Kayode Tokede
Senate, House Panel Heads to South Africa as NASS Moves to Confront Xenophobic Attacks... Page 5 Continued on page 10
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L-R:
Adamu
Akin
Executive
Dr. Adobi
Louis Odom, Executive Director, during the 35th Annual General Meeting of Zenith Bank PLC held in Lagos, yesterday
with W Health loan
The W Health Loan provides women with access to financing for eligible healthcare services
*Terms and conditions apply
L-R: Deputy Senate Leader, Lola Ashiru; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Adamu Aliero; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Chairman, Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Kalu; and Senate Whip, Tahir Monguno, during plenary, yesterday
The National Assembly on Tuesday escalated its response to the resurgence of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana, resolving to dispatch a high-powered joint ad hoc committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to engage authorities in Pretoria and push for concrete safeguards for Nigerian citizens.
The decision which followed an intense debate in the Senate signals a shift toward direct parliamentary diplomacy even as lawmakers demanded tough sanctions against perpetrators and warned of looming diplomatic fallout if the violence persists.
The ad hoc committee, to be led by the leadership of the National Assembly, is mandated to undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic mission to South Africa, where it will interface with the South African Parliament and relevant authorities to formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure and negotiate lasting solutions to the recurring attacks.
As part of its assignment, the delegation is also expected to assess compliance with past bilateral agreements, particularly resolutions reached during a 2019 Nigeria–South Africa engagement, with a view to ensuring their full implementation.
The Senate further resolved to
formally communicate with the Speaker of the South African Parliament ahead of the visit, while also inviting Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on ongoing diplomatic efforts and outcomes of high-level engagements already initiated by the executive arm.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance on the “Intensifying Xenophobic Persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana,” which drew widespread condemnation across party lines.
Lawmakers described the attacks as “barbaric, unlawful and deeply troubling,” warning that the pattern of violence, intimidation and profiling of Nigerians based solely on their nationality threatens not only individual safety but also the broader framework of African unity.
They expressed grave concern over the growing climate of fear, humiliation and psychological trauma faced by Nigerians abroad, noting that many have lost lives, businesses and livelihoods built over decades.
“The sustained hostility undermines the very foundation of inter-African cooperation and risks entrenching a dangerous cycle of impunity if not decisively addressed,” the Senate said.
The chamber acknowledged that South African authorities had admitted
to recent incidents and pledged to restore order, but stressed that assurances must now be matched with concrete action, including the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
During deliberations, opinions were sharply divided on the appropriate response.
While some lawmakers, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, advocated a more forceful approach—proposing economic retaliation against South African business interests operating in Nigeria—others urged caution.
Oshiomhole argued that decisive measures, including sanctions, would compel compliance and signal Nigeria’s
seriousness in protecting its citizens.
However, Senator Adamu Aliero cautioned against actions that could undermine ongoing diplomatic engagements, revealing that the Minister of Foreign Affairs was already in South Africa addressing the crisis.
He urged the Senate to allow the executive arm exhaust dialogue channels, given the sensitivity of bilateral relations.
In his intervention, Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the importance of diplomacy over economic reprisals, noting that while the attacks were unacceptable, engagement—not retaliation—remains the preferred path to resolution.
He said the National Assembly’s intervention through the ad hoc committee would complement executive efforts and reinforce Nigeria’s position at the highest levels.
The Senate also revisited Nigeria’s historical role in South Africa’s liberation struggle, with Senator Victor Umeh reminding colleagues of the sacrifices made by Nigerians between the 1960s and 1990s to support the anti-apartheid movement.
“Nigerians stood at the forefront— workers, students, civil servants and traders—committing resources and goodwill to secure South Africa’s freedom. What we see today is a
betrayal of that shared history,” he said. Beyond diplomatic engagement, the Senate adopted a series of far-reaching resolutions aimed at strengthening protection for Nigerians abroad.
It called on the federal government to initiate structured, high-level dialogue with authorities in South Africa and Ghana to secure enforceable guarantees for the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens.
The chamber also demanded a transparent and independent investigation into all reported incidents, insisting that perpetrators and their sponsors must be identified and prosecuted without delay.
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has urged Nigerian undergraduates to desire and aspire to become certified actuaries (Actuarial Science professionals), which offers more opportunities than any other in the financial service sector.
The FRC explained that it was
driving the crusade to enlist as many Nigerians as possible into the Actuarial Science profession because Nigeria was currently facing an acute shortage of certified actuarial scientists.
It said even though the future of the financial service depends on certified professional actuarial scientists, Nigeria presently has barely 28 actuaries (certified actuarial
Funmi Ogundare
Chairman of MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, yesterday, revealed that the foundation had committed over N4 billion to its flagship “What Can We Do Together” (WCWDT) initiative, as it officially opened nominations for the 2026 phase of the programme. Belo-Olusoga made this known at the launch of the programme in Lagos. The programme allows communities to identify their needs, while interventions are verified and delivered transparently.
Belo-Olusoga emphasised a shift from traditional corporate philanthropy to a more inclusive, community-driven development model.
The chairman, represented by
an independent Non-Executive Director of the foundation, Sir Etim Amana, stated that the initiative was designed to prioritise collaboration with communities rather than imposing solutions on them, stressing that sustainable development must be built on shared responsibility.
According to her, the WCWDT programme challenges the long-standing approach where development is done for communities, instead of advocating for development carried out with communities.
Emphasising the impact of the initiative so far, she disclosed that in the health sector, the foundation had revitalised 181 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), providing over 3.3 million Nigerians, particularly in remote areas, with access to improved and dignified healthcare
services.
In the education sector, BeloOlusoga stated that 110 science laboratories had been equipped across the country, enabling students to gain practical knowledge and better prepare for careers in science, engineering, and medicine.
She revealed that the initiative had reached 623 communities across 32 states, describing the figures as more than statistics but real-life transformations affecting mothers, children, and students nationwide.
“As we announce the commencement of the 2026 ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative, our objective is clear, we are seeking the next set of communities to benefit from upgraded PHCs and modern science laboratories,” she said.
She called on stakeholders to play an active role in bridging the gap
between available resources and underserved communities, urging them to mobilise nominations from across the country.
Belo-Olusoga stated that nominations for the 2026 programme opened on May 5 and will close on June 8, 2026, with submissions to be made via the foundation’s official website.
Reaffirming the foundation’s commitment, she stated that access to quality healthcare and education remains critical to achieving a modern and connected society, stating that the sectors form the bedrock of national development.
She urged Nigerians to actively participate in the initiative by nominating deserving communities, while also calling for greater collaboration in addressing infrastructure gaps across the country.
professionals.)
A certified actuarial professional is called an actuary.
Speaking yesterday at the departmental day of the Department of Insurance and Actuarial Science, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, the Head, Directorate of Audit Practice Standards, FRC, Mr. Mufutau Olasunkunmi, said, “the most endangered profession in Nigeria is the actuarial profession because out of about 240 million Nigerians, we have only 28 actuaries.”
Olasunkunmi said the shortage was so acute that strategic regulators in the financial sector could not receive an application after advertising for vacancies for actuarial professionals.
He disclosed that Nigeria goes as far as Kenya, South Africa, England, and beyond to scout for actuaries.
“And I tell you what they earn in a week can justify somebody’s salary for the next 20 years,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the students to accept the challenge to become actuaries.
“And let me tell you. If you write your exam for an actuary, if you pass today, the entire world will know you have passed.
“And they will be poaching for you wherever you are. Are you listening to me?
“So, the earlier you start, the better for you. You can start today.
“And you can be one. There is a student who’s about to become an actuary from Federal University of Dutse, Niger State. You are the future we are looking up to,” he said.
He said that actuaries use complex mathematics, knowledge of probability theory, economics, and statistics, to determine the likelihood of risks in investment banking, the insurance world, and so many other enterprises.
Olasunkunmi stated that the FRC would repay any one that passed any stage of the examinations required to become an actuary the cost of writing that professional examination in Nigeria.
He said: “Write the examination. If you pass today, FRC will give you your money. As of this year, we are paying for about 17 students.
“Once you pass today, bring your results, and we will pay you the money.”
He also disclosed that the FRC is putting up structures that would enable Nigerians to prepare for the professional examination, including accessing “professionals from India or any other countries, who will come and lecture you online.
“My prayer is that you can see that the future of the financial profession is in actuary.
balance sheets are cleaned up
For Firstbank to put out an advertorial in the media that Nestoil is to be blamed for their woes is a dangerous and grievous blackmail that MUST stop
The paid advertorial stated that United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Access Bank, did not declare dividends for shareholders in their 2025 full-year financials.
UBA earnings crash exposes deep failures meanwhile their shareholders are shortchanged.
UBA's bruising 2025 performance, lays bare serious lapses in risk management, cost discipline, and earnings quality
A ₦322 billion swing from FX gains to losses revealed the bank's dangerous dependence on currency windfalls rather than sustainable banking income. At the same time, impairment charges spiked by over 50%, and lending quality deteriorated sharply—clear signs of weak oversight.
**Despite collapsing income, costs rose aggressively, pushing the cost-to-income ratio close to 60%, a level widely seen as unacceptable for a Tier-1 bank. *
Despite declining revenues, UBA's operating costs continued to climb Employee expenses rose by nearly 20%. The failure to rein in costs during a downturn further squeezed profitability and highlighted poor cost discipline at a time when revenue streams were already under pressure.
Shareholders were left disappointed as regulator y requirements forced the bank to retain earnings. Over N420 billion was transferred into reser ves, limiting funds available for distribution.
UBA's 2025 results reflect a combination of strategic and operational shortcomings: overdependence on volatile FX income, weak cost control and regulator y pressure and other factors.
The 2025 results amount to a stark verdict: poor judgment, weak controls, and overreliance on volatile income streams have come at a direct cost to shareholders.
THE FALSE IMAGINARY FIGURE OF $2BILLION.
It is now becoming clear to us why Firstbank keeps quoting in their media
calumny that Nestoil owes a $2billion loan debt.
They were targeting OML42 through the back door and looking for a scape goat for their mismanagement of shareholders monies.
TO SET RECORDS STRAIGHT, BY NO FIGMENT OF IMAGINATION DOES NESTOIL LIMITED OWE ANY BANK OR CONSORTIUM OF BANKS $2BILLION US DOLL ARS. IN WHAT MARKET??
NESTOIL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A $2BILLION DEBT AND HAS NO LOAN DEBT OF $2B OR N2.9. TRILLION.
THESE FIGURES ARE FICTITIOUS, FALSE, MISCHIEVOUS, FAKE AND COMPLETELY ALIEN TO NESTOIL.
MEDIA COMPLICIT Y WILL AT TRACT CONSEQUENCES
v Any media organisation that publishes paid, unverified, and defamator y material under the guise of news reporting is not a neutral platform—it is a participant.
v Failure to clearly distinguish advertorials from editorial content, especially where such content contains defamator y claims, creates direct legal exposure.
v It should be noted however that Leadership Newspaper labelled their own publication advertorial.
v Advertorial means a paid and sponsored article.
TO FBN, ACCESS BANK, AND UBA: THIS SPONSORING OF FALSE AND MALICIOUS ARTICLES AND FAKE $2Billion LOAN DEBT MUST STOP NOW.
FBN Holdings Plc (First bank), Access Bank Plc, and United Bank for Africa (UBA) are hereby issued a final directive:
Immediately halt all media campaigns, advertorial placements, and third-party publications targeting Nestoil.
Retract and publicly correct all false and misleading statements and figures already circulated
Cease attempts to manipulate public opinion and prejudice ongoing legal processes
Any continuation of this conduct will be interpreted as willful defamation and malicious injur y, and will be met with swift and decisive legal action.
TAKE YOUR CL AIMS TO COURT — OR WITHDRAW THEM
If these banks genuinely believe they have claims:
Present them in court. With evidence.
Stop:
Circulating sensational and fake unverified figures
Engaging in media theatrics
Attempting to bypass due process
The courts—not paid publications—are the proper forum for determining liability
FBN HoldCo's ₦407.8 billion loss and ₦748.1 billion impairment, are the result of its own actions—recklessness, poor judgment, weak governance, and unchecked excess.
The inability of UBA and Accessbank to pay dividends to their shareholders, is the direct consequence of the way they have either managed or mismanaged their banks.
It is not, in any form or manner, attributable to Nestoil.
ANY FURTHER AT TEMPT TO ASSERT OTHERWISE WILL BE TREATED AS: Defamation
Malicious falsehood
Intentional reputational harm
Nestoil Limited is fully prepared to pursue maximum legal remedies against all responsible parties.
Signed:
Management
DAPO ABIODUN ADDRESSING OGUN STATE PILGRIMS BEFORE DEPARTURE FROM GATEWAY AIRPORT SAUDI...
Governor Dapo Abiodun addressing Ogun State pilgrims shortly before their departure for Saudi Arabia at the Gateway International Airport on Sunday night
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, yesterday met with local contractors, expressing the federal government’s commitment to resolving outstanding obligations in a fair, transparent, and structured manner.
Oyedele said doing so was part of broader efforts to sustain economic reforms and strengthen
public confidence.
The minister gave the assurance at a high-level meeting with representatives of the All-Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria in Abuja, aimed at addressing the prolonged impasse between the federal government and indigenous service providers.
The local contractors had a prolonged battle with the former Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun over the government’s failure to
pay for long-executed contracts.
In a statement, the Head, Information and Public Relations Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie said Oyedele’s engagement with the contractors on Monday focused on outstanding payments related to capital expenditure, with discussions centred on the need for clarity, accountability, and a credible framework for resolving verified claims.
The minister emphasised that the process will balance fiscal realities with the government’s responsibility to honour legitimate obligations.
“Resolving these obligations is important not just for contractors, but for confidence in government, job creation, business continuity, and overall economic stability,” the minister stated.
He acknowledged the concerns raised by the contractors, particularly regarding delayed payments,
contract variations, and the impact of ongoing fiscal reforms on project execution.
Oyedele assured stakeholders that the government was working closely with relevant institutions to reconcile outstanding claims and establish a clear and sustainable payment structure.
The minister noted that while the administration remains committed to bold and necessary reforms to stabilise the economy, such measures
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) in Nigeria recorded total billings of N242.29 billion in February 2026, but were only able to collect N196.68 billion, translating to a collection efficiency of 81.17 per cent during the period.
According to the latest factsheet released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), while the commercial performance of the Discos improved in some areas, significant gaps persisted in revenue recovery and operational efficiency across the country.
For instance the N196.68 billion revenue collected in February was less than the N204.74 billion received by the power distributors in January, implying a 3.94 per cent dip in earnings month-on-month.
In the period under review, total energy received by the Discos stood at 277.09 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), while energy billed was 242.29 billion kWh. This resulted in a billing efficiency of 87.44 per cent, indicating that a portion of supplied electricity remained unbilled due to technical and commercial losses.
On the revenue side, the N242.29 billion billed translated into actual collections of N196.68 billion, leaving a revenue shortfall of over N45 billion. Despite this gap, collection efficiency rose to 81.17 per cent, reflecting a 4.84 percentage point improvement compared to January 2026.
Further THISDAY analysis of the figures showed that the average allowed tariff stood at N124.30 per kWh, while the actual
average collection was significantly lower at N100.27 per kWh. This resulted in an overall revenue recovery efficiency of 80.67 per cent, suggesting that Discos are still unable to fully realise approved tariffs.
Among the individual Discos, Eko Disco emerged as the strongest performer in revenue recovery, achieving 100.67 per cent efficiency. Besides, Abuja Disco posted a strong performance with 95.13 per cent recovery efficiency, followed by Ikeja Disco with 85.83 per cent recovery efficiency.
In contrast, Kaduna Disco recorded the weakest recovery rate at just 41.20 per cent, highlighting deep challenges in revenue collection within its franchise area. Ibadan and Jos Discos also underperformed, with recovery efficiencies of 64.21 per cent and 66.29 per cent respectively. Collection efficiency varied widely across operators. Eko again led with 94.12 per cent, followed by Abuja at 89.28 per cent and Benin at 86.95 per cent. At the lower end, Kaduna recorded just 49.27 per cent collection efficiency, while Enugu and Kano stood at 67.73 per cent and 62.49 per cent respectively.
Billing efficiency, which reflects the proportion of energy received that is successfully billed, was highest in Kano at 99.04 per cent and Eko at 97.20 per cent and Abuja with 93.7 per cent. Yola recorded the lowest billing efficiency at 66.09 per cent, suggesting substantial losses in energy accounting.
In absolute terms, Abuja Disco
recorded the highest energy re- ceived at 46.20 billion kWh and billed 43.29 billion kWh, while Ikeja followed with 44.67 billion kWh received and 40.89 billion kWh billed.
The data also indicated that while some Discos are improving month-on-month, the sector continues to grapple with systemic inefficiencies, including energy losses, poor metering, and weak revenue collection mechanisms.
The NERC data noted that most of the key performance indicators showed marginal improvements compared to January 2026, particularly in billing, collection,
and recovery efficiencies. However, the disparities among Discos underscored uneven operational capacities and the need for targeted interventions.
Nigeria’s electricity sector continues to operate far below demand, with available generation typically hovering between about 4,000MW and 5,500MW against an estimated national demand that often exceeds 12,000MW to 20,000MW depending on industrial activity and peak periods.
Installed generation capacity is higher on paper at over 13,000MW, but a significant share remains constrained by gas shortages, grid
instability, maintenance issues, and technical faults across thermal and hydro plants. This persistent gap between installed, available, and actual dispatched power remains the structural foundation of the country’s electricity crisis.
On the transmission side, the national grid remains a major bottleneck. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has a wheeling capacity that has gradually improved to above 8,000MW in technical terms, but in practice the grid often becomes unstable at much lower loads due to frequency fluctuations and ageing infrastructure.
will continue to be implemented with due consideration for stakeholders to minimize disruptions.
“The government recognises the critical role local contractors play in infrastructure development and economic growth. We are determined to resolve all outstanding issues through structured engagement within the framework of fiscal responsibility,” he added.
The meeting had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Raymond Omachi; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma; the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi; the Director, Cash Management, Federal Ministry of Finance; and the Director, Funds, and other line Directors both from the Finance Ministry and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Representatives of the contractors commended the minister for initiating the dialogue and expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would lead to practical and lasting solutions.
They also pledged their continued cooperation with the government to ensure the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects across the country.
Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin
Founder/CEO
of
Skyewise
Group, Dr. Elvis Abuyere, has called on both local and foreign investors to invest in Edo, saying the state has become a destination for investors.
Abuyere said the group had concluded plans to establish an automobile assembly plant in the state.
He also urged the Nigerian government to create a more businessfriendly environment that enabled entrepreneurs to thrive, reduced unemployment, and eradicated poverty.
Abuyere spoke in Benin yesterday during an interaction with journalists.
He called on foreign investors to partner the management as they scaled Skyewise Group into a globally recognised brand, stating that the future of Africa lies in entrepreneurs, innovation, and economic empowerment.
According to him, in the near future, “We are looking at how we can do more expansion. We have been in the business of selling automobiles in Nigeria for the past 11 years.
“Our goal is to ensure that we give a touch of excellence and we are looking forward to where we can have our own assembly plant, where we can be assembling vehicles even here in Edo State, not just anywhere
else in Nigeria.”
The Edo-born investor added that the company was deploying modern technologies to build the human capacity of youths in the state for future endeavours in the automobile industry.
He reiterated the company’s desire to empower Nigerian youths with financial competence to face the challenges of the future.
Abuyere said the Skyewise group foundation was concerned with building young minds and empowering young people to stand the test of time and reduce insecurity in the country. The CEO of Skyewise Group stated that this was the time to begin to take giant
steps by refining the mind-set of young people to give them a sense of belonging and direction.
He stated, “We want to have our youth empowerment, which is the Skyewise Foundation, because we believe it’s the future of Africa and that future lies in the lives of the young people of Nigeria because Nigeria stands as a symbol of the giant of Africa, and we are the giant of Africa.”
He explained that the digital automobile company was in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, where the company’s businesses were inculcated into technology, enhancement, and innovation.
L-R: Professor of Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Professor Emily Jones; Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and AIG–Imokhuede Foundation Visiting Fellow of Practice, Blavatnik School of Government, Dr. Funke Adepoju-Olayomi, and the Executive Vice Chairman, AIG–Imokhuede Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwhe Aig-Imokhuede, during the presentation of the AIG Visiting Fellowship Certificate of Achievement to Dr. Olayomi at the the University of Oxford, United States of America...recently
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the firm resolve of the President Bola Tinubu administration to address humanitarian situations across Nigeria.
Shettima said the administration will continue to engage more with critical stakeholders, including development partners, in tackling grey areas in humanitarian responses across the country.
He made the pledge on Tuesday when he played host to a delegation from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nigeria, led by Ms Doris El Doueihy, at State House, Abuja.
The vice president said Nigeria, under the leadership of Tinubu, will continue to nurture existing relationships with key stakeholders, like ICRC, stressing, “It is only when we continue engaging with organisations like the Red Cross that we can address some of the grey areas in our humanitarian responses across the country.”
Shettima lauded ICRC for its professionalism and commitment to the ideals of a peaceful and just society, especially in areas plagued by armed conflict and related vices.
He welcomed the proposal to
establish a national mechanism for humanitarian response, particularly, in managing the plight of victims of armed conflict, stating that the federal government is willing to collaborate with the ICRC to establish and operationalise the framework for Nigeria.
humanitarian response mechanism
While thanking the delegation for the visit, the vice president assured that Nigeria’s security forces, which he described as one of the most professional in the world, will continue to operate in tandem with international guidelines and standards.
Earlier, Ms El Doueihy commended Nigeria for domesticating the Kampala Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, describing the country as a leader and model for emulation across Africa and beyond.
She said the visit to the presidency was in acknowledgement and affirmation of the organisation’s healthy diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which had blossomed over the years of its operations in the country.
El Doueihy said ICRC was proud
to associate with Nigeria as a leader in the continent and a partner with the country in advancing the cause of humanitarian support across conflict zones in the areas of health, water, and training of security personnel, among others.
Boniface Okoro in Umuahia
World Bank has selected Abia State as one of the six states in Nigeria to benefit from the global financial institution’s $700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) project. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided by Governor Alex Otti.
The World Bank grant would help Abia improve access to potable water and sanitation in the state and assist the state government to realise its goal of restoring potable
water supply to all homes across the state.
The SURWASH initiative covers both urban and rural areas, and it is designed to strengthen the water supply system and hygiene.
Kanu said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Small-Town Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project, suspended by the United States government at the inception of President Donald Trump’s second term, had resumed under a new funding arrangement facilitated by Mercy Corps.
He explained that the project would entail rehabilitation of both urban and rural water schemes in the state, including the Ubakala and Ariaria water schemes.
In the power sector, Kanu announced that Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA) had issued three interim licenses to two power distribution companies –New Era and Aba Power – and one power generation firm, Geometric Power.
He added that the Ohafia power restoration project had reached 85 per cent completion.
The commissioner said the installation of 1.8 megawatt micro-grid solar power project designed to power the Central Bus Terminals in Umuahia and Aba, respectively, had commenced.
He said the project “is in line with the state government’s integrated energy transition programme demonstrated in the acquisition
of the electric vehicle buses for Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service Scheme”.
He said the Otti administration would clock three years on May 29, stressing that the state government would mark the anniversary with commissioning of completed projects or flag-off of new ones across the three senatorial zones.
Providing further clarification on the water projects, Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, said the SURWASH project entailed rehabilitating the water schemes to provide potable water to the people around Ubakala and Ariaria axis.
Monday explained, “For the Ariaria water scheme, the plan is to link it to the storage at Okigwe
Road (Aba). And you know, we’re already also working to see if, at some point, all these water schemes will be linked to provide pipe-borne water to our people.
“If you go to Ubakala, you will also find that the contractor is already on site. So, this is a big milestone in the move to re- introduce potable water to our homes, to the people of Abia.” On power, Monday said the electricity market of Abia State had taken off fully.
“And last week, the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) issued three interim licenses to three key companies within the state. Two distribution licenses and one generation license,” he said.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Nigeria and Ghana have reinforced their joint fight against drug trafficking networks in West Africa, sending a strong warning to criminal cartels with a new wave of coordinated enforcement and intelligence-sharing efforts.
Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), declared that Nigeria and Ghana were now more aligned than ever in tackling transnational
drug crimes. He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission, led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
Marwa described the visit as a strategic step beyond diplomacy, emphasizing that the growing sophistication of drug trafficking and its links to money laundering demand deeper regional collaboration.
“Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilise our
societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united,” he said.
Marwa stated that joint efforts in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies would significantly shrink the operational space for criminal networks.
A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation in combating the production and
trafficking of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and associated financial crimes.
Marwa said the MoU transformed an already strong relationship into a “structured, aggressive, and unified front” against drug barons, adding that both countries would intensify joint training, digital forensics collaboration, and coordinated operations across the West African corridor.
Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, describing the relationship between
both countries as one rooted in shared history and mutual respect. He stressed that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties rather than starting new ones.
He also warned that drug trafficking across West Africa was becoming more complex, with traffickers adopting advanced methods, expanding maritime routes, and increasing the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.
He underscored a shift in Ghana’s role from primarily a transit hub
to a country facing rising domestic drug use and distribution challenges.
“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” Mantey said, underscoring the need for practical cooperation in operations, intelligence sharing, and institutional capacity building.
He added that the success of the new partnership would depend on concrete implementation, including coordinated enforcement actions and sustained collaboration between both agencies.
NNPC, IOCs supplied 28.6m barrels of 61.9m barrels domestic obligation in Q1 NUPRC: We are refining DCSO methodology to enhance transparency
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Nigeria’s domestic refining push faced fresh headwinds in the first quarter of 2026, as the Dangote Refinery alongside other local plants received less than half of the crude oil allocated to them under the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO).
This is according to fresh data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday, which showed a significant gap between crude oil allocated, volumes offered by producers, and actual deliveries to domestic refiners such as the Dangote Refinery and other local facilities.
According to the commission, a total of 61.9 million barrels of crude oil was allocated to domestic refineries in the first quarter of the year. However, it stated that producers collectively offered a higher volume of 68.7 million barrels within the same period,
indicating that on paper, supply commitments exceeded regulatory expectations.
But despite this, actual crude delivered to local refineries stood at just 28.5 million barrels, translating to a supply performance of between 36 and 46 per cent, underscoring persistent bottlenecks in the implementation of the DCSO policy.
While producers are technically meeting or even exceeding their “offer” obligations, the inability to translate these into firm deliveries suggests deeper issues around contract terms and pricing benchmarks.
The NUPRC attributed the persistent shortfall largely to pricing disagreements between crude oil producers and domestic refiners.
According to the commission, the DCSO operates under a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ model, meaning that transactions are ultimately subject to commercial negotiations rather than strict enforcement of supply volumes.
This market-driven approach,
while designed to encourage efficiency, now appears to be limiting the ability of local refineries to secure adequate crude supply, especially in a global environment where export markets may offer more attractive pricing.
“The shortfall between volumes offered and actual deliveries has been attributed primarily to pricing gaps between producers and domestic refiners. The commission emphasised that the current framework operates on a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ basis, which continues to shape transaction outcomes,” a statement by the NUPRC spokesman, Eniola Akinkuotu, said.
Last month, the Dangote Refinery expressed concern over the unwillingness of International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to sell crude to the refinery, stating that their preference for selling oil to international traders was forcing it to repurchase at higher costs, with broader implications
for the economy.
President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, spoke while hosting the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, at the company’s industrial complex in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The refinery, Dangote said, has continued to bridge the gap of crude supply through imports from the United States and other African oil producers despite improvement of supply through the naira-for-crude initiative.
However, a month-by-month breakdown of the figures by the NUPRC revealed a pattern of underperformance in physical deliveries, despite relatively strong supply offers by upstream operators.
In January, following consultations with industry stakeholders, the NUPRC said it directed producers to supply 22.6 million barrels to domestic refiners. According to the commission, producers surpassed this target by offering 25.3 million
barrels, an increase of 11.9 per cent or 2.7 million barrels above the mandated volume. However, it stated that only 9.2 million barrels were eventually delivered.
The trend, it stressed, continued in February, when the commission allocated 20.5 million barrels for local refining. Producers fell slightly short, offering 19.8 million barrels, missing the target by about 700,000 barrels. Actual deliveries were weaker, dropping marginally to 9.1 million barrels, it stated.
In March, there was a modest improvement in supply, with deliveries rising to 10.1 million barrels. However, this still lagged significantly behind both the 18.8 million barrels allocated by the regulator and the 23.6 million barrels offered by producers, which exceeded the target by 25.5 per cent.
The data highlighted a recurring disconnect between commitments and execution, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the DCSO framework (as it currently is) in
guaranteeing feedstock for Nigeria’s growing refining capacity. The commission, however, maintained that it remains committed to achieving national energy security objectives. It stated that it would continue to refine the DCSO mechanism in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to improve transparency, efficiency, and compliance. It also noted that sustaining recent gains in crude oil production remains critical to ensuring adequate volumes are available for both domestic refining and export obligations.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, in Paris, France, assured international investors that his government’s post-2027 agenda would centre around strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal discipline, transparency as well as delivering policy consistency to the citizenry.
Responding to a question posed by an investor on his post-2027 agenda, the president promised to strengthen fiscal discipline and transparency, and to deliver policy consistency.
At the meeting between the president and the global investors from Citibank and France’s Amundi, led by Valerie
Baudson, BlueCrest, the Britain and South Africa-based Ninety One, Kirkoswald Capital, Principal Finisterre, US groups Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM) and Mesarete Capital, Tinubu stressed that transparency and fiscal discipline remained the rationale for the swift implementation of bold reforms.
According to a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president, emphasised that the economic reform programme of his administration included measures to remove economic distortions and stabilise macroeconomic indicators, laying the foundation for sustained inclusive growth.
He said his government was committed to deepening reforms, enhancing transparency across the oil value chain, and implementing a multi-pronged security strategy, including police decentralisation and disrupting terrorist financing.
“The focus remains on policy stability and diligent execution to ensure these strategic shifts
BABA-AHMED: NORTH UNLIKELY TO BACK OBI, KWANKWASO IN 2027
in the 2023 elections, has said that there are no signs that northern Nigeria will support the Obi/ Kwankwaso presidential ticket in 2027.
He also criticised Obi’s exit from the LP amid its internal challenges, arguing that running from crisis whenever it happens and going on to brag about it publicly was not a sign of good leadership.
Obi had recently, while defending his frequent change of political parties, spoken about how he walks away from crisis-ridden and toxic environments whether in his private or public life.
The former Anambra governor and Kwankwaso, ex-Kano governor, on Sunday dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as part of ongoing opposition realignments.
But speaking to journalists after defecting to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) at the party’s headquarters, Baba-Ahmed said his position was personal, noting that he still maintains a good relationship with both politicians.
“But it is very unlikely that the North will rally around KO or OK (Obi/Kwankwaso). And this is my personal opinion. I still have an excellent relationship, I have much respect for both of them,” he stated.
He disclosed that he had earlier advised Obi to engage Kwankwaso and other opposition leaders as part of preparations for the 2027 elections, adding that he suggested the recent alliance between the former governors. However, he noted that with the benefit of hindsight, he has realised that it will be almost impossible for
Kwankwaso to deputise Obi.
Baba-Ahmed further queried why Kwankwaso did not support Obi during the 2023 elections, asking what had changed in the political equation. He added that there could be a possible leadership conflict in the new alliance.
He stated that Obi tried to get a number of northerners as running mates in 2023 but that they all avoided him until he (Baba-Ahmed) decided to join him on the LP ticket.
“He was avoided serially by others…I felt morally obliged not to avoid him as he was avoided by others. I stood with him,” the former federal lawmaker stated.
Datti-Ahmed maintained that although the idea to contact Kwankwaso came from him, he does not see the new-found political relationship working.
“However, remember, why didn’t Kwankwaso support Peter Obi in 2022/23? What changed between 2022 and 23? You have a vice president that is older than you in age, education, political profile, and many other things…and this is somebody with a burning ambition and temperament. Who is going to be the president actually?” he asked.
On Obi’s departure from the Labour Party (LP), Baba-Ahmed insisted that the former Anambra governor should have remained to resolve the party’s internal crisis.
“Someone who got a Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problems of the Labour Party, however difficult they were. I stood and I earned the wrath of many because I said, ‘come and reconcile’ in the Labour Party, only for me to hear and read
that my former leader, who I believe in so much, saying wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away. So if there’s a quarrel in Nigeria; you’ll walk away? These are things that don’t add up,” Baba-Ahmed stressed.
According to him, no matter how gentle a leader is, he must be firm when he needs to, explaining that despite constitutional breaches during the 2023 presidential poll, nobody stood by him to fight the abnormality.
“A leader must be firm. However gentle you are as a leader, you must be willing to fight… Where
in the first place do you fight as a leader, (it should be) when they are going to steal your victory. You don’t allow it to happen in 2023. Clear constitutional breach. Only one person, me, was fighting the constitutional breach.
“Nobody spoke about the breach, only me. You don’t do that. If you’re not ready to fight, don’t even come out; stay in your house. You are going into politics, which is a contact sport, and in a country like Nigeria that is so diverse and heated, you don’t want to argue? then this is not your game,” he emphasised.
Besides, he said he wasn’t in the PRP in desperation for the presidential ticket, pointing out that he will support any movement to remove President Bola Tinubu as Nigerian leader democratically.
“I didn’t come here to get a presidential ticket. I came here to fix Nigeria. I came here to drive out Tinubu’s government. That’s all,” he stated.
In his remarks, Chairman of PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the party believes in justice and fair play and will lean towards public opinion in the choice of the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.
translate into concrete benefits for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said. At the meeting, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted Nigeria’s strong GDP growth in dollar terms in 2025. According to him, Nigeria recorded 11.2% GDP growth in dollar terms last year, a record that reinforced the country’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy in 2030.
Oyedele emphasised government’s near-term priorities of translating reforms into results for the Nigerian people. He also pledged to publish quarterly financial data.
On her part, Director General of the Debt Management Office, Mrs Patience Oniha, assured investors of government’s responsible approach to debt financing and its focus on sustainable debt management. Some of the investors who spoke at the meeting commended government’s transformative reforms and expressed optimism about the Nigerian economy.
OVIA RETIRES, ZENITH BANK HOLDS AGM, REWARDS INVESTORS WITH N10 TOTAL DIVIDEND PER SHARE, NAMES BELLO NEW CHAIRMAN
and longest-serving Non-Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, was appointed as the new Chairman of the Bank.
In his remark, Ovia stated “Distinguished shareholders, it gives me great pleasure to address you this morning. This meeting will be the last Annual General Meeting that I will be attending as Chairman of this Bank. In line with the CBN’s corporate governance provision, I am expected to serve for 12 years.
“Having served for that term, I’ll be retiring at this AGM. For continuity, the Board met and nominated Engineer Mustafa Bello as the next Chairman. Engineer Bello is the longest serving Board Member and has a good understanding of the Bank. This appointment has been approved by the Central Bank. I thank you for supporting me for this tenure. I hope you give him the same support that you gave me. Thank you and God bless Zenith Bank.”
Zenith Bank has maintained a track record of nominating top management staff and Directors from within the Bank; the entire Executive Directors having been appointed from the ranks.
The appointment of Bello as the new Chairman represents a deliberate and strategic step to ensure continuity, stability and the sustained effectiveness of the Board, a statement explained.
As the longest serving NonExecutive Director on the Board, having joined since 2017, he brings unparalleled institutional memory, and deep understanding of the Bank’s operations, culture, values and ambitions.
A distinguished engineer, statesman and corporate leader who served as Federal Minister of Commerce of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2002, where he led the development of the country’s WTO-consistent Trade Policy and championed several landmark
reforms, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on-line project of 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC), a role he held with great distinction from November 2003 to February 2014, attracting substantial foreign direct investment into the country and strengthening Nigeria’s positioning as a destination for global capital. Before this appointment, he had served on the Board of many other reputable companies and corporations.
The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, who is serving as the bank’s fifth internally appointed CEO, expressed appreciation to shareholders for their continued commitment and support, highlighting Zenith Bank’s delivery on its 2025 promises and reaffirming its commitment to sustained growth
and enhanced shareholder returns. She stated: “Thank you very much for your continued interest in Zenith Bank, and your confidence. During our AGM of 2025, we made a commitment and promised to deliver exceptional results to our shareholders, and today, I am pleased to announce that we have fulfilled our promise. We promised shareholders a quantum leap in dividends, and we have delivered that mandate with a 100 percent increase in our dividend payment. We are very determined to ensure we continue to work on shareholders’ value.”
Responding, the shareholders commended the bank’s performance, particularly its ability to sustain strong profitability, having become the first and only Nigerian bank to record Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Profit After Tax (PAT) above the N1 trillion mark in two consecutive
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Dr. Tayo Aduloju; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), Dr. Deborah Bako Udoh; and Director of Macroeconomic Analysis, FMBEP, Mr. Felix Okonkwo, at the inauguration of the Joint Planning Committee (JPC) of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES 32) in Abuja... recently
Insists right people in right places key to achieving results As Igali says diplomacy must be documented for posterity Onobu: professionalism, mentorship shaped my 50-year career
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ike Nwachukwu, on Tuesday called on the federal government to urgently establish a foreign service commission as part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic corps and restore professionalism in the country’s foreign policy architecture.
Nwachukwu made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of a new book titled “Fragments of Time: My Foreign Service Years,” authored by veteran diplomat, Eineje Onobu.
The former minister, who chaired the occasion, said the absence of a dedicated commission responsible for the recruitment, training, and career progression of foreign service officers had weakened the system
and discouraged professionals within the ministry of foreign affairs.
“It is about time we established a foreign service commission that would ensure that only the best would join the service and be groomed to become ambassadors and flag bearers of Nigeria worldwide,” he said.
Nwachukwu expressed concern over what he described as the growing marginalisation of career diplomats in ambassadorial appointments, stating that many officers now retire without attaining the peak of their careers.
According to him, the erosion of the long-standing balance between career and political appointees has negatively impacted morale within the service.
He said, “In my time, we
maintained a 70–30 ratio; 70 per cent career ambassadors and 30 per cent non-career appointees.
“Today, that balance has been eroded. It is frustrating for young officers who dedicate their lives to service but never get the opportunity to serve as ambassadors.”
He urged the government to restore the balance, suggesting that even an 80–20 ratio in favour of career diplomats would help boost professionalism, institutional memory, and efficiency in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
Beyond staffing concerns, Nwachukwu identified chronic underfunding as a major impediment to Nigeria’s diplomatic effectiveness.
He recalled that during his tenure, a dual budgeting system was introduced to allow foreign
missions access funds in foreign currency, thereby ensuring smoother operations abroad.
He stated, “There is no way we can budget for the ministry of foreign affairs in naira and expect our missions to perform optimally overseas.”
Nwachukwu warned that inadequate funding could expose diplomats to undue pressures and potentially compromise national interests.
He stressed that foreign service officers were critical to projecting Nigeria’s image globally, describing them as “the mirror of the nation”.
“If we put the wrong people in the wrong places or fail to support the right ones, we cannot achieve meaningful results,” he added.
Nwachukwu used the occasion to
Wale Igbintade
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has denied allegations of interference in the ongoing coroner’s inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Dr. Ivara Esege.
The clarification came amid public concern following the suspension of proceedings by the coroner sitting at the J.I.C. Taylor Courthouse, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
In a statement issued by the office of the attorney general, the government stressed that at no point did the ministry direct, request, or intend that the inquest be suspended indefinitely, insisting that such a decision lies exclusively within the discretion of the coroner.
“The office considers it necessary to clarify that its intervention in the matter has been misconstrued,” the statement read. It added, “At no time did the Office of the Attorney General direct, request, or intend that the coroner should suspend proceedings indefinitely.”
The ministry said its involvement was limited to a consultative engagement with counsel representing parties in the inquest, which was convened following prior discussions on the need to ensure effective management of coroners’ proceedings in the state.
The office explained that the meeting was intended solely to communicate policy direction regarding the administration of coroners’ inquests and to encourage cooperation among legal practitioners to ensure expeditious hearings. It added that the engagement was not designed to interfere with or truncate the judicial process, but rather to promote efficiency and prevent undue delays in the determination of sensitive cases.
Citing past experiences, the attorney general’s office referenced the widely publicised inquest into the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (Mohbad), stating that the proceedings, in its view, became unduly prolonged.
The ministry said such delays were “neither in the interest of justice nor of affected families,” adding that it remains committed to strengthening procedural efficiency in coroners’
investigations across Lagos State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed meeting was never intended to interfere with, suspend, or otherwise impede the lawful proceedings of the coroner,” the statement added. “Rather, it was conceived as a collaborative engagement with counsel
to enhance effectiveness, coordination, and timely resolution of the inquest,” it said.
The office urged the public to disregard what it described as “contrary insinuations,” reiterating its commitment to the proper administration of justice in Lagos State.
commend Onobu for his dedication and professionalism, describing him as one of his most dependable officers during his tenure as foreign minister.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by diplomats and their families, saying the demands of the profession often require long hours, frequent relocations, and extended periods away from loved ones.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Godknows Igali, described diplomacy as a largely unseen profession conducted through discreet negotiations, confidential communications, and carefully managed engagements.
Igali stated, “Diplomacy is often conducted quietly—behind closed doors, through confidential dispatches and delicate negotiations.
As a result, the public rarely understands how policies are shaped or how critical decisions are made.”
He said Onobu’s nearly 1,000page publication represented a significant contribution to Nigeria’s foreign policy literature, providing a comprehensive account of policy formulation, implementation and the challenges faced by diplomats representing the country abroad.
Igali added that the book would serve as an invaluable resource for
scholars, policymakers and younger diplomats seeking to understand the inner workings of international relations and Nigeria’s role on the global stage.
He also called on serving and retired diplomats to emulate Onobu by documenting their experiences to preserve institutional memory and enrich national discourse on foreign policy.
“We hope this effort will inspire more diplomats to write and leave behind records that will guide future generations,” he said.
In his remarks, Onobu reflected on his career, which spanned from 1975 to 2015, describing it as both challenging and rewarding.
He paid tribute to several former foreign ministers he worked with, particularly Nwachukwu and Bolaji Akinyemi, whom he credited with shaping his professional outlook.
“Nwachukwu made a lasting impact on my life among all the ministers I worked with,” he said, recalling how the former minister retained experienced officers and fostered a culture of professionalism within the ministry.
He described Nwachukwu as one of the most active foreign ministers Nigeria has had, highlighting his commitment to mentoring officers and promoting excellence in service delivery.
Dr. Fene Osakwe, one of Africa’s most influential cybersecurity leaders and Chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Council, has won the Cyber Security Leader of the Year 2026 at the Global Cyber Awards.
The awards drew nominees from over 50 countries, reflecting the competition’s global scale and prestige.
Within the Cyber Security Leader of the Year category, there were nominees from India, the UAE, Greece, the United Kingdom,
the United States, China, and Malaysia, making Dr. Osakwe’s victory especially historic as he becomes the first Nigerian to win this distinguished honour.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State hailed Osakwe’s victory as a “solid demonstration of the state’s efforts to give the cybersecurity battle the attention it deserves.”
According to the governor: “Our plan is for Lagos to be the global financial hub and this requires a strong cybersecurity
infrastructure - a dream which the Council shares and pursues vigorously. “
The Cyber Security Leader of the Year award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, delivered measurable impact, contributed to the growth of the cybersecurity industry, and invested significantly in developing others through mentorship and professional support. It celebrates leaders who not only drive innovation and strategy but also help shape the future of the
cybersecurity profession through thought leadership, influence, and service.
Dr. Osakwe began his career at Deloitte in Lagos Nigeria, where he built a strong foundation in cybersecurity, risk management, and advisory services. Over the years, he has grown into a globally recognised figure, leading cybersecurity for a multinational organisation listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and advising boards and executive teams across multiple continents.
Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE
Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com
08033025611 sms only
From Lagos to Kano, the ruling party, a ll Progressives Congress’ shortcut to unity is fast becoming its most potent trigger of discord. sunday Aborisade reports.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) thought it had found a neat political formula to trim the cost of primaries, manage internal rivalries, and project unity by embracing consensus candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections. Instead, that strategy is fast morphing into a centrifugal force, pulling the party apart across key states and constituencies, exposing fault lines that could prove costly at the polls.
Across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Kano, a pattern is emerging: consensus, rather than being negotiated, is increasingly perceived as imposed.
The backlash has been swift, organised, and in some cases, openly confrontational.
At the heart of the crisis is a fundamental contradiction. While the Electoral Act and the APC constitution permit consensus arrangements, they are explicit on one condition. That is, every aspirant must voluntarily agree.
What is playing out across the country, however, suggests a different reality: pressured withdrawals, selective consultations, and endorsements driven by power blocs rather than broad-based agreement.
Nowhere is this tension more visible than in Lagos State, the APC’s traditional stronghold and political nerve centre.
The endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred governorship candidate has unsettled the delicate balance of interests within the party.
For many aspirants, it is less about Hamzat’s credentials and more about the process that produced him.
Aspirant Wale Ajose’s allegation of a “forced consensus” captures a wider sentiment among grassroots mobilisers who feel sidelined.
In Lagos politics, where structure, loyalty, and inclusion often determine electoral outcomes, the perception of imposition can be particularly damaging.
Party insiders warn that if not carefully managed, the simmering discontent could weaken mobilisation efforts in a state the APC can least afford to lose or fracture.
In neighbouring Ogun State, the crisis has taken on a regional dimension.
The emergence of Senator Olamilekan Adeola, widely known as Yayi, as a consensus candidate has ignited protests, especially in the Ijebu axis.
Critics argue that the arrangement violates long-standing zoning understandings, a sensitive issue in Ogun’s political configuration.
What makes Ogun particularly volatile is the interplay between zoning expectations and elite consensus.
For stakeholders in marginalised zones, consensus without rotation feels like exclusion by another name. The result is a deepening polarisation that could push aggrieved actors to explore alternative platforms or disrupt party cohesion from within.
Similarly, the consensus arrangement in Ogun East has exposed a sharp rift between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel over control of the APC’s senatorial ticket.
While Abiodun’s camp is accused of backing a preferred candidate under a consensus deal, Daniel’s loyalists insist on an open primary, citing fairness and zoning sensitivities in the district.
The dispute reflects a broader struggle for political supremacy ahead of 2027, with both camps mobilising support structures.
If unresolved, the standoff risks deepening factional divides and weakening APC cohesion in Ogun East.
Oyo State presents a slightly different but equally troubling scenario.
The endorsement of Adebayo Adelabu has been framed by party leaders as a pragmatic step toward unity. Yet, multiple aspirants have rejected the move, insisting that inclusiveness, not expediency, should guide the process. Behind the scenes, parallel structures are already taking shape. Camps loyal to different aspirants are mobilising, calculating that even if consensus holds on paper, it may collapse under the weight of dissent during primaries
or spill into anti-party activities during the general election.
The lesson from past cycles is clear: unresolved pre-primary grievances rarely disappear; they mutate.
In Kwara State, where the APC has enjoyed relative dominance in recent years, the consensus push is testing internal alliances.
Loyalists of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are said to be promoting preferred candidates for legislative positions, prompting resistance from stakeholders who demand open contests.
Kwara’s situation underscores another risk inherent in consensus politics, which is, the concentration of decision-making power.
When candidate selection appears to be driven by a narrow circle, it breeds suspicion, even among long-time allies.
For a party that once capitalised on broadbased coalitions to upend entrenched political structures in the state, the optics of exclusion could be particularly damaging.
If the crises in the South-West reflect tensions between zoning, ambition, and process, the developments in Ekiti State highlight a battle over legitimacy itself.
In Ekiti South Senatorial District, the endorsement of Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu as consensus candidate was presented as the outcome of extensive consultations and unanimous agreement among stakeholders.
The development has consequently set off a fresh round of controversy within the party as former Senator Biodun Olujimi, rejected the move and insisted that no such agreement exists.
The endorsement, conveyed in a letter to the Ekiti State Chairman of the APC, followed what party leaders described as extensive consultations and unanimous agreement among stakeholders across the six local
What was conceived as a strategy for cohesion is increasingly functioning as a catalyst for discord. Unless recalibrated, consensus risks not
only fracturing the party internally but also weakening its electoral prospects in a contest that promises to be fiercely competitive.
government areas in the district.
The signatories—Idowu Isaac Dare, Gabriel Omoniyi, Oyebode Kayode, Olajide Falae, Akinseye Adebayo, and Chief Clement Ojo— said the decision aligned with the party’s preference for consensus arrangements where practicable.
THISDAY gathered that the resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 13, 2026, at the senatorial office on Moshood Road in Ikere Ekiti, where participants reportedly adopted Adaramodu without a dissenting voice.
According to the letter, the decision reflected “the collective will of party members across wards and local governments,” stressing that the adoption was driven by the need to ensure unity, stability and electoral victory for the APC in the district.
“The choice of Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu reflects the will of the party members and the need for unity, stability and victory for the APC in our district,” the stakeholders stated, urging the State Working Committee to formalise his candidacy ahead of the 2027 polls.
They also attached minutes of the meeting to substantiate their claim, noting that the process complied with internal party guidelines on consensus building.
Adaramodu, who currently represents Ekiti South in the Senate and serves as spokesperson of the upper chamber, is widely regarded within APC ranks as a ranking lawmaker with significant grassroots appeal.
However, the claim of consensus has been strongly disputed by Olujimi who described the development as misleading and contrary to the party’s laid-down procedures.
In a recent chat with our Correspondent, the former senator insisted that no aspirant had been adopted as a consensus candidate, stressing that all interested contenders—including herself, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, and Senator Adaramodu—had purchased nomination and expression of interest forms, a move she said, clearly demonstrated their intention to contest.
She argued that the financial commitment required to obtain the forms underscored the seriousness of the aspirants and made any claim of consensus untenable.
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
YAHAYA ETILA urges the INEC boss to focus on delivering credible elections
See page 21
The recent jihadist assault exposed the limits of AES and Mali’s military junta, and shattered the illusion that has guided the country, argues OUMAROU SANOU
See page 21
EDITORIAL
No academic discipline is inherently useless, argues GODWIN SOGOLO
I have borrowed this title from Allan Douglas Galloway, a Scottish Professor of Theology who taught at University College Ibadan in the 1950s. At the dawn of university education in colonial Africa, scholars engaged in robust debates about the kind of university and intellectual foundation appropriate for the emerging nations of the continent. In one such lecture, delivered before the Philosophical Society, University College Ibadan on January 11, 1956, Galloway adopted the title “Useless Disciplines” in an explicitly ironic sense. What, precisely, does it mean to describe a discipline as useful or useless? For our purpose here, a stipulative definition will suffice. A discipline may be regarded as useful, only if its value is self-evident; if it has – particularly in the Nigerian context – a clear market value; leads directly to employment, or contributes in a tangible way to measurable development. It is in this sense that disciplines such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, law, administration, and the applied sciences were classified among Galloway's “useful” disciplines. Were he writing today, he would almost certainly have extended his list to include computer science, accounting, journalism, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and other related fields.
By contrast, a discipline may be labelled “useless” – again, in the Nigerian context – if its value cannot be easily assessed in practical or monetary terms, and if its contribution to development is not quantitatively measurable. In Galloway’s discussion, this designation applies – somewhat pointedly – to fields such as the classical studies, philosophy, history, sociology, literature, the arts, religious studies/ theology.
The remarkable character of Galloway’s era was not so much the categorisation itself, but the manner in which such issues were approached. They were subjected to sustained intellectual scrutiny – within and beyond the confines of the university –before any policy decisions were taken. Today, matters that used to be subjects of intellectual debates have degenerated into administrative fiat. Policies affecting the very soul of university education are now imposed with hardly any regard for scholarly input.
The consequences have been predictable. In 2007, history – branded as useless by some officials of the Federal Ministry of Education – was excised from the curricula of primary and junior secondary schools, a profoundly misguided decision whose effects
lingered until its eventual restoration in 2022. One might have expected that such a misstep would serve as a cautionary tale. It did not.
At the conclusion of the curriculum review exercise that produced the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in 2022, it became evident that a determined group of officials within the educational establishment remained committed to the same narrow utilitarian vision. This influential clique – operating in close alignment with authorities in the Ministry – attempted to remove GST 112: Philosophy and Logic from the list of compulsory General Studies courses. Their justification was as revealing as it was troubling: they could find no relevance in philosophy, logic, or critical thinking for national development. In other words, the very disciplines that cultivate reasoning, clarity, and intellectual independence were deemed expendable.
It required a sustained and resolute intervention by the Nigerian Philosophical Association to halt this intellectual erosion and restore GST 112 to its rightful place. That such a struggle was necessary at all should give us pause. A nation that sidelines critical thought does so at its own peril.
And that peril is hovering around, once again, with the recent news in April 2026 that the Federal Ministry of Education was planning to purge Nigerian universities of “useless” or “irrelevant” disciplines – reminiscent of Galloway’s warning in the 1950s. The reasoning by ministry officials was that education in Nigeria must shift in favour of “market-relevant and industryrelevant courses, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, data science and entrepreneurship”.
The tragedy of the Nigerian educational system is that those who make its most consequential decisions often lack a sufficient grasp of its structure and inner workings. More troubling still, those who possess such
understanding – for instance, Fellows and Members of the Nigerian Academy of Letters – are either not consulted or are reluctant to stake their reputations in the public arena and therefore remain silent.
Yet the moment calls for clarity and courage. It must be stated, plainly and without equivocation, that no academic discipline is inherently useless. The real problem lies elsewhere: in the weak absorptive capacity of the Nigerian economy, in limited job creation, and in the persistent disconnect between education and the world of work.
Also important is the need to resist the dangers of a narrow technocratic conception of education – one that places premium only on commercially viable skills and reduces knowledge to immediate market utility. Such a view is profoundly short-sighted. The modern world depends, perhaps more than ever, on human capacities such as critical thinking, communication, ethical reasoning, and policy analysis – capacities that are deeply rooted in the humanities and social sciences. To undermine these disciplines is not merely to misjudge their worth; it is to impoverish the intellectual foundations upon which any meaningful national development must rest. It is mistaken to set science and technology in opposition to the humanities, as though one must be chosen at the expense of the other. On the contrary, the two are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Nations require engineers, doctors, and programmers just as much as they need philosophers, historians, writers, and ethicists.
A society may, for instance, produce engineers who build bridges, yet it requires another kind of expertise to decide where those bridges should lead, whom they ought to serve, and whether their distribution is just. A country may also develop artificial intelligence, but without proper control and ethical guidance, such technology can become harmful, even destructive. One set of questions is technical; the other is moral. Both demand distinct, though complementary, forms of knowledge and expertise.
Sogolo is an Emeritus Professor who has taught and conducted research in Philosophy for over five decades – first at the University of Ibadan and currently at the National Open University of Nigeria. He also served as a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers in the 1980s and 1990s.
YAHAYA
Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the recently appointed chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), has set a record as the first chairman who is enmeshed in a national controversy upon assuming office. He has dissipated more energy on justifying his suitability for the job, and in explaining that he is non-partisan and not sympathetic to the All Progressive Congress (APC) above others. I am going to assume the contentious X handle belonged to the INEC chair. A post from his account predicted victory for the APC in the 2023 presidential election. What is wrong with that? At the time, he was a university don. He was not under any form of restrictions with regard to his political views and aspirations.
We are all partisan.
Those who blew this trumpet were mischievous. They succeeded in putting the INEC chairman on the spot. Have they not ever posted something on social media that later conflicts with their new position and interests? We are all partisan. It is in our DNA. The leaders of the opposition parties have won and lost elections in Nigeria. They all know there is always an interest to protect. They also know that INEC is the place where all political strategies begin and end. They were at some point beneficiaries of INEC’s “magnanimity”. It would be wishful thinking to think we can have a truly national, independent electoral commission. I am very frank. Let’s call a spade a spade.
What is the history of INEC, and which of its chairmen since 1999 has not been accused of partisanship? The opposition parties always have something to say, not necessarily out of conviction, but out of fear that their past will come around to haunt them. They were mostly products of this “magnanimity”. Why is Joash’s case different? I think he missed it when he tried to defend himself. If I were him, I would have taken ownership and simply stated that it was in my past before my appointment. And no law forbids those in academia from holding and expressing their political views. Is there also a law that bans Nigerians from holding and expressing their political views?
Even though the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 stipulate that the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners must be "non-partisan" and persons of "unquestionable integrity." The INEC chairman is not a registered member of the APC, and as such, he has fulfilled a constitutional requirement. His integrity as a university don and administrator is unquestionable. He also fulfilled a second constitutional requirement. The last time I checked, our constitution is not based on assumptions. The fact that he made a social media post three years ago should be taken as a fact that he is partisan. This is not logical.
I think most times we dissipate ener-
gy on things that are not important. This is where I think some civil society groups get things wrong. It seems like their advocacy is based on popular demand and not on the strength of the issues. For example, a tech entrepreneur, Fisayo Durojaye, accused Prof. Amupitan of maintaining a "partisan social media presence" under an alias. He made it look like it was grave and a constitutional violation. The opposition parties and civil society groups went into a jamboree of ethical interpretations of the supposed revelation. The substance of their position was feeble, but successful because Amupitan panicked. I can make an excuse for him. He is new to the terrain, and a test for his resolve to write his name in the sands of time in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
This is what the opposition political parties have preoccupied themselves with. And some reputable civil society groups and NGO’s have run to town with this without pausing to reflect on the alleged action as either a violation of the electoral act or any other laws of the land. In recent times, it appears civil society groups see themselves as an extension of opposition parties rather than advocates for good governance, transparency and accountability. In Nigeria, opposition parties criticise why a bridge was not built where there is no river. And civil society groups would tag it as an infrastructure deficiency and run to town with it, forgetting that the area in question has no river and doesn’t need a bridge.
It is better to be simple.
I elected to address the controversies around the INEC chairman in a simple way. A lot of grammar has been written and said about the controversies. INEC has issued a report of a forensic audit into the claims linking the said X account to the INEC chairman. I read the statement and wasn’t impressed. I was rather impressed by an article authored by Dr Tunde Olusunle titled “ON JOASH OJO AMUPITAN”, and published in some of the major dailies. He argued that the INEC boss is a man of integrity.
Etila, a public affairs analyst can be reached via Yahaya.etila@gmail.com.
The recent jihadist assault exposed the limits of AES and Mali’s military junta, and shattered the illusion that has guided the country, argues OUMAROU SANOU
The events that unfolded across Mali last weekend are not merely another chapter in the Sahel’s long-running crisis. They represent something deeper: the unravelling of a strategic gamble that replaced cooperation with isolation, institutions with propaganda, and diversified partnerships with dependence on a single, unreliable and overstretched ally.
On 25 April, coordinated attacks struck Bamako, Kati, Gao, Kidal, and Sévaré simultaneously. These were not isolated incidents but a synchronised offensive that exposed both the operational reach of jihadist groups and the fragility of the Malian state’s security architecture. Within hours, official claims of control began to crumble. By Sunday morning, Kidal had fallen. The Russian flag that had flown there as a provocation to France, ECOWAS, and the UN was gone. In its place stood silence, and a column of Africa Corps mercenaries negotiating a quiet, ignominious exit with the very armed groups they were contracted to defeat. This was not a tactical setback. It was the collapse of a narrative.
For pan-African observers who foresaw and warned of precisely this outcome, the moment calls not for satisfaction but for grief, reckoning, and an honest accounting of how Mali arrived here.
In November 2023, the Malian junta celebrated the recapture of Kidal as vindication: expel the West, distance from ECOWAS, embrace Moscow, and sovereignty would be restored. The claim was always hollow. Kidal was never pacified. It was occupied. No roads were built, no schools reopened, no trust rebuilt with local communities. Russian mercenaries committed documented atrocities in surrounding villages: summary executions, sexual violence, and burning of homes. They did not win hearts. They produced hatred. And hatred, given time and weapons, produces exactly what we witnessed last weekend.
Reports indicate that African Corps forces engaged briefly before negotiating their withdrawal, leaving Malian troops exposed nearly 1,500 kilometres from the capital. A senior Malian official told RFI that Russian forces had been warned of the impending attack three days in advance but took no action. Their eventual withdrawal, he suggested, appeared pre-arranged. That is not a security partnership. That is abandonment.
The human cost was grave. Defence Minister General Sadio Camara was confirmed dead. Intelligence chief General Modibo Koné and Chief of Defence Staff General Oumar Diarra were wounded. These are not routine battlefield losses. They are indicators of systemic failure at the highest levels of the state.
The Africa Corps responded with a press statement claiming sweeping success: 10,000 to 12,000 Western-backed attackers repelled, over 1,000 enemy casualties inflicted, and the presidential
palace secured. One would almost admire the audacity, were the stakes not so human.
The documented facts tell a different story. Kidal fell. The Azawad Liberation Front escorted at least 400 Russian soldiers out of the city as evacuees, northward to Tessalit, 300 kilometres away. Fighters subsequently appeared at the Intahaka gold mine, suggesting further positions had been abandoned. Armoured vehicles were destroyed in Gao. Barracks in Sévaré fell to rebel control. Helicopters burned on the ground. The United States Embassy told its citizens to stay indoors. Even reliably pro-junta social media accounts quietly changed their tone by Sunday morning. This is not propaganda written with ink. It is propaganda written with Malian blood.
None of this should surprise serious observers. Moscow’s track record as a security guarantor is, at best, inconsistent. It disengaged from Assad in Syria when the strategic calculus shifted. It left Maduro to manage Venezuela largely alone. It proved of limited use to Armenia when it mattered most. In every theatre, the pattern is the same: arrive with noise, project influence cheaply, and withdraw when the cost rises. Moscow is too economically constrained to underwrite African development and too strategically transactional to sustain durable commitments. It seeks presence, resources, and optics. The safety of ordinary Africans is, at best, incidental.
The Alliance of Sahel States has fared no better. Faced with Mali’s gravest crisis in years, neither Burkina Faso nor Niger mobilised meaningful support. The alliance exists more in declarations than in collective action. Its members now watch events in Bamako with undisguised anxiety: if Russia cannot hold Kidal, what assurance remains for their own positions?
Before the junta expelled MINUSMA, African peacekeepers, including Nigerian troops, helped stabilise Kidal under difficult conditions.
Sanou is a social critic, pan-African observer and researcher focusing on governance, security, and political transitions in the Sahel.
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
For a country facing a worsening healthcare crisis, the new General Medical Council report that no fewer than 4,691 doctors have relocated to the United Kingdom in the last three years is worrying. The figure put the total number of Nigeria-trained doctors currently practising in the UK to about 15,692, the largest sources of foreign-trained doctors in Britain after India. Besides, significant numbers of Nigerian-trained doctors are also practicing in Canada and United States, thus straining general service delivery across the country. Even more devastating is the constant depletion of specialists and consultants in fields ranging from anaesthesia to paediatrics surgery, and in the process leaving overwhelming pressure on the few doctors remaining in the country.
The brain drain among doctors and indeed other medical professionals did not start today. Documented studies have confirmed a steady outflow for years. The deteriorating working environment is evidently prompting many more to leave to where they can be better catered for. Last year, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate revealed that over 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country in the last five to seven years for greener pastures in other countries. This trend, according to Pate—who also lamented that nurses and midwives are also leaving the country in droves—is not just about people leaving, it represents a fiscal loss. For context, Nigeria had trained 90,000 medical doctors as of May 2018, according to a former Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, but about 70 per cent of them have migrated to other countries where they feel their services are better valued.
Agreements with the government are hardly honoured hence in some states of the federation, doctors are being owed salaries for months, thus prompting frequent industrial actions. Only a few days ago, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) suspended its planned nationwide strike over delayed salaries, and other welfare related issues. In addition, security has become a vital issue. In the face of the prevailing insecurity across the country, many doctors have become easy victims of kidnap for ransom, with some losing their lives in the process.
Health professionals must be paid competitive salaries in addition to modern equipment in the workplace
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
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
This apparent neglect of the health sector is encouraging medical tourism among the middle-class and the wealthy. Nigerians are spending a fortune outside the country on health. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) once reported that Nigeria spends about $1billion annually on medical tourism, particularly to India. This is a lot of money that would have made a difference if ploughed to the health sector at home. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of training one doctor exceeds $21,000, “a figure that reflects the magnitude of public financing walking out of our countries,” according to Pate.
A few years ago, many were outraged when then Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige made light of the serious issue of the health professionals’ haemorrhage. Ngige, himself a medical doctor, asserted falsely that Nigeria had more than enough doctors to take care of its health needs. This was at a time agencies of the United States, Canada, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and many other countries were routinely conducting recruitment exercises in a country of one doctor to more than about 2600 patients, a far cry from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended ratio of one to 600.
The reasons for the mass exodus of doctors, trained largely at public expense, are obvious. Many of them are overworked, and some have actually dropped dead while on duty. In addition, doctors work with inadequate and ageing infrastructure, and are poorly remunerated.
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
To reverse the country’s worsening health sector, and retain the very best professionals at home, authorities must improve the present work environment. Health professionals must be paid competitive salaries in addition to modern equipment in the workplace.
Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.
The reported anointment of the SSG by a former governor of Yobe State, and APC stakeholders in the state, while the sale of nomination forms and expression of interest forms is ongoing, is not only disturbing but a direct affront to democracy and an unacceptable attempt to override the collective will of the people.
Our commitment to leadership and the unity of our people remains unwavering. However, any pursuit that does not serve the greater good of humanity ultimately serves only personal interest and not the collective future we all share. Today, I speak not from a place of privilege, but from a place of responsibility. As I serve in my second term as Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the opportunity to return to the Senate for a third term, a path that has, in many ways, been laid before me on a platter of gold.
But my vision goes beyond personal ambition.
My heart is with all the people of Yobe State, our youth, our women, the masses, and even generations yet unborn. It
is their future that must guide the decisions we make today. It is time to sacrifice our today for their tomorrow.
History and prosperity will favor us if we choose courage over convenience, if we prioritize the will of the masses over personal desires, and if we embrace a new direction that reflects the true voice of the people.
For nearly three decades, we have followed the same path. It is only fair to ask: why not try something different?
Let us, for once, truly listen to the people from Zone A to Zone B, and from Zone B to Zone C. Let their voices be heard during our primaries. Let their will determine who emerges as our flag bearer. This aligns with the spirit of the amended Electoral Act of 2026, which places greater trust in the people.
The procedures and guidelines of APC regarding consensus are clear, that only aspirants duly screened and cleared by the Party’s Screening Committees shall participate in the consensus process which must be voluntary to ensure inclu-
siveness and fairness.
Each cleared aspirant must execute a written consent indicating voluntary withdrawal from the race; and unconditional support for the agreed consensus candidate.
We call on all stakeholders—political leaders, institutions, and citizens—to rise in defense of democracy, to insist on transparency, and to ensure that the future of our state is determined openly and justly.
We remain united in our commitment to justice, equity, and progress. We will not allow division, exclusion, or political coercion to define our path.
Yobe State must move forward—guided by the will of its people, not the dictates of a few.
My decision to contest in the 2027 gubernatorial primaries under the APC is therefore not about me. It is not about position or power. It is about the people of Yobe State. Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, represents Yobe South, National Assembly
Kayode
Tokede
Zenith Bank Plc and seven others Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) spent an estimated N993.34 billion as Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) expenses in 2025 amid rising operating expenses in the financial sector.
This is about 38.62 per cent increase over N716.5 billion spent by the eight banks in the 2024 financial year.
The banks are: Zenith Bank Plc, First Holdco Plc,
FCMB Group Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Wema Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, and Access Holdings Plc.
Analysis of the banks’ audited/unaudited results for the year ended December 31 showed that AMCON levy stood at N646.88 billion, representing an increase oof 44.11 per cent increase when compared to N448.87 billion in 2024, while Deposit Insurance Premium moved from N267.65billion in 2024, up by 29 per cent to N346.46 billion in 2025.
The banking sector resolution cost represents the AMCON levy, which is applicable on the total balance sheet size of the Bank. The current applicable rate based on AMCON Act of 2015 is 0.5 per cent of total assets plus total off balance sheet assets.
Owing to the importance of the financial services sector, involving public funds, there is a need for buffers to protect public funds in case of bank failure or liquidation, hence, the need for deposit insurance.
Deposit insurance and
AMCON levy are part of layers put in place to protect public funds and ensure the stability of the banking sector.
Deposit Insurance Premium is a statutory payment by deposit-taking banks that ensures that NDIC as an insurer guarantees the payment of deposits up to the maximum limit (Now N5 million) in accordance with its statute in the event of failure of an insured financial institution.
Typically, banks with the largest deposits pay the most premium to NDIC in terms of absolute numbers.
However, some banks pay higher relative to their deposits based on a pricing mechanism.
THISDAY analysis showed that Access Holdings paid the highest AMCON levy, while Zenith Bank paid the highest Deposit Insurance Premium in the period under review.
According to the audited 2025FY performance, Access Holdings, with a total assets of N51.56 trillion, paid AMCON levy of N154.33 billion, up 37.5 per cent from N112.23 billion in 2024.
Access Holdings paid NDIC Insurance Premium of N73.7
billion in 2025, representing an increase of 54.7 per cent from N47.67 billion in 2024. For Zenith Bank, it paid NDIC’s premium of N77.39 billion in 2025, up by 39.1 per cent from N55.7billion in 2024, while its AMCON levy closed 2025 at N142.59 billion, about 55 per cent increase over N92.2 billion in 2024.
Further findings by THISIDAY revealed that First Holdco joined the top three Tier-1 banks to incur high AMCON and NDIC levy in 2025.
Nume Ekeghe
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that private sector credit has risen to N94.6 trillion, while government borrowing has risen to N39.4 trillion.
CBN also indicated that monetary data points to a synchronised expansion in system-wide credit, with February 2026 figures showing a dual acceleration in claims on the private sector and
government, suggesting a broad-based balance sheet expansion rather than the traditional crowding-out dynamic.
Credit to the private sector (CPS) rose to an all-time high of N94.61 trillion in February 2026, from N93.74 trillion in January, extending the sharp re-pricing and volume expansion seen at the start of the year. In parallel, net claims on government increased to N39.36 trillion,
up from N37.87 trillion in January, reinforcing continued sovereign absorption of banking system liquidity.
All these were contained in the Money and Credit data posted on CBN website, which also showed that on a 12-month basis, the acceleration is discernible.
CPS has expanded by N18.35 trillion, from N76.26 trillion in February 2025, while credit to government has risen by N12.25 trillion, from N27.11
trillion over the same period.
This translates to a significantly faster absolute expansion in private sector credit, even as government borrowing remains structurally elevated pointing to a concurrent rather than substitutional credit cycle.
The trajectory of CPS through 2025 underscores the significance of the current surge. Lending began the year at N77.38 trillion in January 2025, rising marginally to
N76.26 trillion in February and N75.98 trillion in March, before peaking at N78.07 trillion in April.
However, this early strength proved short-lived. Credit growth softened thereafter, declining to N77.97 trillion in May, N76.13 trillion in June, and N76.72 trillion in July.
By August, CPS had fallen to N75.88 trillion and dropped further to N72.53 trillion in September, marking the lowest level of the year.
A modest recovery followed N74.41 trillion in October and N74.63 trillion in November before closing the year at N75.83 trillion in December, reflecting a broadly range-bound pattern.
The 2025 profile was therefore characterised by tight liquidity conditions, elevated policy rates, and risk aversion, which constrained real credit expansion.
In recent times, Nigeria’s fiscal reality is increasingly being defined by a widening gap between rising debt obligations and weak revenue generation. With the latest $516 million (N707 billion) loan request approved by the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026, to connect Lagos to Sokoto, public debt has now exceeded N159.3 trillion ($111 billion); no thanks to naira depreciation, and the formalisation of large central bank overdrafts into long-term liabilities. Yet, federal revenue has remained comparatively constrained at about N10 trillion to N15 trillion annually in recent years, leaving a persistent shortfall that has deepened reliance on borrowing to finance both recurrent and capital expenditure, to the extent that debt servicing has, in some fiscal periods, consumed as much as or even more than total government revenue, significantly limiting fiscal space for development spending. In this report, Sunday Ehigiator analyses the situation in detail.
In 2024, Nigeria’s fiscal position reached a point that economists typically associate with acute stress: the federal government spent virtually all revenue servicing debt. In some analytical estimates, it spent even more.
According to analysis by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, debt servicing consumed over 100 per cent of federally retained revenue, with some calculations placing the ratio above 110 per cent depending on methodology. That means that for every N100 the federal government earned, at least N100 went into paying interest and repaying loans. In effect, not a single naira of revenue was left for capital expenditure or social services. That meant every naira spent on infrastructure, healthcare, education, or security had to come from borrowing. This reality now defines the fiscal debate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has combined aggressive reforms with continued reliance on debt financing.
According to Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO), by December 31, 2025, Nigeria’s total public debt had risen to N159.28 trillion ($111 billion). In nominal terms, this represents an increase of roughly N70 trillion compared to the period around mid-2023.
However, the dollar value tells a different story. In external terms, Nigeria’s debt has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between $105 billion and $113 billion. This divergence between naira and dollar figures is one of the most important and most misunderstood aspects of the current debt conversation.
The reason lies in exchange rate depreciation. When the naira traded at around N460 to the dollar in early 2023, a $10 billion external debt stock translated to N4.6 trillion. By 2025, with the naira trading above N1,500 to the dollar, that same $10 billion would be valued at over N15 trillion. In other words, a significant portion of Nigeria’s apparent debt increase is not new borrowing, but the arithmetic effect of currency devaluation.
Nigeria’s most critical fiscal weakness over the past three years has been its inability to generate sufficient revenue relative to its debt
obligations. In 2023, federally retained revenue was approximately N10 trillion to N11 trillion, while debt servicing costs were estimated at N8 trillion to N9 trillion. This placed the debt service-to-revenue ratio close to 80 to 90 per cent. By 2024, the situation worsened. Revenue rose modestly to roughly N12 trillion to N13 trillion, but debt servicing climbed faster, reaching about N13 trillion to N14 trillion. This pushed the ratio to around 100 per cent and, in some independent estimates, above 110 per cent.
In 2025, the imbalance persisted. Between January and July alone, federal revenue stood at N13.67 trillion, representing a 42.7 per cent shortfall from the target. Within the same period, debt servicing and personnel costs together exceeded N14 trillion, already surpassing total revenue before capital expenditure was even considered. Over these three years, the pattern is clear. Revenue growth has been slow and inconsistent, while debt servicing has risen steadily and, at times, aggressively. The result is a fiscal squeeze in which nearly all government earnings are absorbed by existing obligations. Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio remains below 10 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, compared to 15 to 25 per cent in many peer economies.
Another major driver of the debt surge is the securitisation of central bank overdrafts known as Ways and Means. Between 2015 and 2023, financing from the Central Bank of Nigeria under this facility grew from approximately N790 billion to about N26.95 trillion. This represents an increase of more than 2,900 per cent, far exceeding the statutory limit of 5 per cent of prior-year revenue. It must be noted that in late 2024, the National Assembly voted to increase this limit to 10 per cent, though the CBN has stated it will continue to aim for the 5 per cent cap in its current guidelines. However, under Section 38 of the CBN Act 2007, these advances were strictly capped at 5 per cent of the previous year’s actual revenue. Hence, the N26.9
trillion total significantly exceeded this limit, sparking widespread concern over inflation and debt sustainability. In May 2023, the National Assembly approved the conversion of N22.7 trillion of this overdraft into a 40-year bond at an interest rate of about 9 per cent and a 3-year moratorium on principal repayment. Later in December of that same year, an additional N7.3 trillion was also securitised, bringing the total to nearly N30 trillion, as confirmed by DMO in early 2024.
Moving these figures to the official debt stock caused Nigeria’s total public debt to jump significantly, crossing N159 trillion by April 2026. The move also saved the government money on interest. Before securitisation, the CBN charged the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) + 3 per cent (which would have been roughly 20.5 per cent –21 per cent in 2023); the 9 per cent bond rate significantly lowered the annual debt service burden. This means that roughly one-fifth of Nigeria’s total public debt today consists of previously accumulated central bank financing that has now been formalised as long-term obligations extending to 2063.
Nigeria’s fiscal crisis is fundamentally a revenue crisis. According to the Budget Office of the Federation’s 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), the federal government earned N13.67 trillion between January and July 2025. This was exactly a 42.7 per cent shortfall from the pro-rata target of N23.85 trillion. Combined spending on debt service (N9.81 trillion) and personnel costs (N4.51 trillion) totalled N14.32 trillion for the same seven-month period. This amounted to approximately 105 per cent of the government’s total earned revenue. This means that even before considering capital expenditure, the government had already spent more than it earned. Also, the National Bureau of Statistics and international reports from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
confirm that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains at approximately 8.2 per cent to 9.3 per cent, consistently below the 10 per cent mark. By comparison, for 2023-2025, the average ratio for African countries in terms of generated GDP in government revenue was 16.1 per cent. Kenya’s ratio was reported at 15.8 per cent; South Africa maintained a significantly higher ratio, often cited near 25–27 per cent in broader fiscal studies, though some specific nominal GDP lists place it at 13.9 per cent, depending on the definition of revenue used. This gap explains why Nigeria relies so heavily on borrowing. It is not simply spending too much; it is earning too little.
Since the current administration took office in May 2023, the total volume of approved and secured external financing has reached the $18 billion to $20 billion range. This includes a $3 billion crude oil-backed facility that was secured from Afreximbank in late 2023 to assist in stabilising the foreign exchange market. Also, the $2.2 billion raised in December 2024, in a dual-tranche issuance (6.5-year and 10-year notes) to help fund the 2024 budget deficit through Eurobonds, in December 2024 and another $2.35 billion in November 2025 in 10-year and 20-year notes, attracted an all-time high order book of over $13 billion.
Multilateral lenders have also played a significant role, with about $9 billion approved by the World Bank across multiple projects, including the $2.25 billion economic stabilisation credit (June 2024) and recent approvals for nutrition, health, and rural access; alongside roughly $1 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in programmatic support and project-specific funding. The latest syndicated financing is the $516.3 million loan from Deutsche Bank, approved by the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026, which is dedicated to the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project. It is worthy of note that the cost of servicing these foreign debts reached $3.58 billion in the first nine months of 2024 alone, a 40 per cent increase year-on-year.
Calixthus Okoruwa
How does a country which boasts over 20 pharmacy schools, some of which have been producing pharmacists since the 1960s, continue to import paracetamol tablets and syrups in 2026? Should the University of Benin Teaching Hospital which is separated by a low fence from the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy be consuming paracetamol made in China, India and Cote d’Ivoire?
The questions above, reinforce one of the major contradictions in Nigeria’s educational curriculum: the stark disconnect between education and the country’s long-term industrial development aspirations.
Nigeria’s earliest university, the then University College Ibadan was established by the colonial authorities as a campus of the university of London, to help meet the manpower needs of the colonial administration. To keep pace with the country’s growth, the colonial government needed teachers, high level operatives in the civil service and judiciary as well as doctors and nurses to attend to the health needs of the burgeoning population. Sending the locals for training in Britain was no longer sustainable and training them locally, as much as possible, in the best traditions of the British university was the practical option. So, in addition to the university college, the colonial administrators would also set up the University College Hospital, Ibadan, to among others, train medical manpower: doctors, nurses and other health workers. The university was largely focused on addressing the needs of the colonial administrators, so there was no emphasis on applied technical training or industrial
production, as industrialization of its colonies was not on the agenda.
On attaining independence in 1960, Nigeria would begin to set up its own universities. Universities sprang up in quick succession in Nsukka, Ile-Ife, Lagos, Zaria and Benin-City, respectively. Today, Nigeria has about 309 accredited universities, according to data from the National Universities Commission. Paradoxically, however, it would appear that in subsequently setting up its own universities, Nigeria adopted wholesale, the colonial model and failed to truly indigenise these institutions.
This crisis manifests to a large extent, in the white-collar nature of Nigeria’s university education and its products.
Visit an engineering faculty in any of our universities and you could find fans and air conditioners long broken down and abandoned. Neither teacher nor student is able to fix them, because such hands-on tasks are alien to the colonial-styled curriculum whose objective it would appear, is to churn out administratively-oriented engineers, rather than inventors and innovators.
This is perhaps one of the reasons why the most complex engineering jobs in Nigeria still must be handled by Julius Berger & Company, Cappa and other foreign firms.
The state of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is an even more poignant reflection of the country’s educational crisis. Nigeria’s pharmacy schools
continue to run a curriculum that does not recognize the critical role of pharmacy as an industrial bedrock for the country. The course is laden with hundreds of hours of elaborate theoretical exercises but remarkably short on the aspects of industrial simulation and training. The result is that pharmacy students go through the course without necessarily imbibing an industrial mindset. The few who imbibe an industrial mindset, do so in spite of the predilection of the pharmacy schools, not because of it.
In a developing country like Nigeria, awash with lush forests and rivers and bounded considerably by the ocean, pharmacy is a potential industrial epicentre. This is not only because of the immense pharmaceutical potential innate in our country’s diverse flora and fauna, but also because of the massive economic potential in tending to the health of over 200 million Nigerians and the hundreds of millions more people across the continent. From both healthcare and economic perspectives, Nigeria ought to be a major continental superpower on the back of industrial pharmacy. Nigeria’s 23 Faculties of Pharmacy ought to be actively churning out the skilled manpower to support this vibrant industrial pharmaceutical base. It is a sad and painful paradox that instead, Nigeria not only imports finished medicines but also the constituents of these medicines including inert excipients like starch. Yes, Nigeria imports starch for drug manufacture!
• Okoruwa initially trained as a pharmacist and works for XLR8, a communications company
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
As Nigerian Breweries Plc prepares to mark its 80th anniversary in November, 2026, the company stands as a powerful symbol of endurance and adaptation in a challenging business environment.
Founded in 1946 as Nigeria’s first brewery, Nigerian Breweries has not only survived decades of economic shifts but has emerged stronger from recent turbulence, posting a remarkable financial rebound in 2025 while reaffirming its commitment to long-term growth.
At the Pre-Annual General Meeting media briefing held on 16 April 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, top executives painted a picture of cautious optimism.
Thibaut Boidin, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, captured the mood when he declared that while many companies exited Nigeria amid the economic crisis resulting in uncertainty, Nigerian Breweries chose to stay.
“We stayed while many companies left,” he told media representatives, underscoring the firm’s deep-rooted belief in the Nigerian market and its people.
The past year tested the company severely, yet it also revealed its underlying strengths. Dr. Uzodinma Odenigbo, Corporate Affairs Director, described 2025 as a period that “tested the company but also brought out the best in us.”
With the 80th anniversary milestone approaching, he noted it offered a perfect moment to reflect on company’s rich legacy of innovation and its enduring contribution to Nigeria’s economy and culture.
In the beginning
As Nigeria’s oldest and largest brewing
company, Nigerian Breweries has been fully involved in brewing Nigeria’s spirit of greatness, shaping taste, industry and national identity. Since the first bottle of Star lager beer rolled off the line in June1949 at the company’s Iganmu’s plant, the brand became a cultural staple, and moved quickly from Lagos bars to other cities, signifying optimism for a bright future.
Over a period of eight decades, that “future” has been evolving with the company becoming a powerhouse of successful brands built to last, and mapping Nigeria’s regional diversity and changing consumer tastes.
With nine breweries and a malting plant, distribution of their products reaches every state in the country, and the company employs over 2,000 Nigerians directly.
Culture, Friendship in Every Bottle Nigerian Breweries has mirrored the lifestyles of Nigerians, and tapped into the cultural nuances of its consumers who are engaged at various experiential touchpoints. The overarching strategy lies in humanising its various brands, using mainly sports and entertainment platforms. Star lager beer (Shine Shine Bobo) sponsored the first Nigerian football league in the 1960s, and has backed music through Star Quest, Star Trek, and Star Mega Jam. Gulder Ultimate Search and Maltina Dance All highlighted cultural authenticity by telling Nigerian stories, and ignited a pop-culture phenomenon that was difficult to ignore. These are just a few examples of the iconic brand activations by the company to engage consumers on an ongoing basis.
When we talk of attracting foreign investments into Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Plc which was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1973, has become a bellwether for investments in the country.
Over the decades, Nigerian Breweries has paid billions in taxes, and supported over 500,000 sorghum and cassava farmers through its local sourcing programme. Ancillary industries in glass, packaging, and logistics have also benefited from the brewing giant in a long-standing commercial relationship.
The shift to local raw materials tells its own 80-year story. In the 1980s, when FX scarcity forced import bans, Nigerian Breweries pioneered sorghum brewing and helped commercialise cassava use in beer and malt drinks. Today, the bulk of
its raw materials are sourced locally, signaling its support for the Nigerian agriculture sector and reducing exposure to currency shocks.
Nigerian Breweries has weathered a civil war, FX crises, import bans, multiple recessions, and most recently, the 2023 – 2024 naira devaluation and inflation spike that hit consumer goods really hard. The company posted losses in 2023, and in Q1, Q2, Q3 of 2024 as input costs surged, but returned to profitability in Q4 of 2024 through pricing, cost optimisation, and a N600 billion naira rights issue to cut FX debt. The survival playbook of the company enabled a positive rebound in 2025.
Financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025 confirmed the turnaround. Group revenue climbed 35 percent to a record 1.47 trillion naira, up from 1.08 trillion naira in 2024, despite persistent high inflation and constrained consumer spending. Operating profit surged 194 percent to 205.2 billion naira, while the company recorded a net profit of 99.1 billion naira, reversing a loss of nearly 145 billion naira the previous year. This recovery was aided by an 83 percent reduction in net finance costs, thanks largely to the successful 2024 Rights Issue that strengthened the balance sheet and reduced exposure to foreign currency volatility.
• Braimah is a PR specialist, marketing strategist, and publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times and Lagos Post. He can be reached at ehi.braimah@neomedia.com.ng
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Nume Ekeghe
Polaris Bank has strengthened its push to deepen Nigeria’s non-oil export base with its support for the launch of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Export Support Call Centre, a move aimed at improving exporters’ access to information, markets and financing.
The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with NACCIMA, is designed to provide real-time advisory and operational support to Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium-scale players navigating the complexities of crossborder trade. It comes at a time when policymakers and financial institutions are intensifying efforts to
diversify the economy away from oil and unlock foreign exchange earnings from non-oil sectors.
Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Chris Ofikulu in a statement emphasised the Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses for global markets. He highlighted the importance of the NACCIMA Call Center as a key resource for exporters, offering valuable information, knowledge, expert guidance, and advisory services to navigate the complexities of international trade.
“Today, we are marking a pivotal moment in our mission to empower Nigerian businesses for global markets. Through this collaboration, we are equipping exporters with the tools, infrastructure, and expertise needed to
thrive in global markets,” said Chris Ofikulu.
The NACCIMA Call Center, supported by Polaris Bank, will act as a key platform where exporters can access real-time information, technical assistance, and regulatory advisory services. This strategic initiative is in alignment with Polaris Bank’s vision to drive trade facilitation, improve market access, and support Nigeria’s economic growth.
Polaris Bank’s contribution includes providing advanced infrastructure such as laptops, a fully equipped workstation, internetenabled modems, and high-capacity printers to support the operations of the center. This donation is aimed at ensuring the center runs smoothly and effectively meets the needs of Nigerian exporters.
Ebere Nwoji
Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has completed the structuring phase of its planned N5 billion Rights Issue capital raise marking a key milestone ahead of its recapitalisation plan in line with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Recapitalisation Act, NIIRA.
The underwriting firm disclosed this at the signing ceremony of all related parties to the right issue at its corporate head office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the firm, the signing ceremony
signalled the effective conclusion of all internal processes and professional engagements required for the Rights Issue.
The company said with the structuring phase now concluded, its shareholders would have the opportunity to pick up their rights totalling 2,510,848,144 units, of 50 kobo each at N2.00 per share on the basis of 3 new ordinary shares.
In the same vein, the management has enjoined all shareholders of the company to take advantage of this unique opportunity by maximally taking up their rights in the rights
issue with a view to increasing their stake in the company and as well grow their wealth in the very near future as the company is poised to moving on to the next phase of its growth stage as NIIRA signals a new direction for the insurance industry in the country.
Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Dr. Lucas Durojaiye, said the management of the company had set a growth agenda which is aimed at positioning the underwriting firm as one of the top five in the insurance industry in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s foremost Redrick Public Relations outfit has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2026 SABRE Awards EMEA, one of the communications industry’s most respected global awards programmes recognising excellence in branding, reputation and engagement.
In a competition featuring over 2,000 entries, the SABRE Awards recognize Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation, and Engagement. The agency’s shortlisted work includes campaigns across skincare and consumer marketing: Redrick Public Relations 2026 SABRE EMEA two nominations categories are Influencer Marketing: Coca-Cola Nigeria: Redefining Cultural Currency — Coca-Cola Nigeria and Africa
SABRE Awards: CeraVe Africa: From UnderRepresented to Category Leader — CeraVe (L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty)
“At Redrick, our
work is deeply rooted in culture,” said Ijeoma Balogun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Redrick PR. Continuing.
“Being recognized on the SABRE EMEA stage is a testament to our team’s dedication to global excellence. We don’t just want to create campaigns; we want to deliver authentic work that truly engages and creates value, ensuring that local and global brands operating in Nigeria and Africa are heard in a way that is impactful and lasting.”
The double nomination follows a transformative year for Redrick PR, which has consistently challenged the boundaries of PR by integrating digital-first solutions and cross-border campaign management. By placing brand purpose at the intersection of commerce and culture, the agency continues to deliver significant impact for its partners.
Winners of the 2026 SABRE Awards EMEA will be announced in London later this month.
Redrick Public Relations is Africa’s authority in culture-led PR and communications. The firm designs intelligencedriven campaigns that help brands grow with meaning and momentum, turning strategy into cultural relevance, earned attention and measurable business impact. From insight and narrative development to media, creators, communities and experiences, Redrick builds communications programmes that move culture and numbers, not just headlines. With experience spanning beauty, entertainment, technology, consumer, finance and development sectors, Redrick delivers integrated communications across African markets and global briefs, combining strategic clarity with deep cultural understanding.
Kayode Tokede
Nigeria’s stock market, yesterday dropped by N1.35 trillion in value as investors exited MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and 25 others that triggered a broad sell-off across key sectors.
As MTN Nigeria depreciated by 8.7 per cent, Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) declined by
2,098.31 basis points or 0.86 per cent to close at 241,750.15 basis points as the Month-toDate and Year-to-Date returns moderated to -0.2per cent and +55.4per cent, respectively. Also, market capitalisation dipped by N1.35 trillion to close at N155.152 trillion.
Despite the downturn, market breadth remained positive, with 45 gainers outpacing 26 decliners. RT Briscoe Nigeria emerged
the highest price gainer of 10 per cent to close at N2.09, per share. McNichols, R.T. Briscoe, Vitafoam Nigeria and Zichis Agro Allied Industries followed with a gain of 10 per cent each to close at N7.92, N12,87, N170.50 and N25.08 respectively, per share.
Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) appreciated by 9.99 per cent to close at N175.65, while Dangote Sugar Refinery advanced by 9.98 per
cent to close at N84.30, per share.
On the other side, Guinness Nigeria led others on the losers’ chart with 10 per cent to close at N447.30, per share. Union Dicon Salt followed with a decline of 9.82 per cent to close at N19.75, while AIICO Insurance declined by 9.28 per cent to close at N4.30, per share.
Wema Bank lost 8.72 per cent to close at N30.35, while
MTNN depreciated by 8.63 per cent to close at N836.00, per share. Meanwhile, the total volume of trades rose by 31.09 per cent to 1.268 billion units, valued at N75.226 billion, and exchanged in 102,665 deals. Transactions in the shares of FCMB Group led the activity with 160.591 million shares worth N1.770 billion. Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) followed with a volume of
AS OF MAY5/26
Looking ahead Cowry Assets Management Limited said, the market is expected to trade cautiously, driven by continued investor positioning.
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 30 April 2026, unless otherwise stated. Offer
For 20 years, the Patrick Speech and Languages Centre has played a pivotal role in advancing autism care in Nigeria, evolving from a small initiative into a leading institution for therapy, advocacy and creative development. Founded by Mrs Dotun akande, the centre has impacted thousands of children and families through early intervention, training programmes, and inclusive platforms such as art exhibitions, helping individuals on the spectrum find their voices and thrive. Funmi Ogundare writes
For 20 years, the Patrick Speech and Languages Centre (PSLC) has been a beacon of hope for children on the autism spectrum and their families, transforming challenges into opportunities through sustained intervention, advocacy, and creative expression.
Founded by Mrs Dotun Akande in 2006, the centre’s journey began with a single act of faith; support from a parent who believed in her vision to create a space where children with special needs could be nurtured and understood. That seed, planted over two decades ago, has grown into a thriving institution impacting countless lives.
At a time when autism awareness in Nigeria was still low and widely misunderstood, the centre has gone beyond providing therapy to reshaping the life paths of children on the spectrum.
In the past two decades, the centre has impacted thousands of children and their families through a range of multidisciplinary therapy services. It has led the way in promoting early intervention in Nigeria, while also building capacity by training over 300 therapists, educators and caregivers through its academy. Access has been further broadened through free and subsidised initiatives delivered by its non-profit arm, Puresouls Learning Foundation. Its impact is both visible and measurable. Today, many young people who were once nonverbal or socially excluded are thriving, serving as strong evidence of what early intervention
and consistent support can achieve across families from diverse backgrounds.
Speaking to journalists at the 8th edition of its art exhibition held recently at Terra Culture, Victoria Island, Lagos, themed ‘Legacy: Unfiltered Expression’, Akande described the 20-year journey as one marked by resilience, consistency and an unwavering commitment to giving children a voice, whether through speech therapy or alternative forms of expression such as art.
“What you are seeing today is the result of a seed sown over 20 years ago. This is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.
Akande described the annual art showcase as a key feature of the centre’s activities, saying that it has now become a launchpad for emerging talents on the autism spectrum. “Several participants have gone on to hold solo exhibitions and gain international exposure, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the initiative,” she stated.
She added that many of the artists, particularly
those who are non-verbal, use art as a means of expression, allowing observers to gain insight into their thoughts and emotions through their creations.
Akande cited the success of other beneficiaries of the programme, including a young artist who has held about seven solo exhibitions since being discovered, as evidence of the initiative’s transformative impact.
The director expressed hope of creating employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities, as part of the centre’s vision for the next 20 years.
The initiative, she noted, would focus on identifying and developing the talents of individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other special needs, with a view to integrating them into productive ventures.
She explained that the centre is already working towards launching programmes, including theatrical productions, that will serve as platforms to showcase and monetise the abilities of young adults with special needs.
According to her, the goal is to shift attention from disability to ability, ensuring that every individual is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of disability you have. What matters is your talent, what you can do,” she stated.
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Mary Nnah
Africa’s medical education leaders have declared a decisive shift from “training for certification to training for competence”, as the continent confronts a projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030.
The declaration came at the 2026 Medical Education Conference of the Association of Medical Schools in Africa (AMASA), held recently in Lagos, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, Africa Region.
President of AMASA, Prof Temidayo Ogundiran, opened the conference on behalf of the three host institutions, describing the gathering as a call to action for the future of medical education on the continent.
Tracing AMASA’s history, Ogundiran said, “The conception of AMASA took place in 1961 at the University of Ibadan, and it became formally inaugurated in Kampala in 1963. Since then, AMSA has facilitated networking and exchange of ideas and experiences between its member schools through its meetings and the exchange of faculty and students.”
He reaffirmed the association’s role as a leading voice for medical education in Africa and its commitment to strengthening our institutions and reinforcing the vital nexus of research,
education and service.
According to Ogundiran, the 2026 conference marks a defining milestone in the rebirth of AMSA, a process that began in 2008 following the Sub-Saharan Africa Medical Schools Survey and was further strengthened in 2014 through collaboration with the WHO Africa Region, the World Federation for Medical Education, and the World Medical Association.
He commended the interim executive for re-establishing AMASA as a corporate entity that “has regained its rightful place as the representative of the African Region in global health systems”.
Originally slated for 2020, the conference was delayed by “unforeseen disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, ongoing geopolitical tensions”, Ogundiran said.
“Yet, drawing on the resilience and lessons of the past, we adapted. The adoption of a hybrid format has enabled broad participation despite these constraints,” he explained. “The overwhelming support from our stakeholders is a testament to our shared commitment, and for this, we are deeply grateful.”
He acknowledged the local organising committee and partners, including the WHO Africa Region, the World Federation for Medical Education, the Federal Ministries of Education and Health of Nigeria, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the National Universities Commission, FAIMER/Intealth, ACGME Global and ACGME International, and the Nathaniel O. Idowu Foundation. “Your collective efforts have made this gathering possible,” he said.
Highlighting Africa’s medical education challenge, Ogundiran stated, “While our continent bears nearly 24 per cent of the global disease burden, we are supported by only 3 per cent of the world’s health workforce, many of whom are migrating or considering migration. This has resulted in a projected shortage of 6.1 million health workers by 2030.”
He added, “This reality demands urgent and decisive action. We must move beyond traditional paradigms and embrace a bold agenda, one that focuses on planning, training and retaining our health workforce.”
The conference’s theme, ‘Increasing Capacity and Retention of the Global Health Workforce’, he noted, is a mandate.
“Over the coming days, we will critically examine systemic inefficiencies that leave 27
per cent of skilled professionals unemployed while communities remain underserved. More importantly, we will advance practical, sustainable solutions,” he stated.
Ogundiran described the gathering as a structural pivot for African medical schools.
“This gathering is also a call to transform medical education in Africa - from a system centred on qualifications to one grounded in competence. It is clinical excellence, ethical judgment, and practical readiness that ultimately save lives,” said Ogundiran.
He urged delegates to participate actively, not as observers, but as change agents, saying, “Engage deeply, exchange ideas and build meaningful collaborations with the global community of experts, policymakers, and innovators present here. The future of health education in Africa depends on our collective resolve.”
To international guests, he said, “While the work ahead is serious, we also encourage you to experience the vibrant culture of Lagos- the richness of its heritage, its cuisine, and its dynamic social life.”
Speaking at the event, Dr David Atuwo, Special Adviser (Technical) to the Minister of Education, who represented the Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, echoed the call to overhaul training outcomes.
The It Begins With U Foundation (IBWU), a Canada-based registered charity and not for profit also operating as a Nigerian based nongovernmental organization registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, has partnered with the Kemi Irinoye Foundation (KIF) to launch the ‘Cleanest School in Ibadan Program 2026’, a transformative initiative aimed at promoting hygiene, sanitation, innovation, and civic responsibility among secondary school students across Ibadan.
IBWU Foundation, known for executing similar impactful projects across Nigeria, continues to expand its footprint with plans to reach even
more states nationwide.
In selecting Ibadan for this phase, the organisation chose to partner with KIF in recognition of its strong track record in designing and implementing high-impact programmes that drive meaningful change. The programme, formalized through a signed Memorandum of Understanding in March 2026, will engage schools in a structured competition designed to encourage clean, sustainable, and innovative learning environments. Participating schools will be evaluated on key criteria including cleanliness,
creativity, teamwork, sustainability and effective use of resources.
To incentivize excellence and participation,
IBWU Foundation is offering a grand prize of ₦1 million to the cleanest school, alongside cash rewards for schools placing second, third, and fourth, as well as scholarships and other awards. These prizes are intended not only as recognition but also as support for continued improvements in school environments.
Implemented in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education and supported by relevant government agencies, the initiative will span multiple phases, from stakeholder
engagement and school registration to inspections, media engagement, and a grand award ceremony recognizing top-performing schools.
Speaking on the partnership, Executive Director of KIF, Kemi Irinoye, thanked IBWU Foundation for its commitment to youth development and environmental sustainability.
“We are deeply grateful to IBWU Foundation for their willingness to work with us on this impactful project. This initiative goes beyond cleanliness, it is about shaping a generation of responsible, innovative young people who understand the value of their environment and their role in sustaining it.”
Easter Sunday night turned into a night to remember as the Roadblock Party, sponsored by Desperados, took over Lagos, with revelers dancing into the dawn of Easter Monday. The event, held at Balmoral Event Centre, Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, was a unique celebration that combined Easter cheer with an epic party vibe. Writes Mary Nnah
The Roadblock Party, held on April 5th, 2026, at Balmoral Event Centre, Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, was an unforgettable night that left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended. The event's highlight was undoubtedly the thematic dress code, "Saint or Sinner," which mandated guests to don either all white or all black attire. This bold fashion statement not only added an extra layer of excitement to the event but also sparked intriguing conversations, created a sense of unity among guests, and showcased the best of Lagos' fashion scene.
Creative Director of Roadblock Party, Ororo Pattaya Otono, revealed that the dress code was more than just a fashion statement.
"Black is for the sinners, white is for the saints," he explained. "But it's not about the colour, it's about what you represent. It's about embracing your inner saint or sinner and letting loose."
This clever play on dichotomy set the tone for a night that would celebrate individuality, self-expression, and the beauty of opposites coming together.
As guests arrived, the visual impact was breathtaking. The black outfits and white ensembles created a stunning contrast, with the colourful venue providing a sophisticated backdrop for the fashion parade.
From avant-garde accessories to statement pieces, guests went all out to make a statement, incorporating creative elements that reflected their personal style and added an extra layer of intrigue to their attire.
“It was amazing to see people from different backgrounds come together, dressed in their saintly whites and sinful blacks”, Ororo said.
"It was a visual representation of our theme - opposites coming together to create something beautiful." The dress code had indeed achieved its goal, breaking down social barriers and fostering a sense of unity among guests.
Ororo further emphasised the significance of the dress code, saying, “We wanted to create a space where people could express themselves freely, without fear of judgment. The dress code was a way to encourage guests to let go of their inhibitions and be themselves.”
As the night wore on, the music took over, with a lineup of seasoned DJs entertaining attendees as they danced into the night till dawn broke.
The energetic beats and infectious rhythms kept the crowd enthralled, creating an electric atmosphere that was palpable throughout the venue.
"It was incredible to see people letting loose and having the time of their lives," Ororo said.
“The music was the perfect complement to the fashion, and it really brought the whole experience together.”
When asked about the inspiration behind the event, Ororo replied, “We wanted to create an experience
that would bring people together and celebrate our differences. The Roadblock Party is more than just a party – it's a movement. It's about embracing our individuality and finding common ground with others."
As the night drew to a close, Ororo reflected on the success of the event, saying, "I'm blown away by the response we've gotten so far. It's clear that we've tapped into something special, and we are excited to bring this experience to other cities and communities."
In the end, the “Saint or Sinner” dress code was a resounding success, adding a unique touch to an already unforgettable night. It was a celebration of individuality and togetherness, showcasing the power of fashion to bring people together and unleash their creativity. As Ororo put it, "It was a night that will be etched in our memories forever, a night that showed us that when we come together, anything is possible."
In the ever-evolving landscape of global dance music, Roadblock Party is emerging as one of Africa’s most compelling cultural exports. In partnership with Desperados, the Lagos-born event has grown into a high-impact platform where Afrocentric electronic sounds, cutting-edge DJ talent, and immersive production converge.
Drawing thousands of young revelers, Roadblock Party is more than a nightlife experience, it is a movement shaping the future of youth culture across the continent. With a sound rooted
in Afrobeats and electronic fusion, the event continues to push creative boundaries while spotlighting a new generation of African DJs redefining the global dance floor.
According to Founder and Chief Experience Architect of Roadblock, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, “Roadblock was never just about throwing a party. It’s about creating a space where sound, culture, and energy collide and where Africa’s youth can see themselves at the center of something global.”
Backed by Desperados, a brand long associated with boundary-pushing experiences, the collaboration amplifies Roadblock’s vision of delivering bold, immersive moments that resonate far beyond the venue.
From high-energy sets by standout talents to a growing reputation for unforgettable nights, Roadblock Party continues to define what it means to experience dance music in Africa today. As the movement expands, its influence is becoming impossible to ignore both locally and internationally.
Roadblock Party is a Lagos-based cultural movement and live event platform dedicated to showcasing Afrocentric electronic music and youth culture. Known for its high-energy experiences and cutting-edge DJ lineups, it has quickly become one of Africa’s most anticipated dance events and its fully supported by Desperados, a globally recognised beer brand known for its bold, unconventional approach to music, nightlife, and youth culture, consistently supporting immersive experiences across the world.
Mike ezeanyanwu & chris O. chris
In the strategic lexicon of Sun Tzu’s "The Art of War", it is asserted with clinical precision that "every battle is won before it is fought."
This timeless axiom of pre-emptive excellence finds its contemporary personification in Sir Engr Ucheonwu Prince Henry Hart. To observe his steady ascent is to witness a man who perceived the gathering storm clouds while they were yet a faint mist - a visionary capable of distilling the vapor of potential into a fertile downpour that now promises to nourish the parched political landscape of the Igbo-Etiti/ Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
A scion of the illustrious family of the late Sir and Lady Ucheonwu Peter Chetuya Brown (PCB), Prince Henry Hart was born 56 years ago into a legacy of erudition and spiritual fortitude. His father, a renowned educationist and the foundational pillar of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Igga, bequeathed to him a compass of integrity. Hart’s life is a tapestry woven with the threads of the Anglican faith; a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC), his journey from baptism to a stable, blessed marriage with four children reflects a man anchored by traditional values even as he navigates the complexities of global modernity. Hart’s academic portfolio is nothing short of a masterclass in multidisciplinary excellence. His quest for knowledge has seen him traverse the hallowed halls of international and local institutions, accumulating a formidable arsenal of qualifications that include an M.Sc. in Occupational Safety and Health Management from Loughborough University, UK; a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Delta State University, Abraka; a Master’s in Project Management from Rome Business School; and a
NEBOSH International Diploma in Health, Safety, and Environmental Management.
He further fortified his expertise with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ambrose Alli University and diverse degrees in Public Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University and USAM Port Novo.
With over thirteen professional memberships and participation in forty-five specialised courses, including the prestigious Authentic Leadership Course at Lagos Business School, Hart is not merely a candidate; he is a refined technocrat prepared for the rigors
of governance.
With over three decades of immersion in the Upstream Oil and Gas sector, he has functioned as a high-level Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (QHSSE) Executive, navigating the high-stakes environment of Fortune 500 energy operators and aligning complex industrial strategies with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates.
His expertise is granular and expansive, covering risk assessment, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC), and large-scale infrastructure installations.
When queried on the catalysts driving his legislative ambition, Hart speaks not
with the hollow rhetoric of a politician, but with the measured conviction of a humanist. He identifies "Compassion" as his primary driver - a visceral concern for the socio-economic malaise and infrastructure deficit stifling his people. This is bolstered by a profound "Selflessness," as he notes that having been blessed with life's basic needs, he views serving the constituency as a form of worship.
His "Sense of Responsibility" ensures he acts out of duty rather than compulsion, while his "Integrity" guarantees a steadfast adherence to transparency and an uncompromising disdain for the "cutting of corners."
Hart’s vision for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani is one of "scaling up" the very essence of representation. He recognises the tragic paradox of Uzo-Uwani: a land sitting upon a treasure trove of unexplored mineral deposits while its inhabitants remain shackled by the "huge weight of poverty."
Addressing the twin demons of economic stagnation and peak insecurity, Hart intends to deploy his scientific training to transform legislative oversight into a tool for tangible development. He views law-making not as a static exercise, but as a dynamic engine to propel his constituents toward prosperity.
As the sun sets on eras defined by unmet promises, the emergence of Sir Engr Ucheonwu Prince Henry Hart signals a paradigm shift. He is the bridge between technical proficiency and empathetic leadership.
In the interactive echoes of our sessions with him, one sentiment remains indelible: hope is no longer a distant horizon; it is arriving in Igbo-Etiti/ Uzo-Uwani, steered by a hand that is both steady and skilled. To the glory of God, a new dawn beckons.
•Chief Mike Ezeanyanwu & Chris O. Chris wrote in from Enugu.
emerge at marathon, receive
QShelter Limited, a professional digital property platform, in partnership with The Fitness Religion Company (TFRC), has successfully hosted the maiden edition of its fitness and lifestyle event tagged ‘2004 M00VE Experience’ at the 2004 Estate along the Monastery axis of the Lagos Coastal Road corridor.
The event featured a range of activities, including a mini-marathon, a fun race, aerobics, dance sessions, a 5-a-side football match, and strength competitions, attracting participants from across the country.
The marathon segment was a major highlight, with athletes competing across categories in a well-coordinated and highenergy environment.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of QShelter Limited, Kola Sowande, noted that integrating lifestyle events such as the M00VE Experience is a deliberate effort to raise awareness, foster engagement, and allow potential homeowners and investors to experience the project's vision firsthand.
Sowande explained that, beyond being a promotional platform, the event was designed to address broader societal challenges, particularly the housing deficit in Nigeria and Lagos State, by showcasing scalable, sustainable housing solutions.
“It’s been an exciting programme, and we are truly encouraged by the turnout and engagement we have seen today. This initiative is not just about promoting our project, but about creating awareness of the scale and vision behind the 2004 Estate, as well as contributing to efforts to reduce the housing deficit in Nigeria.
We believe this is just the beginning, and we look forward to making this an annual event that continues to grow bigger and better,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of QShelter Limited, Gbenga Alamu, said that the 2004 Estate project has been designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, including adherence to environmental standards such as elevating buildings above coastal levels to mitigate flooding risks.
Alamu added that the company intentionally integrated communities into the planning process to ensure the event reflected the needs and interests of people in the environment and to position the development as an inclusive, people-centred project.
“This event did not happen by chance; it is the result of deliberate planning, research, and engagement with
the community. We identified an existing culture of fitness within this environment and decided to build on it by creating a platform that brings people together at a larger scale.
"Beyond that, we are developing a community that supports not just housing, but lifestyle, wellness, and long-term value for residents,” he added.
Nollywood actor and influencer, Tobi Bakre, who participated in the event, described the initiative as a commendable effort to bring people together through fitness and community engagement.
He noted that the diversity of activities ensured inclusivity, allowing individuals across different age groups and fitness levels to participate and benefit from the experience.
The marathon categorised in female and male divisions was held in 5km and 22km categories with Fadekemi Erinle, Gang James, Gyang Sunday, and Aminat Alabi emerging winners.
The winner of the female 22km marathon, Fadekemi Erinle, commended the organisers for the quality of the event and the level of support provided to participants, noting that such initiatives play a critical role in advancing sports development and encouraging athletic excellence in Nigeria.
Developed in partnership with Continental Civil General Construction Limited, the 2004 Estate represents a forward-thinking approach to modern living, integrating smart infrastructure, flexible property ownership models, and a wellness-driven environment.
In line with its vision to redefine modern living, the 2004 Estate offers a blend of comfort, convenience, and sustainability. Strategically located just 23 minutes from Victoria Island via the Lagos Coastal Road, the estate is elevated 5 meters above sea level to provide natural flood protection.
Its infrastructure includes internal roads, a shopping mall, gated security with CCTV, hybrid and solar power systems, a recreation center, and a secure perimeter fence.
Residents also enjoy 24-hour power and water supply, alongside flexible payment options designed to make homeownership accessible — including long-term plans with competitive rates and phased payment structures.
The development is also accessible through the MREIF Mortgage scheme, providing an additional pathway for prospective homeowners to conveniently own property within the estate.
L–R: Enterprise Account Leader, Cisco Systems India, Javeat Johar; Group Head, Enterprise Sales, Airtel Africa, Oladimeji Ilesanmi; Director, Airtel Business, Airtel Nigeria, Ogo Ofomata; and Enterprise Account Leader, Cisco Systems India, Shobhit Agarwal, at Airtel Nigeria’s two-day Business Discovery Workshop focused on networking for all business sectors, as well as an industry-specific segment for oil and gas companies, held in Lagos...recently
Alex Enumah in Abuja
TSocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected the judgement of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which awarded N100 million damages in favour of Department of State Services (DSS) and two of its officials.
The rights group, in its reaction to the judgement delivered on Tuesday, described the decision as “a travesty” and “a dangerous precedent” for civic freedom in Nigeria.
Delivering judgement in the suit filed by DSS and two of its personnel, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, Justice Yusuf Halilu held that the claimants successfully established the ingredients of defamation and were, therefore, entitled to damages.
The judge subsequently ordered that the defendants pay the claim- ants the sum of N100 million in damages, another N1 million as cost of litigation, and in addition, tender public apologies to be published in two national newspapers and two national television stations, including Arise News.
The judge further ordered a 10 per cent annual post-judgement interest until the judgement sum was paid in full.
Reacting, Deputy Director, SERAP, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, rejected
the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Oluwadare disclosed that two senior lawyers Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, had already been instructed to immediately file an appeal.
SERAP described the case as “a textbook example of judicial harassment and a Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation (SLAPP)”, alleging that the President Bola Tinubu administration is using defamation laws and state institutions to suppress dissent, intimidate activists, and weaken the civic space.
“This judgement is totally unacceptable to us. It is a serious blow to civic space in Nigeria and reflects a troubling pattern of using defamation laws to punish legitimate criticism and suppress accountability,” Oluwadare stated in a statement he signed on Tuesday.
The group insisted that its September 9, 2024 publication concerning the DSS was made in the public interest following what it termed an unlawful invasion and intimidation of its Abuja office by DSS operatives after SERAP called on Tinubu to investigate alleged corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and reverse fuel price increases.
In its defence before the court, SERAP maintained that DSS officials,
who visited its office, interrogated staff members, demanded incorporation documents, questioned the organisation’s internal structure and sought information about its leadership and anti-corruption advocacy activities.
The organisation alleged that unmarked vehicles, which conveyed the DSS operatives, were stationed outside SERAP’s office during the encounter, creating fear among staff members who allegedly believed
an arrest or raid was imminent.
SERAP also accused DSS of giving conflicting explanations regarding the purpose of the visit, pointing to an earlier public statement by the agency describing the operation as a “routine investigation,” contrary to claims in court filings that the visit was merely for a familiarisation meeting with SERAP’s leadership.
The organisation said the alleged defamatory publication did not
mention the names of the DSS officials who instituted the suit and therefore could not have damaged their personal reputations.
SERAP maintained its statements were justified, lawful and protected under constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and international human rights obligations binding on Nigeria.
Warning of the wider implications of the judgement, the organisation said the decision could create a
“chilling effect” on anti-corruption work, civic participation, and free speech, adding that courts must guard against the misuse of defamation laws to stifle legitimate advocacy and public accountability. The suit marked FCT/HC/ CV/4547/24 was instituted by DSS officials – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – following SERAP’s social media publication accusing the agency of harassment and unlawful occupation of its premises.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has released an updated schedule of activities for its 2026 primary elections, alongside revised costs for nomination forms, following extensive consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and stakeholders across the country.
Under the updated timetable, the sale of nomination forms will take place from May 1 to May 4, 2026, while the purchase and submission of completed forms will run from May 6 to May 13, 2026, with May 13 set as the
Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy
Nigeria has brought together policymakers, climate experts, and peacebuilding practitioners from across Africa in a high-level regional forum aimed at tackling the growing link between climate change and insecurity on the continent.
Declaring the forum open in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Salihu Aminu Usman, warned that the accelerating pace of climate change is already triggering severe global consequences, stressing the need for urgent and coordinated action.
“Climate change impacts are on the rise daily, with unprecedented
and extreme weather conditions being experienced all around the world. Urgent solutions are required before it gets out of hand,” he said.
Usman noted that Nigeria remains committed to global climate obligations under frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
He added that the country has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 47 percent with international support.
He revealed that Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), currently nearing completion, incorporates conflictsensitive approaches, linking climate adaptation directly to peacebuilding
efforts.
According to him, environmental pressures are increasingly tied to security challenges such as farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and cattle rustling.
“It would be a mistake to ignore adaptation needs in these peacebuilding contexts,” Usman said, underscoring the importance of aligning climate policies with national security strategies.
In her remarks, Director of the Department of Climate Change, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, highlighted the widespread impact of climate variability on infrastructure, biodiversity, and livelihoods, warning that these disruptions are deepening existing vulnerabilities and contributing to instability.
final deadline for submission.
Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14 and May 15, 2026, with the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026.
According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, ‘’Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 20, 2026.
‘’Primary elections for State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate will be held on May 21, 2026, followed by governorship primaries on May 22, 2026.
‘’The presidential primary election is scheduled for May
23, 2026. This will be followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 25, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 26, 2026.”
Additionally, Abdullahi said following the review, the cost of nomination forms has been set at N90,000,000 for the presidential ticket, N30,000,000 for governorship, N10,000,000 for Senate, N5,000,000 for the House of Representatives, and N2,000,000 for State Houses of Assembly.’’
He said the party retained its concessionary framework, providing a 50 per cent discount for youth aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35, and a 25 per
cent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.
Accordingly, Abdullahi said, ‘’These adjustments reflect the outcome of broad-based consultations aimed at strengthening internal democracy, improving access, and ensuring that the ADC continues to provide a credible and inclusive platform for political participation.
‘’All aspirants and stakeholders are advised to take note of the updated schedule and revised fees, and to comply fully with all guidelines as published. The ADC remains committed to organising effectively and presenting credible candidates to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections,’’ he said.
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
A non-governmental organisation, Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa), has launched a national initiative aimed at increasing the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields across Nigeria. The initiative, implemented in partnership with Top100 Future African Leaders, is designed to equip young women with the skills, mentorship and professional networks required to thrive in
STEM-related careers.
As part of the programme, the organisation has selected 44 final-year female students from universities across the country for its flagship SWIS EmpowHER Programme, which seeks to support their transition from higher education into careers in academia, industry and entrepreneurship.
SWIS Africa said the intervention was conceived to address the persistent gender gap in STEM by tackling key barriers, including limited access to mentorship, career guidance and industry exposure.
The selected participants, drawn from diverse STEM disciplines, are expected to undergo structured training followed by an intensive eight-week mentorship programme. Each participant will be paired with experienced professionals to gain practical insights and career direction. The programme will culminate in a project presentation, where participants are expected to showcase innovative ideas and demonstrate readiness to contribute meaningfully to their respective fields.
L-R: Ghana Acting Head of Mission to Nigeria, Dr. Gladys Mansa Yawa Akyea; Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Muhamed Buba Marwa (rtd); and Director General, Ghana Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, during a benchmarking visit by the latter and members of his delegation to NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, yesterday
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered a comprehensive audit of arms, ammunition, and other weaponry across all police formations in a renewed effort to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and strengthen internal accountability within the force.
The directive, according to Disu, is aimed at ensuring accurate inventory management, preventing diversion or misuse of firearms, and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
It is also expected to help identify gaps in armament control and reinforce security measures nationwide.
Speaking during a meeting with Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and other strategic police managers at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall in Abuja, Disu directed Commissioners of Police to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, women’s groups, and transport unions in order to effectively police
their areas of responsibility.
He also instructed them to make their contact details available to community leaders within their respective states to improve intelligence gathering and operational response.
Disu stated, “I hereby direct all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective commands. This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports
forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe.
“The objective is clear: to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of our operational needs. Let me emphasise that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed.”
He added, “The Nigeria Police Force cannot secure this nation alone.
A video recording played at the ongoing trial of six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, showed the fifth defendant, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, denying any involvement in the alleged plot.
The Muslim cleric also told investigators during interrogation that millions of naira transferred to him by the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes.”
The video recording which forms part of the evidence of the prosecution contained the extra-judicial statement of the fifth defendant.
The federal government had on April 22 arraigned the six defendants; Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
They were arraigned on a 13-count criminal charge bordering on alleged plot to levy war against the state to overthrow the President of the country, among others.
They however pleaded not guilty to all the counts contained in the charge.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the court previewed a recorded extra-judicial statement made by Goni during investigation.
In the video played in court, the fifth defendant claimed he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The cleric also told investigators that his relationship with Ma’aji was based on religious interactions and requests for spiritual support, adding that the principal suspect approached him for prayers over alleged delays in promotion and other personal challenges.
Goni maintained that monies transferred to him were tied solely to religious activities and charity.
However, investigators in the video challenged his explanation with financial records allegedly showing that transfers had started as far back as March 2023, months before the promotion-related issues he referenced.
The prosecution further pointed to transactions allegedly running into millions of naira, including a N10 million transfer said to have
been made in October 2024.
Investigators also suggested that discussions captured in the course of the probe, including references to gaining “access” and acquiring “work tools,” raised suspicion about a broader operation allegedly linked to the coup plot.
The fifth defendant however, denied knowledge of any illegal
plan and maintained that he had no involvement in political or military activities.
Besides that of the cleric, the court also viewed another video involving the fourth defendant, Zekari Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria.
Security is a collective enterprise. We need the trust, the cooperation, and the active partnership of the Nigerian people - and we are committed to earning it.
“I am therefore directing every Commissioner of Police to hold regular town hall engagements across their State Commands. These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organisations, women’s groups, and transport unions - listening, sharing information, and building genuine partnerships.”
The IGP added, “I am also taking a step that I believe will send a strong signal of openness and accessibility: I am directing all Commissioners of Police to make their contact details available to community leaders within their states.
“When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice. Security intelligence flows from communities.
“When citizens trust the police, they share what they know. And
that information saves lives. I, therefore, urge all Nigerians: if you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act.”
The IGP revealed that no fewer than 280 suspected terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements were arrested in April, including suspects involved in murder, culpable homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and cult-related crimes.
Disu stated that police operatives also recovered over 1,212 arms and ammunition and rescued 189 kidnapped victims during several intelligence-led operations within the same period.
He assured Nigerians that the alleged extrajudicial killing of an unarmed suspect by an Assistant Superintendent of Police in Delta State would not be swept under the carpet, stressing that accountability would be pursued to its full and logical conclusion.
Providing a breakdown of the arrests and recoveries, Disu said, “Police Operatives arrested 28 suspected terrorists, 51 murder/ culpable homicide suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 85 suspected kidnapping suspects and 54 suspected cultists.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general election, a coalition of Faith-Based and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for urgent reforms to advance women’s empowerment and political leadership inclusion in Nigeria. They also called on Nigeria’s political leadership at all levels to proactively ensure inclusive and representative leadership that moves beyond rhetoric toward intentional, structured, and enforceable actions that guarantee meaningful participation and long-term success.
The coalition which included;
Africa Faith and Justice Network, Dominicans for Justice and Peace at the United Nations, Africa Faith and Justice Network Nigeria, and a coalition of Catholic Reverend Sisters and Civil Society made the call while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Sr. Eucharia Madueke further called for reform of political party structures, enforcement of policies and practices that empower women, strengthen inclusive democratic governance, and enforce laws that penalise electoral violence and harassment.
She noted that despite comprising half of Nigeria’s population, women are grossly underrepresented in governance at the national, state and local levels.
Madueke stressed this imbalance impacts diverse perspectives of the national agenda and hampers the nation’s capacity to achieve equitable and sustainable development.
She explained that a combination of factors in the structural, cultural, social, economic, and political spheres coalesce to reinforce one another, and place major obstacles to women representation in governance.
Madueke said this also makes it difficult for the few who are in politics to succeed or remain in leadership roles without “godfathers.” She stated: “Women aspirants to political office, more than their male counterparts, are often subjected to violence, harassment, and intimidation, which not only deter their participation but pose serious threats to their safety during campaigns.”
Madueke pointed out that countries that enforce legislation to guarantee women’s participation in politics do achieve their stated goals in single or lower houses.
L-R: Assistant Director, Medical Services and Disease Control, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Adekunle Akinade; Head, Special Projects, Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Dr. Tolulope Ajomale; Director, Pharmaceutical Services (LSMOH), Olabisi Okewole; Director, Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health (LSMOH), Dr. Ismail Abudus-Salam; Director, Programmes/ Essential Medicines, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Dr. Chizoba Fashanu; Representative of the Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Oluwashikemi Alalade; and Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Adekola, at the donation and handover of mobility aids and assistive devices for children with disabilities and special needs to Lagos State Government by CHAI held at Lagos Medical Store, Oshodi, Lagos... recently
Salutes women for commitment, dedication to development of nation Attends national women mega empowerment and rally
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has declared that Nigerian women have the ability to lead the nation to a greater future.
Speaking on Tuesday at the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally held at Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the first lady said women, who made up over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population, possessed a unique power to drive national change and steer the country towards a prosperous future.
She stated, “The significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. Women represent over 50 per cent of the population; therefore, we are uniquely positioned to influence change and contribute our quota in steering the nation towards a greater future.”
She hailed Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, for delivering on the charge she gave her to, “Go and put money in the hands of women.”
Mrs Tinubu said through empowerment initiatives that enable women “to make informed decisions about their lives…families and communities thrive.”
She said that aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which ensured, “Women have a seat at the table and a voice in the rooms where decisions are made.”
Mrs Tinubu re-echoed her husband’s message during this year’s International Women’s Day: “Nigeria’s progress has always carried the imprint of women who refused to accept limits placed before them. From those who fought for our democracy to the millions who labour daily to support their families and communities, their contributions to nation-building are profound… When Nigerian women rise, Nigeria rises.”
Receiving the women’s charter at the rally, the first lady assured the women of Tinubu’s continued support for them.
She said, “I have received your charter, and I assure you that I will deliver it to Mr. President. This is our charter, and we will see it to fruition. Your patience, understanding, and endurance have not gone unnoticed.
“The first term of Mr President has been a period of laying a solid foundation through bold and necessary reforms that will usher in lasting prosperity for dear nation. Though the process has demanded sacrifice, the seed has been planted, and I am confident that Nigeria will continue to reap the fruits of these reforms in the days and years ahead.”
The first lady called on women and mothers not to relent in nurturing, guiding, mentoring, and training their children and wards.
She stated, “I urge us not to relent in nurturing, guiding, mentoring, and training our children and wards. Let
us raise them with discipline, with love for country, and above all with the fear of God, so that they will become responsible citizens who will build an even better Nigeria for tomorrow.”
Earlier in her address, SulaimanIbrahim, described the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally as the emergence of a “coordinated and unstoppable force” that will transform Nigeria, anchored on the deliberate alignment of 10 million women across the country.
She paid glowing tribute to the unsung resilience of Nigerian women.
The minister stated, “From the windswept plains of the North-east, to the industrious heart of the South-east, from the vast horizons of the North-west, to the vibrant coasts of the South-south, across the strength of the North-central and the enterprise of the South-west; she endures, she builds, she leads.
“The Nigerian woman; tempered by trials, refined by resilience, a quiet force, yet a formidable power, the keeper of hope, the driver of progress, and the steady soul of our nation.”
The minister described the rally as a deliberate convergence of
the national tapestry into a single movement.
She stated, “Today, we do not gather as fragmented voices, but as one united movement shaped by geography, experience, and destiny.
“This is the essence of the power of 10 Million Women; a deliberate alignment of strength into action, of voices into authority, and of presence into impact.
“We come together under one defining mandate: one voice, one movement, one choice, a unified declaration that Nigerian women will no longer speak in isolation, but act in concert; not only participate
in nation building, but shape its direction and outcomes.”
She insisted that Nigerian women are not spectators in the nation’s democracy.
“Nigerian women are not spectators in the democratic journey of our nation. We are builders, drivers, and partners in progress. Across every sector, we power growth, sustain communities, and shape the future. This moment calls us beyond participation to influence, and from inclusion to leadership.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim credited Tinubu’s leadership with turning policy into practical action.
I’m aspiring because Ekiti North lacks quality representation, says Arise My decision to contest for Zamfara marks a new dawn, Shinkafi declares
All Progressives Congress (APC) has so far realised over N4.45 billion from the sale of forms to aspirants for the 2027 general election, which is still ongoing.
According to the adjusted timetable and schedule of activities of the ruling party, the sale and submission of forms is scheduled to come to a close today, Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
The N4.45 billion came from aspirants seeking the tickets of the
party for state and National Assembly seats. That was in addition to N200 million from President Bola Tinubu and Stanley Osifo, who purchased the presidential nomination forms.
While the presidential form was sold at the rate of N100 million, the governorship form was sold for N50 million.
At the moment, over 83 governorship aspirants from 28 states are seeking the tickets of the party in the forthcoming elections.
There are indications that the
Although the situation is still fluid, indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu is strongly consid-ering former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ab-dul-Aziz Yari, as Director-General of his presidential re-election campaign in 2027.
THISDAY learnt in the week that the president had dropped the hint somewhere some weeks ago, a de-velopment insiders claimed might have informed the attacks being hauled at the Zamfara West
senator late-ly. According to a source, the president is convinced that Yari has all it takes to lead his re-election campaign, in addition to showing convincing loyalty since he lost the battle for senate president.
Apart from having the capacity to man the campaign, Yari, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, is also believed to be at a huge advantage, coming from the North-west geopolitical zone, an area with a vast voting strength.
The source said whatever challenges the presidential campaign might have in the north with respect to the state of the nation and opposition politics, Yari was in a good position to help market the president.
The source stated, “The president is very comfortable with Senator Yari now, so much that he can literally go to bed with his eyes closed, knowing that Yari will not only have his back but will also do a good job while at it.
“Today, both in the north and the senate, he ranks top as one of the close confidants of the president and he is unpretentious about his love for the president. He goes all out, damning consequences.
“The interesting thing is that the president sees these things, but acts as though he doesn’t. He is quite emotionally intelligent and can distinguish between a sycophant and a genuine loyalist. He believes Yari is one and it is quite evident.”
number of aspirants and the amount may increase before the sale of forms closes today.
Meanwhile, a senatorial aspirant from Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, said he was seeking a return to the senate because the people lacked quality representation in Senator Cyril Fasuyi.
Arise said there was also a call to duty from his people because they had been expressing some nostalgic feelings — not only about his representation when he was in the senate, but also the achievements.
Arise explained that among his achievements during his time in Senate was the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, that he was able to attract to his senatorial district.
He said he felt he could still add more value, hence, his decision to contest again.
On the APC consensus arrangement, Arise stated that there was no way the party would justify the imposition of an aspirant, who had not attracted any dividends of democracy to his people.
He stated, “Well, it is part of our responsibility to educate the people. If those enjoying power now want to keep our people in perpetual darkness
and underdevelopment, they can go ahead and manipulate the process. But it is very clear that we will not allow that to happen.
“We are going to deploy technology. We are ready for them, for after rigging exposure, because there is no other way, they want to justify imposing someone who, after three and a half years, cannot show one or two things done for the people.
“For me, I am in politics to change the lives of my people. If I don’t have any value to add, I will focus on my business and survive. I am convinced that without the intention to write results, they will not, the kind of things I am hearing.”
Another senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr. Sani Shinkafi, said his entrance into the race marked the beginning of a new era in his senatorial district because for over two to three decades—from 1999 to 2027—there had been no power shift. Shinkafi added that the senate seat had been dominated by Anka/ Maru (Ara Namoda axis), stressing that out of the four local governments that make up the district—Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda (Ara Namoda), Birnin Magaji, and Zurmi—his people are marginalised.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Akodu; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; and the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held around Ikoyi-Obalende axis in Lagos... recently
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said it had concluded preparations for the conduct of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in
Ekiti State, assuring residents and stakeholders of a credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process.
Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, disclosed the
commission’s position in Ado Ekiti while briefing journalists and stakeholders on INEC’s preparedness for the poll.
Omoseyindemi said the commission was strictly adhering to its election timetable and had put
in place necessary measures to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.
He said the voter register was being finalised, and it would soon be released to political parties, while dates for the collection of
Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be announced in due course.
Omoseyindemi urged eligible voters, who had not collected their PVCs to do so once collection restarted, stressing that possession
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna
Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) has raised the alarm over a fresh wave of attacks by Boko Haram in Chibok communities of Borno State, warning that the escalating violence has triggered renewed displacement and deepened the humanitarian crisis in the area.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Chibok community group called on the federal government, security agencies, and the international community to take urgent and decisive steps to halt
the attacks, particularly in Kautikari town and neighbouring settlements.
The statement, jointly signed by KADA National President, Nkeki Mutah, and National General Secretary, Ayuba Chiroma, expressed grave concern over what the association described as coordinated and sustained assaults on vulnerable communities.
According to the group, the resurgence of violence has left residents living in constant fear, with many forced to abandon their homes in search of safety.
KADA stated that the situation in Kautikari and other Kibaku
communities had deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, as repeated attacks has disrupted livelihoods, destroyed property, and heightened insecurity.
The association lamented that despite years of insurgency in the region, affected communities continued to suffer with limited protection and inadequate relief.
“The situation has become dire. These recurring attacks have not only displaced our people but have also crippled economic activities and worsened the humanitarian conditions in the area,” the statement said.
OVIA RETIRES, ZENITH BANK HOLDS AGM, REWARDS INVESTORS WITH N10 TOTAL DIVIDEND PER SHARE, NAMES BELLO NEW CHAIRMAN
years. The bank posted a Profit Before Tax of N1.26 trillion and a Profit After Tax of N1.04 trillion for the 2025 financial year, reflecting the strength of its core banking operations and resilience in an evolving macroeconomic environment.
Speaking on the dividend payout, the National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, expressed satisfaction with the bank’s performance and confidence in future returns.
She noted: “As shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc, we are very happy because what we are after every year is return on our investments, and today we are getting a N10 dividend, and I believe by year end 2026, they are going to pay more.
We believe that the new Chairman will continue from where Jim Ovia
stopped, and come next year, we are going to be paid nothing less than 50 naira or more per share.”
President of the Shareholders
Solidarity Association of Nigeria, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, also commended the Board and Management of Zenith Bank for their consistent performance, improving shareholder returns, and strong succession planning, expressing confidence in the bank’s continued stability and growth.
He noted: “Today we thank the Board, Management and Staff for their performance, innovation and the dividends which keep improving year on year. We received a total dividend of N10 this year, and we expect much better returns in the years to come. We are not worried that Jim Ovia is retiring because he has laid a very good foundation for the success of the bank.”
Zenith Bank’s performance in the 2025 financial year remained underpinned by strong earnings growth and balance sheet expansion.
Gross earnings rose by approximately six percent to N4.19 trillion, driven by a significant increase in interest income. Customer deposits grew by about nine percent, while total assets expanded by approximately 11 percent, supported by sustained customer confidence and effective liquidity management. Asset quality also improved, with the nonperforming loan ratio moderating to 3.82 percent, reflecting prudent risk management.
The bank continues to receive recognition from reputable international and domestic institutions for its performance, corporate governance standards, and market position within the Nigerian banking industry.
KADA stressed that the people of Chibok and surrounding communities had endured prolonged hardship, adding that the latest developments underscore the need for immediate government intervention.
The statement said, “KADA is calling on the federal government, security agencies, and the international community to act swiftly to halt these attacks and ensure the safe return of displaced residents.”
Mokwa Disaster:100 Houses Destroyed, 50 People Displaced
Not less than 100 houses were reportedly destroyed and no fewer than 50 people displaced as a result of last Sunday/Monday rainstorm that wreaked havoc in Mokwa town
of Niger State.
The incident occurred almost one year after the town was ravaged by flood, leaving many people dead and property worth millions of naira lost.
The community is yet to recover from the 2025 flood disaster
Public Relations Officer of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Abdullahi Hussaini, told THISDAY that a three-year-old girl had been confirmed dead as a result of the incident while no fewer than 10 people were injured.
According to Hussani, the injured have been treated and discharged from different medical facilities in the town, with the chairman of the local government, Alhaji Abdullahi Muregi, picking up the bills.
He said those displaced were not in any IDP camp but, “They are staying with families and friends.”
of valid voter cards remains a prerequisite for participation in the election.
He disclosed that recruitment and screening of ad hoc personnel were ongoing, adding that successful applicants would undergo training on electoral procedures, deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and result management protocols. On logistics, the REC said the commission had commenced arrangements for the procurement, movement, and secure storage of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
He added that INEC was collaborating with relevant security agencies to guarantee the safe deployment of personnel and election materials across the state.
To deepen transparency and public confidence in the process, he stated that election results would be electronically transmitted and uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
While acknowledging possible challenges, such as vote buying, political violence, and fake news, Omoseyindemi said the commission had intensified voter education and stakeholder engagement to address the concerns.
He called on political parties, voters, security agencies, and the media to play their respective roles responsibly and ensure peace before, during, and after the governorship election.
The Katsina State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating state of security and education in the state.
The opposition party said the security situation in the state has worsened significantly in recent years, affecting livelihoods and threatening the safety of communities across the state.
Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony organised by students in honour of Senator Yakubu Lado,
the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Nura Amadi Kurfi, said insecurity has undermined socio-economic activities of the state.
He said: “It is indeed not anything new to anybody in Katsina State that the situation in our state, particularly the two most important sectors of our life, the security and the education, are really in a deep shamble.
“It is a fact and a known fact that since the coming of APC government in Katsina State, things have continued to deteriorate, things have continued to go back.”
He argued that both security
and the education sectors of the state required urgent and deliberate intervention, stressing that they formed the foundation of sustainable development in any society. Kurfi contrasted the current situation with what he termed the “16 golden years” of PDP administration in the state, maintaining that significant progress recorded during that period has since been reversed.
He accused the present leadership of failing to sustain earlier gains, “resulting in years of developmental setbacks” across major sectors in the state.
Sunday Aborisade and Juliet Akoje in Abuja
Cracks within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) widened yesterday as three prominent senators, namely Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, and Rufai Hanga,formally dumped the party, citing intractable leadership and legal disputes that have eroded its viability ahead of the 2027 general election.
Their defections, announced on the floor of the Senate through separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marked a significant blow to the ADC, which has struggled in recent months to maintain cohesion amid internal wrangling over leadership legitimacy and control of party structures.
At the same time, 18 members of the ADC in the House of Representatives formally announced their resignation from the party, with 17 crossing over to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and one defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abaribe, who represents Abia South, defected to the Labour Party, while Umeh, senator for Anambra Central, moved to the relatively new Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Both lawmakers attributed their decisions to what they described as a “protracted and destabilising crisis” within the ADC, worsened by multiple court cases challenging the party’s leadership.
In his letter, Abaribe noted that the internal disputes had created uncertainty about the party’s future, making it “unsafe and politically risky” for any serious contender preparing for the next electoral cycle.
Umeh echoed similar concerns, stressing that unresolved litigation had paralysed the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible political platform.
On his part, the Senate Minority Whip, Rufai Hanga, also announced his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the NDC, a development that further boosted the profile of the emerging party.
With the latest defections, the NDC has increased its representation in the senate from one to three members.
Its founding figure, Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, had earlier joined the party on March 31 in a dramatic political shift that saw nine senators move into the ADC at the time.
The NDC gradual rise reflected a broader pattern of political fluidity in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, where alliances are increasingly shaped by strategic calculations ahead of 2027.
With the latest defections, the composition of the 10th Senate has shifted significantly.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) maintains a dominant position with 88 seats, consolidating its control over
legislative proceedings.
The ADC representation has dropped to eight senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds four seats.
The NDC now has three senators, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord Party retain one seat each. In total, 105 of the 109 Senate seats are currently occupied.
The four vacant seats—Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East, and Ondo South—remain unfilled due to a combination of deaths and the appointment of a former senator to a permanent seat at the United Nations.
Eighteen members of the ADC in the House of Representatives have formally announced their resignation from the party, with 17 crossing over to NDC and one defecting to the APC.
The lawmakers attributed their exit to a lingering internal crisis within the ADC, warning that the instability had significantly hampered their capacity to carry out their legislative duties effectively.
Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Leke Abejide, spearheaded the lone defection to the APC.
Those who switched allegiance to the NDC included Yusuf Umar Datti (Kano), Uchenna Harrison Okonkwo (Anambra), Sani Adamu Wakil (Kano), Thaddius Attah Achef (Lagos), George Ozodinobi (Anambra), Obiageli Lilian Orogbu (Anambra) and Oluwaseun Sowumi (Lagos).
Also among the defectors were Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Mukthar Umar Zakari (Kano), George Oluwande (Lagos), Murphy Omoruyi (Edo), Munachin Alozie (Abia), Emeka Idu (Anambra), Jessy-Okey Onuakalusi (Lagos), Peter Uzokwe (Anambra), Victor Afam Ogene (Anambra) and Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado (Kano).
Further defections are anticipated in the coming days as political actors reposition ahead of the May 10 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of party membership registers in preparation for the 2027 general elections. At plenary, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over proceedings, urged the defecting lawmakers to maintain consistency, pointing out that several of them had only recently joined the ADC from other parties in April. With this, however, the ADC representation in the House of Representatives has dwindled to just six members.
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Senate, yesterday, ignited fresh political controversy with sweeping amendments to its Standing Orders that would effectively bar some elected senators in the next 11th National Assembly in 2027 from contesting presiding offices, a move widely interpreted as a direct blow to the anticipated 2027 ambitions of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The contentious changes, adopted after hours of a closed-door session, stipulated that only serving members of the current 10th Senate who had served at least one term before, and secured re-election into the 11th Senate would be eligible to contest for positions such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President when the next Assembly is inaugurated in June 2027.
Leading debate on the amendments at plenary, Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, who stood in for Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, anchored the proposal on constitutional provisions empowering the legislature to regulate its internal procedures.
“Section 60 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
as amended empowers the Senate to regulate its own procedure, including procedures for summoning and recess, as well as the appointment and regulation of committees,” Ashiru said.
Ashiru during the session, explained that the review of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 was designed to “improve legislative efficiency, entrench best parliamentary practices and enhance clarity in procedural rules,” particularly concerning the inauguration process and election of presiding officers.
However, the most contentious provision was the introduction of a strict eligibility framework which mandated that any senator seeking to contest for presiding office must have served at least two terms, amounting to eight years, with one term immediately preceding the election.
“A Senator shall not be eligible to contest as a Presiding Officer… unless he has been elected and served as a Senator for at least two terms of eight years, one term of which shall immediately precede such election,” Ashiru stated while presenting the amendment.
In addition, the revised rules provided that only senators,who
have been sworn in can participate in any proceedings, including voting during the election of presiding officers, reinforcing procedural order during inauguration.
The timing and content of the amendments were significant, coming amid reports that Uzodinma, a former senator, has already obtained nomination and expression of interest forms from the All Progressives Congress and was finalising plans to resign as governor to contest for a Senate seat ahead of 2027.
Should he succeed in returning to the Senate, the new rules would nonetheless disqualify him from vying for the Senate Presidency, as he is not a member of the current 10th Senate and would not meet the requirement of serving the immediate preceding term.
Sources within the National Assembly indicated that the amendments were partly driven by a desire among ranking lawmakers to preserve institutional continuity and prevent what one senator described as “opportunistic leadership contests by newcomers.”
Ashiru, defending the provision, insisted it aligned with global parliamentary norms.
“The amendment further seeks
the establishment of a clear ranking framework for eligibility to contest for presiding offices in line with parliamentary convention,” he said.
Beyond leadership eligibility, the revised Standing Orders introduced several structural and procedural changes aimed at strengthening legislative operations.
These include clearer rules on the swearing-in of absent senators-elect within a defined timeframe, revised sitting schedules to boost productivity, and enhanced disciplinary provisions governing the suspension of erring lawmakers.
The amendments also sought to ensure equitable representation across the six geopolitical zones in committee composition, while harmonising the jurisdiction of certain Senate committees with their counterparts in the House of Representatives.
Ashiru noted that the review formally recognised several newly created committees critical to national development, including those on Livestock Development, regional development commissions, and reparations.
“These committees are critical to strengthening legislative oversight, development frameworks, regional
intervention agencies and socioeconomic justice initiatives,” he said.
He warned that failure to update the Standing Orders would “impede effective legislative oversight, create procedural uncertainty and weaken the institutional capacity of the Senate.”
“Convinced that the proposed amendments will promote procedural certainty, enhance inclusiveness, strengthen oversight functions and align the Senate with global best parliamentary practices… the Senate should resolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider and approve the amendments,” he added.
Despite the official justification, the amendments have triggered murmurs within political circles, with critics alleging that the move was tailored to favour incumbent senators and shut out influential political entrants ahead of the 2027 power contest.
A ranking senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as “a pre-emptive strike to shape the leadership succession in the next Assembly.
“It is about control. The current leadership bloc wants to retain influence beyond 2027 by ensuring only insiders can contest for top positions,” the lawmaker said.
L-R:
Legal Adviser, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Ladi Mustapha, and former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yisa Benjamin, at a press conference by elders of the APC from the three Senatorial Districts to endorse Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) for gubernatorial ticket in Ilorin…recently
Emmanuel UgwuNwogo in Enugu
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has come under attack by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over his veiled warning that the Biafra self-determination is doomed to fail as the
federal government would crush it with force.
Akpabio was quoted in a statement from his media office to have called on elders and leaders in the Southeast to steer the youths away from armed struggle against the federal
A civil society organisation, the Niger Delta Transparency Forum, has raised concerns over an alleged five per cent divestment in Nigeria involving Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), questioning whether shareholders of the institution are fully informed about the development.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General of the group, Ebikade Moses, called on the management of CDP to provide clarity on the transaction, particularly in relation to disclosure and due diligence processes.
The group queried whether the institution’s shareholders are aware of
the reported divestment and if adequate steps were taken by management to ensure transparency.
“Are the shareholders aware of the five per cent divestment in Nigeria? Has the management done their due diligence and disclosed the details to the shareholders? Is the Board worried about potential reputational damage?” the statement read.
The forum also noted that it remains unclear whether CDP has any direct shareholder relationship with Eni, urging greater transparency around any potential links that may relate to the reported divestment.
Presiding Apostle of Macedonia
Call Global Assembly, Prof. Osaren Emokpae, has ordained five bishops and 12 others as senior pastors and resident pastors, to advance the work of the church.
Their consecration took place at the just-concluded Macedonia Call Global Assembly Ministers’ Conference held at its campground in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The new bishops are: Rev. (Mrs) Imose Osar-Emokpae, who will act as Bishop International, with oversight of Europe and North America; Rev. Ebi Tebepina, Bishop, who will operate in Nigeria; Rev. Irma Barnabas, an Assistant Bishop, who will preside
over Northern Nigeria; Rev. Turnel Hendrickson is Assistant Bishop for the Caribbean, while Rev Innocent Okoro is Associate Bishop and General Secretary of the church.
Others are: Rev Obasuyi Ehigiamusoe, Coordinator West/ Senior Pastor, Ibadan; Rev. Richard Ajose, Regional Coordinator for Midwest; Rev. Uchenna Opuru, Senior Pastor, Port Harcourt and Regional Coordinator, East and Bayelsa; Rev. Etim Akpan, Senior Pastor, Calabar and Coordinator, Cross River and Akwa Ibom; Pastor (Mrs) Evelyn Hemuka, Pastor in Charge of Oshodi and Pastor Yakubu Manasseh, Resident Pastor for Bauchi.
government in quest for Biafra self-determination. He reportedly made the appeal last weekend at the funeral of a
former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission(OMPADEC),
Sir Albert Nnamani, held in Ikem, Enugu State. He said: “A situation whereby you try to wrest power and try to assert
independence through armed struggle from the federal government will fail. The state power will always overwhelm you.”
Wale igbintade
A senior legal team representing LebaneseNigerian business magnate, Massad Fares Boulos, the Boulos family, and SCOA Nigeria Plc, has issued a stern cease-and-desist notice,
demanding the immediate withdrawal of what it described as “malicious, scandalous, and highly defamatory” videos currently circulating on social media.
The lawyers warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in
legal action against those responsible for publishing and disseminating the content, which allegedly links their clients to claims surrounding the coastal road project.
The notice, signed by renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, alleged that the viral content contains false claims suggesting that the Boulos family and SCOA Nigeria Plc improperly benefitted from federal government budget allocations linked to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project.
Fidelis David in Akure and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko South East/ Akoko South West Federal Constituency of Ondo State have rejected what they described as attempts to secure
an automatic return ticket for the incumbent lawmaker, Mr. Adegboyega Adefarati, insisting that due process must prevail ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders, who described claims of federal influence to guarantee
Adefarati’s re-election bid as “baseless and misleading,” subsequently adopted former Chairman of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr. Victor Ategbole, as their consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat.
The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Owalagba Town Hall, OkaAkoko, where party leaders and delegates drawn from the 11 wards in Akoko South East and 15 wards in Akoko South West met to deliberate on the constituency’s political future.
Omolabake Fasogbon in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, yesterday unveiled Radda Model Secondary School, a fully-funded smart boarding institution designed to deliver free, high-quality education to indigent but academically
gifted children across the state.
The school was formally unveiled by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at a ceremony attended by top government officials and stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa
Purpose-built to combine
scale with quality, the school features two 500-capacity multipurpose conference halls, 42 classrooms with a maximum of 40 students each, and six specialised laboratories spanning agriculture, chemistry, biology, physics, and vocational studies. It has already enrolled 998 students.
The school, which is one of three of its type, features special digital facilities, including smart teaching aids and well equipped laboratories for teaching and learning.
Speaking at the unveiling, Radda described the school as a deliberate policy response to longstanding inequality in access to quality education.
Rotary International District 9111 is preparing prepares to host the much-anticipated Royal Conference 2026, a grand gathering scheduled to hold between Thursday, May 7 and Sunday, May 10 in Abeokuta, the iconic city renowned for culture, hospitality, and the ancient Olumo Rock.
According to Rotary
District 9111 Governor, Prince Henry Akinyele, “This Royal Conference 2026 promises to be a celebration of service, leadership, fellowship, and impactful humanitarian action.”
Under the inspiring theme of “Unite for Good,” the conference is expected to attract Rotarians, Rotaractors, partners, dignitaries, prospective members, and
change-makers from across Nigeria and beyond for an unforgettable experience of learning, networking, and inspiration.
The conference draws its heritage from the timeless vision of Paul Harris, founder of Rotary, whose ideals of service above self continue to shape lives and communities worldwide.
It also aligns with the global leadership vision of Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo and the dynamic district leadership of Henry Akinyele, whose stewardship has continued to elevate service delivery, membership growth, and Rotary’s District 9111 public image.
The England international with Nigerian descent, is just coming back from injury sideline and many doubted if he was going to make Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has urged his squad to draw inspiration from the iconic rivalry between tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer ahead of their vital Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich tonight.
The Spanish coach highlighted that facing such a formidable German side should motivate his players to elevate their performance to reach a second consecutive final.
The defending champions travel to Bavaria following a fiercely contested first leg that ended in a thrilling 5-4 victoryfor the Parisians. The encounter was a chaotic spectacle where despite Bayern dominating possession and constant attacking threat, the French club emerged victorious. Braces from Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, alongside a Joao Neves strike, outgunned goals from Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz. The German giants created six big
chances but were ultimately undone in a breathless 90 minutes.
Rather than feeling intimidated by the atmosphere or the opposition, the former Barcelona boss wants his squad to embrace the grand occasion. He drew a fascinating parallel to elite individual sports to inspire his travelling players. Enrique explained: “Wednesday (today)we are going to play in Munich to seek to be more competitive than ever.
Rafa Nadal said one day that at a point in his career, his confrontations with Federer and Djokovic, it was a motivation for him. That is what we want, we have admiration for Bayern, but it is a motivation to be better. On Wednesday (today) we will seek to overcome a team that plays in a sensational way.”
PSG have been exceptional away from home this season, and the coach has no intention of simply defending their narrow advantage. He expects an open and aggressive approach.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated a distinguished sports administrator, Chairman of Plateau United Football Club and District Head of Chanso in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, HRH (Dr) Al-Hassan Saleh Yakmut on his 65th birthday on May 5, 2026.
Tinubu acknowledged the remarkable journey of the former Director General of the National Sports Commission—from his early days as a professional volleyball player to his roles as a Senior Sports Officer
in the Ministry of Sports and as a strategic adviser to successive Ministers of Sports.
The President, in the congratulatory message, stated, inter alia: “Your contributions as a football administrator, trusted adviser to top sports executives, and a champion of grassroots development have left an indelible mark on sports as a unifying force in the nation.
“Through your guidance, opportunities have been created, talents have been nurtured, and the future of football has been strengthened. Your passion and commitment continue to inspire both on and off the field.
Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to make a U-turn on its insistence on reducing the number of events to hold at the 23rd National Sports Festival billed for Enugu in November.
After a virtual meeting on Monday to deliberate on the development, SCAN said in a statement made available to the media that reducing the events from 40 to 15 will limit opportunities for youths and it runs contrary to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE), which positions
sports federations as drivers for job creation and national unity.
According to SCAN the decision to cut down the number of sports was without prior consultations with coaches and technical stakeholders, thereby limiting opportunity for younger athletes, disenfranchising hundreds of coaches who depend on the NSF for participation and professional engagements.
It said further that the decision weakens Nigeria’s medal chances at African Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics. Many of Nigeria’s 373 medals in 2025 came from sports now listed for removal.
However, the Arsenal Captain proved his worth, helping the London Gunners to prevent another exit at this stage as it happened in the semi-finals to eventual winners Paris St-Germain last season.
Now, Saka’s goal has given wings to Arsenal to dream of a double this season. Manchester City dropped two points in their 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday night to now give the Gunners a five point lead at the top of the Premier League. A win against
either PSG or Bayern Munich on May 30 would have ensured Arteta’s army fulfilled their dream of ending cup drought.
With the scores level on aggregate at 1-1 after the first leg there was a tense start to Tuesday’s return at Emirates Stadium, with few clear-cut chances early on.
But Saka poked home the 44thminute winner after Jan Oblak had parried Leandro Trossard’s shot, following good work in the build-up by Viktor Gyokeres.
Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman who was expected to make a different for Atlético Madrid was overwhelmed by the occasion of
playing the London Gunners in his hometown. He couldn’t replicate those moves that endeared him to Atleti fans. He was subsequently substituted by defender Nahuel Molina in the 57th minutes.
Atletico did have some opportunities, with Declan Rice needing to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Giuliano Simeone in the first half, before Gabriel was on hand to prevent Simeone equalising after he had rounded David Raya after the break.
Gyokeres had a glorious chance to double Arsenal’s aggregate lead and ease any nerves, but the striker fired over from inside the box after getting on the end of substitute Piero
The 2025 Professor Akin Oyebode Football Tournament concluded at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in AdoEkiti, with Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government emerging champions after a 5–4 penalty victory over Oye Local Government, following a 3–3 draw in regulation time.
Winners and runners-up in both categories received cash prizes, underlining the tournament’s commitment to rewarding excellence and motivating young talent.
Now in its fourth edition, the tournament brought together teams from across local governments in both male and female categories.
Ado Local Government secured victory in the female final against Oye Local Government, while Irepodun/ Ifelodun claimed third place in that category.
In the male third-place match, Ado Local Government defeated Gbonyin/ Aiyekire 3–2.
The tournament reflects a broader philosophy that has consistently shaped Oyebode’s approach to public service; that investing in people is the most durable form of economic infrastructure a society can build. Sports creates discipline, builds character, and opens doors for young people who might
otherwise never be seen.
The Professor Akin Oyebode Football Tournament is built on that conviction, structured competition as a serious entry point for visibility, development, and upward mobility at the grassroots level.
One of the standout performers, Jimoh Kudirat, affirmed that the competition had provided valuable exposure and reinforced her ambitions of pursuing a professional football career internationally.
Representing Governor Biodun
Oyebanji, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Stephen Aribasoye, commended the tournament’s sponsor and Commissioner for Finance in the state, Akin Oyebode, for his dedication to youth and sports development. “The tournament has grown steadily in scale and impact since its inception, illustrating how structured, community-led platforms can effectively complement government efforts in identifying, developing and sustaining grassroots talent pipelines,” he said.
Commissioner Oyebode expressed his gratitude to the Governor and reaffirmed the purpose behind the initiative: “Governor Oyebanji and I share a conviction that the most important infrastructure we can build in Ekiti is not roads or buildings, but the confidence and capability of our youth. His support for initiatives like this one reflects that. To Jimoh Kudirat and every young talent on that pitch — your dreams are valid, and the world is bigger than this stadium. Keep working.”
There is no ambiguity in the decision of the Supreme Court which has imposed a duty on the Federal Government to implement same by paying directly to the Local Governments. The judgment does not allow the Federal Government to route the money through the State Governments to warrant calling on the State Government to do the right thing.
The Federal Government owes a duty to our Constitution and the Supreme Court to carry out the Order of the highest Court of the land. It is more compelling because it is the Federal Government that prayed for the Order and the same was granted in record time. There is no need for any Executive Order to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court. There can only be a judicial review of the administrative/ executive action. It is never the case that there can be an executive review of judicial decisions/orders. Compliance is the only way to go.
Executive Orders
Until the advent of General Buhari regime, the use of Executive Order was unknown in Nigeria. Both the General and his vice (as acting President) issued some Executive Orders. In particular Executive Order 10 was issued by General Buhari. The said Order was nullified by the Supreme Court. The executive order was issued with regard to the financial autonomy of State Judiciary and Legislature. Upon a challenge by the Governors, the Supreme Court nullified the Order on the ground that it is unconstitutional and illegal. Their reasoning is to the effect that the 1999 Constitution already expressly spells out the responsibility of the States and the Federal Government.
By parity of reasoning, since the Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal Government should pay directly to the Local Governments, of what use is an Executive Order? Any such Order will not be any different from Buhari Order 10 which sought to implement the provision of the Constitution. Order 10 was struck down. The Supreme Court A.G. Abia v. A.G. Federation (2022) 16 NWLR 205 Pg 511to 513 paras H-B held as follows:
“The executive powers of the Federation, as vested in the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria by Section 5(1)(b) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), extend to
the execution and maintenance of the Constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matters in respect to which the National Assembly has, for the time being, power to made laws. The executive powers of the President do not extend to usurping the executive powers or functions of the Governor of a State as vested by section 5(2)(b) of the Constitution. The Constitution vests in the President no powers and control over public funds of the State. Therefore, when the President, either by act of aggrandizement or otherwise, exercises powers not vested in him by the Constitution or Statute; he acts ultra vires. The ultra vires doctrine, in other words, is the rule against the excess or abuse of power. In instant case, the promulgation of the Executive Order 00-10 of 2020 by the President
of Federal Republic of Nigeria in authorizing the Accountant General of the Federation to, by the Order and such other Orders, regulations or guildlines as may be issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, deduct from source in the course of Federation Accounts allocation from the money allocated to any State of the Federation that fails to release allocation meant for the State Legislature and State Judiciary in line with the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly of the State and Judiciary guaranteed by section 121(3) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and to ensure compliance with same, was ultra vires the powers of the president.” What really is an Executive Order?
It is not a feature of Parliamentary System. It is more prominent in the American system. There have been a series of definition and ambit of the concept. While some have argued that Executive Orders have the force of law, others have contended that such raises a problem for the Rule of Law. It has been submitted that with the Executive Order, the Executive may be usurping the role of the Legislature which will constitute a gross violation of the doctrine of Separation of Powers hence violation of the Rule of law. It has been argued further that if an Executive Order has a legislative effect, this will amount to circumventing the clear process of law-making in the Constitution. It will vest on the President additional power that tilts the delicate balance in the power dynamics of the constitutional democracy, especially one with a written Constitution like Nigeria. Unlimited power is an anathema and incompatible with a democracy as a form of government most especially with a written Constitution.
The Constitution is often supreme as is our case in Nigeria. The supremacy clause has been utilized to strike down some Executive Orders in the United States. Notwithstanding, Executive Orders can have a good use when it is utilized to prioritize the commitment of the Executive branch of government as can be seen in the number of Executive Order by President Tinubu on oil and gas sector, that is, Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentive, Exemption, Remission Etc.) Order 2024. Executive Orders can be used to fill in the gaps in legislation creating executive agencies so as to help align the broad agency mandates with the presidential priority.
Save for the foregoing, especially against the background of Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, there is no room for the application of an Executive Order to compel the State Government to do anything with regards to the Relief prayed for and granted. The Order, in plain language, directs the Federal Government to pay directly to the Local Governments and not to route the funds through the State Governments. Any Executive Order which purports to ascribe any ambiguity to the clear language employed by the Supreme Court will be rejected. The warning has been given in the recent case of A.G. Osun v. A.G. Federation.
James Emejo and Mariam Adedokun in Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, yesterday restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven national development.
He said the commitment was essential to achieving the president’s ambitious vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
He spoke at the inaugural Annual Advocacy Lecture of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy in Abuja.
The minister said, “Mr President
believes that development must include everyone, be sustainable over time, and embrace innovation, because what worked yesterday may not work toda.”
Speaking to the lecture’s theme, which he said closely aligned with the federal government’s current priorities, he stated that Nigeria is
finalising its 2026 National Development Plan, a critical component of the administration’s vision to transform the nation into a $1 trillion economy within the next five years.
He said, “Nigeria is not where we want to be, but we are determined to move forward with clear choices and a shared vision to unite all
Kayode Tokede
United Bank for Africa (UBA), Redtech, and MoMo PSB, yesterday launched a payment interoperability partnership that expands cardless payment access for consumers and merchants across Nigeria.
Redtech is backed by Heirs Holdings; MoMo PSB is MTN Nigeria’s fintech subsidiary.
With this development, MoMo PSB customers can now make payments directly from their MoMo wallets at participating UBA merchant locations using the “Pay with MoMo” feature on RedPay POS terminals; they can also visit any UBA branch to make withdrawals and deposits from and into their MoMo accounts.
For online shoppers, e-commerce merchants can now receive payments directly from MoMo PSB customers through Redtech’s payment gateway infrastructure.
The partnership brings together Redtech’s payment technology and enablement capabilities, UBA’s merchantacquiring and distribution layer, and MoMo PSB’s mobile money wallet ecosystem and customer base.
Redtech holds licences as a Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) and Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) from the Central Bank of Nigeria, authorising it to provide both POS and payment gateway services. Together, the three organisations are addressing a critical gap in Nigeria’s payments market - connecting bankingled merchant acceptance with telco-led mobile money wallets.
For MoMo PSB customers, Pay with MoMo increases the number of places where their wallets can be used for everyday payments. In the case of merchants, it opens access to a wider pool of customers and provides an additional payment option at the point of sale.
UBA’s Head, Digital Banking,
Kayode Olubiyi, who spoke during the launch in Lagos, noted that this partnership represents the solution to the gap identified in cash transactions and card access.
“What this partnership represents is an honest and effective answer to the gap we identified in cash transactions and card access. Our merchants are already serving millions of customers every day through the UBA network. By bringing Pay with MoMo into that network, we are giving those merchants a direct connection to MoMo PSB’s customer base - and giving MoMo PSB customers more places to use their wallets when they shop. That is a clear win for both sides.”
Redtech’s Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Ojo, emphasised that the partnership aims to make payments work better together in a way that is practical for everyday commerce.
“This partnership is about making payments work more seamlessly for
everyday commerce and most importantly, It aligns with Africapitalism, as championed by the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, CFR.
“By integrating our RedPay technology with MoMo PSB’s wallets through the UBA network, we will offer merchants and customers greater choice. Our goal is to build the payment infrastructure that ensures a merchant never has to turn away any customer in Nigeria or across Africa because of their preferred payment method.
“By connecting our technology with MoMo PSB’s wallets through the UBA network, we are giving merchants and customers more options”
Ag. CEO, MoMo PSB, Omolara Michael-Nwadu, who highlighted the barriers to payment in the country, emphasised the importance of partnerships, explaining how integrating MoMo wallets into UBA’s merchant network through Redtech’s infrastructure will unlock additional merchant touchpoints.
Nigerians towards achieving a $1 trillion economy.”
While acknowledging the scale of the ambition, the minister emphasised that achieving such growth would require deliberate planning, strategic collaboration, and the active participation of intellectuals, professionals, and stakeholders across all sectors of society.
In a statement, he said, “This goal cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires deep thought, collaboration, and contributions from all sectors of our society.”
He stressed that national development extends beyond economic policy, encompassing coordinated planning across physical, environmental, social, and financial domains.
According to him, the success of Nigeria’s development agenda rests on three pillars: inclusiveness, sustainability, and innovation.
Bagudu said, “Development must include everyone, it must be sustainable over time, and it must embrace innovation, because what worked yesterday may not work today.”
Highlighting the critical role of physical planning, the minister described it as a key driver of economic progress and national stability.
He observed that many persistent conflicts across the country, particularly those over land use among farmers, herders, and communities, are often the result of inadequate or poorly implemented planning systems.
He said “Many of the conflicts we face today stem from how we
use land and space. Poor planning breeds tension, while good planning fosters peace and prosperity.”
Drawing on practical examples, the Minister illustrated how poorly managed urban and rural spaces can become flashpoints for conflict, reinforcing the need for proactive, structured, and inclusive planning approaches.
According to him, “Planning is not just about land or infrastructure; it is about people and how they live together.”
He further linked these priorities to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to unify Nigerians around a shared vision for national progress.
He urged a shift away from dwelling on past shortcomings towards pragmatic, forward-thinking solutions.
“Rather than spend all our energy debating the past, we must focus on what unites us and drives collective action for the future,” he stated.
The minister also emphasised the importance of intergovernmental collaboration, noting that effective planning requires seamless coordination among federal, state, and local governments.
He said, “Development is a shared responsibility. Federal, state, and local governments must collaborate to ensure planning is inclusive and effective.”
He further emphasised the urgency of adopting modern approaches to address population growth and technological change.
There is a raging controversy as to who has the responsibility to implement the famous judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of A.G. Federation v. A.G Abia & Ors (2024)17, NWLR, (Pt 1966)1, where the Supreme Court ordered that the revenues, allocations, and funds standing to the credit of Local Government Councils be paid directly to the Local Government Councils. The Federal Government prayed for the Order and it was granted despite the stiff opposition from the State Governments. It is over a year ago that the Judgment was delivered.
Just recently, the President issued a warning to the State Governments to the effect that if they do not comply with the Order of the Supreme Court, he will issue an Executive Order to compel compliance because in his words: “I have the knife and the yam”.
The germane question is whose duty is it to disburse the money to the Local Governments? Who has custody of the money? To which tier of the Government was the Judgment of the Supreme Court directed? Without belabouring the arguments, the Supreme Court in the recent case of A.G Osun State v. A.G of the Federation (SC/CV/773/2025, delivered on 5th December 2025, well seem to have provided the necessary answers.
The brief gist of the case is whether the Federal Government was right to have withheld the funds due to the 30 Local Governments in Osun State. In the course of the proceeding, the Federal Government raised the issue of contempt against Osun State Government in the following words:
i. “At paragraph 17 of its affidavit, the plaintiff confessed that Osun State had, from July 2024 till February 2025, been collecting and receiving funds due to the Local Governments of Osun State, contrary to relief 13 granted by the Supreme Court in A.G. Federation v. A.G Abia & others reported in 2024 17 NWLR (Pt 1966)1, delivered in July 2024, which barred the States from collecting and receiving funds due to the Local Government.
ii. That the plaintiff is therefore not entitled to be heard, having by its own showing committed contempt of this court by flouting and disobeying the Judgment of this court in the aforesaid case.”
In resolving the issue against the Federal Government, the Supreme Court made some profound findings which will assist in addressing the issue under discussion.
The highest court affirms the decision of the Supreme Court in Part 1966 of NWLR remains a valid and binding Judgment of the Court which must be enforced by all authorities and persons pursuant to Section 287, (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). In the lead Judgment, Idris J.S.C on page 40 of his Judgment, posed the question thus:
“The pertinent question to be determined of this stage is: who between the parties is in contempt of this court’s judgment in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia, (supra).”
Once a Judgment is delivered by a Court of competent jurisdiction, it becomes incumbent upon the party bound by it to comply with and enforce the said Judgment.”
And on page 42, he went further to add as follows:
“There is no credible or satisfactory evidence before this court showing that the defendant (FGN), has fully implemented or completed the requisite modalities to give effect to this court’s judgment in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia, (supra)” (emphasis supplied)
On page 44, his lordship found as follows:
“The defendant has failed to take necessary steps to ensure that the judgment of this court is obeyed. I must also emphasise that the defendant hands are not clean, but soiled, and he cannot be allowed to drink from fountain of justice since he who comes to equity must come with clean hands and he who seeks equity must do equity.”
Further on page 45, his lorship found as follows:
“In the circumstance, it is evident that the defendant has failed to take necessary steps to give full effect to this court’s judgment in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia (supra)
The defendant, whose own conduct demonstrates noncompliance with the judgment, cannot be permitted to profit from his failure.”
And before he dropped his pen, his lorship had this to say.
“Before I conclude, it is pertinent to issue a stern admonition to the Federation. This Court’s judgment in A.G. Federation vs A.G. Abia State & Ors (supra) remains a subsisting and binding order of this court. As the executive arm of government, the Federation is under a constitutional and legal duty to give full and faithful effect to the directives of this court. It is imperative that the Federation ensure strict and immediate compliance with the terms of that judgment, without evasion, delay, or partial performance.
In particular, the Federation is hereby reminded that it is bound to remit in full and without further obstruction, all outstanding statutory allocations due to all democratically elected local government councils across Nigeria. Any failure to comply with the orders of this court will constitute a deliberate disregard of the rule of law. The Federation is enjoined to take immediate and effective steps to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities in accordance with this court’s directives in A.G. Federation vs A.G. Abia States & Ors (supra), thereby reinforcing the principles of democratic governance, ensuring accountability, and upholding the supremacy and sanctity of the Constitution.” (emphasis supplied)
And in his contribution on the point, (not the merit of the case), his lordship Agim J.S.C agreed with the lead Judgment on the point and reasoned as follows:
“It is the defendant’s disobedience of the judgment it sought for and obtained from this court that set in motion the unavoidable receipt and use of the funds by the plaintiff to continue the running of local government.
The defendant’s objection is unfair and inequitable. To sustain it would enable the defendant’s benefit from its primary disobedience.”
The above quotes from the emminent Jurists clearly provide answers to the posers above. It may be safe to infer that the President does not need any executive Order to implement the Judgment of the Supreme Court delivered since July 2024. The Jurists are somewhat displeased with the Federal Government that it has refused to implement an Order which it sought for and obtained from the Court. It can be discouraging and in future, the Supreme Court may be reluctant to urgently intervene with the repulsion that their reasoning or Order may be diluted by political consideration. It is instructive to note that my noble lord Justice Agim who wrote the judgment of the court in part 1966 dissented in A.G. Osun v. A.G. Federation. SOME DEVELOPMENTS
sometimes in January 2025, almost all the news media reported that all the 774 Local Government Councils would open dedicated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the direct disbursement to them from the Federation Account. The then
National President of the Association of Local Governments (ALGON) one Mr. Bello Lawal Yandaki was reported to have said that the opening of the account is critical to the implementation of the Supreme Court Ruling. He also said that the apex Bank was waiting for the Federal Government directive on the opening of the account. This report was carried by the Nation’s Newspaper of January 20, 2025. There was also a report that Federal Government had directed all the 36 states to open dedicated account with Central Bank of Nigeria for each Local Government Area. It was reported that the directive was contained in a Circular issued by the Accountant General of the Federation.
It will seem very clear that the Federal Government itself is aware of its critical role in implementing the judgment it prayed for and obtained. What then went amiss? This is not covered by this paper. Perhaps the Political Scientists or Analysts will do better justice to that aspect.
But then, what is an Executive Order? The term will appear to be a contradiction in terms if it is broken down into simple grammar. There are normally three arms of government to wit: Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. While the legislature makes the laws, the Executive is saddled with the implementation, the Judiciary interprets and in the process gives Orders. Thus, the word Order has been defined in the Black’s Law Dictionary as follows: i. “A command, Discretion, or Instruction. ii. A written discretion or command delivered by a Court or Judge. The word generally embraces final decrees as well as interlocutory direction or commands.”
From the above, it is clear that the word “Order” is a term closely associated with the Judiciary and not the Executive. The idea of an Executive Order will therefore seem to be an anomaly whose roots can be traced to the United States of America where the excesses contained in such Orders are often struck down by the Courts. The idea of an Executive Order will appear to be a grave assault on the hallowed principle/doctrine of separation of power which is a major plank on which our Constitution stands among others.
Separation of power is a necessary antidote against authoritarianism and is the life blood for the Rule of Law in a democracy. The Executive should never be allowed to have the idea of having the power to usurp the Roles of the Judiciary or Legislature. The idea of an Executive Order will appear to be a step towards usurping the Roles of the Courts or that of the Parliament.
Our great scholars are seriously tasked to research more into this area in modern governance before the anomaly becomes the norm.
The Context of this Case.