Oil workers direct shutdown of gas, crude supply to refinery Refinery's management says PENGASSAN's action lawless
Ndubuisi Francis, Emmanuel Addeh, Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday waded into the face-off
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Idris says over 13,543 terrorists, criminals neutralised Discloses 10,000 hostages rescued
Ajimotokan in Abuja
government
strongly
allegations
engaged in a systematic ethno-religious genocide against Christians. In a statement yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, rubbished such claims as patently false, Continued on
Laleye Dipo in Minna
Former Minister of Information and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, said at the weekend that having seen the disparity in their lives after eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari and two years under incumbent President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians, who had fallen for deceits by some politicians in 2015, when exPresident Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid, now knew better and want his return.
Gana spoke on Saturday in Minna after the election of new officials by the Niger State chapter of PDP.
He confirmed that Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of PDP.
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Bank pledges to support Nigeria in human capital development
Shettima meets St. Kitts Prime Minister to strengthen Africa-Caribbean ties Departs New York for Germany to attend Deutsche Bank talks
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Nigeria has sought enhanced funding commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to operationalise the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).
The former minister stated, “In 2015, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said his ambition is not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him another president ruled for eight years and now another has ruled for two years.
“Nigerians have seen the difference and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
refined petroleum products across the country, as the Steering Committee of the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative met to review developments in the downstream oil sector.
The assurance followed weekend's directive issued by PENGASSAN to its affiliates to cut off crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote refinery.
A meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, underscored two recent developments, including the purported suspension of the Naira-for-Crude oil arrangement by the Dangote Refinery, and the concerns raised by PENGASSAN regarding the refinery.
A statement issued by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, said aside from Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji; representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); Central Bank of
baseless, despicable, and divisive. Idris described the reports that portrayed Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group as a gross misrepresentation of reality.
The minister urged the international media and other commentators to act responsibly, respect facts and avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric. He also charged them to support the country's ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality.
He explained: "While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful. It over-simplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the
made the request weekend in New York, United States, during a bilateral meeting with AfDB's President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, on the side-lines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Vice President Kashim Shettima
SAPZ Phase 2, which is expected to scale up climateresilient infrastructure and inclusive agro-industrial growth across an additional 24 states, expanding from the initial eight states and the FCT, is aimed at diversifying Nigeria's mono-product economy to value-added agricultural export.
"I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate and you will vote for him to return as President again."
The PDP chieftain declared that the party was democratic, stressing that democracy deals with the will of the people to freely choose who they want. He said, "PDP has tremendous opportunity in 2027 because it is truly a grassroots party.
Nigeria (CBN); Afreximbank, and Dangote Refinery were also present.
It said: "The Steering Committee of the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative met earlier today (Sunday) to review developments in the downstream oil sector.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the committee reassured that the crude oil for the Naira initiative will continue. It also assured that all outstanding issues, particularly the dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, are being addressed with urgency and in good faith.
"The federal government remains fully committed to ensuring energy security, protecting consumers, and maintaining stability in the domestic petroleum products market,” the statement said.
Earlier, PENGASSAN directed its members to halt gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with immediate effect.
In a letter signed by the General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery management of disengaging unionised workers and embarking on a “mission of misinformation and propaganda”
hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.
"The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands".
He reiterated the government's commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens.
The minister noted that the resolve was already yielding results given that between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralised while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued in multiple military operations across the country.
Justifying the country's request, Shettima, in a release issued on
"The people of Nigeria love the PDP because it came with programmes that are peopleoriented. That is why they remember PDP immensely, and they are urging us to come back."
He dismissed insinuations about crisis in PDP, explaining, "When there was a near crisis in the party, the founding fathers convened a consultative conference in Abuja and addressed all the issues at the time."
instead of engaging meaningfully with the union.
PENGASSAN instructed all its branch chairmen to ensure that gas supply to the refinery is cut off without delay. The directive also included shutting all crude oil supply valves to the refinery and halting all loading operations for vessels headed there.
The union described the action as a necessary response to protect the constitutional rights of workers to unionise.
PENGASSAN attributed its latest action to Dangote Refinery’s alleged unilateral action in sacking over 800 staff members for joining the Association.
Okugbawa stated that the National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN held an emergency meeting of all its branches on Saturday, October 27 and resolved that members should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday, 29th of September, 2025.
"This includes all control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel. No intervention whatsoever will be entertained across field locations except where the safety of personnel and assets is at risk; such clearance must be obtained from the National
He cited the the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan - commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, led by Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/ Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU; and Mahmud alNigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy that was captured in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation last month.
According to him, the feats by the security forces underscored their determination and success and exposed as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism.
"The federal government is steadfast in its duty to protect every Nigerian, regardless of ethnic or religious identity, and continues to work with
Sunday by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, said Nigeria was the largest shareholder in AfDB and its portfolio hovered in the neighbourhood of over $10 billion.
He stated, "We urge you to further support us in the phase 2 Special Agro-Industrial Processing
Gana criticised the federal government for discouraging foreign investors from coming to Nigeria.
He stated, "This government, they have a number of evil gatekeepers, keeping away foreign investors. That's their major problem. Nigeria is the best place to grow your money."
A new executive emerged from the PDP state congress held on Saturday, with Alhaji Aliyu Halidu elected as the new state
Secretariat.
"All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals. All processes that involve gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be let off effectively immediately. No man is bigger than our country! An injury to one is an injury to all," the union said.
The association urged its members to immediately embark on prayers, calling on God to intervene and give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travelers on the need to obey the laws of our country.
However, the Dangote refinery described the move as a brazen, albeit shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN.
“Absolutely no law gives PENGASSAN the right to direct its branches to ‘cut off’ gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or at all. There is also no law in our statute books that would support or enable the PENGASSAN branches having to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or at all.
“Besides, it constitutes a criminal conduct for PENGASSAN or its members to disrupt and/or interfere
international partners to address the global threat of terrorism.
"The Nigerian Armed Forces and Police have demonstrated their commitment to accountability by conducting several court martials and prosecutions to hold their officials accountable for any misconduct. This effort underscores the importance of discipline and adherence to the rule of law within our security agencies.
"Nigeria is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims. We are home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the world, alongside some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the largest Anglican congregation globally.
“Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in Nigeria. It is doubtful that foreign interlopers into Nigeria’s affairs
chairman of the party.
Halidu polled 1,289 votes to defeat his closest rival and PDP zonal chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Abdullahi (Ability), who secured 1,269 votes.
Abdullahi had been favoured to succeed Mr Tanko Beji as chairman.
Announcing the results, Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, announced that eight positions were contested while candidates for the other positions were returned unopposed. Turaki declared Alhaji Khadi Kuta, a former commissioner in the state, as Secretary of the party, and said he was returned unopposed, while Mrs. Salome Ndakosu won the women leader position with 1,373 votes, to defeat Ramotu Jibrin, who got 590 votes. In his acceptance speech, Halidu sought the support of PDP members to make the party great again.
howsoever in the contract between Dangote Refinery and its various vendors for the supply of gas and crude oil to the Refinery.
“ Those supply contracts were not entered into with PENGASSAN; they were entered into by Dangote Refinery with third party vendors and suppliers and PENGASSAN has no right whatsoever to disrupt and/or interfere with the performance of those contracts.
“Perhaps, PENGASSAN needs to be reminded that Nigeria is a country governed by laws. Our laws do not brook self-help and mob action that could introduce mayhem and chaos and easily translate into anarchy,” a statement by the refinery said.
But amid its cold war with management of Dangote Refinery, the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised alarm over what it described as desperation by a certain group to break its rank through the promotion of a phony forum called Elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.
Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, National President and General Secretary,
Zones (SAPZ). You assisted us with $300 million when you were in Liberia. We want to thank you, but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more because we are poised to diversify our mono-product economy into agriculture, especially value-added agricultural export. Continued
are aware that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians—a fact that underscores the inclusivity of our national leadership," Idris submitted.
He affirmed that in the fight against terrorism, Nigeria had made significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects, stressing that the country had successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects and secured over 700 convictions.
The minister said: "We are currently moving into our eighth prosecution cycle, further demonstrating our resolve to tackle terrorism and its sponsors.
"Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, our administration remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding justice and enhancing security. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten
respectively of the Union raised the alarm in a press statement on Sunday night. The leadership of NUPENG which maintained that such a Forum was unknown to its constitution noted that certain forces it described as "unconscionable Capitalists with filthy wealth," were behind the faceless groups to deceive, manipulate, mislead and create confusion within the oil and gas sector and the wider public.
The statement warned members of the public and the media to be wary of the so-called PTD Elders which it insisted was fraudulent, illegitimate, and acting with criminal intent. The leadership of NUPENG further declared that the only National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG accorded recognition by its Constitution is the one under the leadership of Augustine Egbon.
"The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) issues this stern warning to all stakeholders, security agencies, the media, and the general public regarding the criminal and fraudulent activities of some faceless groups and individuals who
our nation's peace and stability are brought to justice".
He faulted the notion that the Nigerian story is one of religious genocide or persecution, rather, describing it as a story of resilience, diversity, and a globally acknowledged commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The minister reiterated that in March of this year, the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize was awarded to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, saying their decades-long work to promote trust and tolerance across faiths now serves as a model for peacebuilding in all 56 Commonwealth countries.
"This means that Nigeria is not only exporting culture and music to the world—we are also exporting proven frameworks for interfaith harmony," Idris stated.
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The management of AG Mortgage Bank PLC has disclosed that the Nigerian housing sector was contributing above N11 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, by year 2024.
Quoting the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the Mortgage Bank stated that despite this laudable achievement,
Nigerian housing deficit remains estimated in excess of 28 million units.
Chairman of the organisation’s Board of Directors, Felix Nwabuko announced this at the 2024 Mortgage Bank PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20 years Anniversary in Abuja.
He said the federal government's Renewed Hope Agenda gained momentum in
2024 with renewed emphasis on affordable housing delivery, housing finance reform, land tilting and enhanced collaboration with private sector stakeholders.
According to him, "AG Mortgage Bank PLC continues to play a strategic role in supporting these national housing efforts. The policy that allows retirement savings accounts (RSA) Holden's to
access 25% of their pension balances for home equity contributions witnessed higher adoption in 2024. This initiative has continued to narrow the gap in housing financing in Nigeria.
"The bank is one of the leading administrators of RSA linked mortgages, helping more Nigerians transition from tenants to home owners. The Help to Own initiative of
The inaugural Africa Energy Investment Summit (AEInvest2025) held in New York, United States, has marked a defining moment in Africa’s journey toward energy sovereignty, industrialisation, and sustainable growth.
Timed strategically to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the landmark gathering brought together African energy ministers, investors, financiers, and global energy stakeholders to position Africa as a central player in the global energy transition, a statement by the organisers said.
Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers' Organisation
(APPO), Farouk Ibrahim, initiator of the summit, spoke on why the event was held inNew York and not in Africa.
“(This is) because UNGA brings all our leaders and investors together, making it the ideal platform to connect, engage, and unlock funding for Africa’s energy future,” he stated.
Ibrahim painted a vivid picture of Africa’s energy paradox — a continent rich in oil, gas, and renewable potential, yet home to over 600 million people without access to electricity.
“Seventy-five per cent of our oil and 45 per cent of our gas are exported, while a billion Africans lack access to modern energy. But the narrative is changing. Three
years after we began the African Energy Bank (AEB) initiative, I am proud to say it is now a legal entity.
Member countries have deposited equity, the charter has been signed and ratified, and we have raised enough capital to begin operations,” he added.
The African Energy Bank, he emphasised, symbolises Africa’s collective determination to finance its own development and reduce dependence on external lenders.
Also speaking, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), during a panel session underscored Africa’s renewed confidence and the resurgence of investment in the continent’s energy sector.
“Nigeria’s production rose from
1 million to 1.8 million barrels per day, and our goal is 2.5 million bpd. American companies are already showing strong interest in investing in Nigerian oil blocks,” he said.
Making a strong case for continued investment in fossil fuel in Africa, Lokpobiri said that “Africa must not be deceived into abandoning fossil fuels while the West continues to expand production. Our hydrocarbons will finance our transition — not charity, not aid.”
Representing Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Hydrocarbon Mining Development, called for urgent action to reclaim control over Africa’s energy destiny.
The federal government has commenced the process of compensating Ogoni citizens whose landed property, farms or livelihoods were affected in the right of way by the ongoing construction of the power project in the area.
The project, a federal government initiative being executed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), is meant to provide electricity to Ogoni communities, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2011 report on the environmental
assessment of Ogoni, following years of devastation caused by oil exploration in the area.
The federal government, through its agency, HYPREP saddled with the responsibilities of implementing the remediation and livelihoods restoration recommendations of the UNEP report, began the verification process for the right
of way compensation over the weekend, at the HYPREP liaison office in Gokana council headquarters, Kpor, Rivers State.
One of the would-be beneficiaries who simply identified himself as David, from Kpor Community, described the verification exercise as transparent and thanked HYPREP for the gesture.
the Family Homes Fund, FHF, which is gradually inching mortgage rates closer to a single digit rate is a very welcome development.
"The bank is one of the first active players in the scheme amongst the primary mortgage banks in Nigeria, and will continue to do so, blending it with its internal mortgage facilities".
He named challenges in the mortgage ecosystem to include dearth of accessibility long term capital, limited availability of low-cost housing stock, rising construction cost, legal delays in foreclosure processes and deficiencies in the land
administration system.
To unlock scale, our industry must continue pushing for digitised land registries, capital market integration, credit enhancement and regulatory easing.
Nwabuko also noted that the mortgage sub-sector needs to consolidate and scale, as all signs are pointing to the inevitability of consolidation, but a leading company will in some way need to emerge with the scale and internal innovation capability and strength to create leading products and drive some acquisitions or scale by organic growth.
Olusegun Samuel, Yenagoa
In line with its capacity building mandate, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to begin a comprehensive digitalization training programme targeting 3,700 youths across the country.
The initiative which is under the banner of the NCDMB Digitalization Initiative (NDI) is designed to equip young Nigerians with the essential skills needed to thrive in the current and emerging waves of industrial revolution.
Giving insight into the programme, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, observed the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors have adopted advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Drones, and Blockchainbased data exchange.
According to him, the shift towards digitisation enables the
players to improve productivity, cost optimisation, and low carbon emission operations.
Other benefits of adopting digitisation include achieving remote operations, lean structure, smart and preventive facility management and business processes automation.
He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to its mandate of preparing and empowering the Nigerian oil and gas industry supply chain to be relevant in the emerging oil and gas landscape.
Also commenting on the programme, the Director Corporate Services, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu emphasized that NCDMB remains committed to empowering Nigerians to take on critical roles within the oil and gas supply chain.
He explained that the Digitalization Initiative (NDI) specifically targets youth within the 35-year age bracket, with resources strategically directed toward highimpact areas that enhance digital expertise, generate rapid value, and drive sustainable growth.
Says reliance on social media has hampered country's growth
James Emejo in Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Ababakar Bagudu, has urged players across all sectors of the economy to contribute to the new National Development Plan.
The minister made the call when the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) delegation, led by its Representative and Regional Director, Mr Philbert Johnson, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja over the weekend.
Bagudu said there was a need to galvanise all sectoral players to contribute to the new national development plan, ensuring inclusivity and comprehensive development of the sectors for the NDP 2026-2030.
He observed that one of the
problems hindering economic growth was Nigerians' dependence on social media, which positioned Nigeria alongside other welldeveloped nations. He criticised social media for not questioning the stages of the country's development.
He, therefore, called for raising public awareness to understand the economic dynamics of production and the provision of subsidies by developed countries, in order to set the record straight.
Bagudu informed the UNIDO delegation that Nigeria has started reviewing the National Development Plan (NDP20252030), as the NDP2021-2025 will expire in December 2025, with industrialisation being included in the next plan.
In a statement, the minister emphasised the country's
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has invoked provisions of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act to approve a mandatory compliance with the national policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as a requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the scheme.
The compliance directive, which is in line with Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the Act, was part of an enforcement circular recently issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Akume conveyed the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President's regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”
Apart from provisions in the policy meant to check certificate racketeering and honours abuse, one of the new mandatory requirements of Nigerian students in the policy
is the deposit of academic outputs, which include thesis or project reports.
In Section 6.1.23 of the policy, the requirement is designed “as a quality assurance check and as a yearly independent proof of continuous academic enrolment and affiliation” as it is expected to inviolably time-stamp scholarship, academic activities, and footprint regardless of location.
The SGF’s circular has now clarified a directive earlier issued by the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, that effective from October 6, no Nigerian graduate - whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution will henceforth be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.
The step, it was learnt, is a masterstroke in safeguarding the nation’s intellectual assets while restoring credibility to academic processes and qualifications. The directive does not however affect serving corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.
dedication to industrialisation as a key pillar of national development, while highlighting the systemic barriers faced by developing countries in the global economy.
He said, “Your visit comes at a crucial moment as Nigeria concludes the 2021–2025 National Development Plan and works on a successor plan.
“Industrialisation remains a central pillar of this process because it offers the pathway to higher-quality jobs, inclusive prosperity, and stronger global competitiveness.”
He noted that despite Africa’s potential, global distortions have made it increasingly difficult for developing countries to industrialise.
Bagudu said, “The reality today is that industrial development is not always driven by competitiveness, but by countries with stronger economic muscle using their advantages to crowd out others.
"This creates a distorted playing field where even basic industrial activity becomes a struggle for African economies.”
He urged the UN agency to take a more active role in helping countries like Nigeria face these challenges.
He said, “We need partners who can help us think creatively, who can articulate pathways that compensate for the disadvantages imposed by the current order.
"We believe that Nigeria, with its large population and vibrant economy, can highlight issues that matter not only to us but also to smaller African nations. But we cannot do this alone.”
The minister also highlighted
the geopolitical uncertainties shaping industrial growth, from shifting trade policies in advanced economies to rising protectionism, which he said have left developing countries more vulnerable. He said, “We find ourselves in a time when the principles that once upheld fairness are being eroded. Countries that should be champions of equity are instead adopting policies that hinder the growth of developing nations. Yet we cannot afford to abandon industrialisation. We must find a way forward."
The Bank of Industry (BoI) has been awarded the ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certification for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS) by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
The award means that the development finance institution has operated a structured framework to manage, process, and safeguard sensitive data relating to customers, employees, and third parties.
The certification by BSI, a globally recognised authority in
auditing and certification - remains a top privacy standard and aligns with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), and other global privacy requirements.
Commenting on the award, Managing Director/Chief Executive, BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said it reinforced trust in the bank’s ability to protect the data of customers, partners, and stakeholders while meeting the highest international standards.
He added that recognition represented a proactive commitment
to privacy management by the bank.
The certification further extends the bank’s existing ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification which was first obtained in 2019.
The framework enforces strong privacy controls, integrates privacy management into information security practices, and defines clear roles and responsibilities for data protection.
BoI is the first Development Finance Institution (DFI) and second bank in the country to achieve the certification - a milestone that reflects its commitment to
global best practices in privacy and security.
The bank, in a statement issued by its Divisional Head, Public Relations, Theodora Amechi, explained that the scope of the certification covers the full lifecycle of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including collection, storage, processing, sharing, and disposal.
As both a PII Controller and Processor, BoI has embedded comprehensive privacy controls across its physical and digital infrastructure.
James Emejo in Abuja
Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zones (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, has urged the American Business Council, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Africa–US Chamber of Commerce, and other development partners to explore unlimited business opportunities provided by the Special Economic Zones across Nigeria.
He made the call while delivering a lecture titled, “Free Zones and Industrial Competitiveness: Catalysing Investment through Regulatory Innovation” at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ogunyemi said the side event, themed, "Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria: A New Era of Economic Opportunities," offered a vital space to match policy action with private capital.
He stressed that the country’s free zones were not merely parcels of land, but practical business enclaves for industrial upgrading and platforms for credible, regionally scalable investments.
He said, “We are therefore asking U.S. investors and institutions to undertake site visits to Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Free Zone, Abuja Industrial Park Free Zone (AIPFZ), and other Nigerian zones to see infrastructure and anchor tenants
operating.
“We are seeking partnership for anchor projects that would transform into Small and Medium Enterprises’ factory shells, creating jobs and promoting local procurement content.
“We also invite investors to participate in co-financing shared infrastructure that enables hundreds of tenant investments and to support the scaling up of production for exports.’’
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State Chapter, has raised alarm over what it described as an “unprecedented abuse of power” by key federal government officials in the handling of the state’s local government allocations.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday, the state NULGE President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, accused the Minister of Finance, the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, and the Attorney-General of the Federation of unlawfully releasing Osun’s local government funds into accounts operated by sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councilors.
According to him: “Today, we have it on good authority that these three principal officers of the federal government have released the Osun State Local Government Councils’ allocations for the month
of March, 2025 to September, 2025 to the illegal bank accounts opened by court-sacked APC chairmen and councilors.
“We find this development very scary and alarming. Paying local government allocations into privately opened and illegal bank accounts of politicians is unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented in the history of public administration in Nigeria.”
Dr. Ogungbangbe explained that the controversial accounts were opened with United Bank for Africa (UBA) without due process.
He continued: “These funds were paid to the accounts opened by these APC men with United Bank for Africa despite the fact that due process was not followed in opening the said accounts.”
The union leader argued that the action of the federal officers amounted to a violation of both
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has facilitated the successful training of female Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in innovative soilless farming techniques through the Enterprise of Youth in Agriculture (EYiA) Programme.
Participants have received both practical and theoretical knowledge in modern agricultural practices, greenhouse construction, nursery management, food safety, agronomy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and gender empowerment.
In a statement signed by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, Alex Oturu, it stated that females in the IDPs were given special consideration as they form a
majority of the soft targets in the camp who are in need of self-reliance and mobilisation.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Commissioner, Dr. Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, Oturu said in addition, they were provided with supplementary livelihood skills such as knitting, braiding, and creative digital skills to broaden their resilience and income-generating capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that displaced populations are not only protected but are also empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
"Over the three-month intensive training, participants received both practical and theoretical knowledge in modern agricultural practices, greenhouse construction, nursery management, food safety, agronomy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and gender empowerment.
the constitution and judicial pronouncements.
“We strongly believe that if these three principal officers of the federal government and the entire federal government which they represent do not have respect for our constitution, which they have sworn to uphold, they ought to have respect for our judicial authorities more particularly the Supreme Court of Nigeria before whom the suit in respect of these
funds is currently pending.”
NULGE recalled that the Federal High Court had on May 15, 2025, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, a directive which the Central Bank of Nigeria had acknowledged as binding in their court filings.
“It is on record that the Federal High Court of Nigeria on 15th May, 2025 ordered parties to maintain status quo, an order which has been acknowledged by the Central
Bank of Nigeria as hindering them from making payment.
“It is public knowledge that the Federal High Court is to further sit on this matter on 29/09/2025.
It is worrisome that these officers and the federal authorities, which they represent, do not have respect for the authority of the courts.
“We wish to remind them that a country that does not have respect for its own judicial authorities is digging its own grave.”
The Osun NULGE president stressed that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had sacked the APC chairmen and councilors, while new elections had already produced fresh leaders.
“We are not politicians, but our work as career officers who are expected to protect the assets of the councils is directly impacted by this illegal action of the federal government.
Kayode Tokede
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Nigerians to beware of a rising wave of artificial intelligence (AI)driven scams that are targeting unsuspecting investors with promises of guaranteed profits and fake celebrity endorsements.
The Commission recalls that platforms such as CBEX, Silverkuun, and TOFRO were operating illegally by advertising AI-powered trading systems that promise unrealistic returns.
“These platforms are not registered or regulated by the
SEC, yet they continue to mislead the public with false claims of AI-driven investments. They posed serious risks to investors hence the commission issued a series of disclaimers against their activities,” the Commission stated.
The SEC explained that fraudsters are increasingly turning to deepfake videos and AIgenerated content to lure victims, pointing that manipulated videos featuring politicians, celebrities, and TV hosts are being shared through Facebook ads, Instagram reels, and Telegram groups to give fraudulent platforms an air of credibility.
According to the Commission, “Scammers are exploiting AI to fabricate endorsements and testimonials that appear genuine.
This has made traditional fraud detection methods less effective, hence the need for tech-enabled regulation and greater public awareness.”
To counter the growing threat, the SEC explained it is adopting advanced surveillance systems capable of detecting fraudulent activity in real time, adding that partnerships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are being strengthened to enable
data-sharing and joint enforcement actions.
“We are moving from reactive to predictive oversight. This is essential in combating fraud and systemic risks in our market,” the Commission emphasized.
The regulator said it has also engaged social media companies to clamp down on misleading ads and cautioned influencers against promoting unlicensed investment schemes.
“Any influencer or blogger found to be complicit in promoting illegal platforms will face regulatory sanctions or even prosecution,” SEC warned.
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Following the launch of the EU-funded SUSI project in Abia, the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund(UNICEF) has embarked on the sensitisation of the local government area chairmen to make them drive the social protection system.
UNICEF, the implementing partner of the project, wants the 17 Mayors of Abia LGAs to brace up to play the leading role in implementation of the social
protection project beginning from the grassroots.
It is envisaged the implementation and financing of Abia's social protection system would start from the LGAs and to ensure its sustainability the LGA chairmen are expected to always capture the financing in the annual budgets.
At a sensitisation meeting held with the 17 Abia LGA Mayors in Umuahia, UNICEF officials stressed the Council Chairmen were expected to play a vital role in building a Sustainable Social
Protection System. UNICEF, the implementing partner of the project, is partnering the state government and the LGAs to initiate and build a system that caters for all Abia citizens, especially the vulnerable ones.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the workshop, Fridah Karimi Mwirigi, Chief, Field Office Enugu, said that social protection initiatives have been going on at the LGAs for generations.
However, she stated there was need to systemise such interventions and ensure inclusion
of persons not yet captured in the social register.
"It is a system building initiative. We're partnering (state) government and at the local government area level, she said, adding there would be a monitoring team and a task force to ensure a seamless implementation. Mwirigi stated "there's commitment" on the part of UNICEF, EU and ILO to help Abia build a sustainable social security system hence everything needed to make the project a success is being done.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
In a bid to significantly reduce the incidence of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), interrupt transmission of Measles and Rubella infections in the country, the federal government will on Monday, October 6, 2025, launch Africa’s largest integrated health
campaign, introducing the measles-rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization schedule.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a high fever, rash, cough and red eyes. It can lead to life-threatening complications.
Rubella is a contagious, viral
infection that passes easily to others. It causes a rash, low fever and other symptoms.
The integrated campaign against measles and rubella virus will begin early October targeting 63 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years in phase one, and 43 million in phase two.
The goal is to achieve 95 percent
coverage across implementing states and to bridge the gap of zero dose children in some parts of the northern Nigeria.
The government said it is also using the upcoming nationwide campaign to strengthen routine immunisation (including Human Papilloma virus HPV in girls 9 years old) and second year of
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the Kano Police Command, has apprehended 57 suspects for drug-related offenses and recovered locally made weapons in various locations across the state.
The Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Public Relations Officer Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari said on Sunday, a 3-day joint operation was conducted between 24, 25 and 27
September 2025 resulting in the arrest of 57 suspects for various drug-related offences.
He said the raid was spearheaded by the Kano State Joint Taskforce for Peace Restoration and Youth Rehabilitation, under the leadership of Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Police.
According to him, the coordinated raids covered multiple locations across Kano State, including Kofar Ruwa, Tashar Rami, Rijiyar Lemo,
Kurna, Mil Tara, Zage, Dorayi Karshen Waya, Dawanau and the notorious Filin Idi.
He noted that operatives recovered assorted illicit substances and several locally made weapons. "Preliminary searches and seizures were carried out, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."
Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata the chairman of the committee said, “Our resolve to eradicate drug abuse and associated thuggery in Kano remains
unshakeable. We will continue to work tirelessly to create a safer, healthier community for all.”
He commended the officers and men of the NDLEA and the Nigerian Police Force for their dedication during the operation and reiterated the importance of continued collaboration with the Kano State Government and all stakeholders.
Kofar Mata urged community leaders, parents, civil society organizations and members of the public to join hands with security agencies in this effort.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The World Bank has commended the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project for its massive achievement in restoration of land in parts of Northern Nigeria.
ACReSAL, is a World Bank approved project aimed at increasing the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthen the country's long-term enabling environment for integrated climateresilient landscape management.
Speaking at ACReSAL Stakeholders Engagement/ Marketplace Showcase in
Abuja, the Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank and Task Team Leader, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Dr Joy Agene, said that marketplace for ACReSAL project have delivered huge investment through land restoration.
She noted that marketplace for ACReSAL is where we have a huge investment that is saving millions of lands in targeted watersheds.
She explained that: “Marketplace is also a technology where water is conserved in dryland to ensure that we are able to produce, sell and make income.
On her part, the Practice
Manager Environment, World Bank, Mrs. Ellysar Baroudy expressed satisfaction with the project saying the project had really been an example within the whole World Bank portfolio.
She said however the World Bank was faced with challenges of climate change, degradation, as well as finance.
Baroudy urged ACReSAL to be resolute in spite of the challenges being faced at the point of discharging their work.
The National Project Coordinator ACReSAL, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar said that the project is a people-oriented project that would sustain livelihoods.
He added that the project has
touched so many lives especially the down trodden in communities.
Director, Water Support Services, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Segun Babarinde, said the marketplace has showcased a collaborative effort within the stakeholders.
He said: “I want to thank all the states for being very, resolute in ensuring the achievement of this glorious idea by the government.”
Director International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, Mr. George Stanley, said there is no doubt the project has delivered on various aspects of environment, agriculture, water resources and even beyond.
life activities.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, represented by the Director of Advocacy and Communication, Dr. Landa Aliyu Mohammed, disclosed this at a media engagement organised by the agency in Abuja on Friday.
He described the campaign as a landmark initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to protect millions of children from preventable diseases.
“Nigeria is preparing for a health campaign starting in October 2025. It is going to be a model of all campaigns the largest in the history of Africa. This campaign will also signal the introduction of the measlesrubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization,” Aina said.
The NPHCDA boss said the campaign will also integrate several life-saving vaccines, including routine immunization for children aged 0–23 months, measles-rubella vaccine for children aged 9 months–14 years, HPV vaccine for adolescent girls, and polio vaccine for children aged 0–59 months.
Health Manager (Immunization), UNICEF-Nigeria, Dr. Shaikh Kabir, described the vaccination campaign as one of the biggest public health interventions in history.
He said: "This is going to be one of the biggest public health interventions in history. We are going to be part of it. The roll out will be an opportunity for the Nigerian children to receive a dose of measles-rubella vaccines to protect them from the killer diseases of measles and rubella.
Kwara CP Warns Officers Against Unlawful Phone Searches, Profiling of Youths as Yahoo Boys
Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, at the weekend warned officers of the command against extortion, harassment, unlawful phone searches, and profiling of youths as internet fraudsters.
Ojo gave the warning in Ilorin while addressing Deputy Commissioners, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders in Ilorin on the state of nation, stressing the warning was in line with the instructions of the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
He cautioned that any officer found violating human rights or engaging in misconduct would face the most severe disciplinary sanctions.
He said, “Officers who interfere in purely civil cases without criminal elements, unlawfully search citizens’
phones, or maliciously label youths as Yahoo boys or internet fraudsters are committing grave offences".
The commissioner stressed that indiscriminate phone searches on roads were strictly prohibited, except where a phone had been confirmed as an exhibit in an ongoing investigation. He also reassured members of the public, especially students and young people, that their dignity and fundamental rights would be protected.
Ojo therefore said, “The era of intimidation and wrongful profiling is over in the state, urging youths to remain lawabiding."
Meanwhile, the command announced that enforcement of tinted glass permits would begin on October 2, 2025. Motorists without valid permits, or those using fake or expired ones, would be arraigned in court within 24 hours.
7, Sylvester Ugoh Crescent, Jabi, Abuja, FCT. PMB 399 Garki, Abuja +234 (9) 903 2000 nuprc@nuprc.gov.ng www.nuprc.gov.ng
INVITATION TO TENDER AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 2025 PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE NIGERIAN UPSTREAM PETROLEUM REGULATORY COMMISSION
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), a department under the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMPR) with the mission of promoting sustainable value creation from Nigeria's Petroleum Resources for shared prosperity invite interested and reputable Contractors, Suppliers and Consultants with relevant and verifiable experience to apply for pre-qualification for consideration to tender for the projects indicated below under the 2025 Budget in Compliance with Public Procurement
2.
The projects fall under the following categories: CATEGOR n their Affairs Business Personal Business December 2025 staff is 15 valid till whose N50m and Clearance e d e r a l Interim Certificate relevant Commission Director, confirm that particulars; 2023 & indicating he project when deployed s i o n a l ARCON, CORBON, SURCON, (in size, Letters of s a n d representative of the with the mputer ational Electricity (MoU) arance Certificate, compulsory for
w i t h a Head Paper
bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.
2. COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS (GOODS)
Interested Companies are to collect the Bidding Document from the office of the Head Contract & Procurement, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Jabi Main Office, Grand floor, Room 11 on evidence of payment of a non-refundable tender fee of N10,000.00 per Lot, paid into the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission's Remita account in any reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria.
ü Visit NUPRC website www.nuprc.gov.ng
ü Click on NUPRC TSA payment portal using Remita
ü Click on make payment, enter MDA (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission)
ü Select NUPRC - Standard Bidding Document fees
Complete the necessary fields
3. SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS (GOODS)
Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot desired, two (2) hard copies each of the technical and financial bids with softcopy of financial bid only in MS Excel format, in a FLASH DRIVE packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid”. Thereafter, put the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger sealed envelope addressed to The Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, 7, Sylvester Ugoh Crescent, Jabi Abuja and clearly marked with the name of the project and the Lot number Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box at the ground floor Main reception not later than th 12:00pm on Monday 20 October, 2025.
Bids of the value of N100 Million and above for Goods, must be accompanied with a Bid Security of 2% of the bid sum.
N.B: Soft copies packaged in Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or Compact Disc (CD) shall not be accepted.
4. SUBMISSION OF EOI DOCUMENTS (CONSULTANCY SERVICES)
Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to The Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, 7, Sylvester Ugoh Crescent, Jabi Abuja and clearly marked with the name of the project and the Lot number Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box at the ground floor reception not later than th 2:00pm on Monday, 13 October, 2025
5. OPENING OF EOI AND TECHNICAL BIDS
The EOI and technical bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at th 2:00pm on Monday, 13 of October, 2025 and 12:00pm on th Monday, 20 October, 2025, Jabi Annex Open space respectively, at , Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission Headquarters Abuja in the presence of bidders or their representatives, while the financial bids will be kept un-opened. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register at the ground floor Main reception, as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. EOI/Bids must be in English Language and signed by an authorised official;
b. EOI/Bids submitted after the deadline for submission will be returned unopened;
c. All cost will be borne by the bidders;
d. The EOI/Technical Bids will be opened in the presence of Bidders or their representatives, CSOs in the areas of Anti-Corruption and Transparency and Private Professional bodies;
e. Goods: Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bids opening, while the financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened;
f. Consultancy Services: Only shortlisted firms will be invited at a later date for collection of Request for Proposals;
g. Arrangement of EOIs/technical documents in hard copies should follow the order in the list above and appropriately paged. The EOIs/technical document should have a table of content indicating the pages, which these items are to be found;
h. This advertisement shall not be considered as commitment on the part of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, nor shall it entitle potential companies to make any claims whatsoever or seek any indemnity from Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission by such Company having responded to this advertisement.
i. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is not bound to pre-qualify/shortlist any Applicant and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
j. Bidders who collected bid based on the earlier advertisement may approach the NUPRC for collection of a new bid or request for a refund.
SIGNED: MANAGEMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“The Commission”) is a Statutory Organization established by the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) No. 2 of 2025. The Commission is empowered by the ISA to Regulate and Develop the Nigerian Capital Market.
To this end, in compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Commission is hereby inviting experienced and reputable NonConsultancy/Service Providers for Expression of Interest for the under-listed Service: LOT NO. PROJECT TITLE LOCATION
A Engagement of NonConsultancy Service Provider: Security Service Guards at the Commission’s Head Office and Zonal Offices. LOT
2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Interested and competent Security Service
Companies wishing to carry out the above NonConsultancy Service are required to submit the following documents, failure to fulfil any of the under-listed requirements will render a bid disqualified:
a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC 1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name is also acceptable;
b. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2025;
c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2025 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above);
d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2025 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above);
e. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2025;
f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2025 or valid Certificate issued by BPP.
g. Sworn Affidavit:
- disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;
- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;
- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings;
- That the company does not have existing loan or financial liability with a bank, other financial institutions or third party that is classified as doubtful, non-performance, bad or whose repayment portion has been outstanding for the last four (4) months;
h. Company’s Audited Financial Statements for the last three (3) years - 2022, 2023 & 2024, duly acknowledged by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and signed by authorized signatories;
i. Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the services when needed;
j. Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the services, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications and geographical spread;
k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least
three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation/Job Completion Certificates;
l. Evidence of Firm’s current registration with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC);
m. For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided indicating among others the Lead Partner (CAC, Tax Clearance Certificate, Pension Clearance Certificate, ITF Compliance Certificate, NSITF Clearance Certificate, IRR & Sworn Affidavit are compulsory for each JV partner);
n. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm;
*Note that documents/information must be arranged and submitted in the sequence/order as listed above
3. SUBMISSION OF EOI DOCUMENTS
Interested Firms/Company are to submit two (2) bound copies of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents, separated by dividers. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria SEC Tower, Plot 272, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja, and clearly marked with the Name of the Project and Lot Number. Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the Bidder and should be deposited in the Tender Box on the first floor, not later than 12:00 noon on Monday, 13th October, 2025.
4. OPENING OF EOI DOCUMENTS
Expression of Interest (EoI) documents will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:15pm on Monday, 13th October, 2025, at the Multi Media Centre (MMC), Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria SEC Tower, Plot 272, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Civil Society Organisations in the areas of Transparency/AntiCorruption, Private Professional Bodies, Bidders or their representatives and members of the public are invited to witness the opening. Please, ensure that you sign the EOI Submission Register at the address stated above, as the Securities and Exchange Commission will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.
5. GENERAL INFORMATION
i. Expressions of Interest must be in English Language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder;
ii. Expressions of Interest submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned unopened;
iii. Only shortlisted vendors will be contacted at a later date for collection of Request for Proposal (RFP);
iv. All costs will be borne by the bidders as the Commission will not be held responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any interested party(ies) in connection with any response to this invitation;
v. Non-compliance with the Conditions stated therein will lead to automatic disqualification of the bidder from the bidding process;
vi. The Commission is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007;
vii. For further enquiries, please contact Procurement & Support Services Department between 9.00 am to 3.30 pm (MondaysFridays) at the address:
Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria, SEC Tower, Plot 272, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja.
House of Representatives recently organised in abuja a national public hearing on the ongoing constitution review. The previous review process by past leadership had delivered so little despite high hopes at the end of the day. But only time will tell if this exercise will not be another waste of public funds as witnessed in previous assemblies. Adedayo Akinwale reports.
Since the advent of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, several attempts have been made to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Political leaders, legal experts and public affairs analysts are of the opinion that the 1999 constitution was handed over to the country by the military and by all standards, it’s a bad document that must be discarded in its entirety.
But some have also argued that while the 1999 constitution is a product of the military, there are aspects of the constitution that are good while some others need to be amended to be able to respond to the current realities and challenges of the moment.
It was against this background that from the Fifth Assembly, efforts have been made to improve the constitution through various amendments. Ever since, each Assembly has initiated a constitutional review process. Unfortunately, it has been turned into a cash cow which each Assembly always looks forward to.
It is on record that a whooping sum of N1 billion is budgeted for the process by each Assembly. This humongous amount is however different from some extra funds released to the committee for unforeseen expenditure which has continued to be shrouded in secrecy.
Be that as it may, checks revealed that between 2011 and now, over ₦12.85 billion has been spent on constitutional amendments. Yet not much progress has been recorded.
For instance, the infamous failed third-term agenda of 2006, the lacklustre 2011 and 2021 exercises, have left many Nigerians skeptical. Little wonder, Nigerians are less enthusiastic about the ongoing process.
Another major impediment that has limited the success of previous constitutional review process is the inability to secure the two third of States Assembly votes for the alteration of some important aspect of the 1999 constitution.
Speaking at the national public hearing on the ongoing constitution review organised by the House of Representatives last week, President Bola Tinubu said the constitution must continually respond to the realities, aspirations, and challenges of the people.
He noted that the ongoing process provides another opportunity to strengthen the country’s institutions, deepen federalism, guarantee fundamental rights, and promote justice, equity, and accountability across all spheres of national life.
Nevertheless, the Constitutional Review Committee disclosed that it has a compendium of 87 proposed amendment bills. With each a response to the felt needs and expressed desires of the Nigerian people.
One of the major proposals for consideration is the devolution of powers. The bill to move policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List. This will enable the creation of state and community police forces. The executive is committed to see the Bill through due to the insecurity ravaging the country. To many Nigerians, it is a direct response to the clarion call for localised solutions to our security challenges.
In addition, proposed bills which aim to tackle the long-standing issue of local government autonomy are also up for consideration. The bills seek to guarantee the financial and administrative independence of local governments, ensuring that development is not an abstract concept dictated from afar, but a tangible reality in the communities. Also, the ongoing process would
consider extensive electoral reforms, including proposals for independent candidacy, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, and a fixed timeline for the determination of pre-election matters to ensure that the will of the people is never again subverted by legal technicalities.
The reserved seats for women proposal Bill is also up for consideration. This is aimed at creating additional seats in the National Assembly and State Assemblies to ensure that every state and senatorial district has women’s voices in lawmaking.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, while commenting on the gender issue said: “This is not tokenism but a constitutional mechanism to accelerate gender inclusion until structural barriers are dismantled.”
He explained that another amendment requires a minimum threshold of women in ministerial appointments to ensure gender balance. These measures, the Speaker said, will make the country’s democracy more representative, the nation’s policies more responsive, and the country more just.
Abbas pledged that the House would conclude the process in a timely manner.
According to him: “Nigerians are weary of constitutional reforms that drag on for years, losing momentum and eroding public trust. We recognise that, after the National Assembly votes on these bills, the State Houses of Assembly must also consider and approve them under Section 9 of the Constitution.
With the pledge by the 10th House and by extension the National Assembly to complete the process in a timely manner without impeding on the electoral calendar, Nigerians are cautiously watching and waiting to see if the process is another waste of resources and exercise in futility or the legislative arm will come through this time around.
“To honour this requirement, we have set clear timelines. We intend to vote on the proposals expeditiously and to transmit them promptly to the State Houses of Assembly so that concurrence can be secured within the current legislative session.
“Reform delayed is reform denied, and Nigerians deserve clarity and closure. By acting decisively, we give the States enough time to debate, deliberate, and endorse the people’s will without the pressure of electoral calendars or political distractions.”
On his part, Deputy Speaker and Chairman, Constitutional Review Committee, Hon. Ben Kalu was of the opinion that the challenges of the 21st century demand a constitution that is not an artifact of the past, but a dynamic blueprint for the future.
According to him, it must be a constitution that is not only legal but also legitimate; one that commands the respect and allegiance of every citizen because they see their hopes, their values, and their fundamental rights reflected in its text.
Kalu, however, clarified that the items and amendment proposals before the assembly are not yet laws. He said at this stage, they are proposals, suggestions, and ideas that have emerged through one of the most inclusive and participatory exercises in Nigeria’s constitutional history.
He explained that the National Public Hearing was the last window of opportunity for those who, for any reason, might have missed the regional sessions.
Speaking on behalf of the Conference of Speakers, Speaker of Bauchi state House of Assembly, Hon Abubakar Suleiman, said the constitution of any nation is the supreme guide and the living framework through which citizens, institutions and government interact.
He said Nigeria’s experience has shown that no constitution is ever perfect or minor, saying it must remain a work in progress, evolving to the realities, aspirations and challenges of the people it governs.
Global icons swap champagnes for speedboats as Lagos throws a
In this report, Sunday Ehigiator examines how the journey from ‘Watchdog to Target’ defines the ordeal of veteran journalist Azuka Ogujiuba, whose recent experience has reignited fears over Nigeria’s shrinking press freedom; as what began as a professional duty to inform the public about a subsisting court order quickly descended into an episode of police intimidation, arrest, and detention
When Azuka Ogujiuba, a well-known journalist with nearly three decades in the industry, received a routine police invitation in July 2025, she thought it would be a matter easily resolved with her lawyers present.
What followed, however, was a chain of events she describes as “a nightmare.”; one that has raised troubling questions about police impartiality, press freedom, and the power of money in Nigeria’s justice system.
Ogujiuba, a contributor to THISDAY and founder of Media Room Hub, says her “crime” was publishing a buyer-beware notice on Instagram concerning a parcel of land at Hampton Estate, Osapa, Lagos.
According to her, the cautionary post was based on a court order, a public document, that restrained Oretol Nigeria Limited and its alter ego, businessman Mr Adewale Oladapo, from selling or dealing in the land pending a suit brought by Capital Garden Limited.
But rather than acknowledge the publication as lawful, she alleges, the police acted on a petition filed against her by Mr Oladapo’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Muiz Banire, SAN, accusing her of defamation.
Who is Azuka Ogujiuba
To understand the weight of this case, one must first understand the woman at its centre.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Azuka Ogujiuba entered journalism in the 1990s, cutting her teeth on human-interest stories before becoming known for her bold society reporting. Over time, she carved a reputation as both fearless and meticulous; a journalist who combined a keen eye for detail with an instinct for stories that matter.
Her career, spanning close to 30 years, has been without scandal or disciplinary blemish. She has interviewed presidents, profiled business moguls, and built relationships across industries. In 2016, she founded Media Room Hub, which quickly became a trusted source for entertainment, lifestyle, and social commentary.
“She is not a fly-by-night blogger,” said one of her colleagues in the industry, Ayodeji Ake. “Azuka has paid her dues. If you say journalism in Nigeria, her name must come up. She’s a professional to the core.”
So when, in March 2025, she published a notice about a disputed land deal, it was not an unusual act. It was a fulfilment of her journalistic and civic duty, and more importantly, a direct compliance with a court order.
The Land at the Heart of the Dispute Court documents reveal the roots of the conflict. In 2020, Capital Garden Limited purchased several hectares of land at Hampton Estate, Osapa, Lagos, from Oretol Nigeria Limited and Mr Oladapo for ₦5.3 billion. The transaction was formalised with a deed of sublease and a survey plan.
But years later, Capital Garden accused Oretol Nigeria of attempting to resell the same property to new buyers. In March 2025, Justice E.O. Ashade of the Lagos High Court granted an interim injunction,
restraining Oretol and Oladapo from marketing or selling the land until the substantive case was determined.
The court also directed that the public be notified of the restraining order. Hence, Ogujiuba and other media outlets published buyer-beware notices to warn potential investors.
An Invitation Turned Ordeal
On July 8, 2025, Ogujiuba, while speaking with THISDAY, said, “On July 8, 2025, I received a WhatsApp message from one Josphine Ometere, who identified herself as a police officer from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). She forwarded an invitation to me requiring my appearance for an interview at their Abuja office on July 22, 2025.
“The said date was inconvenient. I informed my lawyer, who wrote back to reschedule the appointment for August 6, 2025.
“On the said August 6, 2025, I honoured the invite in the company of my lawyers and was interrogated by a police woman called lfy Ogoli. I was informed that the petition against me stemmed from my publication of the ruling of the High Court of Lagos State, which directed that the pendency of a suit before it be published to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from purchasing the subject matter of the dispute before the Court.
“Ify Ogoli informed me that the petition was written by one Mr Muiz Banire, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for his client, Mr Adewale Oladapo.
“My publication on Instagram that prompted the petition against me stemmed from my justified report of the order of the High Court of Lagos State, (Coram Honourable Justice E.O. Ashade), sitting at the Yaba Judicial Division in Suit No. LD/9195GCMW/2025 between Capital Garden Limited v. Oretol Nigeria Limited & Adewale Oladapo.
“The suit filed by Capital Garden Limited as Plaintiffs arose on its purchase of some hectares of land being at Hampton Estate, Osapa, Lagos, from
the Defendants, Oretol Nigeria Limited and Adewale Oladapo, sometime in 2020 and for which the agreed purchase price of N5.3 billion was fully paid and receipt acknowledged by Oretol Nigeria Limited and Mr Adewale Oladapo in several correspondences. The sale of the parcel of land to Capital Garden Limited was documented in a duly executed Deed of Sublease and a Survey plan.
“Surprisingly however, Oretol Nigeria Limited having utilized the purchase price for about half a decade to sand fill several parcels of the land, has now with a volte face sought to sell the parcel of land to supposed ‘New Takers’ and generally unsuspecting members of the public to raise funds with which the Defendants, Oretol Nigeria Limited and Adewale Oladapo intend to refund Capital Garden Limited.
“To this end, the Claimant, as Applicant, filed a motion seeking several interim reliefs from the High Court of Lagos State. The motion was granted on March 25, 2025 and orders made restraining Oretol Nigeria Limited, its alter ego, agents, privies, assigns, associates, nominees or any special officers or other persons(s) howsoever described and called from entering, trespassing, using or dealing with all that parcel of land measuring approximately 4 Hectares situate and being at Hampton Estate (Also known as Eletu Odibo Island) Osapa, Lagos State pending the filing of the substantive suit, and hearing/ determination of any Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction.
“By the said Order of Court made on March 25, 2025, Oretol Nigeria Limited, its Director- Adewale Oladapo, its agent, privies, agents, any person or agency acting through the Defendants were restrained from marketing, attempting to sell and or selling, transferring, alienating or assigning the subject parcel of land {subject of litigation} to any third party pending the filing of the substantive suit, and hearing/ determination of any Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction.
“Also, a further Order was made directing the Claimant to notify the general public of the restraining orders of Court on the Defendants vide Media/ Newspaper, alerting the unsuspecting general public/potential buyers of the Defendants’ conduct and discouraging third parties from engaging with the Defendants regarding all that parcel of land measuring approximately 4 hectares situate at Hampton Estate, Osapa, Lagos. “It was pursuant to the above highlighted Court orders (which is a public document) and the truth of what transpired in the Court that I, Azuka Ogujiuba, the owner of Media Room Hub and indeed other media houses, published a caution to the public in form of ‘Buyer Beware’ notices in line with the Court order to notify the general public of the pending litigation, the restraining orders made by Honourable Justice Ashade of the High Court of Lagos State and to advise the public as directed by the Court against dealing with the subject property whether by way of lease, purchase or from carrying on any construction work thereon pending the determination of the pending suit.”
Despite her explanation and submission of the court order, Ogujiuba alleged that police investigators insisted she retract her post and tender an apology to Mr Oladapo.
“They told me point-blank that Mr Oladapo had ordered my humiliation and that I would not be released until I complied,” she alleges. Although she was initially granted bail on August 6, events took a darker turn two days later.
On August 8, she was rearrested in what she described as “Gestapo style” and detained for three days at Asokoro Police Station. According to her, “I was tracked down to where I was carrying out my official assignment through my GPS like a common criminal, embarrassed and abducted in the presence of my interviewee, and other well-meaning Nigerians present.”
During her detention, she says she was denied access to her lawyers, coerced into
deleting her Instagram posts, and forced to sign an apology under duress.
“I was dehumanised, intimidated, and harassed into submission,” she said. “The police went beyond their legal powers and acted like enforcers for a private businessman.”
The Paradox of Unanswered Police Invitations
In a twist of irony, Ogujiuba points out that while she was swiftly arrested and detained for honouring a police invitation, Mr Oladapo has allegedly failed to honour a police summons over petitions against him.
According to her, “I would ordinarily expect that Mr Adewale Oladapo, who knows how to use the instrumentality of the law, by instructing his lawyer, Mr Muiz Banire, SAN, to write a petition against me to the Nigeria Police Force, leading to my arrest and detention, should himself honour the outstanding police invitation extended to him.
“From my findings, I am aware that Capital Gardens Limited and its alter ego, Dr Kennedy Okonkwo, had caused a petition to be written by their lawyer to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which petition was referred to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and assigned to the X squad for investigation.
“The petition bothered on Fraudulent Conversion of Property, Obtaining by False Pretense, and Multiple Fraudulent Alienations in respect of 4 Hectares of land at Hampton Island Estate, 1.5 hectares of land at Hampton Habour, 8,000SQM of land at Hampton Bay and 1,000 SQM of land at Banana Island for which the sums of N3.5 Billion, N1.8 Billion, N800 Million, and N783 Million Naira respectively were paid to and received/duly acknowledged by Mr. Adewale Oladapo and his company Oretol Nigeria Limited.
“In the course of their investigation, the X squad of the Lagos State Police Command invited Mr Adewale Oladapo to come and answer to the allegations against him, and he has since refused to honour the police invitation, claiming to have travelled out of Nigeria.
“Whereas, the said Adewale Oladapo has been seen attending parties in Abuja while refusing to honour a police investigation in a petition against him, just the way I did as a responsible citizen.
“In the circumstance, the question that begs for an answer is whether Mr Adewale Oladapo is above the law, untouchable, too big to honour a police invite to answer to allegations of crimes against him and his company or operates under a different set of laws from ordinary Nigerians.
“The answers to the above posers will be seen in the coming days or weeks as Nigerians are urged to keenly watch developments in the petition against Mr. Adewale Oladapo and his company to see whether the Nigeria Police Force will act as swiftly as they did to arrest and detain me even when I had voluntarily honoured their invitation and was granted bail, or they will continue to sit and watch as a suspect against whom criminal allegations bothering on huge sums of money has been made, and who has refused to honour a police invitation is allowed to roam the country with a retinue of policemen attached to him while refusing to honour a police invitation over allegations of crime against him.”
Bigger Problem
Ogujiuba’s ordeal underscores two long-
standing issues in Nigeria: land-related fraud and the misuse of police powers.
Property disputes, especially in Lagos, have often been marred by allegations of “multiple sales” and fraudulent conveyancing. Experts say such disputes thrive because of weak enforcement of court orders and collusion between influential businessmen and corrupt elements in law enforcement.
Equally troubling is the recurring pattern of journalists and whistleblowers facing police intimidation for doing their jobs. Press freedom advocates note that the Constitution guarantees the right to free expression and the duty of the press to hold power accountable.
“What happened to Azuka is not just her story,” a senior journalist who asked not to be named said. “It’s a warning shot to the entire media industry that powerful individuals can deploy state institutions to silence inconvenient truths.”
Beyond the personal ordeal of Ogujiuba also lies a larger concern about journalism practice in Nigeria. The country has a troubling record on press freedom. According to Reporters Without Borders, Nigeria ranks poorly on the World Press Freedom Index, with frequent cases of journalists facing harassment, arrest, and violence.
In 2016, journalist Jones Abiri was detained for two years without trial. In 2019, Agba Jalingo was arrested and charged with treason for reporting on corruption. Even more recently, reporters covering a fire disaster on Lagos Island, Nigeria, were harassed right on live camera, just to mention a few incidents.
Ogujiuba’s case fits into this pattern. By allegedly criminalising a lawful publication, going further to arrest and detain the reporter for three days, while allegedly coercing her to delete the said publication, the police have sent a clear written message: that journalists can be punished not only for falsehoods, but also for truths that inconvenience the powerful.
For Ogujiuba, the ordeal has left her with more questions than answers. “Why would a SAN file a petition against me for publishing a court order? Why did the police insist on an apology to a private citizen as a condition for my release? Why does one man seem untouchable while the law is weaponised against journalists?”
Her experience, she argues, earmarks a double standard in Nigeria’s justice system; one where it’s believed in public parlance that wealth and connections often tilt the scales.
Efforts to obtain Mr Adewale Oladapo’s reaction to the allegations proved abortive. He neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to him before press time.
Ogujiuba’s ordeal raises pressing questions about accountability, both for the police and for businessmen who appear shielded by influence. “Today, it’s me,” she said. “Tomorrow, it could be any journalist who dares to report the truth.”
For now, the case has become more than a personal battle. It is a test of whether Nigeria’s justice system can truly protect the weak from the strong, the citizen from the state, and the truth from being silenced.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has pledged to deepen the country’s noninterest finance market in partnership with Metropolitan Skills Limited and Metropolitan Law Firm.
As Africa’s leading Islamic finance platform, the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) convened its 2025 Pitch Competition in Abuja on Saturday.
The event, held in Abuja, was part of the pre-conference activities leading up to the 7th AICIF, scheduled for November. It brought together innovators, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs under the theme: “Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.”
Delivering her opening remarks, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Conference Chair and Chairman, Board of Directors of Metropolitan Skills Limited, said the collaboration with SEC was a “historic step” for positioning Nigeria at the centre of Africa’s ethical finance revolution.
“Together, we are working to strengthen the foundation of Islamic finance across Africa, expanding its reach into the capital markets to create new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said.
“Islamic finance is not just an abstract set of ideals. Its principles of fairness, risk-sharing, and social responsibility are practical tools for building economies that serve people, not just profits.”
For the SEC, the collaboration signals its commitment to broadening Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Abdulkadir Abbas, Director at the SEC, told PRNigeria that the regulator has already developed a robust framework for non-interest capital markets.
“As regulators of the capital market, we are keen on developing all segments, including non-interest finance. We have frameworks that cover fintechs, crowdfunding, and even Sharia-compliant tokenisation.
“ This partnership allows us to create awareness, attract innovators,
and build a resilient, ethical finance system in Nigeria,” Abbas said.
He further highlighted the SEC’s 10-year master plan for non-interest finance, which is set to expire this year, noting that the regulator had introduced innovative products such as Sukuk to support infrastructure financing.
Ms Yinlaifa Edolo, Managing Director of Metropolitan Skills Ltd., explained that hosting the pitch competition ahead of the leading conference reflects Metropolitan’s resolve to build an ecosystem where ethical finance drives real innovation.
“The N5 million grant is not just a prize. It serves as seed capital for transforming bold ideas into enterprises that can reshape entire industries. Our focus is to inspire startups, support small businesses, and show that halal and ethical finance can power inclusive growth in Africa,” she said.
Backing this view, Abimbola Ajinibi, Regional Manager, First Trustees, a longtime partner of Metropolitan, said the last decade has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Nigeria’s Islamic finance space.
“Ten years ago, there was little awareness about instruments like Waqf, Sukuk, or ethical crowdfunding. Today, we have federal and state Sukuk projects worth over a trillion naira financing roads, schools, and hospitals. We’ve moved from theory to real impact,” he said.
Industry experts believe that by incorporating Islamic finance principles into Africa’s economic development, countries like Nigeria can establish more resilient financial systems that address unemployment, poverty, and inequality while remaining competitive in global markets.
As preparations build up to the November AICIF conference, the Abuja pitch competition has set the stage for regulators, innovators, and investors to work together in driving Africa’s halal economy and advancing inclusive prosperity.
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Besides Abuja, leaders at the subnational levels should be held to account, writes BAMIDELE
See page 21
DELTA AND THE PEACE AGENDA
DANIEL
OMAMAGBE argues that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of distrust, hostility or violence
Leaders cannot lift the lid without committing to growth as a way of life, argues LINUS OKORIE See page 21
Businesses often rise on the back of circumstances outside the leader’s control. Timing, luck, or market forces can catapult a small idea into a larger stage. A new product might land just as customer demand peaks. A global shift might suddenly make a service relevant. An investor might take a gamble at the right moment. These strokes of fortune are factors in the journey of many enterprises. But what creates early momentum is not always what sustains it. This is why so many businesses become one-hit wonders; brilliant in their breakthrough, but unable to repeat the feat. The difference between organizations that rise and stay relevant, and those that fade after the initial spark, is almost always leadership. And when leadership stalls, so does the organization.
This is known as the lid effect. A leader becomes the ceiling of growth, the limit beyond which the organization cannot push. Teams can be motivated, markets can still be open, but the organization will never exceed the leader’s capacity. It is not a comfortable truth, yet it is one every leader must confront.
Luck, in its many forms, is a powerful accelerant. History is full of leaders who stumbled onto opportunity. Some entrepreneurs launched products that went viral on social media, riding a wave they did not plan. Others were in the right place at the right time, catching investor attention when capital was flowing freely. Still others benefited from broader forces like an economic boom, a regulatory change, or a sudden gap in the market. For a season, these leaders looked unstoppable. But luck, by definition, is unpredictable. It cannot be repeated on command, nor can it be passed down as a playbook. When leaders mistake fortune for strategy, they quickly discover that momentum without depth is fragile. The market may have given them a push, but only leadership can build a structure strong enough to hold the weight of success.
Organizations plateau when their leaders’ plateau. Growth is not just about size, revenue, or market share; it is about the vision, decisions, and habits of the person guiding the team. A leader who avoids learning creates a culture where curiosity dies. A leader who clings to control stifles initiative and discourages creativity. A leader who lacks emotional awareness fosters mistrust and disengagement. The organization mirrors the leader’s limitations. For a while, external success may mask the problem. Teams keep pushing, customers keep buying, numbers keep rising. But eventually the ceiling shows. Opportunities are missed. Talent leaves. Competitors move faster. The business has reached the limit of its
leader’s growth. Examples of the lid effect are scattered across industries. Blockbuster Video dominated entertainment for years, but its leadership failed to reimagine the model in time. The arrival of digital streaming was not the end of Blockbuster; it was leadership’s inability to evolve that sealed its fate. Yahoo, once a titan of the internet, missed multiple opportunities to acquire companies like Google and Facebook. It was not a lack of resources but a failure of vision and conviction at the top. Even in the startup world, rapid funding often proves fatal when founders cannot transition from being operators to being executives. Their companies collapse not because the money ran out but because leadership capacity never grew to match the new scale. The lid was never external. It was always at the top.
One of the greatest dangers leaders face is relying on yesterday’s knowledge. Markets evolve with breathtaking speed. Marketing channels shift from traditional ads to digital platforms to viral content in the span of a few years. Customers expect faster responses and deeper personalization. Teams are no longer content with command-and-control management; they want empowerment and purpose. A leader still making decisions with the mindset of five years ago is already out of step. Experience becomes a liability when it blinds a leader to change. Yesterday’s success stories turn into tomorrow’s blind spots.
The challenge is that many leaders do not see themselves as the barrier. Yet signs often reveal the truth. Ideas stop flowing upward because people assume they will be dismissed. High performers quietly exit while mediocrity thrives. Meetings feel like bottlenecks, where decisions pile up on one desk instead of being distributed across capable hands. Leaders hold on to tasks they should have delegated long ago, afraid to let go. At a deeper level, they secretly fear growth because they sense it will expose their own inadequacies. These are not failures of intelligence but failures of growth. And they are solvable, if the leader chooses.
The way forward is continuous learning. Leaders cannot lift the lid without
committing to growth as a way of life. That means staying curious, reading widely, seeking new perspectives, and exposing themselves to challenges that stretch their thinking. It means surrounding themselves with people who know more, not less, and creating space for those voices to influence decisions. It means inviting feedback, even when it is uncomfortable, and resisting the urge to defend old patterns. Growth also means trying new approaches, experimenting with tools, and remaining willing to unlearn what no longer works.
Personal development is not an indulgence for leaders. It is the foundation of long-term success. The daily disciplines that sharpen clarity and resilience matter more than any short burst of training. Reflection, journaling, coaching, mentoring, and even physical routines that keep the body strong. These practices build the inner resources needed for sustained leadership. Leaders who neglect them discover too late that external achievements cannot compensate for internal stagnation.
The best leaders prepare for growth before it arrives. They expand their capacity in anticipation of what will be required, not in reaction to what is already overwhelming them. If their team has ten people, they learn how to lead fifty. If they are local, they study global dynamics. If their systems handle steady revenue, they plan for the strain of triple growth. This proactive approach keeps them ahead of the curve, ready to seize opportunities without being crushed by them.
The organizations that endure are led by men and women who never confuse luck with leadership, who never assume that yesterday’s knowledge will solve tomorrow’s problems, and who never stop stretching beyond their current limits. They know the lid effect is real, but they also know it is not permanent. The ceiling can always be raised when the leader chooses to grow.
Okorie MFR is a leadership development expert spanning 30 years in the research, teaching and coaching of leadership in Africa and across the world. He is the CEO of the GOTNI Leadership Centre.
DANIEL OMAMAGBE argues that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of distrust, hostility or violence
Delta State, one of Nigeria’s most diverse and resource-rich regions, is often celebrated for its cultural vibrancy, economic potential, and strategic position in the Niger Delta. Yet, beneath the promise lies a delicate balance: sustaining peace among its multi-ethnic communities.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori understands this reality, and on the occasion of the 2025 International Day of Peace, he issued a profound reminder in Warri: “Without peace, diversity could become a weakness instead of a strength.” His words, delivered under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, underscored an urgent truth — that peace is not an abstract aspiration for tomorrow, but an immediate responsibility for today. Delta State is home to Ijaw,Isoko, Itsekiri, Urhobo, and other ethnic groups. Its communities, while bound by shared geography, have sometimes been divided by competing interests over land, resources, and politics. Governor Oborevwori’s warning that diversity without peace risks becoming a weakness is rooted in these lived realities. “Infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and markets will mean little or nothing if communities remain in conflict,” he told the audience in Warri. This message strikes at the heart of governance in multi-ethnic societies. Development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of distrust, hostility, or violence. A well-built hospital means nothing if patients fear traveling there. A state-ofthe-art school will remain underutilized if insecurity drives families away. Markets lose their vitality if buyers and sellers are divided by fear rather than united by commerce. For Oborevwori, peace is not just another agenda item; it is the foundation upon which every other policy, from healthcare to infrastructure is built. Governor Oborevwori has consistently emphasized that the MORE Agenda — Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security, is inseparable from the pursuit of peace. “Every policy of my administration under the MORE Agenda is anchored on sustaining unity and harmony across the state,” he reiterated at the International Day of Peace commemoration. This is not rhetoric. Across Delta, the government’s interventions in infrastructure, education, and healthcare are strategically paired with deliberate investments in peace-building. The logic is simple: without peace, development is fragile and unsustainable. One of the governor’s most significant tools in promoting harmony is the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, a body tasked with mediating disputes and preventing conflicts from escalating. Oborevwori noted that the council had been instrumental, especially in coastal communities, where tensions over land, fishing rights, and resource sharing often simmered. By bringing stakeholders together — traditional rulers, community
leaders, and government representatives — the council has resolved disputes that could have easily spiraled into violence. The governor’s appeal was equally direct: “Peace begins with tolerance, dialogue, and selfless service. I urge youths, women, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, civil society, and leaders to become custodians of peace.” This inclusive approach reflects an understanding that peace cannot be legislated into existence. It must be cultivated at every level of society, beginning in homes and communities. At the Warri event, Sir Edwin Uzor, Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, reinforced the governor’s message. He described the 2025 theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, as a wake-up call to stop postponing peace. “Peace must begin in every home, community, and heart,” Uzor said, stressing that the administration’s deliberate peace efforts had created the enabling environment for monumental projects across Warri and beyond. Indeed, many residents attest that the calmer atmosphere in recent years has encouraged investment and facilitated infrastructural development. Roads are being rehabilitated, health centers are receiving upgrades, and educational institutions are experiencing renewal, gains that would be impossible in a climate of persistent unrest.
Delta’s history has shown both the costs of conflict and the rewards of peace. The region’s oil-rich lands have often been flashpoints for resource- related violence, militancy, and environmental protests. These conflicts did not only destabilize communities; they disrupted oil production, cutting into national revenue and reducing local opportunities. Conversely, periods of calm have always unleashed waves of progress. Investments in agriculture, trade, and urban renewal thrive in peaceful conditions. Youths, who are often drawn into violence when excluded, find opportunities in skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and employment when peace reigns. This is the balance Governor Oborevwori seeks to preserve. His message in Warri was not merely symbolic; it was strategic. By situating peace at the center of governance, he is laying a sustainable foundation for Delta’s economic and social transformation.
Omamagbe, writes from Agbor, Delta State
Besides Abuja, leaders at the subnational levels should be held to account, writes BAMIDELE ATOYEBI
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy and his decision to grant local government autonomy have fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s public finance.
Billions of naira now flow directly to state governments and local councils every month far more than in previous years. Yet, despite this new reality, public anger, social media debates, and street conversations still target only the President, as if he controls every road, school, and health centre in the country.
This misplaced focus is at the heart of Nigeria’s accountability crisis. We blame Abuja for every ungraded road, every nonfunctioning hospital, every unpaid salary even when the responsibility, and now the money, lies with our state governments, local government chairmen, councillors and state assemblies.
A recent example illustrates this. Social media influencer Tacha sparked a heated debate when she questioned why Nigerians always direct their frustrations at the President rather than at their governors, local government officials, and legislators who are closest to the people.
Her comments struck a nerve because they mirror a hard truth: even when allocations to states and local governments rise, citizens rarely track how the funds are used.
Since the removal of subsidy, allocations from the Federation Account have surged to record highs. Billions of naira are now transferred monthly to states and local governments. But instead of massive local infrastructure projects or improved public services, we keep seeing stories of frivolous foreign trips and training tours that yield no tangible benefits for Nigerians at home.
When wives of local government chairmen in Adamawa reportedly planned a “study tour” abroad, the outrage was muted compared to the daily criticisms directed at the President even though this money comes from local coffers, not the Presidency.
Official data confirms the trend: allocations to states from the Federation Account have surged since the removal of fuel subsidy. For instance, Adamawa reportedly received about ₦8.4 billion from FAAC in February 2024 alone. However, there is no easily accessible, verified public record showing exactly how much Adamawa State was getting before subsidy removal for the same period.
This lack of transparency itself is a problem. Citizens should be able to easily track these figures and compare them over time. Without that, it becomes difficult to hold leaders at the subnational level accountable.
This is why accountability and policy monitoring is sounding this call. Nigerians must not only demand to
know “how much” is coming in but also which office is in charge of what. Governors control state budgets, not the President. Local government chairmen manage local allocations, not ministers in Abuja. Councillors pass local bye-laws and oversee grassroots development. Senators and members of the House of Representatives legislate and represent their constituencies at the federal level, but they do not control state or local funds.
Unfortunately, most Nigerians cannot even name their own local government chairman, councillor, senator, or House of Representatives member let alone describe their roles.
This knowledge gap allows elected officials at these levels to escape scrutiny while all the blame is piled on the President. Without knowing who does what, citizens cannot ask the right questions or demand the right answers.
If we continue to point fingers only at the President while ignoring the people we elect closest to us, we will never get the development we desire. Citizens, the media, and civil society must begin to track allocations at state and local levels, compare them with projects on the ground, and demand explanations when money meant for development ends up funding luxury trips abroad.
This is not just a call for criticism; it is a call for enlightenment. Every Nigerian should know which tier of government is responsible for which service. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission publish FAAC data but this information must be simplified, published widely, and used to drive citizen action. Only then can we build a culture of accountability that matches the new fiscal reality created by subsidy removal and local financial government autonomy. President Tinubu has done his part by creating a policy environment where states and LGAs have more resources and more independence. Atoyebi is National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring, and Publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
The cost of the damage to the economy is huge
The report by MTN Nigeria that it experienced 5,478 fibre optic cable cuts between January and July 2025 is disturbing, with the company warning that the recurring disruptions are damaging service quality and slowing digital growth. “When the network is bad, it is often because someone somewhere has cut a cable,” the company’s Public Relations Manager, Lakinbofa Goodluck, told participants at a stakeholders’ conference in Lagos last week. “We make money when you browse and make calls. How do we make more money when people complain of a bad network?”
It is indeed unfortunate that at a time the nation is facing serious economic challenges, there are unpatriotic elements hell-bent on sabotaging government efforts and throwing their fellow citizens into hardship. It is therefore time that the authorities took serious measures against these criminals. We recall that following the growing threat of vandalism of facilities in the sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had in 2017 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The objective was to protect telecommunication facilities in the country. Sadly, the problem persists.
We call on host communities to help by way of real-time intelligence and information to the security agencies whenever they notice deliberate destruction of infrastructure
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
Authorities in the country must take the issue of vandalism of equipment seriously, especially in the telecoms sector. The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) of the federal government is aimed at repositioning and diversifying the economy by taking advantage of the opportunities that digital technologies provide. The policy is supposed to help curb the over-dependence on oil and gas as the fulcrum of the economy. And, going by the recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the telecommunications sector has shown potential to act as a catalyst for national economic growth and development.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI
SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI
CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
For years, the NCC has bemoaned the incessant destruction of telecommunication infrastructure and the significant negative impact it has on the quality of service to the consumers. The impact of vandalism of infrastructure, according to the NCC, is felt by all in the quality of services rendered as it results in increasing drop calls, data and internet connectivity disruptions, aborted and undelivered short messaging services (SMS), as well as countless failed calls. It is perhaps due to the foregoing that the regulator has been in the vanguard of advocacy against the menace of the destruction of the facilities, which includes theft of generators, batteries, and even fuel at Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) as well relentless fibre cuts by both vandals and government officials during road constructions. There is no doubt that incidents of theft and equipment vandalism are costing the nation huge sums of money. But more worrying is that the immediate consequence of this criminality is that life is made more difficult for law abiding citizens. The NCC must continue to cultivate the buy-in of state governments for effective coordination between the various states' ministries of works and road contractors with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to prevent damage to fibre infrastructure during road construction, rehabilitation, and expansion. What is particularly worrying is that the security agencies have a long history of tough words that have been of no effect as the criminally minded people within the society get increasingly emboldened. It is therefore incumbent on all the critical stakeholders to come up with a solution that will work. But the bottomline remains that we must protect these vital assets of the nation from the grip of criminals. It is in everyone’s overall interest. We call on host communities to help by way of real-time intelligence and information to the security agencies whenever they notice deliberate destruction of infrastructure. They should consider it a patriotic duty to join in the fight against vandalism of critical national assets like telecoms equipment.
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It was September 26, 1992, 25 years ago, that Nigeria was shaken by one of the deadliest air disasters in its military history. A C-130H Hercules aircraft, carrying about 158 officers from various arms of the Armed Forces, took off from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Within three minutes, the plane crashed into the swamps of Ejigbo, Lagos, ending all lives on board.
For the families left behind, the tragedy was more than a headline. It was a moment when time stood still. One of the families recalls the day vividly:
“When the news broke on the 9 o’clock Network News, our home fell into sudden silence. Those who understood cried out in anguish. The grief was so heavy it spread like fire, leaving us overwhelmed and broken. At first, we were sad because our mother was sad. But soon, we realised why — the last time we saw our father was the last time we would ever see him again.”
In the days that followed, sympathisers poured into homes across Nigeria.
Some sat in silence, offering comfort through presence. Others shared words of encouragement. And there were those whose cries were louder than the bereaved themselves. Eventually, burials were held, sympathisers dispersed, and families were left to face the harsh realities of life without their loved ones.
A quarter of a century later, survivors and families of the fallen reflect not only on their loss but also on their resilience. “Grief and sorrow did not win,” one family member says. “We learned to laugh again because we had cried too deeply. We learned to value abundance because we once knew want. We learned to treasure life because we had felt the sting of death.”
The tragedy left scars, but it also forged strength. Many acknowledge that grief has a way of blinding people to the
blessings they still possess. Yet, through faith and resilience, families of the fallen officers overcame despair.
The Ejigbo crash remains a national tragedy — not just for the Nigerian Armed Forces but for the nation as a whole. Husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends were lost, leaving behind grieving wives, children, parents, and siblings.
“In the end, we found victory over grief,” the family reflects. “We lost earthly fathers, but we discovered the presence of a higher Father —ever-sufficient, ever-victorious. RIP Dad, we miss you always.”
As the nation remembers, the story of the Ejigbo crash is not only one of sorrow but also one of resilience, faith, and the power to rise above grief.
2025 Foundation Course/Induction under the Mandatory Continuous Public Procurement Capacity Development Training Programme (FC-MCPPCDTP)
1. The Bureau, as part of its functions as stipulated in Part II, Sections 5(k & s) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and in line with Federal Government Extant Circulars, hereby announces the commencement of 2025 Foundation Course/Induction under the Mandatory Continuous Public Procurement Capacity Development Training Programme (FC-MCPPCDTP) for all public procuring and disposal entities under the three arms of the Federa l Governmen
Agencies, Federal Government Institutions, Federal Governmento w n e d E n t e r p r i s e s , C o r
Commissions provided that they utilize public funds, Federal Tertiary and Non-Tertiary Educational Institutions, Federal Hospitals and other Health Institutions, the Central Bank of Nigeria and other Federal Government Owned Financial Institutions, the National Defence and National Security Agencies, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary for the Year 2025, Finance Act 2023 as amended in Section 15 of PPA 2007
2. This training is residency-based and specifically designed f o r O ffi c
( In d u c t i o n ) a n d t h
Departments/Units (Conversion) into the Procurement Cadre and restricted to staff on Salary Grade Level 13 and below, or its equivalent. Please note that this does not amount to acquiring a professional certification.
3. A cc o u n t i n g O ffi c e r s / C E O s a
d t o nominate qualified officer(s), in line with the Scheme of Service for the Procurement Cadre, to participate in the training based on the criteria below.
Selection criteria
i. Compliance with the Head of Service of the Federation Circular with Ref No HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/CND 10
/III/102 dated April 12, 2021. (download a copy from the Bureau's website; www@bpp.gov.ng);
ii. All Procuring Entities are to ensure compliance with the Circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HCSF/685/1/24, dated February 4, 2005, on the “Creation of the Procurement Officer Cadre,” particularly with respect to the prescribed qualifications
iii. Only staff on Salary Grade Level 13 and below, or its equivalent, shall be considered for conversion;
vii.All returning nominees must be endorsed by their respective Accounting Officers with evidence of their previous nominations;
viii. Curriculum Vitae (CV), First Appointment, Confirmation, last Promotion letters (if any), and Academic qualifications must be attached to the nomination letter;
ix. Procurement Officers from State Procurement Agencies, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)/ States Tertiary Institutions receiving funds from TETFUND, such as Universities, Colleges of Education and Polytechnics and Monotechnics are advised to participate;
iv. Only candidates with nomination letters duly endorsed by their Accounting Officers will be considered;
v. T he tra ining pro gra m m e is not open to P r iva te S e cto r Procurement Entities;
vi. All Officers directly employed in the procurement cadre without the Bureau's Inductio n certificates must be duly released for the training, including Procurement Officers employed by the Federal Civil Service Commission and Agencies;
x. Only those who met the criteria would be shortlisted and published accordingly;
xi. All nominees must complete their nomination individually via https://bit.ly/mcppcdtp2025;
xii.P r o c u r
logistics for the shortlisted officer(s) for the training; and xiii. E v i d e n c
attached along with the nomination letter
xiv Criteria No. 4 (i, iii, xiii) does not apply to STATES Nominees.
xv Procuring entities are required to attach a certified true copy of the nominal roll of their procurement officers.
xvi. NOTE: This call for nominations is specifically for NON-POOL OFFICERS.
5. The Bureau reserves the right, prior to or post the training programme, to withdraw or cancel the eligibility and attendance of any candidate found to have misrepresented information without incurring any liability
6. For additional enquiries, please get in touch with the following Nos:- 08033522703, 08036453275, 08058004959 or send
www.bpp.gov.ng.
7 This programme is scheduled to be held from Sunday, th th 16 November to Saturday, 6 December 2025, at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, Lagos State
8. The submission must be done using the approved template and s u b m i t t e d b
mcppcdtp@bpp.gov.ng and the address below, respectively, on or before 5.00 pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and shall be addressed to:
The Director-General/CEO Bureau of Public Procurement, Floor 2, Bank of Industry (BOI), Tower 2 Plot 256, Zone A O Off, Herbert Macaulay Way Abuja.
Signed: Management
Kayode tokede
On the back of sustained positive performance in the first half of 2025, four banks and 11 other companies listed on the local bourse rewarded their shareholders with a whooping N254.6 billion interim dividend.
The N254.6 billion interim dividend for half year ended June 30, 2025, represents a 2.3 per cent increase over N248.9 billion in H1 ended June 30, 2024.
This effort, market watchers say, reflects Nigerian companies’ mixed
financial performance in H1 2025 and commitment to sharing profits with their investors.
The dividend declarations, they stressed, are expected to boost investor confidence and attract more investment to the capital market.
THISDAY investigation showed that the 15 companies declared N1.79 trillion profit after tax, about 17 per cent decline when compared to N2.15 trillion declared in H1 2024.
A further breakdown revealed that just four banks out of the 15 firms
reported N1.49 trillion profit after tax, about 22.2 per cent decline from Nn1.92 trillion reported in H1 2024. Cumulatively, they rewarded shareholders with N137.8 billion interim dividend, a 11.2 per cent decline from N155.14 billion in H1 2024.
The four banks are: Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO).
Stanbic IBTC Holdings paid the highest interim dividend, declaring N2.50
per ordinary share of 50 kobo each. This translates to a total interim dividend of N39.75 billion in H1 2025 from N25.9 billion in H1 2024.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings is also the only bank with significant increase in profit, reporting N173.43 billion in H1 2025, representing an increase of 49 per cent from N116.4 billion in H1 2024.
Zenith Bank, the country’s largest lender by market capitalisation, followed closely, approving an interim dividend of N1.25 per share
across its 41,069,830,001 issued shares. This amounts to about N51.34billion in H1 2025, up by 63.5 per cent from N31.4billion in H1 2024.
The lender, however, announced N532.18 billion profit, about a 7.9 per cent decline from N577.99 billion in H1 2024.
GTCO also announced a significant payout, rewarding shareholders with N1 per share, amounting to N34.14billion for H1 2025 from N29.4 billion in H1 2024.
The N34.14 billion is on the backdrop of a hike in
outstanding shares and N449.01 billion profit in H1 2025, about 50 per cent drop from N905.6 billion in H1 2024.
GTCO’s interim dividend decision reassured investors who had been worried that regulatory tightening might impact dividend payments across the sector.
Meanwhile, the board of UBA proposed an interim H1 2025 dividend of N0.25 per share, translating into N10.3 billion from N68.4billion in H1 2024.
e romosele a biodun
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over the weekend in Lagos said that the NCS and the Manufacturers Association (MAN) are committed to Nigeria’s economic transformation through enhanced manufacturing sector performance.
Adeniyi stated this in a jointly signed statement after a consultation between the service and the MAN over the suspension of the 4 per cent Free On Board (FOB) payment announced by the ministry of finance.
Adeniyi in the statement announced the exemption of spare parts of commercial airlines, importers of raw materials, and government projects with import duty
exemption certificates from paying the 4 per cent FOB.
According to the customs boss, goods imported for humanitarian, life saving and other related purposes, as well as beneficiaries of the presidential initiative for unlocking healthcare value chain, were also exempted from the payment.
He stated that the approval was granted after consultations with
the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun.
According to him, “Importation of raw materials, spares, and machines by the manufacturers who are beneficiaries of concessions contained in Chapters 98 and 99 of the Customs Tariff. Manufacturers who are currently on chapters
98 and 99 are advised to apply for pre-release of the consignment to avoid payment of demurrage.
“Members of MAN who import raw materials, machinery, and spares that are not currently on chapters 98 and 99 to be onboarded to enjoy the exemptions provided in 5(i) above. MAN, NCS, and the Federal Ministry of Finance will work together for the
inclusion of manufacturers that are currently not in chapters 98 and 99.
“An immediate tripartite consultation of the Federal Ministry of Finance, NCS, and MAN would be held immediately to work out the modalities for expedited onboarding of manufacturers on chapters 98 and 99.”
^14.55
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has expressed that the federal government’s tax reform wasn’t designed to stifle investments in the nation’s capital market, stressing that the policy aims to create a fair, transparent, and sustainable tax environment.
His comment came at a time the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) reinforced its role as a trusted catalyst for market development by convening a high-level
stakeholder dialogue on the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) provisions within the Tax Reform Act 2024, set to take effect in January 2026.
Oyedele stated that the engagement with stakeholders through platforms such as NGX Group is to ensure that reforms are better understood and that market feedback directly informs implementation.
The virtual forum brought together policymakers, issuers, investors, intermediaries, and regulators in a constructive exchange aimed at deepening
A gathering of top economists and government officials at the Foursquare Gospel Church’s 12th Annual Public Lecture has sounded a stark warning about Nigeria’s economic future. With poverty levels soaring and economic growth stagnating, experts are urging the government and stakeholders to take immediate
action to address the country’s financial challenges.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, who was the special guest at the event held in Lagos, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing poverty and promoting economic stability in Nigeria.
“We need to work together with faith-based organisations, private sector players, and community leaders to provide education, vocational training, mentorship, and access to micro-finance,” he said.
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Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)
Reporter
Peter Uzoho (Energy)
Economist and former Presidential Economic Adviser, Dr. Doyin Salami, emphasised the need to tackle poverty and promote economic stability. “Poverty is not just lack of income, but lack of capability to live with dignity,” he stressed.
Salami argued that Nigeria must adopt “hard reforms” and not cosmetic fixes, highlighting the need for reliable data, security, electricity, quality education, and human capital development.
understanding of the new tax regime while ensuring that market competitiveness remains a priority. The dialogue provided critical
clarity on key provisions and created an avenue for stakeholders to share perspectives that will help shape implementation.
The Group Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga reaffirmed the Exchange’s role in bridging policy and market realities:
“At NGX Group, we believe that significant policy shifts must be clearly understood and calibrated to preserve market confidence.
Oluchi Chibuzor
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola has said the federal government remains committed to unlock finance to scale-up investment to boost the Marine and blue economy in Nigeria.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has launched the Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) Women Empowerment Fund, a flagship programme designed to transform the Owu Kingdom and serve as a model for community
He stated this at the third quarter 2025 citizens and stakeholders’ engagement event organised by the ministry on the heel of the world maritime day in Lagos. According to him, “Landmark policy charts a good cause to harness our vast marine resources for economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
The ambition is growth across shipping, industry, agriculture, tourism, coastal infrastructure, renewable energy, and other research. Yet, a nation without finance remains no other than a dream.
“Our task is, therefore, to unlock sustainable finance, partnership, and translate policies into tangible results. The government alone cannot match the scale of investment required to modernize our port, strengthen maritime security, expand agriculture, and build climate resilience, coastal infrastructure.
development across Nigeria. The initiative, founded by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, builds on a successful pilot scheme and is targeted at reaching more than 50,000 women in its first decade, as part of an ambitious plan to impact
one million lives through four interconnected pillars of empowerment.
At the launch, the minister commended Oba Matemilola for what she described as a deep and practical commitment to grassroots development. She assured that the Federal Government
would stand firmly in support of the programme.
“It represents exactly the kind of grassroots empowerment that transforms societies. We will ensure this initiative touches the lives of every woman in Owu Kingdom and beyond,” she said.
FAAN Goes Cashless, End Years of Opaque Accounting at Revenue
Chinedu Eze
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced a significant operational change, launching “Operation Go Cashless” to phase out all cash transactions at its primary revenue points. Over the years, there has been the clamour for
FAAN to automate its revenue sources to prevent sharp practices and boost its revenue, but the agency was not able to achieve that till now.
However, in a strategic partnership with financial technology firm, Paystack, the new policy will commence today, beginning with the
nation’s two busiest airports: the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Under the new system, all payments for services including airport Access Gates, Car Parks, and access to FAAN’s VIP and Protocol
Lounges will transition exclusively to cashless and contactless methods. In a statement, FAAN explained that the move responds to the growing demand for safe, modern, and transparent payment systems, ensuring Nigeria’s airports remain aligned with global digital trends.
The ISACA Lagos Chapter has said that it will join ISACA Global in marking the annual Community Day on Saturday, October 4, 2025. In alignment with this year’s global theme of service and impact, the Lagos Chapter said it is organising a
Medical Outreach aimed at promoting health awareness and supporting community well-being.
Speaking on the initiative, President of ISACA Lagos Chapter, Mr Justus Osuji explained that this year’s focus is on medical outreach, with special
emphasis on preventive care and wellness education.
“Through medical checkups, wellness education, and care, we are demonstrating ISACA’s commitment to service and positive impact beyond technology and governance,” Mr. Osuji said. The event will take
place at the Local Government School, located at 17 Tiwalade Street, Shogunle, where our partners… the Nigerian Police Force Hospital, Ikeja and volunteers will provide free health services to the local community.
Ibrahim Yusuf
Nigeria’s foremost pipe production, coating and energy sector industrial solutions provider, Solewant Group, joined senior government officials and other global players in the oil and gas, as well as maritime industries to dissect Gulf of Guinea’s (GoG) energy, maritime and investment prospects at a high-level roundtable on the sidelines of the recent 80th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York, United States.
As an emerging critical gateway for investment, trade, and security cooperation, with over $800 billion in energy and infrastructure opportunities, the GoG occupies a strategic position in the global economic architecture. According to the OECD, the African coastal economy is projected to hit $3 trillion by 2030, with the GoG contributing $300 billion and creating over 49 million jobs.
However, despite producing nearly 50 per cent of Africa’s crude oil, holding an estimated 10 per cent of global reserves, and serving as a vital shipping corridor, the GoG, which spans from Nigeria to Angola, has remained a hotspot for oil theft, illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling, maritime terrorism, and other transnational threats. In an attempt to address these challenges, 25 coastal states adopted the Yaoundé Code of Conduct in 2013, but this has not translated into a binding regional agreement.
Also at the regional levels, other initiatives adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) have continued to face implementation challenges. At the national level, the hosting of the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) in Lagos by the Nigerian government under the African Union’s (AU) African Standby Force (ASF), was an audacious step but the ASF faces the challenges of lack of political will and funding.
A top-notch roundtable themed: “Unlocking Energy, Oil & Gas, Minerals and Maritime Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea: A Roadmap for Peace and Security,” which was convened by The New Diplomat, a non-partisan policy think tank based in Abuja, in collaboration with the Luanda-based Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) to deepen international engagement on peace and security, was the latest effort to catalyse investment and business in the region’s energy, oil and gas, mineral, aviation and maritime sectors.
Speaking at the high-level roundtable convened on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), the former Chief of Staff (CoS) to the late
former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, called on regional and international leaders to confront the insecurity challenges in the Gulf of Guinea to unlock its vast economic potential.
Gambari stated that the region, rich in oil, gas, and critical minerals, remains plagued by piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing, which continue to scare away investors and destabilise communities. Gambari said: “We are not helpless. When states coordinate naval patrols and share intelligence, tangible results follow.”
As a part of a measure to move from talk to action, Gambari laid down a five-point agenda for the region, which included strengthening of security frameworks, merging of security with development, bringing in the private sector, embracing technology and forming a business council for the GoG to drive sustained cooperation. Gambari maintained that for the region to become an economic hub, its natural wealth must be managed transparently to benefit local communities and avoid fuelling grievances. “Economic opportunity, when paired with inclusive governance, is itself a powerful deterrent to insecurity,” he said.
He anchored the plan to broaden continental goals like ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the AU’s Agenda 2063, warning that without decisive collective action, the Gulf of Guinea’s promise would remain unfulfilled. “The future must be shaped by a shared commitment to protect its waters, invest in its people, and transform its natural wealth into a driver of inclusive growth,” Gambari added.
In his goodwill message at the high-level roundtable, the Founder and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, noted that the GoG is richly endowed and strategically vital.
According to him, recent public estimates and discussions place the region’s energy, maritime and infrastructure investment opportunity in the hundreds of billions of dollars, describing it as a transformational economic prize for Africa’s coastal economies.
Citing recent reports, Ewanehi declared that unlocking Africa’s coastal economies responsibly will require security, governance, and coordinated public–private action.
“Security frameworks already exist. Most notably the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (2013), which provides a foundation for cooperation against piracy, illicit trafficking, and other maritime threats. Yet the Code needs strengthened legal status, harmonised enforcement, and operational capacity if it is to protect regional trade and investor
confidence at scale.
“Nigeria’s renewed proposal to host a Combined Maritime Task Force in Lagos, and broader AU efforts to operationalise an ASF/CMTF construct is a healthy reflection but there is need for the political will. The private sector welcomes these moves: without predictable security, investment and local industrial progress will remain constrained,” Ewanehi explained.
“Solewant Group speaks to the role indigenous industry can play. Over 25 years we have invested in people, plants and products, including commissioning what is widely reported as Africa’s largest multi-layer pipe-coating facility, to strengthen local content, job creation, and supply-chain resilience for energy and infrastructure projects. These investments validate that when security and financing frameworks are aligned, African firms are fully capable of delivering high-quality industrial capacity that meets global standards,” he added.
Ewanehi explained that the company is actively translating regional interests into concrete partnerships.
He recalled that in 2025, Solewant Group showcased advanced technologies and engaged governments and investors at major global fora.
Indeed, from the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) held in Houston, Texas, United States of America (USA), to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; from the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek to the 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) convened by Afreximbank at SAFEX Building in Algiers, Solewant Group has continued to showcase innovative technological solutions and enormous technological breakthroughs in its state-of the-art industrial area in Nigeria.
According to Ewanehi, the company’s industrial powerhouse has been showcased to power Africa.
“We are gearing up in terms of capacity generation, local content development and infrastructure divestment in oil, gas, energy and water sector resources. Our Roadmap Plus is a 10-year industrial development roadmap envisioned to crystallize major energy sector breakthroughs across Africa.
“At the moment, we are mobilizing financial resources to support pipeline projects across Africa; this will absorb DFI capital, create jobs, and build durable local value chains. These efforts show how industry convenings and summits (like the annual Solewant Energy Summit) can become practical platforms
to connect projects with capital and to ensure investments are matched by local capability and training,” he explained.
Ewanehi called for the formalisation and operationalization of the maritime cooperation frameworks - moving the Yaoundé Code from good intent to binding, enforceable practice.
He also called for the acceleration of practical support for the CMTF/ASF in the form of logistics, funding and coordinated air/sea lift, so that private capital can be deployed with confidence.
Ewanehi also recommended security measures with clear local content and financing pathways so that African oil and gas, as well as the maritime industry can scale in lockstep with infrastructure investment.
He pledged the readiness of his company, an industry leader in pipe manufacturing and coating services, to collaborate with governments, multilateral institutions, DFIs, and regional organizations to leverage its expertise for sustainable economic growth and strategic partnerships.
“Let the Gulf of Guinea be remembered not for what holds us back, but for what it propels us toward: Shared prosperity, secure trade corridors, and a resilient African industrial future,” he added. It will be recalled that at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) held in Houston, Texas, United States of America (USA), Solewant Group showcased its leadership position in technological innovation in the global oil and gas industry, in a powerful presentation before international and Nigerian audience. At the IATF 2025 in Algiers, Solewant Group presented its diversified portfolio: Solewant Nigeria Limited (SNL) –Africa’s largest multi-layer pipe coating plant, delivering 3LPE, 3LPP, 5LPP, FBE, and Concrete Weight Coating solutions; Field Joint Coatings Ltd. (FJCL) – Onshore and offshore field joint coating and rehabilitation services; and SSPC – Specialty protective paints and coatings. Others include: Pipe and Metals Industries Ltd. (PMI) – Steel pipe and metal fabrication; and SETI – Industry-focused energy training and certification.
At the NOGOF 2025, Ewanehi announced the unveiling of ‘Solewant Group Roadmap Plus to deepen its advancement in technological innovation and also boost its contributions to Nigeria’s industrial development and energy transition. The unveiling of the ‘Solewant Group Roadmap Plus’ was part of the company’s renewed commitment to its 10-year strategic vision. The company is hosting the 9th Energy Summit, themed “Emerging Technologies and the Future of Sustainable Energy Development in Africa,” on November 27 and 28, 2025, in Onne, Rivers State.
• Yusuf, an investment analyst, writes from New
Oluchi Chibuzor
Nigeria will take center stage at the upcoming Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) 2025, as the Chairman of the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC), Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye is set to lead the country’s presentation, highlighting Nigeria’s niche investment opportunities across key sectors.
TABEF 2025 will be held on Thursday, 16th – Friday 17th, October, 2025 at the Istanbul Congress Center, Türkiye, under the theme: “Addressing Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities: Building Stronger Türkiye-
Africa Economic Partnerships.”
The forum, coordinated by the Presidency of Türkiye, the African Union Commission, and the Turkish Ministry of Trade, and organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), will convene over 4,000 participants, including African heads of state, ministers, top CEOs, and business leaders.
Speaking ahead of the event, Oye said: “Nigeria is strategically positioned as the gateway to the West and the Central Africa. With over 200 million people, we offer a huge consumer market and vast opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with
Türkiye. This forum is an opportunity to unlock these potentials.”
The Nigeria Country Presentation will spotlight opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, digital innovation, and renewable energy, while also positioning the country as a hub for trade and investment in West and Central Africa.
Key panel and G2B sessions will explore issues on food security, agro-industry growth, and nutritional sovereignty.
Other issues to be spotlight include developing competitive textile value chains, transforming Africa’s green and rare minerals,
SheVentures, the womenbanking initiative of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), hassaid that it has expanded its pool of interestfree loans for women-owned and women-led Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (WSMEs) to N1 billion, up from N200 million.
Through SheVentures, women entrepreneurs in diverse sectors can access interest-free loans of up to N10 million for three months with a one-month moratorium. Beneficiaries will also participate in business management training and structured mentorship, providing financial and non-financial support for business growth.
Speaking on the development, Yemisi Edun,
Managing Director of FCMB, said: “Women are at the forefront of enterprise in Nigeria, shaping industries and creating jobs. They often lack affordable access to finance and the structured support to grow. By expanding the SheVentures loan pool from N200 million to N1 billion, we are scaling a model that combines zerointerest finance with training and mentorship. This is how we move from individual success stories to broader economic transformation. We are committed to building platforms that enable womenowned businesses to thrive and strengthen Nigeria’s growth story.”
George Ogbonnaya, Divisional Head of SME Banking at FCMB, added:
“SheVentures has shown that when women entrepreneurs are given the right tools, finance, skills, and networks, they build resilient businesses. More than 300 women have already benefited, and their progress confirms that targeted interventions work. With this N1 billion commitment, we are moving to the next phase: widening access and deepening impact.” Also commenting, the Group Head, SheVentures, Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, said: “Through SheVentures, women entrepreneurs in diverse sectors can access interest-free loans of up to N5 million for 4 months with a 1-month moratorium, and up to N10 million for 6 months with a one-month moratorium.”
Sunday Ehigiator
Beta Glass Plc, a Frigoglass Group member and the leading glass packaging solutions manufacturer in West and Central Africa, showcased its commitment to sustainability and innovation at the recently concluded Propak West Africa 2025 exhibition. Chief Executive Officer of Beta Glass Plc, Alexander Gendis, described Propak as a vital platform to demonstrate the company’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
“Propak West Africa has been a vital platform to showcase our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality.
It highlights Beta Glass’s role in demonstrating how local manufacturing excellence drives global standards in glass packaging. Engaging directly with our customers and stakeholders here reaffirms our role as a trusted partner driving progress in packaging across the region,” he said.
Sales Director of Beta
Glass Plc, Sharin Sweet, added that the exhibition provided valuable insights into the evolving needs of customers. “At Propak, we had the opportunity to connect directly with customers and partners, gaining deeper insights into their evolving needs. These conversations reaffirmed our commitment to delivering packaging solutions that not only drive our customers’ growth but also reflect the highest standards of sustainability and innovation,” she said.
International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) is championing a movement to shine a spotlight on Nigeria’s vibrant bar culture through its flagship initiative, Cheers to Bars.
Castle Lite, International Breweries’ premium extra cold beer, headlined Cheers to Bars x Castle Lite Nite in Lagos and Abuja. The
event was more than just a night out, the experience spotlighted the cultural, social, and economic significance of bars as spaces that drive commerce, foster connections, and create lasting memories within communities.
From representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
(MAN) to government representatives from the Ministries of Trade and investment, Finance and retailers, stakeholders joined beer lovers to celebrate the role of bars. Beyond just drinking spots, bars are social anchors and economic engines that support jobs, small businesses, and creativity.
Kayode Tokede
The Nigerian stock market gained N216 billion to end last week on a positive note, as late-session gains on the final two trading days offset the weak outturns in the earlier part of trading activities.
Investor sentiment was buoyed by the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC’s) first rate cut in five years to 27 per cent, which drove renewed interest in fundamental stocks such as Zenith Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc, among others.
The Nigerian Exchange
Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) advanced by 0.20 per cent week-on-week to close at 142,133.02 basis points. Similarly, market capitalization gained N216 billion to close the week at N89.960 trillion.
Meanwhile, sectoral performance was mixed, as the NGX Industrial Goods
Index gained 1.3per cent, NGX Consumer Goods Index appreciated by 1.2 per cent, and NGX Banking Index advanced by 1.2per cent, while the NGX Insurance index down by0.9 per cent and NGX Oil & Gas Index dipped by 1.6per cent. retreated. Market analysts stated that “this performance
underscores the resilience of the market, which has remained firmly positive despite macroeconomic headwinds.
“The year-to-date return strengthened further to 38.09 per cent, reflecting investor confidence underpinned by improved liquidity in the FX market, rising oil prices,
and optimism around Q3 corporate earnings season beginning next month.
“Portfolio rebalancing also continued in earnest, supported by the Monetary Policy Committee’s recent 50bps cut in the MPR to 27.00 per cent and Nigeria’s stronger-than-expected Q2 GDP growth of 4.23 per cent.”
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
GUIDE TO DATA:
Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 25 September 2025, unless otherwise stated.
Offer price:
with Nicky Okoye ( digitalassets@anabelgroup.com )
National investment strategy can be approached from several prospectives. And whereas Nation States and their public officials have a responsibility to target and attract as much investment as possible, foreign and domestic, there is always a role for the private sector, within the overall investment ecosystem. This role for the private sector can be to define strategic agendas that are designed to stimulate investment aggregation which will eventually support industry, infrastructure and enterprise development. In addition, this private sector, once they are organised, are expected to drive these agendas to their logical conclusions. The Global Investment Advisory community, which I founded and currently serve as its President, has tasked itself with such an agenda, which includes, building Nigeria into a Crypto Nation, with the attendance resultant benefits, that include new and unique ways of funding infrastructure, strategic funding and finance for enterprise & industrial development, safe and secure new ways of making investments, particularly for all categories of investors, as well as innovative ways of transferring investment assets between the patriarchy and their progeny or even across continents, between family members, as remittances. In considering National Development and Nation Building, policy makers, legislators and the private sector must all understand, the tools, that are available to them, to drive nation building efforts forward. In the not too distant past, Nigeria leap frogged from less than six hundred thousand (600,000) telecommunication landlines provided by one monology, NITEL, for a Nation of over one hundred and fifty million (150m) at that time, to over one hundred and twenty million (120m) mobile lines, provided by the innovative technology of GSM. If we recall GSM technology was introduced into Nigeria, by President Obasanjo, as a way of circumventing the very expensive requirements of continuous laying of fibre optic cables required for landlines, which would have had to be connected to each and every home.
Nigeria is currently at a similar cross road, all be it this time it is in the investment and finance industry. Nigeria’s capital markets may be growing steadily, however with a total equity market capitalization of just over sixty trillion (N60t), which is less than twenty percent (20%) of GDP, it is grossly inefficient to fund the Nigeria’s strategic needs for investment in infrastructure, enterprise development and sustainable nation building. This is why I strongly believe we need to look elsewhere, and this is why I founded the Global Investment Advisory (GIA) community, which is a strategic investment community made of Investment Banks, Asset Management firms, FINTECH, Capital Market operators, all dedicated to the adoption of Digital Asset Markets in Nigeria, and subsequently across Africa and the Caribbean.
On the 11th of April 2025, the Global Investment Advisory (GIA) community held a historic Digital Asset Markets strategy session at SEC NIGERIA Lagos auditorium. This was not only the first ever public session dedicated to building the digital asset knowledge and capacity of executives, industry practitioners, investors as well as the general public, but it also signified that Nigeria was ready to embrace the World of digital asset markets in a big way. SEC NIGERIA’s Director Geneal was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Operations Bola Ajomale, who indicated in very strong terms that Nigeria’s regulatory environment was ready for crypto and digital assets as stipulated in the Investment and Securities Act of 2025. In addition to SEC NIGERIA’s leadership, The Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Capital Markets, Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso, was a special speaker at the session. Senator Izunaso spoke about the provisions of the ISA 2025 that empowered a digital asset markets for Nigeria, and he committed to driving the continued cooperation of the Nigerian Senate in seeking to better strengthen Nigerian laws that would provide a robust and investor friendly digital asset markets for Nigeria going forward. The Executive Governor of Lagos State, His excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Hon Commissioner of Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, made a strong commitment that
may see Lagos State being among the first sub-nationals to subject their large asset base to undergo the unique process of Tokenization. Tokenisation in the digital asset markets is the process which effectively converts real world assets into its digital twin, allowing for a unique value to be created and for investors from all over the world to participate in fractional ownership of the asset in question. At that same strategy session, the Director General of the Nigeria - China Strategic Partnership Office, Dr Joseph Tegbe, indicated that new investment flows from China may indeed be seeking Nigeria’s digital assets as a safe home in the near future. It was indeed a historic event.
In my keynote presentation, I provided the participating professionals, most of whom were finance and capital market operators, with our Global Investment Advisory (GIA) community’s digital asset markets roadmap that seeks to establish a digital asset markets for Nigeria and subsequently Africa. In my roadmap, I indicated key areas that we must accomplish as a Nation as well as key areas that are required for Industry professionals. For each mile stone I outlined, I provided a corresponding initiative that would support the industry and the nation to achieve that milestone. The roadmap covered the following areas:
Digital Asset Markets Strategy GIA Community’s Roadmap
As I indicated at the April 2025 strategy session held at SEC NIGERIA, the following milestones are imperative for a smooth transition into the digital Asset Markets for Nigeria, and subsequently Africa and the Caribbean.
1. Capacity building for Industry professionals as well as for leadership: In this respect we launched this column in This Day Newspapers as support for Leadership education. In addition, we launched a series of Masterclasses for industry professionals, especially those that are members of the GIA community. This capacity building and sensitization will continue to grow as we unveil key aspects of thew GIA community roadmap.
2. International exposure, engagement and global connectivity: In this respect we put together an International Retreat and Roadshow program that believe will enhance the global exposure of not just Nigeria’s capital market executives, but also provide strong hands on learning with global experts in the various segments of Digital Asset Markets, including but not limited to Tokenization, Stable Coins, Crypto Currencies, Initial Coin Offering, Utility Tokens, Payment Tokens and Security Tokens etc.
3. Digital Asset Markets Strategy: Every institution, sub-national and federal government MDA, especially industry regulators, must prepare to design and build a Digital Asset Markets Strategy as this new investment landscape will affect every industry and every sector. Any institution that is not prepared will be left behind.
4. Digital Asset Markets Liquidity: We have identified four core sources of liquidity that we
are currently working on to ensure that once we take off, the digital asset markets will be a fundamental tool for economic prosperity, project funding as well as a safe place for all categories of investors to grow their wealth, retire stress free and pass on to their progeny, generational wealth that is unmatched by any other asset class in the entire investment hemisphere. I will discuss the four liquidity sources in future articles. It is pertinent to note that this new liquidity is sacrosanct so we have made every effort to ensure that this is ironclad.
5. Secure Digital Asset Markets Platforms:
The most important aspect of our roadmap is our GIA community’s ability to recommend to our members a safe and secure platform for the custody, hosting and trading of digital asset classes as drive the origination of such digital assets. In this regard, we are currently on tour across the world, interviewing potential partners and blockchain technology companies in an effort to choose the most efficient and effective platform that will meet the criteria of international institutional investors, who expect will play a very active role in Nigeria’s digital asset markets in the future.
6. Phase Two: In Phase two of the GIA community roadmap, we intend to ensure that a critical mass of players, institutions and investors are actively engaged in Nigeria’s digital asset markets ecosystem. We will then engage with the rest of Africa, while working closely with the Nigerian Senate and the Federal House of Representatives to provide more digital friendly laws that will grow the markets even to greater heights.
The Digital Asset Markets International Retreat and Roadshow, hosted in Geneva, Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, September, 22nd – 26th 2025
As our GIA community roadmap indicated, we pledged to lead Nigerians and Africans on a Digital Asset Markets Retreat and Roadshow, this September 2025. Our plans included being hosted in Geneva, Zurich and Zug Switzerland, and our strategic partners included one of Europe’s most prestigious Business schools, the EU Business School. We are extremely excited to say that we have successfully hosted the first Digital Asset Markets Retreat and Roadshow which held from the 22nd to the 26th of September in Switzerland. This historic retreat and roadshow is in partial fulfilment of our GIA community’s commitment to drive the full adoption of Digital Asset Markets in Nigeria, and subsequently across Africa and the Caribbean. We are well on our way in achieving this objective and we expect that our efforts will redefine the Nigerian and African capital markets forever.
As I write this paper, we are in the process of concluding this historic digital asset markets retreat and roadshow and it communique will be released in the next few days.
It is pertinent to note that even though we acknowledge that the United States is home to the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset institutional investors, and the US public sector is providing strong regulatory oversight, we have identified very strong emerging national environments and ecosystems that are suitable
for the growth of the digital asset markets and these include such nations as Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is for this reason that we chose Switzerland as our first Nation to engage with as part of our first digital asset markets retreat and roadshow. In addition to the Switzerland’s strong regulatory environment provided by FINMA, their strong banking community, indicates that institutional investment will continue to drive innovation, security and safety.
I must thank all our strategic partners, that have come together to make this first Digital Asset Markets Retreat and Roadshow September 2025 a resounding success, including but not limited to, the EU Business School, which is one of the most reputable privately owned European based Business training Institutions in the World today. EU Business School was founded in 1973 and currently offers educative programs that are exclusively related to the various aspects of business studies, including but limited to technology, digital transformation, global markets, business expansion through mergers and acquisition etc. EU Business School’s programs range from Bachelors’ degree level all the way up to Masters, MBAs, as well as PhD. Alumni of the EU Business School include leadership executives of Google, BMW, Nestle, Godiva, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Tesla, Rolex, SIEMENS and AMAZON, to mention just a few. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the EU Business School and look forward to many more years of mutual engagement for executive capacity building in various industries as they affect national development and industrial segment growth for Africa and the Caribbean. We are also very thankful to all our participating institutional members including but not limited to Nigerian Senate’s standing Committee on Capital Markets, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria, Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Meristem Group, CardinalStone Advisors, Futureview Financial Services, First Holdco Plc, Oando Plc and others.
As we strive to build a Crypto Nation, here in Nigeria, we are mindful of the challenges, the risks and the deficient digital asset markets capacity especially at executive levels. We intend to fix that one institution at a time. We now strongly believe that having completed our successful Digital Asset Markets Retreat and Roadshow in Switzerland, we have marked a unique milestone and a very strategic step in the long and exciting journey to build a digital asset markets for Nigeria. Our GIA community will continue to position or members with Worldclass blockchain technologies, global platforms, networked communities and the global collaborations that are required to unlock the true values of Nigeria’s, the Caribbean and Africa’s real-world assets, through 21st century blockchain enabled tokenisation. Indeed……Great Things are Happening.
•Dr Nicky Okoye Global Investment Advisor Founder, Global Investment Advisory community
It is with profound sorrow that Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) announces the tragic passing of the wife of our esteemed colleague, Mr. Collins Okeke, Partner at OAL.
Late Mrs. Ndidi Osaemedike-Okeke passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, following the unfortunate fire incident at Afriland Towers, Broad Street, Lagos Island.
On behalf of the entire OAL family, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Collins Okeke and his family. We stand in full support of our Mr. Okeke during this incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
May Ndidi’s soul rest in perfect peace and her memory be a blessing.
Burial arrangement will be announced by the family.
The partnership entered into by United Bank for Africa, VERICASH about 10 years to bring accessible digital banking to millions has been transforming Africa’s digital banking landscape, writes Kayode Tokede
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, first partnered with VERICASH in 2015, and it has been transforming the digital banking landscape in Africa. The strategic alliance has actively reshaped the digital banking landscape in Africa and their working together has delivered several transformative changes to how banking is done on the continent.
It has accelerated digital transformation in banking, enhanced financial inclusion, seamless cross-border payments, customer-centric digital innovation, competitive edge for traditional banks and boost to Africa’s digital economy.
Speaking on what the digital banking landscape was like in Africa 10 years ago, and what specific challenges the partnership was hoping to address, the Head, Digital Banking, UBA, Mr. Olukayode Olubiyi noted that 10 years ago, Africa’s digital banking landscape was still nascent.
According to him, the mobile penetration was rising rapidly, but reliable, user-friendly banking apps were scarce. Many customers still depended on branch visits for basic transactions.
“We saw an urgent need to create a secure, scalable platform that could offer a full suite of digital banking services—from transfers to bill payments—across diverse markets with varying infrastructure and regulations. Our goal was to drive financial inclusion and make banking accessible to millions who were previously underserved,” he said.
VERICASH, a division of CIT GLOBAL, is a technology firm with deep experience in eCommerce and mCommerce spanning over 25-30+ years. The firm major mission is to help banks, fintechs, mobile operators, and other financial services actors in emerging
The Executive Chairman, CIT VERICASH, Ashraf Zaki, explained that the partnership with UBA is on the backdrop of the pan-African financial institution vision to become Africa’s premier digital bank, but needed cutting-edge fintech architecture to execute at scale.
“VERICASH, as a fintech-enablement leader, offered a unified platform capable of low-code configuration and fast deployment. This alignment, where UBA’s ambition is combined with our
technology, gave both sides confidence. UBA trusted viable scale; we believed in their pan-African reach. That shared ambition cemented confidence in success,” he explained.
Olubiyi stated that the key innovations that drove over 10 million downloads are based on the management’s ambition, as the scale of adoption exceeded our expectations.
According to him, the key innovations included a self-service onboarding process, robust features, real-time transaction alerts, and the ability to transact instantly.
He noted that the management also invested heavily in continuous improvements, integrating feedback from users to refine the experience.
‘The app’s reliability and the trust UBA enjoys in Africa played a critical role in driving this success,” Olubiyi said.
On how the partnership with VERICASH contributed to financial inclusion across Africa’s 20+ countries where UBA operates, Olubiyi said: “Together, we have brought secure, accessible banking to millions who previously lacked reliable options.
“From enabling micro-entrepreneurs in remote areas to open accounts and receive payments to offering affordable digital services that reduce reliance on cash, our collaboration has helped break down barriers.
“Features like bank-to-wallet, multilingual support, and instant transfers have made it possible for more people to participate in the financial system.”
The feature developed through the collaboration has revolutionised African banking sector, part of which includes a multi-layered platform that unifies all digital banking services and resilient mobile banking applications in the market.
According to Zaki, before the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence(AI), the company’s most significant breakthrough was the creation of a centralised digital banking infrastructure that was not only scalable and secure but also highly adaptable across Africa’s diverse markets.
“Through the close collaboration between
UBA, and CWG, we developed a modular, multi-layered platform that unified all digital banking services under a single digital umbrella. One of the most revolutionary features was the platform’s cross-country configuration capabilities, which empowered UBA to operate consistently and efficiently across more than 20 jurisdictions.
“This level of standardisation and flexibility was unprecedented and laid the groundwork for digital banking transformation across the continent. This success was further enabled by our powerful management tools and advanced operational excellence techniques, which drive performance, reliability, and continuous innovation.
“These capabilities have allowed us to deliver one of the most scalable and resilient mobile banking applications in the market, a fact consistently validated by customer surveys showing the highest levels of trust and satisfaction in the UBA mobile banking experience,” he said.
On how UBA balances maintaining global banking standards while ensuring the app remains accessible to users across diverse African markets with varying technological infrastructure, Olubiyi said: “This is a core challenge.
“We designed the app to be modular and adaptive while maintaining encryption and compliance protocols. Our teams work constantly to ensure that while we meet international standards, we don’t lose sight of local realities.”
To ensure personalised banking experiences while scaling across diverse African markets, Olubiyi noted that personalisation at this scale requires a combination of smart technology and deep understanding of our customers’ unique needs across the retail and SME segments on the app.
“We also recognise the diversity across African markets, differences in languages, regulations, and connectivity so the app is designed to adapt to local contexts.
“For example, it can switch seamlessly between high-speed and low-bandwidth
modes, and offers multilingual support. Above all, we keep listening to customer feedback in each segment and market, so we can continuously evolve the experience to feel relevant, personal, and responsive to every user.”
Talking about security that is paramount in digital banking, Zaki noted that security is embedded at every layer of the VERICASH platform.
“From robust identity verification and multifactor authentication to real-time AI-driven fraud prevention, we’ve architected the solution to detect and respond to threats proactively.
“With 24/7 system monitoring and dedicated application quality support, we ensure rapid incident response and system continuity. The platform adheres to local regulatory requirements across UBA’s footprint, while centralising oversight through our Centre of Excellence.
“We also empower banks with behaviour-based risk scoring, device fingerprinting, and encrypted data handling, ensuring that UBA remains a security leader in African digital banking.”
He stated further that for the application’s performance optimisation is a core principle of its solution design.
“We use intelligent caching and progressive data loading to ensure fast, reliable access even under constrained network conditions. The mobile app is lightweight making it compatible with older Android devices and enabling partial feature updates without requiring full app redeployment. Our service analytics tools continuously monitor usage patterns, enabling UBA to fine-tune performance across markets in real time,” Zaki said.
He added that in the next decade, the company is deeply excited about the transformative potential of AI and its central role in shaping the next era of its digital financial services platform.
According to him, over the past couple of years, the company had laid a solid foundation by embedding AI across multiple layers of our platform — from hyper-personalised banking experiences to AI-powered fraud detection, smart customer insights, and automated customer journeys.
Mr. Momoh Oyarekhua is the President of the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) and the Chairman of OPAC Refineries, located in Delta State. In this interview with select journalists, Oyarekhua talks about the upcoming CORAN 2025 Summit as well as opportunities for integrating petrochemicals and refining to maximise value. Among several other issues, he also speaks about how fiscal incentives such as tax reliefs, access to credit, and guarantees are critical to de-risking investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Emmanuel Addeh presents the excerpts.
What is the main vision of CORAN for Nigeria’s refining sector, and how does the CORAN Summit 2025 advance that agenda?
Our vision at CORAN is to see Nigeria transition from being a heavy importer of petroleum products to a self-sufficient refining nation and, ultimately, a net exporter within Africa. By strengthening domestic refining capacity, we aim to secure energy supply, stabilise the economy, create jobs, and retain value within our borders.
The CORAN Summit 2025 provides a vital platform to align government, private investors, and regional stakeholders toward this goal. It will drive policy dialogue, showcase opportunities in modular and large-scale refineries, and catalyse partnerships that place Nigeria at the heart of Africa’s refining and energy security agenda.
How will refining capacity directly impact Africa’s long-term energy security, especially under the summit’s theme?
As you may be aware, the summit theme for this year is: ‘Refining:Key to Energy Security in Africa’. Refining capacity is central to Africa’s long-term energy security. Despite being a major crude oil producer, the continent’s reliance on imported fuels exposes economies to price volatility, supply disruptions, and foreign exchange pressures. By refining more at home, we can ensure consistent supply, reduce import dependency, and retain significant economic value locally. Expanding refining also stimulates industrialisation, job creation, and regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). For Nigeria and Africa, building modern, efficient refineries is not just about energy; it is about sovereignty, stability, and sustainable growth. The summit will focus on mobilising collaboration to make this vision a practical reality.
What specific policy reforms do you think are most urgent to unlocking the growth of both modular and large-scale refineries in Nigeria?
To unlock Nigeria’s refining potential, urgent policy reforms must focus on creating a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment. Firstly, fiscal incentives such as tax reliefs, access to credit, and guarantees are critical to de-risk investments.
Secondly, ensuring crude oil supply at competitive pricing is essential to sustain operations. Ultimately, policies must foster public-private collaboration, promote local content development, and align with global environmental standards. These reforms will not only attract capital but also accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward energy selfsufficiency and regional refining leadership.
How is CORAN working with the government to ensure investor-friendly policies that balance local capacity building with global competitiveness?
CORAN is actively engaging the government at multiple levels to shape policies that make Nigeria’s refining sector attractive to investors while safeguarding national interests. We advocate for a regulatory framework that guarantees ease of entry, fair competition, and reliable access to crude. At the same time, we emphasise local capacity building by promoting skills
development, indigenous technology adoption, and participation of local firms in the value chain. Through continuous dialogue, policy recommendations, and joint task forces, we ensure reforms align with global best practices while fostering an environment where investors thrive and Nigeria strengthens its refining and energy security base.
What innovative financing or de-risking strategies will the summit highlight to attract local and international investors to capital-intensive refining projects?
Refining requires significant capital, and attracting investment means addressing risks head-on. At the CORAN Summit 2025, we will spotlight innovative financing models such as blended finance, public-private partnerships, and long-term offtake agreements that provide certainty for investors.
We are also engaging development finance institutions and regional banks to create derisking instruments, including credit guarantees and insurance frameworks. Importantly, policy clarity and reliable crude supply will be highlighted as non-financial enablers of investor confidence. By combining financial innovation with regulatory reforms, we aim to unlock both local and international capital flows into Nigeria’s refining sector, accelerating self-sufficiency and energy security.
Private sector participation is critical to the survival of the downstream oil industry. How can this participation be scaled up, and what role does CORAN play in bridging investors with regulators and operators?
CORAN is actively engaging the government at multiple levels to shape policies that make Nigeria’s refining sector attractive to investors while safeguarding national interests. We advocate for a regulatory framework that guarantees ease of entry, fair competition, and reliable access to crude.
At the same time, we emphasise local capacity building by promoting skills development, indigenous technology adoption, and participation of local firms in the value chain. Through continuous dialogue, policy recommendations, we ensure reforms align with global best practices while fostering an environment where investors thrive and Nigeria strengthens its refining and energy security base.
What opportunities exist for integrating petrochemicals and refining to maximise value addition locally?
Integrating petrochemicals with refining presents a tremendous opportunity to maximise value addition in Nigeria. Beyond producing fuels, modern refineries can generate feedstocks for petrochemical industries that support plastics, fertilisers, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. This integration diversifies revenue streams, reduces import dependence, and fosters industrial growth across multiple sectors.
For Nigeria, it means creating jobs, stimulating Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), and positioning the country as a regional hub for energy and industrial products. At CORAN, we are driving conversations on policies and investments that encourage colocation of refineries and petrochemical plants, ensuring we capture full value from our crude oil resources for sustainable development.
With the AfCFTA in place, how do you envision regional cooperation shaping Africa’s refining landscape beyond Nigeria?
The AfCFTA presents a unique opportunity to build a truly integrated African refining and energy market. By reducing trade barriers, harmonising standards, and encouraging crossborder investment, we can create a regional value chain that benefits all. Nigeria, with its refining capacity, can supply neighbouring markets, while also importing specialised products from other African countries.
This cooperation will reduce reliance on overseas imports, stabilise supply, and strengthen intra-African trade. CORAN envisions partnerships where infrastructure, financing, and expertise are shared, making Africa self-reliant in energy. The summit will highlight how regional collaboration can accelerate growth and secure the continent’s energy future.
What role can Nigeria realistically play in positioning itself as the refining hub of Africa?
Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become Africa’s refining hub, given its vast crude oil reserves, growing private investment in refineries, and strategic geographic location. With both modular and large-scale refineries coming onstream, Nigeria can not only meet domestic demand but also serve regional markets under AfCFTA. To achieve this, we must ensure consistent policy support, reliable crude supply, and competitive operating conditions. CORAN’s role is to align industry stakeholders and government toward this shared vision. By scaling capacity, driving efficiency, and promoting regional partnerships, Nigeria can realistically anchor Africa’s refining transformation and strengthen continental energy security.
Beyond energy security, how will increased refining capacity create jobs, build skills, and drive broader economic benefits for Nigerians and Africans?
Increased refining capacity goes far beyond energy security—it is a catalyst for economic transformation. Every refinery project creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from construction to operations and supply chains. It drives demand for skilled labor, encouraging training, research, and capacity development in engineering, technology, and management.
Beyond jobs, refining stimulates local industries by providing feedstock for petrochemicals, fertilisers, plastics, and other value-added products. This strengthens SMEs, boosts exports, and reduces import dependence. For Nigerians and Africans, the broader benefit is inclusive growth—more opportunities, stronger industries, and a resilient economy anchored on sustainable local value creation.
As the world transitions toward cleaner energy, how is CORAN ensuring that Africa’s refining growth aligns with sustainability and climate goals?
CORAN recognises that Africa’s refining growth must align with global sustainability and climate goals. We are advocating for investment in modern, cleaner refining technologies that minimise emissions, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. At the same time, we encourage integration of renewable energy and carbon-reduction practices within refinery operations. Through policy engagement, we emphasise balancing energy security with climate commitments, ensuring that refining expansion does not come at the cost of sustainability. By driving innovation, promoting best practices, and collaborating with international partners, CORAN is ensuring Africa’s refining future is both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
Iwatched with dismay the propaganda against my beloved country being spread by international X influencers, like Radio Genoa, a notoriously anti-Islamic personality, who circulated a video on X, formerly Twitter, by a fellow claiming that five hundred thousand Christians were killed in Nigeria.
The man’s exact words were, “I can tell you that last year alone over 500,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria just in one year.”
The man who said this has a thick Nigerian accent. It should not be too hard to track him down and make him produce evidence of his claim. If he cannot, he should be prosecuted for economic sabotage against Nigeria, because his claims would not make right-thinking foreign investors want to invest in a country they believe suborns regicide against Christians.
His disinformation has spread like wildfire. And may have justified others who have made such claims to a wider audience.
For example, after this, as yet unknown man’s viral video, Bill Maher, a popular American comedian and political talk show host of the long-running show, Real Time with Bill Maher, added to the misinformation.
Real Time with Bill Maher is currently the #1 most watched show on HBO.
Mr: Maher admitted that he is not a Christian. He then goes on to allege that “they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christians of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this?”
He called what he alleged is happening in Nigeria a “genocide” against Christians, which is worse than what is occurring in Gaza.
I do not know if Mr. Maher means well and is just misguided and misinformed, or if he is doing this just for the ratings, as he has previously done.
But his claims and those spread by Radio Genoa are false and easily dispelled by even a casual fact-check.
Mr. Maher ought to know that there is an apolitical global body with the mandate to report on deaths from insecurity and terrorism worldwide, and that is the Institute for Economics and Peace, which annually publishes the Global Terrorism Index, which calculates how many people were killed from terror, insecurity, war and conflicts in the world.
According to the Institute’s 2024 Global Terrorism
Index, a total of 8,352 people died from terror and insecurity last year. Even when you add this to the 36,000 civilians the United Nations says died from armed conflicts globally in the same year, you will agree with me that it is preposterous to allege that half a million Christians were killed in Nigeria last year, or Mr. Maher’s more conservative figure of 100,000.
To be sure, we do have a challenge with insecurity in Nigeria, occasioned by banditry and farmer/ herder clashes in the Northwest and Middle Belt of Nigeria, and an Islamic insurgency in the Northeast, which has largely petered out and is in its last leg.
However, more Muslims have been killed by these criminals than Christians, and the tragedy is that here in Nigeria, our media (and I have been previously guilty of this) tend to say nothing when bandits, herders and terrorists kill Muslims, but scream at the top of our voices when Christians are attacked.
This is because Christians dominate in the media in Nigeria.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, ACLED, in the last decade, Nigeria has witnessed the most deaths from insecurity in the Northwest of the country, which is the heartland of Islam in Nigeria and the seat of the Sokoto Caliphate, which is the headquarters for Islam leadership in the country.
According to the ACLED, between 2010 and 2023, 13,485 people have died in these attacks, with the vast majority being Muslims. Bad enough. But nowhere near 500,000, or 100,000.
I am an Orthodox Christian, a vociferous one. In the pursuits of the Christian cause, I have spoken at the U.S. Congress and met with Congressman Christopher Smith, then the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Human Rights and International Organisations, where I provided details about the then perilous state of Christianity in Nigeria under General Buhari.
But two things I must mention.
First, under General Buhari’s leadership, things were bad for the Body of Christ, and we reached our lowest ebb ever in Nigeria’s post-colonial history. However, things were nowhere near as bad as Radio Genoa and Bill Maher allege.
Secondly, there was never a genocide in Nigeria. Not against Christians, which would not even be a genocide; it would be regicide. And not against any ethnicity, with the exception of the Southern Kaduna Genocide of which one man, Nasir El-Rufai, the then Governor should be held accountable. But it was a local, rather than national issue.
It used to be that most terrorism related deaths of Christians in Nigeria were perpetrated against Christians by the terror group Boko Haram, and the Islamic State – West Africa Province, ISWAP.
The intent was to ignite religious war. But when, under the direction of the Christian Association of Nigeria, of which I was a go-between between the Presidency and the then President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Christians refused to retaliate, having been forewarned of the agenda of these groups, their agenda shifted. They began focusing on killing Muslims to ignite sectarian war amongst the Muslim Ummah, which failed, too.
Not only did those attempts fail to spark religious war, but the Nigerian Government arrested, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned the man responsible for the most dastardly crimes against Christians, an individual by the name of Kabiru Sokoto, who was the brain behind the St. Theresa
Catholic church Christmas Day bombing on 25 December 2011 in Madalla, Niger State, which killed 37 Christians.
He is still serving a life sentence in prison.
Those behind the June 5, 2022, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State, have similarly been apprehended and are now being prosecuted.
Additionally, as the insecurity in Nigeria has shifted from terrorism to banditry, the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim, has neutralised the most dangerous bandits, who, I may add, have killed more Muslims than Christians, including:
1. Kachalla Ali Kawaje
2. Kachalla Halilu Sububu
3. Kachalla Damina
4. Kachalla Dangote
5. Kachalla Jafaru
6. Kachalla Barume
7. Kachalla Shehu
8. Tsoho
9. Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu
10. Yellow Sirajo
11. Kachalla Dan Muhammadu
12. Kachalla Makasko
13. Yellow Hassan
14. Boderi
15. Kachalla Dan Ba birki, and 16. Auta Dan Mai Jan Kai
And many more who are not Kachallas (bandit leaders).
The point of this treatise is just to dispel the propaganda spread by either ignorant or mischievous persons about a genocide or regicide in Nigeria. Such a thing is the figment of the imagination of those making such wild and dangerous claims.
It is not true. And if it were, I would be prepared to spend my last dime fighting for the rights of Christians, Muslims or African Traditional Religion adherents were they being the victims of a regicide in Nigeria.
•Reno Omokri
Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022. 21st Most Talked About Person in Africa, 2024.
By Tony Egbulefu
Mr. Sonala Olumhense has seen better days to be taught that going off the rails is often a blunder that derives from volunteering opinions outside one’s scope of knowledge and expertise. His continuous display of lack of understanding of EFCC’s anticorruption fight is worrisome.
In a recent opinion piece, Olumhense made a public spectacle of his scant knowledge of the nuances of the fight against corruption and financial crimes. His submission that internet fraudsters pose less risk to our society’s well-being than corrupt politically exposed persons, beggars belief. It exposed his tenuous knowledge of even the most basic of financial crimes, not to talk of the administrative affairs of the EFCC.
It is not impossible that the veteran journalist relishes the standoffish disposition of a sworn critic of the EFCC. Unfortunately, it is hardly a path of honour, not when the interventions are laced with misinformation, if not outright disinformation. I wish Olumhense would be less intemperate and invest a little time to understand how the EFCC works. I am sure his perspectives would be less acerbic.
The EFCC Annual Report has been turned into a weapon to harangue the agency. The regular charge is that the Commission was in default in terms of compliance with the requirement of its enabling law, to submit the report on or before the 30th of September. Claims to the contrary by the Commission, that it has been compliant, were dismissed by the famous columnist.
Yet all that was required of Olumhense to verify EFCC’s compliance with statutory reporting
responsibility was to put a call across to the Commission or cross-check with the National Assembly, NASS.
With September 30 just a few days away, I am certain that Olumhense has his gun loaded, ready to pull the trigger in shooting down all the good works of Ola Olukoyede and his officers, with the charge that it has again, failed to submit its report to the National Assembly.
Before Olumhense misleads the public, I am compelled to do him the favour of informing him that, not only has the 2024 Annual Report of the EFCC been submitted to the National Assembly, the highlights indicate that the Commission recorded much progress.
A glimpse of the 2024 EFCC Annual Report shows that the total financial recoveries stood at N364.579,370,151.35 and $326.496,959.95. Petitions received within the year were 15, 724 (Fifteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty-four), with 12, 928 investigated. Of the number investigated, the Commission charged 5, 081 to court and secured 4,111convictions. The prosecutions and convictions represented a 47.70 percent and 53.74 percent increase, respectively from the 2023 figures.
From the report, the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML of the Commission, mandated to monitor compliance of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs with the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) regulations conducted 2,348 onsite evaluations of DNFBPs in 2024, representing 85 percent increase, compared to 1,263, examinations carried out in 2023.
Also remarkable in the 2024 Annual Report is the impact of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, FRAC, created by Ola Olukoyede in his first year to give fillip to the Commission’s fraud prevention mandate with special focus on Ministries, Departments and Agencies at national and sub-national
levels. The department significantly monitored financial disbursements for flagship federal government initiatives, including Pi-CNG, NG-CARES, NACA Global Fund Grants, RESET and ARMOR LOANS, and CBN COVID-19 Support Schemes. Its evaluation of the PI-CNG Project Contract valued at N88, 500,000.00 (Eighty-eight billion, Five Hundred Million Naira), ensured 95 percent delivery of the buses and conversion kits.
These strides are compelling. Indeed, Olukoyede’s record-setting recoveries and convictions in both 2023 and 2024, which are public knowledge, left no doubt that the Commission under his leadership is cruising at a high altitude.
The fact that Nigerians and the international community are happy seeing the outcomes of EFCC’s fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes, gives Olukoyede and the Commission enough joy and encouragement on the job.
The EFCC does not prioritize any financial misconduct over the others, unless in the imagination of the dense. Cybercrime or Yahoo Yahoo takes root on advance fee fraud. In 2022 alone, the country lost $500million to the crime. No responsible organisation, charged with fighting financial crimes would sit idly and watch the integrity of the country’s institutions, being willfully compromised and the youth population degenerating inexorably to a tribe of rogues.
All Nigerians, not just Olumhense need to learn that cybercrime imperils the country’s economic health and its most significant asset- its reputation. Yahoo Yahoo has inflicted severe and enduring reputational damage on the country with far-reaching consequences on its people.
Projections by multiple sources show that the global loss to cybercrimes may hit $10.5 trillion by the end of
2025, with approximately 2,328 (Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-eight) cases occurring daily. A crime such as this portends grave dangers to the entire world.
The EFCC will not relent in fighting this crime as a measure to improving the integrity of Nigeria’s cyberspace and redirection of the youth onto the path of hard work and ethical behaviours. This is a creed. It is hypocritical of Olumhense to reprobate Nigerian youths’ involvement in internet fraud and thumb up their reasons for embracing the crime in the same breadth.
Stimulating the economy through the anticorruption fight lies at the heart of the Olukoyede leadership, not the number of Yahoo Yahoo boys that would wind up in jail. His policy objectives and institutional actions clearly capture a desire to take the minds of Nigerian youths away from cybercrimes, not to see them become felons for the scaling up of the Commission’s annual conviction tally.
Only ignorance would push a bystander to think that enforcement on matters involving politically exposed persons would suffer neglect because a different department or unit of the Commission has its hand full battling with cyber criminals.
The EFCC is witnessing a renaissance under Olukoyede. Old records are tumbling, while new ones are being set. Olumhense will do his readers immense good with greater objectivity in commentaries, except the objective is to befuddle the anti-graft efforts.
•ACEII Tony Egbulefu, is of the
08097710984 (WhatsApp only) alekhuogien@yahoo.com
Nigeria is no longer a spectator in the global race for artificial intelligence supremacy. The country’s AI market, valued at an estimated $1.4 billion in 2025, is projected to rise to $4.64 billion by 2030.
This growth, sustained by a robust compound annual rate of 27.08%, according to Microsoft, could contribute as much as $15 billion to Nigeria’s gross domestic product by the end of the decade.
For a country with the continent’s largest population and one of its most youthful workforces, this transformation is not only economic, it is existential. The promise of AI for Nigeria extends beyond financial projections. It holds the potential to reshape public services, agriculture, banking, education, and healthcare systems in ways that foster resilience, efficiency, and inclusion.
A country at the crossroads of opportunity and urgency
With over 60 per cent of Nigerians under the age of 25, the urgency to equip the nation’s young people with 21st-century skills has never been more acute. Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, under the leadership of Minister Bosun Tijani, has begun to respond with a sense of urgency and direction.
In 2024, the ministry launched a $1.5 million AI fund in partnership with the global philanthropic foundation Luminate. This fund was designed to support AI startups that solve critical national problems and bring innovation into public discourse.
Earlier, a collaboration between the government and Google had already introduced a ₦100 million initiative dedicated to empowering ten local AI-driven startups. Each venture received ₦10 million in funding, in addition to gaining access to Google’s suite of AI tools, one-on-one mentorship from seasoned tech professionals, and opportunities to integrate with global tech ecosystems.
Tijani restated that the public sector’s participation is vital for shaping AI strategies that benefit both the private sector and ordinary Nigerians.
“If the government can get it right, the private sector will follow suit, and gradually, AI will become a natural part of Nigerian life, from healthcare diagnosis to smarter urban planning,” he said.
Beyond government policy and planning, Nigeria’s AI rise is being accelerated by the unprecedented influx of global capital. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are investing heavily in AI development globally, collectively allocating $320 billion in 2025 alone. Of this, Google has committed $75 billion specifically to AI research and development, while Microsoft has pledged $80 billion, Meta has pledged $65 billion, and Amazon leads the pack with an investment worth $100 billion.
During a pivotal meeting in Paris between Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Nigerian
President Bola Tinubu, AI was a central theme. The two leaders discussed strategies to expand Nigeria’s AI talent base, improve its technological infrastructure, and embed innovation into the nation’s digital framework. The meeting sent a powerful signal to global markets that Nigeria is serious about AI and that international partnerships will be central to its journey.
Microsoft, for its part, announced a $1 million commitment to train one million Nigerians in AI skills by 2026. According to Ola Williams, the Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, this initiative goes beyond professional training. It represents a vision to democratise AI education and empower communities to drive innovation locally.
While government and global corporations provide the financial muscle, it is Nigeria’s local startups that are bringing AI into daily life. These ventures are designing technologies tailored to the unique needs of Nigerian communities, specifically those that work in areas where power cuts, poor connectivity, and low literacy levels are common.
NeuraFarm, an agritech company founded by 27-year-old Chidi Osondu, is an example. The startup developed an AI-powered diagnostic tool and drone-based monitoring system that helps farmers detect crop diseases early. What sets NeuraFarm apart is its ability to function offline and in multiple local languages. It is technology that speaks Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo—and that listens too.
Since launching in 2023, NeuraFarm
has raised $1.3 million in seed funding and expanded operations across six states. According to Osondu, most AI tools are built for Silicon Valley, not Sokoto or Aba. His team wanted to create something that truly understands Nigerian farmers, their habits, and their constraints.
“We are just getting started,” Osondu said. “But one thing is clear, Nigeria’s tech future will be built not just with global help, but by Nigerians who understand what this country truly needs.”
Osondu, reflecting on the journey of NeuraFarm, captured the sentiment best, saying, “We are not just adopting AI, we are shaping it for Nigeria’s future.”
The story of NeuraFarm is echoed in other high-impact ventures. Kudi AI has developed a chatbot that enables Nigerians to perform financial transactions using simple messages, eliminating the need for smartphones.
Similarly, DataScience Nigeria has deployed predictive AI models that forecast agricultural prices with 85% accuracy. 54gene, a trailblazer in health technology, is building Africa’s first biobank, using AI to analyse over 100,000 genomic samples. Helium Health is transforming clinical care by embedding AI across more than 500 healthcare facilities to optimise resource use and detect disease patterns.
The financial technology sector is perhaps where AI is having the most significant impact. Paystack, one of Nigeria’s top fintech players, reduced fraudulent transactions after implementing AI-powered security systems in mid-2023.
In healthcare, AI is helping close the gaps left by an overburdened system. LifeBank, for instance, uses AI to map blood supply routes in real-time, reducing delivery times in urban hospitals by half. Another innovator, RxAll, is fighting counterfeit drugs with an AI verification system that can assess the quality of prescription drugs in 20 seconds and show real-time results through mobile apps, potentially saving thousands of lives.
Agriculture, the backbone of Nigeria’s rural economy, is also feeling the positive impact of AI. NeuraFarm’s drone analytics and DataScience Nigeria’s price modelling tools are helping farmers manage resources more efficiently, improve yields, and navigate volatile markets.
Despite the momentum, Nigeria’s AI ecosystem is not without its challenges. Infrastructure remains a significant bottleneck. Erratic electricity supply and poor broadband coverage, particularly in rural regions, make it challenging to run and scale AI technologies that rely on continuous data streams and processing power.
The shortage of skilled AI professionals is another critical issue. Many trained experts leave the country for better-paying opportunities abroad, creating a persistent talent gap. While training initiatives are underway, building and retaining a critical mass of AI professionals will take time. A third challenge is the lack of high-quality local datasets. Many AI applications require vast amounts of data to train their models. However, in Nigeria, most data are either unavailable, fragmented, or not digitised. This makes it harder for startups to build accurate, localised solutions.
L-R: The Overseeing Officer, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, Nasarawa State, Engr. Mustafa Usman; the Deputy Director, Engineering Infrastructure NASENI, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ajani; the Director, Manufacturing Services Department, NASENI, Engr. Dr. Olayode Olasupo; Research Director, NASENI, Engr. Dr. Patrick Okwu; EVC/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by the Research Director, NASENI, Engr. Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe; Director, Planning and Policy Analysis Department, Dr. MacDonald Aloko; and Coordinator, NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme (NRCGP), Engr. Dr. Anas Yazid, during the Zonal Sensitisation Programme, held at the NASENI Headquarters, Abuja…recently
Bennett Oghifo
The Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha has said that for the livestock sector to achieve its full economic promise, production must connect seamlessly to processing, markets and consumers.
Maiha stated this at the launch of ABIS Livestock Academy and “National Livestock Transformation Dialogue” in Abuja, recently. ABIS Group is a Nigerian
integrated agro-allied conglomerate revolutionising the livestock value chain.
The minister said: “In essence, the grazing reserve and the abattoir are two ends of the same vision. At one end, we are ensuring that animals are raised sustainably, in a way that preserves the environment, prevents conflict and enhances productivity.
“At the other, we are guaranteeing that the meat and by-products from those animals
are processed under hygienic, world-class conditions that meet international standards.
“Between these two ends lies the promise of a value chain that creates jobs, empowers youth and women, drives industrial growth, and secures Nigeria’s place in the global livestock market.”
The minister commended ABIS Group for its foresight and commitment by inaugurating an academy that will serve as a Centre for technical knowledge transfer
and for organising a dialogue for the transformation of the livestock sector.
“This is a demonstration of leadership and vision,” he declared, adding that, “In every great transformation story, there are institutions that light the way, and I am confident that ABIS is providing such leadership for our livestock industry.”
The minister said the ABIS initiative was invaluable, explaining, “By investing in the
James Emejo
Top hospital administrators in Kano State have commended the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for the positive impact of ongoing reforms, including support for women experiencing obstetric fistula. They also commended the recent increase in capitation payments paid to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and other healthcare providers.
The reforms are part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s focus on expanding access to quality
healthcare for all Nigeriansreflected in the National Health Sector Renewal programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under Coordinating Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
According to the administrators, NHIA programmes being implemented by the Dr. Kelechi Ohiri-led management have transformed healthcare delivery in their facilities through tariff increases and other forms of targeted support.
This has enabled significant improvements including infrastructural upgrades, faster
authorization of treatment, enhanced patient care, and overall operational efficiency despite the economic challenges in the country.
Speaking during a recent impact assessment of the NHIA’s reforms, Chief Medical Director, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Dr. Hussaini Muhammad, revealed that NHIA’s support had been critical to progress on many fronts.
He said, "The ₦120,000 fistula support package (₦20k transport + ₦100k feeding) is revolutionary”, adding that “Before NHIA, these patients, often impoverished, abandoned treatment due to
costs. Now, they receive surgery and seed capital to restart their lives. One woman used the funds to open a petty trade; another bought sewing machines. This is dignity restored."
Muhammad also highlighted service delivery and infrastructure upgrades enabled by NHIA which had led to faster, more accurate test results and rehabilitation of previously dilapidated wards.
He said, "Before now, patients faced delays in test results. Now, with automated machines funded by NHIA, results are ready in hours—not days. Patients no longer wander the hospital searching for reports.
We're firing on full cylinders
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in
Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that he would not allow his political detractors to make him lose focus in implementing his agenda of building a New Abia where governance is tailored to meet the yearnings of the people. He gave the assurance during the September edition of his monthly media
engagement, saying that he was fully aware of the darts thrown from opposition camps but would never be bothered about "distortion of facts, mischief, and political distraction".
"The important thing is that the people that hired us to do the work for them know what we are doing and believe in what we are doing," he said. Otti stated that he would care less about the opposition
so long as he has the support of Abia people by doing what they expected of him as their governor.
He said that the ongoing drive to transform the healthcare system in the state would not slow down until the goal was achieved, adding "we are firing on full cylinders" to make Abia's healthcare system attain high standard.
The governor stated that the healthcare transformation is
holistic involving upgrading infrastructure, equipment and meeting the manpower needs at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of healthcare system.
He noted that, "primary healthcare centres are becoming operational" as scores of PHCs have so far been reconstructed and retrofitted out of the 200 earmarked for rehabilitation in the first phase of Project Ekwueme.
modernisation of abattoirs, cold storage systems and structured meat distribution, ABIS is providing the critical link that transforms raw livestock production into high-quality products that are safe, branded and competitive both locally and globally.
“Nigeria cannot remain a nation that sells live animals while others capture the wealth in processing.”
In his keynote address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NIRSAL, Sa’ad Hamidu, noted the potentials in the livestock sector was immense but yet to be fully tapped.
He rolled out statistics of the support that NIRSAL has provided and continues to provide to key
players in the livestock sector including ABIS Group.
“Since inception, we have facilitated over N270 billion in loans and investments to players in the agriculture value chain, including the ABIS’ 2,000 per day livestock processing facility and other livestock production activities,” he revealed.
The NIRSAL boss said the launch of the ABIS Livestock Academy is very significant. “By equipping our farmers, herders, and value chain actors with technical know-how, practical tools, and an innovation mindset, the ABIS Academy can transform human potential into measurable productivity.”
Bayelsa Stakeholders,
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Stakeholders including the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) and host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) have commended Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for its sustained engagement with stakeholders and its role in curbing oil theft and vandalism across the Niger Delta.
The commendation came during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where community leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations called on the federal government to broaden PINL’s mandate beyond pipeline surveillance to include flow stations and other critical oil and gas assets.
President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Jonathan Lokpobiri, described PINL’s approach as a model for how homegrown companies can build trust with host communities.
“This company has shown that when you empower a local operator who understands the culture and the needs of the people, problems that once seemed intractable become
conversations - and complex issues can be resolved.
"I bring all of you greetings from the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, for me as an individual, this company has clearly demonstrated that when you grow a home-based company that understands the people, the communities and the needs of our people, problems that ordinarily could become difficult to resolve has become just mere conversations and complex issues are dealt with.
"I thank you for making this a periodic thing, my message to the government of our nation is that companies saddled with responsibility of safeguarding our oil infrastructure are actually doing far more than the country is paying them,
"If the government reconsiders the capacity of this company, I'm very sure that Niger Delta will be a home of not just peace but for investment and development", Lokpobiri said Lokpobiri assured the firm of the IYC’s continued partnership, stressing that “collaborating with communities should remain the hallmark of your operations.”
Lack of impact follows same pattern as LPG and pharmaceutical products Report says regulatory uncertainty, others hampering power sector Maintains graft remains serious obstacle to economic growth Laments customs’ 100 per cent cargo policy Discloses 20m additional people thrown into poverty in 2024
The United States has stated that lack of transparency in Nigeria's implementation of the temporary suspension of import duty on certain agricultural products, to curb the acceleration of the country's inflation, led to the limited impact of the policy.
In its “2025 Nigeria Investment Climate Statement on Nigeria,” released by the US Department of State, America also stated that regulatory uncertainty as well as transmission failures continued to dog Nigeria's power sector, turning many Nigerians to generator users.
The US Investment Climate
Statement (ICS) is an annual report that provides US investors, policymakers, and businesses with a detailed assessment of the investment conditions in over 160 countries and economies worldwide. It examines the legal, regulatory, political, and economic factors that can affect foreign direct investment and is widely used as a reference by American companies considering entering or expanding in a market.
According to the report, Nigeria's economy experienced significant headwinds in 2024, dropping from Africa's second to fourth largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), partially
the result of the government's reforms, including a foreign exchange liberalisation and the fuel-subsidy removal, instituted by President Bola Tinubu.
In July 2024, the Nigerian government announced what it said was a bold intervention to ease the pressure of rising food prices. The plan was to suspend the payment of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of key agricultural staples, such as maize, husked brown rice, wheat, beans, and cowpeas.
Framed as a 150-day duty-free import window, the measure was to run from July 15 through December 31, 2024, and was
expected to flood the market with cheaper food supplies, thereby softening the country’s stubborn food inflation.
Although on paper, the initiative was ambitious and promising, in practice, it faltered almost immediately, with implementation delays meaning that the suspension did not take off as scheduled.
Beyond policy bottlenecks, economic realities further undermined the scheme. The suspension of agricultural import duties was intended as a short bridge over a food crisis; instead, it became a textbook case of how bureaucracy and weak implementation can turn even
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the location of the state around the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region presents unique opportunities for investment, its growth and development.
Governor Diri also stated his administration was ready to deepen collaboration to enhance the security of the contiguous maritime area.
The Bayelsa governor spoke at the Nigerian Mission House in New York during a HighLevel Discourse on the Gulf of Guinea, with the theme: “Unlocking Energy, Oil/Gas, Mineral Resources, Aviation and Maritime Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea: A Roadmap
for Peace and Security” on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The event was convened by a policy think tank, The New Diplomat in collaboration with Angola-based Gulf of Guinea Commission.
Governor Diri noted that Bayelsa, being the ancestral homeland of the Ijaw people, shares historical affiliation and geographical similarities with the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, the huge economic potentialities of the area were yet to be fully exploited.
He said Bayelsa’s longest coastline in the country of over 200km offers opportunities in
tourism, oil, gas and energy development as well as investments in glass, ceramics, fisheries, maritime and aviation among others.
His words: “The Gulf of Guinea, stretching approximately 6,000 kilometers from Cape Lopez in Gabon to Cape Palmas in Liberia, is one of the world’s most strategic maritime basins. It anchors nearly 60 per cent of Africa’s oil production, holds 4.5 per cent of global proven oil reserves and 2.7 per cent of global gas, and supports seaborne trade expanding at unprecedented pace.
“Surrounding this basin is a vast market of over 500 million people across West and Central
Africa, making the Gulf not only a lifeline for energy but also a growth engine for trade, jobs, and food security.
“Bayelsa’s unique geography grants us unmatched prospects for oil and gas exports, maritime logistics, fisheries, and coastal trade. Our dual identity as an energy powerhouse and custodian of delicate ecosystems defines both our responsibilities and opportunities.”
He stressed that the objective of his administration was to create a safe and transparent environment where private investment, local enterprise and international partners can deliver shared prosperity for communities in the region.
John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Abubakar Muhammad, a Kaduna-based social media personality, popularly known as Sultan, over alleged involvement in cybercrime, extortion, and threats to life.
well-intentioned policies into empty declarations.
The report released this September stated, “Nigeria's trade regime is protectionist in key areas.
High tariffs and prohibitions on many import items have the aim (if not the effect) of spurring domestic agricultural and manufacturing sector growth. The government provides tax incentives and customs duty exemptions for pioneer industries including in the renewable energy sector.
“In July 2024, in response to high food price inflation, the government temporarily and partially lifted import duties for select agricultural commodities, including: unmilled brown rice, sorghum, millet, corn, wheat, and beans.
“However, the policy had
limited to no effect on food prices or increased food imports, as the lack of transparency in implementation of the temporary lifting of the duties dulled their impact.”
It said inflation, which exacerbated food security concerns, was fuelled by a sharp increase in the costs of wheat, rice, other staple cereals, and fertiliser. But while Tinubu's overall economic reforms led to modest growth, including the stabilisation of the naira's exchange rate at around N1,500 to the US dollar, fuel prices remaining steady around $0.67 per litre, as well as issuance of first Eurobond since 2022, and a three-year high external reserves, the report stated that the reforms had also led volatility of the naira.
of Our Dream Still Realisable, Says Gov Abiodun
James Sowole in Abeokuta
Governor Dapo Abiodun on Sunday said the dreams of the founding fathers of Nigeria, where no man is oppressed, where opportunities abound for all, and where the wealth of the land is shared equitably, are realizable if Nigerians continue to hold fast to patriotism, integrity, service, and shared responsibility.
The governor also noted that with the country celebrating her 65 years of Independence Anniversary, Nigerians should remember that the true measure of freedom lies in how it is used to serve, to build, and to bless others.
celebration should ignite in Nigerians, renewed hope, and steadfast faith that the country's best days are yet to come.
While acknowledging and commending the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to nation-building through bold socioeconomic reforms under the Renewed Hope agenda, Abiodun said the policies were already attracting investors, stabilizing the currency, and laying the foundation for inclusive prosperity.
According to DSS sources, Muhammad was taken into custody on September 27 at Layin Dan-Masani in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a "formal complaint linking him to a series of coordinated online harassment campaigns."
social media accounts, including @OZugwai40986 on X and @ Zugwai75 on Instagram, which were used to threaten an individual and solicit payments through cryptocurrency and a Point-of-Sale (POS) account.
The source said Muhammad allegedly operated fraudulent
The complainant, fearing for his life and that of his family, accused Muhammad of using multiple "catfish" accounts to
lure him to an undisclosed location, an act that raised suspicion of an attempted abduction.
While Muhammad reportedly deleted the implicated accounts after learning he was under surveillance, DSS cybercrime experts were said to have recovered critical evidence from his mobile device.
The governor stated this during the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 65th National Day Celebration held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
Represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor noted that Nigerians must summon the courage to move beyond despair into a future bright with possibilities.
He added that the anniversary
He noted that unity has been the cornerstone of his administration, which he added formed the basis of its progress in the state, considering it steadfastly aligns with the President's vision through people-centered governance.
In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Awori Anglican Diocese, Rev. (Dr.) Johnson Akintomide, who spoke on the topic "A New Nigeria is Possible, the Time is Now," said the gathering of the saints signifies hope, gratitude, and prayers to God who made the 65th celebration possible.
L-R: Special Assistant to the Brand Ambassador, Mr. Amajo Ndubuisi; Legal Manager, Strongmas Residence, Mrs. Olajumoke Taiwo; Acting Manager Operations, Strongmas Residence, Mr. Gbenga Oboh; Executive Director, Strongmas Residence, Mrs. Kikelomo Williams; Brand Ambassador for Strongmas Residence, Justice Nuagbe, popularly known as Ushbebe; Legal Adviser to the Brand Ambassador, Mr. Elo Azaino; Sales Manager, Strongmas Residence, Ms. Amina Alao; and Sales Executive, Strongmas Residence, Mr. David Atulegwu during the agreement signing between Strongmas Residence and Justice Nuagbe in Lagos … recently.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, but failing to secure the Nigerian people.
The opposition party, which queried the president’s absence at the passing-out parade and Presidential Commissioning of officers of the Nigerian Army at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna on Saturday, argued that bandits had ravaged the country, killing Nigerians at will while the government appeared either unperturbed or incapable of securing the lives of its citizens.
The ADC said Nigeria could not ask for expanded global responsibilities while persistently failing to meet its most fundamental obligation of
protecting lives and property at home.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC recalled that, just like in 2024, the Commanderin-Chief misplaced his priorities, as he was missing in action, while 874 officers were commissioned into the nation’s military, preferring instead to attend the commissioning of the renovated National Arts Theater in Lagos.
The ADC said it found it absurd that the Tinubu administration could be requesting a permanent seat on the UN Security Council while bandits slaughtered Nigerians at home and took control of some of the nation’s territories.
''We, however, wonder how a government that cannot ensure peace or security at home could demand a seat at the table where global security is negotiated and expect to be taken seriously.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Concerned Stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, have said the party was yet to conduct its official State Congress, despite reports of an unauthorised gathering held earlier today in Calabar.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Illya Damagum had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announcing the postponement of the Congress, but the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu countered Damagum, insisting that the Congress must hold.
In a statement by Bassey Asuquo, For Concerned PDP Stakeholders in Cross River State, the people said the Congress attended by a select group of friends and associates, was not endorsed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and did not constitute a legitimate congress.
“The gathering is best described as an informal assembly organised by well-wishers and associates and has nothing to do with the PDP.
“The Party’s official congress remains unscheduled and will proceed only under the guidance and approval of the National Working Committee, in line with party constitution.
''This clarification comes against the backdrop of recent directives from the PDP National Working Committee, which on September 25, 2025, announced the postponement of the State Congress originally slated for today to a new date yet to be communicated.
''This decision followed the expiration of the previous State Working Committee and the appointment of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee to oversee party affairs and ensure a seamless transition in Cross River State.
''We stand united with the NWC ably led by the Acting National Chairman, His Excellency, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. All legitimate PDP members in Cross River State are therefore urged to disregard today’s gathering and await official announcements from our Party’s NWC.''
''Only last Friday, gunmen, yet again, attacked a mosque in Yandoto village, Zamfara State, and massacred worshippers while abducting several others.
“Only a few weeks ago, in the same Zamfara State, no fewer than 45 Nigerians were killed, with entire villages sacked and dozens abducted.
''This was after a similar attack in Katsina State had left about 47 dead and several more injured or taken hostage. In just two months, more than 140 Nigerians have been murdered in Katsina and Zamfara alone.
“As of May 2025, Amnesty International reported over 10,000 lives lost in Nigeria to attacks by various armed groups. These are not numbers, they were human beings, they were Nigerians that this administration had promised renewed hope,'' Abdullahi.
Explaining further, he said, ''Only last month, the ADC alerted the public that armed gangs in Zamfara State had extorted over N56 million from farmers as a precondition to access their farmlands.
“Indeed, with the level of brigandage going on in that state, we are compelled to ask whether Zamfara is still part of Nigeria. Because when
non-state actors collect taxes, control access to farms, and kill with impunity, they are no longer mere criminals, they are a parallel government.
''The issue at hand is therefore no longer about insecurity alone, it is about the territorial integrity of Nigeria being willfully subverted under President Bola Tinubu. What is happening is not a mere failure of security. It is clear evidence, written in blood and piles of innocent bodies, of a government that has lost control.
''In any serious country, these situations would have triggered resignations, emergency meetings, and a strategic overhaul. Here, it only receives routine condolence tweets from presidential propagandists.
''This is why we find it patently absurd that the same administration, under whose watch Nigerians are being massacred without let or hindrance, and under whose watch sundry bandits have taken control of parts of the nation’s territory, could stand before the world and ask to be admitted to the highest level of security conversations in the world.
''Fortunately, the rest of the world can see beyond the fine
speeches in New York, they see that parts of our country have turned into killing fields, they see that in our country, lives could be brutish, nasty, and short.
''Nigeria’s request for a Security Council seat would indeed remain laughable until our government demonstrates both the capacity and the willingness to secure the lives of her own people.
Leadership on the global stage must begin with responsibility at home.
“You cannot be asking to be admitted into the club of those who take the lives of their citizens seriously, while the very land you govern is soaked with the blood of the very people you have sworn to protect while you do nothing.''
The ADC, therefore, condemned Tinubu for being absent from the commissioning of officers into the Nigerian military for the second year running.
''The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) held the passingout parade and commissioning of 874 officers into the military last Saturday, but the Commanderin-Chief was once again missing in action.
''With the dire security situation in the country, we would have expected the President to seize the occasion to inspire and charge
the new officers to give their best in protecting the country and its people.
''We would have expected the President to seize the opportunity of being in Kaduna, at the apex military training institution in the country, to reassure the people of northern Nigeria of his commitment to protect them and their children, to give hope to Zamfara and Katsina, as well as other northern states under siege.
“But no, instead, the Commander-in-Chief chose to travel to his beloved Lagos to commission the renovation of the National Arts Theater. What all this signals is that this administration is plagued by misplaced priorities.
“The President has become a passive spectator, watching from a safe distance, while villages burn and prayers end in gunfire. With its tragic indifference, this administration could indeed end up creating the dangerous perception that some lives in Nigeria matter less than others.
''A President that was quick to declare a state of emergency over a political crisis in Rivers but has nothing to say about the existential crisis in Zamfara and Katsina cannot claim to believe that all lives matter.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, yesterday, announced to the people of Ibadan that his leadership of the traditional institution would be collegiate, while he remained the coordinator.
While reassuring of his commitment to serve Ibadanland and its people with the rest of his life, the monarch. He said he still had a lot of things to do for Ibadanland.
Ladoja stated that his major concern was how peace and development would continue in the ancient city.
A former senator and former
governor of Oyo State, Ladoja was on Friday presented with Staff and Instrument of Office as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland by Governor Seyi Makinde at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The monarch, while speaking during a thanksgiving for his coronation held at the Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, said he would collaborate with government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintained its pace setter status.
He stated, "We are all governing Ibadan, I'm just the coordinator, you people are the small Olubadan, I'm the big Olubadan. Ibadan will
be great by God's grace with your support. I'm now king of all religion, Ibadan is a fertile land, it shall continue to be well with Ibadan."
He thanked Ibadan people and well-wishers for their support since his announcement as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most.
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin, congratulated Ladoja on his ascension to the throne.
Abegunrin described Ladoja’s installation as the new Olubadan as unfailing providence of God, who preserved the life of the monarch with strength and wisdom.
He said Ladoja wore a crown of grace, saying his enthronement is divine mandate which entrusted him to peace, unity and progress of Ibadan people. The cleric lauded Ladoja for commencing his reign with an act of thanksgiving in the house of God, stating the gesture r reflect not only his humility before God but also deep recognition of the sacred duty of fostering harmony among all faith.
"Oba Ladoja has set forth a shining light example of interfaith goodwill and mutual respect which will long endure as a legacy of his reign," Abegunrin said.
L-R:
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
No fewer than 15 persons were reportedly killed yesterday morning when scores of suspected bandits invaded the Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of Kwara State.
Among those allegedly killed by the bandits, according to THISDAY checks, were community members identified as Oji, Saheed Metubi, and Baale Ógba Ayo, among others, while unspecified residents of the community were kidnapped.
Already, the residents of the community have been in serious apprehension in view of the incident.
Also, yesterday, worried by the bandits’ attack, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed ElImam, has approved the relocation of the 2025 medical and surgical outreach programme for Ifelodun
are impersonating a s leaders and elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.
"It has come to our attention that these unscrupulous elements are operating under the nonexistent and illegitimate banner of "PTD Elders" or "PTD Leaders" to deceive, manipulate, mislead and create confusion within the oil and gas sector and the wider public.
“We wish to state clearly here, that these individuals are paid agents of unconscionable Capitalists with filthy wealth accumulated over the labour and sweat of workers who have been denied the right of freedom of association/unionism.
"The paid agents have engaged in failed attempts to blackmail, misinform and manipulate the public for the sake of destabilising NUPENG and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG.
“For the records, the struggle to control, manipulate and totally destroy the soul of NUPENG and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Union
local government area from the Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ode to the Cottage Hospital in Omupo.
THISDAY investigations revealed that, the incident happened early Sunday morning when the residents of the community were sleeping at their various houses.
It was gathered that, the suspected bandits invaded the community, shooting sporadically before they launched their deadly attack on the residents of the community.
However, a member of the local vigilante group in the town, identified simply as Ajetunmobi, who confirmed the incident and the killing of about 15 residents of Oke-Ode to newsmen yesterday in Ilorin said, the government was allegedly engaging in propaganda over the incident.
"Contrary to the claims by Contrary to claims by a government source that security
by unconscionable capitalists and their hired agents started long before now, but they have always been failing in their evil machinations and missions due t o the alertness and vigilance o f committed and indefatigable members and leaders of our great Union and the PTD Branch of NUPENG,” the statement said.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has observed with concern the ongoing dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, which has resulted in directives to suspend the supply of crude oil and natural gas to the facility.
“NISO wishes to draw attention to the potential implications of this action on the nation’s power sector. The national grid relies heavily on gas-fired generation, and any sustained disruption in gas supply would constrain generation capacity, affect system operations and undermine the stability and reliability of electricity supply across the country.
“While NISO is considering
operatives had repelled an attack in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, no fewer than 15 persons were confirmed killed on Sunday morning when bandits invaded
the community.
“We have been hearing that the bandits were around the community since Saturday night and we sent out messages to security operatives to be
prepared. To our surprise, this morning(Sunday) the attackers started the attack from the duty post, targeting the vigilantes," he said.
National President of
the Oke-Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, while condemning the killings, urged the state government to intensify its security measures.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has applauded Nigerians for their patience, which he noted was paving the way for economic renewal and improved conditions across food, energy, healthcare, education, jobs and infrastructure.
He affirmed this yesterday at the Inter-denominational Church
measures to mitigate total grid collapse, we urge all parties involved to embrace dialogue and lawful mechanisms of dispute resolution in the overall interest of the economy and the wellbeing of Nigerians at large.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a secure and reliable operation of the national grid and will continue to support wider efforts aimed at safeguarding energy security” the NISO statement added.
In a related development, the Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum has called on the federal government and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate what it described as desperate attempts by PENGASSAN to undermine the Dangote Refinery, a critical national asset aimed at achieving Nigeria’s energy independence.
In a statement signed by Olabisi Taiwo, President, and Justice Akani Alikor, Secretary, the Forum expressed alarm over PENGASSAN’s threats to picket the $20 billion refinery over alleged mass sackings.
Service at the National Ecumenical Christian Centre, Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
In his vote of thanks, Akume urged Nigerians to join hands with the government in marshalling the nation forward, saying the bold reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration were not aimed at temporary relief but to ensure a lasting transformation.
The SGF described the
The Forum accused the union of risking Nigeria’s return to fuel scarcity, economic instability, and national embarrassment, urging Nigerians to question PENGASSAN’s motives.
“PENGASSAN, alongside NUPENG, played a significant role in the collapse of Nigeria’s public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna,” the Forum stated.
“They resisted reforms, blocked privatisation, and crippled fuel supply with strikes. Their actions contributed to the rot that turned these refineries into relics of corruption and mismanagement.”
The Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is a private initiative designed to end Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, stabilize prices, and create jobs.
The Forum emphasised that the refinery, which employs over 3,000 Nigerians and continues to recruit, is not anti-labour but focused on operational efficiency and safety.
challenges confronting the nation presently as deep-rooted, while stating that the administration was determined to confront them head-on.
He said governance was not the exclusive preserve of leaders but a shared responsibility between government and citizens.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our nation is undergoing bold reforms aimed not at temporary
The company’s recent reorganization, according to Dangote, was prompted by acts of sabotage that threatened operations.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has also condemned what it described as recent anti-worker actions of the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The apex labour centre said it was in full solidarity with PENGASSAN; and has placed all its affiliates on red alert and stand-by for further directives. The union demanded immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected workers.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General of TUC, Nuhu Toro, the union condemned the alleged unjust termination of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association and unionization.
TUC said: "We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with their union, our affiliate PENGASSAN, whose members have been
relief but at lasting transformation. The challenges we face today are deep-rooted, but this administration is determined to confront them head-on.
“The sacrifices being made by Nigerians today are paving the way for economic renewal, stronger institutions, and improved conditions across food, energy, healthcare, education, jobs, and infrastructure,” Akume said.
victimised merely for declaring membership.
"Such actions amount to a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and on Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. Our demands are immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected workers.
"Public apology from Dangote management with firm assurances against future victimisation.An independent investigation involving the Ministry of Labour (ILO) and stakeholders into the refinery’s labour practices.
"Congress hereby places all affiliates on stand-by for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with these demands within a reasonable time. No corporation, regardless of size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers.
"The TUC stands united and ready to act decisively in defense of our members and the Nigerian workforce," it said.
L-r: regional business manager, West region Ibadan, nigeria distilleries Limited, mr. osadare temidayo; senior brand manager, seaman’s schnapps, mrs. nnenna Uche-onyenacho, and account manager, First marketing Limited, mr. muyiwa ogundare, during the coronation of His Imperial majesty, oba rashidi Ladoja, as the 44th olubadan of Ibadan, where seaman’s schnapps was co-sponsor in Ibadan, oyo state...recently
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogoin Umuahia
Reports that the health condition of Nnamdi Kanu has continued to worsen, and the refusal of the court to grant him permission to receive medical attention have increased the pressure on the South East Governors
Forum(SEGF) to save the situation.
The general perception in the South-east has remained that the five governors of the zone have not really leveraged their collective political power to interface with the federal government to have Kanu, who is the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra
The family of Ifeoma Jesinta, a five-year-old girl kidnapped in Akure, Ondo State, trafficked to Onitsha in Anambra State and subsequently sold in Asaba, Delta State, for N3.7million has accused the Ondo State Police Command of compromising the investigation and shielding the culprits.
The family, through their lawyer, Tope Temokun at a press conference in Akure yesterday explained that in a shocking and
unlawful twist, the biological parents of the little child, Mrs. Nneka Onah and Mr. Ifeanyi Onah, who are victims seeking justice, have been detained in the police cell, apparently to intimidate and silence them.
Particularly, the lawyer said the omission of Mrs. Happiness Sunday, (CEO of a popular restaurant in Akure) in connection with the crime, as the last person in whose custody the child was seen before disappearance, further confirms deliberate suppression of facts by the police.
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
The Provost of Kogi State College of Education Ankpa, Dr. Fasagba Femi, has commended the federal government for expanding the scope to allow Colleges of Education run degree programmes alongside with the training of National Certificate of Education (NCE) teachers.
Fasagba gave the commendation while speaking with journalists shortly after receiving the award of excellence by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi
State Council in Lokoja at the weekend. He explained that the importance of the Colleges of Education in educational system cannot be over emphasised, noting that the colleges have been saddled with responsibility of training the teachers .
The provost noted that although some specific Colleges of Education have been selected to pilot the federal government new directives, adding that the state governments are not leaving any stone unturned to enable them key into the new policy.
(IPOB), released to them.
Leading the ongoing pressure on the SEGF are elders from across the five states of the South-east, who are prodding the governors to make good representation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The elderly men and women under the umbrella of Igbo Elders Forum are of the view that SEGF could persuade Tinubu to use presidential prerogative and find political solution to Kanu’s travails.
They believe that Mr. President would listen to the South-east governors if indeed the federal authorities are sincere in finding lasting solution to the security issues in the region.
The elders forum has already taken practical steps to make their demands on the South-east governors with a peaceful protest march to Government House Umuahia to express their concern to Governor Alex Otti.
‘Tech Deployment at Nigerian Ports, Borders Still Insufficient’
The Managing Director of Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP), Jamal Onwubuariri, has said that the infrastructure and technology deployment at Nigerian ports and border posts are still not sufficient for the volume of cargoes
that comes into the country. Onwubuariri stated this while speaking at the 2025 Transport Summit organised by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) on the theme: ‘Driving the Transport Logistics Value Chains for Economic Growth,’ held in Lagos
weekend.
In his goodwill message, the TTP boss revealed that:
“In July, I took a 6000km road trip from Nigeria to Liberia to enable me see what our road transport infrastructure is like, the challenges as well as the opportunities. “We have infrastructure
gaps; our roads, both in Nigeria and across the West African region, are not sufficient for the volume of road traffic. The second challenge is that our ports in terms of their infrastructure and technology deployment is not sufficient for the volume of cargoes that comes into this region.”
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the tragic killing of Police Inspector Shedrack Amechi
by another state agent in Ebonyi State.
The civil society organisation also demanded a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inspector Amechi’s death, including the role played by the state
agent responsible for the crime and his superiors.
The petition further called for accountability by bringing all those responsible—whether directly or through command responsibility—to justice, in order to deter future inter-agency conflicts and impunity. Inspector Amechi was allegedly shot and killed on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, at Amaeze, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area, while on duty to arrest a suspect reportedly shielded by other state operatives.
James Sowole in a beokuta
The senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly and former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, said he had submitted a special proposal for the creation four satellite campuses within a 30km
radius of the main campus of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ijebu Ode.
The senator disclosed while speaking at the Midterm Community Assessment Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement, held in Erunwon, Ijebu North East
Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The university, which was first University of Education in Nigeria, was established during Daniel’s tenure as the governor of the state.
Daniel said that the special proposal for the establishment of satellite campuses was sequel to the
small size of the institution’s land mass when compared to other federal universities.
According to the senator, the main campus at Ijagun has a landmass of about 151 hectares, which he said is significantly smaller than the 10,000 hectares typically required for other federal universities.
Igbawase Ukumba in lafia
A member representing Awe/Doma/Keana federal constituency in the National Assembly, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, has disbursed a scholarship grant of N100 million to more than 1,000 indigent students in Nasarawa State to support
their education.
The scholarship scheme launched by the House of Representatives member was targeted at students from poor households studying in various tertiary institutions, to ease their financial struggles in school.
At the disbursement ceremony in Lafia at the
weekend, the Aren Eggon, Justice Ahmed Ubangari Alaku (rtd), called on political leaders to give priority to programmes that reduce poverty and promote educational advancement.
In a remark, the Aren Eggon, who is the paramount ruler of Eggon nation, stressed the need for
leaders to continue investing in programmes that uplift citizens, particularly the less privileged.
He urged the federal lawmaker and other political leaders to remain committed to interventions that secure the future of underprivileged young people.
Michael Olugbode in abuja Niger Delta communities have issued an ultimatum to the Conoil Producing Limited to comply with the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 in respect of host communities or get its operations in the area disrupted.
The host communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo States at the weekend vowed to
disrupt activities of Conoil within their communities if it failed to meet up with its responsibilities as stated in the PIA Act by October 31, 2025.
The communities alleged that the oil company in the last three years failed to implement the Provision of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 with respect to funding and operation of all the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).
The Petroleum Industry
Adibe Emenyonu in benin-city
Ossiomo Power, a private generation and distribution company in Edo State, has raised the alarm over an alleged secret attempt to disrupt its operations at Ologbo community where it is generating and distributing electricity to its customers, describing the development, as a threat to public safety and contempt of court.
The company has been in ownership tussle with its Chinese partners which led to the company getting a court order restraining the Chinese partners and other persons from entering their land in Ologbo.
A statement signed by Ossiomo legal consultant, Emmanuel Usoh, and made available to journalists in Benin-city, said that some individuals last Friday allegedly acting on behalf of its partner, CCETC, unlawfully opened the gas valve at the quadrant gas infrastructure within its plant in Ologbo.
The firm warned that the incident, “beyond constituting a criminal act and disobedience to a valid restraining order granted by an Edo State High Court, also portends grave health and safety risks for communities surrounding the facility.”
According to the company, “The matter has been formally reported to security agencies for prompt intervention.”
The power company also revealed that it has submitted details of the incident to the relevant court and an arbitral panel for determination.
It appealed to members of the public and stakeholders to allow the issues in contention to be resolved in line with the rule of law and in a civilised manner.
An Edo High Court had barred CCETC, its agents or whosoever and howsoever described from accessing Ossiomo Power Company’s land and utilising its electricity infrastructure or parading as shareholders
Act (PIA) of 2021 mandates oil and gas companies in Nigeria to contribute 3 percent of their annual operating expenditure (OPEX) to a Host Community
Development Trust (HCDT) for the development of communities directly affected by petroleum operations. This contribution is intended to provide compensation and
development support to these communities. Funds are typically allocated with 75 percent for capital projects, 20 percent for a reserve fund, and 5 percent for administrative costs,
though guidelines on the 5 percent are still evolving. It was alleged that Conoil was yet to implement this section of the Act, about three years after the Act came into existence.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the passenger train services on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor will effectively resume on October 1, 2025.
pending when the court determined the validity of the Joint Venture Agreement in contention.
The corporation, in a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer of NRC, Callistus Unyimadu,yesterday said the
commercial service would recommence following the successful completion of all required safety, technical, and operational checks.
It stated that the step underscores the corporation’s commitment to ensuring smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public.
Meanwhile, NRC said that in line with its priority on passenger welfare after the
August 26, 2025, incident, out of the 583 passengers on board, 530 passengers were contacted by phone, out of which 512 had successfully received refunds.
“All 22 injured passengers have been contacted, many visited by our medical team, and will enjoy one free ride per week until December 31, 2025.
“All 618 people on board during the August 26, 2025,
accident will be entitled to one free ride before December 31, 2025. Time Table for Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Abuja-Kaduna IDU: 8.45 Kubwa: 9.05 Rigassa: 12.42 (Arrive) Kaduna -Abuja Rigassa: 14.30 Kubwa: 18.02 IDU: 18.23 (Arrive).
“Subsequently, every Wednesday has been scheduled as maintenance for the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
Kwara Utd, Abia Warriors kicked out, Rivers Utd, Remo Star progress
Duro Ikhazuagbe
As it has become the norm in the last decade for Nigerian club sides in continental campaigns, both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out of the CAF Confederation cup campaigns in the first hurdles last night.
Only the Rivers United and Remo Stars have kept their places in the second round of the CAF Champions League.
Yesterday in Abeokuta, Kwara United that raised the hopes of their fans with a narrow 3-4 loss away in the first leg against Asante Kosoko, lost 0-1 in their return leg home fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
The slim victory handed the Ghanaian visitors a 5–3 aggregate triumph, sealing their progression to the next round of the continental competition against Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca.
After losing a pulsating first leg 4–3 in Accra last weekend, Kwara United were banking on their three away goals to overturn the deficit.
However, Asante Kotoko displayed greater composure and tactical discipline in Abeokuta, frustrating the hosts for much of the contest.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half when the Ghanaians capitalised
on a defensive lapse to grab the only goal of the game
In Bamako, Nigeria’s other entry in the Confederation Cup, Abia Warriors also got kicked out of the tournament after losing the clash by the odd goal. Abia Warriors had tied the first leg in Nigeria 1-1 only to go away to succumb to a 0-1 defeat to exit the competition also in the first round.
However, Rivers United brought joy to their fans, defeating visiting Aigles Du Congo 1-0 in Uyo to progress aggregate 1-0. They played a goalless game in the first leg away in Congo penultimate weekend.
Reliable centre half, Stephen Manyo, scores the winner on the stroke of half time to set up the Pride of Rivers people against Mozambique’s Black Bull in the second round.
Earlier on Friday, Remo Stars had consolidated their first leg 4-0 win with 1-0 away win victory against Comoros’ Zilimadjou to progress aggregate 5-0 into the second round of the CAF Champions League. Alex Oyowah scores the lone goal winner for Kunle Soname’s Boys in Mali.
The Nigerian topflight league champions are to play South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round of the tournament.
Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup: 25 LGA Winners Emerge after Dramatic Finals
The 2025 edition of the Delta State Principals’ Cup Football Competition sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc will enter zonal level tomorrow, September 30 after winners emerged from the 25 Local Government areas of the state.
A total of 25 schools that won the zonal tickets from the LG preliminary matches gave football lovers in the state interesting show with plenty of goals in the final matches.
In the final of the Sapele LGA, Okotie -Eboh G/S defeated Okpe Government School 5-1 in a six-goal thriller just as Urhobo College beat Alegbo College 3-0 to emerge the champions of Uvwie LG.
Also, in the final of Ughelli South, Otokutu Government School defeated Ovwor M/s/s 4-0. Another high margin victory was recorded in the final at the Ndokwa-East L.G.A, Aboh as Ashaka M/S/S, Ashaka whipped Oduga S/S Ushie 8-0 in a one sided encounter.
The final of Patani LGA saw a keen contest in which Oproza G/S, Patani bowed 3-2 to Uduophori Secondary Commercial School after penalty shootout.
For the Isoko North LGA, Alaka Grammar School Ozoro walloped Iyede Secondary
Commercial School 5-0 to clinch the sole ticket while a keen contest was experienced in another five-goal thriller decided in the final of the Ethiope East LGA in which Abraka G/S defeated Ojeta Secondary School 3-2 in a tight encounter.
PREMIER LEAGUE
ASTON VILLA 3-1 FULHAM
NEWCASTLE 1-2 ARSENAL
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
RIVERS UTD 1-0 AILES (CONGO)
(*1-0 AGGREGATE)
REMO STARS 1-0 ZILIMADJOU
(*5-0 AGGREGATE)
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
KWARA UTD 0-1 KOTOKO (GHANA)
(*3-5 AGGREGATE)
DJOLIBA (MALI) 1-0 ABIA WAR
(*2-1 AGGREGATE) NPFL
INSURANCE 1-1 BAYELSA
PLATEAU 1-0 EL-KANEMI
KUN KHALIFAT 1-3 BARAU
WOLVES 1-2 SHOOTING
NASARAWA 2-0 KATSINA
WIKKI TOURISTS 2-2 RANGERS
IKORODU CITY 1-1 ENYIMBA
WEDNESDAY (01/10/25)
RIVERS UTD V TORNADOES
THURSDAY (02/10/25)
ABIA WAR V REMO STARS
Gabriel scored a 96th-minute winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle United in the Premier League at St James’
defender got his head on the end of
late glancing header off the
to send
to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool to two points and leave Newcastle floored.
tempestuous game. The
The Flying Eagles will head out of the dugout against Norway today at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile for the first time ever in the history of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament.
Two-time finalists in Saudi Arabia in 1989 and in The Netherlands in 2005, the West African giants will be making their 14th appearance in the competition that commenced as FIFA U21 Youth Tournament in Tunisia in 1977.
Nigerian brothers Damilola and Jomiloju Ajanaku have signed with NK Jedinstvo Bihac, a club in the First League of FBiH—the second tier of professional football in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At a brief but vibrant signing ceremony held on Friday, September 27, the club’s President, Saša Smiljanic, praised the duo’s talent and highlighted Nigeria’s reputation for producing exceptional footballers.
The Management of Sportsville Communication has sent a message of congratulations to Dr. Uyi Akpata on his reelection as President of the Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF).
Sportsville, in a statement signed by its Chairman/CEO, Hon Frank Ilaboya, describes Akpata’s reelection as well deserved and a victory for cricket in the country.
“The news of Dr Akpata’s reelection as the NCF President didn’t come to us as a surprise because over the past four years, Dr Akpata’s has taken the game of Cricket to global height with
On the other hand, their Scandinavian counterparts will step on to the field for only the third time in the history of the championship. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two sides at the U20 level.
The Flying Eagles are far ahead of the Norwegians considering their pedigree in this tournament.
Nigeria sealed their qualification to Chile after finishing third, with
“We decided to sign the two brothers because we recognised the immense talent coming out of Nigeria—players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, and more recently, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who have both won African Footballer of the Year. We hope Damilola and Jomiloju can replicate that level of excellence, not just for our club but also for the Nigerian national team,” Smiljanic said.
He also challenged the siblings to give their best in helping
his foresight and innovative management ideas.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership, and this Akpata has shown since he was first elected in 2021.
“Under his watch, the country’s Cricket has recorded significant achievements like the heavy investment in infrastructure and high-performance centres, national grassroots development programmes, as well as the introduction of professional contracts for Nigerian players,” Hon Ilaboya added.
the bronze medals, during the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. Buoyed by their 1-1 draw against host nation Chile and 3-1 win over Australia in preparatory friendlies for the tournament, the Flying Eagles are brimming with confidence ahead of Monday’s encounter with Norway.
The squad is made up of a blend of home boys and Europe-based players.
the club return to the Premier League, following its relegation in the 2007/2008 season.
The Ajanaku brothers expressed their gratitude to the club’s management for the opportunity and pledged to repay the trust placed in them.
“We’re excited to join this historic club, the first football club in Bihac, founded around 1920. We’re confident we can contribute to the team’s journey back to the Premier League,” said Damilola.
President General Worldwide (PGWW), Government College Ughelli Old Boys’ Association (GCUOBA), Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), has reconstituted the Organising Committee of the annual GCU Relays with the appointment of Omatseye Nesiama to lead the technical charge.
Omatseye Nesiama, who held fort as Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for a couple of years, with resounding success, will be reenergizing the technical subcommittee of the
Fortunately, the Aliyu Zubairled squad will be banking on the experience of team Captain, Daniel Bameyi and midfielder Daniel Daga who were part of the immediate past team that reached the quarterfinal stage in Argentina in 2023. The seven-time African champions will aim for victory as they want to kick off their campaign with a win at Estadio Fiscal de Talca on Monday, starting 5pm Chile time (9pm in Nigeria).
Jomiloju also thanked the club president and everyone who made the move possible, acknowledging the support of their family.
“This is a new chapter in our careers, and we’re grateful to our parents for allowing us to pursue our dreams. It’s a big opportunity to showcase our talents and work toward representing Nigeria and playing for top clubs in Europe. We believe joining NK Jedinstvo Bihac will open doors for us in the near future.”
7th GCU Relays, which logically serves as the engine room of the Inter-Collegiate Meet.
The retired naval commodore will not only bring to the party his tremendous wealth of experience in athletics from numerous involvements in Africa and World Athletics, but will tap on the experience of GCU Relays Ambassador and Olympian, Ruks Bazunu.
“I eagerly look forward to raising the bar at the 7th GCU Relays,” Nesiama said in response to the appointment.
L-R: Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; the groom’s father and former Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; his wife and groom’s mother, Dame Judith Amaechi; the groom, Dr. Chikamkpa Amaechi with the bride, Anita; former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his wife, Mrs.Titi Abubakar at the wedding ceremony of Amaechi’s son in Abuja... weekend.
Any human person who is approaching the age of 65, as Nigeria is about to clock as an independent nation in two days’ time, unless if the Almighty blessed you with the best of health, the person is most unlikely to escape from the ravages of age. The knees are stiff; the hair is grey; hearing is impaired; eyesight is diminished; spectacles adorn the eyes; the nose does not savour the sweet smell of soups due to ravages of catarrh and Covid; the back is bent; breathing is heavy after a short walk; the arms can no longer carry a heavy bucket; memory is fading; the teeth have many gaps; the jaws are weak and cannot chew tough meat.
Wear and tear due to age afflicts not just humans but old motor vehicles as well. The engine is weak and sputtering; the shafts are creaking; the rings are bellowing smoke; the carburetor and nozzles are sputtering; the gasket is leaking; the radiator is overheating and may have already burnt the top cylinder gasket; the spark plugs no longer spark to ignite fuel in the carburetors; the battery does not start in the morning and if the car has manual engine, then it must be pushed; the lower arm is broken; the fan belt has cut, so the alternator is not charging the battery; the water pump is leaking; all the headlights are dim; the trafficator bulbs are blown; the fuel tank is leaking; the speedometer cable has cut; the throttle cable is cut; the windscreen wipers are worn down to the steel blades; the crankshaft has already been cut to the maximum 020 and the mechanic says it cannot be cut again.
Wear and tear due to age does not spare a house that is poorly maintained, as too many Nigerian houses are either because the breadwinner has retired or died, or because the house is chaotic due to inheritance battles. For a poorly maintained house, the wrought iron roof is red with rust; the ceiling is potholed; all the water pipes are leaking; the window frames are long gone; the doors have no lock; the floor tiles are dug up; no sign of the mosquito nets; the furniture is worn thin; the toilet is not flushing; the electrical cables are hanging out and the Band A NEPA meter has not been recharged for weeks.
But unlike persons, vehicles and houses, a country is supposed to keep improving with age. While grandparents’ and parents’ generations have steadily thinned out, youngsters are being born every day, and they easily out number the previous generations, such that the country’s population has multiplied several times since 1960. Only that, the new generations require as much careful maintenance as old cars and old houses, lest they be lost to the social media. If a country’s infrastructure, amenities, economic assets, political institutions and social fabric are well maintained, it should be much better at 65 then it was at 0 age. But that is a very big IF.
There are some roads in Nigeria that have not been resurfaced since colonial times; some bridges built in the 1950s have been the same ever since and have lost all their railings; some radio stations have been operating the same transmitters for five decades or more; some schools, built with stone and cement since the 1930s have not expanded even though the 1963, 1973, 1991 and 2006 national population censuses all recorded huge population increases; a video was recently posted on social media of a primary school in [deleted] state where the pupils were packed together like sardines; corrugated iron roofs installed in the 1950s have become reddened with rust; some city slums that sprang up decades ago without any town planner’s touch have been the same ever since.
In many areas Nigeria has recorded major improvements; in fact in some areas, we leapfrogged directly from the Stone Age to the digital age. But some of our policemen still carry batons when bandits carry AK 49s; some judges still write with long hand while trying tech-savvy Yahoo Yahoo boys; some civil service offices still use manual typewriters, stencils and cyclostyling machines; electric typewriters, fax machines, radio telephones, scanners, personal computers, internet, smart phones and Wi-Fi all left them stranded. We have written many constitutions since the 1950s and went from one end of the world to another to copy governance systems, but Nigerian politicians still play by the rules of the 1940s. They whip up ethnic and religious sentiments; campaign for high offices without a program; shout themselves hoarse from the rostrums but say nothing substantial; and they still believe in vote buying and election rigging.
All that is not my worry today. My main worry as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, most certainly with a public holiday on Wednesday, is that in 65 years too many iconic Nigerian things have gone with the wind [apologies to Margaret Mitchell]. Our national structure has changed beyond recognition; where are our Regions, our Provinces, our Divisions and our Native Authorities? Any Nigerian who died in the 1960s and is resuscitated today will be confused by our governance structure. He will ask, where is the Governor General, where is the Prime Minister, where are the Premiers, where are the Regional Governors, where are the Provincial Commissioners, where are the Residents, District Officers, Divisional Secretaries, Assistant District Officers and even the Adult Education Organisers? Why was it that Native Authorities maintained well-stocked libraries [called Dakin Karatu in the North] but the National Library now needs the First Lady’s donation of N20 billion to complete its shelves? Our streets are unrecognizable to a Nigerian who died in the 1960s. Lada, Moskovich, Citroen, Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Igala, Volkswagen Santana [Lawrence Anini’s official vehicle]; Land rover, Austin, Morris, Holden, Vauxhall and Commer are all nowhere to be seen. Where are our once ubiquitous superstores Kingsway, Chellarams, UTC, John Holt, Leventis, Bhojsons and G B Olivant? How can today’s youngsters not be hooked to Man U, Man City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich and Deportivo de La Coruna since our great football clubs Port Harcourt Red Devils, Mighty Jets of Jos, Enugu Rangers, Bauchi Wunti, Kaduna Bees, Alyufsalam Rocks of Ilorin, Niger Tornadoes of Minna, BCC Lions of Gboko, IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Bendel Insurance of Benin, P&T Vasco Da Gama of Lagos, Stationery Stores of Lagos, NEPA of Lagos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, Zamfara Club 50 of Gusau, El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Calabar Rovers, Abiola Babes of Abeokuta and Sahara Storms of Sokoto are either nowhere to be found or are shadows of their former selves?
On our sporting fields, who succeeded the sprinter Modupe Oshikoya, who succeeded the world-renown boxer Dick Tiger, who replaced the great goalkeepers Inuwa Rigogo and Emmanuel Okalla, which great dribbler succeeded Segun Odegbami, which captain ever inspired like Christian Chukwu, which table tennis player succeeded Kasali Lasisi, which weight lifter succeeded Oliver Orok, which Sprinter today overtook Chidi Imoh even when his 1987 record breaking sprint was declared “wind-aided,” and which sprinter took over from Mary Onyali? In the 1970s when Power Mike slammed the Hungarian Destroyer Tibor Szakacs and then demolished the [black] British Head Butt King Johny Kwango, which
Gen Z wrestler repeated the feat, apart from cooking jollof rice into the Guiness Book of Records? Is that more spectacular and did it put Nigeria on the world map more than what Dick Tiger did in 1963, when he defeated Gene Fullmer in a boxing match at Las Vegas Convention Centre?
Which comedian today succeeded Afolabi Afolayan, alias Jaguar; Baba Sala, Golobo, Karkuzu na Bodara, Kasagi, and Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30? Which football radio commentator ever succeeded Ernest Okonkwo and which other broadcasters succeeded Adamu Augie, James Audu, Sadiq Daba, Walter Oyetogun, Yinka Craig and Danladi Bako who is still around but less heard of? Many of the newspapers that for several decades informed, educated and sometimes entertained Nigerians are today either gone or hardly seen. Where is The Tide, The Chronicle; Morning Post, Statesman, The Star, Spectator, The Broom, The Voice, Standard, Herald, Triumph, Sketch, Post Express, Daily Star, The Path and Observer? Once the oldest and mightiest of them all, Daily Times, Sunday Times, Headlines and their side kick, Lagos Weekend, have all vanished from the scene, save for some epileptic resurgence on the web.
Many of the once great state institutions are nowhere to be seen now. Where is Public Works Department [PWD], Electricity Corporation of Nigeria [ECN], Niger Dams Authority [NDA], National Electric Power Authority [NEPA], Post and Telegraph [P&T], Nigeria External Communications [NET], Nigeria Telecommunications [NITEL] and Nigeria Coal Corporation? Where is Nigeria Livestock and Meat Authority? Look Nigerian Army, where is WASA [West African Social Activities] that you used to hold every year? I hear that government is about to create Forest Guards to chase bandits and terrorists out of ungoverned spaces, but where is the old Sarkin Daji of the Native Authorities, without whose permission in the olden days you could not walk into any bush and cut a tree?
In sheer glamour, Nigeria these days has no successor to Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s flowing gown; Abubakar Audu’s heavily embroidered gowns; Solomon Lar’s long cap; Malam Aminu Kano’s drab red cap; Chief Awolowo’s round glasses; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s dazzling’s neck beads; KO Mbadiwe’s big grammar; MCK Ajuluchukwu’s rapid-fire press releases; Abdulkadir Young-Sidi’s hot Latin grammar; or even Jim Nwobodo’s shining diamond ring. I was standing at a bus stop in Awka when Governor Nwobodo’s motorcade passed by; he lowered the hind glasses of his Mercedes car to greet well wishers and I saw a brilliant flash shining on the buildings nearby. I asked a fellow by-stander what that was, and he said, “Oh, Jim’s diamond ring!” Some rulers of today, do they even have brass rings to dazzle by-standers?