Entrepreneurs,” will mark the culmination of this year’s Kickstart journey, which has already seen 476 shortlisted applicants
participate in an intensive online training facilitated by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), covering vital business courses such as Customer Service, Marketing Management, Selling Skills, Financial Management, Leadership Essentials, Operations
Management, and Business Planning. The programme also ensured inclusivity by accommodating People with Disabilities (PWDs) among the participants, underscoring Kickstart’s commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive innovation.
FG Achieves 59,344 Official Emails, Documents on 1 Gov Platform
Olawale Ajimotokan in abuja
The federal government said as part of its initiative to digitalize public sector operations, enhance national security, and improve efficiency and transparency in governance, it had processed 59,344 official emails and documents onto its newly
developed e-governance platform Go-Live on 1 Gov Cloud Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack disclosed this yesterday at the unveiling of the platform developed in collaboration with Galaxy Backbone, which is a government-
owned enterprise with the responsibility for IT solutions for government work.
Walson-Jack said the official domain for digital document management and workflow automation has the benefits of enabling government to fully utilize the benefits of a governmentowned enterprise and avoid the long-term costs associated
with foreign vendor lock-in as well as support scan-asyou-go, mobile device access, e-signature and configurable workflows.
She described the platform as not just a technology deployment but a realization of a promise made under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025.
Kayode Tokede
Raheem Akingbolu
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
L–R: Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, HRM Wilson Oharisi 111; MD/CEO, Transcorp Power Plc, Peter Ikenga; Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom, HRM Matthew Edirin Egbi, Owawha 11, and Osuivie of Agbarho Kingdom, HRM Samson Owhe Ogugu 1, at the graduation and induction ceremony of Transcorp Power Plc’s Vocational Skills Training and Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme (VSTEEP) in Ughelli… recently
FCMB CEO Hails Innovation as AuldonToys Unveils First Retail Experience Centre
Sunday Ehigiator
The Group Chief Executive Officer of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr Lanre Balogun, over the weekend, lauded the rising innovation within Nigeria’s retail and creative manufacturing space as Auldon Toys officially opened its first-ever retail experience store in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Speaking after a tour of the new facility, Balogun described the launch as “inspiring,” noting that it showcased the power of dedication and domain expertise in building successful Nigerian businesses.
“It’s great to see the dividends of many years of hard work,” he said. “Paul and his wife have shown that by focusing on toys, they’ve built something truly worthwhile. It’s fantastic to see how the business has grown and
flourished.”
Balogun, who commended the transition of Auldon Toys from wholesale to full retail, added that retailing remains a powerful experience-driven sector with strong economic potential.
“Many of us travel abroad and enjoy visiting stores, sometimes as a form of therapy. It’s impressive to see Paul evolve from wholesale into retail. I believe this new experience centre will bring joy to many families as he expands across the country,” he said.
Auldon Toys CEO, Paul Orajiaka, in his remarks, said the opening marked a major milestone for the brand, which has long served major departmental stores but is now venturing into retail to deliver direct experiences to children and families.
“Today we are opening
our first retail experience toy shop. Before now, we have been into wholesale, supplying big stores. This is our first attempt at creating a space where kids can walk in with their families to buy toys and enjoy a full experience,” he said.
He revealed that the multi-storey facility was designed to function as a complete family destination.
He said, “The ground floor features various branded toy sections, a workshop where dolls are assembled and their clothes sewn, a café for families, and a children’s play area. The first floor houses additional toy sections, while the second floor contains administrative offices, a kitchen, a mini event centre, and multipurpose halls for children’s parties. The third floor offers an outdoor relaxation area for families.”
Adedeji Highlights Tax Reforms as Key to Strengthening Nigeria’s Finances
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s bold tax reform initiatives are central to Nigeria’s strategy for economic resilience.
He made the statement on Friday during the maiden Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Ilesa, Osun State.
Addressing academics, policymakers, students, and industry leaders at the event hosted by Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, the Vice Chancellor, Adedeji framed Nigeria’s revenue challenges
not as a crisis but as an opportunity to implement urgent reforms under the leadership of President Tinubu.
In his lecture, titled, ‘Economic Resilience in an Era of Dwindling Revenue,’ he highlighted the global pressures on public finances, including digital disruption, rising debt, climate challenges, and overlapping economic shocks.
He argued that Nigeria’s path forward must combine stronger institutions, diversified revenue streams, and a modernised tax framework.
Adedeji outlined four
pillars for building a resilient economy: fiscal flexibility, policy coherence, institutional strength, and human capital adaptability. He emphasised that growing non-oil revenue, deepening tax reforms, and strategic investment in skills development are crucial to keeping pace with global economic trends.
He provided insight into President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda in the area of the ongoing FIRS reforms, including automation of tax processes, expansion of TaxPro Max, improved taxpayer identification, and partnerships with state governments to reduce fragmentation.
Sundry Markets Wins “Most Sustainable Retail Organisation” Award
Sundry Markets Limited, owners of the Marketsquare supermarket chain, Nigeria’s largest indigenous grocery retail chain, has been honored as the “Most Sustainable Retail Organisation at the prestigious Africa Retail Awards 2025. The award underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and positive community impact.
Organised by the Africa Retail Academy in partnership with Lagos Business School, Nairametrics, and KPMG, the Africa Retail Awards celebrate excellence
and innovation in the continent’s retail sector. Sundry Markets Limited stood out for its holistic approach to sustainability and its consistent integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its business model.
Speaking on the recognition, Mrs. Dubem Kekachi, Sustainability Lead for Sundry Markets Limited, said: “This achievement reflects our belief that retail can be a force for good. We are proud to lead the way in creating a greener, more inclusive future for Africa’s retail industry.” Sundry Markets’ key
sustainability initiatives include: positive environmental impact through waste reduction and energy efficiency, fair labour practices and ethical sourcing, community and social development programs and transparent stakeholder engagement and sustainability reporting.”
The company expressed gratitude to its dedicated team, partners, and customers for supporting its mission. Sundry Markets says it remains committed to setting new benchmarks for sustainable retailing in Africa as it continues to innovate and champion responsible retail practices.
Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi
(Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic
Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).
L-R: Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun Oke Ila; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji and Vice Chancellor, University of Ilesa, Osun state, Prof. Olufemi Asaolu, during the maiden Distinguished Lecture Series...recently
Analysts: Stock Market to Maintain Positive Trajectory in New Week
Kayode Tokede
Analysts have expressed that the Nigerian stock market is expected to trade positive this week, as investors continued to price in the potential repercussions of the proposed federal government 2026 Capital
Gains Tax (CGT) on portfolio valuations.
The policy uncertainty triggered widespread panic last week Tuesday on the Nigerian stock market, culminating in a historic single-session decline of 5.01 per cent, the steepest daily loss in several years.
Sentiment, however, stabilised after the
government hinted at a possible review of the tax proposal, helping the market record its first positive close for November 2025 midweek as bargain hunters and institutional players cautiously re-entered the market.
As the stock market closed for trading last
week, the Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) depreciated by 1.68 per cent week-on-week to close at 147,013.59 basis points. In the same vein, the total market capitalisation shed N1.50 trillion to close at N93.501trillion. Consequently, the NGX
ASI month-to-date and year-to-date returns settled lower at -4.6 per cent and +42.8 per cent, respectively
Meanwhile, sectoral performance was mixed, as the NGX Insurance Index added 2.4 per cent, NGX Banking Index advanced 1.3 per cent , and NGX Consumer
Goods Index gained 0.5 per cent, while the NGX Industrial Goods Index down by seven per cent as the NGX Oil & Gas index remained unchanged.
Analysts at Cordros Research said it expected a mixed but mildly positive performance as investors stabilise positions following recent volatility.
POLICY DIALOGUE AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF INEE IN GENEVA...
Emadeb E&P Achieves First Oil in Ibom Field to Boost Nigeria's Crude Output
Company says it invested over $100m in phased field development
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Emadeb Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited (Emadeb E&P) yesterday announced that the company had achieved ‘first oil’ from its Ibom Field, Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 236, a significant boost for Nigeria's quest for additional crude output.
In a statement in Abuja, the company explained that it invested over $100 million in the the phased field development phase to achieve the feat, explaining that it also aligns with the
federal government’s vision and aspiration to increase the nation’s crude oil production.
“Emadeb Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited (Emadeb E&P) is proud to announce the achievement of first oil from the Ibom Field (PPL 236), marking another milestone in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry.
“Following sustained investment, technical rigour and collaborative effort, Emadeb E&P has commenced commercial production from Ibom Field.
“This achievement underscores Emadeb E&P’s
emergence as a fully integrated energy player and highlights the pivotal role of indigenous operators in advancing Nigeria’s energy security and economic diversification. It also aligns with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s vision and aspiration to increase the nation’s crude oil production,” the company added.
Located approximately 30 kilometres offshore, Ibom Field was originally discovered in 1979. The field boasts significant in place volume of 103 million barrels of oil.
“Since its acquisition in the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round,
Emadeb E&P has invested over $100 million in a phased field development programme. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) approved the Ibom Field Development Plan (FDP) in November 2024,” the statement pointed out.
According to the firm, some key technical milestones included: The successful drilling and completion of the Ibom-03 well in September 2023; Integration of a Mobile Producing Offshore Unit (MOPU) completed in June 2025; Commissioning of the Ibom Field Mooring System
Duke of Edinburgh Leads Global Youth Forum in Lagos as Award Hits £1bn Social Value
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation has launched a major global youth forum in Lagos, marking a historic year in which the programme’s worldwide social value has surpassed £1 billion for the first time.
In a statement signed by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Ndidiamaka Eze, “His Royal Highness
Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, arrived in Nigeria for a week-long series of events from 17–23 November 2025 aimed at accelerating the reach of the Award across the world.
“As Chairman of the Foundation, he is convening nearly 200 young people from more than 50 countries, along with hundreds of global leaders, policymakers and representatives of youth organisations.
“The gathering begins with
a three-day youth leadership programme, culminating in the Award’s triennial Forum, which will focus on boosting access to non-formal education and equipping young people with skills needed for the future.
Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has surged globally.
“In the last year alone, almost 1.2 million young people across more than 130 countries enrolled in the programme. While the UK remains the
largest contributor, Kenya ranks second, and Nigeria; this year’s host; has recorded a 37 per cent increase in participation, signaling rising interest across West Africa.”
The forum comes as the Award prepares to mark its 70th anniversary in 2026.
According to the statement, “New analysis shows that the social impact generated by young people completing the Award has reached a record £1 billion.
Momodu: States Unwilling to Set Up Drug Control Committees
Ex-Deputy Commander General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sule Momodu, has expressed deep concern over the reluctance of many state governments to establish Drug Control Committees, despite their central role in tackling the growing threat of substance abuse.
Momodu stressed that the Inter-Ministerial Control Committee at the federal level is functioning effectively, but only a few states have replicated this structure, leaving a critical gap in the national drug control framework.
Speaking during an interview, the former Deputy Commander General noted that in several states where drug-related
challenges are severe, authorities have shown little political will to set up the committees, thereby weakening coordination, prevention strategies, and community-based interventions.
He emphasised that without strong state-level mechanisms, the burden on enforcement agencies continues to grow, and efforts to curb demand and protect vulnerable groups—particularly
young people—remain insufficient.
“We have the Inter-Ministerial Control Committee at the federal level, and it is functioning. At the state level, we are supposed to have a State Drug Control Committee, which should operate like the Inter-Ministerial Control Committee to drive the process. Regrettably, no more than two states have set up this committee.
in September 2025 and a achievement of first oil in October 2025.
In the statement, the company noted that the development demonstrates indigenous firms’ capabilities and strategic partnership, highlighting the field's capacity to foster local content, create jobs, and deliver sustainable value.
“This milestone reflects our deep commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential through homegrown expertise, strong partnerships, and
disciplined investment. We are proud to contribute to Nigeria’s energy goals, foster local content, create jobs, and deliver sustainable value,” said Adebowale Olujimi, Chief Executive of Emadeb E&P. The Ibom Field development, the company said, showcases effective collaboration between the private sector and government institutions and stands as a model for marginal field commercialisation and indigenous capacity development in the upstream sector.
Concerned Ekid People Give EMOIMEE HCDT 21 Days for Accountability
Okon Bassey in Uyo
A coalition of community stakeholders under the umbrella of The Concerned Ekid People has petitioned the Board of Trustees of EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust, calling for full disclosure, transparency, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in the management of funds meant for host communities in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The petition by the coalition is coming few days after the National Assembly had complained over poor performance of some of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) despite huge amount of money made available to them.
The petition, addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and copied to key national security, political, and
anti-corruption institutions, expressed deep concern over what is described as a “complete deviation” from the guidelines and intentions of the PIA by EMOIMEE in the handling of the 3% Host Communities Development Trust Fund contributed annually by SEPLAT and the NNPC Joint Venture. According to the petitioners, the HCDT was created to end decades of marginalization, neglect, and agitation in oil-bearing communities, giving them a voice in project selection, budgeting, and development priorities. The group alleges that funds accruing to EMOIMEE for the benefit of Eket communities have not been managed in line with the statutory provisions.
In the petition signed by Pastor Bassey Iyaha (Chairman) and Chief Samuel Etti (Secretary), the coalition demanded detailed disclosures covering the years 2021 to 2025.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Sunday Ehigiator
L-R: Director of Partnerships, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Ms. Margarita Focas Light; Executive Director, Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation/Country Focal Person (Nigeria) INEE, Mrs. Ifedinma Nwigwe and the Interim Director, Education Cannot Wait, New York, Dan Toole, during a policy dialogue at the 25th anniversary of INEE in Geneva, Switzerland
EXPANDING ACCESS TO DIGITAL EDUCATION...
L-R: Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and UAE
MDGIF Announces Plans to Build 500 CNG Refuelling Stations in 3 Years
The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) has said that it has concluded discussions with leading Chinese manufacturer, Endurance Group, to make available 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations across Nigeria for the next three years.
Speaking after a meeting in Abuja, Executive Director
of the MDGIF, Mr Oluwole Adama, said the discussion centred on the creation of a government-backed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) promoted by MDGIF, Bank of Industry (BOI), Endurance Group and Séquor Investment Partners.
“The collaboration underscores the parties’ commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuels by addressing infrastructure gaps across the
country’s CNG value chain. Under this agreement, we will set-up the Compressed Natural Gas Auto Mobility Infrastructure Company (CAM InfraCo).
“This will be used to deploy 500 integrated CNG refuelling stations, develop LCNG gas supply infrastructure, and provide CNG and LNG transportation trucks with truckmounted cascades, forming a virtual pipeline across all states
nationwide,” Adama stated. Adama further noted that the project will help ease the long queues currently being experienced at existing CNG filling stations by expanding access to refuelling points and ensuring consistent supply through improved logistics and distribution systems.
Also speaking, Mr. Oluwatoyin Subair, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties and Domestic
Kwara Shuts Six Schools over Poor Environment, Lack of Toilet
Evacuates 54 street beggars from major locations in Ilorin
The Kwara State Government at the weekend shut six schools for poor sanitation and lack of toilet facilities in the affected schools, while evacuating 54 street beggars from major locations so as to safeguard public environment and restore order across Ilorin, the state capital.
Affairs, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of ensuring energy security by deepening the use of auto CNG and reducing overdependence on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), especially in the transportation sector.
He added that the initiative supports the administration’s broader economic reforms aimed at promoting cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives for Nigerians, and creating new employment opportunities within the domestic gas value chain.
and logistics ecosystem by leasing CNG related equipment to certified operators, while ensuring a consistent and reliable gas supply through a world class virtual pipeline network.
The CAM InfraCo’s leasing and logistics strategy, the statement said, is designed to create a commercially viable and resilient national CNG refuelling network.
A statement issued in Ilorin by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), signed by the Assistant Press Secretary of the agency, Blessing Opadiran, stated the affected schools will remain closed until proper hygiene is returned to the schools.
and communities in their neighbourhoods".
The statement stated: "the enforcement action followed a series of comprehensive inspections, which revealed the affected schools were operating without adequate toilet facilities and had neglected mandatory sanitation standards required to safeguard the health and well-being of pupils, staff,
The statement added that, "During the operation, the Head of the School Department, Mrs. Wulaimat Musa, stressed the Agency’s zero-tolerance for practices that endanger public health, especially within learning environments.
"The absence of functional toilet facilities exposes children to serious risks, including disease outbreaks and environmental pollution.
“Schools are expected to
meet minimum hygiene standards before operating. Any institution that compromises the health of children by neglecting basic sanitation requirements will face strict enforcement measures".
KWEPA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all educational institutions comply with the State Environmental Protection Laws which mandate proper waste management systems, clean and functional toilet facilities, and adherence to sanitary guidelines.
Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari's Demise a Huge National Loss
Says she'll be remembered for her selflessness, compassion
Leads FG's delegation on condolence visit to late former president's family in Sokoto
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima, has described the passing of the last surviving wife of former President Shehu Shagari, Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari, as a huge loss to Nigeria, saying she will be remembered for her life of compassionate and selfless service to her community and the nation at large.
Shettima spoke Sunday when
he led the Federal Government delegation to condole with the Shagari family over the demise of the matriarch of the Shagari family in their residence in Sokoto State.
Announcing the death of the last surviving wife of the former President, a statement signed by the eldest son of the former President and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari, had noted that the late
Hajiya Sutura died at about 3pm on Monday, November 10, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 79.
Commiserating with the Shagari family in Sokoto, the Vice President who said he was in the state at the instance of President Bola Tinubu prayed for the repose of Hajiya Sutura's soul, as well as comfort for the family and the Sultanate.
"We are here at the instance of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to condole with the government and people of Sokoto State, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and the immediate family of our late President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, over the sad event of the passing of his last surviving wife, Hajia Sutura Aliyu Usman Shagari," he stated.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Endurance Group, Mr Eric Lin, explained that the objective of the SPV is to establish a nationwide CNG refuelling, maintenance
The strategy focuses on delivering CNG from strategically located mother stations into underserved northern corridors and rapidly growing southern clusters, leveraging existing hubs and planned infrastructure to ensure sustainable and cost effective market expansion to every nook and cranny nationwide.
Christian Gov Possible in Kwara, Says Ex-PDP Chair, Warns Against Islamist Sentiments
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and two-time commissioner, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, has declared that nothing forbade a Christian from emerging as governor of the state in 2027.
He, therefore, warned that attempts to exclude candidates based on religion, saying it could fan dangerous sectarian embers already threatening Nigeria’s fragile peace.
Oyedepo, an arrowhead of the historic O To Ge (enough is enough) movement during the 2019 election in the state stated this in Ilorin, the state capital while speaking with newsmen on the state of the nation.
Oyedepo, who also recently resigned from ruling APC
dismissed claims that Kwara’s next governor must be Muslim, insisting that, “We all own Kwara together and contribute to its economy,” and that “it is nowhere written that a Christian cannot rule in Kwara.
“Those thinking otherwise are a very small minority. The majority of Muslims in Kwara only want good governance, regardless of what faith that person practices.”
The elder statesman said religion has always been cynically exploited as a political tool, not a genuine reflection of voters’ beliefs.
“Politicians deploy many variables to win elections — religion is one of them. But saying a Christian cannot win in Kwara is self-serving and against public interest,” he said
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
Digital School, led by Dr. Waleed Al A, when the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Digital School, under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), to expand access to digital education and practical skill development for Nigerian youth through the platform of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), Dubai…recently
LAUNCHING OF RAVEN AND HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE...
COAS Impressed with Enugu's Security Architecture, Lauds Mbah for Supporting Army's Performance
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has expressed satisfaction with the remarkable improvement in security that Enugu State has attained since the inception of the Governor Peter Mbah administration. He made known his feelings when he paid a
courtesy visit to the Enugu Governor at Government House, saying that the prevailing security situation was quite commendable.
Shaibu was accompanied by the top brass of the
NA, including the GOC Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Major General Oluremi Fadairo.
The Army Chief, who was in Enugu for the closing ceremony of the Nigerian
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron, Recovers Hard Currency
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted drug baron, Frank Chijioke Ibemesi, alias Chisco Bee, allegedly operating under the cover of a businessman and hotelier.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, his arrest was after weeks of intelligence and surveillance on his criminal activities.
Babafemi, said the 42-yearold Ibemesi, who is the MD/ CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig Ltd, was arrested at his Daisy Garden Hotel, 66-68 Agbeke Street, Ago Palace Way, Isolo Lagos, in the early hours of Saturday after which he was taken to his warehouse at 7
Pius Ezeobi Street off Ago place way, Isolo where 42 jumbo bags and four cartoons of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 1,762.8 kilogrammes were recovered.
Also seized from him at the point of his arrest include: US$11,600; £2,000; €2,200 and 50 Canadian dollars, all in cash.
Babafemi also said an attempt by a suspected drug syndicate operating at Orita-Apeje, Araromi-Okeodo forest reserve, Ife South Local Government Area, Osun State, to load and distribute across the country large quantities of processed skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing a total of 11,135 kilogrammes were thwarted last Tuesday by NDLEA operatives after days of surveillance in the forest.
Two trucks being used to transport the illicit
consignments: a Volvo truck marked WWR 29 XA and a Mercedes truck with registration number AWK 713 YZ were seized and seven suspects arrested. Those in custody in connection with the seizure are: Lucky Abiodun; Julius Amos; Victor Ngbikili; Sunday Oduegwu; Ibrahim Akanni; Eze Godstime; and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.
He said a total of 1,902.1 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered in parts of Edo State. While 184.1 kilogrammes was recovered along a bush path at Oza/ Igbanke road, Igbanke, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area last Thursday, 672 kilogrammes was evacuated from Utese forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area on Friday. Alos, 494 kilogrammes
recovered from a Mercedes Benz car marked DE311BEN along Benin-Akure road where a suspect Felix Edah, 45, was arrested same day, just as Lucky Abagha, 51, was nabbed in another Mercedes Benz car marked JJJ 56 JW conveying 552 kilogrammes.
While four suspects: Micheal Okoh; Offor Agada; Raphael Nkemjika and Nwabueze Franklin were arrested with 68 kilogrammes skunk and 3.150 kilogrammes methamphetamine along Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State, Danjuma Tukura, 50, was nabbed with 172 kilogrammes skunk at Sunkani area of Ardo Kola Local Government Area, Taraba State on Friday and Wisdom Titus, 24, with 84 kilogrammes of same substance at Takum area of the state.
N7.1bn LC Dispute: Firm Drags Parallex Bank to Court, Seeks Order Freezing Bank’s Funds Nationwide
Wale Igbintade
A Lagos-based equipment and logistics company, FHT Mega Express Limited, has filed an ex parte application before the High Court of Lagos State seeking sweeping preservatory orders against Parallex Bank Limited over an escalating dispute involving N7.154 billion deposited for the establishment of Letters of Credit (LCs).
In the application filed pursuant to the Pre-Emptive Remedies Protocol of the Expeditious Disposal of Civil Cases Practice Direction, the company is asking the court to direct all financial institutions in Nigeria to freeze and withhold all funds standing to the credit of Parallex Bank up to N7.154 billion, pending the determination of its motion on notice.
According to the applicant,
the immediate order is necessary to prevent the dissipation of the disputed funds, which form the core of the conflict.
In the supporting affidavit deposed to by the General Manager of FHT Mega Express Limited, the business relationship between the company and the bank began in June 2023 when FHT approached Parallex Bank to establish several Letters of
Credit for the importation of heavy equipment from Europe.
The bank issued an Indicative Offer on June 7, 2023, requiring a 100% cash cover for each LC. To meet this demand, the company opened an account and deposited N7.154 billion between July 2023 and February 2024 to fund four LCs, with total Form M values exceeding €7.8 million.
Army Regimental Sergeant Majors' (RSM) Conference 2025, used the opportunity to appraise the security situation of the Coal City State under Mbah's care.
“Security in Enugu State has improved tremendously from the brief I have gotten. And from all indicators, security has improved,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Enugu chief executive "for all the support he has been providing to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army" in order to enable the Army succeed in its constitutional mandate.
The COAS explained that “the RSM is the official link of the officers and the soldiers and to the moral compass of discipline and regimentation in the Nigerian Army”. Mbah, in his response, congratulated the Army Chief on his appointment and commended him for hitting the ground running in tackling the security challenges facing the nation. He described Shaibu's elevation to the post of Army Chief as “getting the square peg in a square hole, given his antecedent (and) what we know he has accomplished".
'Restoration of Public Trust Needed to Pull Nigeria Back from Brink'
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu
The federal government has been urged to consider the restoration of public trust as essential in its efforts to tackle national problems, including the lingering security issues.
The President of Cosmo Base Consortium Limited, Arc. Benson Ezem, made the call in a phone chat with our correspondent, saying that right now "Nigeria is a nation at the brink" hence the urgent need to win back the confidence of the masses.
He stated that "the government has lost the confidence of the people, and there appears to be no clear roadmap to restore it".
"There is growing concern that our country risks descending into disorder as the populace becomes increasingly restless and disillusioned," he said.
Ezem who is a chartered architect and infrastructural development expert regretted that elected representatives
expected to help in pulling the nation out of the brink have been found wanting.
According to him, "elected representatives, entrusted with the duty to serve and safeguard the interests of their constituents, have unfortunately become subservient to the executive.
"This troubling development was once candidly acknowledged by one of the most respected members of parliament - a former chairman of the ruling party."
He stated that recent unsavoury developments in the country, including the trending power show involving the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and a young military officer, "have further exposed the cracks in our governance and institutional framework".
"The public altercation between a minister and a senior (naval) officer - both vested with authority yet seemingly unguided by the rule of lawreflects the growing absence of order and accountability," the renowned architect said.
L-R: Nutrition Consultant, Pearl Talipatore; Founder, Raven Charity and Humanitarian Initiative, Todun Adekanye; and Board Secretary of the organisation, Oyinda Fasanya, during the launch of Raven Charity and Humanitarian Initiative in Abuja, at the weekend ENOCK REUBEN
THE SOFT SIDE OF JULIUS BERGER...
Sani to ACF: Elite Collaboration Key to Northern Progress
John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said the northern region has adequate human resources to tackle its development challenges if its elite close ranks and work together for a common purpose. Sani stated this when the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), led by its Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Kaduna.
Sani lamented that for decades, the north had repeatedly analysed its problems — ranging from poverty to educational gaps, healthcare deficits and economic
exclusion— without taking decisive steps towards resolving them.
He stated, “For years, we have continuously spoken about our challenges: poverty, education gaps, healthcare deficits and other development issues. I believe we have reached a point where we must stop complaining and start acting.”
According to him, the region boasts accomplished professionals and entrepreneurs across various sectors, whose knowledge and experience can be harnessed for accelerated development.
He expalined, “We have many successful northern professionals across different fields—business, academia,
entrepreneurship, medicine and others. The missing link is bringing everyone together.”
The governor said ACF was well-positioned to bridge that gap and mobilise expertise, achievements and resources for the benefit of the region.
Sani commended the forum’s plan to establish a Central Endowment Fund, urging that it placed strong emphasis on skills acquisition to make young people self-reliant.
He decried the high level of financial exclusion in the north, stating that many northerners lack bank accounts and, therefore, could not access government social intervention programmes.
“One of my first decisions upon assuming office was
signing the First Executive Order on Financial Inclusion,” he said, disclosing that more than 2.1 million poor people are onboarded into the financial system within one year.
The governor also called on northern businessmen to increase investments in the financial sector to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He stated that more than 60 per cent of local governments in the north do not have a single bank branch.
Sani stated, “Today, there are over 4,000 branches of national banks in Nigeria. But only Kaduna and Kano have up to 100 branches.
“Yet some southern states with far smaller populations
Kanu Sues NMA, Demands N50bn in Damages over ‘Fabricated Medical Report’
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu
Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been sucked into the unending saga of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s trial following the medical report it produced on the health condition of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, tendered in court by the prosecution.
Kanu sued NMA, demanding N50 billion in general damages
on the ground that the said medical report on him was "false and fabricated" and made in violation of a court order and the professional ethics of medical practice.
In the originating summons dated November 12, 2025, the detained Biafra self-determination activist, stated, "The purported medical report dated September 23, 2025 submitted by the defendants in respect of suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015”
had nothing to do with his state of health.
Joined as defendants in the suit marked CV/4584/25 NMA and its President, Dr Bala Mohammed Audu; Vice President, Benjamin Olowojebutu; General Secretary, Dr Ben Egbo; Assistant General Secretary, Wale Lasisi; and Treasurer, Dr Celestine Ugwoke, among other officials.
Kanu, who is standing trial before Justice Omotosho, lost his bid to be granted bail based on
health grounds as the trial judge turned down his application following the submission of the medical report from NMA.
But in the suit filed on his behalf by Maxwell Opara of Maxwell Opara and Associates, the IPOB leader averred that the medical report constituted "gross violation of (his) right to fair hearing and to dignity" of his person as guaranteed under Sections 34 and 36 of the 199 Constitution (as amended).
Osun 2026: Momentum Builds for Dideolu Falobi’s Gov Bid as Friends Back Aspiration
Sunday Ehigiator
Friends and associates of Engineer Dideolu Falobi, an aspirant for the office of governor of Osun State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday hosted an interactive session titled ‘An Evening with Engr. Dideolu Falobi and Friends, where they declared support and deepened engagement around his vision and leadership aspirations ahead
of the 2026 governorship race.
Delivering his remarks at the event, Mr. Femi Omoniyi, described the gathering as an opportunity to celebrate a man whose “life and work speak for themselves,” while also reflecting on the evolving role of professionals in Nigerian politics.
Omoniyi noted that participation in politics was once viewed with fear and hesitation,
recalling the atmosphere of uncertainty that made many professionals reluctant to step in.
“In 1998, when political space opened widely, many still stayed away because it felt risky. People feared putting in their time, money or reputation when even those closest to them could not guarantee loyalty,” he said. “Those who took the risk did so courageously, and today their sacrifices have
become lessons for us.”
He described Falobi as a man with deep networks across sectors, commending his intellectual, cultural and developmental influence across the state.
“Having lived in Osun for more than four years, he understands the state’s potential and resilience. Osun is not a difficult place. It is full of opportunity, culture and strength waiting to be harnessed.”
have more bank branches than Kano State, which has 44 local governments.”
Sani maintained that ACF remained a credible and neutral platform capable of galvanising the region towards addressing its development challenges.
He attributed some of the forum’s past setbacks to the lack of synergy with northern states and political office holders, but said the current leadership is charting a new course.
He praised ACF for reaching out to similar regional bodies, such as Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in an effort to build bridges of trust and national cohesion.
Earlier, Dalhatu said the visit was to formally notify the governor of ACF’s forthcoming 25th anniversary celebration
scheduled to hold in Kaduna from November 20 to 22. He expressed appreciation to the governor for his continued support to the forum, stating that the Kaduna State government had permanently allocated its office premises to ACF.
“For the first time, we are operating from premises we can call our own,” he said.
Dalhatu disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima would serve as Special Guest at the anniversary, while all ministers of northern extraction were also expected to attend.
“As Chief Host, Your Excellency, we also seek your support in inviting your colleagues to give the celebration greater weight and create opportunities for meaningful exchange of ideas,” he said.
You’re an Uncommon Nigerian, Shetima, Oyebanji, Others Eulogise Fayose at 65th
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Vice President Kashim Shettima, weekend, hailed former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on his 65th birthday celebration, in Lagos, describing him as an uncommon Nigerian, distinguished by his courage, boldness and unflinching honesty.
Shettima spoke just as the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, greeted the celebrant at an event held at 10 Degrees Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
Shettima, who commended Fayose for his fearlessness, political consistency, and his unwavering courage, said those qualities had set him apart in Nigeria’s political landscape
The vice president maintained that Fayose’s readiness to speak truth to power, regardless of whose interest was affected, had made him one of the most distinctive figures of the Fourth
Republic.
He stated, “Governor Fayose has given the media enough headlines to last several election cycles, and sometimes it feels as though the cameras chase him even when he is simply minding his business.
“He is a very colourful politician, one of the best we have in the system. He is a man who acts from a place of deep conviction, a man whose passion refuses to be contained, and whose sincerity, whether one agrees with him or not.
“It is part of the charm, part of the myth, and certainly part of the reason Nigeria will always have a special corner reserved for him in its political climate.
“Today, as we gather to honour a truly remarkable Nigerian, I join his family, his friends, and countless wellwishers across our nation, and on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in celebrating this milestone. Your Excellency, may this 65th birthday usher you into a season of renewed strength and deeper
fulfilment.”
L-R: Head, Corporate Communications, James Agama, and the Commercial Manager, Lagos, Social Works/Lagos Tank Farm, Mrs. Funke Obolo, both of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, in a group photograph with some children of the Hearts of Gold Children Hospice. Extreme right is Mercy Ogheneraye of the Media Relations Department of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC…recently
IMPROVING TEACHERS DIGITAL LITERACY IN NIGERIA...
during a Technical Workshop on the
Anambra: We Used Technology to Guard Soludo's Votes from Theft, States ICT Boss
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Managing Director of Anambra ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata, has revealed some of the strategies used by supporters of Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to stop his votes from being stolen. Soludo had before the
election alleged that his opponents had plans to write results in a secret location and get the officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to swap them with the authentic result.
Agbata, who spoke to THISDAY, said his agency was also aware of this and worked hard to ensure that they guarded votes garnered
by the governor. Agbata stated, "Anambra runs with the mantra, 'everything technology and technology everywhere', and that mantra is what guides Mr Governor.
"We as an ICT Agency know this, and we also know that election is a very complex thing, so we decided to look for a way that technology can make
things better, and the idea was how to use this technology to manage the process, such that Mr. Governor and our party people can be aware of what is happening in all the 5,720 polling units in the state.
"We also needed a way to ensure that incident reports, results and any other general information were easily captured, that way we had to come up with a strategy
where we built a two-way system command and control centre, what you may call a situation room, one in Isuofia, the governor's hometown, and one in Awka, the Government House here.
"That way, we were able to police the votes of the governor against theft. You can see these giant screens, it was from here that we coordinated the results, tracked them from polling unit
NO MORE IMPUNITY, SUPPRESSION OF WILL, TURAKI, ASSURES NIGERIANS, PDP MEMBERS
Olawepo-Hashim: Fate of Nigeria’s Democracy
Linked to PDP’s Survival
Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement on Sunday, said PDP’s survival was linked to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. He sought reconciliation, saying the party should not be allowed to bleed to death.
He reminded Nigerians of the party’s historic origins 27 years ago, describing the founding of PDP as one of the most remarkable demonstrations of political maturity in the country’s history.
The former presidential hopeful stated that the party’s formation brought together over 13 political associations,
hall meeting in Jos, the state capital.
Delegates from various local government areas, traditional rulers, women, and youth leaders gathered to discuss ways to strengthen communitybased peace structures and promote coexistence among diverse communities.
Essiet paid a courtesy visit to Rev Ezekiel Dachomo, Chairman of the Regional
each robust enough to stand independently, which were united through dialogue, broad consultation, and a deep spirit of inclusion.
According to him, the founding leaders deliberately created a platform capable of preventing military adventurism, safeguarding the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian state, and promoting genuine federalism.
He emphasised that this inclusive and consultative spirit was the reason PDP secured almost two-thirds of elected positions during the December 1998 local government election, an early success that helped stabilise Nigeria’s democratic order.
Olawepo-Hashim stressed that the current path of
Church Council (RCC), in Barkin Ladi, where discussions centred on faith-based leadership and its role in promoting peace, unity, and social development.
Along with Dachomo, she addressed some widows and conveyed President Tinubu's message of fostering ethnic reconciliation in the state.
Dachomo has been the loudest voice of Christian communities
fragmentation, court induced confusion, and exclusionary politics was a dangerous departure from the party’s foundational ideals.
“Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP,” he warned, adding, “We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy.”
He insisted that the party’s revival depended on genuine unity and purposeful reconciliation, urging leaders to commit to a single watchword: “We must not leave anyone behind.”
Olawepo-Hashim added a scriptural reminder, stating that the Bible teaches that "to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
in the state.
She also met with Fulani leaders in Barkin Ladi to foster dialogue and mutual understanding between pastoral and farming communities, reaffirming the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive engagement.
Later in the day, she conducted a workshop on establishing a community
He stressed that this was not the season to expel members, it was the season to reconcile and bring new members, a season to save PDP in order to save Nigeria's democracy.
‘PDP Convention Legitimate’
Dr Sam Amadi, during an interview with Arise News, said the most recent court order issued before the PDP national convention permitted the event to hold, rendering previous contradictory orders ineffective.
He said the controversy surrounding the party’s leadership crisis was fuelled by INEC’s failure to act as a regulatory authority, as well as courts issuing “contradictory and unnecessary” ex parte orders.
peace structure for the 17 Local Government Areas in Jos.
Essiet also held a closeddoor meeting with the Irigwe community, the Miyetti Allah group, and representatives from the Youth Council of Bassa LGA.
They focused on sustaining peace and discussed how the 17-member peace committee has strengthened dialogue, reconciliation, and coexistence
Amadi stated that the convention was backed by law, and stated that the latest decision from the court supported its conduct.
He stated, “If I recall, the latest decision that came in on Friday was in favour of the convention.
So you can’t say it’s not legal.
“Unfortunately, we have courts authorising and counterauthorising actions, and that is the real problem.”
Amadi stated that the situation highlighted a growing problem in Nigeria where political actors rushed to secure favourable injunctions instead of allowing established procedures to play out.
to polling unit, ward to ward and local government to local government.
"The other screen is dedicated to IREV. As INEC was uploading their results, we were also comparing it with what we have on our portal, and also tracking wards where results were yet to be remitted, while our men in the field chased after them to avoid manipulations."
He criticised INEC for allegedly abandoning its quasi-judicial responsibilities by constantly deferring to the courts.
between the two communities.
Essiet reiterated Tinubu's commitment to peace and inclusive governance, noting that the Community-Based Peace Structure served as a key instrument for grassroots unity, dialogue, and long-term stability in the North Central region.
A quick win in the peace efforts was the resolution of the conflict between David
Amadi explained that political parties were expected to file leadership documents with INEC, which should then verify and make determinations before judicial review could become necessary.
He maintained that facts available pointed to the legitimacy of the current PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), saying it has been functional for over three years and cannot be replaced arbitrarily.
On claims that the Supreme Court forbade judicial intervention in party matters, Amadi clarified that the ruling only barred courts from selecting party leaders, not from reviewing whether parties obeyed their internal rules.
Toma, the owner of Agha Farm in Gyel district of Jos South and some herdsmen. Toma seized two cows following the destruction of his farm.
On November 15, 2025, MACBAN Chairman of BASSA LGA, Alhaji Isah Yau, paid a compensation of N500,000 to Toma, who subsequently released the cows.
L-R: Lead Presenters, Prof. Abdulfatai Owodunni; Member of the Reformed Group, Prof. Gbenga Adewale; Prof. Aisha Abdullai Ibrahim and Chief Executive officer, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Dr. Ronke Soyombo,
Reformed TRCN Professional Qualifying Examination and Digital Literacy Model Design in collaboration with Plan International Nigeria in Abuja ... recently ENOCK REUBEN
INCIDENT OF PARTICULAR CONCERN
of several Ghana Must Go bags full of money unto House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na’Abba’s desk during plenary, alleged to be Executive bribe to MPs to remove the Speaker, was a PR disaster. For the Jonathan Presidency, his quip about “ordinary stealing is not corruption” and for Buhari, “those who gave you 97% and those who gave you 3%” were PR disasters. And now comes the Wike-Yerima affair. Apart from the social media firestorm, I think the best indicator of public feeling was that, late last week when the FCDA was dragging its bulldozer away from the scene, thousands of locals lined up along the route, booed the FCDA team and shouted, “Shame! Shame!”
How did it happen that in a confrontation between civil authorities and a military team, most Nigerians somehow saw the soldiers [sailors, in this case] as the liberators and the civilian minister as the oppressor? Not too long ago in Nigeria, soldiers were synonymous with impunity and civil society groups were hailed for standing up to their impunity. It is not a small danger signal to democratic rule and elected civilian rulers when the tables appear to have turned in the public’s mind.
In the FCT at least, the conduct of Minister Wike and his Development Control officials must be responsible for this upturn. While the minister is widely credited with ambitious road and flyover projects, his effort to rid the city of shanties is widely derided, not the least because of its often inhumane nature. In recent weeks, there was much grief on social media over a video of retired Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun, whose shop within a green area was demolished by FCDA, according to him,
without prior notice. He said his appeal for a day’s grace to remove valuables was rejected, and while the demolition proceeded, area boys known as Baban Bola swooped on the scene and carted away everything.
There are many other scenes of the minister visiting shanty demolition sites and exchanging hot words with the locals. That, I think, is the first problem. In the case of the Gaduwa estate site, said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff Awwalu Gambo, FCTA officials said Development Control officials earlier went to site and told the minister that a military guard blocked them from demolishing it. So the minister rushed to the site, with screaming sirens and armed Mobile Policemen and DSS guards. Was that the wise thing to do? Three decades ago, I heard a line from a Pakistani political science lecturer at Bayero University, Kano. He said, “Unlike economic wealth, political power is not displayed; it is exercised.” A minister’s power is best exercised from his office, using meetings with officials, approval of memos and phone calls to other high officials. When authority has to be displayed at a demolition site, then authority has really collapsed.
Not long ago, Donald Trump called Nigeria a disgraced country. We took serious exception to that, and we hope he will not come back again and say our minister was disgraced. How did it look to Nigerian folks, a powerful minister, at a failed demolition site, shouting at a junior military officer, calling him a fool, and lecturing him about age, that he was not born when the minister was in school? I personally grimaced when I saw the minister whip out his telephone, place a call [to the Chief of Defence Staff, we
heard], then handed the phone over to the Navy Lieutenant. Whipping out a telephone to call a big man from the street is really below a minister’s dignity. Orders must be routed properly, otherwise there will be absolute chaos. We did not hear what the Chief of Defence Staff said to Navy Lt. Yerima on Wike’s phone but from all indications, he did not command him to stand down, because the Navy men remained in place and the minister and his delegation beat a hasty retreat.
For Minister Wike to call a young military officer a fool to his face shocked Nigerians, but then, soldiers themselves once described themselves in even more unflattering terms. In January 1988, Air Force men invaded Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s Lagos home after a traffic incident with his son. When MKO reported the incident to Air Force Base Commander Air Commodore Nura Imam, the Commodore said “soldiers behave like mad dogs” when their uniform is torn. The phrase “mad dogs” soon on every newspaper.
Part of the public relations problem is that, while a public officer is sometimes commended for pursuing his work zealously, other times, zealotry gives the impression of personal interest. There are thousands of disputed plots all over Abuja, a lot of it caused by FCDA officials and their political leaders who made double allocations, and of land in green areas, under sewage lines and under NEPA cables. Untangling this mess needs determination but it also needs tact, some patience, careful legal scrutiny and at least some humane feeling, such as allowing victims of demolition a chance to move out valuable property. We know that Nigerians can be lawless and often ignore quit notices, but then, Abuja’s land
problems cannot be solved in one ministerial tenure. Nor is the situation helped by numerous social and online media allegations that land is being allocated to ministerial kinsmen and cronies, which helps to create the impression in the public’s mind that overzealousness is for selfish reasons. Especially since our public officials are not exactly famous for efficiency and diligence in the discharge of official duties. Last week’s incident was also Of Particular Concern because it made an instant folk hero of a serving military officer, Navy Lt. Yerima. Celebrations of him, plus thousands of skits, swamped the social media. Young girls were falling over themselves to align their photos with his, until one social media Spoil Sport revealed that Lt. Yerima is married.
The last time I remember that Nigerian media turned a uniformed officer into an instant celebrity was in 1986. During sittings of the Justice Mustapha Akambi panel following the 1986 nation-wide student riots, Lagos police command spokesman Alozie Ogugbuaja jocularly said, “On a week day, you see Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, Colonels, Brigadiers drinking pepper soup and beer at 12 mid-day,” meaning they were idle. The remark became an instant media hit, and “Policeman Alozie” became an instant media folk hero because he took a snipe at soldiers. This time it is the reverse; a soldier became a folk hero because he stood up to civilian impunity. PDP leaders should hurry up and conclude their convention. I hear that a bill is about to be signed making Ibadan an Annex of FCT. Someone is on his way with bulldozers to demolish Lekan Salami Stadium because it is sitting in a green area.
THE ROLE OF STATE GOVERNMENTS IN OVERCOMING INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
who served as vital mediators, resolving disputes before escalation and fostering a culture of reconciliation.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY POLICING
By empowering local vigilante groups through training, equipment, and communication tools, we forged a symbiotic relationship between communities and state security forces, especially the nation’s military, the police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and so on. This yielded tangible results; restoring safety to vast swathes of farmland, reviving economic activities, reopening more than 535 schools, and revitalising livestock trade routes previously blocked by banditry.
LINKING PEACE TO DEVELOPMENT
Without development, peace remains fragile. Since 2023, Kaduna has embarked on an ambitious programme to rehabilitate and construct, in the first phase, 85 roads stretching over 785 kilometers, reconnecting isolated communities with urban centers and markets. Many of these infrastructure projects, especially those of them in rural and previously underserved communities, have been completed and commissioned. The second phase is delivering over 50 more roads and bridges totaling 550 kilometers. These efforts represent the physical manifestation of state presence and authority in vulnerable parts of the state.
EduWe have constructed or rehabilitated over 1,700 classrooms, established 62 new secondary schools, and reduced tuition fees at state tertiary institutions by half, making education accessible to even the most vulnerable.
My administration established three Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development at Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba, all commissioned in June 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Certified by the National Board for Technical Education, these centers offer training in Automotive Mechatronics, Carpentry, Welding, Aluminium fabrication, solar power installation, ICT, POP, Plumbing,
Tiling and more, preparing Kaduna’s youth for the evolving job market. The iconic Panteka Market, Africa’s largest informal skills center, has been modernised with advanced tools and training, uplifting over 38,000 apprentices and blending tradition with innovation.
Before I assumed office as Governor in 2023, Kaduna State was number 12 in WAEC rankings. Today, we are number seven. And at the rate we are going, Kaduna State could become number one in the country by 2027.
In healthcare, more than 1,100 Primary Healthcare Centres have been built or refurbished. 255 of these Primary Healthcare Centres have been upgraded to level two, the highest by any State in Nigeria. Maternal health services have improved drastically. The commissioning of a 300-bed Specialist Hospital named in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflects our commitment to world-class medical care for all citizens. Transportation innovations further illustrate the confluence of development and security. The introduction of 100 Compressed Natural Gas buses under the Kaduna Subsidised Transport Scheme, the ongoing construction of Kaduna’s Bus Rapid Transit system and its Southern Terminal: the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, signals a leap toward urban modernization.
The Kaduna Light Rail project, now at an advanced stage, will be rolled out in phases. Phase 1 will revive the Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha corridor; Phase 2 will link Millennium City to the Abuja–Kaduna rail, re-tying some
fifty kilometres of strategic transit. We are upgrading and digitising our trailer parks at Tafa and Maraban Jos in collaboration with private investors.
INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE AND UNITY
With Kaduna’s diverse social fabric encompassing Hausa, Fulani, Gwari, Kagoro, Katab, Kaje, Jaba, and other ethnic groups, as well as Muslims and Christians, our administration has consciously rejected ethnic and religious favouritism, fostering a culture rooted in meritocracy, accountability, and equal opportunity.
My administration has constituted an Interfaith Council. The council, comprising respected Christian and Muslim leaders, was established to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and proactive engagement across religious and ethnic divides. Meeting quarterly, the council provides a platform for resolving grievances, fostering trust, and building lasting relationships among the state’s diverse communities. As a testament to its effectiveness, Kaduna has not experienced any ethno-religious crisis in the last two and a half years.
I dare say here that the recent mass political defections from other political parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State reflect a growing political maturity, favouring competence and results over coercion or identity politics.
Our Financial Inclusion Strategy has integrated over 2.5 million previously unbanked citizens into the formal economy, facilitating access to credit, insurance, and savings for farmers, artisans, traders, and small businesses. This economic inclusion reduces vulnerability to exploitation and marginalisation, common catalysts for violent conflict. It shows that state governments, operating closest to the people, have both the mandate and capacity to design locally relevant solutions often overlooked by federal frameworks.
COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN ACTION
The Kaduna experience also validates the principle of cooperative federalism. We have aligned our policies with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The broader lesson is unmistakable: Nigeria’s insecurity is deeply rooted in governance deficits and socioeconomic exclusion. Where citizens feel abandoned, voiceless, or marginalised, grievances fester and violence erupts. State governments must therefore expand their roles beyond law enforcement to champion social justice, inclusion, and economic opportunity. This paradigm shift is urgently needed. Traditional militarized responses have shown diminishing returns. While security forces remain indispensable, their efforts must be complemented by community engagement, institution building, and socioeconomic revitalisation for lasting peace.
FROM RED TO AMBER
I am exceedingly proud and grateful; to note here that our peace efforts in Kaduna have not gone unnoticed by even the international community. On Wednesday, September 10, the United Kingdom Government officially revised its travel advisory for Kaduna State, moving it from “Red” to “Amber.” For a state that had been largely isolated on the international scene due to a deteriorating security situation, this shift was not just symbolic; it was profoundly transformational.
President Tinubu
MEGACORP INDEX 100 LAUNCH…
L-R: General manager, nairametrics, Chris Pemu: Chief Executive officer, Ugodre obi-Chukwu; Head, Research, tolulope Fasanya; Group Head, Communications; Head, media and Partnerships, nigerian Exchange Group, Clifford akpolo and managing Editor, nairametrics, Chike olisah, at the nairametrics nigeria’s megacorp Index 100 Launch in Lagos…recently
SERAP Gives CBN Seven Days to ‘Account for Missing N3trn of Public Funds’
Chuks Okocha in abuja
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, “to promptly account for and explain the whereabouts of the missing or diverted N3 trillion of public funds, as documented in the recently published 2022 annual report by the AuditorGeneral of the Federation.”
General on 9 September 2025.
SERAP said the grave allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-
Sokoto Adopts Programme-based Budgeting for Efficiency
The Sokoto State Government has officially adopted a programme-based budgeting (PBB) system, aimed at making public spending more efficient, effective, and accountable.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ budget review meeting organized by the state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF, the state Commissioner of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, said the shift replaces the traditional ‘project-by-project’ approach with a results-oriented framework that meets international best practices.
“The 2026 annual budget preparation aligns with the requirements of the State Fiscal Transparency and Accountability (SFTA) Act,” he said, adding that the new model prioritises spending that benefits the state’s most vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
The commissioner praised the state Governor, Ahmad Aliyu’s leadership for backing the reform, and thanked UNICEF for its capacity-building programmes.
He noted that a recent training for local government chairmen on social-protection initiatives would further strengthen the implementation of PBB.
Midwestern Oil & Gas Appoints First Female CEO
Midwestern Oil and Gas, a leading independent Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company, has announced the appointment of Mrs.Elozino Olaniyan, an engineer, as its new managing director/ chief executive officer (CEO), effective December 1, 2025.
According to the company, Olaniyan’s appointment marks a historic milestone as its first female CEO, reflecting a new era of inclusive leadership and reaffirming Midwestern’s commitment to responsible growth, strong governance, and national energy development.
Olaniyan, a seasoned energy executive with over 30 years of experience, brings a wealth of expertise across upstream operations, corporate strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
Prior to joining Midwestern, she served as General Manager, Safety & Environment at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, where she led significant reforms in operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. This transition comes as Midwestern deepens its focus on governance reform, leadership stability, and longterm value creation.
SERAP urged him to “identify those responsible for the missing or diverted public funds and hand them over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.”
SERAP also urged him “to ensure the full recovery
and return of any missing public funds to the treasury without further delay.”
In the letter dated 15 November 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act, and anticorruption standards.”
Anglican Bishop Seeks FG’s Partnership to Promote Peace
Onyebuchi Ezigbo inabuja
Bishop of the South-west Lagos Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Venerable Ebenezer Adewole, has suggested government’s engagement with religious leaders including church-based organisations at all levels as part strategies to promote unity, peace, inclusivity and
development in the country. The bishop said that such engagement can help build more confidence and trust of the people so that they can embrace government’s economic and socio political programmes.
Bishop Adewole who spoke to THISDAY in an interview shortly after his consecration by the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, at the
Cathedral Church of the Advent in Gwarinpa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja said the mission of the Church is to propagate the gospel of Christ, through rigorous evangelism.
He also said that the Church is desirous of growing and empowering different segments of the society including; children, youths, men and women so that
they discover their potentials and gifts. On the issue of fostering unity and development, Bishop Adewole said: “Engagement with the government at all levels in other to ensure that social political programme that government has is meant to benefit of our people in all the communities within our Diocese.”
‘Tinubu Addressing Devt, Economic Growth Issues, Peace, Security in N’Delta’
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is very strategic in his approach to addressing the issues of development, economic growth and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.
Otuaro spoke at a town hall meeting with PAP stakeholders
and Niger Deltans residing in Lagos, hosted by prominent Niger Delta activist and Founder/President of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Chief Joseph Eva.
According to him, Tinubu’s strategy as captured in his Renewed Hope Agenda, is working for the Niger Delta, and could be seen in his
deliberate effort at tackling the challenges of development, security and sustainable peace in the region.
According to him, the President’s administration has not only restored peace in the area, but also delivering on his campaign promises around human capacity and infrastructure development for the area. Otuaro said the solid support of the president, and the National Security Adviser for the PAP, is responsible for the expansion of the scholarship scheme and other milestone achievements the programme has recorded in vocational training, peace building and stakeholder engagement.
Land Dispute: Court Grants Ipee Community Right to Appeal Judgment
Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, presided over by Justice Y. A. Dikko, has granted the application of the Ipee community to appeal against the judgment of a High Court in Offa, which recently declared that Pooro area or Odo Pooro belongs to the Offa community.
The ruling, which was delivered last week, also granted the prayer of the Ipee community to deem the Notice of Appeal already filed on July 29, 2025, against the judgmentof Offa High Court as properly filed, and served on all the respondents.
The judgment by the court also ordered a stay of execution
of the judgment of the Offa High Court pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
The court further restrained the respondents, their agent, privilege, or any other person or persons claiming through them from further laying claims to the land at Odo Pooro area, Imolumo, and Akoye pending the hearing and determination
of the appeal filedby Ipee Community. The Ipee community in the Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State had recently called on the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbduRasaq, to caution the Offa community, which they said laid claims to a land at Ile Poro belonging to them.
2027: Ohanaeze Ndigbo in A’Ibom Support Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno
Akwa Ibom’s rising profile as Nigeria’s most peaceful and politically stable state received a major boost at the weekend as the state chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo formally declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the state
Governor, Umo Bassey Eno, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The endorsement took place during the Igbo Unity Day celebration with the theme: ‘Peace and Unity, Panacea for Progress and Development’, held at the Ibom Hall Grounds in Uyo, where Governor Eno
reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and peaceful co-existence, describing Akwa Ibom State as “a melting point where everyone comes together to cohabitate, build, and prosper.”
Eno, who was born in Enugu, acknowledged the longstanding presence of
Ndigbo in the state, many of whom were born and raised in Akwa Ibom State and have established thriving businesses there.
“You are part and parcel of us. Where you live is where you come from. Akwa Ibom State is your home, and we have your back,” he assured them.
Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
Yinka Kolawole inosogbo
Police Kill Armed Robber, Rescue Kidnap Victim in Ebonyi
Benjamin Nworie in abakaliki
Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have neutralised an armed robbery suspect in a gun duel in the EhamufuNkalagu axis of Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, the three armed robbers were struggling with one Ali Solomon to dispossess him of his motorcycle. According to Ukandu: “On November 12, 2025, operatives of the Command, while on a patrol on the Ehamufu–Nkalagu Road, heard sporadic gunshots and distress screams.
“The officers swiftly moved to the location and found one Ali Solomon struggling with three armed robbers, who were attempting to dispossess him of his motorcycle. Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire and fled. The operatives returned fire, neutralising one of the suspects and recovering one AK-47 rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.”
He said that the operatives have also arrested three kidnap syndicate terrorising the Ezzamgbo axis of Ohaukwu LGA of the state, who abducted one Obasi Thank God, tied him up, and abandoned him in a hotel toilet while demanding a ransom of N5 million.
The PPRO added: “Through diligent intelligence gathering, operatives of the Command traced the hideout of the kidnappers, successfully rescued the victim, and arrested three suspects, namely: Uchenna Ogbozuru, Ebuka Ejiogu, and Chizoba Idenyi Ogwa.”
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Adaku UcheAnya, has reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of all residents of the state, and ensuring that criminal elements have no hiding place within the state.
NIS, IOM Strenghten Collaboration on Border Governance
Michael Olugbode in abuja
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), as part of its efforts at enhancing border management, has reinforced its collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The collaboration is aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation for effective migration management and border governance in Nigeria.
At a meeting held in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Strengthening Strategic
Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance’, the NIS Zonal Coordinator, ACG Echefulam Anugwa, hailed the partnership as a model for government–international organisation collaboration, commending IOM for its continued support.
Goodwill messages from donor agencies, including the British High Commission, German Consulate, and Dutch Consulate, highlighted the importance of leveraging the partnership for improved border governance.
€410m Omi Eko Project:
In her keynote address, the NIS Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, noted that the engagement offered a strategic opportunity to review NIS–IOM cooperation and chart a roadmap for deeper collaboration towards modernised, technologydriven border management. She acknowledged IOM’s contribution to institutional reforms, operational capacity enhancement, and policy development, including the National Border Management Strategy.
Lagos Installs
Pontoons to Improve Water Transport
Segun James
As part of an effort to modernise and upgrade the Lagos State water transportation system, the state government has announced the installation of concrete pontoons at select jetties across the state. The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush Alebiosu, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday, said that the modern concrete
floating pontoons, which serve as flexible docking platforms, are already being installed at jetties in Agboyi Ketu (Kosofe LGA), Ijegun Egba (Amuwo Odofin LGA), and Bayeku/Ikorodu (Ikorodu LGA).
The initiative aims to enhance safety, take away fears from commuters, and provide comfort for waterway commuters while supporting the broader vision for intermodal transportation under the Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda.
He added that similar installations are planned for Ebute Ero (Lagos Island), Ijede (Ikorodu), Apa (Badagry), Mile 2 (Amuwo Odofin), Mowo (Ojo LGA), and several other strategic locations.
Alebiosu explained that: “These pontoons are crafted from rigid concrete blocks, designed to float and withstand wave pressure while offering stability.
NGO Launches Movement for Adolescent Girls in Nigeria
Gideon Arinze in enugu
A non-governmental organisation, Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI), has launched the Pan-African Adolescent Girls Movement, an initiative of the Graça Machel Trust in Nigeria.
The launch brought to an end a three-day workshop where 10 adolescent girls were trained on public speaking, leadership, entrepreneurship,
among other important subjects. They are expected to go into their communities and train other girls.
Speaking during the launch in Enugu State yesterday, the Executive Director of WEPBI, which is implementing the movement in Nigeria, Joy Oguadimma, said that it marks the birth of a transformative movement that places the voices of adolescent girls at the centre of Africa’s future.
“Through this partnership
with the Graça Machel Trust, we aim to equip young girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead, innovate, and influence decisions that shape their lives and communities,” Oguadimma stated.
She noted that the movement is expected to ignite a new wave of leadership, resilience, and hope among young girls, ensuring that their dreams are not deferred but fully realised.
Nigeria to Miss World Cup Back-toback After DR Congo Win Shootouts
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria’s quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended last night as Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Super Eagles 4-3 in penalty shootouts in the final match of the Africa Playoffs in Rabat, Morocco.
It the second time backto-back that Nigeria will be missing the World Cup after similarly failing to qualify for the 2022 edition hosted by Qatar.
Regulation and extra time ended 1-1 for the the game to be settled by shootouts after 120 minutes.
However, in the shootouts, Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon blew Nigeria’s first two kicks while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two kicks by Congo to put Super Eagles back in reckoning.
Akor Adams and Bruno Onyemaechi scored Eagles
next two kicks only for Semi Ajaiyi to miss the last kick that would have given Nigeria the edge going into sudden death gamble.
Congo’s Captain, Chancel Mbemba, scored the last kick to give the Central Africans the 4-3 victory and the ticket to play in the six-nation Intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.
The Congolese ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of their fans, who can still dream of a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country was called Zaire.
Play in the regulation time tied at 1-1 from the goals scored in the first half.
Frank Onyeka had put Nigeria in the lead barely three minutes into the match when he opened scoring after his shot from distance hit the back of the net off a deflection by a Congolese
Enugu to Host NIS Zonal Headquarters as NIS DG Lauds Mbah’s Investments in Sports
Emmanuel Ugwu in Enugu
In its drive to expand sports development to the South East zone of the country, the Federal government has selected Enugu to host a planned stateof-the-art zonal headquarters of the National Institute for Sports(NIS).
The choice of Enugu State was in recognition of the state’s growing reputation as a hub for sports, security, and excellent infrastructural development.
The Director General of NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, broke the cheering news Friday during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu, accompanied by the management team of the Institute.
He said that the selection of Enugu to be the South East zonal headquarters of NIS was a testament to the remarkable transformation being witnessed in the Coal City State under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.
Shaibu, who is a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, listed the key factors that favoured the choice of Enugu to include modern infrastructure, peace, hospitality, and impressive strides in sports development.
“By designating Enugu as the proposed home of our South East Zonal Office, we are acknowledging not only the state’s strategic location and outstanding infrastructure but
also (Governor Mbah’s) visible commitment to youth and sports development,” the NIS DG said.
He stated that the proposed zonal office would serve as a regional hub for the institute’s athletes and coaches development programmes, designed to promote talent discovery, capacity building, and grassroots sports excellence across the component statesAbia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, and Enugu.
According to Shaibu, the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at decentralising sports development and reviving Nigeria’s sporting culture.
“We are not merely planning an office; we are laying the foundation for a sporting revolution that will raise future champions who will bring glory to Nigeria.”
He commmended the Mbah administration for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Awgu Games Village, and other sporting facilities, in the state, adding that the state’s peaceful and investor-friendly environment makes it ideal for the NIS project.
Governor Mbah welcomed the choice of Enugu for the location of NIS zonal headquarters and expressed gratitude to FG, President Bola Tinubu for the vision and commitment to rebuilding key national institutions.
WORLD CUP PLAYOFFS
defender.
The Congolese Leopards chased the game thereafter and were rewarded in the 34th minute, when Alex Iwobi lost the ball in the midfield and Wilfred Ndidi failed to clear the cross from
the right flank that Meshack Elia slotted past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Eagles created the better chances, but they could not make the most of these openings with Ademola Lookman the biggest culprit.
At the resumption from half time break, Victor Osimhen who appeared injured from a collision with a Congolese defender had to be substituted by Akor Adams while Chidera Ejuke replaced Lookman.
Moses Simon also came on
for Samuel Chukwueze. The second half was a better forgotten performance as the Leopards seized the game from the Nigerians. Eagles didn’t fare any better in the extra extra time and were lucky not to concede until the game dragged into shootouts.
Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Make Final Three Shortlist
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi have been confirmed as the final contenders for the prestigious 2025 CAF Player of the Year award, with the winner to be announced on Wednesday in Rabat. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the three-man shortlist on Sunday, narrowing the field to some of the continent’s biggest stars. The ceremony is scheduled for November
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR
19 in the Moroccan capital. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who claimed the 2023 African Player of the Year title is also in contention after a strong season that reaffirmed his status as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards for both country and club. He led Turkish giants, Galatasaray, to win league and cup double and has been pivotal to the team’s great showing in the UEFA Champions
League this season.
Hakimi, captain of the Atlas Lions and a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain, enters the final vote as the favourite after a remarkable season in which he helped PSG secure a historic quadruple—winning Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, the French Cup and the Champions Trophy. His performances also earned him a 6th-place finish in the global France Football
Ballon d’Or rankings.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, a two-time winner of the award in 2017 and 2018, returns to the final shortlist following another influential year for club and country.
The winner of the 2025 African Footballer of the Year—often referred to as the African Ballon d’Or—will be crowned during Wednesday’s ceremony, which will also honour standout performers across multiple categories in African football.
White Tigers Retain Spires 5-Aside Football Tourney Title
Lagos Island-based club, White Tigers, have emerged champions of the 2025 Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament in Lagos.
The Coach Emmanuel Olom tutored side defeated Papa SA football club 4-0 in the final of this year’s event at the Stables Sports Centre in Surulere on Sunday to retain the crown the team first won last season.
White Tigers went home with a prize money of N5 million, Papa SA received the sum of N3 million as runner-up, while Greater Tomorrow FC pocketed a consolation prize of N1 million after they defeated Chekas United 3-1 to claim the third placed honors.
For the individual honors, Ojo Rhaman finished as this season top scorer will 14 goals, and he also emerged as the MVP of the tournament. He received the sum of N500,000 for both awards.
Coach Emmanuel Olom of White Tigers got N250,000, as the coach of the tournament, while the Golden Glove award went to the goalkeeper of Papa SA Sadiq Ridwan who received N250,000, cash prize as well.
The initiator of the tournament, Dr. Bankole Allibay, said Spires will continue to sustain the standards as they hope to build on the success of this year’s event ahead of 2026 and beyond.
In his words: “We have already commenced our preparations ahead of the next edition, and we are talking to a few brands to see how we can jointly take this to a whole new level.
Players and coaches of White Tigers FC celebrating retaining the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Football Tournament...at the weekend in Lagos
Super Eagles Alex Iwobi (second right) sandwiched between DR Congo defenders during the African Playoffs in Rabat, Morocco
6TH ZIK ANNUAL AWARD LECTURE...
MAHMUDJEGA
VIEW FROM THE GALLERY
Incident of Particular Concern
The altercation that took place at Gaduwa Estate in Abuja on Tuesday last week was a public relations disaster for the otherwise hardworking Federal Capital Territory Administration and its rambunctious, fast-talking, shoot from the hip, devil may care, leap before you look minister, Nyesom Wike. No wonder that, for a whole week when the hyperactive Nigerian social media scene was buzzing with nothing else but the Wike-Yerima melodrama, the Tinubu Administration’s rapid-fire media team, with several Special Advisers and many Special Assistants, did not say a word. Presidency, when one of your most prized ministers is being ridiculed and assailed on the mainstream and social media, will you keep quiet?
I am thinking back at similar public relations disasters for previous Nigerian administrations. For the Obasanjo
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Shrine by “the Unknown Soldier” and throwing his mother Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti from a second floor window was a major PR disaster. For the Shehu Shagari Administration, it was probably the Shugaba Darman affair of January 1980 when, on Minister of Internal Affairs Bello Maitama Yusuf’s orders, Nigeria Immigration Service agents seized the GNPP Majority Leader of Borno State House of Assembly, Shugaba Abdurrahman Darman, and deported him to Chad. There was no social media or private TV stations in those days but the media firestorm that followed forced President Shagari to institute a one-judge Judicial Commission of Inquiry “to determine the nationality of Shugaba Darman,” said by the minister to be a Chadian. The commission never sat and Darman was quietly brought back into the country.
For the Buhari military regime of 1984-85, it
was probably the 53 suitcases affair. Borders had all been closed for the currency change when a traveler brought 53 suitcases into Ikeja airport, which were whisked away without security checks. Buhari’s ADC Major Mustapha Jokolo happened to be there to receive his father, the Emir of Gwandu, so newspapers alleged that the suitcases belonged to the emir. It later transpired that forty of them belonged to a diplomat just recalled from Saudi Arabia. For the Babangida military regime, before the June 12 annulment crisis, rumours that swirled following the death in detention of alleged hard drugs pusher Gloria Okon was a PR disaster. For the Abacha regime, the November 1995 hanging of the Ogoni Nine was an international PR disaster.
For the Obasanjo civilian regime, the hauling
Continued on page 36
The Role of State Governments in Overcoming Insecurity in Nigeria
It is a profound duty to address this matter that strikes at the very heart of our nation’s well-being and future: The Role of State Governments in Overcoming Insecurity in Nigeria.
Insecurity has entrenched itself deeply within our national fabric, presents challenges far beyond mere public safety. It tests the resilience of our governance structures, threatens our developmental aspirations, and undermines the unity that binds us as one people. For too long, the discourse around insecurity has been dominated by responses anchored primarily in federal military and police actions, often neglecting the indispensable and strategic role that state governments must play in securing peace, restoring trust, and enabling prosperity at the grassroots level.
Most of us are aware that the fundamental justification for the existence of government is
its role as a protector: shielding citizens from violence and ensuring collective security. In a world where chaos looms without order, the state's legitimacy is rooted in its capacity to uphold peace, enforce laws, and provide a secure environment where individuals can thrive. It is its moral foundation and enduring claim to authority.
It is essential to acknowledge that insecurity in Nigeria is not merely a matter of law enforcement. It is symptomatic of deeper governance deficits, exclusionary politics, and socio-economic marginalisation. A purely militarised response, while necessary in some respects, is insufficient to stem the tide of violence that threatens to unravel the fabric of our communities. The solution lies in a comprehensive, multifaceted approach, with state governments assuming a leading role; not merely as intermediaries but as architects of
peace, social cohesion, and economic revival.
STEMMING INSECURITY: THE KADUNA STATE EXAMPLE (MAY 2023 – TILL DATE)
When my administration took office in 2023, Kaduna was indeed a state beset by insecurity: banditry, kidnappings, communal conflicts, and terrorist incursions that left villages deserted, farms untended, markets silent, and social services disrupted. Instead of relying exclusively on militarised measures, we charted a path centered on inclusive governance, dialogue, and holistic development.
Our philosophy was straightforward: security is not the absence of violence but the presence of justice, opportunity, and mutual trust. Peace cannot be imposed; it must be cultivated from within communities through sustained engagement and empowerment. This birthed
grassroots
and socio-economic renewal.
THE KADUNA PEACE MODEL
The understanding is that insecurity transcend criminality to encompass grievances related to identity, resource access, and political exclusion. We convened over fifty consultative forums, engaging traditional rulers, Fulani herders, farmers, youth leaders, and religious figures. The truth is sustainable peace is inseparable from inclusion and the meaningful participation of all stakeholders in conflict resolution and governance. We established Peace Councils at the senatorial districts level chaired by elders respected across ethnic and religious lines
the Kaduna Peace Model - anchored on coordinated dialogue,
inclusion,
military regime of the 1970s, the February 1977 storming of Afrobeat king
L-R: Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; His Royal Majesty, Professor Echefuna Onyebeadi; Chairman, 2025 National Planning Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture, Muazu Babangida Aliyu; and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, a recipient of the 2024/2025 Zik Annual Leadership Award in Abuja… yesterday
