FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2025

Rewane Forecasts Election Spending to Drive 2026 Economic Outlook

Oyedele: New tax reform to boost investor confidence, stimulate growth that huge election spending as well as tax implementation would significantly shape Nigeria’s 2026 economic outlook. Speaking at the Parthian 2025

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Bandits Kidnap Seven Mourners in Abuja, 24 Others in Niger Community

Mutfwang to Senate: Over 12,000 killed, 420 communities attacked in Plateau House begins inquiry into insecurity in nation’s capital, faulty $460m CCTV project

Olawale Ajimotokan,Juliet Akoje in Abuja, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Laleye Dipo in Minna The growing climate of insecurity in Abuja, the na- tion’s capital, intensified last night as seven mourners were kidnapped by bandits at the border community of Gidan

Bijimi, a rural settlement

Insecurity: Tinubu Names Ribadu to Lead US-Nigeria Joint Working Committee

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Alex Enumah, Linus Aleke, in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US- Nigeria joint working group as part of measures to deepen collaboration in tackling security challenges in the country.

Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has stated TINUBU AT ZOOM MEETING WITH

Tuggar, Tunji-Ojo, Abubakar, Gen Oluyede, Egbetokun also on the team Tasks them on all agreements across sectors Onaiyekan urges Tinubu to equip current security operatives for better performance PDP: Niger kidnapping a sad devt Renowned Islamic Cleric, Sheikh

According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the composition of the team was part of the agreement reached during a recent trip to Washington DC by a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Continued on page 38

President Bola Tinubu at a Zoom meeting with other West African leaders during the

African States (ECOWAS) on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, yesterday

EFFICIENT WATER TRANSPORTATION ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Manager, Corporate Strategy and Planning , Caverton Marine Boats, Kunmi Agbaje; Commissioner for Transportation, Anambra

Board Member, Explomar and Sales Director, Jonathan Wang, and Chief Finance Officer, Caverton

Group

the Caverton Electric Omibus Demo Week Stakeholder Engagement Forum in Lagos...yestserday

At PwC Roundtable, Adelabu Says Power Sector Debt to Hit N6tn by December

Declares banks shun funding Discos over poor balance sheet Reveals most distributors have not offset acquisition loans since 2013 MDAs, others owe Eko Disco N183 billion

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday said the debt profile of the Nigerian power industry would rise further to N6 trillion by December 2025, up from the N4 trillion reported in 2024.

The Minister stated this in Lagos while reacting to issues raised by stakeholders at the PwC Annual Power and Utilities Roundtable, with the theme: “Multi-tier Electricity Market: Imperatives for Successful Evolution.”

Adelabu blamed the illiquidity in the sector largely to the non-performance of the Distribution Companies (Discos), saying the poor balance sheet of the utility firms has made them unattractive to banks for lending.

He decried that most of the Discos have not been able to complete the payment of their acquisition loans since 2013, add-

ing that their focus on paying those loans has diverted their attention from investing in their networks and improving supply to customers.

To address the financing challenge facing the power sector, Adelabu said the Federal Ministry of Power is currently trying to put together a master plan for short-term, mediumterm and long-term financing structure for the sector.

He said the destination was for the sector to be able to make profit and fund itself like the telecoms sector.

He said payment of full cost- reflective tariff and absence of subsidy were the way to go for the sector to break even and perform optimally both in terms of commercial and technicalAdelabupositions. said: “The moment revenues in the power sector are able to pay fully for the energy cost, energy invoice, and achievements, and you are able to pay for 90 per cent of your

operations costs, nobody will advise banks before they are ready to give you money. So that is the destination we are targeting.

“And the only way you can achieve that is when you have commercial pricing of energy costs. The moment you still rely on government subsidies of

almost 60 per cent of revenues, it’s a lie. You cannot get banks.

“The government will only promise you a subsidy. Cash release is a different thing en- tirely. As at December 2024, we had N4 trillion in indebtedness hanging. By December this year, it will be N6 trillion, because it’s an average of N200 billion

per month. For 12 months, it’s N2.4 trillion every year. So that is the destination.”

But before transiting fully to commercial pricing of electricity in Nigeria, the minister noted that there must be a very transparent transition programme to achieve that. According to him, the industry must be de-risked

before banks can come in. He pointed out that funding is not a challenge in the generation segment as evidenced by the entrance of new investors and the springing up of hydropower and the thermal generation plants.

Dangote Group Contracts Saipem, EIL, Others for Fertiliser Plants’ Expansion in Nigeria, Ethiopia

Dangote Group has announced a series of strategic technical partnerships with four global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms to support the next phase of expansion of its fertiliser operations in Nigeria, as well as the development of new fertiliser plants in Ethiopia.

The companies, according to

Deaths from Lassa Fever Hits 184, With 995 Confirmed Cases, Says NCDC

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said that Nigeria has recorded a total 184 casualties from Lassa Fever this year. It also put the Cumulative number of confirmed cases of Lassa Fever at 995.

In a latest situation report on Lassa Fever outbreak by NCDC for Week 46 (10th - 16th November, 2025) the number of confirmed cases increased from 10 in Epi week 45 to 19 in Epi

week 46 of 2025. The new cases were reported in Bauchi, Ondo and Edo states.

The report showed that:

“Cumulative for week 46 (2025) total: 995 confirmed cases, 184 deaths, CFR 18.5 percent (higher than 16.2 percent same period in 2024).

According to the report, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 Local Government Areas while 88 percent of confirmed cases are from Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo

states.

NCDC said that the predominant age group affected is 21- 30 years.

The Centre said the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported at the same period in 2024

It added that no new healthcare worker was affected this week.

The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported at the same period in 2024.

a statement issued yesterday by the group, include Italian firm, Saipem, Engineers India Limited (EIL), Topsoe, and Thyssenkrupp UFT.

The group explained that these collaborations marked a significant step in its long-term plan to strengthen regional food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and deepen Af- rica’s position in the global fertiliser market.

The statement said, “Through these strategic

partnerships, Dangote Group will increase its urea production capacity in Nigeria from the current three million metric tons to nine million metric tons

“Theannually. existing facility operates two trains with a combined capacity of three million metric tons. The expansion will introduce four additional trains, enabling the Group to meet the rising demand for high quality fertiliser across Africa and global markets.”

In addition to the Nigerian expansion, Dangote Group recently held the ground- breaking ceremony for a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia.

The group said the facility was designed to produce three million metric tons of urea annually and represented a significant step in Dangote Group’s commitment to strengthening food security and industrial growth across the continent.

NAICOM Highlights Challenges to Recapitalisation

Ebere Nwoji

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has highlighted challenges and hitches to successful recapitalisation in insurance industry despite its efforts to deliver smooth, successful and conclusive recapitalisation exercise by July 30th 2026.

The commission highlighted these challenges: as complexities associated with merger and acquisition among operating firms who might not make it

on stand-alone basis, macroeconomic volatilities in form of inflation and foreign exchange fluctuations which has impacted capital raising as well as capacity gaps.The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, stated these at the ‘EY Insurance Summit’ on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 held Thursday in Omosehin,Lagos.who was represented at the summit by

the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance Technical, Usman Jankara however gave an update on the preparations and steps so far taken by the commission to ensure compliance and delivery of successful recapitalisation exercise this time saying: We have issued guidelines and circulars such as the policy circular and then guidelines on Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) detailing admissible and non-admissible assets, liabilities, and compliance timelines.”

Launching of the ‘empower her project’ in abuja... L-R: Mrs. Grace Bernard, Hon. Maryam Alex, Hon.

Yila,

Lokpobiri Inspects AEB Headquarters as Unveiling of $5bn Bank Nears

Says all set for takeoff of energy-focused financial institution

emmanuel addeh in Abuja

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, yesterday, carried out an inspection of the proposed headquarters of the $5 billion

African Energy Bank (AEB), saying the bank is fully ready for takeoff.

At the event in Abuja, Lokpobiri explained that Nigeria had delivered on all its obligations to the bank. AEB is a new continental

financial institution created to support Africa’s energy sector, with a particular focus on oil, gas and renewable transition projects. It was jointly initiated by African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Its central purpose is to provide long-term, Africaled financing for energy development at a time when global lenders are withdrawing support for fossil fuel projects. The bank is designed

Sanwo-Olu, Fagbemi, NBA President Warn Africa Risks Losing Billions without Strong ADR

wale igbintade

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and President of Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), have called for urgent reforms to strengthen arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) across Africa.

They warned that without robust ADR frameworks, the continent risked losing billions of dollars in potential economic value.

The call was made yesterday at the 46th NICArb International Arbitration and ADR Conference held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This year’s theme, “Strength- ening Institutional Arbitration and ADR in Africa: Charting a New Path,” reflected the urgent need for credible, efficient, and trusted dispute resolution systems on the continent.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said Africa stood at a defining moment as economies deepened their integration and investments grew.

He questioned why African disputes were often sent to foreign jurisdictions despite the continent’s wealth of skilled arbitrators, reputable institu-

tions, and modern facilities.

“For decades, Africa has been a centre of global invest- ment, yet the mechanisms for resolving the disputes arising from these transactions are not always reflected on our continent,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He added, “Investors want predictability, fairness, efficiency, and credibility. African disputes can be resolved at home with dignity, fairness, and global standards.”

He highlighted Lagos State’s deliberate efforts to place ADR at the core of commercial conflict resolution, citing the

Lagos Court of Arbitration and the Lagos Court of Com- mercial Contracts as models of institutional strength, which he described as “the currency of global Fagbemitrust”.described Africa as being on the brink of transfor- mation. He emphasised that sophisticated businesses re- quired strong dispute-resolution mechanisms, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Arbitration and ADR are engines of stability and the foundation for inter-regional trade,” Fagbemi said.

He stated that Africa still faced legislative inconsisten- cies, concerns about neutrality, limited institutional capacity, and enforcement weaknesses, but described these challenges as opportunities for reform rather than signs of failure.

Fagbemi announced that his office was collaborating with the National Judicial Council to introduce new practice directions aimed at streamlining arbitration-related cases, reducing delays, rein- forcing party autonomy, and strengthening the finality of arbitral awards.

to help African countries fund upstream exploration, refinery upgrades, gas infrastructure, power generation and cleanerenergy investments without relying heavily on external institutions that now prioritise climate-related restrictions.

Lokpobiri inspected the headquarters in Abuja alongside APPO Secretary General, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, and Afreximbank Executive Vice President (EVP), Mr. Haytham El Maayergi.

The minister stated, “I came to inspect the headquarters, furnishing of the Africa Energy Bank and I’m happy to disclose to the world and Nigerians and Africans that Nigeria has delivered on all the obligations made for us to fulfil as host country.

“The headquarters is ready, tastefully furnished in the best location and so we’re ready for the bank’s to takeoff. So we’re waiting for APPO and AfreximBank, who are the drivers of this process, to

OPSN: New Excise Bill is Misaligned

Dike

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has called on the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed amendment to the Customs, Excise and Tariff Bill and maintain the current excise rates on Non-Alcoholic Drinks (NADs), saying the bill is misaligned with the federal government’s fiscal reform direction and may derail the fiscal reform agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration. The call was contained in

a position paper presented yesterday by OPSN during the public hearing on the proposed amendment bill, which recently passed second reading in the National Assembly OPSN comprises Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).

The position paper urged the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed amendment to the Customs, Excise and Tariff Bill and maintain the current excise rates on NADs, stating that the current draft of the bill is inconsistent with the federal government’s fiscal reform direction and contains several legal and administrative gaps. OPSN pointed out, “Ni- geria’s excise framework is increasingly fragmented, as new levies are introduced without coordinated as-

sessment of their combined effects on production, invest- ment, backward integration, employment, exports, and inflation, which may result in unintended consequences negating President Tinubu’s administration’s key economic reforms without delivering measurable public health gains.”

It said, “The proposed excise amendment introduces mathematical, legal, and ad- ministrative contradictions, worsens Nigeria’s already fragmented fiscal environ- ment, and directly conflicts

facilitate the takeoff of the bank.

“But what Nigerians and the world need to know today is that as a host country we have met all our obligations and the building is ready. The bank is ready to go.”

On whether AEB had been officially handed over, Lokpobiri stated that the details were being worked out for the formal takeover.

He said, “These are details that will be worked out any day they are ready to come. But we’re trying to invite the APPO ministers to come to Nigeria so that we can show it to them and say, look, this is what we promised. We fulfilled it. The building is ready. And then we’ll hand it over. But it is ready.

“The important point is that we have met our obligation. As a host country, we provided everything that is expected of us as a host country to provide. So is this an indication that the bank is well on its way.”

with national industrialisation priorities, including the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.”

OPSN also warned that the amendment could weaken the beverage value chain, which is one of the country’s most significant contributors to non-oil revenue and a major employer of labour.

It added that the levy would push up operating costs, reduce capacity utilisation, and raise consumer prices at a time when households and small businesses were already under pressure, with many slipping deeper into poverty.

Back home, Sweet home...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on his return from Guinea-Bissau yesterday in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast ) presidential jet sent to fetch him by that country’s President following coup that left him and others stranded in Bissau

FG’s Envoy Picks Signal Push to Restore Diplomatic Presence in Key Nations

This week, President Bola Tinubu transmitted a new list of ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly, marking what appeared to be his most assertive attempt yet to fill a diplomatic vacuum that has persisted for about two years.

After recalling all career and non-career ambassadors in September 2023, Nigeria has operated without substantive envoys in some of the world’s most strategic capitals. The fresh list, featuring three heavyweight security and diplomatic figures, is therefore being read as an overdue but significant reset of the country’s foreign policy machinery.

The nominees are Aminu Mohammed Dalhatu from Jigawa State, Ayodele Oke from Oyo State, and Kayode Are from Ogun State. They have been designated for Nigeria’s mis- sions in United States, United Kingdom and France. These three postings form the core of Nigeria’s engagement with Western capitals and multilateral power centres. Besides, these

countries shape global governance debates, influence financial flows, and remain pivotal to Nigeria’s security, migration and economic diplomacy.

Dalhatu is returning to familiar terrain. A career diplomat, he previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea under President Muhammadu Buhari, following his appoint- ment in 2016. His selection signals Tinubu’s preference for experience at a time when these countries are recalibrating their Africa strategy, expanding security partnerships, and reshaping global supply chains.

For instance, with Washington central to Nigeria’s counterter- rorism support, development financing, visa negotiations and energy diplomacy, the absence of a full ambassador over the past months has reduced the country’s presence in key conversations.

The posting is expected to restore visibility and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to negotiate directly at senior levels. This is even more important, given the ongoing face-off between both nations.

Oke, an alumnus of Emory University and a former Director- General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), had also previ- ously represented Nigeria at the secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations, giving him both

institutional familiarity and diplomatic networks within the UK system.

His appointment comes at a time when Britain is reworking its migration rules that directly affected Nigerians, deepening security cooperation with West Africa, and seeking new trade

alignments post-Brexit.

The UK remains one of Nigeria’s most politically active diasporic hubs, a key development partner and a major investor. Strong representation there is essential for shaping bi- lateral negotiations and ensuring Nigeria’s interests remain visible. Are was Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) from 1999 to 2007, and a one-time National Security Adviser (NSA). Are also brings academic rigour to the role, holding a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

Ex-NEITI Chief, Orji, Hands Over to Adar, Gives Account of Stewardship

Says over $3bn recovered, more than $6bn liabilities identified

emmanuel addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday witnessed a formal leadership change, as erstwhile Executive Secretary, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, officially handed over the baton of leadership to the new NEITI head, Sarkin Adar.

At the event, Orji, who gave an account of his stewardship, described the

FG Committed to Using Dialogue to Resolve Labour Disputes, Says Minister

onyebuchi ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has said it will continue to promote social dialogue as a tool for resolving disputes and improv- ing workplace conditions in Nigeria.Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, stated this while declaring open, the meeting of the National Executive Council of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister said that

government is mindful of the challenges being experienced across various sectors-ranging from economic pressures to workplace.

Dingyadi said: “As a ministry, we remain fully committed to fostering harmonious industrial relations, promoting decent work, and creating an enabling environment where workers and employers can thrive.

“We are mindful of the challenges being experienced across various sectors-ranging from economic pressures to workplace transformation

driven by technology - yet we are equally encouraged by the resilience and professionalism of unions such as yours.

“This administration will continue to prioritize social dialogue as a tool for resolv- ing disputes and improving workplace conditions”

The minister commended the association for always using constructive engagement in tripartite processes especially in matters of job security, labour standards, and workplace invaluable.productivity-remains

occasion as an emotional moment in his professional journey, having served for nearly two decades—and leading the organisation for five years.

Orji stated that when he assumed office on February 19 2021, NEITI faced a convergence of operational, governance, and institutional challenges—threatened evic- tion from rented office, strained stakeholder relations, inadequate tools and infra- structure, low staff morale, among others.

On resumption he stated that he pledged to secure a permanent office for NEITI; reconstitute the NEITI Board; expand the scope and depth of industry reports; recruit young, skilled professionals; review staff salaries upward; modernise vehicles, ICT tools, and infrastructure; and pursue review of the NEITI Act to align with the PIA and the EITI Standard.

“Today, I leave the office with deep gratitude and a strong sense of duty fulfilled. Working together with the support of the NSWG and a dedicated workforce, we delivered all these priorities— exceeding many—except the

full amendment of the NEITI Act, for which extensive groundwork has already been completed,” he added.

Orji stated that one of the earliest achievements of his administration was restoring governance and institutional stability through the successful reconstitution of the 5th NSWG in July 2021 and the 6th NSWG in May 2024. These Boards, he said, restored statutory oversight, protected Nigeria’s global EITI standing, and guided majorBesides,reforms. he stated that operational capability im- proved significantly with the acquisition of new vehicles, ICT tools, digital reporting infrastructure, and communication systems—enhancing mobility, productivity, and national presence.

“Our public disclosures delivered concrete fiscal impact. Through evidencebased reporting, over $3 billion was recovered for the federal government, and more than $6 billion in outstanding revenues and li- abilities was identified. These achievements strengthened domestic resource mobilisation and fiscal transparency.

“We rebuilt trust across government agencies, extractive companies, civil society, and the media. Today, NEITI’s multi-stakeholder ecosystem is stronger, more engaged, and more representative,” he stressed.

Aside from maintaining full global compliance with the consistent publication of oil & gas, Solid Minerals, and FASD Reports, he explained that despite the complexities surrounding the 2023 validation cycle, Nigeria achieved 92/100 in Outcomes and Impact and 90/100 in Transparency, reaffirming NEITI’s standing as a leading global reform institution.

“A historic milestone of my tenure was the acquisi- tion of NEITI House, the institution’s first permanent headquarters, valued at over N4 billion and saving the federal government more than N150 million annually.

“Staff welfare received unprecedented attention with the implementation of an upward salary review of over 100 per cent in January this year—boosting morale, retention, and productivity,” he added.

Politics

Can Aiyedatiwa’s N492.8bn 2025 Budget Sustain Ondo’s Fiscal Rebirth?

In this report, Fidelis David critically dissects the 2026 budget proposal recently presented by Governor Lucky aiyedatiwa to Ondo State House of assembly, probing a crucial question: will the fiscal plan make a tangible impact on the lives of the average resident of the Sunshine State?

In recent years, Ondo State has gradually reinvented its public finance system, shifting from the days of heavy borrowing and recurrent-heavy expenditure to a more disciplined, investment-focused model.

Under late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the state prioritised infrastructure but faced revenue constraints and debts that left several projects hanging. His successor, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who stepped in amid economic uncertainty, introduced what he termed a “Budget of Recovery” in 2025, focusing on stabilisation and revising inflated donor projections. That budget was later revised down from N698.6 billion to N489.9 billion to reflect more realistic expectations.

Last week, Aiyedatiwa stood before the state lawmakers again, presenting what he called “2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation”—a N492.8 billion expenditure plan that he said will transition the state from recovery to long-term prosperity.

“It is a deliberate shift from mere restoration to sustained consolidation of economic gains. The progress recorded in 2025 must mature into long-term prosperity, resilience, and inclusive development for our people”, he declared before the lawmakers.

But can this ambitious plan truly transform the lives of the people? Or is it another optimistic fiscal projection constrained by structural revenue weaknesses and global economic shocks?

With a state economy heavily dependent on FAAC allocations, civil service dynamics and an agrarian economy, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged inherent risks: dwindling federal revenue, rising inflation (projected nationally at 23% in 2026), and a new VAT distribution formula that may favour consumption-driven states over resource-based ones.

Yet, he insisted the government is prepared. “We have continued our tradition of participatory budgeting. Communities, civil society, youth bodies, farmers and other stakeholders have shaped the 2026 budget.”

Specifically, the proposed budget stands at N492,795,667,939, with 57.22% allocated to capital projects, a strong indicator of development intent. Recurrent expenditure stands at 42.78%, a shift aimed at reducing administrative overheads in favour of physical growth.

The Economic Sector gets the lion’s share with N262.9bn (53.4%), followed by N155.3bn (31.5%) for Social Sector, while Infrastructure alone attracts N131.9bn (26.8%), underscoring what Aiyedatiwa called “a clear intention for infrastructure revolution.

“No project in Ondo State will be left abandoned. Adequate funds have been allocated to complete all ongoing projects.”

In contrast to the revised 2025 budget of N489.998 billion, which was deliberately structured as a Budget of Recovery, the proposed 2026 estimate of N492.795 billion is positioned as a Budget of Economic Consolidation, signalling a transition from stabilisation to long-term growth. While the 2025 fiscal plan had a roughly 50% capital allocation, the 2026 proposal increases capital spending to 57.22%, demonstrating a stronger commitment to development-driven investment.

Unlike the 2025 budget, which was heavily reliant on projected donor inflows, many of which failed to materialise, this new proposal builds resilience through a N159 billion roll-over fund. Besides, the previous budget focused predominantly on infrastructure rehabilitation, the 2026 estimate expands its scope to incorporate human capital development and economic diversification, reflecting a more integrated approach to sustainable growth.

Unlike the 2025 budget which faltered after donor expectations failed, the 2026 plan relies more heavily on roll-over funds (N159.1bn) and development loans (N52.6bn), while projecting N34.8bn from IGR—a figure analysts say is ambitious, considering exemptions for small

resilience, social protection, economic diversification and fiscal prudence. He promised strict budget implementation, minimised debt acquisition and curtailment of fiscal waste.

“Our objective is to deepen reforms and accelerate development. We will invest in education, healthcare, vocational training, expand youth empowerment, scale agricultural mechanisation and strengthen grassroots governance.”

In concrete terms, key sectoral investments reflect targeted development priorities. Education received N63.8 billion, covering the hiring of 2,100 new teachers and payment of N633.9 million in WAEC fees for 23,048 students.

Health was allocated N69.6 billion, which supported the expansion of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme and the N7.2 billion renovation of 102 Primary Healthcare Centres, improving access to quality care. Infrastructure accounted for N131.9 billion, funding ongoing dual carriageway projects, the construction of over 386 kilometres of rural roads, as well as upgrades to the stadium and judicial complex.

businesses and low-income earners.

“Revenue could be further constrained, but while exemptions strain short-term revenue, they are beneficial for citizens”, the governor

admitted, offering rare candour.

Aiyedatiwa outlined eight core policy thrusts anchored on food security, human capital, infrastructure, IGR efficiency, community

In the agriculture sector, N27.58 billion facilitated the distribution of over two million cocoa seedlings and the securing of 26,000 hectares of farmland, advancing food production and export potential while the power sector recorded major strides with the revival of the Omotosho 15MW plant and the introduction of 30 solar mini-grids, boosting energy reliability and reaching underserved communities.

“We have achieved remarkable progress through very prudent management of our lean resources. We will continue strict implementation.”

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Insecurity: Relevance of Olawepo-Hashim’s 2021 Call for Defence Cooperation

a national security proposal proffered sometime ago by a chieftain of the People’s democratic Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, to solve security challenges facing the country remains relevant as it’s currently making waves on X platform under the hashtag #HashimSecurityVision.

Arenewed wave of online conversations has thrust former presidential candidate and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, back into national focus as Nigerians revisit a major national security proposal he made more than four years ago.

The discussions, trending under the hashtag #HashimSecurityVision, have dominated the platform X (formerly Twitter) over the past 24 hours.

The resurgence followed the reappearance of Hashim’s 2021 recommendation urging the Nigerian government to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with friendly nations. At the time, he argued such an alliance would provide Nigeria with access to global intelligence frameworks, advanced surveillance and combat technologies, and superior counter-terrorism expertise—resources he described as critical to confronting the country’s deepening insecurity.

With the U.S. president now issuing strong warnings over escalating violence in Nigeria, many citizens online say OlawepoHashim’s proposal shows striking foresight.

Commentators have described the rediscovered recommendation as evidence that Olawepo-Hashim not only understood Nigeria’s security vulnerabilities early, but also accurately assessed the structural weaknesses undermining the

nation’s defence capacity. For many, this reinforces the argument that Nigeria needs precisely the sort of visionary, long-term leadership he represents, especially at a time of heightened diplomatic tensions and worsening internal security.

The conversation has also revived interest in another of Olawepo-Hashim’s policy documents—his $4 trillion economic revival plan, first published in 2018. The blueprint, which outlines strategies for large-scale industrialization, infrastructure expansion, and job creation, has resurfaced amid Nigeria’s persistent economic struggles, including inflation spikes, currency depreciation, and

slowed growth.

Observers say the renewed attention to both proposals—one from 2018 and another from 2021—has strengthened OlawepoHashim’s image as one of the country’s most forward-thinking political figures.

Unlike many politicians whose public engagement revolves around personal rivalries or power contests, Olawepo-Hashim has consistently presented issue-driven frameworks, emphasizing structural reforms, economic modernization, and comprehensive security transformation.

Political analysts note that this sustained policy focus is what distinguishes him.

“Olawepo-Hashim stands out as Nigeria’s thinking politician,” one analyst wrote, “because his politics is anchored on ideas, not noise.”

As Nigeria confronts overlapping pressures—diplomatic strain, economic downturn, and persistent insecurity—the resurgence of Olawepi-Hashim’s past proposals may indicate a growing public appetite for leaders with clear, strategic vision rather than short-term political maneuvering.

Whether the online momentum will translate into broader political support remains uncertain. But the digital trend suggests that more Nigerians are revisiting the voices that warned early—and proposed solutions long before today’s crises intensified.

Oyebanji Govt at Three: Hope Tempered By Reality

Raheem Akingbolu gives the account of Ekiti Governor, a biodun o yebanji’s political trajectory and various steps that earned him his party, the a ll progressives c ongress’, second term ticket with ease.

The emergence of Biodun Oyebanji as the governor of Ekiti State invoked some sentimental feelings and emotions that, even if questioned, could not be ignored. This became necessary, especially in a state where so much sentimental attachment is placed on where someone comes from in terms of leadership positions in the state.

Oyebanji was the first ‘homegrown’ governor since 1999. He did not only have all his educational pursuits in the state, he was interestingly the secretary of the state creation committee that birthed the state some 29 years ago.

Posterity has a way of rewarding dedica- tion and sacrifice as Oyebanji subsequently became a Personal Assistant to the first civilian Governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

But it was even deeper than that. His loyalty and dedication to the progressive cause must never be discountenanced. He didn’t for once left the progressive line even when the party was undergoing different metamorphosis- he remained true to the progressive calling.

There is a saying that positions of author- ity do not really define occupiers. Rather, occupiers define the office. The truism of this statement is confirmed, going by the way Oyebanji has demystified the office of the governor. He does not go with airs of self-importance, he has successfully created the servant-master image for the office as he has not only made himself available to his aides and critical stakeholders, he is also well connected to ordinary citizens.

Sources close to the seat of government in Ekiti say you can not give Oyebanji informa- tion that does not reflect the true situation of things in the state. He has his ears to the ground and he will simply tell you that this and this still are the true reflections of things and not what he is being told.

Such is his hands-on approach to governance, which has helped him to aggregate the feelings and views of the people of the state in order to serve them better and bring benefits of effective governance to their doorsteps.

Until the recent squabbles concerning the governorship ticket of the governing All Progressive Congress (APC) for the 2026 governorship election in the state, there has been what could best be described as strong political harmony in the state.

Oyebanji has extended hands of fellowship to former governors in the state across party lines. He has also extended the same to critical stakeholders and political and opinion leaders. He has succeeded in making them realise that Ekiti needs them to develop and for them to look beyond the partisan lines of political loyalties. For the first time, at least two former governors have showered praises

Gov Eno to Disloyal Aides: Throw in Towel Now

Henshaw Nyong writes that Governor Umo Eno of akwa ibom state has directed disloyal aides serving in his government to resign forthwith or be forced out.

on him going by the way he has steered the ship of the state in the last three years. Even the strongest of his traducers will admit this was unprecedented in the history of the state.

Some critics have averred that Oyebanji adopted this position because he was afraid of competition and he wanted everyone to be his supporter. This position does not only discountenance the fact that political acrimony was effectively banished from the state, which is always a major distraction for any sitting governor, it also does not give credit to Oyebanji for being a true ‘Omoluabi’!

Beyond this is the fact that Oyebanji chose not to toe the line, which many in his position usually row: forgetting that government is a continuum. When he came in, he never discarded any of the projects started by his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Chief among these projects was the state airport. Oyebanji continued with this project and completed it. Now the airport has been certified by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and has been cleared to provide commercial flight services. This is a major plus for the state. Even while critics can argue that the airport might not be commercially viable, one thing is sure: gone are the days of important dignitaries coming to the state by air and would first have to go to Akure to land before connecting Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by road.

It must also be noted that Oyebanji is chang- ing the physical outlook of the state capital in terms of effective traffic management. The over-head bridge from Ajilosun through Ijigbo to Old Garage will not only ease vehicular movement in the state but also ease the business transactions as transportation is key to effective business transaction, especially in a fast growing city like Ado-Ekiti.

When completed, it means one can commute from Ajilosun all the way to Basiri (along old Iyin road) within ten minutes or less. This is just commendable.

As the governor marks three years in office, Ekiti has been the better for it. There is a silent but ruthlessly effective management of the state’s security architecture as violent crimes are gradually becoming things of the past. Kidnapping is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and gone are the days you would be travelling to Ekiti, and you would be having your heart in your mouth.

This was not by happenstance. It was a product of behind the scenes effective moves to curb insecurity and ensure that people were free to move around without fear of being kidnapped or their properties being violently taken away from them.

The journey might not have been totally smooth, but it has been that of a hope favour- ably tempered by a discernible reality. The next four years after this could only be better.

“...Everybody will not agree with us, and that is understood and that is allowed, but what we will not tolerate is for people to believe that they can be in government and be working against the government... Every action carries a consequence. And I say it again: either you carefully and quietly leave, and we will be glad to receive resignations, than to stay inside and begin to rock the boat. We will not tolerate it, and that is the truth.”

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state issued the stern warning recently in Uyo while addressing government appointees, stakeholders and senior bureaucrats at the swearing-in of Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters as the new Head of Civil Service.

The warning came barely 24 hours after two of his aides were relieved of their appointments over alleged acts of disloyalty.

The governor who emphasized on the subject of loyalty, anchored his position on biblical teachings, noting that stewardship demands faithfulness, not convenience.

Quoting from the Bible 1 Corinthians 4:2, he reminded political appointees that “it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful,” insisting that loyalty remains the irreducible minimum for anyone privileged to serve.

He explained that Scripture does not permit divided allegiance, pointing to Matthew 6:24; “no man can serve two masters” - and Amos 3:3; “can two walk together except they agree?”

The Governor said such principles apply not only to spiritual responsibilities but also to public service.

He stressed that those who dine at the government’s table must be prepared to stand with its vision, and that anyone unwilling to do so is free to step aside.

“There are people who eat at the table of the king yet feel comfortable working against the same king. That era is over,” he said. “Faithfulness and

loyalty are not negotiable. They are universal standards.”

Eno warned that while his administration prioritises peace, it should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Those who think they can try our resolve to maintain peace should rethink. Meekness is not weakness. I got this job on the mandate of Akwa Ibom people, and I will discharge it till the very last day,” he said.

Turning to the welfare of workers, the Governor restated his commitment to a civil service-friendly administration. He recalled that he inherited gratuity arrears of N110 billion covering 2012 to May 2023 and has, in two and a half years, cleared N75.2 billion of that backlog.

“This month alone, I released another N1.3 billion. We have cleared arrears from 2012 to March 2021. We have two years left, 2022 and 2023, before we start clearing obligations accrued under our own tenure,” he said.

Eno thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the State with resources for capital and recurrent obligations, adding that such interventions have made ongoing development possible. He reaffirmed his administration’s support for President Tinubu’s reforms and encouraged all progress-minded citizens to join in building a stable State.

On labour relations, the governor noted that Akwa Ibom enjoys one of the most cooperative labour–government partnerships in the country, stressing that salaries and pensions have remained timely.

Earlier, Eno congratulated the new Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Anietie Peters, describing her as the seventh Head of Civil Service in the State and the fourth woman to hold the office. He also applauded the immediate past Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for aligning the civil service with the ARISE Agenda and driving reforms aimed at creating a lean, professional, ICT-driven workforce.

-Nyong writes from Uyo.

www.thisdaylive.com

FROM RECOVERY TO GROWTH: STRATEGIC MONETARY POLICY

ISAH ALIYU CHIROMA argues that the CBN actions are deliberate measures to stabilise the economy

ENDING DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Nigeria’s digital spaces should be transformed into places where women can speak, learn, lead, and thrive, urges MOHAMED M. FALL

opinion@thisdaylive.com

At the HFX Forum, JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA stood up for Nigeria

NIGERIA AND THE RULES BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER

During the seventh plenary at the 2025 edition of the Halifax International Security Forum, the introduction video was a compilation of several global figures, especially politicians, mostly American, former presidents, military leaders, sportsmen and the likes and the different names they had been called by President Donald Trump. There was Biden, Obama, Lebron James and several others. There was no mention or showing of President. It was just the pictures of said persons and the insults or names they had been called by Trump. Hillary Clinton had “nasty woman” on her image, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, got “dictator”. There was a lot more. The topic of the panel was, ‘Democracies Demand Decency’. It promised to be interesting. I had no idea I was going to play a big part in that.

The panel had Senator Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator from North Dakota, so it was clear that those who designed the panel wanted to have someone who’d defend Trump’s position. Other panel members included Ms. Rushan Abbas, Executive Director and Chairwoman of the Executive Committee, Campaign for Uyghurs and World Uyghur Congress, United States; Minister Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada; and Minister Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Defense, from Colombia. The panel was moderated by Ms. Susan Bonner, Host, Your World Tonight, CBC Radio, Canada. Senator Cramer did not like the video. That would have come as no surprise to anyone as Cramer is a vocal Trump ally. The senator said the video was “indecent”. He added that, "This has become an absolute 'throw every arrow you can at Donald Trump while we feel entitled to everything he has.' And that's not a great way to build friendships,". A little part of his statement must have been intended specifically to the Canadian officials in the room. As part of his defence of Trump, the senator went on to say that, “I think the Christians in Nigeria today are probably feeling pretty good about Donald Trump”. As soon as he said that, I picked up my note to write the statement. I was going to engage

that and I did not want to misquote him when I did.

As far as I was concerned, Nigeria did not deserve to be used as a shield for President Trump. The country had been unfairly targeted by the U.S. President, repeatedly calling it a disgraced country and saying the U.S. would come into the country guns a-blazing. There are some Nigerians, Christian or not, who were feeling good about the Trump humiliation. In their head, it was not a humiliation of the country, it was the president of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu and his APC party that were being humiliated. I felt different about this and I needed the room to know that.

When time came for questions, I was called by the moderator. I guess the fact I was seated on the front row and almost beside the moderator made things easier for me. I started out my question by quoting the senator’s words. Then I paused for effect and then said, “I am a Christian from Nigeria”, which he immediately retorted to by saying, “you are an expert”, whatever that meant but the room had already drowned into laughter after my introduction. Because I was aware that there’d be Nigerian Christians who were happy with Trump, I needed to make clear that I wasn’t speaking for those. “One out of 100 million Christians, very small sample size, I do not feel good about Donald Trump”. I went ahead to say why. He called Nigeria a disgraced country, I then cheekily added that this was an improvement on being called a shithole country. These words could easily have fit into the earlier video

montage. But I hadn’t landed. It is a trending video, chances are that you already watched it. If you haven’t, you should catch it on my X handle or elsewhere. I have received a lot of praise from Nigerians, home and abroad, for my position. Many saw it as a victory, not just for Nigeria, but for all the small countries that have had to endure various forms of bullying, subtle and overt, from the bigger and richer ones. What I have found shocking is that there were Nigerians who were angry about my position. It did look like it was more about the person passing the message, in this case me, and not the message. That was the case with some but there were people who went out of their way to defend why their country deserved to be called a disgraced country and also deserved to be invaded. This bit has been shocking to me, even though it should not.

There is a group of people who have decided that they will not give this country a chance as long as they do not have their preferred presidential candidate in power. As much as some of them try to hide behind other excuses, this has been the crux of the matter. They believe that Nigeria deserves whatever befalls it, because how dare this country not choose their choice. I believe these folks are in an unfortunate position because as far as I know, you do not gain power in a democracy by denigrating the very same country you want to govern. Big lessons will be learnt—again—when the elections come around.

On my part, I have never felt more proud standing for Nigeria and the global south. I enjoyed the fact that Senator Cramer aligned, even though he would have preferred to be more articulate than he could muster whilst attempting to answer my question. My job was done. I fear for Nigeria though. That amidst all its challenges, it must go on knowing that we cannot agree on anything; not even on the need to defend our country. That’s such a shame. But there will always be enough of us to represent Nigeria, home and abroad.

Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/BGX Publishing

ISAH ALIYU CHIROMA argues that the CBN actions are deliberate measures to stabilise the economy

Nigeria’s digital spaces should be transformed into places where women can speak, learn, lead, and thrive, urges

MOHAMED M. FALL

FROM RECOVERY TO GROWTH: STRATEGIC MONETARY

Amid global economic anxieties, from looming trade tensions to geopolitical uncertainties, the resilience of Nigeria’s banking sector remains a strong anchor. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has again demonstrated a steady and deliberate approach to stabilizing the national economy. The Committee voted to maintain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.0 percent. This decision illustrates the strategic direction of Nigeria’s monetary authorities and reflects the careful balance required to sustain recent successes in managing inflation and exchange rate stability.

According to the MPC, financial soundness indicators are staying within regulatory thresholds. Even more significant is the ongoing recapitalization exercise, where 16 banks have already met the new capital requirements. A closer look reveals that the MPC’s decision is neither passive nor indecisive. It is a reflection of a careful alignment of evidence-based economic management with an understanding of the delicate path that Nigeria must navigate to achieve long-term stability.

One of the main reasons for retaining the MPR is the ongoing deceleration of inflation. For seven consecutive months leading up to October 2025, headline inflation has continued to decline, dropping from 18.02 percent in September to 16.05 percent in October. Even more encouraging is the significant drop in food inflation, which fell from 16.87 to 13.12 percent in just one month.

This trajectory did not occur by chance. It is the result of deliberate, tight monetary policy aimed at prioritizing price stability at a time when inflationary pressures threatened household incomes and business confidence. By keeping the MPR steady, the CBN is allowing the delayed effects of previous rate hikes to continue influencing the economy. Monetary policy, by its nature, has a lagging impact, and consistency is crucial to attain a stable economy.

The decline in core inflation, which has dropped to 18.69 percent, indicates that the economy is responding positively to the Bank’s decisions. Items like household furnishings and maintenance, which typically respond more slowly to monetary tightening, are also showing moderated prices.

For an economy previously challenged by currency volatility, food supply disruptions, and global commodity shocks, this path represents a significant policy achievement.

This indicated one of the quiet yet powerful success stories of the past year: Nigeria’s external sector has strengthened considerably. By November 14, 2025, foreign reserves had risen to US$46.70 billion up from US$42.77 billion just six weeks earlier. This level of reserves now provides over 10 months of import cov-

POLICY

er, a remarkable buffer in a global economy characterized by supply chain fragilities.

This improvement is linked to several factors, including increased capital inflows, a stable exchange rate, and better current account performance. Importantly, the CBN acknowledges the collaborative role of fiscal policy actors. Nigeria’s recent upgrade by major credit rating agencies and its removal from the FATF grey list underscore the reforms occurring across various institutions. These developments are very critical. Investor confidence, once affected by volatility and policy uncertainties, is gradually being restored. The MPC’s decision to maintain a stable monetary environment despite global challenges is designed to preserve this momentum.

Recapitalization is often associated with difficult short-term adjustments, but in the long run, it safeguards the entire financial system from systemic vulnerabilities. By urging the CBN to successfully conclude this program, the MPC reinforces the importance of a robust, shock resistant banking framework that can support Nigeria’s economic ambitions.

With stronger banks, credit allocation is expected to improve, helping SMEs, manufacturers, and critical sectors obtain financing at more predictable rates as macroeconomic stability deepens.

Despite global headwinds, Nigeria’s growth numbers show positive results. Real GDP expanded by 4.23 percent in Q2 2025, up from 3.13 percent in Q1. Meanwhile, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surged to 56.4 in November, the highest level in five years. This indicates growing optimism in the manufacturing and services sectors.

A high PMI signals increased new orders, expanded production activities, and improved workforce hiring. Combined with inflation moderation and exchange-rate stability, these indicators suggest that the economy is progressively moving from recovery to growth consolidation.

Retaining the MPR at 27 percent sends a clear, bold message, one that anchors expectations and reinforces policy continuity at a critical time. Raising the rate further might risk undermining the recent gains in economic stability.

Chiroma writes from Kaduna

ENDING DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST

WOMEN AND GIRLS

Women face walls every day. Walls built by history, culture, and fear. They face them in schools, offices, homes, streets, and now, in the digital world. Globally, women are still denied full access to power, education, and safety. They are underrepresented in political spaces, earn less, speak less, and lead less.

Nigeria has made strides. More women are entering politics, business, and leadership. Opportunities are growing. Yet barriers remain. Only a small fraction of elected positions are held by women. There is work to do. The path to equality is not yet complete.

Violence is still part of many women’s lives. In Nigeria, the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey shows that 21 percent of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. That is one in five women. But there is progress. Physical violence has dropped from 31 to 19 percent, sexual violence from 9 to 5 percent. Numbers alone cannot measure the pain or fear. But they do show that change is possible.

While physical violence may be slowly declining, a new threat rises. Technologyfacilitated gender-based violence hides behind screens, strikes in private messages, spreads on social media, and silences women online. It blocks voices in politics. It interrupts education. It threatens livelihoods. It can even trigger harm offline.

Across Nigeria, women journalists are attacked online for asking questions. Politicians face threats for standing up. Students are shamed and humiliated. Activists are trolled and impersonated. Women at home are stalked and coerced. Cyberstalking, image-based sexual abuse, sextortion, impersonation, hate speech— all have become weapons. These are not just stories in the news. They are daily realities. Behind every number is a woman whose rights are being challenged.

Globally, 16 to 58 percent of women report experiencing digital abuse. Emerging technologies make it worse. Artificial intelligence can create deepfake pornography, identity theft, and coordinated harassment. Studies show that 90 to 95 percent of deepfake content targets women. Technology should connect us, empower us, and innovate. Instead, it is sometimes misused to deepen inequality and fear.

Even as Nigeria embraces technology, gaps remain. Cyberlaws need stronger enforcement. Digital literacy can improve. Gender biases persist. Survivors often find little recourse. Stigma, impunity, and limited justice remain challenges. Yet, positive steps exist. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 is a foundation. Advocacy flourishes. Nigeria is building systems that protect women.

We cannot wait. Ending digital violence requires every hand, every voice, every mind.

The government must continue its leadership. Strengthen the Cybercrimes Act. Address the borderless reach of online gender-based violence. Train law

enforcement to respond to digital harm. Adopt a national framework on online safety. Invest in prevention. Teach digital literacy. Include healthy online behavior in life skills education. Support community action. These measures can protect and empower women and girls.

Technology companies must also act. Make online spaces safer. Improve moderation. Be transparent. Support local languages. Adopt Safety-by-Design. Collaborate with governments and civil society. Online platforms must empower, not oppress.

Civil society, media, traditional and religious leaders, parents, and teachers all have roles. Advocate. Raise awareness. Support survivors. Challenge harmful norms. Promote respect, consent, and digital responsibility. Young people can lead by example, modeling safe and respectful online behavior.

Every one of us can make a difference. Pause before you share. Challenge online hate. Stand up for the targeted. Speak for the silenced. Together, we can transform Nigeria’s digital spaces into places where women and girls can speak, learn, lead, and thrive.

This year’s 16 Days of Activism theme— “UNiTE! End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”—demands action. It reminds us that online abuse is not a private problem. It is a societal challenge. Ending it is a shared responsibility. Technology must lift us, not harm us. Rights must be protected. Voices must be heard.

We know the challenges are real. Gender inequality persists. Women are underrepresented in politics. Cyberviolence is rising. But hope is real. Change is possible. Courage exists in every girl who logs on to learn. Strength exists in every woman who speaks her mind online. Resilience exists in every survivor who refuses to be silenced. Now is the time to act. Build policies that protect. Build systems that empower. Build a society where women and girls are safe online and offline. Where technology amplifies voices instead of hiding them. Where every woman can dream, aspire, and lead without fear.

We can create that future. A future where every woman and girl is free to speak, lead, and thrive. A future where voices are unbroken.

Fall is United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

DEATH FROM RECYCLED BATTERY...11

Regulators should put an end to improper recycling of lead acid batteries

· Continued from yesterday

From the activities of illegal miners which is commonplace across Nigeria to battery recycling, poisoning by lead is becoming a serious health issue. The short-term effects of lead poisoning include acute fever, convulsion, loss of consciousness, and blindness, while the long-term effects include anaemia, renal failure, and brain damage in children, who are often the main victims. Some of them are left with severe handicaps in the form of paralysis while others are afflicted with severe mental retardation and other health disorders. But as the New York Times report reveals, something urgent needs to be done on battery recycling in Nigeria.

Under the NESREA Protocol, recyclers are to conduct annual environmental impact audits on surrounding communities, undertake lead blood testing for residents within five-kilometre radius and establish grievance mechanisms for community complaints. By signing the Protocol, recycling facilities in the country are expected to transition to cleaner recycling technologies within 24-36 months, phase out improvised furnaces and rudimentary systems, and participate in pilot projects for slag reuse for bricks and cement raw materials.

We understand that NESREA is working with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders to conclude arrangements for the removal of the slags from the Ogijo community in the next few weeks. “We found out that the slag, which is the residue/waste from their recycling processes were dumped indiscriminately within the community,” NESREA said, regarding facilities that carry out recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries in Ogijo in a crude manner that poses risk to the health of residents and their environment. Along the battery value chain, there are producers, recyclers, and collectors.

To promote proper recycling in the battery sector, NESREA is implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme to en-

courage environmentally sound management of used lead acid batteries, among other objectives. The EPR Programme vests the responsibility of the life cycle management on the producer who is expected to retrieve it from the environment at its end of life for reuse or recycling. There is also a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for the sector and all operators and stakeholders in the value chain are mandated to register with the PRO, in this case, the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR). The ARBR manages the value chain, and keep track of the activities.

Proper recycling removes lead and acid from the environment and protects public health

The ARBR is a not-for-profit organisation approved by the Federal Ministry of Justice and registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission as Limited by Guarantee. It operates under the National Environmental (Electrical/Electronic Sector) Regulations, 2011 and the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations, 2009. It also operates with the Basel Convention Guidelines under the Federal Ministry of Environment, and in collaboration with the Basel Convention Coordination Centre for Africa (BCCC-Africa).

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

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

Letters to the Editor

But we believe that NESREA can do more to implement and enforce its regulations through inspections, permitting, compliance monitoring, sanctions and continuous stakeholder engagement. Agencies that deal with environmental issues should also be made to collaborate with NESREA to ensure that such facilities adopt clean recycling methods. Proper recycling removes lead and acid from the environment and protects public health. It also reduces the pressure on mining by returning recovered lead into the supply chain. It supports jobs in the formal recycling sector, and strengthens industry compliance and increases investor confidence. It also ensures that used batteries do not enter the informal market where unsafe handling/recycling practices thrive.

If we are to put an end to avoidable deaths in the sector, improper recycling of lead acid batteries must be discouraged with the full provisions of the law. The New York Times report must be taken by authorities in the country as another wake-up call.

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.

GOVERNMENT’S DELEGATION TO THE US,AND APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSADORS

One of the diplomatic and national issues that rattled the Tinubu administration was President Donald J. Trump’s remarks of November 1 and 2, 2025, in which he made his now-infamous “guns-a-blazing” and “the now disgraced country” statements, including a threat to deploy troops to Nigeria or launch airstrikes over alleged killings.

Some observers have attributed this situation to Nigeria’s failure to maintain effective and influential ambassadors in the United States and other powerful Western countries for a long period, under the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

The dispatch of a high-level delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, however, has delivered the diplomatic breakthrough Nigeria ur-

gently needed. Mallam Nuhu’s international reputation, and the composition of the delegation, played a decisive role. The team included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the NSA.

Their mission strengthened the US–Nigeria security partnership, provided a platform for honest dialogue, and helped correct narratives built on biased or misleading information. The discussions opened new avenues for cooperation. The US pledged additional support, including

equipment and intelligence sharing.

According to the Nigerian Presidency, “the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines. The delegation strongly rejected the wrongful framing of the situation, warning that such narratives divide Nigerians and distort realities on the ground.”

The Nuhu Ribadu–led delegation met with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

RATES

AS AT Nov E mb

ER 27,2025

Experts Lament Short Life Span of Nigerian Airlines as Arik Air Heads Towards Extinction

Chinedu Eze

For the past three weeks, Nigeria’s foremost airline, Arik Air, which blazed the trail of modern airline business after the demise of Nigeria Airways Limited, has been operating only one aircraft, which is against the regulation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation

Authority (NCAA), THISDAY investigation has revealed.

According to NCAA regulations, any airline whose fleet reduces to one aircraft should be grounded but Arik Air has been operating one aircraft for over three weeks. It was learnt that the airline does not have any other aircraft on lease.

Miffed by this development, experts in the aviation industry have looked at why Nigerian carriers have such short life span as Arik Air, which was established with such high promise and expectation seems to have become moribund.

Experts traced the history of the airline and concluded that the airline

was built with the strongest foundation, pioneering the acquisition of brand new, state-of-the-art aircraft about eight years after the defunct Nigeria Airways brought in its last new aircraft long after it went down.

Arik Air started flight operation on October 30, 2006, with its inaugural flight from Lagos to Abuja. At the time of

its inauguration, the airline began with three brand new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, which was historical; at the time privately owned Nigerian airlines were operating very old equipment.

That period marked a turnaround in Nigeria’s aviation history because the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had

become autonomous with the passing of the Civil Aviation Act 2006. It was also the first time Nigeria passed its International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit, which was a significant achievement as it demonstrated consistency in meeting ICAO’s safety standards.

Cofounder and Managing Director, Trucks Transit Parks (TTP), Jama Onwubuariri, has called for stronger regulatory collaboration and approval to fully deploy the company’s N200 million electronic tagging (e-tag) system, a digital solution aimed at improving truck movement to ease traffic congestion around Nigeria’s ports corridor.

Speaking with journalist

on the sidelines of a Thought Leadership Session hosted by TTP in Lagos yesterday, themed, ‘From Leadership to Growth: Re-imagining Port Logistics in Nigeria,’ Onwubuariri said that regulatory support will help the company in deploying this solutions to sustain a smart, coordinated, and seamless flow of traffic across the entire port transportation chain.

According to him,

since 2023, the company has invested a total of between N3.8 billion to N4.2 billion to build the e-call up system and other port traffic digitisation systems but can only deliver maximum impact with the active support of relevant regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Police amongst others.

While identifying some

of the causes of port traffic congestion to include; number plate duplication, exchange, and falsification, delayed Terminal Delivery Orders (TDOs), mechanical breakdowns, and physical queue blockages caused by stalling trucks, he stated that some drivers deliberately remain in restricted areas to secure business opportunities, even after enforcement teams instruct them to leave.

He noted that the

Electronic Tagging (E-Tag) System provides a tamperproof digital identity to trucks putting an end to cases of plate number duplication.

“Each truck has a digital identity that does not change,” he said. “Once the tag is removed, that identity becomes invalid, and the truck cannot operate on the system. This eliminates the use of fake or borrowed number plates.”

Complementing the E-Tag is the Eto Interchange

Transaction Number (EITN), a digital solution designed to stop cargo diversion by ensuring terminals service only the trucks originally assigned to specific cargo.

“Under the EITN, each cargo is tied unchangeably to a particular truck,” Onwubuariri said. “Even if a shipper or agent gives contrary instructions, the system prevents terminals from handing the cargo to another vehicle.”

FAAN Unveils Plans to Make Nigeria Cargo Hub for W’Africa

Chinedu Eze

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has assured that Nigeria would become a dominant hub, a beacon of efficiency, and a catalyst for economic prosperity across Africa.

She identified plan to ensure Nigeria will not continue to be a dot on the global cargo map, but a strategic gateway

connecting Africa to the world.

This was contained in her remarks on Wednesday at the Directorate of Cargo Development Services (DCDS) Operational Stakeholders Engagement held in Lagos. Kuku said, “FAAN Management, under the leadership and the guidance of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is fully

committed to creating the enabling environment, the necessary policies, infrastructure, and political will for this ecosystem to thrive.”

She said the government cannot drive this agenda alone but needs partnership, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

“The issues and opportunities before us, whether in handling, documentation, automation, safety, or export readiness, all require a joint approach.

Air Peace Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria-UK Busiest Air Corridor

Chinedu Eze

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its operations on the highly competitive UK–Nigeria route, describing it as the country’s busiest international air corridor with more than 450,000 passengers annually.

Chairman of the Airline, Dr. Allen Onyema made the commitment at the

inaugural lecture by SAPTCO Communications Limited with the theme: International “Aero politics” and the Survival of Nigerian Carrier on London Routes” in Lagos.

Dr. Onyema represented by the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Noel Ngala, noted that the UK market has long been dominated by foreign airlines, with carriers such as British Airways operating the

route for more than 90 years, while Virgin Atlantic and others later joined with direct services.

He explained that despite the presence of three airlines offering nonstop flights between Nigeria and London airports, a significant portion of Nigerian-bound traffic still transits through foreign hubs in cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Najomo: Nigeria Rewriting Its Aeropolitical Imbalance Story

Director General Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, captured the decades-long operational and aeropolitical imbalance that shaped Nigeria’s struggle on the competitive London route.

Najomo who spoke at the conference organised by Sapto Communication Limited with the theme: International Aeropolitics: ‘The Survival of Nigeria’s Carriers on the London Route’, said the reality was clear and painful that

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Air WAtCh

Nigerian Airlines Move to Regain West Coast Dominance

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Two weeks ago, United Nigeria Airways marked its inaugural flight to Accra, Ghana from Nigeria, making it the third airline to commence operations into the West Coast, after Air Peace and Ibom Air.

While United Nigeria operates from Abuja, the other two airlines operate from Lagos.

United Nigeria used Bombardier CRJ 900 to open the route but hinted it would eventually service the route with E145, which has 50-passenger capacity.

According to him, this imbalance created a narrative where Nigeria contributed passengers but lacked influence.

foreign carriers controlled the market, while Nigerian airlines looked on with limited support, weak capacity and almost no visibility. He noted that “international aeropolitics has never been neutral. It is shaped by power, by strategy and by national pride.”

Kosofe CCI Strengthens Economic, Security Dialogue with Nigeria Police

The President and executive members of Kosofe Chamber of Commerce and Industry has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force with the emphasize to enhance security and economic growth of Lagos state and Nigeria at large

The founder and president of the Kosofe Chamber of Commerce and Industry,Mr. Joe Femi-Dagunro, and his executive members paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Police Force Area H Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sholla Omilade in Ogudu, Lagos state. The visit highlights the importance of publicprivate partnerships

in addressing security concerns and promoting economic development. Similar initiatives have seen success in Lagos, where communityfocused policing has improved trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.

Femi-Dagunro at the meeting promised to set up a team to collaborate with the Area H Command on the proposed programs, including training and assistance for retiring officers. This initiative demonstrates the Chamber’s commitment to supporting security agencies and promoting community development in Kosofe.

There are other foreign airlines that compete with Nigerian carriers and these are African World Airlines (AWA), which is based in Accra and Asky Airlines, which is based in Lome. The two airlines operate both Lagos and Abuja and AWA runs two frequencies to Lagos, aspiring to increase it to three times daily.

However, most industry experts posit that the Nigeria-Ghana route does not have high number passenger growth from year to year, a situation that could make the route easily saturated if many airlines begin to operate on it.

The industry experts told THISDAY that United Nigeria took a wise market decision to operate from Abuja to Accra, because if it had joined the Lagos-Accra route, it would have crashed the load factor.

“The crash in the load factor may not be noticed during the high Christmas season but after the Yuletide season, a flight can have just about 15 passengers or less. It happened to Ibom Air, which later started picking up,” one of the industry observers told THISDAY.

In Abuja, only AWA and now United Nigeria Airlines fly directly from Lagos to Accra, while Asky takes passengers to Lome and then connect them to Accra.

Asky may not have advantage on direct flight but it takes passengers beyond point to point because a passenger from Abuja can fly Asky to Abidjan, Dakar, the Gambia, Freetown and others from Abuja and Lagos.

So, Asky is connecting passengers from Central and West Africa, using its hub in Lome. It has drastically cut down the situation whereby a passenger

Invariably, Asky is the dominant airline in the West Coast. That used to be the forte of Nigerian airlines, from the days of Nigeria Airways Limited to Bellview, then Virgin Nigeria Airways. After that period Nigeria started losing the market. Currently Air Peace flies to at least nine regional destinations in West and Central Africa, including Abidjan, Accra, Banjul, Dakar, Douala, Freetown, Monrovia and others. It connects some of these destinations but not in the way Asky does because Asky operates in an airport without domestic wing but international, which allows it to easily transit passenger after bringing them to its Lome hub.

For Air Peace and other Nigerian carriers to develop dominance on West and Central Africa as they used to do in the past, they must have transit terminal both in Lagos and in Abuja. The transit facility will enable them to compete effectively with Asky. During the period Nigerian carriers dominated the West Coast, Asky was not competing in the market. It was not established then. Travel expert and the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, told THISDAY that Nigerian airlines should seek fifth freedom right from Ghana, which would allow a foreign airline to carry passengers or cargo between two other foreign countries, provided it is part of a route that includes its home country. Many airlines have been enjoying this right in Ghana for years and the purpose for Ghana is to attract more airlines and increase its revenue base and also makes Ghana to have different airlines landing and taking offer from its Katoka International Airport, Accra.

Uko said that fifth freedom right would enable Nigerian carrier fly from Lagos or Abuja, to Accra, take passengers from Accra to long distance destinations. He noted that such right could make Nigerian airlines consider flying from Lagos to Toronto via Accra, which will enable the airline record high load factor and also serving the two countries.

the story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

How Caverton is Electrifying Nigeria’s Inland Waterways

In what many described as a game changer in the history of inland waterways in Nigeria, Caverton Marine broke the jinx when it announced earlier this week the official demonstration of its pioneering electric vessel, the Electric OMIBUS. This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable, zero-emission marine and inland water transportation, Esther Oluku reports

The confidence was unshakable. The historic move being made behind the Victoria Island section of the Lagos Lagoon has paid off. After 13 months of extensive travelling to bring never-before-seen innovation to the African continent, the team heaved a sign of accomplishment, as the first electric ferry sailed across Lagos waters. One could feel the sense of accomplishment of a visioner and Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola who, along with his dedicated and committed team, has birthed the vision in collaboration with ever supportive government of Lagos State under Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Electric OMIBUS is a passenger ferry designed to operate entirely on electric propulsion, eliminating carbon emissions and significantly reducing operational noise and maintenance costs compared to traditional diesel-powered ferries. Caverton Marine’s Omibus (100 % Electric) is now set to power Nigeria’s Inland Waterways.

The new innovation came with an indepth overview of the vessel’s technology, battery management system, and operational advantages. This is a momentous step toward a cleaner, more efficient transportation network for Nigeria. The Integrated Electric Propulsion of electric ferries were built for local waters. The prototype combines a Caverton-built FRP passenger hull with a modern electric propulsion package supplied by Explomar. For a new innovation, how does it work? It works with dual electric motors which provide strong acceleration and high-speed performance, powered by a modular lithium battery pack

with a robust BMS and inverter system.

Why Electric ferry?

Electric ferry operations meaningfully change the economics of water transport. While electric systems require higher upfront investment, they eliminate fuel consumption, reduce mechanical maintenance, and improve operational reliability by removing engines, exhaust systems, and gearboxes. These design changes also reduce the risk of onboard fire and fuel-related hazards. Early modelling shows the potential for major reductions in annual operating expenditure and a substantial cut in carbon emissions when compared with petrol ferries. These outcomes align directly with Lagos State’s

goals for safer mobility, climate resilience, and long-term cost savings.

Caverton executed all integration and systems routing locally to ensure ease of maintenance and reliable scaling. The configuration reflects real Lagos route patterns - short-to-medium distances with predictable charging windows - making this platform ideal for metropolitan water transport.

Historic step toward sustainability

With the latest development, Caverton Marine has taken a historic step toward sustainable transportation in Nigeria with the unveiling of the Omibus, the country’s first locally produced electric

ferry. In collaboration with the Lagos State Government, Caverton Marine developed the boats in partnership with ExploMar (Suzhou) Energy Technology Co. Ltd, a company which produces high-power electric outboard systems in China following the signing of a strategic partnership in August 2024.

The initiative, which marks a watershed moment in Africa’s transition toward clean mobility and safer water transportation and a “Demo Week” opened on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Falomo Jetty in Lagos, expected to bring together stakeholders from government, the marine industry, energy technology firms, the media, and transportation experts.

The objective of the stakeholder engagement sessions is to showcase the fully electric ferry, conduct live demonstration cruises, and provide first-hand insight into the technology powering what may soon become the future of aquatic mobility in Nigeria.

Welcoming guests and journalists to the event, CEO of Caverton Marine, Mr. Bode Makanjuola, said, “It’s the demo week for the Omibus Electric Ferry, the first of its kind in Africa. We are particularly very proud because this is a Nigerian initiative with support from our friends from China. This is a Nigerian project, and it’s something that Nigerians should be proud of. The Omibus journey started about six years ago, basically in trying to address the challenges of water transportation in Lagos State, and generally see how we can improve the lives of average Lagosians in terms of commuting.

Addressing Growth Challenges of Nigerian Airlines

Inadequate aircraft to meet the needs of aviation industry, among other challenges, has been identified by industry stakeholders as a critical factor behind the inability of Nigerian carriers to grow and compete globally, writes Chinedu Eze

Last week top officials of major finance institutions, aircraft operators and managers met to deliberate on key issues affecting air travel in Nigeria. They met at the Eko Convention Centre during the National Aviation Conference (FNAC 2025), organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). During the meeting, several issues were discussed, with focus on airline profitability, inadequate operational aircraft and funding.

Airline Profitability

The key issues dwelt on aircraft acquisition, profitability of airlines and ability to access credit facility from local and international financiers. The later has become a rarity and accessing loans from Nigerian banks is fraught with high interest rate that makes it almost impossible for airlines to operate profitably.

The third leg of the problem is about heavy charges and taxes levelled on operators. The Nigerian government sees aviation as a dairy cow that must be milked to boost its revenue because air travel is seen as a luxury in Africa; so, it must be adequately taxed, but in other climes, air travel is seen as movement infrastructure that buoys the economy.

In Nigeria, aviation agencies like FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), pay heavy remittances to government and the agencies in turn, tax the airlines, while the airlines tax the passengers. But the sore point is that passengers’ disposable income is inelastic; so, when you heap heavy taxes on their fares, the fares go up beyond the ability of many of the passengers to afford traveling by air.

This reduced the number of people that travel

by air and this explains why it is said that about one per cent of Nigerians travel by air. Out of about 250 million Nigerians, only about 15 million travel by air. What it means is that if the fares are reduced more Nigerians can afford to fly but the fares cannot be reduced if those taxes are heaped on the tickets.

Credit Facility and Interest Rate

The Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, thawed at the issue on the table and explained why Nigerian carriers do not make profit and the unsaid word, why they have short life span.

He explained that Nigerian airlines earning revenue in naira and all expenses about airline maintenance, training, spares and insurance leaves the airlines in a quandary and tight survival mode because you carry a basket full of naira to collect small food container of dollars. That is the major threat to airline survival in Nigeria.

“The conundrum of the Nigerian airline is doing all of this, earning in naira and paying in dollars. And so, we seem to be in perpetual survival mode. Aircraft are very expensive. So, you take a new aircraft like some of us are now buying. The cheapest you probably get is $50 million. Most of it is $80 million and above. We operate the same aircraft with our colleagues across the world. But let me take me, my airline, as an example. We operate the Airbus A220. It’s one of the most modern aircraft in the world. We buy them brand new.

“A fellow airline in Europe will secure financing for his aircraft at about three or four per cent interest rate. We will secure financing for ours, around 30 per cent. The

guy in Europe will have his financing for 15 years. We will have ours for seven years. So, imagine how much we are paying. I am competing, paying $500 for my aeroplane every month. But thank goodness, we have our bankers, they are able to finance our aeroplanes. So, we are able to benefit to buy new aeroplanes. And recently, a lot of effort has been put in because we went to the Minister. The Minister listened to us and he has done a lot of things to reduce the cost of aircraft acquisition,” Uriesi said.

He explained that because of the peculiar situation of Nigerian carriers, they cannot compete on the global market. Competing on the global market means connect to many international destinations from your hub in Abuja or Lagos. No capacity, no finance and even, no airport infrastructure.

Airline Revenues Losses

Echoing what Uriesi said, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, emphasised that running a profitable airline business remained very difficult because of the aforementioned factors and others, which include strict safety oversight without considering the economic impact. For example, insisting on C-check after 18 months, which arguably should be one of the shortest period to carry out major checks on aircraft when compared to other nations. Another is going for recurrent training after every six months instead of every year as many other countries do. Sanusi also spoke about how aviation agencies that provide critical services contribute to loss of revenue by airlines.

“I think we have all agreed that running an airline in this space and being profitable is extremely difficult. We have all established the fact. And I think what we should discuss more is why is it extremely difficult? Why can’t we decide and make it easy and then we can have a sustainable aviation industry? What I believe is, we all contribute to airlines being non-profitable or being extremely non-profitable, be it FAAN, be it NCAA, be it NAMA, be it NIMET, there is all the contribution that makes the airline operation not to be profitable.

“I would like to dive a little bit into each of them. Let me start with the regulators. Apart from safety oversight, they have economic regulation. And unfortunately, if you do a lot of safety oversight, you tend to forget about the economic regulations. And when you do a lot more, and the airlines pay for it, then you would be eating into some of the profit that the airlines would have made,” he further explained.

Aviation Agencies

On airport infrastructure, he stated that if FAAN has an infrastructural deficit that caused flight delays every morning and the delays snowball to subsequent flights and this leads to loss of revenue by airlines. Subsequently it may lead to flight cancellation or inadequate utilization of the equipment. But despite the delays caused by the airport system, NCAA will still insist that airlines compensate airlines.

ProPerty & environment

COP 30: Nigeria, Developing Countries to Benefit as World Leaders Agree to Triple Adaptation Finance

Bennett Oghifo

World leaders at the close of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, have agreed to triple adaptation finance to ensure that more countries have the support they need, even as climate disasters wreck lives and slam into global supply chains, on which every economy depends.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell,

stated this during the closing plenaries of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, at the weekend.

Stiell said, “We knew this COP would take place in stormy political waters. Denial, division and geopolitics has dealt international cooperation some heavy blows this year.

“But friends. COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a livable planet,

with a firm resolve to keep 1.5C within reach.

“I’m not saying we’re winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back.

“Here in Belem, nations chose unity, science, and economic common sense. This year there has been a lot of attention on one country stepping back.

“But amid the gale-force

political headwinds, 194 countries stood firm in solidarity - rock-solid in support of climate cooperation.”

He said 194 countries, representing billions of people, have said in one voice that “the Paris Agreement is working”, and resolved to make it go further and faster.

“We see progress in a new agreement on just transition, signaling that building

climate resilience and the clean economy must also be fair, with every nation and every person able to share in its vast benefits.

“We see it in the agreement to triple adaptation finance.

“Ensuring for the first time, 194 nations said in unison: ‘... the global transition to low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilience is irreversible and the trend of the future.’

“194 nations agreed this

word by word, because it is the truth - backed up by investment flows into renewables that now double fossil fuels.

“This is a political and market signal that cannot be ignored.

“In this new era, we must bring our process closer to the real economy, to deliver concrete results faster, and spread the benefits to billions more people.

NIQS to Review Constitution, Invest in Property, Train Members, Says New President, Bashir

Bennett Oghifo

The new President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Dr. Aminu

M. Bashir has set priority programmes for the National Executive Council (NEC 2025 - 2027) under his leadership. This is just as the Kano State

Government congratulated Dr. Bashir on his investiture as 28th President of NIQS.

The Institute, he said, will conduct intensive training of

L-R: NIQS past presidents, QS Olayemi Shonubi, FNIQS; QS Joseph Ajanlekoko, FNIQS; the new president, QS Dr. Aminu Bashir, FNIQS & his wife; immediate past president, QS Kene C. Nzekwe, FNIQS; past presidents, QS Dr. Mohammed Abba Tor and QS Obafemi Onashile, FNIQS at the investiture ceremony of the NIQS 28th president...recently

members by developing sector specific training pathways to enhance their proficiency in Cost Management of MEP/ HVAC, Highways & Rail Infrastructure, Marine & Coastal works, Oil & Gas. Execute MOUs with specialist firms for internships of their YQSF members across the country.

He said to boost the Institute’s finance, “we shall increase our asset base by investing in landed properties and projects that will generate a stream of income for our Institute in an economically viable location with appreciable value.”

There will be a review of the Institure’s constitution.

“The NEC will constitute a CRCC with membership from various geopolitical zones of the country to consult members and receive input on aspects of the NIQS Constitution that need to be reviewed. This is to

ensure inclusiveness, sensitivity in our diversity, technological advancements, modern and proven approaches of corporate governance and sustainable growth for the Institute and its esteemed members,” he said.

The exco will “Develop a coordinated advocacy, collaboration and marketing strategy that projects the NIQS brand across major Government MDAs, regulators and corporate organisations, ensuring consistent visibility and unlocking employment and consultancy opportunities for members in both public and private organisations.”

They will revitalise the Secretariat’s human/IT & energy resource.

“This will involve a secretariat audit to review the precise needs of the Institute, including recruitment to fill vacant offices, the digitalization of all the Institute’s operations,

NAR Names Tinubu as International Realtor of the Year

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The National Association of Realtors USA (NAR) has named Nigerian real estate professional, Dr Adeniyi Tinubu as its International Realtor Member of the Year.

This honour, one of the most prestigious within the global real estate community, marks the first time in history that a Nigerian and one of the very few Africans has received the award.

For decades, the NAR has remained the world’s largest and most influential real estate association, bringing together professionals from more than

100 countries and shaping policy, training, and ethical standards across borders.

To be singled out by such a global institution is no small feat. Tinubu’s recognition is therefore more than an individual accomplishment — it is a powerful symbol of Africa’s rising footprint in the international property market.

Tinubu’s honour comes at a time when Nigeria’s real estate sector is undergoing structural evolution, with increased emphasis on professionalism, regulation, data integrity and global best practices. His recognition serves as an affirmation of Nigeria’s

growing talent pool and its ability to compete favourably on the world stage.

Industry practitioners see this milestone as a validation of years of advocacy for higher ethical standards in property transactions and improved transparency within the sector. Tinubu’s achievement also reflects the expanding participation of Nigerian real estate firms and professionals in global knowledge networks, training programmes, and international collaborations. Many believe it will inspire emerging practitioners and strengthen Nigeria’s visibility in global real estate discus-

sions.

Beyond national pride, the award carries significant continental implications. Africa’s real estate markets have often been overlooked in global conversations despite rapid urbanisation, rising housing demand and increasing investment opportunities across major cities. Tinubu’s recognition amplifies Africa’s voice at a time when representation in global real estate governance and sustainable development advocacy is needed.

Tinubu’s award is more than an individual accolade; it represents a collective victory for Nigeria and Africa’s

growing real estate community. It reinforces the continent’s credibility in global markets, showcases the professional calibre emerging from Africa, and signals a new era of recognition for African practitioners.

Experts argued that celebrating African professionals on international platforms helps challenge stereotypes, attract investments, and elevate conversations around land reform, housing affordability, market transparency and climateresilient infrastructure. With Nigeria positioned as one of Africa’s most dynamic property markets, this recognition

and the provision of a monthly secretariat update. Additionally, it will include a unified NIQS Member portal and a policy consultation portal on the NIQS website. Provision of alternative solar energy for reduction in running costs of the Secretariat.”

Also to be reviewed is the Institute’s strategic action plan, and others. “We shall conclude the review of the strategic action plan and consider other corporate documents in the light of the best international practices and changing needs of the industry and market expectations, he said. He said they will “Revive and consolidate the gains of our rebranding project by aligning all marketing and corporate affairs initiatives with the institute’s to be reviewed strategic action plan, ensuring continuity, professionalism, and long-term visibility.”

signals that African expertise is not only expanding but gaining global credibility.

NCF Calls on Nigerians to Join Fight against Plastic Pollution

Bennett Oghifo

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has called on every Nigerian to join the Fight against plastic pollution.

Speaking at the Foundation’s Green Ball event in Lagos, the Chairman of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Honourable Justice Bukola Adebiyi said, “This is one of our flagship events. Every year we have three flagship events, the SLA do lecture at the beginning of

the year, October, November, we have the walk for nature, and then before the end of the year, we have the Green Ball. And the essence of all these events, first of all, is advocacy. We always pick topics to advocate on, and this year has been about plastic pollution. Even our walk was Beat Plastic Pollution. And the theme of this evening is Raising Funds to Fight Plastic Pollution. So it’s very topical. It’s a very topical topic all over the world. “We’re all aware that we are generally where we are generating plastic

and the rate at which we’re generating plastic, we don’t have anywhere to dispose of them, and in disposing of them, they’re getting into the oceans. They’re causing pollution. They’re being eaten by the fish that we are eating, which is having adverse effects on us. For us in Lagos, State in particular, it’s clogging up all our drains. We have incessant flooding. So Lagos State Government in particular, has come up with a lot of policies and new legislation on plastic. We all need to get

on the bandwagon. We need to recycle. We need to be aware. We need to push industries and manufacturers to use materials that are recyclable. “It’s not all materials that can be recycled easily. We don’t have enough recycling companies, institutions in the country that can use these plastics that are being dumped into the environment. So we all need to get on the bandwagon, and that’s why we’re having this event this evening.”

Chairperson of the Business Development Committee of

the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dame Marie Fatayi Williams, said, “Today we are talking about beating plastic pollution, which is part of the focus of Lagos state as well. They banned single use plastic, they have asked them to recycle, to reduce and to reuse, and this is part of what we are here for. So if we do not create this awareness, people will not be up to speed to realise the damage that plastic is doing to our environment, and they will think that, Oh, they thought the government is just

being finicky by saying these kinds of things. But we have to create that empowerment, that environment, that mindset for people to see the damage to environment that this non degradable plastic does, to block it, to our drainage and everything, and know that it’s not fit for purpose to use them anymore. And so there are alternatives. So we must get these companies that are actually producing and using these single use plastics to recycle, reduce or just not use it at all.

Tribu T e

Folake bademosi

Like all mortals, Prof. (Mrs.) Iyabo Motolagbe Mabawonku, left this terrestrial world after 77 years of an impactful life dedicated to scholarship, service to humanity, altruism, nurturing the intellect of both young men and women lucky enough to pass through her tutelage, and serving God as part of her Kingdom’s assignment.

For over four decades, the erudite scholar, world class researcher, a consummate teacher and a doting mother and matriarch, concomitantly traversed many of life’s operating fields and endeavours, leaving her Midas touch and indelible footprints through her contributions and life changing impacts in all fields she walked through.

Very early in life, she showed intellectual promise and pursued her academics with full fervour and iron cast concentration to realise her set goals of global acclaim and honours through the academia. Hers was a life well laid out from cradle with purpose, goals, strategy, and inexorable outcomes.

Late Mabawonku was a Professor of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of Ibadan for decades where she helped produce scholars in the field at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A renowned scholar of international repute, she served as both acting and substantive Head of the Department, introducing reforms that enhanced academic rigour, departmental governance, and research culture.

At different times, she was a member of the Senate of the University of Ibadan, where she also served on the Faculty of Education Board and, where her voice was highly respected. Mabawonku, during her lifetime, belonged to various professional bodies which included the Nigeria Library Associations and Institutions, Federation of International Library Association, in addition to serving on the Editorial Board of the African Journal of Library, Archival, and Information Science.

As one of the best academic resource persons in her field, she was highly recognized, and her service was profoundly sought after. She served as an External

Examiner to several universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); University of Ilorin; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode; University of Ghana, Legion; University of Botswana, Gaborone; and the University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. She was equally called to assess Professorial candidates in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

Back here at home, she was an authority in the development of the curriculum for Library and Archival Studies, prompting the National University Commission to appoint her to several panels on the accreditation for the discipline. She helped in developing and enriching the discipline through well researched papers at conferences she attended both locally and internationally.

The erudite scholar, teacher, mentor,

doting family matriarch, and prolific author finally drew the curtains of her service at the University of Ibadan in 2017, after attaining 70 years old. But she wasn’t tired. Between 2018 and 2020, she was appointed Professor and Head of Department of Library, Archival, and Information Science at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, where she also left her imprints as a foremost reformer, a consummate researcher, system improvement engineer and a goal getter.

Born in Ile Ife in 1948 into the family of the late Chief Jacob Oluwole Fakorede, a teacher turned civil servant, and late Chief Mrs. Augusta Omolara Fakorede, Prof. (Mrs.) Mabawonku was the first of five children.

The foundation of her sterling scholarship was laid at Mapo Day School, Ibadan, where she began her primary education in 1954. Due to the frequent transfers of her teacher

father, she attended multiple primary schools in Ibadan, Akure, and Ado Ekiti, obtaining her First School Leaving Certificate at St Saviour’s Primary School, Ado Ekiti in 1959. She entered Ekiti Anglican Girls’ Secondary school and was there between 1960 and 1964. Her Higher School Certificate was between 1965 and 1966.

Prof. (Mrs.) Mabawonku obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) in English and Philosophy from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1970. She quickly followed up with a post graduate Diploma in Library Science at the University of Ibadan as there was no Master’s programme at the time. As it was common back then, she embraced teaching, but this was short-lived lived as she veered intoShelibrarianship. got married to her long-time boyfriend in ,1971, Prof. Adewale Mabawonku, a renowned Agricultural Economist. She moved to the United States in 1974 to join her husband, and utilised the opportunity to do her Master’s programme in Educational Media Technology at the Michigan State University, East Lansing, which she completed in 1975. Upon their return to the country, she joined the department of Library Studies (now Library, Archival, and I Information Studies) as Assistant Lecturer.

By dint of hard work, quality research, and impressive scholarly papers, she had risen to Senior Lecturer in 1985. In pursuit of more academic laurels, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Ibadan in 1987. She was promoted Reader in 2000 and became a full professor in 2004. Her marriage to the late Professor Adewale Mabawonku produced four children who are doing very well in their different fields of endeavours. Sadly, she lost her husband in 1994 while he was at the University of Botswana.

As Prof. (Mrs.) Mabawonku finally takes her exit from this world and joins the Saint Triumphant, she leaves behind a legacy of uncommon intellectual prowess, edifying scholarship, a life of service to humanity, and commitment to Excellence.

•Mrs Folake Bademosi, a business woman, writes from Ibadan

Tribute to Iyabo Motolagbe Mabawonku Tribute To Segun Awolowo

by Folu Olamiti

This is a tribute to Segun Awolowo, now gone to the world beyond. I remain in a daze, struggling to accept that I will not see him again until we meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is difficult-and painfully surreal-to write a tribute to a younger brother who, only a few weeks ago, told me he was getting better and that I would soon see him in Abuja. Those words lifted my spirit after months of silence. His passing is traumatic, devastating and deeply disorienting. He was ebullient, cerebral, sociable and profoundly religious. To imagine that a man in his early sixties could suddenly kiss the canvas is heartbreaking.

My first encounter with Segun traces back to 1984, during the nationwide campaign tours of his grandfather, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. On one of the Kaduna legs, young Segun joined the campaign train while on vacation. I was Tribune’s Chief Reporter on Papa’s entourage, with the rare privilege of flying in his chopper to remote communities. Inside

that chopper was Segun, bearing Papa’s unmistakable eyes. As soon as Papa saw me, he introduced him and, half-teasing, asked me to keep an eye on him. Segun protested immediately, and Papa burst

into laughter. I can still see that radiant set of teeth as he laughed. That simple, tender moment marked the beginning of a friendship that endured for life.

No tribute to Segun would be complete without recalling his early ambition to become a successful lawyer like his grandfather, and his later desire to venture into politics. From his days at Ago Iwoye to the establishment of his law chamber in Lagos and his eventual public-service years in Abuja, he never drifted from my orbit. Whenever I faced challenges-whether in journalism or public service-he stood firmly by me, without hesitation. And I did the same for him. Many assumed Segun lived a life free of worries. He did not. He carried burdens, and he often sought my counsel, which I gave gladly and without reservation.

Segun valued education with a nearsacred seriousness, especially regarding his children. He ensured they followed the strong academic legacy that ran through their father and grandfather. He lived as a responsible father and a doting grandfather. He cared deeply for his siblings, who looked

up to him as a rallying point and a moral compass. Segun touched countless lives. He once confided in me the number of young people from poor backgrounds he had sponsored through higher institutions—quiet acts of kindness he never publicised.

In public service, Segun brought glamour, intellect and fresh imagination. He left clear, deliberate footprints in every office he occupied. He loved to travel, enjoyed meeting people and built networks that cut across ethnic and social lines. He had explored many parts of the world and was already putting finishing touches to his memoirs when death intervened.

My deepest concern today is for his mother, Abbah, whom he loved with an intensity that defined him. I pray that God comforts her in this painful hour, grants her the grace to bear the weight of losing her only son, and strengthens her in ways only heaven can.

And so, this tribute closes with a simple truth: Segun came into this world, he saw, and he conquered. The lesson for all of us is timeless-it is not how long we live, but how well.

CSCS: T+2 Settlement Cycle Go-live in Nigerian Capital Market

Kayode Tokede

The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), has announced officially the going live of the T+2 settlement cycle in the Nigerian capital market, effective November 28, 2025.

This transition from the longstanding T+3 cycle represents a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of Nigeria’s post-trade infrastructure and reflects the market’s collective commitment to global best practices.

With the implementation of T+2, all trades executed from today will now settle two business days after the trade date. This achievement strengthens operational efficiency, enhances market liquidity, and significantly

reduces counter-party risk, ultimately improving investor experience and ensuring quicker access to funds and securities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, in a statement expressed confidence in the readiness of the market.

He said, “The successful commencement of the T+2 settlement cycle is the product of extensive collaboration, rigorous testing, and the unwavering commitment of all market stakeholders. We are proud to lead this change at a time when efficiency and resilience are critical pillars for market competitiveness.

“As we embrace the T+2 framework, we are unlocking efficiencies that will shape the

future of Nigeria’s capital market for years to come. This milestone sends a clear message that the Nigerian market is evolving, forwardthinking, and determined to match and surpass global benchmarks in post-trade operations.”

“CSCS has worked closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), exchanges, market operators, custodians, and key trade associations to ensure smooth implementation.

Comprehensive readiness assessments, industry-wide testing, and participant engagements were conducted to guarantee that systems, processes, and operational frameworks were aligned with the new cycle ahead of today’s launch,” he said.

7GI Unveils New Model for Family Governance, Continental Prosperity

Oriarehu Bonny

The 7 Generations Institute (7GI) continued its Pan-Africa Family Office Awareness and Engagement Tour with a high-level convening in Lagos, marking the next step in Africa’s first coordinated movement to redefine how families and institutions mobilise private wealth for development.

Held at the United Nations Development Programme Innovation Centre in collaboration with the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Africa Prosperity Summit, African Philanthropy Forum, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Lagos

gathering brought together leading families, business executives, investment institutions, philanthropic actors, development partners, and policymakers.

Participants explored how True Family Offices are emerging as holistic governance systems that strengthen families, preserve and grow wealth, steward capital with purpose, and catalyse resilient and inclusive economic development.

“A True Family Office is a governance system that strengthens the family’s relationships, values, decision-making, well-being, next-generation readiness, and the many forms of non-financial capital that ultimately determine how

financial capital is created, preserved, and used,” said Barry Johnson, Founder and Executive Chairman of 7 Generations Africa and 7GI. “When families govern these domains well, their money becomes better governed. Well-governed capital then becomes catalytic, supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening national systems, and advancing the continent’s development priorities.”

Speakers also addressed obstacles to Family Office formation in the region, including a lack of awareness and expert guidance, limited public understanding, regulatory ambiguity, and the historical export of African wealth to offshore financial centres.

Nasarawa Farmer Wins N50m BetKing Monthly Virtuals Jackpot

Oriarehu Bonny

It was an emotional and inspiring scene at BetKing’s headquarters in Lagos as James Ada Omaku, a humble farmer and student from Nassarawa State, was celebrated as the first-ever winner of the BetKing Monthly Virtuals Jackpot, walking away with a lifechanging N50 million prize all from a simple N100 bet. For over 15 years, James’s life has been a testament to perseverance and faith. Between cultivating maize, cassava, rice, and guinea

corn on his small farm and juggling his studies, he worked tirelessly to support his family. At times, he sold popcorn and groundnuts in traffic just to make ends meet. “Everything I do is for my family,” James said, his voice heavy with emotion. “I just want to make them proud.”

Speaking about his experience, James described BetKing as trustworthy and transparent. “BetKing works very well. When you win, your alert drops immediately, no delay, no story. That’s why I trust them,” he said proudly. Head of Marketing at

BetKing, Nengi Akinola, described James’s story as a reflection of the brand’s mission to celebrate real people and reward genuine effort. “James’s journey embodies the resilience and determination that define many Nigerians,” Nengi said. “At BetKing, we don’t just celebrate wins; we celebrate people and their stories. James’s N50 million win is a beautiful reminder that hope, when paired with hard work, can lead to incredible transformation. Our goal has always been to create real moments that uplift people and inspire belief in possibilities.

Rotary District 9111 to Hold Public Image Seminar December 3

Rotary International District 9111 is set

to host Public Image Seminar with the theme “Strengthening Rotary’s Credibility and Visibility Through Strategic Communication” next Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 10AM.

Rotary District 9111

Governor, Rotarian Prince

Henry Akinyele disclosed that “ The Public Image Seminar will take place at the Keystone Bank Hall, Rotary Centre 8, Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and promises to be a transformative day dedicated to enhancing how Rotary is perceived and celebrated in communities.”

Chairman Ideas Communications Ltd, Chief Yemi Akeju is the Chairman; Keynote Speakers are Commissioners for Information Ogun State and Lagos States, Mr Kayode Akinmade and Mr Gbenga Omotoso respectively.

Stock Market Appreciates by N111bn on Demand for MTN Nigeria

Kayode Tokede

The Nigerian stock market yesterday closed on a positive note with a gain of N111 billion amid investors’ demand for MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTNN) and 32 others.

As the stock price of MTN Nigeria Communications appreciated by 1.1 per cent, the Nigerian Exchange Limited AllShare Index (NGX ASI) gained

174.66 basis points, or 0.12 per cent to close at 143,239.23 basis points. Consequently, the NGX ASI Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date returns settled at -7.1per cent and +39.2per cent, respectively.

Also, market capitalisation rose by N111 billion to close at N 91.107 trillion.

Sectoral performance was mixed as the NGX Insurance gained 1.3per cent, NGX Consumer Goods Index added

0.1 per cent and NGX Banking appreciated by 0.1, while the NGX Oil & Gas and Industrial Goods indices closed flat.

The market sentiment closed positive with 33 advancing stocks versus 20 declining counters. Ikeja Hotel and Linkage Assurance emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent each to close at N27.50 and N1.87 respectively, per share.

NCR Nigeria and Learn

Africa followed with a gain of 9.96 per cent each to close at N54.65 and 5.74 respectively, while Union Dicon Salt advanced by 9.52 per cent to close at N6.90, per share.

On the other side, Champion Breweries led others on the losers’ chart with 9.85 per cent to close at N12.35, per share.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company followed with a decline of 8.33 per cent to close at N7.15, while UPDC

shed 8.23 per cent to close at N5.02, per share.

C&I Leasing declined by 4.83 per cent to close at N5.32, while Guinea Insurance down by 4.35 per cent to close at N1.10, per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume traded decreased by 56.04 per cent to 324.551 million units, valued at N13.051 billion, and exchanged in 18.328 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Fidelity Bank led the activity

with 32.200 million shares worth N615.142 million. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with account of 28.216 million shares valued at N1.023 billion, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) traded 26.196 million shares valued at N2.266 billion. Zenith Bank traded 24.557 million shares worth N1.484 billion, while Access Holdings traded 14.442 million shares worth N302.011 million.

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 26 November 2025, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price:

Abati @60: The Pen, The Man, The Mind

at sixty, dr Reuben abati remains a towering figure in Nigeria’s intellectual and media landscape; a man whose pen, mind, and voice have defined decades of national discourse. This essence came alive at his 60th birthday celebration and the launch of his three new books, ‘Portraits: People, Politics and Society’, ‘How Goodluck Jonathan Became President’, and ‘a Love Letter and Other Stories’. Sunday ehigiator, who was in attendance, writes that the event was more than a ceremony; it was a testament to a life devoted to ideas, words, and the unending pursuit of truth; the story of the pen, the man, and the mind behind some of Nigeria’s most profound commentaries

The crowd inside the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, was thick with admiration and nostalgia. Old friends, former presidents of Nigeria, governors, business moguls, media veterans, clergy, and academics gathered under one roof to celebrate a man whose voice and pen have long shaped Nigeria’s public conversation: Dr Reuben Abati.

It was no ordinary birthday. At 60, Abati stood at the intersection of legacy and reflection, surrounded by peers who have walked the corridors of power and thought with him. The occasion combined his diamond jubilee with the launch of three new books, a testament to his lifelong marriage to words.

From the moment the former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan walked in, their arrival sparking warm applause, it was clear the evening was rare but not unexpected. It was a gathering of intellect, memory, and affection for a man whose career has straddled journalism, politics, and academia with uncommon grace.

A Celebration of Words and Worth Executive Commissioner for Operations at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr Louis Odion, who anchored part of the session, set the tone when he described Abati as “a national asset whose words have built bridges between knowledge and governance.”

As the lights dimmed slightly, a short video montage played, featuring clips of Abati from his newsroom days at The Guardian, his tenure as Special Adviser on Media to President Jonathan, his family life, his growth in the industry, and his return to public commentary on radio and television.

By the time the applause settled, the mood was electric. Then, one after another, some of Nigeria’s most prominent voices took the stage to celebrate “the man, the pen, and the mind.”

Jonathan: ‘A Scholar, Brave and Intelligent’

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, calm and reflective as always, began his tribute with a touch of humour and nostalgia.

“This is a special day,” he said, smiling toward Abati. “You are celebrating your diamond jubilee today. I say happy birthday to my younger brother and good friend.”

Jonathan recalled their first encounter in the early days of social media, when Abati had been invited to review a book compiled from Jonathan’s Facebook posts by the late Oronto Douglas. “When Reuben took on that task,” Jonathan continued, “I realised this was somebody who had something upstairs; a scholar, brave and intelligent.

“From my years as deputy governor to president in four years; that was a miracle. It’s only God that made it possible. But I’m glad Reuben documented those days with honesty and intellect. He remains one of the few journalists who can balance loyalty with truth.”

Jonathan praised Abati’s new books as “important contributions to knowledge” and said he looked forward to reading Abati’s version of his presidential years.

“I always like those who write about me,” He said, chuckling, “because sometimes, it’s hard to write about yourself.”

Obasanjo: ‘You Have Made Progress, Now Make Success’ If Jonathan’s tone was affectionate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President and elder statesman, brought a fatherly gravity to the celebration.

“I had to be here because Reuben Abati is one of those who give me hope that Nigeria still produces thinkers.”

Obasanjo spoke of their early acquaintance nearly three decades ago, when Abati was a young journalist “with a sharp pen and sharper ambition.”

He looked straight at Abati and said, “Over the years, you have made progress; as a journalist, as a commentator, as a community leader, even as a politician. But there is a difference between progress and success. You have made progress; now, you must make success.”

Softening his tone, he continued, “I am happy that in my lifetime, I can see a son in whom I am well pleased; one who has matured, who has understood, and who continues to walk the path of wisdom.”

Obasanjo concluded his remarks with a philosophical charge that drew nods from across the hall: “Life is about chances, choices, and consequences. Nigerian leaders have had their chances. Now the current generation has their chance; may God give you the wisdom to make the right choices so that the consequences will be beneficial to all.”

Kukah: ‘The Nigerian Story Must Be Retold’ No Nigerian gathering of intellect and public conscience is complete without Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto.

Taking the podium, Kukah’s voice carried both humour and weight. “I came here not just to celebrate Reuben Abati, but to remind us that his kind of journalism, deeply reflective, morally grounded, and nationally conscious, is what our country desperately needs.”

Kukah said Abati’s life demonstrated that intellect and integrity could still coexist in public service.

“We live in a country where words are cheap,” he said. “But Reuben has spent his life giving words their true value by connecting them to action, to ethics, and to truth. That is what it means to be a public intellectual.

“The task before you now is to mentor the next generation, to make sure the Nigerian story is retold, this time by those who know how to tell it.”

The Reviewer’s Voice: Louis Odion’s Deep Dive

When veteran journalist Louis Odion took the stage to review Abati’s books, the hall fell silent. His remarks blended critique and admiration.

Odion described Abati’s latest works, a trilogy of essays and reflections on governance, media, and society, as “a national archive of conscience.”

“These books,” Odion said, “are not just about events or politics. They are about Nigeria’s soul. Reuben writes with the mind of a philosopher, the discipline of an editor, and the courage of a citizen.”

He dissected each book briefly, noting that Abati’s prose remains elegant and precise. “His essays remind us that journalism is not about noise; it’s about understanding. And Reuben has spent his life helping Nigerians understand themselves.”

Odion ended with a line that earned loud applause: “If truth had a public relations officer in Nigeria, his name

would be Reuben Abati.”

The Publisher’s Perspective

Representing his publishing house, the Publisher of Caltop Publications Nigeria Limited, Mr Ayo Arowosegbe, offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Abati’s three books.

“I have read Reuben’s articles since my earliest days in publishing,” he said. “His lucidity and depth made it easy to say yes when the opportunity came to publish him.”

Arumorosefe revealed that hundreds of Abati’s archived essays had to be reviewed, edited, and curated for publication. “The challenge was not finding good material, but deciding which excellent pieces to leave out.”

He described the books as “a legacy project” that will serve as reference points for students, policymakers, and researchers for years to come. “We are proud to have helped turn Reuben Abati’s words into a monument of ideas.”

The Dignitaries’ Roll Call

It was a night of powerful presence. Among those seated in the front rows were Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, and Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole.

Also in attendance were media executives, including Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, Ayodele Aminu; Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; and Guardian Publisher, Lady Alex Ibru, who brought warm recollections of Abati’s years at The Guardian newspaper.

In her brief remarks, Lady Ibru described Abati as “a man who gave journalism dignity when dignity seemed unfashionable.”

Representatives from the diplomatic community, academia, the clergy, and the media filled the hall. The mood was celebratory but deeply intellectual, fitting for a man who has spent his life dissecting Nigeria’s problems with precision and hope.

The Pen and the Presidency

Few journalists have crossed the line between the newsroom and the corridors of power as seamlessly as Reuben Abati. His appointment as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Jonathan in 2011 marked a defining chapter, one that exposed him to both the glory and the glare of politics.

In his speech at the event, Abati reflected on those years with humility. “I didn’t go to the government to become a politician,” he said. “I went there to serve, to understand governance from the inside, and to prove that intellect still has a place in politics.”

He described public service as “a university of reality,” adding that his time at the Villa reshaped his understanding of leadership and loyalty. “It taught me that criticism is easy; contribution is hard. But both are necessary if we want a better country.”

How the NUPRC is Unlocking Trapped Investments, Restoring Investor Confidence through ADR

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) established the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) to create a faster, cheaper, and more harmonious path for resolving disputes in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, one capable of restoring investor confidence, easing tensions with host communities, and freeing billions of dollars trapped in long-running litigation. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that now, with the ADRC gaining momentum, the commission is intensifying its push to make mediation and conciliation the industry’s first resort, not its last

When the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) established the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, its key derivatives were to operate as a neutral, sector-specific platform designed to mediate and resolve disputes arising from upstream operations in a timely, impartial, and cost-effective manner.

Essentially, the goal was to create a faster, cheaper, and more harmonious pathway for resolving conflicts in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, one that would keep investors engaged, restore trust among host communities, and dismantle the bottlenecks that had trapped billions of dollars in litigation for decades.

This was because for years, disputes in the upstream petroleum industry were synonymous with long court battles, delayed investments, and fracturing relationships between operators, regulators, and communities.

In fact, arbitration cases stretched across continents with court matters dragged for as much as a decade or two. At the same time, capital that should have been developing oilfields or funding exploration remained frozen in legal uncertainty.

It was within this context that the NUPRC designed what would become one of the boldest institutional reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), now referred to as the ADRC.

Housed within the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) in Lagos, the ADRC is structured to offer arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, an industry-specific solution to an industry-specific problem.

The Body of Neutrals, a hand-picked pool of experts including lawyers, retired judges, technical specialists, and oil and gas professionals, were inaugurated in Lagos and Yenagoa in September 2024, who were charged with providing the upstream sector with a trusted, neutral, and highly skilled platform to resolve disputes swiftly, quietly, and cost-effectively.

Push for

More Transformative ADR

Since its launch, the centre has been active but now, the commission has intensified its push to make the platform not just functional, but more transformative.

This was the crux of a recent high-level Roundtable Consultative and Sensitisation Forum held in Lagos, where the NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, underscored the place of the ADRC at the heart of NUPRC’s regulatory philosophy. Represented by the Commission Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs. Olayemi Adeboyejo,

he described the centre as a cornerstone of reform and a catalyst for investment.

The sensitisation forum drew participants from International Oil Companies (IOCs), independent producers, Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), and other industry players, providing a platform for open dialogue on the centre’s processes, functions, and adoption pathways.

He said, “The ADRC is more than a mechanism for resolving disputes. It is a strategic tool for promoting peace, stability, and investor confidence across the upstream petroleum value chain. We are determined to make ADRC not a last resort, but the first choice for dispute resolution in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

Komolafe emphasised that the ADRC gives practical expression to the intent of the PIA, which prioritises dialogue, fairness, and the protection of relationships vital to industry stability.

“Through the ADRC, we are operationalising the PIA’s intent ensuring that disputes are resolved amicably and efficiently, preserving relationships that are essential to operational stability, investment protection, and social harmony,” he said.

The initiative has been particularly crucial in addressing tensions between operators and host communities. With lingering grievances, compensation disputes, and project delays historically turning into litigation, mediation has provided a more sustainable route for engagement.

Komolafe added, “Dispute prevention and early engagement are key to building trust. By encouraging operators, host communities, and other stakeholders to embrace ADR mechanisms early, we are fostering a culture of mutual respect, accountability, and collaboration.”

He urged corporate leaders, General Counsel, and Legal Directors across the industry to see the ADRC not merely as a regulatory creation but as a strategic instrument.

“The sustainability and effectiveness of the ADRC depend on collaboration. Regulators, operators, host communities, and civil society must continue to work together to build trust, prevent disputes, and maintain a stable operating environment,” he noted.

Reiterating the NUPRC’s unwavering commitment to building an industry where dialogue replaces discord and cooperation replaces confrontation, he added that “the ADRC symbolises

our belief that disagreements can be transformed into opportunities for understanding.

“It is a cornerstone of our broader reform agenda, anchored on transparency, fairness, and shared prosperity. Through this centre, we are not only resolving disputes, but also reinforcing the confidence of investors and the trust of host communities in the Nigerian petroleum industry”.

A Strategic De-bottlenecking Mechanism

In her remarks at the same event, NUPRC’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs. Olayemi Adeboyejo, spoke with the frankness of someone who has witnessed the financial and operational toll of litigation. She warned that Nigeria could not afford the cost of “justice delayed” in a globally competitive energy market.

She said, “When people say ‘let the court decide,’ they often mean ‘see you in 10 years.’ That’s not justice delayed; that’s capital detained.”

Adeboyejo explained that some oil-sector disputes stay active in the court system for nearly a decade, delays that disrupt production timelines, scare away investors, and create an unpredictable operating environment.

She described the ADRC as a “strategic de-bottlenecking mechanism” designed to offer confidentiality, speed, and cost savings.

Highlighting global data, she noted that mediation resolves 80 to 90 per cent of disputes within days or weeks, a sharp contrast to the endless adjournments of traditional courts.

To ensure trust, the ADRC operates on three principles: an independent Body of Neutrals, joint appointment and payment of mediators by both parties, and strict confidentiality.

Stakeholders Push for Legal Certainty

The forum, which brought together IOCs, independent producers, HCDTs and other industry players, including civil society groups, signalled how central dispute resolution has become to Nigeria’s competitiveness.

PETAN Vice Chairman, Obi Uzu, commended the commission but emphasised the need for deeper legal backing, adding that, “If ADR isn’t referenced in contracts, resolutions can’t be enforced. Legal backing is key to

building trust and making the system work”.

His comment reflected a growing belief that ADR provisions must be embedded at the contracting stage, an approach common in jurisdictions that rely heavily on regulatory mediation.

For Chief Executive Officer of The Dispute Solutions Hub and Principal Partner at Adeyemi Law Firm, Mr. Adeyemi Akisanya, the future of the industry lies squarely in mediation. Noting that most conventional court systems have become congested, and cases can take 20 to 30 years, he said mediation offers a quick, efficient, and practical way to preserve business relationships in the oil and gas sector by focusing on solutions that satisfy both parties while maintaining mutual respect and ensuring business continuity.

From Litigation to a Future Built on Dialogue

As NUPRC continues its advocacy, the message is clear: disputes should not cripple Nigeria’s upstream ambitions. The commission’s push to increase adoption by engaging legal directors in IOCs and independent producers reflects its belief that early referral of disputes will transform the operating environment.

The ADRC’s structure, specialised, confidential, neutral, and grounded in deep technical expertise, mirrors global best practice. Its mission goes beyond settlement. It is designed to strengthen relationships, reduce operational downtime, and create predictability in a sector defined by high stakes and complex partnerships.

Komolafe summarised this ethos when he said, “The ADRC symbolises our belief that disagreements can be transformed into opportunities for understanding. It is a cornerstone of our broader reform agenda, anchored on transparency, fairness, and shared prosperity.”

Through the ADRC, the NUPRC aims to build an industry where collaboration replaces conflict and where disputes, inevitable in a complex sector, do not become obstacles to investment or national growth.

The sensitisation forum reinforced that the industry now stands at a turning point, choosing between the old order of endless litigation and a new era of cooperative, efficient dispute resolution.

As Nigeria positions itself for greater investment inflows and seeks to stabilise its upstream operations, the ADRC is emerging as one of the most critical tools for restoring investor confidence and ensuring peaceful coexistence with host communities.

Nollywood Star, Queeneth Agbor, Celebrates Birthday with 1,000 Inmates at Ikoyi Correctional Centre

In a remarkable display of kindness and generosity, Nollywood star Queeneth agbor traded birthday festivities for a different kind of celebration m, one that brought hope and joy to 1,000 inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. as she marked another year of life, agbor chose to give back to those who need it most, spreading love, hope, and compassion to those often overlooked by society. Writes MArY nnAH

Nollywood actress Queeneth Agbor marked her birthday in a heartwarming way by feeding 1,000 inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. The event, themed “Strength Beyond Walls,” was more than just a birthday party, featuring music, prayers, and moments of reflection, highlighting the message of resilience and redemption. This selfless act not only brought joy to the inmates but also highlighted the importance of compassion and humanity.

“This year, I wanted my birthday to be more meaningful,” Agbor said. “Feeding a thousand inmates is my way of spreading love, hope, and reminding them that they are not forgotten.”

Agbor emphasised the importance of kindness, compassion, and second chances. “Every human deserves dignity. Every human deserves a second chance,” she said. “I believe in the power of a second chance. I believe in the power of kindness. I believe in the power of humanity.”

The actress shared her personal story of struggle and resilience, revealing that she is an orphan and has always taken the orphanage home personally. “What people don’t know about me, I’m an orphan,” she said. “Yeah, so I take orphanage homes, very personal. Like, I do go to the orphanage on every one of my birthdays, I just go there quietly without even posting.”

Agbor’s visit highlighted the centre’s efforts to rehabilitate inmates through education and talent development. The inmates, who have discovered their talents in entertainment, comedy, and music, prayed for Agbor’s long life and well-being. One inmate said, “Even though our family members have forgotten us, your visit shows that we are not forgotten.”

During the event, Agbor appealed for support for the inmates, particularly in providing laptops and computers for those taking the West African Examination Council’s forthcoming examination. “Laptop is next,” she said. “I think, yes, I should get them laptops. That is what I should do next.”

The actress’s selfless act was praised by actor and filmmaker Emeka Osai, who described it as an “eye-opener.”

“I feel wonderful. First of all, I’m happy that she’s clocked another year, but her choice of celebration is what has actually impacted me much more,” Osai said. “You know, that she undertook to feed a thousand inmates. Ordinarily, you would think, why prisoners? Because everyone wants to think that a prisoner should continue to suffer. But you see, there’s something she had behind her mind, which the head of this correctional center emphasized. And I saw in the inmates that the jail system is no longer punitive, but correctional.”

Basic Education Reform in Oyo: Beyond Rhetoric

Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran

Two and a half decades ago, Nigeria enacted the Universal Basic Education Act, yet too many of our children still leave primary school without the ability to read fluently or perform basic numeracy tasks. UNICEF estimates that over 70% of Nigerian children lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills, while UNESCO reports that Nigeria accounts for one in five out-of-school children in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 10 million excluded from classrooms.

This learning crisis threatens not only the future of our children but also the prosperity of our nation.

In Oyo State, we chose to confront this challenge head-on.

At the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), our mandate is clear: to ensure every child has access to free, quality, and inclusive education. We are working daily to monitor standards, strengthen supervision, and improve the learning environment across our 2,508 public schools.

pupils to around 100 in just months. Children returned home excited about learning with technology, and parents responded with renewed interest in schools. Learners now arrive school earlier than ever before, participate more actively, and show greater enthusiasm for education. So far, over 1,039 teachers have been trained, with plans to expand to 3,090 more, alongside 76 quality assurance officers who will continue to supervise and support effective teaching. These efforts are strengthening the education ecosystem—not replacing teachers, but empowering them to do their jobs better.

Osai added, “I would advise that people who come here to show love, just like some people go to a motherless baby’s home to show love. These people, whether they have their parents or not, deserve to be shown love and to be given a second chance at life and appropriate living.”

When asked what he would tell his constituents in the entertainment world, Osai replied, “Well, I would advise that they emulate her. If not for my birthday just passed, I probably would have replicated what she has done. It’s an eye opener.”

DCC Ebereonwu Julius Ogueri, Officer in Charge of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, welcomed Agbor and her team, emphasising the centre’s shift from punitive to correctional services. “We have changed from punitive service to correctional service,” DCC Ogueri said. “We employ all the indices of correctional services, and we use education to transform their lives. Education is the foremost arm of rehabilitation.”

DCC Ogueri also appealed to corporate organisations and individuals to support the centre’s efforts. “We need laptops and computers to enable our students to excel in their exams,” he said.

The inmates’ gratitude and appreciation were palpable as they celebrated Agbor’s birthday with music, dance, and prayer. As Agbor left the centre, she left behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and hope.

Classrooms are being built and renovated, furniture supplied, and communities re-engaged. Yet we know that infrastructure alone will not solve the deeper problem of learning poverty.

That is why, in 2024, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo State entered into a landmark partnership with EIDU, a global EdTech organization. This collaboration has introduced AI-backed teaching and learning methods in pilot schools, chosen to represent both underserved rural areas and urban centers. The aim is simple: empower teachers with tools and training so children can learn more effectively.

Before a single tablet entered classrooms, we ensured that head teachers, classroom teachers, and quality assurance officers were trained. The goal was not technology for its own sake, but a structured pedagogy—developed with EIDU—that standardizes lesson delivery across schools. This ensures that a child in a remote village now receives the same quality of teaching as a child in the city.

The results are encouraging.

Pupils are not only learning literacy and numeracy more effectively; they are also gaining digital skills essential for the future. Teachers, once hesitant about technology, now confidently use digital lesson plans while tracking each child’s progress.

The AI-powered platform identifies learners who excel and those who need help, making teaching more responsive.

One of the biggest obstacles to basic education in Nigeria has long been teachers who have not received meaningful training for decades. Many were left repeating outdated methods and spending hours writing long, repetitive lesson notes by hand. With EIDU’s model, teachers are not just retrained to meet their mandates—they are given structured lesson notes and a new pedagogy they can adapt to their unique classrooms. Freed from the drudgery of daily paperwork, teachers now focus on what matters most: delivering impactful lessons that help children truly learn.

The impact on communities has been striking. In pilot schools, enrollment jumped from 50–70

Crucially, none of this progress would have been possible without the political will and vision of Governor Seyi Makinde, whose unwavering commitment to investing in the future of Oyo’s children has made education a true priority of state governance. His decision to raise the education budget to over 20% demonstrates that he sees education not as an expense, but as the foundation of Oyo’s future.

The Yoruba wisely say, “Bí a kò bá ko omo ni sise, yoo ko eko aseju” meaning “If a child is not taught, he will learn mischief.” This proverb captures why Oyo is prioritizing foundational education: when children are denied literacy and numeracy, society pays the price; when they are empowered, the entire state prospers..

The World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO all stress the same message: without urgent reform, Nigeria risks losing a generation of children to learning poverty. They call for investments in foundational skills, structured teaching support, data-driven monitoring, and teacher empowerment. Oyo State’s partnership with EIDU proves that these principles are not only possible but effective.

Our next task is to expand the program, sustain financing, and ensure that progress is measured in real gains in literacy and numeracy. Education is not a luxury—it is the backbone of development. Whatever paths our children choose—whether as doctors, traders, engineers, or footballers—education makes them more capable, productive, and fulfilled.

Oyo’s experience demonstrates that with political will, adequate financing, and innovation, Nigeria can change the trajectory of basic education. Other states should not wait. They should adapt and adopt models that place teachers, learners, and technology at the center of reform.

If we scale and sustain this approach and working partnership, between EIDU and the Oyo State Government, nationwide, the promise of the Universal Basic Education Act can finally become a reality for every Nigerian child.

•Dr. Adeniran is the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board

with Lanre Alfred

…truth behind the headlines, conspiracies, cover-ups, trials and triumphs

The Decline of Billionaire Rankings...

There is a quiet revolution happening in the Nigerian public square, a shift so subtle yet so seismic that even the loudest oligarchs have begun to feel the tremor beneath their polished Italian loafers. The country, once enthralled by the annual circus of who ranked were on Forbes or Bloomberg’s billionaire list, has finally outgrown its long-nursed obsession with billionaire worship. The fever has broken. The spell has lifted. And as someone who has watched this theatre of vanity for years, I can tell you: the audience is walking out. Yes!

For decades, we treated these global rankings as scripture. Every new list landed like a fresh tablet from Mount Sinai: “Behold the richest Nigerian.” “Behold the newest African entrant.”

“Behold the one who fell by two slots.” It was gossip dressed as finance, but we journalists, readers, social media crusaders devoured it with the gluttony of a people starved of heroes. And why not? A country battered repeatedly by economic storms will cling to any emblem of success, even if it is simply varnished only on the surface.

But recently something shifted. Our collective fascination has dulled. The curiosity that once burned has cooled into mild amusement, even suspicion. Today, when a new ranking drops, you can almost sense the national shrug. Nigerians have begun to see the spectacle for what it truly is: a global gossip ledger wrapped in the illusion of economic analysis. More importantly, they’re beginning to recognise that true wealth, impact, and credibility cannot be validated or diminished by any alphabet soup magazine headquartered thousands of miles away.

And at the centre of this awakening stands one man who long understood the absurdity of the entire spectacle: Dr. Mike Adenuga, the reclusive, enigmatic, quietly thunderous Chairman of Globacom.

For as long as these rankings have existed, Adenuga has stood apart from them, not below or above them; simply outside their orbit entirely. He has never bowed before Forbes, never genuflected before Bloomberg, never chased their numbers or corrected their estimates. While other billionaires phoned editors, commissioned analysts, or played soft politics with valuation consultants, Adenuga maintained a posture of majestic indifference. A kind of billionaire stoicism. A regal silence and confidence so self-contained that it made the lists look insecure, not the man.

And that, my dear reader, is what truly irritates his rivals—his refusal to care.

Because caring is their currency. Forbes is their mirror. Bloomberg is their validation machine. And some have become almost embarrassingly addicted to the spectacle. I have lost count of the times I have seen congratulatory articles, often sponsored by friends, cronies, political hangers-on, celebrating a billionaire’s “feat” of appearing on a ranking. In some cases, when the entourage wasn’t enthusiastic enough, the billionaire himself quietly footed the bill, ensuring the world saw his name on that list. If no one else would clap, he would clap for himself. Through proxies, of course. Respectability must be maintained.

Some even influenced their own valuations, nudging consultants, correcting “errors,” supplying figures that would place them just a notch higher than their business rival of the moment. The energy spent massaging these numbers could build a small refinery. One could almost forgive the behaviour if it weren’t so desperate and tragically comic.

But then you look at Adenuga. Here is a man who, despite towering wealth and sweeping influence, chooses to exist in quiet

anonymity. No noise. No cloying displays. No self-congratulatory adverts. No press releases crafted to remind you he’s rich. No orchestrated campaigns to ensure a favourable billion-dollar estimate. He has never needed the world’s applause to authenticate his worth. His life, his work, his enterprises speak loudly enough.

While others preen before Forbes’ spotlight, Adenuga sits comfortably in the shadows, knowing the man matters more than the metrics.

And therein lies the real story. Adenuga has always understood a truth that many of his peers still struggle to grasp: Forbes and Bloomberg are businesses and their currency is attention. Their product is vanity. Their consumers, unwittingly or not, are the very billionaires they rank. These lists are not sacred texts; they are monetised spectacles. Tools by which these organisations profit handsomely from the insecurities, ambitions, and ego complexes of the world’s wealthiest people.

Adenuga saw through this long ago. He understood that allowing strangers to define your worth is an invitation to eternal insecurity. He chose instead the harder, nobler path: to define his worth by his work, vision, and the tangible impact of his businesses, not by external applause.

But there’s something else at play.

Adenuga is too comfortable in his own skin to care for such trivialities. He understands that people who are truly wealthy, intellectually, spiritually, and financially, do not need to chase validation. The loudest billionaires are often the most uncertain. The quietest, the most powerful. Adenuga embodies this paradox so fully that it should be studied.

For all the theatrics of Nigeria’s nouveau- riche, who often treat wealth as a stage craft, Adenuga has always treated wealth as a private journey. It is almost maddening for those who crave public acknowledgement that the man with perhaps the broadest shoulders in the room refuses to show up to the parade. And perhaps that is why Nigerians have outgrown these lists: because, consciously or not, we have begun to recognise the emptiness behind the ranking culture. We have begun to ask harder questions. What does being

“number 1” actually do for society? How does being “worth $5 billion on paper” translate to jobs, stability, innovation, or national growth? What does a digital ranking add to the life of the average citizen teetering daily between hope and hardship?

More importantly, we have begun to realise that the billionaire worth celebrating is not the one with the loudest ranking, but the one with the deepest impact.

And now, the audience is wiser.

The obsession has faded. The spectacle has lost its shine. And in this new era of scepticism and clearer thinking, Adenuga’s philosophy finally makes sense to the wider public.

But if Nigerian billionaires are wise, and many of them are, they will take a page from the Adenuga handbook.

Beyond the allure of his mystique, there are deeper, more practical lessons that other billionaires could glean from Adenuga’s philosophy, lessons that transcend personal ego and speak to leadership, legacy, and the optics of maturity in an increasingly discerning society.

First, Nigerian billionaires must learn the art of prioritising work over spectacle. Adenuga’s empires—telecommunications, oil, real estate, finance—were not built from press conferences, curated photo-ops, or front-page displays of opulence. They were built from grit, risk, institutional discipline, and a relentless focus on execution. He has shown, time and again, that a businessman’s power is measured not by how loudly he speaks but by how deeply his work takes root in the marketplace. Other magnates, especially those obsessed with being seen, must remember that visibility is not synonymous with value.

Another lesson lies in the power of restraint, a virtue sorely lacking in Nigeria’s ultra-wealthy ecosystem. In a culture where every contract signing becomes a carnival, every acquisition a procession of sycophants, and every milestone a photo-shoot, Adenuga chooses silence. Silence as strategy. Silence as dignity. Silence as insulation. His refusal to participate in the theatre of wealth is not aloofness; it is discipline. It is the wisdom of

a man who understands that the higher you climb, the less noise you need to make. Others would do well to adopt the same serenity, especially in a world where overexposure has become the fastest route to irrelevance.

Beyond restraint, there is also the lesson of authentic self-worth. Many billionaires perform wealth instead of embodying it. Their identity is tethered to headlines, their self-esteem to digital rankings, their confidence to the public’s applause. By contrast, Adenuga has shown that true self-worth is internal, not conferred. Others must learn to detach their sense of identity from the fickle approval of global financial magazines. True confidence is quiet, and internal stability is worth more than any valuation.

Then comes the lesson of institutional legacy. While others chase personal visibility, Adenuga builds the longevity of his institutions. He invests in systems, not spectacles. In businesses that can outlive their founders, not headlines that expire in twenty-four hours. Nigerian billionaires who genuinely desire influence beyond their lifetime must learn to shift from self-branding to institution-building. A man fades. A system endures.

There is also the lesson of disciplined anonymity, a concept that may sound paradoxical but is increasingly relevant. It protects his business interests, shields his private life, and prevents unnecessary scrutiny. Other billionaires, especially those who insert themselves into every public narrative, must understand that anonymity is not invisibility; it is both strategy and power.

Finally, there is the lesson of emotional independence, a trait rarely discussed but deeply evident in Adenuga’s conduct. His detachment from Forbes and Bloomberg’s rankings is not mere indifference; it is psychological freedom. It is the ability to operate without the anxiety of external judgment. It is what allows him to sleep soundly while others toss and turn over a shift in valuation. Nigerian billionaires must learn that emotional independence is not a luxury; it is a necessity for anyone who wishes to lead without being led by the insecurities of competitors or the expectations of the crowd.

In the end, Adenuga’s greatest lesson is simple: You do not need to be numbered to matter. You do not need global applause to be significant. You do not need a ranking to be relevant. Wealth is a tool, not a trophy. Influence is a responsibility, not a contest. And legacy is determined not by how loudly you are celebrated while alive, but by how quietly your work continues long after you areIfgone.Nigerian billionaires can learn even a fraction of this philosophy, perhaps we will finally usher in a generation of wealth creators whose footprints speak louder than their publicity, and whose worth no list can trulyAdenugaquantify.has nothing to prove. That is the lesson.

Others, however, must learn to unclench their grip on the rankings that have become their emotional oxygen. The public is no longer impressed. The readership now knows better. The spell is broken. In a country battling inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and comatose institutions, the billionaire who sponsors adverts to congratulate himself for appearing on a list seems almost laughably out of touch. The ratings have become an inside joke the public no longer takes seriously.

The new question is no longer “Who is number one?” The new question is “Who is building something that matters?”

And in that conversation, the rankings fade into irrelevance.

FOCUS

At 34, Lee Engineering Trudges On Despite Odds

At 34, most companies begin to show signs of age as their founding energy begins to soften, their innovative edge blunts, and they settle into the predictable rhythm of corporate adulthood. But this pattern seems inapplicable to Lee Engineering, writes Emmanuel Addeh.

Lee Engineering, the Nigerian engineering and fabrication group appears to be entering its most dynamic phase yet even after three decades of its establishment, emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious indigenous industrial players, bigger, bolder, and more assertive in a sector long dominated by foreignFoundedfirms.in 1991 by Chief Leemon Ikpea, Lee Engineering began from modest beginnings. From that 40-feet container 34 years ago, it morphed into a small contractor, providing basic engineering support to major oil companies. Its early years were defined by grit, improvisation, and the constant struggle to prove that Nigerian firms could deliver quality work in a field where international oil companies instinctively looked abroad.

But over three decades later, the company stands as a testament to persistence and long-term vision. With a sprawling world- class fabrication complex in Warri, hundreds of high-skilled engineers across Nigeria, and a growing portfolio stretching from oil and gas to industrial manufacturing, Lee Engineering has steadily transformed into one of the most consequential indigenous engineering firms in West Africa.

“Our story remains one of vision, persistence, and purpose. From our humble beginnings to our current position as a leading indigenous engineering group, we have shown that integrity, innovation, and teamwork are the true foundations of enduring success”, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited, Ikpea, said recently while speaking at the 34th Anniversary Town Hall meeting of the company.

While 34 years is long enough for a company to lose its hunger, instead, Lee Engineering’s story has been marked by reinvention. Over the last decade in particular, its leadership has pursued a strategic transition from a service-based contractor into a manufacturing-driven industrialNowherepowerhouse. is that ambition clearer than in the company’s flagship manufacturing and fabrication complex in Ekpan, near Warri, Delta State. Spread across several hectares, the facility houses pressure vessel manufacturing lines, valve assembly units, machining workshops, NDT laboratories, and specialist welding institutes. It is the kind of facility that, until recently, only international firms were trusted to operate in Nigeria.

But for Lee Engineering, it is both a symbol and a strategy, an industrial base built to demonstrate that Nigerians can design, fabricate, assemble, and deploy complex engineering materials to international standards.

Over the years, the facility has become the heart of the company’s transformation. Its pressure vessel plant, one of the largest indigenous setups in the region, produces equipment used in refineries, gas plants, petrochemical systems, and process industries. In the past, such equipment was almost exclusively imported, often at considerable cost.

“As we celebrate this 34th anniversary, we must also look to the future with renewed commitment. The future belongs to those

who plan for it. This is why our focus remains firmly on: Building profitable and sustainable growth across all subsidiaries ensuring efficiency, competitiveness, and operational excellence,” Ikpea added.

This technical capacity which Lee Engineering has today, did not materialise overnight. It was the product of years of investing in human capital. One of Lee Engineering’s most defining attributes is its commitment to developing local talent.

Long before the phrase “local content” became fashionable in Nigeria, the company prioritised sending young Nigerian engineers to international training centres, partnering with global equipment manufacturers, and establishing in-house training programmes that exposed technicians to contemporary industrial practices.

This early investment later paid off when Nigeria’s Local Content Act in 2010 elevated the need for indigenous technical capability. By that time, Lee Engineering was not scrambling to catch up; it had already built a foundation.

The result is a workforce today that blends decades of experience with a youthful, technically grounded pipeline of professionals across engineering, procurement, fabrication, and project management. For a company operating in a sector notorious for skills gaps, this has become one of its greatest competitive advantages.

“(We are) strengthening corporate governance to secure the long-term leadership and stability of the Group. In line with this, the

Board has recently approved the appointment of new COOs for some of our subsidiaries, while empowering existing COOs to take greater ownership and responsibility for driving their businesses under the umbrella of the “ThisGroup. marks a deliberate step in nurturing the next generation of leaders, fostering accountability, and ensuring that Lee Engineering continues to thrive well into the future. (We are) preparing for the future of the Lee Group — including exploring pathways that will, in the decades ahead, position the company to go public, while preserving our ownership philosophy and values,” he stated.

Beyond capacity building, one of the most remarkable aspects of Lee Engineering’s 34-year journey is its consistency in delivery. In a sector where project delays and contractual disputes are common, the company has built a reputation for reliability.

Over the years, it has executed projects for virtually every major oil and gas company in Nigeria. These projects range from maintenance services to complex EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) works. The company’s footprint now stretches across the Niger Delta to the entire country But Lee Engineering’s story is not simply about technical achievement or commercial growth. It is also a story of resilience. The Nigerian oil and gas industry is volatile. Exchange rate instability, regulatory uncertainty, security challenges, and global

energy transitions pose constant risks. Yet, through recessions, oil price collapses, and operational disruptions, the company has remained grounded.

In many ways, its stability reflects a gradual transition from founder-led leadership to institutional leadership.

In the same vein, Ikpea noted that the company was expanding its frontiers, explaining that the subsidiaries — Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, Lee International Machinery and Services Ltd, Trebet Aviation Ltd, Trebet Travels and Tours Ltd, and KIZI Oil and Gas Services Ltd continue to create value, contribute to national development, and sustain its reputation for quality and innovation.

The Amaniba Oil Field Project being handled by KIZI, among others, he explained, stands as a testament to overall capacity and bold vision to break new grounds in the Nigerian business environment. Yet, even as the Group grows, he maintained that it must never lose sight of the principles that brought it this far, hinged on hard work, unity, discipline, and faith in God. These, he said, remain the enduring pillars of the Lee Engineering brand.

“As I gradually take a back seat in the day-to-day operations of our businesses, my greatest joy lies in seeing the structures we have built become stronger, and the next generation taking up the mantle with renewed“Leadershipvigour.succession is not about stepping aside; it is about ensuring continuity — about building something that will outlive us all. Let us, therefore, continue to sustain excellence, deepen our legacy, and shape our shared future together,” Ikpea stated. At 34, the firm is also repositioning itself for a new kind of energy future. Nigeria’s energy landscape is changing. Lee Engineering is moving accordingly. At 34, there seems to be no stopping this giant of a firm. Despite the challenges, if the past three decades are any indicator, Lee Engineering has a history of thriving through disruption. Its growth has always been tied to its ability to anticipate industry shifts. When the market needed local content, it invested early in manufacturing. When professional competence became essential, it built training pipelines. When global standards became necessary, it secured international certifications. Every major transition in the sector has met a prepared company.

As Lee Engineering celebrates its 34th year, it stands as one of the few indigenous engineering firms that combine history with ambition. The story of the company is not merely a corporate success narrative; it mirrors Nigeria’s wider struggle for industrial self- reliance. In many ways, Lee Engineering is the prototype for what Nigeria’s future engineering landscape could become: Competent, locally grounded, globally certified, and strategically relevant.

The next decade will be decisive. If Nigeria succeeds in building a competitive industrial base, companies like Lee Engineering will play central roles. Their ability to manufacture locally, train local talent, and execute complex industrial projects could transform not just the oil and gas sector but the entire engineering ecosystem. But for today, it’s 34 cheers to one of Nigeria’s most resilient companies.

Amid FG’s Delay, Ivory Coast Airlifts ex-President Jonathan from Guinea-Bissau

Military general sworn in leader after disputed vote Lawmakers urged Tinubu to facilitate Jonathan’s return FG says ex-leader safe, condemns military coup

Emmanuel Addeh, Adedayo Akinwale and Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Côte d’Ivoire yesterday airlifted former President Goodluck Jonathan from Guinea-Bissau where the ex-Nigerian was trapped after a coup d’état in the West African country, once again bringing to the fore what ap- peared to be the increasingly lackadaisical posture of the Nigerian government.

While Abidjan acted with urgency to protect a visiting

African leader, Abuja appeared flat-footed, offering little vis- ible coordination or assertive diplomatic engagement despite Jonathan’s status as a former head of state and an envoy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

THISDAY learnt yesterday that the Ivorian government had already made arrange- ments to fly Jonathan using the country’s presidential jet, with some aides of President Bola Tinubu, getting in touch with a Jonathan aide in Abuja,

In S e C ur ITY: T I nu B u nAM e S rIBAD u

Ribadu is to lead the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group, supported by a multi- stakeholder team comprising senior officials from relevant government establishments.

Members of the committee included Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro. There was also Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Kayode

Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sources said the victims, comprising six girls and a 16- year-old boy, were abducted in a well-coordinated attack that happened about 10pm Wednesday.

Similarly, in Niger State, no fewer than 24 persons, among them pregnant women, were kidnapped from a rice farm in Palaita village in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Relatedly, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, warned that insecurity in the state had become “deliberate, systematic and coordinated,” revealing that no fewer than 12,000 persons have been killed and more than 420 communities attacked between 2001 and May

House2025.of Representatives set up a special ad-hoc com- mittee to scrutinise the surge in insecurity across the FCT, a situation that persisted even after the federal government installed a $460 million CCTV surveillance network, financed through a Chinese loan.

According to sources, the Abuja victims had travelled to the community that shared boundary with a neighbouring village market around Kaduna State for a burial ceremony of a relative before the armed men invaded the area.

The incident added a new

Egbetokun.

Equally on the team were Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US, who would serve as the secretariat.

Tinubu urged members of the group to work diligently with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors.

Matawalle Denies Alleged Claim Zamfara Security Will Not Work Without Him Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Mohammad Matawalle, dismissed a viral social media report that he told journalists

layer to the pattern of raids that increasingly targeted vulnerable FCT border communities.

An eye witness said the bandits that brandished AK-47 guns, raided two houses in the community and bolted with the victims, amid sporadic shooting that deterred many residents from confronting the criminals.

It was gathered that some residents also abandoned their homes after the incident as a precautionary measure.

Incidentally, the abduction happened three days after the FCT minister Nyesom Wike launched Operation Sweep and directed police and security agencies to strengthen surveil- lance, curb crime, and ensure residents’ safety citywide.

The hoodlums also unleashed an attack a day after the FCT police commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, assured residents of the readiness of the police to secure the border communities as well as all the major places in the nation’s capital.

In Niger State, it was gathered that the Shiroro local government abduction took place on Wednesday while those kidnapped were working on their rice farm.

Public Relations Officer at State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a one-paragraph

rather than official communication from the highest level of the Nigerian government.

“It was the Côte d’Ivoire government that reached out to President Jonathan and they have provided an aircraft that’s bringing him back,” a source who preferred anonymity told THISDAY yesterday.However, it was learnt that although the Nigerian government later reached out, the Ivorian govern- ment had already reached out to the former President

the Zamfara security initiative “wouldn’t work without him”, calling the allegation a malicious fabrication.

In a statement by his special adviser on media, Ahmad Dan Wudil, Matawalle said he never granted any interview on the matter. He said the story was crafted to tarnish his reputation and undermine federal govern- ment’s efforts to address the nation’s security crisis.

He explained that his recent criticism had been directed at the incumbent Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, whom he accused of pursuing a “poor strategy” and failing to cooper- ate with federal authorities on securityMatawalle,mechanisms. who served as

statement.

Abiodun stated, “On November 26, 2025 at about 8pm, report received indicated that suspected armed men abducted about 10 persons from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages of Shiroro Local Government Area. Effort is being emplaced to rescue the victims.”

Mutfwang to Senate: Over 12,000 Killed, 420 Communities Attacked in Plateau State

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said inse- curity in the state had become

confidence, new listings, ris- ing corporate earnings, and structural efficiencies as key drivers.

“Nigeria’s stock market capitalisation could soar from the current N91 trillion to N262 trillion in 2026, and N393 trillion in 2027. The potential listing of the N100 trillion–valued Dangote Refinery is expected to be a major contributor,” he said.

He added: “Huge elec- tion spending and inflation later, 2026 budget to be more realistic down by 10 per cent, 15 per cent import duty on fuel importation, debt services down by 4 per cent, insecurity and tax reform bills

and had already concluded arrangements to return him toItNigeria. was also confirmed last night that contrary to reports that it was the soldiers who carried out the coup that escorted the former Nigerian President out of the country, they were not actually involved in the movement of Jonathan and his sides.

Rather, it was learnt that ECOMOG forces, comprising soldiers from Nigeria, Ghana and Senegalese soldiers, gave the former Nigerian President

Zamfara governor for four years before his ministerial appointment, said the gover- nor’s refusal to involve him and other stakeholders in the state’s security planning was “condemnable”.

He also had issues with Lawal’s unilateral deploy- ment of security operatives in Zamfara without coordinating with Abuja, describing it as a “major drawback” to the broader counter terrorism effort.

“Everything should not be politicised. This is the time all hands should be on deck to tackle the security problems,” Matawalle said, warning that the media must not be used as a tool for “political mischief and mudslinging.”

“deliberate, systematic and coordinated”.

Mutfwang disclosed that no fewer than 12,000 persons had been killed and more than 420 communities attacked between 2001 and May 2025.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, he spoke in Jos at the North Central Zonal Public Hearing on National Security organised by Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the National Security Summit.

The governor said the attacks bore the imprint of organised criminal networks driven by territorial ambition,

implementation.

“The exchange rate is projected to appreciate and hover around N1450 to N1500/$, foreign reserves expected to boost FX supply and reduce pressure on the naira and inflation-interest rate differential driven by elevated policy rates

“Inflation will continue its downward trend in 2026. Food and core inflation are projected at 20 per cent in 2026. Sustained disinflationary monetary policy with expected further cuts in the benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

“GDP growth will maintain a positive momentum in 2026 at 4.1 per cent p.a. Nigeria

security from his hotel to the airport. “You will see that it was a presidential jet with the Republic of Cote d’ Ivoire mark”, the source stated.

However, as of last night, THISDAY gathered that Jonathan who was in Guinea-Bissau as Head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), serving as part of an international observer mission, had returned to Nigeria.

He, alongside other foreign observers, were trapped on Wednesday after the military took over power while results of the elections were about to be officially declared. A group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates

He urged outlets such as Premium Times to verify statements before publishing. Reiterating the government’s commitment to securing communities, Matawalle said displaced residents would be enabled to return safely to their farms, schools and homes. He added that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remained dedicated to addressing the country’s challenges and Tinubu’s focus on good leadership, peace, security and socio economic growth made his re election “assured.”

Onaiyekan Urges Tinubu to Equip Current Security Operatives for Better Performance

economic interests, religious extremism, and political manipulation.

He described the violence as a national tragedy that had displaced thousands, destroyed livelihoods, and turned oncethriving communities into ghost settlements.

He argued that Plateau’s long-standing identity as Nigeria’s melting pot had been eroded by cycles of aggres- sion, including land grabbing, mining-related criminality, and targeted assaults against rural communities.

will experience positive but moderate GDP growth, driven by expanding business activity, productivity gains, and supportive investment sentiment if our projections are correct.”

Also, Chairman of the Committee On Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, defended the administration’s new policies, insisting that contrary to public perception, the reforms are designed to boost investor confidence, stimulate long- termOyedelegrowth.said the govern- ment is not looking for more taxes, but insisted that the government must get it right with capital gains reforms.

Former Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, told Tinubu to treat as top priority the equipping of the present crop of police- men and security operatives to combat the perennial insecurity in the country, instead of giving order for the employment of additional 20,000 policemen.

Speaking at the ninth Interna- tional Conference on Love and Tolerance in Abuja, the cleric warned that the country could not afford delays in tackling insecurity.Onaiyekan stated, “Right now in Nigeria, we have to build bridges so that all of us, Christians and Muslims, can jointly face our common enemy… Those who are killing us.

“We have finally agreed that we shall join hands and face them. And if we join hands, we can deal with them now. We should be able to deal with them.

“With all these wonderful soldiers and police, we should be able to deal with them. I’m not even sure we need 20,000 more policemen. I believe they are the ones we have right now. Arm them well, treat them well, and they will do their job.

“There is no need to deploy 20,000 policemen. We could use the policemen we have. I’m not an expert, but to train them

He disclosed that recent adjustments to capital gains tax were introduced not to raise revenue but to stabilise the market after a 2022 epi- sode where foreign portfolio investors exited the country, aggravating FX pressures in theHecountry.explained that under the new rules investors will be able to claim deductions for FX losses, offset capital losses more transparently, and enjoy tax exemptions.

He added that reforms long demanded by investors are finally being implemented. The event was themed: ‘Reforms to Results: Powering Economic

SCGN ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL DINNER/INDUCTION CEREMONY...

L-R: Director, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho; Founder, SCGN, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN); Guest, Audrey Ajogwu; Guest, Sally Udo Udoma; Board Chair, Seplat Energy, Sen. Udo Udoma; President, SCGN, Muhammad K. Ahmad; Director, SCGN, Clare Omasteye; Director, SCGN, Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed; and Director, SCGN, Mr. Oscar Onyema, at the SCGN Annual Presidential Dinner/Induction Ceremony held in Lagos… recently

Court Declares FG, States Must Provide Free, Compulsory Education for Nigerian Children

Alex Enumah in Abuja and Wale

The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, has declared that the federal government, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) “have the legal obligations to provide free, compulsory and universal basic education for every Nigerian child of primary and junior secondary school age.”

Justice D. E. Osiagor made the declaration while delivering judgment in the lawsuit filed by human rights advocate, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, and Hauwa Mustapha (suing for themselves and on behalf of Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond).

The suit brought pursuant to the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004, was

dated and filed on January 19, 2004.

Amongst the issues raised for the court to determine included: whether the respondents are not under legal obligation to provide free, compulsory and universal basic education for every Nigerian child of primary and junior secondary school age. They also asked the court to determine whether the refusal or failure of the respondents to

contribute not less than 50% of the total cost of projects as its commitment to the execution of the free, compulsory educa- tion project for every Nigerian child of school age is illegal as it violates Section 11(2) of the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. They further asked the court to determine whether the refusal or failure of the respondents to

Prof Lumumba Canvasses Proper Funding of African Varsities to Achieve True Devt

Former Director, Kenya Anticorruption Commission and international mediator, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, yesterday said that African universities must be respected and adequately funded if true development is to be achieved on the continent.

He however stated that, “Africa remains the only continent where academics are undervalued while politicians become multimil- lionaires.”

This situation according to him must change for

11

the continent to progress educationally. Lumumba disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital while speaking as guest lecturer at the 50th anniversary celebration of the University of Ilorin.

He noted that Nigeria’s vast human resource po- tential continues to shine globally, as evidenced by the countless Nigerian engineers, professors, and doctors excelling in Europe, America, and across Africa.

The Pan Africanist emphasized that the rise of Africa depends on giving

the continent’s scholars and institutions their rightful place, welfare, beginning with universities such as the University of Ilorin.

Reflecting on Africa’s past commitments, he recalled the 1980 Lagos Plan of Action, where leaders pledged to strengthen education and intra-African trade but failed to follow through.

He also cited the 1991 Abuja Declaration, in which African nations promised to allocate 15 percent of their national budgets to health, a target still unmet decades later.

Nigerian Research Teams Unveil Cuttingedge Prototypes at TETFUND Demo

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Thursday celebrated a breakthrough in Nigeria’s innovation drive as eleven research teams from tertiary institutions nationwide unveiled novel prototypes at the closing ceremony and Demo Day of the TETFund Alliance for Innovative

Research (TETFAIR).

Speaking at the event, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono said the mile- stone underscored the Fund’s growing impact in supporting research and development across the country. He noted the initiative, delivered in partnership with the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme

(ASIP), Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) and INCUB8 Programmes, reflects a renewed push to translate research into practical solutions.

“Your presence demonstrates support for the Fund’s unwavering commitment to advancing research and development in Nigeria,” Echono said.

According to him, these unfulfilled promises illustrate the gap between aspiration and action on the continent.

The Kenyan intellectual therefore called on the management of the University of Ilorin to take it upon itself to act towards the achievement of policies that will be of benefit to its immediate community, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

access the sum of N68 billion for the Universal Basic Education of children of school age in Nigeria, is not illegal as it violates the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Among the reliefs sought included an order directing the attorneys-general of the 36 states and the Minister of the FCT to pay their counterpart funding to access the matching grant of N68 billion in the account of the Universal Basic Education Fund and report compliance with the order within 30 days of the judgment of the court.

Delivering judgment in the suit marked: FHC/L/ CS/142/24, Justice Osiagor held that, “while by virtue of Section 11(2) of the Universal Basic Education Act the federal government, the 36 states and the FCT are under a binding statutory duty to provide free and compulsory basic educa- tion within their territories, their decision to access or not access the federal matching grants remains discretionary.”

Justice Osiagor also held that, “any state that elects

to participate must comply strictly with Section 11(2) by contributing 50% counterpart funds before drawing from the Universal Basic Education.”

In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement dated November 14, 2025 but cited on November 27, 2025 by THISDAY Newspaper, the judge however declined to make monetary compensa- tion in favour of some of the respondents.

“I have carefully considered the Originating Summons, the Affidavit in support and the Exhibits annexed thereto, the Written Address of learned counsel for the Applicant, the various Counter Affidavits and Written Addresses filed on behalf of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 27th Respondents, and the submissions made therein.

“I have also examined the provisions of the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, 2004, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the relevant judicial authorities cited by the Applicant and the Respondents that replied.

NAF Reaffirms Strong Partnership with NDA to Shape Future of Military Leadership

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reiterated the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in its constitutional mandate to produce professionally competent officers of impec- cable character for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

Receiving the 34th Commandant of the Academy, Major General Oluyemi

Olatoye, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the CAS congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment, describing it as “a testament to his proven competence, dedication, and exemplary service.”

Air Marshal Anekehimself a former Deputy Commandant of the Academy - stressed that the visit was both symbolic and meaningful. He explained that his experience at the NDA

“deepened my appreciation of the Academy’s critical role as the bedrock of leadership development and character moulding for the officer corps.”

According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS described the NDA as “the cradle of military professionalism, where the future leadership of the Armed Forces is shaped.”

WALK AGAINST PIRACY ORGANISED BY MULTICHOICE...

L-R: Actor and Producer, Saidi Balogun; Vice President, Intellectual Property Law Advocacy Network, Uzoamaka Emerole; PR Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Laolu Thomas; Deputy Director of Operations, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Charles Amudipe; and lawyer-media personality, Timi Agbaje, during the Walk Against Piracy organised by MultiChoice Nigeria in Ikeja, yesterday

Abduction: Tukur Mamu not Mandated to Negotiate on FG’s Behalf, DSS Witness Tells Court

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A witness of the Department of State Service (DSS), on Wednesday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that Tukur Mamu was not at any time appointed by the federal government to negotiate with terrorists that attacked Abuja- Kaduna train, in 2022.

The witness who is an operative of the DSS alleged that Tukur sidelined the Chief of Defence Staff Committee put in place to negotiate for the release of those abducted during the March 28, 2022 train attack.

Tukur is standing trial on charges bordering on alleged terrorism funding.

Led in evidence by DSS lawyer, David Kaswe, the witness whose identity was not made public for security purposes said the defendant “was not mandated by the government to engage in any form of investigation

or negotiation with terrorists, but acted on his own for his personal benefit.”

The witness alleged the de- fendant encouraged terrorists to discuss ransom payments with victims, collected money on their behalf, confirmed amounts, and “facilitated payments illegally.”

He further claimed the defendant benefited financially from the ransom negotiations and possessed firearms unlawfully, and even provided terrorists with information on how to create a website.

He added that huge money recovered from the Kaduna residence of the defendant exceeded the threshold permitted by law, and that the defendant’s lifestyle “changed significantly” during the negotiation period.

“He was arrested in the company of four family members while on a trip to Egypt, and he bought two flashy cars during the

negotiation period,” the witness stated.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, challenged several aspects of the DSS investigation.

Usman questioned whether the DSS, which has operatives at all Nigerian airports, veri-

fied how the defendant and his family travelled to Egypt to which the witness replied that he was not aware of their travel details but confirmed that the defendant’s passport was in DSS custody.

When asked if he was a diligent investigator, the wit- ness affirmed that he was,

though he admitted he did not open the defendant’s passport during the investigation, stating it was not necessary because he worked with a preliminary report.

The defence also queried inconsistencies regarding the negotiation process. Usman suggested that the terrorists asked victims to propose negotiators, and victims suggested several names.

The witness agreed that the victims introduced names, but insisted only the defendant (Mamu) agreed to engage with the terrorists, and maintained the defendant was not part of the CDS committee.

FG Strengthens Livestock Sector with New Data, M&E Framework

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has launched a multi-stakeholder workshop on the National Livestock Data Baseline and the Validation of the National Livestock Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework, aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The event, held on

FG Designates Victor Attah Airport Uyo, International Airport

Says airport to receive, process international passengers

The federal government on Thursday designated Uyo Airport, known as Victor Attah Airport to international status which would henceforth receive and process international passengers.

The airport, before now was local and with this approval, the process for converting to full international operations would commence.

The government, through the minister of aviation and

aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, while making the announcement in Abuja when he hosted the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, said the airport has all standard facilities that would make it compete with other international airports across the country.

Keyamo also said the airport has all the modern facilities with a standard MRO and runaway of over three kilometres, which can accommodate bigger aircraft.

According to him, “With the facilities available at the airport, there is no reason why Uyo Airport should not be designated as international airport to process international passengers.

“That is why we are here today with all relevant govern- ment agencies including the customs, NiMet, FAAN, NCAA and others to set up a joint team that would commence the process of transmitting from local operations to international operations.

recently in Abuja brought together key stakeholders to align national livestock data and establish a coordinated system for tracking sector performance.

Delivering both her own speech and on behalf of the minister, the Permanent Secretary of FMLD, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi emphasized the workshop represents a critical milestone in the ministry’s transformation agenda.

She stated that under the guidance of President Bola

Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry is prioritizing food security, job creation, revenue expansion, improved service delivery, and modernization of livestock production systems.

“The ministry’s deliv- erables are derived from Mr. President’s priority activities. Each department further develops its own deliverables, cascading down to individual officers. These are tracked, assessed, and periodically evaluated

to ensure strategic coherence, accountability, and meaningful contribution to our shared goals,” the Permanent Secretary said. Mrs. Akujobi further stressed that all livestock sector activities including animal health, extension services, production, planning, research, database manage- ment, disease surveillance, traceability, and grazing reserve development must feed into a unified ministry-wide performance system.

I’ll Serve Oyo State People Till My Last Day in Office, Governor Seyi Makinde

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, reiterated his determination to serve the people of the state till his last day in office.

The governor stated this at the unveiling of two books entitled: “Giant Strides” and “Ibadan Hegemony,” and a Yoruba film: “Agbeni” authored by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, held at the Emeritus Theophilus

Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

He noted that the books and the film showcased the culture and history of Ibadanland, which were consistent with searching for knowledge on how a race can progress and enrich its people.Makinde commended the author of the books on his efforts and determination in publishing the books and producing the film, which according to him, would be of immense benefit

Declares

to generations yet to be born.

“I promised the people of Oyo State that I will work for them till the last moment of the last day. I need to mention this, because when some issues crop up, we have to take certain decisions.

“On the Circular Road corridor issue, some people were encouraging me, and I know that as a leader, you have to take your people to where they ought to be, not where they want to be. You must be the compass.

INAUGURATION OF THE LAND INFORMATION SERVICE CENTRE...

L-R: Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; and Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, during the inauguration of the Land Information Service Centre at the Imo State Secretariat, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri… Wednesday

Renowned Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Dies at

101,

Atiku, Makarfi, northern govs too

and practical aspects of Islam, emphasising piety, knowledge, and a disciplined approach to faith.

A renowned Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Usman Dahiru Bauchi has passed on at the age 101, early morning of Thursday, 27 November, 2025.

A highly respected scholar known for his profound un- derstanding of the Quran and Islamic jurisprudence, Sheikh Bauchi, has passed away. He was aged 101.

Sheikh has dedicated his life to teaching both the theoretical

He further queried whether various levels of government had fulfilled their constitutional duty to protect citizens.

“This is not the time to compare who has lost more lives across ethnic or religious divides. This is the time to unite and act decisively,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who chaired the session, said the committee chose Plateau deliberately because the state had become symbolic of the wider national security crisis, from banditry and terrorism to farmer-herder conflicts, land dispossession, and communal violence.

Moro said the committee would rely on the submissions received to shape future legislative reforms.

Sheikh Bauchi’s contributions to Islamic scholarship and education have been widely celebrated.

He began his Islamic educa- tion under the tutelage of his father, Alhaji Usman where he memorised the Holy Qur’an at the age of 19, and continued his studies under numerous Islamic scholars both within and outside Nigeria, with Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass being his most influential teacher.

Tinubu, Shetima Mourn

Sheikh’s profound knowl- edge led to his recognition as a professor of Qur-anic memorisation and education, and has been honoured as one of the world’s translators of the Holy Qur’an.

Sheikh Bauchi commenced his translation in Bauchi State in 1948, dedicating 77 years to translating the Holy Qur-an. His teaching broadcasts began on Bauchi Radio Cor- poration in 1976, and later on Radio Nigeria Kaduna in 1980. However, numerous radio stations across northern Nigeria aired his teachings, especially

during Ramadan and beyond. Sheikh Bauchi was blessed with a large family comprising 100 children, 406 grandchildren, and 100 great-grandchildren, just as his Sheikh Bauchi’s legacy of Qur-an memorisation continues.

Remarkably, 78 of his chil- dren, over 199 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren were also teachers of the Holy Book, balancing both Islamic and western education.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, has received the news of the death of renowned Muslim cleric, Sheikh Dahiru

Usman Bauchi with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss.

The President, in a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mourned the late leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood, describing him as a moral compass, who dedicated his life to teaching and preaching.

Tinubu said Sheikh Bauchi’s loss was monumental not only to his family and teeming followers but also to the nation.

The President recalled the blessings and moral support he received from the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi in the run-up to the 2023 election.

Sheikh’s followers across the country and beyond for the irreparable loss. He also urged them to immortalise the late cleric by holding on to his teach- ings of peaceful coexistence, strengthening their relationship with God and being kind to humanity.

On his part, Vice-President Kashim Shettima expressed deep sadness over the passing of Islamic scholar.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), represented by its Vice Chairman in Plateau, Reverend Salleh Koyeh, urged the lawmakers to confront the realities of the crisis and “call things by their rightful names”.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), represented by the Emir of Wase, emphasised sincerity and collaboration as way to resolving the crisis.

He described the gathering as timely and reaffirmed JNI’s readiness to work with government, security agencies, and community institutions to restore peace.

House Begins Inquiry into Abuja Insecurity, Faulty $460m CCTV Initiative

House of Representatives set up a special ad-hoc com- mittee to scrutinise the surge in insecurity Abuja, despite the federal government’s $460 million CCTV surveillance network financed through a Chinese loan.

Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, represented by Da Gwom Izere, said the hearing was long overdue, stating that traditional rulers had documented their analysis of insecurity, including root causes and recommendations, and would formally submit it to the committee.

During the committee’s inauguration in Abuja, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas condemned the escalating incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder in the FCT as “unacceptable and intolerable”.

Abbas lamented that Abuja, once considered one of the calmest capitals in West Africa, was now experiencing routine violent attacks.

He questioned why the multi-million-dollar CCTV project intended to strengthen monitoring and security re- sponses had failed to arrest the deteriorating security situation.

He said Nigerians must be told whether the massive investment was used correctly, abandoned midway, or under- mined by poor management.

Abbas stated that the committee was charged with conducting a thorough, forensic review of the project, including its current condition, operational capability, how well it linked with security agencies, and the factors responsible for its inability to achieve results.

Represented at the event by Hon. Julius Pondi, Abbas added that the panel must also uncover any negligence or possible sabotage and propose measures to either activate the system or undertake a complete overhaul.

“Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason. As both a preacher and a notable exegete of the Holy Quran, he was an advocate of peace and piety. His death has created a huge void,” he said.

Tinubu condoled with the

Shettima noted that Dahiru’s extraordinary longevity was itself a divine blessing that allowed multiple generations of Nigerian Muslims to benefit from his profound knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual guidance.

In a condolence message, he described the late spiritual leader as one of Nigeria’s greatest Islamic scholars whose teachings and exemplary life touched millions of Muslims across the country and beyond.

Anambra Targets Uninterrupted Power Supply, Grants Distribution License to First Power

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Anambra State Government through Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) has issued an interim license to First Power Electricity Company Limited, as electricity distributor in the state.

The Chairman, CEO of Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), Prof. Frank Okafor, stated this is in an effort to ensure steady power supply in every part of the state.

Okafor said the government of Professor Chukwuma Soludo is poised to make the state a choice destination, and this cannot be achieved if power still remains a luxury in the state. He said with the new issuance of a temporary license to First Power which will last for one year, the commission will be looking forward to improved power, while also vowing that it will ensure thorough oversight over the activities of the company to ensure that targets are met.

“Today, history is made in our dear Anambra State. A journey to adequately regulate the energy sector, in particular, the Electricity Business in Anambra State is commenced.

“The whistle was blown by the Executive Governor himself, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, who, on the 9th of October 2025 inaugurated five distinguished professionals as commissioners to midwife the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).

CELEBRATING ROTARY FOUNDATION DAY...

Past Assistant Governor, Samuel Bolarinwa; and Assistant

IGP: Over 11,000 Officers Assigned to VIPs

Recalled in Lieu of Tinubu’s Recent Order

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the recall of more than 11,000 officers previously assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen general policing across the country.

The move followed a presi- dential directive instructing the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to immediately withdraw officers attached to VIPs nationwide.

Speaking at a meeting with the Force Management Team, Commissioners of Police and other strategic leaders, Egbetokun explained that the withdrawal process would be both systematic and strategic.

He emphasised that, while fully complying with the presi- dent’s directive, it remained

essential to ensure that key economic actors were not left vulnerable to security threats.

The IGP further directed Commissioners of Police to develop innovative and local- ised policing strategies within their respective commands in order to outmanoeuvre criminal elements across the country.Addressing reports circu- lating on social media, he dismissed claims that more than 120,000 officers were attached to private individuals as false.

“These claims are lies. How many police officers do we even have in Nigeria? The presidential directive revealed that 11,566 officers are currently engaged in such duties,” he said.

He noted that although similar orders had been issued in the past, the president’s

CISLAC Wants Oke’s Ambassadorial Nomination Reviewed Amid Graft Concerns

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the National Assembly, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the federal government to immediately review and reject the nomination of Ambassador Ayodele Oke from Oyo State as a non-career ambassador.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had requested Senate confirmation of three non-career ambassadorial nominees: Kayode Are of Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu of Jigawa State and Ayodele Oke of Oyo State.

The request came nearly two years after the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors in September 2023.

CISLAC expressed deep concern that Ambassador Oke, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his wife for serious corruption allegations, had been nominated for such a sensitive diplomatic position. Oke, a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), was declared wanted after failing to appear before the court to answer fraud charges.

backing would guarantee full compliance this time.

“No governor, no friend, no family member will pressure me again. It is a presidential directive,” he insisted.

Egbetokun explained that the redeployed personnel would significantly boost operational capacity at a time when the force is grappling with manpower shortages.

“With more than 11,000

officers returning to frontline duties,” he said.

Policing efficiency, he said, would improve considerably, adding that welfare would remain a priority — particu- larly for those posted to rural and high-risk locations.

The IGP said the new directive was designed to expand capacity, increase visibility and improve the force’s ability to respond to

emergingOfficers,threats. he added, would be strategically deployed to critical areas where their presence is most needed.

The Force also cautioned against misinformation and attempts to politicise the directive, stressing that guidelines and safeguards would be communicated through official channels.

Reviewing recent op-

erational achievements, Egbetokun said police com- mands had recorded notable breakthroughs since the last briefing, including the arrest of 822 suspects for offences ranging from robbery and kidnapping to homicide. Within the same period, the police recovered 249 firearms, 20,989 rounds of ammunition and 38 vehicles, while rescuing 232 kidnapped victims.

Atiku to APC: Ignore My Political Choices, Worry About True Identity of Your Leaders

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against worrying about his political choices, stressing that it should be more concerned about the true identity and age of its leaders.

Atiku said the APC in Lagos State showed hypocrisy, selective amnesia, and intellectual laziness

Growth for Shared Prosperity’.

He said: “We’re bringing all of this together. And we said, if you’re exiting, maybe not exiting, if you’re selling up to N150 million a year, not more than 10 million are at gain, you don’t pay any tax. If it’s more than that, but you reinvest, it’s actually a reset.

“It’s because by 2022, the big investors, most of them exited, mostly foreign portfolio investors and compounded our FX problem. So, we said to ourselves, how can we incentivise people who want to stay a bit longer with us and not just come in to play games? So that was how we

by mocking him over his deci- sion to officially join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shuibu, Atiku insisted that his political relevance was not in question.

“The attention of the Atiku Media Office has been drawn to yet another hollow, ill- considered statement issued by the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress

came up with that idea.

“As part of the compre- hensive reform that we have done from January next year, companies will see a reduction in their corporate tax rate from 30 percent to 25 per cent. Anywhere in the world, this will be headline news. The market will be excited. But in Nigeria, that’s not the case. But that’s good news. We don’t really like those ones too much.

“From next year, if you can keep records properly, there’s money for you to be made from next year. From next year, you’ll get input VAT credits on your assets, services, and

(APC), wherein its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, attempted to mock former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC). As usual, the Lagos APC displayed its trademark hypocrisy, selective amnesia, and intellectual laziness.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar’s political journey is public, transparent, and fully documented. His age is known, his parents are known, his educational records

overhead. Service companies never got this before. That’s a big deal. It’s worth N3.4 trillion based on 2024 collections.

“So, my point to you is that we should be excited about the capital gains because it’s a reform. We’ve taken away returning tax on bonus shares. We removed stamp duties on transfer of shares. We removed the minimum tax on turnover and capital for businesses. That’s a big deal.”

In another major overhaul, he announced that workers in both the public and private sectors will see a reduction - or complete removal - of their Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes

are intact, and his public life can be traced from childhood to national prominence without the need for forensic experts, private investigators, or sworn affidavits to reconcile conflicting identities.

“This already places him miles ahead of their paymaster who—by all reasonable public evidence—is well past 90, yet insists on clinging to power and is already scheming for a second term.

from January 2026.

“Now, 98 per cent of work- ers in the private and public sector will either see a decline or complete removal of their PAYE from next year. Those are the real people. The top 2 per cent, who are mostly in this room, are therefore not happy with me, will see marginal increases depending on what they earn.

“What you find in every country is, I make the top rate for individuals to be higher than business. So, you have the natural incentive to operate through a company. So, you pay lower tax. We did the opposite in Nigeria.

KALABARI NEW YEAR FESTIVAL ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Chief Thompson Amachree, Chief Akokoye MacHarry, HRH Prince Tonye T. J. T. Princewill, Chief Daogigo Ebenezer Pepple Amachree; and Chief Opunabo

Princewill, shortly after a meeting for the preparation of the Kalabari New Year Festival… recently

Lamido: Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu Remain Legitimate PDP Leaders

Gives PDP 10-day ultimatum to dissolve Ibadan convention, resolve crisis

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has said the current state of things in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suggested both Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remained the legitimate leaders of the party until their tenure

and then deploy them, for an emergency. Let the experts tell me, how long does it take to deploy 20,000 people. I guess we are talking of one year. In one month, this country can beHedestroyed.” added, “So I’m saying we should look at a strategy that will address the issue right now. We should equip the policemen we have now, who are already trained, though, but they are carrying bags for madams. It’s good that they have been withdrawn; let them start“Andworking. let there be the political will to flush the terrorists out of the forests. And we are glad that the language that our president spoke yesterday; but we’ve been listening to that since two years ago.

“What do you have police for? That’s their job. It’s not even the job of the army. It’s the job of the police.”

Onaiyekan also reflected on global religious harmony, warning that Nigeria faces increasing local polarisation, despite global unity efforts, referencing the “Abu Dhabi document” signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

An activist and former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, highlighted the root causes of intolerance and conflict, stating that human

expires on December 8, 2025.

He however, gave the PDP a 10-day deadline to address its internal conflict, and dissolve the recently concluded Ibadan elective convention.

Speaking with party supporters, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Kano office, yesterday, Lamido called for the

differences in wealth, power, race, and religion often drive dominance and resistance.

He emphasised that dif- ferences were natural and unavoidable, adding that peace and tolerance begin with recognising and accepting human diversity.

Sani expressed concern over shrinking freedom of speech, insisting that the arrests and social media scrutiny threaten open dialogue, and urged that love, understanding, and respect for differing opinions are essential for building a harmonious society.

COAS Seeks Improved Indigenous Capacity for Military Innovation, Self-Reliance

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, urged Commandant of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, to intensify cadet train- ing with a strong emphasis on leadership, discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking, in order to bridge operational gaps within the Nigerian Army.

The directive was issued during a courtesy visit by the NDA commandant to Army Headquarters in Abuja.

A statement by Acting Direc- tor of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant-Colonel Apollonia Anele, stated that the COAS stressed the importance of

appointment of a new national caretaker committee to salvage the party from total collapse.

“As things stand, Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remain the legitimate leaders of the party until their tenure expires on December 8, 2025.

“I am pushing for a caretaker

strengthening research centres, particularly the NDA Depart- ment of Military Science. He described this as a crucial step towards boosting the National Defence Industry and enhancing indigenous capacity for military innovation and self-reliance.

“A robust research framework is essential to provide the intel- lectual foundation for a modern, responsive and technologically advanced fighting force,” the COAS said.

Shaibu also called for a comprehensive review of the NDA curriculum to address contemporary security chal- lenges.

He highlighted the need for enhanced night training, physical fitness, artificial intelligence integration, and other emerging domains of modern warfare.

According to him, these measures will equip young officers with the warrior ethos, operational competence, and leadership skills necessary to implement his Command Philosophy: “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat-Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”

The COAS pledged his full

committee, and I’m calling on Wike, Damagum, and others to forgive one another and support the formation of a unified caretaker body,” he said.

The former governor expressed concern over the party’s ongoing crisis, saying long-time stakeholders like himself have been sidelined

support to the NDA comman- dant in achieving the objectives, reaffirming his commitment to producing officers capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving security needs.

In response, Olatoye con- gratulated the COAS on his appointment by President Bola Tinubu and expressed gratitude to the military leadership for the trust placed in him to lead the country’s premier military training institution.

He described NDA as the “training factory” for the armed forces’ future officers.

PDP: Niger Kidnapping Sad development

National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said it regretted the tragic incident of the kidnapping of school children at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Niger State, describ- ing it sad development and unfortunate.

The reaction was contained in a statement after a sympathy visit to the state by PDP’s NWC following the recent abduction of school children and other citizens in the state.

The delegation, which was led by PDP’s National Chair- man, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and other members of the NWC, was received at Government House, Minna, by Governor Mohammed Bago.

by “new forces” in the PDP.

He noted that the current turmoil in the party was partly driven by efforts to undermine his influence, with the crises attributed to attempts to sideline its founding members.

“I urged the party leaders to as a matter of urgency convene a joint meeting to sincerely

During the visit, the PDP NWC expressed deep pain and anguish over the rising wave of insecurity in Niger State and other parts of the country, particularly the heart-breaking abduction of innocent school children.

PDP said it believed in the sanctity of life and the right of every Nigerian child to education without fear, saying it strongly condemns the attack and all acts of terror against Nigerians.

Turaki commended Bago for his prompt response and ongoing efforts, in collaboration with security agencies, to secure the release of the abducted children and restore peace in the affected communities.

He assured the governor and the people of Niger State of PDP’s unwavering sympathy, prayers and support at this difficult time.

Turaki said the party re- mained committed to the safety and welfare of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation.

In a related development, PDP called on the APC-led federal government to stop the politicising security issues in the country and guarantee the safety of life and property.

The call was made by the newly elected National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, during an interview with newsmen in

address these challenges and restore it to its rightful place in national politics,” he stated.

Speaking on his legal action against the party, Lamido insisted that his actions were not aimed at forcing himself into party leadership, but rather to protect it legacy and defend his fundamental rights.

Abuja.According to the spokesman, “National Bureau of Statistics shows that banditry, kidnapping and terrorism is a trillion Naira economy.”

While decrying a situation where government now issues orders for bandits and kidnappers to release victims, Ememobong called on the federal government to simply “issue the order that there must be complete cessation” of insecurity across Nigeria.

Leverage Diplomacy and International Friendships, Boss Mustapha Advises Tinubu

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, urged Tinubu to leverage diplomacy as well as friend- ship globally. Mustapha stated that this was not the first time the US government would be declaring Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), recalling how the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari handled the situation then.

He spoke with journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, at an event kick-starting the 45th Anniversary Reunion Gala and Lecture of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) Class of 1980, scheduled for November 27 to 30 in Abuja.

PaRTHiaN ECONOMiC disCOURsE...

L- R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Parthian Partners, Oluseye

& Development

WARDC Calls for Stronger Laws, Digital Safety, Others for Women

Kuni Tyessi in abuja

The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has reiterated its commitment to ending technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV) in Nigeria by strengthening survivor support, expanding digital safety education, and pushing for gender-responsive cyber

laws and enforcement. It said digital violence is real and it is growing with women and girls across Nigeria experiencing harassment, stalking, non-consensual image sharing, doxxing and other forms of abuse that undermine their safety, freedom of expression and participation in public life.

In a statement marking the 2025 16 days of activism

FG Inuagurate Public Toilets in Nasarawa

Michael Olugbode inabuja

The federal government yesterday inaugurated a new smart toilet in Nasarawa State, calling for stronger sanitation efforts across the state to ensure Nigeria exits her unenviable position as one of the top nations with open defecation.

Few days ago, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, decried that just about 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to safely managed sanitation facilities leaving over 45 million Nigerians still practice open defecation.

The Federal Ministry of Environment yesterday

called for stronger sanitation efforts across the states at the inauguration of new smart public toilets at Orange Market, Mararaba, in Nasarawa state to mark the 2025 World Toilet Day

The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Hon. Muhammad Isah, warmly welcomed dignitaries and partners to the 2025 World Toilet Day commemoration, expressing deep appreciation for the strong support the state has continued to receive toward improving sanitation and environmental health.

Kaduna Introduces Monthly

John shiklam in

The Kaduna State Government has designated the last Saturday of every month as a statewide Sanitation Day to improve hygiene and strengthen environmental protection across the state.

In a statement yesterda, the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, said maiden exercise will hold on November 29, 2025, from 7.00am to 10.00am.

He said the initiative aligns with Governor Uba Sani’s broader plan to curb flooding and reduce environmental risks.

Sanitation

“This is more than sweeping streets, it is a strategic, preventive action to stop floods, cut down environmental risks, and protect the wellbeing of our people”, the commissioner said. The statement qouted the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abubakar Buba, describing the policy as a bold step toward cleaner and safer communities.

He called on traditional rulers, local councils, civil society groups, and community based organisations to mobilise residents.

against Gender-Based Violence under the global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” Acting Executive Director of WARDC, Dr.

Princess Olufemi-Kayode said WARDC recognises that the internet and social media are not gender-neutral, and that addressing TF-GBV requires legal reform, capacity

building for institutions, and community-level prevention and response. To curb the menace, she revealed that the centre is open to rendering survivor-centered

digital support services that includes investment in hotlines, evidence preservation protocols, free legal aid and psychosocial care tailored to TF-GBV victims.

Okpebholo Hailed as Govt Disowns Presco Land Revocation

The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has lauded Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his firm and transparent handling of the controversy surrounding a purported revocation of Presco Plc’s Statutory Right of Occupancy.

In a statement issued

yesterday, the group commended the governor for swiftly distancing his administration from the newspaper publication announcing the alleged revocation; a notice the government has since described as unauthorised, misleading, and entirely false.

The coalition, in a

statement in Abuja, by its Country Director, Mr. John Mayaki, said Okpebholo’s response shows “maturity, responsible leadership, and a clear commitment to investor confidence,” noting that such decisiveness is essential for economic stability and sustainable development in Edo State.

According to the group, the episode could have triggered panic among investors and disrupted agricultural and industrial productivity in the state, but the governor’s quick clarification helped “restore calm, protect livelihoods, and reaffirm the administration’s respect for the rule of law.”

Businessman Decries Illegal Demolition of Bakery, Demands Justice

sunday Okobi

A Lagos bakery owner, Cheng Fuller, yesterday called on the federal and Lagos State Government to come to his aid over the demolition of his bakery located at Surulere area of Lagos by suspected thugs. According to Fuller’s lawyer, OJ Chris, at a press conference,

the property was demolished with all the bakery equipment and other valuables as well as the workers still inside the building while the matter was still in court.

He noted that his client, who operates a bakery at No. 24, Olufemi Road, Surulere, holds a valid lease that would expire in 2028, lamenting that

despite that, the landlord sold the property to a new person without their knowledge.

The new landlord, according to Chris, appeared one day and said he was the new owner and slammed a seven-day notice to quit the property on his client.

However, he said they responded and the next step

was that the new landlord served them a court process to which they also responded and the matter was being handled at a court in Surulere.

He noted that unfortunately while the case was still pending in court, the new landlord organised some thugs and miscreants numbering over 30 to pull down the bakery.

Art Collector, Shyllon, Tasks Nigerians on Habit of Giving

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A renowned artist and collector, Dr. Yemisi Shyllon, has charged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of giving in order to live a meaningful life.

He made the call in Ibadan at the inauguration of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin

Shyllon Exhibition Hall at the National Museum of Unity in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said while it is true that he has contributed a lot in the field of art it was not because he was rich, stating that giving cannot but give one happiness.

According to him, the unveiling of a life-size bronze

statue of the late Tai Solarin, which he recently donated to the Ijagun Campus of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASUED) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was because of his adoration for the educationist since he was young.

The philanthropist, who noted that given recognition to people who contributed to the development of the society in their own little way, lauded the Director- General of the National Museum and Monuments, Mr. Olugblile Holloway, for writing a letter personally to him to recognise his impact and that of late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi at the Onikan Museum, Lagos.

LAIF Creative Conference 2025 Holds on Saturday

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has announced that the 2025 LAIF Creative Conference will take place tomorrow Saturday, November 29, 2025, in Lagos running from 9:00a.to 6:00 pm.

This year’s edition marks a historic milestone, the 20th anniversary of LAIF celebrated under the bold theme “20

Years of Crazy.”

The conference will bring together leading voices from Nigeria, Africa, and the global creative industry for a full day of inspiring conversations on creativity, technology, culture and the future of brand-building.

The LAIF Creative Conference will feature

Keynote presentations from visionary leaders, Expert panel sessions on the future of creativity and strategic brand communication, Tech-focused side-stage conversations exploring AI, digital evolution, and emerging creative tools, Discussions connecting advertising with entertainment, storytelling,

film and global culture. Key themes for this year include:The future of African creativity, Authenticity and cultural storytelling, Creativity at the intersection of advertising and film, The impact of AI and technology on creative work, The new African consumer, Unlocking global opportunities for African brands.

LiONs CLUB PREsidENT iNVEsTiTURE...

L-R: District Governor, 404 B3, Ademuyiwa Adeleye, representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Commodore Tommy Akpabio; President, Isheri Host Lions Club International/Director, Special Duties, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Horatius Egua, and Multiple Council Chairperson, 404 Nigeria, Jide Bello, at the investiture of Egua as the 18th President of Isheri Host Lions Club and presentation of club officers in Lagos…recently

Abia Pensioners Decry Govt’s Delay in Clearing Pension, Gratuity Arrears

ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

A Professor of Medical Physiology, Magnus Anyakudo, has disclosed that nutrition plays a vital role in managing diabetes mellitus, stressing that dietary choices can significantly impact blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and overall health outcomes.

Professor Anyakudo made this known while delivering his paper titled: ‘Your Nutrition,

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Your Health: Unlocking the Power of Evidencebased Dietary Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus’, at the 35th series of inaugural lectures of the Federal University Lokoja yesterday. He tasked the federal government as a matter of urgency to do something about the unavailability and high cost of insulin to manage diabetes mellitus, stressing that no patient could afford the drug during the crisis. The medical expert described diabetes mellitus as a group of metabolic disorders characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action,

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All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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KhaLidsOn. All former documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.

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OjOYE. All former documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.

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OjOYE now wish to be known and addressed as TiOLuwaMi MOrOLaOLuwa COndOTTi

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or both, noting that this is different from another type of diabetes called “Diabetes insipidus.”

He explained that a well-planned diet can help individuals with diabetes

to regulate blood glucose levels, maintain a healthy weight, prevent or manage complications, and improve quality of life.

When it comes to managing diabetes mellitus,

dietary challenges can be a significant obstacle for many individuals, which needs to be addressed in this inaugural lecture today.

He stated that an active role should be

taken in “managing our nutrition and health, and personalised nutrition plans should be developed by seeking professional guidance from registered dieticians or nutritionists.

El-Rufai Officially Joins ADC, Pressure Now on Peter Obi

Chuks Okocha in abuja

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress(ADC) months after leaving the All Progressives Congress(APC). THISDAY gathered that the former

governor registered with the ADC and collected his membership card at the party office in U/Sarki Ward, Kaduna State. The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory was accompanied by his loyal supporters, including former appointees and local government chairmen.

Recall that on March 10, El-Rufai cited a widening disconnect between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his defection. In his resignation letter, El-Rufai openly criticised the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of abandoning the

progressive ideals upon which it was founded. “Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he had stated.

‘APC Has Resolved to Reclaim Osun from the PDP’s Maladministration’

yinka Kolawole in osogbo

National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr. Ajibola Basiru, has asserted that since the outcomes of the 2022 gubernatorial and the 2023 National and State Assembly elections, it has remained the unshakable

resolve of the APC in Osun State to reclaim its mandate democratically from the PDP-led maladministration in the state.

He said the repositioning of Osun State would be on the path of peace, progress, and sustainable development it is currently yearning for.

Ajibola stated this recently

in the wake of his withdrawal from the 2026 Osun State Governorship race .

He said: “This determination informed our collective journey under the banner of the Alubarika Movement, a grassroots political machinery with a shared vision, service, and an abiding commitment to

our great party, the people of Osun State, and the administration of our leader and President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“Together, under the Alubarika Movement, we built a strong, progressive platform anchored on political inclusion and purposeful leadership.

Niger Governor Charges Youths to Embrace Farming

Laleye dipo in minna

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago, has told youths to take to farming instead of waiting for white collar jobs.

Bago, in a message at the closing of the two-day Niger State Council on Agriculture, which took place in Minna, explained that apart from making the youths self-employed in farming, “it is more profitable than civil service jobs.”

Governor Bago, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Yussuf Sadiq, at the event with the theme: ‘Driving Transformative And Sustainable Agricultural Reform in Niger State: Bridging Policy And Impact To Overcome Systemic Gap’, explained that farming would also put the youths in a position to feed themselves and the nation, and leave the surplus for export thereby generating income for state and nation.

EFCC Seeks Media, CSOs’ Collaboration in Fight Against Crimes

Blessing ibunge inPort Harcourt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on the media and civil society organisations to collaborate with the commission in the fight against corruption, fraud, and economic and financial crimes.

The call was made yesterday at a one-day capacity building workshop organised by the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC, for journalists and CSOs in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

In his address, the acting Director, EFCC, Port Harcourt Directorate, Mr. Hassan Saidu, said the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies, but everyone’s responsibility.

He explained that the workshop is part of the commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in the collective war against economic and financial crimes.

I N rE m E mbr AN c E of o lu SE gu N

Agbaje, Babafemi Ojudu and Toyin Fagbayi which, I dare say, caught the imagination of all political leaders across the lenght and breadth of the country. It was a generational statement per excellence.

PAM was the brainchild of a number of us which blossomed to incorporate the participation and membership of Pastor Tunde Bakare, HRM Lamido Sanusi, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, Dangiwa Umar, Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Fanikayode, Opeyemi Agbaje, Makin Soyinka, Nike Ransome-Kuti, Bimbo Ashiru, Reuben Abati, Segun Olawoyin, Muyideen Banmeke, Kayode Samuel and a number of other public notables.

It was conceptualised as a response to the failure of the political system to fulfil the role of continuous and regular leadership reproduction and recruitment into the civilian political class-to assume political succession from one generation to another. There was an emergent generational gap and vacuum-to whose remedy we programmatically addressed ourselves.

We intended ourselves as a kind of political nursery for preparing and producing a successor class at the shortest possible time. As it were, the major indication of this systemic failure was the recycling of political leaders rather than a renewal with successor generations. Conventionally and specifically the role of leadership recruitment into the political system is that of the political parties. Understood as such, the poverty of the performance of this role is self-explanatory in the non-existence of political parties for the better part of the period spanning 1960 to 1999.

The political party system and the legislative institution are the most conspicuous and consequential casualties of military intervention in the governance of Nigeria-as elsewhere. The more protracted the rule of military dictatorship, the more impoverished the political system and the attendant roles of the party system including leadership recruitment and reproduction.

Unlike the political system and to underscore the point is the analogy of the Nigerian economic sector which has witnessed progressive and periodic renewal and turnover of the public and private economic sector leaders. Many major contemporary economic leaders were either not born or were toddlers when people like Adeyemi Lawson, Michael Omolayole, Grema Mohammed, Mai

Ec

Awolowo

Deribe, Gamaliel Onosode and numerous others held forte.

We aimed to bridge the generational gap with recruitment of functionaries defined by class, pedigree, vision and competence. It was aimed at precluding precisely the kind of degenerate political leadership with which contemporary Nigeria is saddled. It cannot be a coincidence that two ranking Nigerians, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Senator Babafemi Ojudu who recently and publicly made an issue of this generic failure were foundation members of PAM.

Lamented Sanusi, “If we really want to fix this country, we need to have class. The ruling class must have values beyond stomach infrastructure.. Nigeria is a classless society where you have highly educated people in government who behave like illiterates and turn to praise singers, when you see Professors and Ph.D. holders clapping for mediocrity, you know something is deeply wrong.”

Ojudu gave further content and context when he averred that “Public life in Nigeria has lost its dignity. The solemnity once associated with leadership has been replaced by swagger, arrogance, and the theatre of absurdity. Once, public office

H o ES of 2015: I S N I g E r IA Sl EE pw A lk IN g INT o 2027?

a storm that might pass.

The current moment feels different. For millions of Nigerians, the phrase “economic hardship” barely captures the reality. Hunger is not a theoretical threat; it is in the pot that is now half-empty, in school fees that cannot be paid, in the quiet sale of family land or jewellery to meet basic needs. On paper, technocrats argue about reforms, exchange rates, and fiscal adjustments. On the streets, people see something simpler: a government that cannot balance its books without borrowing heavily; a currency that buys less every month; a cost-of-living crisis without a visible safety net.

Elections in such a climate are primarily about survival. In 2015, the promise of “change” rode on this economic anxiety as much as on any ideological difference. Voters did not need sophisticated policy analysis to know that the status quo was hurting them. The same is true today. The danger for incumbents is obvious; the threat to democracy is more subtle. When hardship persists across administrations and party labels, people stop believing that any election can change their material reality. Cynicism, not hope, becomes the default. Then there is the choreography of opposition politics. The 2015 story cannot be told without the formation of the All Progressives Congress, a merger of previously splintered opposition parties that gave discontent a single, credible vehicle. That coalition was far from ideologically coherent, but it was organisationally effective. Crucially, it rallied around one figure whose name, face, and reputation were already etched into the national consciousness: Muhammadu Buhari. For better or worse, he became the embodiment of the anti-incumbent mood.

Today, we are again hearing of opposition forces exploring a common front, with platforms such as the African Democratic Congress attracting interest as possible umbrellas for a grand alliance. Some of the same actors who were on opposite sides in 2015 or 2019 now sit in the same rooms, drafting communiqués to rescue democracy and prevent a slide into one-party dominance. The pattern is familiar: individual ambitions temporarily subordinated to the larger work of defeating an incumbent.

Yet there is a critical difference. There is no Buharilike figure who naturally commands a cross-regional, cross-class coalition of faith and frustration. The opposition space is more fragmented, with strong personalities each carrying loyal bases and substantial baggage. Coalescing is harder when nobody can automatically play the role of first among equals. If 2015 showed how powerful a united opposition can be, 2027 may test whether such unity is still possible without a prominent anchor.

Running through all of this is the question of northern political sentiment. In 2015, mainstream northern politicians and a significant portion of the northern electorate felt deeply aggrieved. They believed the region was under-represented in key appointments, unfairly targeted in media narratives, and above all, abandoned to an escalating insurgency. Whether entirely fair or not, that sense of injustice translated into electoral behaviour. Many northern states swung heavily against the incumbent, and the “northern mood” became a decisive factor. Today, a new variation of that narrative is emerging. Many northern political actors argue that the region is again bearing disproportionate costs—in blood, in disrupted education, and in

demanded learning, restraint, and a sense of history. Today, it attracts jesters, hustlers, and entertainers whose only creed is self-display”.

Many of our peers may not have spotted the flowering of Segun’s literary talent, (which would have attracted the applause of his illustrious pedigree) and his increasing desire to put pen to paper. He had just completed his memoirs and his recurring philosophical refrain was a pointer to his urgent aspiration to leave a legacy as a thinker.

As testimony and tribute to his memory, let me now bear witness to this legacy and reproduce some of the evidence, written in stirring and lofty prose, two of which have now become premonitions.

Captioned “ina n jo, ogiri o sa”. he wrote

“It is with a heavy heart that I write these words to bid farewell to my dear brother, Abimbola Ogunbanjo who met his untimely demise on Saturday 10th February, 2024. The news of his sudden departure has left me shattered.

“From our days as childhood friends to the halcyon days at Igbobi College to more recent moments of pride as recipients of awards from the Igbobi College Old Boys Association. A brotherhood cemented in Geneva & Lausanne, Switzerland our friendship stood as a testament to enduring camaraderie and mutual respect.

“We laughed together, we dreamed together and we faced life’s challenges hand in hand. The title of this tribute translates to “ if a fire is burning, the wall never runs “ Those were his words to me every time we greeted encouraging us to always face our fears and never give up .

“ MAN MI “ our last meeting was at Igbobi College on Sunday 4th February , both unaware it was the final goodbye.

“As we grapple with the pain of his absence, let us also celebrate the life of a remarkable man who touched so many with his kindness. Though he may no longer walk among us, his legacy will endure, a guiding star for all who knew him. May God in His infinite mercy grant your noble and proud Ijebu soul perfect and permanent peace”.

The other was “An Ode to my Grandfather: Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo SAN GCFR, 37 years on”.

“In the quiet of my thoughts, I see your face,Thirty-seven years have slipped away,Yet your presence lingers, day by day. With wisdom deep

disrupted agriculture—without seeing commensurate benefits in appointments, major infrastructure, or economic opportunities. They speak of targeted insecurity, stalled development projects, and a federal character principle observed more in rhetoric than in reality. In private conversations and public commentary, one hears echoes of 2015: “the North is being shortchanged.”

Finally, there is the external lens—most visibly, the United States. In 2015, relations between Abuja and the Obama administration were noticeably cool. Disputes over arms sales, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts morphed into a narrative at home that Washington was quietly rooting against the incumbent. Whether or not that was entirely true, it became part of the political folklore of the era.

Today, under President Trump’s second administration, there are again signs of friction. Statements about religious freedom, security failures, and governance standards have been sharper. Threats of sanctions and public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of internal crises have created the impression, in some circles, of a White House that is, at best, impatient with Abuja and, at worst, openly hostile. For Nigerian voters already mistrustful of external interference, this reinforces a familiar storyline: that crucial elections at home are being watched—and perhaps influenced—from abroad.

So, are we dealing with a coincidence or a pattern? Coincidences are random alignments; patterns suggest underlying structure. When the same five elements—worsening insecurity, economic crisis, opposition coalescence, northern alienation, and fraught US relations—reappear in the build-up to another pivotal election, it is hard to argue that this is mere chance. What we may be seeing is the predictable outcome of deeper, unresolved issues: an economy still tethered to a volatile commodity; state institutions too weak to provide security or justice at scale; political parties built as electoral vehicles rather than policy platforms; and a foreign policy that reacts to pressure rather than shapes partnership.

If those structures remain essentially unchanged, then every election cycle will produce some version

as the ocean’s vast,You steered our ship through the tempests past. In your footsteps, I learned to tread, Guided by the words you once said. With courage and grace Papa, you led the way, Inspiring generations to seize the day. Forever remembered, Forever adored Your legacy, a beacon so bright, Illuminated the darkest night.

In each decision, I still hear your voice, Guiding me to make the right choice.

“Oh, how I long for one more day, To sit with you and hear you say, Stories of old, lessons so profound, In your wisdom Papa, was solace found. Forever remembered, Forever adored In the tapestry of time, your threads are sewn, A legacy of love and truth you’ve sown.Though you’ve journeyed to a distant shore,Your very essence lives forevermore.Forever remembered, forever adored, Obafemi Awolowo, continue to rest in perfect peace”

“So Papa, on this day, I stand on the shoulders of your name, I carry forth your eternal flame.

With gratitude and reverence, I honor thee, For the gift of your legacy, forever free. Forever remembered, Forever loved”.

And then on the 15th of June 2025 he penned his most intriguing

“My dear brother. I trust you are in good health, this is a Sunday with a significant difference as two important celebrations coincide. Trinity Sunday touches on the core of the Christian faith and that’s why I find a hymn such as ‘Faith of our fathers’ so moving. I hope you are very much blessed this Trinity Sunday”.

“My other point incidentally is that we both are in the same boat as heads of our respective families enjoying the grace of God’s support for that unique role. It’s my great pleasure therefore to wish you a most lovely Father’s Day. And many happy returns of the two occasions in the glorious name of Jesus Christ”

Goodnight my brother. Fare thee well.

Iná dilè léyìn asun-isu-je Òjò nlá dilè léyìn àgbè

(Bonfire becomes dust in the absence of roasted yam eater; Rainfall becomes soil after the exit of the farmer)

of the same script, with different actors playing slightly different roles.

What, then, does this foretell for 2027?

If the current trajectories hold—if banditry and insurgency remain rampant, if hunger and unemployment continue to gnaw away at social stability, if northern grievances are left to fester, and if the opposition manages to cobble together a minimally coherent coalition—2027 could well resemble 2015 in one crucial respect: an incumbent facing a broad, emotionally charged, and regionally diverse rejection at the polls.

But there are also reasons to be cautious about neat historical parallels. The electorate has changed. A younger generation, radicalised by #EndSARS and years of economic disappointment, is more sceptical of both establishment and “old opposition” figures. Trust in electoral institutions has been damaged in new ways, feeding a dangerous belief that votes do not count. Social media amplifies both accountability and disinformation at speeds unimaginable a decade ago. All of this means that even if the ingredients look familiar, the eventual dish may taste very different.

The most sobering possibility is that while 2015 delivered alternation in power, 2027 might provide something more ambiguous: either change without deep reform, or deepening apathy masked by the rituals of an election. The real risk is not just that one party loses and another wins; it is that ordinary Nigerians, having seen the same patterns recur, quietly conclude that democracy itself is incapable of altering the fundamentals of their lives.

If 2015 was Nigeria’s proof that incumbents can fall, 2027 may be the test of whether we can do more than rotate the faces at the top while repeating the same underlying mistakes. The patterns are already visible. What we make of them, in the quiet decisions of today and the loud choices of election day, will determine whether 2027 becomes a turning point—or just another rhyme in a poem we are too tired, or too timid, to rewrite.

•Dakuku Peterside is the author of 2 new bestselling books, Leading in a Storm and Beneath the Surface.

Former Super Falcons Coach, Waldrum, Calls out NFF on World Cup Preparations Cash from FIFA

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Ahead of Super Falcons 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for early next year, a former Head Coach of the team, American Randy Waldrum, has raised vital issues concerning Nigeria Football Federation’s handling of funds meant for preparations for tournaments.

The 2026 WAFCON is to serve as qualification for the next Women’s World Cup in 2027 to be hosted by Brazil. Waldrum led Super Falcons to the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where Nigeria reached the Round of 16 before bowing out to England.

In a viral video circulating on social media X, Waldrum

alleged that the NFF received $960,000 (about N1.45billion) from world football governing body, FIFA, in October 2022 for the preparations of the Super Falcons for the tournament in Australia but he (Waldrum) didn’t have adequate build up of the team anywhere near that amount of cash.

Waldrum insisted that his informed contact in USA confirmed that every qualified team for that Women’s World Cup received that amount of money from FIFA.

“I have a real close contact here in the US that is very con- nected with some of the board at FIFA. This person told me that in October, every country was given $960k from FIFA to prepare for the World, where is

Alake Golf Tournament Takes Centre Stage in Abeokuta

This year’s edition of the Alake Golf Tournament teed off yesterday at the Abeokuta Golf Club, Oke Mosan in Abeokuta and will be rounded up on November 29th, 2025.

The tournament, put together to honour the Alake of Eg- baland, HRM, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, is expected to attract golfers from across the country.

The highly anticipated tournament which is already generating lots of interest within the country, according to its organisers, is aimed at bringing together golf enthusiasts from across Nigeria to foster camaraderie, promote competitive golfing and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Egbaland and its

revered monarch.

“This tournament is aimed at bringing together Nigerians, especially golfers from across the country to celebrate our revered king”, Abeokuta Golf Club Captain, Sunday Ajiboye said.

He added that the tournament also serves as a platform to honour the monarch’s enduring legacies and contributions to Egbaland in particular.

Over 100 golfers comprising Amateurs and Professionals will compete in various categories of the two-day event.

Since its debuts on the Nigeria golfing calendar, the Alake Golf Tournament has remained one of the most consistent tournaments and has been played annually ever since its first edition.

NBA Africa Announces 10 Finalists for Second TripleDouble Accelerator Demo-Day

NBA Africa has announced the 10 startup companies from five African countries selected as finalists for the second edition of the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, a league-launched programme launched last year to support the continent’s technology ecosystem and the next genera- tion of African entrepreneurs.

The 10 finalists will pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at a Demo Day at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, Dec. 5.

NBA Africa also announced that CMU-Africa has joined as an Official Partner of the programme, which is open to early-stage African startup

companies that develop solutions in the sport and creative industries. CMU-Africa is the only U.S. research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff and operations in Africa.

ServiceNow – an AI plat- form for business transformation whose Now Assist and AI agents help organizations deliver faster and smarter experiences at scale – also serves as an Official Partner of NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, while ALX Ventures – a leading technology incubator that provides the continent’s tech leaders with access to the skills and tools to launch and scale their startups – is once again operating the programme.

that money,” Waldrum queried in that video in circulation.

The former Nigeria senior women’s team coach called out the NFF for not arranging quality pre-World Cup camps for his Super Falcons. Waldrum dismissed the team’s participa- tion in a friendly tournament in Japan as inadequate and stressful for his squad.

“We went to Japan, we flew in and played the game and went home. Some of our players didn’t arrive until the morning before the game, I think five players who were going to start for me, arrived the night before the game and the game was 4 o’clock and they traveled 16 hours on the plane. And we played Japan and then we went home. We wasted the last five days of that window to train,” recalled Waldrum.

He went further to state that with such preparation funds from FIFA, the NFF had no reason whatsoever to subject the team to such mindless trip when

proper camping and friendlies with other teams not in such distant places would have been adequate for Falcons.

“So, all these questions I have is where is this money? And the other thing I found out through my FIFA connections is that if countries don’t have the money to buy business class tickets for everybody, FIFA will fund it and buy those tickets and just deduct it from the monies federations get from FIFA after the World Cup.

“So there’s no excuse to say we didn’t have money to buy tickets and then we didn’t have camps. These are the kinds of things that the people of Nigeria don’t question.

“In the US, they would be questioned. If the US Soccer Federation was doing the same things, the US Soccer Federation would have to answer to it,” observed the coach in comparison with other FAs handling of their national teams.

He also faulted the NFF

for failing to maximise FIFA- approved staffing provisions. According to Waldrum, while

on Super Falcons preparations for 2023 World Cup in Australia

FIFA allows up to 22 technical staff members, the NFF travelled with only about 11.

“FIFA also allows your techni- cal staff up to 22 people. Well, we have only about 11. So if FIFA will pay bonuses for up to 22 people, why don’t we have 22 people? I don’t have an analyst and I scout. Listen, the US has a scout in Europe, watching teams play in these exhibitions, in case they face them at the World Cup,”

“We (Super Falcons) don’t even have scouts going with us to Australia. I don’t even have anybody to scout games. If we get out of our group, I don’t even have anybody to scout games in other groups. Everything I have to do is on videos and what I can pick up online,” Waldrum revealed under the challenging conditions coaches work with the NFF leadership.

All attempts to get reactions on the viral video from the NFF leadership failed.

Finidi George Optimistic as Rivers Utd Ambush RS Berkane in Uyo

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Rivers United Head Coach, Finidi George, remains optimistic ahead of today’s CAF Champions League group stage match-day 2 clash with RS Berkane of Morocco at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The Nigerian representatives lost their first match of the group stage 3-0 to Egypt’s Pyramids last weekend in Cairo.

But Finidi has assured fans of the Pride of Rivers people that thunder will not strike twice as his wards are chasing their first three points today.

“We owe it to our fans to rise up to the occasion and get a result against RS Berkane. We

did well for 50 minutes against Pyramids (last week) and then lost concentration. We cannot afford to do that on Friday (today),” Finidi told CAFonline. com.

The former Super Eagles winger believes Rivers United have the players to get the job done. “We have the players that can get the job done and I believe they will step up. The CAF Champions League is a big stage for any player and I believe they all realize and appreciate that.”

Also speaking along the same line of optimism, Rivers United Player, Temple Emekayi said: “Although we would have been

happier playing in front of our own fans in Port Harcourt, this is a situation beyond us and we just have to make the best of it.

“It is incumbent on ourselves, the players, to rise from the defeat to Pyramids in Cairo and get a good result against RS Berkane on Friday. We will go in there and give our very best.”

RS Berkane Coach, Mounie Chaabani, however is not scared of taking on the hosts in Uyo today. “Against Power Dynamos, we showed discipline and focus and were able to score the goals that we needed to start the group stage on a good note. We are happy about that.

“On Friday (today) against Rivers United, it will be difficult

because they are a disciplined team as well, from what they were able to show in holding the champions (Pyramids) to a scoreless first half last week. We will not underrate them at all.

“Our goal is to play our game and get a result here. It will be difficult but not impossible.”

L–R: Managing Director/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria Limited, Dapo Otunla; Director, Security Services Department, FCTA (representing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory), Mr. Adamu Buba Gwary, fdc; President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON; National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka; and Representative of the African Union (AU), Dr. Usman Hussain, during the official unveiling of the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC) Strategic Plan 2025–2030 at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja ... recently

AKIN OSUNTOKUN

In Remembrance of Olusegun Awolowo

People born on September 27 often fail to recognise it, they have the ability to make a lasting and positive impression on all those that they meet. This is because they are extremely versatile and sensitive to the feelings of others, and like nothing better than to bring harmony to any situation- Theresa Cheung

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them-William Shakespear

The home run began on the 10th of June 2025. Having not spoken with Segun for some months, I flagged a tag on him on Dele Momodu’s facebook page captioned ‘my brother is back’ in a picture of him seated with the latter. I reposted the photo to him with the inquiry “back from where”?. He then called to narrate the grave health condition he had been grappling with and was finally back home in Nigeria to recuperate. He provided an

elaborate account of the toll the condition had taken on him with illustrative pictures. I couldn’t wait to see him the following day. The visit turned out

ENEATH THE S UR fACE

to be a sort of thanksgiving to God for delivering and granting him a new lease of life. I noted he looked feeble but was quite his vigorous self as we bantered ceaselessly. I took a deep sigh of relief.

For months, his doctors had been unable to provide a precise diagnosis of the ailment. The good news was that his penultimate medical attendants had been able to zero in on the problem and the prognosis was not life threatening. They assured him that other than the inability to regain the weight he had lost, he had little to worry about. He then prompted that we should take a reunion picture. About two weeks thereafter and on this hopeful note we had the celebration of Bola’s 60th birthday. Thus assured that my brother was indeed ‘back’, I thought I needed to give him the space to recuperate (more like an excuse for not undertaking a return visit)

Our paths first concretely crossed when we (in a team led by Professor Moibi Amoda) were

doing consultancy work for the establishment of the Obafemi Awolowo foundation in 1992. Beyond our personal bond, we had an extendend family friendship that had endured for decades, with all its ups and downs. We elected to inherit the assets and disinherit the liabilities. Thirteen years ago he spent two days with me at our country home in Okemesi to partake of my mother’s obsequies. My father, Joseph Oduola Osuntokun, was cabinet minister in the western regional government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, from 1955 to 1959. And my uncle, Professor Kayode Osuntokun, was a personal physician to Awolowo. For both of us, the saying that politics is in the blood clearly manifested as we solidify our friendship with active political partnership for a whole generation. Perhaps his greatest political legacy, in this regard, was the political pressure group, Progressive Action Movement, PAM, we initiated alongside Opeyemi

Echoes of 2015: Is Nigeria Sleepwalking into 2027?

Humans are wired to look for patterns. It is how we tame uncertainty: by joining dots, comparing seasons, and reading omens in what has gone before. In Nigeria today, many politically attentive citizens are doing precisely that. As 2027 slowly comes into view, they look back at 2014–2015 and feel an unnerving sense of déjà vu. Rising insecurity. A shattered economy. Opposition forces groping towards a coalition. Northern politicians are complaining of marginalisation. A wary, sometimes hostile, posture from Washington. Are these just isolated coincidences, or are we watching an old script being dusted off for a new performance?

The 2015 elections were not ordinary. They marked the first time an incumbent president lost at the federal level, the first time power passed peacefully to an opposition coalition, and the moment when a mood of “anything but this” swept across much of the country. Beneath that

historic outcome sat five powerful currents: the escalation of insurgency and insecurity; a fraying

relationship with the United States; a stumbling economy; a coalesced opposition under a single banner; and a deep sense of political alienation in parts of the North. Those same currents, in slightly altered form, are again visible in the run-up to 2027. That alone should give us pause.

Start with insecurity. In 2015, Boko Haram dominated the headlines and the national imagination. Entire local governments in the North-East were effectively under insurgent control. The Chibok abductions became a stain on the conscience of the state. Scenes of internally displaced persons lining up for rations, students taking exams in camps, and soldiers complaining of poor equipment defined a campaign in which “securing the country” was not just a talking point but a desperate plea.

Today, Boko Haram and its offshoots have been joined by other actors: heavily armed bandits, kidnap-for-ransom gangs, and hybrid jihadist-criminal groups operating across large swathes of the North

and Middle Belt. What were once isolated horror stories have turned into a steady drumbeat of attacks and abductions. In too many communities, schools have become soft targets rather than safe spaces, forcing repeated closures or “holiday without date.”

When government announcements celebrate the “rescue” of abducted children, yet citizens cannot name a single high-profile mastermind tried and convicted in open court, people draw their own conclusions: either the state is overwhelmed, or someone, somewhere, is playing politics with their pain.

Layered on top of this is the economy. The 2015 vote took place after a sudden collapse in global oil prices exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s mono-product dependence. Salaries were delayed; reserves thinned, and talk of “belt-tightening” grew louder. It was painful, but for many, it still felt like