CBN Boosts Foreign Reserves with Indigenous Gold as Holdings Hit $3.5bn
Cardoso urges policy reforms to unlock Nigeria’s mining potential Senate moves to make apex bank lead fintech regulator, orders crackdown on ponzi schemes
James Emejo, Sunday Aborisade in
, and Nume Ekeghe in
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has bolstered its foreign reserves with the addition of responsibly sourced gold refined to London
Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery standards, bringing total gold holdings to $3.5 billion. This comes as the Senate
yesterday moved to reposition the CBN as the coordinating authority for the regulation of Nigeria’s fast-expanding fintech
ecosystem, while simultaneously demanding tougher legislative and enforcement measures to stem the rising tide of Ponzi schemes across
the country. The foreign reserves move underscores the central bank’s
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Tinubu, Jonathan Rejoice with Former President Obasanjo at 89... Page 33
Disu Sworn in as 23rd IGP, Declares State Police Has Now Come to Stay
Inaugurates steering committee on state police Says there’ll be zero tolerance for abuse of authority, misconduct, partisanship
Newly appointed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, was sworn in yesterday as Nige-ria’s 23rd
Disu, who was recently appointed by Tinubu, declared shortly after his swearing that the long touted
Security Forces Lock Down Abuja Amid Escalating US-Israel, Iran War
US Embassy cancels visa appointments in FCT
Iran defers Khamenei’s farewell, Israel threatens to kill successor Goldman sees oil price at $100/barrel Islamic body cautions against friction Iran reports 1,045 deaths
Hegseth: Mastermind of assassination plot against Trump killed
On day five of the escalating war between the United States, Israel and Iran, security forces yesterday
mounted a heavy presence across strategic locations in Abuja, triggering heightened vigilance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) amid fears of possible spillover risks.
Continued on page 10
TUNJI DISU SWORN IN AS IGP...
The newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, being congratulated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday
Abuja
Lagos
PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI.
Emmanuel Addeh, Wale Ajimotokan, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos
Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale and Linus Aleke in Abuja
FEC BRIEFING...
TCN: Over $1.3bn Transmission Projects Funded by Multilateral Agencies Ongoing Nationwide
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that transmission projects valued at over $1.3 billion and funded by multilateral development partners are currently ongoing across the country, as part of efforts to expand grid capacity and strengthen power delivery nationwide.
The projects, being implemented under different Project Management Units (PMUs), are supported through loans and grants backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and are targeted at improving transmission wheeling capacity, reinforcing weak corridors and modernising critical infrastructure.
In a document made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, the TCN stated that transmission projects are capital intensive and require dependable sources of funding for timely completion.
To bridge financing gaps, TCN stated that it relies partly on multilateral agencies, with four dedicated Project Implementation Units (PIUs) currently supervising various donor-backed initiatives.
Under the World Bank PMU, the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project , it said, is valued at $486
million and focuses on strengthening critical transmission lines and substations nationwide.
Besides, the document showed that the Agence Française de Développement PMU oversees the $170 million Abuja Transmission Project as well as the $200 million Northern Corridor Project, both aimed at reinforcing bulk power evacuation capacity and improving grid stability in key load centres.
Similarly, the African Development Bank (AfDB), it explained, is funding the $210 million Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project (NTEP), which forms part of the broader national Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme.
“TCN currently has four Project Implementation Units under the PMU. Each of the PIUs undertakes the supervision of the underlisted set of projects funded by each of the financing partners. A. World Bank PMU $486million Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project; Agence Française de Development (AFD) PMU ($170million Abuja Transmission Project) and Northern Corridor Project - $200million
“(Also, there’s the) African Development Bank (AfDB) PMU ($210million Nigeria Transmission
Expansion Project) (and) Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) PMU ($235million LagosOgun Power Transmission Project).
According to the company, the NTEP is being executed across the Northwest, Southeast and SouthSouth regions, covering Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Imo and Abia States. The programme comprises a mix of brownfield upgrades and greenfield projects designed to strengthen existing
infrastructure and expand transmission capacity in growth corridors.
In the Southwest, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the $235 million Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission Project, targeted at improving supply reliability in Nigeria’s industrial and commercial hub.
Beyond physical grid expansion, TCN said it is also pursuing sweeping digital transformation initiatives through its Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, aimed at automating and integrating its operational processes.
The company said it recently concluded procurement of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, with consultancy services fully underway. The main contract, partly funded by AFD, has been signed and is operational, it stated.
The ERP platform is expected to integrate existing and proposed
digital assets while automating previously manual processes within the organisation.
As part of its digital infrastructure upgrade, mini data centres have also been deployed in eight regional offices located in Oshogbo, Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja. These function as sub-domains of TCN’s corporate network infrastructure, with the nucleus at the Corporate Headquarters.
Special Seats Bill: N’Assembly Leadership Inaugurates Women’s Caucus as Constitution Amendment Vote Nears
UK says proposed law will boost female representation
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The leadership of the National Assembly has inaugurated the Nigerian Women Parliamentary Caucus as lawmakers prepare for clause-by-clause voting in the ongoing alteration of the 1999 Constitution, signalling renewed institutional support for the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill.
The inauguration, held in
Akume Leads 5-man FG Delegation to Jesse Jackson’s Burial in US
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has sent a five-man delegation to represent him and Nigeria at the final burial rites of the American civil rights leader, activist and former presidential candidate, Rev Jesse Jackson, who.passed on at 84 on February 17, 2026, in Chicago. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a release issued on Wednesday named the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume as the leader of the delegation.
Other members of the delega- tion are the Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, Bianca OdumegwuOjukwu; Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs, Brian Browne; and Senior Special Assistant, Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.
The delegation will deliver President Tinubu’s message of condolences to the Jackson family.
The burial programme for the civil rights leader began on February 26, with a lying-in-state at Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. Services in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., and a lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse were
scheduled for March 1-5.
On March 6, a “People’s Celebration” will take place at House of Hope in Chicago, followed by a private homegoing on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
In an earlier tribute, the President had described Reverend Jackson as a great friend of Nigeria and Africa.
“He was a moral voice and a formidable resistance to apartheid in South Africa. He played a leading role in the campaign for the release from prison of Nelson Mandela and other African National Congress leaders. He won critical support for sanctions against the then apartheid government”, Tinubu wrote.
Abuja yesterday to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, brought together female federal and state legislators under a coordinated platform aimed at strengthening advocacy for gender-responsive legislation and increased representation of women in governance.
The event was convened by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), the research and capacity-building arm of the National Assembly, in collaboration with development partners and women-focused institutions.
The Special Seats for Women Bill before the National Assembly proposes six additional seats in the Senate, one per geopolitical zone; 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives, one per state and the Federal Capital Territory; and 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly, three per state.
Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, described the proposed legislation as a constitutional mechanism designed to address the under-representation of women in elective offices.
He said the National Assembly was approaching a critical stage in the constitutional amendment process, with voting on amendment bills expected in the coming weeks.
According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to deepen inclu-
siveness in Nigeria’s democratic framework by expanding opportunities for women to participate in legislative decision-making.
The renewed push for the bill has attracted support from development partners and institutions, including UN Women, the British High Commission, the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Council of Women Societies.
In his remarks, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, represented by the Deputy Head of UK Development Agency, Graham Gass, urged the National Assembly to proceed with the vote on the Special Seats Bill and described the period as an opportunity to advance democratic inclusion.
Montgomery said there were moral, democratic and developmental arguments in support of women’s representation, noting that evidence from other jurisdictions showed that broader inclusion could positively impact economic growth, human capital development and social justice.
He assured that international partners would continue to support efforts aimed at enhancing women’s participation in politics.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen
Abbas, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, said the House leadership remained committed to measures that would improve women’s political participation. She called for sustained engagement with political parties to strengthen internal mechanisms that promote women’s inclusion, alongside the proposed constitutional amendments.
In a message delivered on behalf of the Speaker, the House reaffirmed that addressing the under-representation of women in political and decision-making spaces remained a priority of the 10th Assembly. Abass noted that while women constitute a significant proportion of the population, their presence in elective positions remains comparatively low.
The House leadership said it was supporting the Special Seats proposal as a temporary constitutional measure to expand women’s representation in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
He added that the broader legislative agenda also includes measures to strengthen legal protections against gender-based violence, promote access to education and economic opportunities, and ensure equal rights in areas such as employment and property ownership.
L-R: Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi; Minister of Information, Mr. Mohammed Idris; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo; and Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, briefing the State House Press Corps on the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday
PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI
BURIAL OF THE RENOWNED LITERARY SCHOLAR, BIODUN JEYIFO...
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; members of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS); and other guests at the burial of the renowned literary scholar, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, popularly called BJ, in Ibadan, yesterday
FEC okays concrete roads, carter bridge demolition; four projects per zone for inauguration by May 15 Approves N10bn for HIV drugs, cancer care revival Places six-year moratorium on establishment of tertiary institutions
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its maiden meeting in 2026 on Wednesday with several resolutions including President Bola Tinubu’s move to address the myriad of problems facing the energy sector in the country.
At the meeting which he presided over at the Council Chambers at the State House, Abuja, the President presented two memos which were approved, one of which targets the long standing problems in Nigeria’s power sector.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke to newsmen after the FEC meeting, explained that, since the deregulation of the power sector, operations are split into generation, transmission, and distribution.
According to the Minister: “The President has said that the problem mainly in our quest to solve the
power problem is largely in the transmitting section. Therefore, Mr. President came with a bill mulling the idea of setting up what is called the Grid Asset Management Company, for example, Grid Asset Management Company.”
Idris stressed that the initiative is still a work in progress, with a multi ministerial committee already set up to oversee the process. The committee includes the Minister of Power, Minister of State for Gas, Minister of Works, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Nigeria Legal Service, and the Minister of Science and Technology, “or any other member that they may choose to cooperate with to ensure a seamless process.”
According to the Minister, the parameters, applicable laws, and the interests of existing investors and operators in the transmission segment will be examined with the aim of eventually presenting the framework to the National
Assembly for necessary legislation.
Idris said: “Of course the regulatory part will be looked at, all the laws will be looked at. The whole idea is to ensure that as Nigeria stabilizes its economy… and our foreign reserve is going up, over $50 billion, the highest in many years… inflation, food inflation is coming down… all aspects of the economy are really looking up and improving.”
He further explained President’s rationale:
“For us to actually industrialize, the power sector must be fixed and that is why we are taking this initiative of looking at how this grid asset management company will be set up to help us to solve the problem of power once and for all in this country.”
The second memo presented by President Tinubu was on reforming efficiency and morale in the civil service by introducing an additional exit benefits scheme
for retiring workers.
According to Idris, the Council approved “an additional exit benefits scheme providing up to 100 percent of employees’ total emoluments for retiring employees of all treasury funded ministries, departments, and agencies under the Contributory Pension Scheme.”
He emphasised that the decision is in line with Section 4(4)(a) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which empowers the government to introduce a gratuity framework for retiring employees of federal treasury funded MDAs.
“To say it again, there is an approval in place by council for implementation of an additional exit benefit scheme providing up to 100 percent of employees’ total emoluments for retiring employees of treasury funded MDAs.”
He described the move as “designed to improve efficiency in our civil service arrangement.”
Also, FEC approved multiple
WED: NSE Calls on Engineers to Help Govt Deliver Solutions to Insecurity
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday urged its members across the country to deploy their practical technical expertise in support of the government’s efforts to tackle the lingering insecurity in Nigeria.
President of the NSE, Ali Rabiu, also called for the adoption and deployment of smart engineering solutions to accelerate Nigeria’s development.
Smart engineering involves the application of advanced technologies
and innovative design approaches to create systems, products and structures that are efficient, sustainable and interconnected. It represents a blend of creativity and cutting-edge tools aimed at solving real-world challenges and driving national progress.
Rabiu made the call during the Society’s webinar organised to mark the World Engineering Day (WED). He described the 2026 theme: “Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future through Innovation and Digitalisation,” as timely and apt,
noting that it aligns with the pressing developmental needs of Nigeria.
He emphasised that addressing insecurity is crucial to enhancing trade relations with other countries and attracting investments from major global corporations.
“As we engage in discussions aligned with this theme, we must also explore how engineering can help the government deliver practical solutions to the lingering insecurity challenges facing our country. Nigeria’s position in global investment rankings and ease-of-doing-business
metrics is significantly influenced by safety conditions and regulatory predictability.
“Without urgent intervention, safety deficits will continue to undermine GDP growth, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), job creation, infrastructure sustainability and public trust in governance. Engineers, as critical stakeholders in nation-building, have a vital role to play in addressing these challenges and strengthening the foundation for economic growth and stability,” he stated.
high-impact road and bridge initiatives, from highway reconstructions to a full rebuild of Lagos’ Carter Bridge.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi told newsmen after the Council meeting that his ministry got approval for six numbers of projects.
The approvals, according to him, cover six strategic projects designed to boost transport links and resilience across the country.
One highlight is the revival of the stalled Suleja–Minna Road, previously handed to Salini Construction Company.
“The company did a bit of the job about 10 kilometers, and it was about 91 kilometers from Suleja to Minna. But it failed almost as they were doing it,” Umahi said.
He added that graciously, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago had taken over about 20 km via urban renewal, leaving 71 km by two carriageways. After termination—with the matter before ICPC for fund recovery—one carriageway went to CGC for N91 billion, and the second to CCECC post-BPP approval.
President Tinubu directed concrete for at least the shoulders and main carriageway. “So both projects, we will see very serious improvement in terms of performance starting from next week.”
Additionally, N5.6 billion was okayed for Advanced Engineering Consultants to handle design and costing of the Carter Bridge replacement.
“Recall that we have been to FEC, got approval after going through stakeholders’ engagements, the total recommendation was Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated, it should be
demolished, and then new bridge be constructed,” Umahi stated. FEC, he said, also retooled the 132 km Kano–Kongolam Road—a 2022 tax credit project spanning Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states—from asphalt to a secure three-lane (12m wide) concrete carriageway with solar lights, tree planting, and CCTV.
“Because of this security there, the project could not take off. And so when we came on board, we had to review the project and rephrase it… instead of doing the entire 132 kilometer by two, so we decided to take one carriageway by three lanes… 132 kilometer scoped for N334 billion,” Umahi explained.
Contracts for the 86 km Abuja–Lokoja Road, He said the contracts were scrutinized amid underperformance by firms like Venus and Sodiji.
“Venus and Sodiji, they are not performing, we have decided to terminate our contract… this one we have scoped now is 86 kilometer, which we are going to do on concrete. And five contractors bid it, and two got one week,” Umahi said. It includes prior sections like 48 km by Trukrit and 56 km by Keyhote, now with Julius Berger among handlers for N146 billion total.
The 103 km Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa dual carriageway, inherited with minimal progress, got a fresh N427 billion award after review, noting Osun State’s 5 km contribution.
Phase Two of the 129.3 km Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation, at N203 billion, will better link Nasarawa State to the FCT.
Umahi also announced ambitions for rapid delivery.
AIR CHIEF LEADS DELEGATION TO VISIT DIRI IN YENAGOA...
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri (left), and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, during the latter and his delegation’s courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday
Tinubu Suspends Airport Cashless Policy over Unprecedented Traffic Gridlock
Keyamo: step taken due to congestion, missed flights at Lagos and Abuja airports Govt to involve private sector in redesigning suspended electronic payment system
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday directed the immediate suspension of the recently introduced cashless payment system at Nigerian airports following concerns that its implementation had caused severe traffic gridlock and hardship for air travellers nationwide.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the suspension while briefing newsmen at State House, Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by Tinibu.
Keyamo said the directive followed reports the newly introduced system at tollgates and other payment points around airports had led to long queues, causing many passengers to miss their flights.
He said the cashless system was initially introduced by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to eliminate corruption and improve revenue collection for the federal government, replacing a decades-old practice of cash payments.
Keyamo stated, “The first one has to do with the present cashless system we introduced at our toll gates across the country in order to eliminate corruption and optimise revenue for the federal government.
“You recall that this practice had gone on for more than 50 years where operators of the toll gates collect cash from motorists at points of collection across the country, mostly at toll gates and other points like parking lots.”
Keyamo said less than a week after the introduction of the cashless system, it began to create serious congestion around airport access roads, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.
He said the president became concerned that the situation was causing undue hardship for travellers and directed that the system be immediately suspended, pending further improvements.
He stated, “Mr. President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were missing their flights.
“So, Mr. President, out of empathy, directed today that we should suspend the present system because it creates a lot of gridlock and Nigerians are suffering as a result of it.”
Keyamo said the president instructed the ministry and FAAN to revert temporarily to the previous payment arrangement while officials worked on a more efficient electronic solution.
The minister explained that the government would implement a temporary hybrid arrangement allowing both cash payments and the use of prepaid FAAN cards already purchased by some motorists.
He said, “For those who have bought FAAN cards before, we can do a hybrid system whereby we can collect cash temporarily and, of course, use the cards that they have collected temporarily for now.”
Keyamo added that the federal government would engage private sector partners to develop a more efficient electronic payment platform that would eliminate cash transactions without causing delays for motorists.
He said the president also directed that the review process should not take long, emphasising the need to restore efficiency at airport entry points as quickly as possible.
AGF Opposes Human Rights Defenders Bill, Backs NHRC Reform with Reservations
Juliet Akoje in Abuja
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Wednesday disagreed with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill.
Fagbemi conveyed the ministry’s position at a public hearing organised by House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, in Abuja.
The hearing focused on the Hu-
OLEF 2026: Oil Industry Stakeholders
to Chart Pathway to Nigeria’s 3mbpd Production Target
Peter Uzoho
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry stakeholders including operators, policymakers, regulators, investors, and service providers will brainstorm on achieving the county’s three million barrels per day (bpd) oil production target by 2030 at this year’s edition of the annual Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) in Abuja.
Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, Mr. Francis Nwaochei disclosed this in Lagos at a press conference heralding the forum slated for April 9, 2026.
The theme of the forum is:
“Beyond the Three Million Barrels Target: Harmonising Digitalisation, Capital and Policy Frameworks for Intelligent Operations and Asset Optimisation.”
The SPE chairman expressed optimism that Nigeria could reach its goal of producing over three million barrels of oil per day by 2030, as set by the federal government.
Nwaochei, however, noted that achieving that would require innovation, smarter coordination, disciplined capital use, and clear policies.
According to him, easy production was no longer an option; only intelligent operations would drive
progress.
He observed that current Nigeria’s oil output remains below national potential, pointing out that while there have been encouraging improvements, the country was still producing beneath its capacity and aspirations.
“The implications are significant. Production levels directly affect public revenue, foreign exchange stability, infrastructure funding, and overall economic confidence. In fact, crude oil production levels dictate the cost of living for the average Nigerian.
“Reaching and surpassing three million barrels per day is not simply about meeting a headline target.
man Rights Defenders Protection Bill as well as a bill seeking to repeal National Human Rights Commission Act and National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010, in order to enact National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2025.
The proposed amendment aimed to reinforce the commission’s routine powers, enhance its investigative capacity, and sustain contributions to the Human Rights Fund for rights-related activities nationwide, in alignment with the Paris Principles and other related matters.
According to the CSOs, Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill is designed to advance accountability, transparency, social justice, and adherence to the rule of law.
It also seeks to safeguard civil society actors, journalists, lawyers,
community leaders, whistle-blowers, faith-based groups, and citizens who peacefully advocate the protection and preservation of constitutionally and internationally recognised rights.
Represented by Chief of State Counsel, Mr. Reuben Imarha, Fagbemi maintained that Nigeria already had sufficient laws addressing human rights protection.
He warned that introducing another statute could result in institutional overlap, legislative confusion, and duplication of responsibilities among government agencies.
While acknowledging existing shortcomings in the country’s human rights protection framework, the minister urged lawmakers to strengthen and empower current institutions to improve implementation capacity.
He stated that the ministry firmly opposed the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill and called on the House to discard the proposed legislation.
On the separate bill to repeal the existing National Human Rights Commission Act and enact the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2025, Fagbemi expressed support but highlighted specific concerns. He pointed to Clause 5(2b), which proposed making it mandatory for business owners to obtain an annual human rights compliance certificate. Although he acknowledged instances of human rights violations by business operators, Fagbemi stated that the provision could undermine efforts to promote ease of doing business in Nigeria and should, therefore, be reviewed.
Tinubu Reappoints NIPSS DG, Prof Ayo Omotayo for Another Four-Year Term
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of the DirectorGeneral of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Professor Ayo Omotayo, for a final term of four years.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Omanuga, in a release issued on Wednesday stated that Omotayo
was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2021 while the Ninth Senate confirmed his appointment in February 2022.
Omotayo, a Professor of Environmental Sustainability, attended the University of Ibadan from 1980 to 1990, where he obtained a PhD in Geography. He began his teaching career
at the Lagos State University in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in 1992 at the age of 30. He was the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences between 2012 and 2017 and the Director of the Centre for Planning at Lagos State University until he was appointed Director-General of the National Institute in 2021.
Gbajabiamila: Nigeria To Launch Landmark
National Single Trade Window March 27
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Hon Femi Gbajiamila, has disclosed that Nigeria will launch the highly anticipated National Single Window (NSW) platform on March 27.
He described the move as a “monumental” step in transforming the country’s trade ecosystem.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the State House, Abuja, attended by ministers, agency heads, and key officials said the initiative, first launched by President Bola Tinubu nearly two years ago, is a far-reaching fiscal reform that will streamline trade procedures, improve efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
His words: “We are about to
launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational.
“As the name suggests, it is a single national window as opposed to multiple single windows. This meeting is to review the progress we have made and get your commitment that we will manage this transition smoothly.”
The Chief of Staff commended the dedication and professionalism of the Central Bank, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies involved.
Earlier in his presentation, the NSW Coordinator, Mr Tola Fakolade, urged agencies to intensify support in the final 23 days before the “go-live” as scheduled.
According to him, the first phase
will enable online processing of import permits, electronic submission of cargo manifests, and the introduction of a centralised risk management system.
He added that nationwide user training is ongoing, and pilot testing will soon be conducted to ensure a smooth rollout.
Fakolade added that cargo manifests would be submitted electronically and transmitted automatically to relevant agencies without human intervention.
“The support that we need from each of the agencies is even more critical now. Documents will be submitted once and shared with all relevant agencies without duplication,” he said.
Also speaking, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister
of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project.
“This is a growth-enhancing and growth-enabling project. What is required of the Ministry of Finance, we will definitely do,” he said.
On her part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, reiterated the ministry’s full support, calling the project a critical pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She stressed that the initiative is long overdue and promised active collaboration with relevant agencies over the next three weeks to sensitise traders, importers, and exporters.
Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, also pledged the Bank’s full support, highlighting the importance of closing Nigeria’s trade facilitation gap with other countries.
Similarly, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, called for stronger coordination and political will, proposing that the Minister of Trade lead the 23-day implementation phase to ensure seamless delivery.
Also, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the NSW project as a historic milestone, emphasising direct engagement with stakeholders and full collaboration to guarantee success.
At the end of the meeting, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was mandated to lead the implementation phase to ensure a smooth and successful launch on March 27.
Agencies represented, apart from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), were the Standards Organisation
SECURITY FORCES LOCK DOWN ABUJA AMID ESCALATING US-ISRAEL, IRAN WAR
Armed personnel were deployed around key government institutions, diplomatic zones and major transit corridors, as authorities moved to pre-empt any security breach linked to the intensifying Middle East conflict. While officials did not announce a specific threat, the precautionary lockdown indicated growing global anxiety over the widening confrontation.
The development came as hostilities between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran deepened, raising concerns about geopolitical instability, energy supply shocks and the potential for retaliatory actions far beyond the immediate theatre of war.
Besides, Iran has deferred a planned farewell to its murdered Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fuelling speculation about internal security calculations
known as state police, had come to stay in the country.
He read the riot act to his men, whose welfare he promised to prioritise.
The new IGP said there will be zero tolerance for abuse of authority, misconduct, and partisanship on his watch. He vowed that public protests would henceforth be handled professionally.
To actualise the approach he was bringing to the table, Disu officially inaugurated a seven-member steering committee on the establishment of State Police in Nigeria.
The committee’s inauguration came four days after Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate a decentralised policing system.
Disu was last week named acting IGP after the resignation of his predecessor, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, at Council Chambers of State House, Abuja.
Tinubu, who did not read any speech after swearing in Disu, only told him, “You can go,” so that the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in 2026 could begin in earnest.
The president also administered oaths of office on six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies, held just before the FEC meeting, was attended by ministers, top government officials, and family members of the appointees.
Addressing newsmen after tak-
as Israeli officials publicly threatened to eliminate any designated successor.
The postponement, coming amid sustained aerial and missile exchanges, signalled heightened tensions within Tehran’s leadership circle, even as Israel hardened its rhetoric, warning that its campaign would extend to the highest echelons of Iran’s command structure if provoked.
Also, the US Embassy in Abuja yesterday cancelled scheduled visa appointments, citing security considerations linked to the rapidly evolving conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The move disrupted routine consular services and underscored diplomatic ripple effects of the war, as missions worldwide reassessed their risk posture in response to the intensifying hostilities.
ing the oath of office, Disu, who commented on potential protests amid global tensions, affirmed that state police had come to stay, and vowed to prioritise officers’ welfare.
He stated, “Everywhere in the world, we are aware that is what we call intelligence policing. Our ears are to the ground. We know we have groups of people, different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria.
“We have those who pay allegiance to this eastern part of the world as well. So, we know if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussion will come to us.
“So we are putting all necessary actions. You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take laws and orders into their hands.”
Elaborating his approach, he said, “I made up my mind to ensure that my officers get to know that we are working for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens of the country are our bosses.”
Asked to comment on a committee he set up earlier on Wednesday morning to review state police, Disu stressed, “We don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything. We want to ensure that the best thing is done.
“State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”
Speaking on the longstanding
Security Forces Lock Down Abuja on Escalating Middle East Crisis
Abuja was on lockdown yesterday as stern looking soldiers and policemen were deployed to strategic parts of the city to prevent potential anarchy following the Middle East crisis escalation that followed the attack on Iran by US and Israel.
The unusual security activities followed a security alert issued yesterday by the United States Embassy to its citizens in Abuja about the likelihood of demonstration holding in the nation’s capital.
Traffic was at a near standstill on the arterial Abuja-Keffi road following a cordon set up by security forces to prevent members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as the Shiites, from
welfare concerns for officers and men, the new police chief said, “It is somebody that is well-motivated that will put in their best. Our jobs are very difficult. Some few years ago, when I was Commissioner of Police, FCT, I was bold enough to announce that we lost 140 policemen just in a year.
“So the jobs are difficult. Men sleep out. A lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very, very vital, and I’m lucky to be working with a president, who has made up his mind to give us whatever we want.”
ongoing strategy to diversify its reserve portfolio and enhance financial stability.
A statement yesterday quoted the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, as having disclosed this at a one-day workshop on ‘Strategies to Maximise the Economic Benefits of Minerals in Nigeria.’
The gold, sourced domestically, was aggregated by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) under the National Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP).
The initiative engages local miners and adheres to internationally recognised responsible sourcing standards, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidelines and the World Gold Council’s London Principles. Cardoso, further disclosed that the CBN acquired the monetarygrade gold in Naira at pricing linked to LBMA benchmarks, a
protesting over the ongoing attack on Iran by the US and Israel.
Besides, pedestrians heading towards Abuja spent several agonising hours in the traffic yesterday morning. Some persons were also arrested and taken to the police station for attempting to foment trouble.
The lockdown was perceived as a precautionary measure to prevent similar protests held in Niger, Kaduna and Sokoto states over the weekend by Shiites from spilling over to Abuja.
As early as 9 a.m. policemen and soldiers from Army headquarters, with some mounting gun trucks and personnel carrier vehicles, set up road blocks at Mopol Junction at the Mararaba- Nyanyan intersection.
There was a similar security checkpoint by soldiers at Kugbo and inside Abuja by the Ministry
Speaking at his maiden meeting with strategic police managers at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Disu directed officers and men of the Nigeria Police to maintain strict neutrality in all electoral engagements, declaring that his leadership will not tolerate partisanship or misconduct.
The IGP delivered a clear and uncompromising message on professional conduct, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.
Continued on page 35
structure designed to preserve Nigeria’s foreign exchange holdings while strengthening the nation’s gold reserves.
By purchasing domestically refined gold without deploying foreign currency, he said, the transaction enhances reserve accretion and supports broader macroeconomic stability objectives.
Cardoso also highlighted major shifts in global reserve management strategies, noting their increasing importance amid rising global economic uncertainties.
He described the event as a reflection of Nigeria’s shared commitment to responsible and strategic management of its mineral resources. He emphasised that the workshop underscored the nation’s readiness to adapt to the realities of an evolving global economy, where resilience, diversification, and prudent governance have become increasingly vital.”
He further explained that the
Gbajabiamila
of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
notice.
of Finance and Eagles Square, and several other key infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
US Embassy Cancels Visa Appointments in Abuja
In the same vein, the United States Embassy in Abuja cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday following heightened security concerns linked to escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran.
In a security alert issued to American citizens in Nigeria, the embassy warned of the potential for protests and public demonstrations in the FCT, urging its nationals to remain indoors and avoid crowded areas.
The precautionary move came amid growing global reactions to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East. Although no specific threat was publicly disclosed, the embassy cited “an abundance of caution” in suspending consular visa services for the day.
However, applicants affected by the cancellation were assured that their appointments will be rescheduled. The embassy said those impacted would receive further instructions regarding new interview dates.
The embassy advised US citizens to stay alert, monitor local media for updates, keep mobile devices charged, and carry valid identification at all times. It also recommended avoiding any large gatherings or protest-prone locations until further
session, convened by the CBN’s Corporate Secretariat and Reserve Management Departments, was designed to create a structured platform for engagement with key players in the gold sector and to deepen understanding of the industry’s current landscape, opportunities, and challenges across its value chain.
He added: “Central banks around the world are prioritising economic resilience amid persistent geopolitical and market uncertainties.”
Gold, he said, has regained importance as a hedge against inflation and volatility, while other critical minerals are increasingly shaping global supply chains and advanced industrial development.
Cardoso emphasised that Nigeria’s immense natural and human resource potential could only be fully realised through prudence, strategic coordination, and long-term planning.
While visa services in Abuja were suspended temporarily, the embassy indicated that emergency consular assistance would remain available. Operations at the US Consulate General in Lagos were not immediately affected.
Iran Defers Khamenei’s Farewell, Israel Threatens to Kill Successor
Similarly, a ceremony commemorating Iran’s late leader Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran has been postponed, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, days after he was assassinated along with family members in joint air strikes by Israel and the United States.
The news agency quoted an official citing logistical issues for the delay, including requests from people in different provinces to attend the ceremony.
Funeral arrangements are ongoing and are expected to draw huge crowds, and, with them, the potential threat of US-Israeli attacks on a gathering of mass mourning. Some 10 million people attended Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s funeral in 1989.
The report came hours after Hojjatoleslam Mahmoudi, head of Iran’s Islamic Propagation Council, had initially said the farewell ceremony would start at 10pm at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall and continue for three days.
Continued on page 39
He highlighted the need for strict adherence to internationally recognised standards, stressing that institutional credibility depends on strong governance frameworks.
The Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, highlighted that the successful delivery of LBMA standard gold demonstrates the strength of the organisation’s formalisation framework and supply chain due diligence processes.
The World Gold Council’s Director of Central Banks and Public Policy, Ms Kurtulus Taskale Diamondopoulos, commended both the CBN and SMDF for designing the Nigerian Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP) in line with the twelve London Principles for responsible artisanal and small-scale gold sourcing. She noted that the partnership
Continued on page 37
DISU SWORN IN AS 23RD IGP, DECLARES STATE POLICE HAS NOW COME TO STAY
CBN BOOSTS FOREIGN RESERVES WITH INDIGENOUS GOLD AS HOLDINGS HIT $3.5BN
Youths Demand Investigations into Deputy Speaker’s Alleged Breach of NYSC, Law School Regulations
Group
alleges he drew salaries, allowances from two govt agencies same time
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu
The Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been urged to conduct respective investigations into the petition filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) made the call in a statement issued yesterday, saying that thorough investigations are needed to establish the authenticity of the NYSC
discharge certificate issued to the Deputy Speaker.
Similarly, a good governance promotion organisation, Due Process Watch (DPW), has faulted Kalu’s alleged “smart scheme,” where he served as an aide to Abia State Governor, a Senior Special Adviser in 2010, drawing full salaries and allowances from the then Governor Theodore Orji-led Abia State Government and at the same time rendered the country’s one year mandatory youth service in Enugu State, also drawing full allowances from the NYSC.
Describing this act as “wrong and unacceptable,”
DPW said “it is wrong for Hon Benjamin Kalu to serve full time in two government agencies at the same time - in this case, the NYSC and Abia State Government.
A former first Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. John AikpokpoMartins, was said to have petitioned LPDC, alleging that Kalu had concurrently
attended Nigeria Law School while participating in the compulsory national youth service scheme.
In the statement signed by its President-General, Goodluck
Ibem, and Publicity Secretary, Okey
said that it has taken “serious note of the petition” by the lawyer, warning that it should not be swept under the carpet.
Expert Pushes for Regional Police Reform for True Federalism
Blessing ibunge in Port Harcourt
An expert in security matters, Dr Chyma Anthony, has urged the federal government to consider regional police framework that promotes true federalism instead of state policing.
Dr Anthony recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Minister Urged to Clarify Issues on Reproductive Health Policy Integrity
segun awofadeji in Bauchi
A health awareness group, Saqafatul Islam Foundation Nigeria (SIFN), has strongly called on the coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to clarify the Reproductive Health Policy Integrity, External Influence Concerns, and Public Confidence.
The group sought clarification in an open letter
signed by Muhammad Awwal Ahmadu, secretary of the foundation, which was sent to the minister and made available to journalists yesterday in Bauchi.
The letter said: “As patriotic stakeholders, we request the minister’s comments on a matter of growing public concern on Nigeria’s fertility rate, the integrity of reproductive health policy discussions, and
the implications of recent international disclosures for public trust.
“Public reporting and commentary in recent weeks—including reports referencing materials said to be connected to the Jeffrey Epstein matter—have generated anxiety among Nigerians about whether influential foreign individuals or networks may have taken an interest in demographic outcomes in Nigeria.
Cattle Farmer Accuses Govt Officials of Midnight Invasion in Oyo
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
A cattle farmer, Mohamned Abubakar, has accused officials of the Oyo State Government of invading his farm and carting away six of his cattle at his Ilaju cattle farm settlement on Eruwa road in Ido Local Government Area of the state.
Abubakar, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, said the government officials invaded his farm around 4 a.m. last Thursday, stating
‘Nigeria
that they destroyed his home while preparing for Ramadan fast.
According to him, one of the cows was killed, adding that the matter was reported at the Ido Police Station.
He said: “That Thursday midnight, after we had left our farm, it was during sahur that they came in a convoy to raid our cattle farm, around 4:00 a.m. They killed one of my cows and took six away. We went to the Ido Police Station to lodge a report.
Our place is at Ilaju along Eruwa road.
“As we were coming with the police to the cattle farm, we met the officials on the road, and the leader of the team identified himself as a Police Officer. He told us that we should come to the state Secretariat, and they have been doing this against us for a long time.
“For instance, if they took away our cow worth N10 million, they would ask us to pay N20 million to reclaim it.
Undergoing Restructuring, Economic Reforms’
A political interest group, the Global Alliance for Tinubu Campaign (GATC), has said that the federal government is responding to the yearnings of Nigerians through the implementation of various reform initiatives.
Apart from tackling insecurity, the group said the present administration is already addressing the clamour for restructuring and power devolution by pushing for local government autonomy, energy
sector reform, and state police
Speaking at the inaugural press conference in Abuja yesterday, the Director-General of GATC, Prince Bevis Paul Igbinoba, said the country has witnessed giant strides and unprecedented and landmark achievements of President Tinubu since he assumed office in the last 33 months.
He said the president is addressing the issues of insecurity as well as restructuring iholistically adding that what is required to fix the country at this stage is not regime change but
continuity and consolidation of the progress so far made.
Igbinoba, who was flanked by other leaders of GATC during the briefing, said: “We are witnesses to the concerted and conscious efforts of President Tinubu to rescue Nigeria from the brink of precipice and economic doldrum through administrative sagacity, bold, courageous, and visionary policies and reforms. We are also aware of how President Tinubu is confronting headlong the hydraheaded problem of Insecurity and economic hardship inherited by his administration.
Ecobank, AFC, Others Set Stage for Art Fair
Nume
Ekeghe
Ecobank Nigeria, African Finance Corporation (AFC) and other stakeholders are set to deepen their backing of Nigeria’s creative economy as the +234 Art Fair returns in 2026 with a strong emphasis on inclusion and expanded access for emerging artists.
The Fair, an initiative of Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery, has grown
into a prominent platform dedicated to young, ungalleried and emerging Nigerian artists seeking visibility and market access. Its name is derived from Nigeria’s international dialling code, +234 — a symbolic statement of intent to project Nigerian creativity onto the global stage through art, a universal language. Scheduled to hold from March 5 to 8, 2026, at
the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos, the four-day exhibition will run under the theme “Inclusivity: Widening the Frame.”
Organisers said the theme reflects a deliberate effort to broaden representation within the art ecosystem and connect a more diverse range of creatives to collectors, investors and global audiences.
had recently, intensified calls for State Police, as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s fight against escalating insecurity.
President, during a meeting with Senate members in Abuja, had urged the National Assembly to accelerate constitutional amendments to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to enable the creation of state police forces.
The president reiterated this
commitment in engagements with governors, emphasising that decentralisation would bring policing closer to the people, reclaim territories from bandits and insurgents, and restore safety for everyday Nigerians.
However, speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, Dr Anthony noted that the push by the President aligns with broader “federalism reform” efforts in Nigeria, where
debates on true fiscal, political, and security devolution have gained momentum.
He said: “Recent legislative actions including bills like HB. 617 (Constitution Alteration Bill for Establishment of State Police) propose amending key sections (e.g., Sections 214, 215) to allow federal and state police coexistence, with frameworks for structure, oversight, and safeguards against abuse.
Persecution An Integral Part of Christianity, Says Dr. Olayemi
sunday Okobi
The Founder and Rector of Ever Increasing Bible School, Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr. Taiye Olayemi, has said that Christians cannot run away from persecution because it is an integral part of Christianity.
The cleric made the declaration while addressing journalists during the maiden
matriculation ceremony of the school, which took place over the weekend in the school premises.
Olayemi, while responding to the recent concern about Christian genocide and persecution in Nigeria, noted that since persecution is part of Christianity and Christians cannot shield themselves from it, adding that they can only build themselves up to be able to face that
persecution because it will surely come. He stressed that no government, no policy, or arms can stop it because it is part and parcel of the Christian race. He, however, cautioned that it may not be like the case of Boko Haram or banditry that’s ravaging the country, adding that: “No, but Jesus said if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. It is a normal thing.
Nwaoru, COSEYL
Onyebuchi Ezigboinabuja
AFRICA WOMEN OF IMPACT AWARD 2026
ABOYADE FUNKE (SAN) Lawyer, Principal Partner, Aboyade & Co
UKEJE, NNENNA Politician, House of Representatives.
TILAHUN ALEMU, BETHLEHEM Entrepreneur, SoleRebels
ZILLE, HELEN Politician, Activist, Democratic Alliance (DA).
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FEaturEs
Beyond the Headcount: Why Gender Inclusion Must Mean More Than Hiring Women
Ijeoma Ohiaeri
Amale friend mentioned it to me last week, almost sheepishly. His Uber app had pinged, the car pulled up, and when a woman stepped out to help with his luggage, he felt a flicker of surprise. Not delight, just surprise.
The same surprise he'd felt months earlier boarding a flight, when the pilot's voice over the intercom was unmistakably female, or when the flight attendant serving drinks was a man in his fifties who moved through the aisle with the ease of someone who'd been doing this for decades.
These moments should be unremarkable. And yet, they aren't.
That uncomfortable pause, that split second where his brain had to reconcile what he saw with what he'd unconsciously expected, is the same reflex that quietly shapes workplaces across Nigeria and beyond. It's the reason a woman in a hard hat still turns heads on a construction site. It's why the phrase "female engineer" still feels like it needs a qualifier. It's the unspoken bias that says: certain roles belong to certain people.
And in 2026, as we mark International Women's Day under the theme "Give to Gain," it's time we addressed what that bias is costing us, not just in fairness, but in organisational strength, stakeholder trust, and long-term economic resilience.
The Illusion of Inclusion
Gender inclusion has moved from aspiration to expectation. Globally, communities, regulators, investors, and industry stakeholders are no longer asking if organisations care about gender equality, they're asking how deeply those commitments run. In the context of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, gender diversity has become a litmus test for whether values are embedded or merely performed.
But here's the uncomfortable truth: many organisations have mistaken representation for inclusion. They've hired more women. They've updated their headcount statistics. They've ticked the box. And then they've stopped.
What they haven't done is examine the invisible architecture that keeps women confined to certain roles. In too many workplaces, women dominate administrative functions while men occupy technical and leadership positions. The bias isn't explicit, it's atmospheric. It's in the assumptions made during recruitment. It's in the roles deemed "suitable" for women. It's in the quiet, unexamined belief that leadership is something women can support, but not necessarily embody. This isn't inclusion. This is stratification with better PR.
The problem with this approach is that it doesn't just limit women—it limits the organisation. When talent is filtered through outdated assumptions about gender, companies lose access to the very diversity of thought and experience that drives innovation, improves decision-making, and builds stakeholder confidence.
Give to Gain: What the Theme Really Means
This year's International Women's Day theme, "Give to Gain," cuts to the heart of what real inclusion demands. It's not charity. It's not benevolence. It's strategy.
When organisations give women
genuine opportunity (not just roles, but responsibility, visibility, and pathways to leadership) they gain something far more valuable than optics. They gain competence. They gain resilience. They gain the trust of stakeholders who are increasingly unwilling to accept sustainability reports that don't reflect lived realities.
Because here's what investors, regulators, and communities have figured out: organisations that cannot build fairness internally will struggle to sustain credibility externally. ESG frameworks don't start with a glossy annual report. They start with the person sitting at the meeting table, the engineer making safety decisions on-site, the manager trusted to lead. When women are absent from those spaces—or present only in peripheral roles—it signals a failure of governance, not just diversity. True inclusion, then, is an insideout proposition. It is built where work happens. It is demonstrated in hiring practices, training investments, safety standards, and leadership accountability. And it is measured not by the number of women on payroll, but by where those women sit, what they do, and whether they are trusted to grow.
A Case Study in Intentional Systems: Segilola Resources Operating Limited
In Nigeria, where women make up just 18% of the formal mining workforce (according to NEITI reports), one company stands as evidence that inclusion—when deliberate—can be embedded across an entire value chain.
Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), Nigeria's leading exploration and gold mining company, has built something rare in the sector: a workplace where women are not exceptional, but expected. From pit controllers and dump truck drivers to geotechnical engineers, database geologists, mechanics, and mine planners, women at SROL work at every level of operations.
This didn't happen by accident.
"In Nigeria, there's a tendency to pigeonhole women into purely
they begin to ask different questions. Not Should we hire women? but Where are the gaps in our decision-making because women are absent? Not How do we look more diverse? but How do we build systems that allow talent to thrive, regardless of gender?
SROL's approach has strengthened internal decision-making, reduced operational risk, and enhanced stakeholder confidence. It has also contributed to a broader cultural shift in how mining is practised and perceived in Nigeria. By creating space for women to thrive in roles historically closed to them, the company has built not just representation, but organisational capacity.
Breaking Stereotypes from the Inside Out
Historically, mining has been associated with physical strength rather than technical expertise. Yet as the industry evolves, skills, data, engineering, and environmental stewardship have become just as vital as physical labour.
Women at SROL are proving the shift in real time.
traditional roles," says Longe Olawunmi, a data entry and logistics assistant at SROL. "Working at Segilola has made me realise that I have a unique perspective that brings diversity of ideas and knowledge to the team. I was the first lady to be employed in exploration because my boss saw potential in me. He saw that I had the competencies and skill sets to excel in the role. In my department, now, they call me the Iron Lady because of the way I do my job among men. If you give women opportunities and encourage them, they can perform well."
For Tosin Atanda, now a pit controller, that access was transformative. Three years ago, she was a waitress. Today, she operates one of the most critical roles in mining operations. The journey wasn't accidental. SROL deliberately upskilled her, first training her as a dump truck driver, then investing in her development until she could take on the responsibility of pit control.
"Three years ago as a waitress, I never believed I could be here today," she reflects. "Working at SROL has felt like a dream unfolding because of how much I have grown and how much support they have given me."
These aren't stories of women being tolerated in male spaces. They are stories of women being equipped, trusted, and given room to lead.
From Social Issue to Governance Imperative
What SROL has understood (and what many organisations have not) is that gender inclusion is not a social issue that sits adjacent to operations. It is a governance concern that shapes operational risk, competence, and long-term resilience.
Ganiyu Olawunmi, a light vehicle mechanic and founder of Shecanic Auto Garage, puts it plainly: "Inclusion is not just about giving women roles. It is also about trusting women to do the job and allowing them to take ownership of work responsibilities to become more competent."
This shift in framing matters. When organisations treat inclusion as a matter of governance (not goodwill)
Tejumade Momoh, Acting Senior Geotechnical Engineer at SROL, explains: "As a geotech engineer, my job is to protect the mine and ensure that we mine to design and protect the environment while making a profit. There aren't many jobs in geology, and there aren't many roles for women, so having the opportunity to start at a company where everybody is willing to support growth has been a godsend."
Momoh's role is not symbolic. She is making decisions that directly influence safety, productivity, environmental protection, and profitability. Her presence in that role signals something deeper than diversity, it signals competence being rewarded over convention.
This is the kind of internal shift that builds external credibility. When stakeholders see women operating dump trucks, planning mines, managing geological data, and safeguarding operations, they see an organisation that has moved beyond performative gestures to embedded practice.
The Road Ahead
Nigeria's mining industry still has significant ground to cover in gender representation. But the experiences of women at SROL point to what is possible when inclusion is intentional and structural, not aspirational and symbolic.
They show that ESG credibility cannot be manufactured externally; it must be cultivated internally through consistent actions, fair structures, and genuine opportunity. They demonstrate that when people are trusted, supported, and empowered to do their best work, stakeholder confidence follows naturally.
As ESG expectations continue to evolve, the organisations that will lead are those whose internal realities align with their external declarations. In an industry where trust is hard-earned, building it from within may be the most sustainable strategy of all. So the next time you're surprised to see a woman behind the wheel of your Uber, or in the cockpit of your flight, or operating a dump truck at a mine site, pause. Ask yourself: Why was I surprised?
And then ask: What systems in my own workplace are reinforcing that same bias?
Because until the answer is none, the work of inclusion is far from finished.
•Ohiaeri is SROL Corporate Affairs Manager
Ohiaeri
NCC Moves to Address Challenges in Mobile Number Recycling, Offers Safeguards
Stories by Emma Okonji
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has intensified its interaction with other industries, in a bid to address the challenges associated with mobile number recycling.
The recycling of telephone lines presents challenges, particularly when the previous owners of reassigned numbers still have those numbers linked to services they used before the numbers were recycled.
It presents issues of security and integrity of
phone number ownership, which the NCC is trying to address.
The regulator, in a document seen by THISDAY, said it has developed a cross-sector platform called the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) portal that collects and shares data on recycled (churned) phone numbers as well as numbers that have been flagged as having been used for fraudulent activities, as reported by other sector regulators.
The platform will provide access to relevant authorities
and prevent abuse of recycled lines.
The goal, according to NCC, is to prevent the misuse of numbers when they change hands. NCC promised to make the information on the platform available to relevant stakeholders across various sectors, noting that it requires significant dialogue as Know Your Customers (KYC) needs of different sectors vary and need to interact properly.
The platform is billed for launch before the end of this month after the completion of the commission’s
consultative engagements with relevant stakeholders. While it will be hosted by the NCC, key regulators and sector stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Pension Authorities, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), security agencies, and other authorised institutions, will have appropriate visibility into churned and reported numbers, the document stated.
The conceptualisation
and development of TIRMS started in March 2024. So far, it has been built and tested with telecom operators by the NCC. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria is also currently being finalised to operationalise the platform upon its launch. The platform is scheduled to go live once the consultations are concluded.
“NCC has already commenced the process of amending the relevant regulations to support the deployment of TIRMS. A consultation on the proposed
amendments to the Business Rules of the Quality of Service Regulations 2024 and the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations 2022 is currently underway and is expected to be concluded before the end of March 2026. Upon completion of the review, the revised rules will provide for the notification of line owners whose numbers are about to be churned, using alternative contact channels within a specified timeframe prior to the disconnection.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations (UN) agency for digital technologies, has said its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition initiative has received boost from partners that have pledged over $82 billion in support of its global expansion plan on internet connectivity, designed to bridge global digital divide.
Launched in 2021, Partner2Connect (P2C) serves as a mobilisation platform to rally commitments from governments, the private
sector, and civil society for projects and investments that support connectivity and digital inclusion, particularly in the world’s most remote communities.
ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who disclosed this at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, said the financial support from partners would be used to support the remaining 2.2 billion people that are still offline globally and missing out on opportunities afforded
by digital technologies, from education and healthcare to entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
“With the P2C pledges steadily growing, the initiative is firmly on track to meet its $100 billion target by the end of 2026,” Bogdan-Martin said.
She added: “Today’s milestone shows what’s possible when we pool our collective resources towards making connectivity universal and meaningful. Reaching $82 billion in pledges through
Partner2Connect means unlocking life-changing opportunities for hundreds of millions of people that are still offline.”
The pledges announced at MWC 2026 include pledges from Mobily and Ooredoo Group.
Mobily is a $1.715 billion investment in data centers, submarine cables, and 5G and next-generation network infrastructure. Mobily reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive global connectivity in alignment with Saudi Vision
2030 aspirations towards becoming a hub connecting east with west. Through its investment, Mobily aims at scaling Saudi Arabia’s AI and cloud computing capabilities, enabling competitive, resilient, and future-ready national development and meaningful global collaboration.
Ooredoo Group is a $500 million investment in submarine and terrestrial optical fibre infrastructure, aiming to expand high-capacity connectivity across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
region, strengthening regional and international digital links and supporting inclusive economic growth through resilient, future-ready network infrastructure.
These commitments, according to ITU, directly support its goal of achieving universal, meaningful connectivity and ensuring everyone has access to affordable, reliable internet and the skills to use it safely and effectively.
COURTESY VISIT…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Right); the Managing Director/CEO Alpha Morgan Bank, Mr Ade Buraimo (Left), when Buraimo paid a courtesy visit to Kalu in Abuja… recently
The federal government is aiming to increase manufacturing sector’s contribution to the GDP from its current 8.2 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.
The federal government expressed this view in its recently launched Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), which was unveiled in by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in February 2026.
It stated that the aim of Nigeria’s industrial policy frameworks is “to drive economic growth, reduce dependence on oil exports, and promote sustainable development” and contribute to achieving Nigeria’s aspiration of attaining the $1 trillion economy by 2030.
According to the government, the plan
would “accelerate Nigeria’s industrial transformation by leveraging its natural and human capital to promote inclusive, sustainable, and competitive manufacturing, deepen economic diversification, and generate mass employment through innovation, infrastructure development, investment and export.”
The federal government explained that the policy direction of its NIP is anchored on the development of four sectors, namely metals and solid minerals, oil and gas, construction and manufacturing.
The Minister of State, FMITI, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the NIP as “a comprehensive framework that reaffirms our national resolve to diversify the economy, create inclusive prosperity, and secure Nigeria’s rightful place as
NIFEngM Emphasises Technology, Energy Convergence in Nigeria’s Devt
The Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management (NIFEngM) has emphasised the need for technology and energy convergence to drive Nigeria’s development.
NIFEngM National Chairman, Mr Christopher Egwuatu, stated this during the inauguration of
Adhekovweigho Emuejevoke as the second NIFEngM South-South Regional Chapter Chairman, and the new executive committee in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.
Egwuatu described the event’s theme; “Leveraging Technology and Energy Solutions for National Development and Infrastructure Security,” as timely, noting that Nigeria is at a defining crossroads, facing complex challenges in energy, infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, security, manufacturing, and the digital economy.
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Correspondents
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James Emejo (Finance)
Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)
Reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)
He stressed that it requires the deliberate application of technology, strengthening of energy systems, and protection of critical infrastructure to address the challenges.
“Today’s engagement is both timely and consequential. It brings together thought leaders, professionals, policymakers, government functionaries, at a moment when Nigeria’s development journey demands clarity of vision, strength of leadership, and boldness of innovation.”
a leading industrial hub in Africa and the wider global economy.”
The government said
that each of the four sectors comprises multiple subsectors that offer strategic opportunities for industrial
development. It said: “These sectors have been prioritised due to strong comparative advantages,
potential to generate largescale employment, and deepen local value addition and expand export.”
Experts Harp on Custom-built AI System in Healthcare Delivery
Stories by Emma Okonji
Medical and communications experts have stressed the importance of widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in healthcare delivery across Africa.
They however highlighted the need for a custom-built AI system that would
promote trust and credibility among medical practitioners in healthcare delivery across Africa.
They spoke at a webinar, organised by The Newmark Group, a leading Pan-African Integrated Marketing Communications firm, themed: ‘AI in Healthcare: Opportunities And Challenges’.
Co-Founder, Rx Health Info Systems, Mr. Daniel Marfo, urged African medical practitioners to consider working with AI tool that is customised or built along some treatment plans and guidelines in the country.
According to him, at the macro level, where decisions are being made by policymakers, and decision makers, we are seeing AI systems sitting at the heart of all the data culminating in the health systems of countries coming through, and they are using systems ranging from cloud AI to their own custom-built AI systems to be able to review and assess the macro picture.
Konga Offers 50% Discount on ‘Berekete Sales’
Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, Konga, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Berekete Sales, a nationwide promotional campaign designed to deliver exceptional value to customers across key product categories.
The initiative reinforces Konga’s commitment to affordability, accessibility, and innovation while strengthening its position as a trusted retail partner for millions of Nigerians.
Speaking about the campaign, Konga Group Head of Marketing, Victor Olaleye, said the Berekete Sales initiative reflected the company’s understanding of the economic climate and the importance of valuedriven retail experiences.
“Berekete Sales is about delivering abundance in savings to our customers,” he stated. “We recognise that this period is significant for many households observing Ramadan and Lent, and we want to ensure they can access premium products at competitive prices.
Institute Commits to Advancing Trichology in Nigeria
Capelli Institute of Trichology has committed to advancing trichology practice in Nigeria, even as she graduated new set of trichology professionals. Founder of the institute, Dr. Daisy Obiano, stated this at the fourth graduation ceremony of the institute held in Lagos which was attended by Hajira Abdulkadir of National Board
for Technical Education (NBTE).
She noted that Capelli Institute of Trichology (CIT) remained a specialised education and training institute dedicated to the science of hair and scalp health. “The institute focuses on equipping learners with professional skills in trichology,
LG Electronics Improves
LG Electronics has reinforced its commitment to sustainable community development with the donation of a solar-powered borehole to the College of Education Warri, providing students and staff with reliable access to clean and safe water.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Provost of the
hair therapy, scalp diagnosis, and hair health management through robust theoretical and practical training.
“CIT combines scientific rigor with industry-relevant practices to prepare graduates for careers in salons, hair clinics, and professional consultancies”.
According to her, “we
envisioned an institution that would raise professionals, not just practitioners; problemsolvers, not product pushers; and leaders, not followers in the evolving world of trichology, hair therapy, and wellness science. The quality of our graduates today is evidence that this vision was not in vain.
Student Welfare with Solar Borehole
College of Education, Warri, Dr. Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi (JP), expressed appreciation to LG Electronics for the timely intervention.
“This solar-powered borehole project is a significant contribution to our institution. Access to clean water has been a major need for our students and staff, and this
donation will greatly improve our daily activities and overall well-being. This water has been sustaining the hostel since its installation”.
Oyovwi emphasised the importance of corporate social responsibility, noting that corporate organisations have a duty to give back to society.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics Nigeria Mr. Paul Mba, highlighted the company’s dedication to improving lives through sustainable solutions. “At LG Electronics, we believe that meaningful innovation goes beyond technology.”
ipNX Empowers Customers with Safe, Responsible AI Use
In commemoration of Safer Internet Day 2026, ipNX Retail Division hosted an interactive webinar focused on equipping Small and Medium-Sized Business (SMB) owners, remote workers, young adults, IT professionals, and senior citizens with
expert-driven insights on the advent of Artificial Intelligence in transforming digital experiences. They were also educated on how to use it safely and responsibly in safeguarding their online activities.
Themed: ‘Smart Tech,
Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI’, the webinar featured industry experts like Dr. Samuel Mbonu and Najite Ikutegbe, who is the Divisional CEO, ipNX Managed Network Services.
The session was moderated by Head of Retail Sales at ipNX, Akintunde Taiwo. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, the webinar explored both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
Dike Onwuamaeze
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
G AMING W EE k
Lagos Rallies Behind AGE 2026 as Africa’s Gaming Industry Charts Path to Global Prominence
As Africa’s gaming sector accelerates toward greater regulatory clarity, technological sophistication, and cross-border collaboration, the 2026 edition of the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) is poised to mark a defining moment in that journey. With the backing of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the support of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the third consecutive staging of AGE in Lagos signals both continuity and ambition, positioning the state as a central gateway to a continent-wide industry steadily moving from frontier status to structured global relevance, write Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Iyke Bede
For the third consecutive year, the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) will return to the Eko Convention Centre from March 24 to 27, 2026, for what promises to be its most expansive edition yet. Organisers project attendance of over 11,000 delegates drawn from gaming markets across Africa and select international jurisdictions, who will converge to deliberate on the future of the continent’s rapidly evolving industry and chart practical pathways for sustainable growth.
As with its previous editions, AGE 2026 enjoys the backing of the Lagos government, an endorsement that underscores the state’s growing stature as a regulatory and commercial hub for
Africa’s gaming ecosystem.
“Lagos is pleased to host the third edition of the Africa Gaming Expo as part of our commitment to innovation, responsible regulation, and sustainable economic growth,” said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The governor’s remarks reaffirm Lagos’ positioning as Africa’s leading commercial and technology centre, as well as a jurisdiction committed to modern regulatory standards.
He further noted that “AGE provides an important platform for collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders, helping Africans move confidently from frontier status to global prominence in regulated and technology-driven markets”.
The 2026 edition is themed ‘Africa Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence’. a phrase
that captures the continent’s transition from a loosely structured frontier market into a more coordinated, investable, and globally significant gaming destination. The theme reflects both the growing sophistication of regulatory institutions and the influx of technology-driven solutions reshaping the sector.
According to the convener of the expo and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, the theme mirrors tangible developments across the continent.
“It reflects growing regulatory maturity, technology adoption, cross-border collaboration, and the increasing role of gaming in revenue diversification and job creation across
African economies,” Are explained. Indeed, gaming across Africa has moved beyond its earlier perception as a loosely monitored revenue stream. Increasingly, regulators are instituting compliance frameworks aligned with global standards, while operators are investing in technology that supports transparency, responsible gaming, and anti-money laundering safeguards.
AGE 2026 aims to consolidate these gains by bringing together regulators, policymakers, investors, operators, technology providers, payment companies, financial institutions, and compliance professionals under one roof. The expo’s programme is structured to foster both policy dialogue and commercial opportunity.
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
L-R Samuel Rowland (Chief Operations Officer, LSLGA), Dr. Charles Ekundayo (CEO, AFRICA GAMING EXPO), Oyebamiji Adenike ( COO, Africa Gaming Expo and Legal Compliance, West Africa at Velex Advisory), Bashir Are (CEO, LSLGA and Chairman Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria), SHERRIF Olaniyan (Chairman, Association of Nigerian Bookmakers) Gift Tuadibofa (Executive Secretary, Association of Nigerian Bookmakers)
Sunbeth Secures Approval to Launch N200bn Commercial Paper Programme
Oriarehu Bonny
One of Nigeria’s largest cocoa exporters and a top five non-oil export contributor, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, has secured approval to establish a N200 billion Commercial Paper Programme and has launched up to N100 billion in Series 1, 2 and 3 Commercial Paper issuances under the Programme.
Structured across 180-day, 270day and 364-day tenors, the Offer is designed to finance contractual working capital requirements, including inventory procurement and the execution of physical and hedged offtake obligations within Sunbeth’s export operations.
The Offer opened on Friday, 27 February 2026 and is set to close Today with allotment and settlement scheduled for Friday, 6 March 2026. The Offer is available at a minimum
subscription of N5,000,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter and the Commercial Papers will be quoted on FMDQ and/or NGX.
Established in 2017, Sunbeth has exported over 200,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans and 60,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts to international markets. In 2025, the Company recorded over N600 billion in revenue, reinforcing its scale within Nigeria’s agricultural export ecosystem.
Chief Operating Officer of Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, Nzubechukwu Anisiobi, said the Programme reflects the Company’s disciplined capital strategy and strong credit fundamentals. Speaking on the issuance, he noted: “The establishment of our N200 billion Commercial Paper Programme reflects our disciplined capital strategy and solid credit profile.
In a working capital-intensive export business, access to structured short-term funding strengthens liquidity, supports efficient contract execution and preserves balance sheet stability.”
Further emphasising investor confidence in the Company’s governance and risk framework, he added: “The Programme underscores the confidence the capital markets have in our governance standards, earnings resilience and robust risk management discipline.”
Sunbeth is rated A2 by DataPro and GCR (Short Term) and A by DataPro, and BBB+ by GCR (Long Term). The ratings reflect the Company’s leading market position as one of the major cocoa exporters in Nigeria, strong revenue profile, sound earnings trajectory, strong ability to meet its obligation, and experienced management team.
Bitget Targets 40% of Tokenised Stock Trading by 2030
Kayode Tokede
Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), said it targeted 40 per cent of tokenized stock trading by 2030.
The company confirmed the global availability of its recently launched mobile app upgrade, which places crypto and traditional financial markets side by side on the homepage, a product evolution that reflects how traders are increasingly moving between asset classes within a single session.
Originally introduced following Bitget’s January rollout of TradFi trading, the updated interface expands access to stock-linked products, Forex (FX), indices, commodities, and precious metals such as gold (XAU) and silver (XAG), all settled in USDT.
With the upgrade now fully deployed, users globally are experiencing a trading environment designed around the convergence of crypto-native and traditional financial markets.
Bitget’s tokenized TradFi thesis is that crypto is changing from its speculative
traits to a rising global financial infrastructure.
While annual stock trading is estimated at $100–$130 trillion currently, it could reach $160–$200 trillion by 2030, with a significant share of stocks, credit, funds, and commodities shifting onchain as Bitcoin strengthens its role in macro hedge portfolios. The CEO at Bitget, Gracy Chen, “Bitget is building for the trillion dollar migration. As regulation matures and institutions bring products like treasuries onchain, the direction is clear crypto is turning into the settlement layer for everyday finance.”
NGX Group Appoints Olaniyan as Group Chief Strategy Officer
Kayode Tokede
Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has announced the appointment of Ms. Jumoke Olaniyan as Group Chief Strategy Officer, further strengthening its executive leadership as the Group advances its next phase of strategic growth, digital transformation, product innovation and market development.
In her new role, Olaniyan will lead enterprise-wide
strategy formulation and execution across NGX Group, driving initiatives aligned with the Group’s ambition to deepen market liquidity, expand product innovation, broaden investor participation, and enhance long-term stakeholder value. The role is central to strengthening crossfunctional alignment and organizational effectiveness as NGX Group continues to evolve its integrated market infrastructure model.
Prior to joining NGX
Group, Olaniyan held senior leadership roles at FMDQ Group Plc and FDHL Group where she played key roles in business development, market expansion, and product innovation across the fixed income, currencies and derivatives markets. With over two decades of experience spanning financial markets, strategy, consulting, and banking, she brings extensive expertise in market structure, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise transformation.
Accion MfB Commissions 76th Branch, Expands National Footprint
Sunday Ehigiator
Accion Microfinance Bank (MfB) has expanded its national footprint with the commissioning of its 76th branch nationwide and third outlet in Abuja, reinforcing its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across Nigeria.
The new branch, strategically located at Wuse Market, Herbert Macaulay Way, Wuse, Abuja, was officially opened
on over the weekend. In a statement issued by the bank, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Accion MfB, Mr. Taiwo Joda, described the development as a strategic move to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Federal Capital Territory.
Joda noted that the bank’s expansion aligns with its broader mission of promoting financial inclusion and empowering underserved communities with affordable and
reliable banking services.
Also speaking, the Group Head, Operations, Mr. Ayodeji Mebude, reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to service excellence and sustainable growth.
“We are committed to ensuring that every customer who walks into this branch experiences efficiency, professionalism and reliable service. Our systems, people and processes are fully aligned to support businesses and individuals as they grow,” he stated.
The
The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).
Stock Market Up Marginally as Investors Maintain Cautious Approach
Kayode Tokede
The Nigerian equities market edged marginally higher yesterday as the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 0.08% from 196,605.33 to 196,629.83. The slight uptick suggests cautious investor participation with balanced buying and
selling pressure across counters. Overall, market sentiment appeared neutral, with investors likely awaiting stronger catalysts to drive a clearer directional movement.
Market activity declined notably, as total Deals dropped by 15.30 per cent from 84,189 to 71,312, reflecting reduced trading participation. Trading volume also eased by 1.89 per cent to 805.25 million shares, indicating slightly weaker
turnover compared to the previous session.
In value terms, transactions fell significantly by 11.15 per cent to N38.42 billion, suggesting lower large-ticket trades and a generally softer market momentum.
However, the NGX market capitalisation declined marginally by 0.08 per cent, easing from N126.19 trillion to N126.10 trillion. The slight contraction reflects mild profit-
taking across select counters despite the relatively stable market breadth. Overall, the movement indicates a cautious trading environment with limited downward pressure on aggregate market value. Also, market breadth weakened as the number of gainers dropped sharply by 43.59 per cent from 39 to 22, indicating reduced buying strength. Conversely, Losersedged up by 5.71 per
cent to 37, while Unchanged Stocks rose significantly by 28.07 per cent to 73, reflecting a more cautious and indecisive trading session. With Total Traded equities slightly increasing to 132, overall sentiment leans mildly negative despite broader market participation.
Top performers on the exchange at the close of trading day include PREMPAINTS (+10.00%),
FTGINSURE (+9.73%), UACN (+7.78%), ETERNA (+6.38%) and CUSTODIAN (+6.06%) displaying favorable share price movements. Afew laggards emerged amongst which include the top five losers such as DANGSUGAR (-10.00%), JAIZBANK (-10.00%), CAP (-9.97%), UNIONDICON (-9.94%) and HMCALL (-9.89%).
PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF MARCH 4/26
INAUGURATION OF NEW OFFICERS OF THE AKWA IBOM CHAPTER OF THE APC...
L-R: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and former Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Efiong Akwa, in a victory dance after the inauguration of new officers of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Uyo, on Tuesday
Soyinka, Osofisan, Osundare,
ASUU
President, Komolafe, Others Honour Jeyifo at Evening of Tributes
Prominent Nigerians, led by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday night converged on the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, to celebrate and honour the renowned literary scholar, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, popularly called BJ.
The event, tagged, “Evening of Tributes,” signalled the commencement of the funeral rites for
the pioneer President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who was born on January 5, 1946, and died February 11, 2026 at the age of 80.
Others present at the event included National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna; past ASUU presidents – Professors Biodun Ogunyemi and Emmanuel Osodeke; Professor Femi Osofisan, his wife, Nike; Professor Niyi Osundare; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi; Mr. Kunle Ajibade;
Mr. Kayode Komolafe; Mrs. Gbenro Adegbola; and Mr. Muyiwa Ige.
Speakers at the event spoke glowingly about the attributes, humility, character, sincerity, passion, commitment to duty, among other virtues, that the late icon embodied.
While some remarks attracted laughter and smiles from people in attendance, others sparked sober reflection.
Soyinka recounted the days of Jeyifo at the University of Ibadan
and how he emerged with a First Class honours.
He said, “Any attempt at a linear seizure of the being that became simply known as ‘BJ’ is bound to collapse under the weight, not of contradictions, but of new detailed revelations of his variegated engagements with the society within which he matured, and against whose deficits he honed both instinct and intellect.”
While describing the deceased as
Diri, Patience Jonathan Differ on Participation of Women in Politics
Women deserve inclusion in politics, not special seats, says Diri
Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, shared differing perspectives on the push for enhanced representation of women in the state and national politics.
At the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Women Conference 2026, Mrs. Jonathan emphasised the need for Nigeria and Africa to emulate developed countries by creating a conducive system that supports women’s involvement in governance.
She referenced other African countries where affirmative action policies had been implemented to ensure a certain percentage of women’s representation in politics.
Mrs. Jonathan called for unity
among women in the Niger Delta and Nigeria, emphasising the importance of setting aside political differences to collectively advocate women’s rights and empowerment
Diri, on the other hand, stressed the importance of full inclusion of women in politics, rather than advocating special seats in the National Assembly. He encouraged women to demand equal opportunities in politics, highlighting that they should not be treated as second-class citizens.
The governor expressed belief that women were capable of actively participating in politics without the need for special considerations.
He also mentioned his efforts to increase women’s participation in the state’s governance, acknowledging the challenges faced in achieving gender
parity in political representation.
The governor stated, “I was told that the British High Commission is a major sponsor of this programme. I had the opportunity of meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner when she visited Bayelsa last week, and we discussed women participation in politics.
”She believes that the agitation for special seats for women in the National Assembly is good. While I agreed with her, in part, as a temporary solution, I however largely disagree with the idea. My point is, I do not want our women to be treated as second-class citizens.
”The women in Britain do not have special seats in parliament just as in America. The system flows and recognises them, and they
Awolowo Foundation to Hold Memorial Lecture March 6
Sunday Ehigiator
The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has announced plans to hold its 2026 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture on Friday, March 6, 2026.
The annual lecture is bided to take place by 10:00 a.m. at the historic Efunyela Hall, with the theme, ‘Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action’, drawing scholars, statesmen, professionals and members of the public
from across the country and beyond.
According to a statement signed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, the theme reflects the urgent need for visionary, ethical and purpose-driven leadership in Nigeria and across Africa.
She noted that “the lecture will interrogate the enduring relevance of the political philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo, particularly his conception of leadership as disciplined, people-oriented and anchored in
social transformation.
“The event will be chaired by elder statesman and diplomat, Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Guest Lecturer is Professor Wale Adebanwi, Presidential Penn Compact Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, United States, who is expected to situate Awolowo’s ideas within contemporary debates on governance, democratic responsibility and national development.”
participate fully in politics. Nobody talks about special seats or women being under-privileged there. We can do it in Nigeria.”
Diri added, “Our women are very intelligent and are active in politics. They are also very active in various professions. So, why are we asking for special considerations for them?
“Women across the world participate and become members of parliament, governors and presidents. Nigeria should not be an exception. Our structure is wrong. There is a structural deficiency in Nigeria.
a “Marxist jailer, practical mutineer”, he recounted various episodes and incidents where BJ showed exemplary leadership attitudes to reinforce and instil discipline and worthy characters.
Osundare recalled the beautiful times of togetherness and how he stood against perceived injustice and ill treatment.
He lauded BJ’s various scholarly efforts, adding that despite the works, he also had time for his family.
An old schoolmate, John Ohiorhenuan, recalling Jeyifo’s active involvement in Students’ Union politics, stated, “That young man was to become the gray, long-bearded, fearsome professor at Ibadan, Ile Ife, Ithaca, Cambridge, and places beyond. Irrepressible to the very last, BJ remained true to form until his passing.
“BJ was the personification of the Marxist intellectual. This was demonstrated most clearly in his life of ‘conspicuous under-consumption’ to the very end. BJ looked the same in 1965 as he did in 2025: the same simplicity in clothing and demeanour. He was very much at home in trade union meetings, in the major motor park of Ogunla, and of course, in the lecture theatre.”
In his tribute, Osofisan said, “He was my friend, my best friend. We will certainly meet again.”
Legal luminary, Femi Falana, recounted how Jeyifo, upon his
emergence as National President of ASUU in 1980, helped to secure the recall of dismissed lecturers and student activists who were dismissed by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime in 1978.
ASUU President, Piwuna, in his remarks, said ASUU would not have been where it was today but for the foundations laid by Jeyifo and many other great leaders.
Piwuna stated that although he was not there when Jeyifo led the union, he met on ground solid efforts laid and which they were building on. He stated, “I was not fortunate to have been there when he was leading the Union, or even for a while after he left. But what we found on ground were solid efforts that were made by him and those who served with him to ensure that our union operates within certain principles, integrity, transparency, courage, trust, solidarity, you know, all those things.
“And it’s also to his credit that it was at his leadership that our Union first entered into a collective bargaining agreement with government. And that has continued to this day, despite efforts both locally, domestically, and internationally to jettison that principle of collective bargaining.
“It’s because BJ and his co-travellers at the time, our leaders at the time, fought to have collective bargaining as the basis for engaging your employer.
NAFDAC: Two Men Bag 40-year Jail Term for Production, Sale of Fake Alcoholic Beverages
The National Agency Food Drug Administration and Control (NÀFDAC) said the court has convicted two men for producing and selling fake alcoholic beverages in Lagos State.
In a statement signed by NÀFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, the agency said the two men received combined sentencing of 40 years in NÀFDACprison. gave the names of convicts as Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, aged 58, and Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, aged 28.
It said Hon. Justice Allagoa. J. of the Federal High Court found
them guilty of offences linked to the production, possession, sale, and distribution of adulterated and unregistered alcoholic drinks within“TheLagos.conviction followed an enforcement operation carried out on December 3, 2025, at Kojo Street, Ijanikin, and Vespa Market, where the illegal activities were uncovered.
“During the operation, authorities discovered large quantities of counterfeit and unregistered alcoholic beverages. Items recovered during the raid include Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy Very Special, Jameson Irish Whiskey, William Lawson Blended Scotch Whisky, and Gordon’s Dry Gin, which were found to be coun-
terfeit, unwholesome, unregistered, or misleadingly packaged,” it said.
NÀFDAC said that following their arrest, the two suspects were charged on eight counts.
“These charges bordered on the possession of unwholesome products, the manufacture of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, and the distribution and sale of fake drinks, all in violation of relevant laws.
“The defendants were charged on eight counts bordering on possession of unwholesome products, manufacture and distribution of counterfeit beverages, and related offences under applicable laws,” the statement said.
PHOTO: SENATE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
APC CONGRESS IN OGUN...
L-R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun in a warm handshake with the newly elected Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi, during the APC Congress held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Tuesday
Tinubu, Jonathan Rejoice with Former President Obasanjo at 89
Ex-Nigerian leader says Abacha’s gulag was price of principle
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta
President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday celebrated Nigeria’s former leader, Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 89th birthday which takes place today, describing him in glowing terms.
Tinubu in a statement by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejoiced with Obasanjo, characterising his towering influence in the country, Africa, and beyond as significant.
The President noted the courage and sacrifices of the elder statesman, who previously served the nation as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, handing over power to a civilian president in 1979, and later as the first civilian President in the fourth republic, 1999-2007.
He affirmed the historic experiences of the former leader, including leading troops to preserve Nigeria’s unity at the warfront, serving time in prison for speaking out against tyranny, and consistently pursuing Africa’s political and economic interests.
Tinubu also acknowledged the zeal and wisdom the ex-President has brought into Nigeria’s development process through his books and regular interventions, revealing a depth of patriotism to nation-building.
The President prayed for more years of good health, strength, and wisdom for the former president as
he continues to serve the nation and humanity.
For his part, Jonathan commended Obasanjo’s tireless commitment to the peace and progress of the country, in a goodwill message he personally signed, praying for longer life in good health for Obasanjo.
“On behalf of my family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I join your family, friends, and the nation in celebrating your 89th birthday,” he wrote.
In a statement by his Media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said that at 89, Obasanjo remains a towering figure as well as an accomplished and a respected statesman.
“Your life’s journey is a profound narrative of patriotism, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the peace and progress of Nigeria. Beyond our borders, your tireless mediation and pursuit of stability across Africa continue to inspire a new generation of leaders.
“We are grateful to God for the strength and clarity of mind He has granted you to remain an active voice in the quest for a more united and prosperous Nigeria. As you celebrate, it is my prayer that the Almighty continues to sustain you with good health, divine peace, and the joy of seeing your labours bear fruit for a better world,” Jonathan stated.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo has said that his imprisonment by the late military junta, Gen. Sanni Abacha, could be
seen as evidence of the price that can accompany principled positions.
Obasanjo stated this in his keynote address at an International Colloquium entitled: “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World” held as part of activities to mark his 89th birthday ceremony in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
The former President, in a statement by his media assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, described leadership as both a heavy burden and a profound blessing, drawing from decades of military command, imprisonment, and democratic governance.
The elder statesman reflected on pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of power, responsibility and service.
Recalling his role as Commander
of the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, Obasanjo said leadership often
demanded solitary decisions whose consequences affected millions. He noted that, in the final days of the war
in 1970, he chose restraint in order to prevent further civilian casualties — a decision he said underscored the moral weight leaders must carry.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian President from 1999 to 2007, said the public frequently underestimated the personal cost of leadership, citing his imprisonment under Abacha as evidence of the price that could accompany principled positions. He also described leadership as a rare privilege, the opportunity to serve at defining historical moments, referencing Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of power from military to civilian rule in 1979, when he handed over to President Shehu Shagari, as one of the most fulfilling decisions of his career.
AGF’s Take-over Stalls Malami’s Terrorism, Illegal Possession of Firearms Trial
The trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, was on Wednesday stalled following the take-over of the prosecution by the incumbent AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had last week adjourned to March 4, for commencement of trial, after admitting the former AGF and his son, Abdulazeez Malami, to bail in the sum of N200 million each. However, when the matter came up for trial on Wednesday, the court
NCPC Chairman, Bishop Adegbite Speaks on IranIsrael Conflict, Pilgrims’ Safety, and Nigerian Protests
Mary Nnah
Nigeria’s top Christian pilgrim official has spoken out on the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, assuring Nigerians of the safety of pilgrims in the region.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, Bishop (Prof.) Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), addressed the ongoing conflict, the safety of
Nigerian pilgrims, and the protests in Nigeria over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Adegbite began by expressing gratitude to God for the successful completion of the 2025 Main Pilgrim Exercise to Israel and Jordan.
“I wish to extend my profound gratitude to God for how he has seen us through our 2025 main programme exercise to Israel and Jordan, which was conducted seamlessly and concluded by the
grace of God,” he said.
The commission had deployed a Boeing 777-300 series aircraft, the largest ever operated in Nigeria for a pilgrim airlift, to transport over 4,000 Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Land.
The NCPC chairman revealed the commission had safely airlifted over 4,000 Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Land, with the last batch arriving in Nigeria at 4:30 am on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. He praised the efforts of President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Ahmed Tinubu, and other government officials for their support.
“His support for pilgrimage is unprecedented in the history of pilgrimage in Nigeria,” Adegbite said.
Regarding the conflict, Adegbite disclosed that 525 pilgrims were trapped in the war zone but were safely evacuated to Amman, Jordan, and later flown back to Nigeria via Turkey.
was informed that Fagbemi had formally taken over the prosecution of the case initially filed by Department of State Services (DSS).
Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who announced appearance for the prosecution, added that the trial could not proceed because Fagbemi had just taken over the prosecution.
Oyedepo explained that since the case file had just been delivered to the AGF, he needed time to study it so as to take a well-informed decision.
Reacting, Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, who represented Malami, expressed disgust over the delay in opening up the trial and asked the judge to strike out the charge at the next adjourned date should the federal government come up with any excuse.
Responding, the DPPF said the request for striking out of the charge was premature and urged the judge to ignore it.
After taking arguments, Abdulmalik adjourned till March 10, for commencement of trial.
DSS had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.
In the charge, marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as AGF. Malami and Abdulaziz were equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.
DSS accused Malami, in count one of the charge, of knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son were charged in counts two to five, with unlawful possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.
L- R: Education Manager, L’Oréal Professional Products Division Sub-Saharan Africa Zone, Mr. Brian Warfield; Author and Hair Advocate, Paige Lewin; Business Activation Manager, L’Oréal Professional Products Division Sub-Saharan Africa, Inès Joret des Closieres; and Commercial Director, L’Oréal Professional Products Division Sub-Saharan Africa Zone, Mr. Karim Aoun, at the
Absolut Repair Molecular Bi-phase Oil launch event held in Lagos, Nigeria ... recently
Gov AbdulRazaq Tasks Newly Inaugurated
Kwara APC Excos to Be Fair to All Aspirants
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State yesterday urged the newly sworn-in executives of the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) to work harder and create a fair playing field to all aspirants at the coming party primaries. AbdulRazaq stated this in Ilorin shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the state executives of the party.
Chief Titus Ashaolu, SAN.
While congratulating the new state executive members of the party, AbdulRazaq described the APC as a very big house that accommodates everybody.
The swearing-in of the new executive members was led by
He urged the party leaders to continue to work hard for the party.
“Once again, I say, congratulations to you all. You have done well and that’s why there was a consensus to support you to continue,” the governor said.
He said, “Your work is cut out for you. In the next few months, you will face a lot of pressure from party
In Durban, NCDMB, Radisson, Edison Seal Deal for World-class Yenagoa Hotel
Board says 204-room hotel to open December 2026
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) yesterday signed an international management agreement (IMA) with Radisson Hospitality Belgium, and Edison Hotel and Property Development Company, in respect of the Board’s 204 rooms hotel and conference center, developed adjacent the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
NCDMB disclosed this in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi.
The management agreement was signed in Durban, South
Africa by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe; Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Mr. Vivian Reedy; and Director of Radisson, Mr. Garnier Erwan.
While signing the agreement, Ogbe confirmed that discussions, reviews, and compliance requirements had lasted over two years, and that the agency secured the approval of all key stakeholders, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
“Their support ensured that the Agreement meets Nigeria’s legal and regulatory standards,” he said.
The aspiration, he added, was
institutions.
In a bold recalibration of Nigeria’s response to violent extremism, the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network (PAVE Network) have launched the 2026 phase of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (PCVE-KIRH), declaring the battle against extremism must move beyond guns and arrests to governance, ideas and
The unveiling, held at a highlevel Stakeholder Orientation Workshop in Abuja, marked the Hub’s first official engagement for the year and drew government officials, civil society actors, academics, community leaders and international partners. Organised in collaboration with Nextier, SPRiNG, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the event underscored a decisive shift toward a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach.
to deliver a world-class hotel in Yenagoa, with a fully equipped conference centre—designed to serve the oil and gas industry stakeholders and the Nigerian public.
He pledged NCDMB’s commitment to completing the hotel on schedule and achieving the opening in December.
“We appreciate our responsibilities—construction quality, pre-opening readiness, funding, safety and security compliance, and maintaining Radisson’s global standard. We will do our best to meet our obligations,” Ogbe stated.
He charged Radisson Hospitality to bring its expertise, systems, and brand strength to deliver a
hotel that offers excellent service and guest experience.
He expressed hope that the partnership with Edison Hotels would create a facility that reflects global quality and supports Bayelsa’s position as an oil and gas hub.
He added that, “this project reflects NCDMB’s commitment to using strategic investments to boost productivity, attract investment, build local content, and expand opportunities for business and tourism in Nigeria.
“When completed, the Radis- son Hotel & Conference Center Yenagoa will stand not only as a hotel, but also as a symbol of what strong partnerships can achieve.”
members because the primaries are coming and people have various interests. Each person who wants to contest has his or her own plans for the state.
“That’s why they are contesting and don’t (as party leaders) see any of the aspirants as antagonists or enemies.
“They all have a lot to offer to the state. Try to give them a level playing field in whatever you do.
All we are trying to do here is to make sure that we leave the state better than how we met it.
“I want you to rally round the Chairman because your support will make him succeed. If the Chairman fails, you all fail. Therefore, I wish you all the best.”
In his remarks, the state chairman of the APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi
said they will be fair to all.
“We have committed ourselves to do right to all manners of people, not to some people,” he said. He added, “Earlier on, we had scored 100 percent for the party. We have all the council chairmen and councilors, we have all the House of Assembly members, we have all the National Assembly members, we have the governor and his deputy.
“What we should aspire for now is to enlarge the margin of victory. We have really not lost anybody in the party, rather, some people that fought against us in the last election are part of us now.”
Chairman, Congress Committee, Dr. Alibe Alkali, congratulated the newly inaugurated executive members for being duly elected in line with the party’s constitution.
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
Representing the Director of PCVE at NCTC-ONSA, Ms. Iye Mangset, outlined five priorities that will define the Hub’s 2026 agenda: documenting lessons from past interventions; expanding prevention efforts beyond historically affected zones; deepening collaboration across sectors; consolidating institutional gains; and strengthening youth-focused programming. She warned that many impactful interventions have faded into obscurity due to poor documentation and weak coordination.
Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Reedy, described his organisation’s role as a bridge between the owner and the operator, highlighting the group’s intensive experience in the hotel industry, and determination to ensure alignment, transparency, accountability and performance.
“We understand that a successful hotel is not just about buildings. It is about disciplined management, strong oversight, brand integrity, and a shared commitment to excellence,” he emphasised.
“Part of the group’s responsibility is to ensure that the hotel is delivered, operated, and managed in a manner that protects and announces the owner’s investment, while fully supporting Radisson in achieving operational excellence,” he added.
Concerned about the widespread vandalism and theft of projects, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged community leaders in the Niger Delta region to take full responsibility for safeguarding and protecting projects within their areas.
During a capacity-building session in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NDDC’s Bayelsa State Director, Godknows Alamieyeseigha, emphasized the importance of community ownership and protection of NDDC projects.
He stressed these projects belong to the communities, underscoring the need for vigilant safeguarding.
Representing the State NDDC director, Victor Oputa, highlighted the purpose of the program, which is to educate communities on their role in protecting NDDC projects.
He advised community leaders not to disrupt projects but to address concerns through proper channels.
“We have advised the communities through the leadership and representatives that when the commission hands over projects to the community during the site handing over and introduction of the contractor to the community, we always emphasized that they should not stall the project or engage in violent confrontation but come to the commission and lay their complaints and we will take it from there.”
Francis Abayomi, Lead Consultant of Peace and Development Projects (PEDEP), expressed concern over the vandalism of projects by intruders and emphasized the importance of community ownership from the project’s inception.
He emphasized the need for communities to support contractors and protect project facilities from destruction.
He said the engagement with community leaders aims to remind them that NDDC projects are funded by community resources and should be guarded by community members.
Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori congratulating Chief Solomon Arenyeka, who emerged as Chairman, Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) during the state party congress in Asaba on Tuesday
Convention: APC Maintains Status Quo, Zones Chair,
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Barring any last minute change, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to maintain the current zoning arrangement of its national offices ahead of the March 27-28 National convention.
The party zoned the position of National Chairman to North-central, while National Secretary was zoned to South-west.
THISDAY gathered that the arrangement was part of efforts by the ruling party to ensure a rancour-free convention ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sources within the party told THISDAY that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all the national officers, who had spent two terms, should not re-contest, while those that had spent just one term were given a clean bill.
With that, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, would most likely be endorsed at the convention. It was also expected that Senator Ajibola Basiru would
return as National Secretary.
Secretary to N’Central, S’West
According to a party source, who pleaded anonymity, the likes of APC National Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom; APC National Vice Chairman, North East, Salihu Mustapha, would not be contesting.
“Those that have spent one term will come back. Those that have spent two terms will not come back. Asiwaju is being careful, he doesn’t want the process to be hijacked,” the source stated.
sure about the fate of Basiru.
Another party source also confirmed that Yilwatda would return as the chairman, but wasn’t
“That of chairman has been decided but I am not sure of the secretary because of the issue of staff welfare that happened last December. The matter later got to the president,” he said.
Yilwatda had last Wednesday
inaugurated the National Central Coordinating Committee for the ruling party’s National Convention.
The committee was headed by former governor of Katsina State, Hon. Aminu Masari.
The chairman, while speaking at the inauguration, said the convention was not merely a gathering, but an affirmation of democratic values, celebration of internal democracy, and a demonstration to Nigerians that APC remained the most organised, forward-looking, and the most viable political party.
El-Rufai Breaks Silence on ICPC Probe, Says He’ll Only Speak in Court
Okocha in Abuja
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has explained why he declined to answer questions from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), describing his silence as a constitutional right rather than an act of defiance.
El-Rufai, who is currently under investigation by the anti-graft agency, submitted two handwritten statements to ICPC officers on February 19 and 20, 2026, while under caution and in the presence of his lawyer, Ubong E. Akpan.
In the statements, the former governor maintained that the probe against him was politically motivated and insisted that he would only address any allegations before a court of law.
He argued that after nearly two years of investigations, the commission should present its findings before a judicial tribunal instead of continuing to question him.
In his first statement dated February 19, the former governor wrote: “I have read the above cautionary statement and I understand its meaning and implication. I wish to voluntarily state, in the presence of my lawyer, Ubong
Akpan, Esq., from the chambers of Ubong Akpan.
“My name is Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I was born in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, and grew up mostly in Kaduna State.
“I attended school in Kaduna, and went to Ahmadu Bello University from my first degree in Quantity Surveying. I also attended Harvard university and the University of London, among others. I studied Business Administration, Public Administration and Law, Public Administration and Law.
“My working career spans
DISU SWORN IN AS 23RD IGP, DECLARES STATE POLICE HAS NOW COME TO STAY
He stated, “Let me state without ambiguity: there will be zero tolerance for partisanship, misconduct, or abuse of authority.
“Any officer found to have compromised neutrality, violated electoral laws, or acted outside approved rules of engagement will face swift and decisive disciplinary action, including prosecution, where applicable. There will be no exceptions and no excuses.”
Disu stressed that the role of the police in the electoral process was both critical and non-negotiable.
He said the credibility of the elections, the stability of Nigeria’s democracy, and public confidence in the system depended on the conduct of the force, as the lead agency in election security management.
Disu stressed, “As we approach the 2027 general election, our responsibility to the nation becomes heightened. The police must be firm in enforcing the law, impartial in decision-making, professional in conduct, and strictly neutral in all electoral engagements.”
He assured that the force would secure the electoral process before, during, and after the elections. This,
he explained, included protecting democratic institutions, electoral officials, voters, and critical infrastructure, while ensuring that every Nigerian can exercise their civic rights freely and without intimidation.
On crowd management and the use of force, the IGP underscored the importance of restraint and respect for human rights. He stated that public order duties must be carried out with proportionality and in strict adherence to the rule of law.
“The use of force, where unavoidable, must always be lawful, measured, and accountable,” he cautioned.
While pledging close coordination with the armed forces, other security agencies, and the intelligence community, Disu stated that the Nigeria Police will retain its leadership role in election security, with clear command structures and defined responsibilities.
He assured Tinubu and Nigerians of his commitment to discharging his duties with diligence, integrity, and courage.
Beyond election security, the IGP outlined a broader vision for strengthening internal security.
He emphasised the need to move
away from reactive and fragmented policing towards intelligence-led, evidence-based, and technologydriven strategies.
To that end, he announced plans to strengthen the force’s intelligence architecture, enhance inter-unit coordination, and improve information sharing across commands.
Disu said investments would be made in digital and cyber forensics, data analytics, surveillance technologies, and scientific crime scene management to ensure proactive responses to emerging threats.
By adopting those measures, he said the police would stay ahead of evolving criminal networks, counter transnational threats, and reinforce its position as a capable and credible lead agency in Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Addressing the welfare of personnel, Disu acknowledged that effective policing depended on the well-being of officers. He pledged that housing, remuneration, pensions, healthcare, and overall welfare would receive sustained attention under his administration.
“No police force can perform optimally if its officers are burdened
by neglect,” he stated, adding that improved welfare and psychological support would boost morale and, ultimately, performance.
He concluded with an assurance of support for officers who upheld the values of the force.
He declared, “This leadership will stand with officers who do right and work diligently. Support will be given, but excellence will be demanded. Change is not coming; it is here—and it will be change for the better.”
IGP Disu CommitteeInaugurates on State Police
Disu inaugurated a seven-member steering committee on the establishment of State Police in Nigeria. This came four days after Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate a decentralised policing system.
Tinubu made the call during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the green chamber at State House. He emphasised that State Police had become necessary to address the country’s evolving security challenges.
quantity surveying consulting, mobile telecommunications and public service. I was Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (1999–2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007) and twice- elected Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023). I am retired and live mostly in Egypt with half of my family and 96-year-old mother.
“I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria, which is the real reason you are investigating me.
“In response to your question (and
The president emphasised that a decentralised policing structure would complement the existing federal system and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.
Disu, while inaugurating the committee, addressed misconceptions surrounding state policing, stressing that it should not be interpreted as a replacement for or a reduction of the Nigeria Police.
“State policing is a complementary structure within a coordinated national security framework,” he said.
The committee comprised Professor Olu Ogunsakin (DG, National Institute for Police Studies, Jabi, Abuja) as Chairman; CP Bode Ojajuni as Secretary; and DCP Okebechi Agora, DCP Suleyman Gulma, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor, CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho, and CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (rtd), as members.
Outlining the committee’s terms of reference, Disu tasked them with shaping a framework that strengthened, rather than fragmented, the national security system.
Their mandate included reviewing existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assessing community security needs, proposing
indeed all your questions), I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence. I will make no further statement or respond to any question.
“I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should present its findings to a judicial tribunal and not to me. I will respond to any allegations in a court of law only.
“This is because I do not believe these investigations amount to lawful entitlement, as in political persecution, which only a judge can decide upon. Thank you.”
operational frameworks for State Police, addressing recruitment, training and resource allocation, and developing robust accountability mechanisms to maintain public trust and professionalism.
He said, “The task before this committee is both significant and timely. It reflects our collective determination to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture and ensure that policing remains responsive to the realities of our communities.”
Disu stressed that Nigeria continued to face evolving security challenges that required innovative solutions, strategic collaboration, and reform-minded thinking.
Accordig to him, “State Police is being carefully considered as part of broader efforts to enhance security governance, bring policing closer to communities, and deepen local participation in crime prevention.”
Disu highlighted the potential benefits of State Policing, saying by bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police can improve local intelligence, enable faster responses to emerging threats, and foster stronger relationships between officers and citizens.
Chuks
LASG & WORLD BANK COLLABORATE ON EMERGENCY AND RISK MANAGEMENT...
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Senior Disaster Management Specialist, World Bank Group, Mr. Francis Nkoka; Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank Group, Mary Boyer; Honourable Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Mosopefolu George; Permanent Secretary, Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo; Honourable Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr.Tokunbo Wahab; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji and Chief Resilience Officer Lagos State, Dr. Folayinka Dania, during a business meeting with the World Bank Group on Disaster Risk Management held at the Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources Conference room, Alausa Secretariat Ikeja, Lagos State ... yesterday
Fintiri: Tinubu’s Microeconomic Policies
Rough, But Now Yielding Positive Results
Says PDP is depleted and not APC’s duty to organise opposition
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Adamawa State. Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has described the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu as rough, but added that they have started yielding positive results. It was against this background he said the president deserved a
second term and should not be rejected in 2027.
Fintiri disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when he visited the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC),following his recent defection.
“We have fully aligned at the moment to APC, because it’s a home
return for most of us. Today, I’m here officially to pay a courtesy call on the chairman, national chairman and the members of the NWC.
“To further pledge my full loyalty to the party and to assure them that we have come to work and ensure that we also deliver on the electoral value. That we have come with
it to the party in the next general election,” he said.
Fintiri noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “seems to be depleted now,” adding: “I think judging by the work done by Mr. President, he deserves a second time.
“And I think it’s going to be
INEC: Non Transparent Primaries May Undermine Public Trust, Destabilise Process
With primaries elections of political parties scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that non-transparent nomination processes could undermine public trust and destabilise the electoral process. The commission added that if candidates emerged through opaque processes, the country might face voter apathy and an explosion of pre-election litigation.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Uyo during a three-day Technical Review Workshop on Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties
ahead of the 2027 elections.
The workshop was organised with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
Amupitan, in a statement by INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, said the workshop was organised following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026 and the release of the Commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.
Under the revised timetable, Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He described the exercise as
a critical institutional realignment aimed at harmonising the Commission’s regulatory framework with the new legal order.
“We meet at a watershed moment in our democratic journey,” the Chairman said, noting that the Electoral Act 2026, assented to in February, has recalibrated statutory timelines and compressed the operational window for electoral activities.
Amupitan emphasised that the ongoing review was not a routine administrative exercise but a deliberate effort to sanitise party operations and embed higher standards of accountability.
He said, “We are not just editing a document. We are aligning our Regulations and Guidelines with the
DICON-D7G Moves to Establish Nigeria’s First Military Jetty, Targets 7,000 Jobs
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON-D7G) is set to establish Nigeria’s first military jetty near Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, as part of efforts to boost local defence production.
The facility is expected to create over 7,000 jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s defence logistics architecture.
The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr. Osman Chennar, described the project as a “strategic game changer” for indigenous
defence production, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on defence selfreliance.
The jetty will support the manufacturing of small arms, ammunition, tactical drones, anti-jammer drones, and military vehicles, including 4x4 and 6x6 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
The facility will enhance inbound logistics, reduce cargo turnaround time, and lower transportation costs, key factors in scaling up domestic arms production.
DICON-D7G has already com-
menced production of DG103 rifles in Kaduna for Nigerian and African markets.
At full capacity, the jetty project is expected to create employment for over 2,000 retired military personnel and 5,000 skilled civilian workers.
A member of the Board of Directors, Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (Rtd), noted that the initiative would reinforce Nigeria’s position as a regional defence manufacturing hub, deepen cooperation with allied African countries, and reduce reliance on foreign sources for defence equipment.
2026 Act to ensure that our electoral architecture is not only robust in theory but strong in practice.”
The chairman, however, identified the conduct of party primaries as a focal point of the reforms.
smooth, it’s going to be accepted by all Nigerians. Because of the microeconomic policy that he initiated, yes, it was rough for most of us because we are not used to it.
“But it has given a very positive result to us and the country is really working in the right direction. And it seems to be agreed by all of us that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you very much.”
National chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described Fintiri as a political maestro, saying everybody knew the value he has brought to the politics of the North-east.
“In terms of coordination, in terms of bringing new life to Adamawa State and in terms of project and development, what he has done is unbelievable. So bringing him is one of the best actions that we
are having in recent times. And we want to welcome him to where he rightly belongs.
“He is a progressive, with a progressive mind. He wouldn’t have settled anywhere else than the APC, where his policies would be best appreciated. Where he can fit into the renewal agenda of Mr. President and factor himself into our world dream.
“And most importantly, you asked a question, that we leave the opposition in 2027. It is not our duty to organize the opposition. It’s the duty of the opposition to organize themselves.
“And we’re very happy if they can’t organize themselves. Because our duty is to ensure we win the election. So we can’t go and start organizing, funding and building the opposition.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke to take decisive action against any person or group threatening peace and stability in Nigeria, regardless of their status, influence, or affiliation.
Shaibu urged the troops to remain relentless in maintaining pressure on all elements involved in violence and criminality, warning that no individual or organisation wouldbe allowed to jeopardise national security for selfish or nefarious purposes.
While stressing the need for firmness, he commended the troops for their resilience, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment in restoring security to affected communities.
Their efforts, he noted, have facilitated the gradual return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
According to Colonel Apollonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the COAS delivered the
commendation during an address to troops at the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi.
He highlighted that the soldiers’ perseverance in the face of persistent threats has not only weakened criminal networks but also created the secure environment necessary for socio-economic activities to resume.
The safe return of internally displaced persons, he added, was a testament to the operational effectiveness and unwavering resolve of the troops.
Emphasising the strategic role of Operation Whirl Stroke within Nigeria’s broader security framework, Shaibu stressed the importance of consolidating recent gains through intelligence-driven operations, improved inter-agency coordination, and sustained community engagement.
He underlined that operational success must be accompanied by professionalism, discipline, and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement in line with international best practices.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to intensify efforts and devise new, actionable strategies to eradicate terrorism, insurgency, and banditry across Nigeria.
Musa made the appeal while presiding over the inaugural edition of the Monthly Operational Briefing at the Ministry of Defence Conference Room in Abuja. The briefing was designed to provide a platform for assessing ongoing operations, identifying emerging threats, and charting strategic interventions.
In a statement, Colonel Timothy Antigha (Rtd), Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, noted that General Musa highlighted a range of threats to national security, stressing the urgency of adopting innovative approaches to address them effectively.
John Shiklam in Kaduna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Musa Urges CDS, Service Chiefs to Devise New Strategies to Eradicate Terrorism
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
Atiku Meets ADC Southeast Leaders Ahead of Party Primaries
Ardo: ADC frustrating ADA’s registration
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has held a strategic meeting with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the South East and other prominent Igbo figures, signalling possible political collaboration ahead of the ADC presidential primary.
Details of the meeting shared by the ADC in a statement described it as “crucial” in charting the party’s strategic direction and potential alliances as the party prepares
between the CBN as sole off-taker and the SMDF as fiscal and supply chain manager offers a strong model for other countries seeking to strengthen similar programmes.
The President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Samaila Zubairu, reaffirmed AFC’s commitment to financing and formalising Nigeria’s mineral sector, stressing the importance of accurate data and mineral processing infrastructure to attract investment, improve gold recovery, reduce environmental impact and support central bank purchases.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman of Kian Smith Gold Company, Ms. Nere Emiko, underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to build strategic gold reserves and leverage commodity exchanges, noting the country’s low reserve levels relative to peers and calling for greater investment in exploration and transparency.
Emiko further reiterated that the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme forms part of the Central Bank’s broader strategy to enhance reserve quality, reduce external vulnerabilities, and position Nigeria’s mineral wealth as a pillar of long-term economic stability.
Senate Moves to Make CBN Lead Fintech Regulator, Orders
Crackdown on Ponzi Schemes
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday
to navigate the 2027 presidential primaries.
“The meeting, which took place on Tuesday night behind closed doors at the Abuja residence of Chikwe Udensi, was attended by a high-profile roster of party and regional leaders.
“Those in attendance include Senator Augustine Akobundu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, former Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, Dr Osita Oruche, Prof. Onyi Nwagbara, Chief Uchenna Okogbuo, former ADC National
moved to reposition the CBN as the coordinating authority for the regulation of Nigeria’s fastexpanding fintech ecosystem, while simultaneously demanding tougher legislative and enforcement measures to stem the rising tide of Ponzi schemes across the country.
The twin resolutions emerged at a one-day public hearing convened at the National Assembly to consider the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB. 959) and to investigate the operations of fraudulent investment platforms, with particular reference to the recent Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX) incident.
The hearing, jointly organised by the Senate Committees on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; ICT and Cyber Security; Capital Market; and Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, underscored lawmakers’ determination to fortify Nigeria’s financial regulatory architecture amid rapid digital transformation and escalating financial fraud.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, who led deliberations, said the amendment bill seeks to strengthen the existing provisions of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 by expressly bringing technology-enabled financial service providers under clearer statutory
Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, Hon. Uzoma Abonta, Hon. Uko Nkole, Etigwe Uwah, Dr Steve Nwadiuko, Chief Morris Eboh, Senator Frank Ibezim, and Dr Dave Eboh,” the statement read.
The timing of the meeting came as political parties across Nigeria faced a 91-day deadline—ending May 30—to conduct and finalise primaries for candidates, following the release of a revised timetable for the 2027 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
supervision.
Abiru explained that while fintech companies, including mobile money operators, digital lenders, payment platforms and settlement firms, have significantly deepened financial inclusion and now serve millions of Nigerians, the legal and supervisory framework has not evolved at the same pace as their growth and systemic relevance.
According to him, the current framework for designating Systemically Important Financial Institutions remains largely bank-focused and does not adequately address the realities of large, data-driven, non-bank financial platforms.
This regulatory gap, he warned, poses risks to financial stability, consumer protection, data sovereignty and national security.
The proposed amendment, he said, would empower the CBN to designate qualifying fintechs and digital financial institutions as Systemically Important Institutions; establish a national registry to enhance transparency and beneficial ownership disclosure; strengthen risk-based supervision tailored to technology-driven services; and promote systemic stability within the broader financial ecosystem.
Abiru firmly rejected suggestions in some quarters for the creation of a standalone fintech regulatory agency. Establishing a new body, he argued, would duplicate existing functions, create bureaucratic
Ardo: ADC Frustrating ADA’s Registration
The promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has accused the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), of deliberately frustrating efforts to secure registration for ADA by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ardo made the allegation yesterday, while fielding questions on The Morning Show of Arise
overlap, increase administrative costs and fragment regulatory authority in a sector that demands coordination and coherence.
He said, “Fintech regulation is closely linked to monetary policy, payments oversight, prudential supervision, Know-Your-Customer and Anti-Money Laundering enforcement, and systemic risk monitoring, functions that already reside within the Central Bank.”
He added that strengthening BOFIA and modernising the CBN’s supervisory powers, while mandating structured collaboration with agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Finance, represents a more coherent policy pathway.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented at the hearing by the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, said the engagement was convened pursuant to the Senate’s constitutional mandate to safeguard the stability, integrity and resilience of Nigeria’s financial system.
He described the financial system as the backbone of any modern economy, noting that
Television.
He explained that the initial strategy of the opposition coalition was to pursue two parallel options, fusing into the ADC as a national opposition platform while simultaneously pushing for the registration of ADA as a backup.
According to him, members committed to the registration of a new political party were tasked with pursuing ADA’s approval from INEC, with the understanding that both groups could later align.
Ardo said the arrangement was
when effectively regulated and supervised, it mobilises savings, allocates credit, facilitates payments, supports entrepreneurship and drives economic growth.
Akpabio stressed that the inclusion of technology-enabled financial service providers within an enhanced supervisory framework reflects the realities of modern finance, where innovation must operate within clearly defined legal boundaries that guarantee consumer protection, cybersecurity, operational resilience and transparency.
Beyond fintech regulation, the Senate devoted significant attention to the proliferation of Ponzi schemes and fraudulent digital investment platforms, describing them as a grave threat to public confidence and economic stability.
Lawmakers on the occasion cited the CBEX collapse as a painful reminder of the devastating human and economic toll of such schemes. Reports presented at the hearing indicated that young professionals, retirees, traders, small business owners and students suffered substantial losses after being lured by promises of unrealistic returns.
The Senate warned that beyond individual hardship, Ponzi schemes erode trust in legitimate financial institutions, distort capital allocation, damage Nigeria’s financial reputation and heighten exposure to money laundering and illicit
designed to provide a fallback option in case either platform encountered challenges.
However, he alleged that the ADC leadership has now taken steps to obstruct ADA’s registration process. “Well, the initial idea was that, let us take two positions at the same time while we fuse into ADC, that is the national opposition coalition, those who are committed to the registration of the political party now go in to register the ADA and that at a later time, we might meet somewhere in the field.
financial flows.
Akpabio said the investigative hearing was aimed at identifying regulatory and enforcement gaps, assessing coordination among relevant agencies, and determining whether existing laws adequately address digital and cross-border financial fraud.
Stakeholders who made submissions at the hearing included representatives of the CBN, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
They all supported the bill even as they pointed certain aspects for amendments before the eventual passage.
The Senate assured that all memoranda and recommendations would be carefully reviewed, with a view to enacting evidence-based reforms that reinforce trust in Nigeria’s banks, regulators and financial markets.
By consolidating fintech supervision under the CBN and tightening the noose on Ponzi operators, the Senate signalled its resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system and protect citizens from exploitation in an increasingly digital economy.
L-R: Founder & CEO, African Leadership Organisation, Dr. Ken Giami; Special Assistant, Media & Publicity to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Abdullahi Adamu Misilli; EVC/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu: a relative of the EVC/CEO, Muhammad Nasir; and Prime Minister of Lesotho, The Rt. Hon. Samuel Matekane, when Halilu received the Young African Leader of the Year by African Leadership Magazine in Accra, Ghana...recently
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
FIFA Lists DR Congo for Playoffs in Mexico, Silent on Nigeria’s Petition
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Barely three weeks to the kickoff of the Inter-confederation Playoffs in Mexico, world football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed DR Congo as Africa’s representative in the six-nation football fiesta.
FIFA is yet to make a pronouncement on Nigeria’s petition even as the country’s sports administrators are optimistic that they have a valid case to throw out the Congolese and hand over the playoffs ticket to the Super Eagles.
But FIFA in an accreditation notice circulated to sports journalists yesterday ahead of the competition, listed DR Congo amongst the six countries to feature in the tournament.
The statement reads: “The FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out
After Super Eagles lost out in penalty shootouts to DR Congo in the final of the African Playoffs in Morocco last November, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), petitioned FIFA, alleging that the Congolese fielded five players who were not eligible to participate in the tournament for running foul of the country’s constitution that forbids it’s citizens from having dual nationalities.
for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 Host Cities.
“All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
According to the schedule, the two semi finals of the tournament will hold on March 26, 2026 with Bolivia taking on Suriname while Jamaica will battle New Caledonia in the other game.
DR Congo, winner of the African playoffs will draw bye straight to the final to play the winner of the
clash between Jamaica and New Caledonia on March 31, 2026. The winner takes one of the two tickets to the 2026 World Cup while Iraq that also draw bye like DR Congo will play the winner of the clash between Bolivia and Suriname with the winner of the second final taking the second ticket to the Mundial.
FIFA’s latest communication which did not refer to any changes to the qualified teams, signaled that the original result of DR Congo winning the shootouts after 1-1 draw stands with the Super Eagles effectively eliminated from the 2026 World Cup just as they did for the 2022 edition hosted by Qatar.
128 Boxers Battle for 10 Slots at 2026 C’wealth Games Trials
Kunle Adewale
The Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex at the National Stadium in Surulere has come alive with the sound of gloves and grit. A total of 128 boxers, including four diaspora athletes, are locked in fierce competition, each determined to secure one of the 10 coveted places on Nigeria’s boxing team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
According to Vivian Azimene, Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), the trials have drawn 101 men and 27 women, their energy and determination infusing the arena with vibrancy.
“Initially, we were supposed to go with three women and three men,” she explained. “But after the visit of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, we’ve been promised five female boxers and five male boxers.
In total, 10 athletes will represent Nigeria in boxing.”
Azimene praised the athletes for their spirited performances, noting the presence of diaspora fighters, and expressed confidence that the trials would produce the strongest
possible team. “The expectation is to get the best,” she said.
“That’s why we are doing the trial — to give all boxers the opportunity to be part of the team. We will ensure we pick those who will make the country proud.”
For many of the athletes, the trials are more than just competition; they are a chance to prove themselves.
One of them, Sharafadeen Fawaz, spoke with emotion: “I’m glad to
have the opportunity to participate. This shows the hard work and dedication I’ve put in. My expectation is to make the cut for the national camp and to show Nigeria how committed I am.”
The trials began on Tuesday with preliminary bouts stretching late into the night. Quarter-finals followed yesterday, Wednesday, March 4, while semi-finals are scheduled for today (Thursday, March 5),
after medical tests and weigh-ins.
The climax will come on Friday, March 6, with final checks and the championship bouts, wrapped in a carnival atmosphere from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
As the boxers trade punches in Surulere, the stakes could not be higher. For 10 of them, the journey will continue to Glasgow — and the chance to etch their names into Nigeria’s proud boxing history.
Catholic Golfers Tee off to Support Mental Health of Priests, Others
Catholic golfers are set to gather at the prestigious Ikeja Golf Club on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, for a special charity golf kitty themed “Swing to Serve with Love.” The event is organised to raise funds for the mental health and wellbeing of Priests, Religious, and Consecrated Persons.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mrs. Fatumata Coker, expressed enthusiasm ahead of the event, noting that it promises to be both impactful and inspiring.
“We are looking forward to a great event. In the spirit of Lenten charity and solidarity, we welcome all to play and make donations to the St. Kizito Wellness Project,” she pleaded.
The charity initiative is being promoted by Rev. Fr. Michael Olofinlade through the St. Kizito Wellness Project, which focuses on strengthening mental health support systems for clergy and consecrated persons.
Speaking on the significance of
the initiative, Rev. Fr. Olofinlade stated: “This golf kitty is more than a game; it is a charity kitty dedicated to promoting robust mental health support for Clergy, Religious and Consecrated Persons.”
Chairman of the Competition Committee, Mrs. Candy Agu, disclosed that the tournament will be played in the Texas Scramble format and will feature a shotgun start, ensuring an engaging and inclusive experience for participants of all skill levels.
Semifinals (March 26, 2025):
Bolivia vs Suriname
Jamaica vs New Caledonia
Finals (March 31, 2025):
DR Congo vs winner of Jamaica/New Caledonia Iraq vs winner of Bolivia/Suriname
The winners will secure their place at the World Cup.
Arsenal Go Seven Points at the Top After City Held By Forest
Arsenal rode their luck to survive a torrid encounter at Brighton and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points.
Brighton were the superior side for long periods - but Bukayo Saka’s deflected early strike proved enough to give Mikel Arteta’s side a priceless triumph, especially with Manchester City being held to a 2-2 drawat home by struggling Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal’s night almost began in catastrophic fashion in the opening seconds when goalkeeper David Raya sent a clearance straight to Carlos Baleba, but his attempted chip was weak, allowing Gabriel to retreat and head off the line.
And the Gunners’ luck was in after nine minutes when Saka’s routine shot took a deflection off Baleba and went through the legs of Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, who should have done better.
Brighton’s fans, whipped up by head coach Fabian Hurzeler on the sidelines, were infuriated by what they saw as Arsenal’s time-wasting, erupted in fury just before the hour when Raya saved
from Georginio Rutter then stayed on the floor clutching his shoulder before getting treatment.
Arsenal were placed under severe pressure and Brighton should have levelled, only for Mats Wieffer to head straight at Raya from point-blank range. In the end, Brighton ran out of steam to allow Arsenal to close out another very scrappy, but hugely significant, win on a night when Manchester City slipped up.
Former NTA Sports’ Niyi Oyeleke Laid to Rest in Offa
Oyeniyi Oyeleke, a former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), who died on Tuesday was laid to rest in his Offa home town in Kwara State on Wednesday afternoon.
Oyeleke had a distinguished career with the Nigerian Television Authority, where he was part of the network’s sports reporting team, before later contributing to coverage on SuperSport.
As Lagos SWAN chairman, Oyeleke was known for his efforts to strengthen the professional standing of sports journalists and promote unity within the association.
Also confirmed to have died is Tonex Chukwu, another sports journalist who built a strong reputation within Nigerian club football circles, particularly through his work as media officer of Enyimba FC, one of the country’s most successful teams. He later served as coordinator for Heartland FC, contributing to the organisation and administration of the club during his tenure. No date has been fixed for his burial.
The Nigerian sports media community has been thrown into mourning following the deaths of the two respected football journalists and administrators.
Super Eagles...game over as FIFA lists DR Congo for Inter-confederation Playoff in Mexico
Bukayo Saka ...his deflected shot earned Arsenal the win to extend Premier League lead to seven points
IN DEFENCE OF ABUJA’S (NON)VOTERS
In AMAC and the five other area councils in Abuja, none of this happened. In the Sunday preceding the election, Pastor Evaristus Azodoh of the Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) asked us to come for the weekly evangelism that Saturday. When told that there would be council elections, he expressed surprise before adding, ‘But nobody has campaigned for my vote.’ Almost everybody at the meeting echoed his position: ‘Nobody has campaigned for my vote either’! Instead, the political class offered Abuja residents the same tired menu: the big man’s endorsement, market dance etc. And residents responded the only way a self-respecting electorate should when it is not taken seriously: They refused to show up.
Yes, there is value in participation. But civic duty is a two-way covenant. The man in Gwarimpa or Mabushi who cannot name the candidate on the ballot so decided to stay away from voting is not apathetic. He is rational. He sees no difference
NEWS
between the parties, because, on the evidence before him, there is none. He sees no specific promise that speaks to the broken road that leads to his residence or the insecurity that has begun to disturb his sleep. Why then, they ask themselves, should they take the trouble to affirm this? It is a fair question. And the political class, not the non-voter, owes us an answer.
Now, the main concern is that this is not a local problem. This is precisely the same disposition that results in many voters staying away from our elections at every level, including during the gubernatorial and presidential polls. That explains why nobody should downplay the challenge of voter apathy and the dire implications of a pervasive lack of interest to participate in our elections. From disillusionment with the performance of public officials to the growing perception that their votes may not count, there are justifiable reasons why many Nigerians are staying away from the polling booths at election time. And such electoral indifference bodes ill
for our democracy.
The situation is compounded by the lack of any credible opposition. By playing their role effectively, opposition parties are expected to put the people in power on their toes. But the current opposition, exemplified by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Alliance (ADC), is not only weak and uncoordinated, many of their leaders also seem highly compromised. Since they can not articulate clear roadmaps with which to envision the country, they criss-cross from one party to the other. Expectedly, this dysfunctionality is being exploited by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with Nigerians as the ultimate losers. While we will come back to this issue one day, our politicians should be worried about growing voter apathy.
When substantial segments of the population abstain from voting, the legitimacy of the democratic process is called into question. This deliberate disengagement impacts not just electoral
outcomes but also the entire system. Therefore, it is important for people in government and those waiting in the wings to replace them, to work towards not only delivering the public good but also ensuring that when the next election comes, more Nigerians would be interested enough to cast their ballots. It is in the enlightened interest of members of the political elite. Meanwhile, the FCT elections have come and gone. Area council chairmen and councillors have been returned or newly installed. Congratulations are being offered to the re-elected Christopher Maikalangu of AMAC and others. But if the winners are serious about governance, and one must always hold on to the possibility that some of them are, they would do well to begin with a sober reckoning. The low turnout is a verdict of its own. It says: ‘You have not earned our mandate yet. But you can, if you apply yourself to the job and do well in office.’
I hope they have the presence of mind to get the message.
Conservative Anglicans Meeting in Nigeria Insist on Continuity, Not Division
Oppose liberal shifts in Anglican communion
A grouping of conservative churches which refuses to accept a woman as the titular head of the worldwide Anglican Communion denied yesterday that it was causing a schism, but said it was seeking to uphold continuity in the Church.
The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), grouping conservative churches mainly in Africa and Asia, opposes liberal shifts in
parts of the Communion, including the ordination of women and greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ members, a Reuters report said.
Last year’s decision by the Church of England, the Anglican Communion’s “mother church”, to appoint its first woman Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has particularly upset GAFCON, which plans this week to elect a rival leader, the report added.
Speaking to reporters at the start
of a three-day meeting in Nigeria, Reuters quoted GAFCON spokesman, Justin Murff, as saying that the grouping was not seeking to break away from the Anglican Communion but to “reorganise and realign” it around Biblical authority.
“This is not a schism. It is actually a claim to continuity,” Murff said. Formed in 2008, GAFCON said it now represents the majority of practicing Anglicans worldwide.
“Logically, it doesn’t make sense
that 20 people in the UK with very little input from the Global South could actually decide who the global leader of the Anglican Church is,” Murff said.
GAFCON’s expansion reflects demographic reality in Anglicanism, with most practising members now in Africa, Asia and Latin America, he added.
The Church of England emerged nearly 500 years ago when King Henry VIII broke from Rome.
For centuries, the Archbishop of Canterbury has served as the titular head of 85 million Anglicans in 165 countries.
But that authority, rooted in the British Empire’s missionary reach to former colonies, has been pushed to breaking point in recent decades by splits over women’s ordination and same-sex rights, straining ties between England’s now more progressive church and the more traditional churches in Africa and Asia.
SECURITY FORCES LOCK DOWN ABUJA AMID ESCALATING US-ISRAEL, IRAN WAR
“The prayer hall will be receiving visitors and the dear people can attend and take part in the farewell ceremony and mark a strong presence once again,” Mahmoudi said in comments carried by Iranian media.
Khamenei was killed on Saturday, aged 86. He had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, succeeding Khamenei, the founder of the post-shah Iran, who steered the country’s 1979 revolution.
The supreme leader holds ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military and the judiciary, while also acting as the country’s spiritual leader.
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a senior Iranian cleric who is a member of both the powerful Guardian Council and Assembly of Experts, said the country was close to choosing the late Khamenei’s successor.
“The Supreme Leader will be identified in the closest opportunity, we are close to a conclusion, however the situation in the country is a war situation,” Khatami told state TV.
The 88-member Assembly of Experts is elected by the public every eight years. Candidates who run for the Assembly must first be vetted and approved by the Guardian Council, a powerful oversight body whose members are partly appointed by the supreme leader himself.
A simple majority is sufficient to appoint the new supreme leader. As per Iran’s constitution, the candidate must be a senior jurist with deep knowledge of jurisprudence in Shia Islam, as well as qualities such as political judgement, courage, and administrative capability.
Khamenei’s second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is among the top contenders to succeed his father. Two Iranian sources cited by Reuters news agency said Mojtaba survived US-Israeli attacks on the country.
But Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened on Wednesday to assassinate any Iranian leader picked to succeed Khamenei.
“Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel’s destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides,” Katz said in a post on X.
US President Donald Trump had publicly mused about the leadership he would like to see in Iran following Khamenei’s assassination. During an Oval Office appearance, he said the “worst-case scenario” in Iran would be another leader unfriendly to US priorities.
Luciano Zaccara, a research associate professor in Gulf politics at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera that Iran’s political system has been prepared for the current situation, knowing that Khamenei’s killing was a real possibility. “The structures remain, the line of power [and] the line of command remain in place,” he said.
Islamic Body Cautions Against Friction
As the war between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to rage, the League of Imams in Lagos State has warned Nigerians against taking sides or getting involved in any act that can jeopardise the security of the nation and the peaceful coexistence of people in the country.
The League, in a statement by the Chief Missioner of the Ansarudeen Society in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ahmad, highlighted the protests staged in some parts of the country over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei,
during a recent US-Israeli strike on Iran.
This position was expressed during the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir programme held on Tuesday night at the Lagos House Ikeja. According to Ahmad who acknowledged that Nigeria is also affected by the current global happenings, there is a need for reflection, solution solving and constant prayers for the government to succeed at both the state and national level.
He said that Ramadan and Lent periods should be used to fervently pray for the country for continuous peace of Lagos and Nigeria, stressing that any form of demonstration or protest should be disallowed.
“This is a time for prayer, a time to be part of peace; this is not a time for protest and demonstration. This is not a time for insults. This is not a time for upheavals. It is a time of sober reflection. Allah has warned us to beware of a calamity, that when it happens, it will not just affect those who are responsible for it. And at the moment, it is affecting all of us.
“How may it go? I told the congregation, they should be prepared for an increase in fuel price. And today, if you have refilled your vehicle’s tank, you will know how much petrol is being sold per litre.
“Chances are that it could even go further. It could even hit N2,000 per litre. It may be the beginning of the third world war. It may even be worse than that, except we face it with prayer,” he added.
He said that many lives have been lost during several protests in the past including the current loggerhead in the middle east, saying it is needless to witness another bloodbath in the country.
“We are not happy that our brothers and fellow human beings have been attacked on a daily basis, but then, if we cannot be part of
the solution, we should not be part of the problem.
“Don’t join a protest that you don’t know anything about. Remember that the country is still dealing with the effect of End-SARS protests. Don’t cause disruption. Your intention may be pure, may be good, but do you know about the next person who will hide under that and cause mayhem and cause destruction.
“That is why we have come to appeal to all of us that we should be part of the solution, not a part of the problem,” he advised.
Hegseth: Mastermind of Assassination Plot Against Trump Killed
An alleged mastermind of an Iranian covert unit accused of plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump in 2024 has been “hunted down and killed” amid Operation Epic Fury, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced yesterday.
“Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh,” Hegseth declared during a press briefing with reporters. “This is not a ‘mission accomplished’ situation. This is simply a reality check,” he added.
Iranian animus toward Trump traces back to his first term, when he authorised a January 2020 drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani, a powerful commander in the Quds Force. Since then, federal prosecutors have charged multiple people in two separate cases of Iranian murder-for-hire plots during the 2024 presidential campaign, though officials have not presented evidence directly tying Tehran to those schemes.
Hegseth did not name the alleged mastermind he said was killed in the ongoing operations.
In an interview earlier, Trump addressed how the threats to his life spurred his decision to wage war on Iran and kill the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“I got him before he got me,”
Trump said in a phone interview with ABC News. “They tried twice. Well, I got him first.”
Hegseth described the broader US-Israeli campaign against Iran on Wednesday as “accelerating.”
He indicated the two nations will establish complete control of Iranian airspace within days.
“It means we will fly all day, all night, day and night, finding, fixing, and finishing the missiles and defense industrial base of the Iranian military,” Hegseth said. “More and larger waves are coming. We are accelerating, not decelerating,” he explained.
Hegseth dismissed reports that stocks of munitions were running low, noting that the US will deploy 500-pound, 1,000-pound and 2,000-pound GPS and laser-guided precision bombs “of which we have a nearly unlimited stockpile.”
Iran Reports 1,045 Deaths
Iran said on Wednesday that 1,045 people had been killed in the country since Saturday as a result of US-Israeli strikes.
In a statement published on its official website, Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs described the strikes as “aggressive and brutal.”
The toll followed a joint U.S.- Israeli attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting Saturday morning, which resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran has since responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and
Murff said churches that authorise same-sex blessings or expanded marriage rights have “broken communion”, not those defending traditional doctrine. The tension between conservative and liberal Anglicans has been rooted in deeper disagreements about biblical authority, theology, morality, and the identity of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide fellowship of churches historically linked to the Church of England.
Goldman Sachs yesterday raised its second-quarter 2026 average price forecast for Brent crude oil by $10 to $76 per barrel and for WTI by $9 to $71. These forecasts assume that low oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz will lead to large declines in OECD inventories and Middle East oil production in March, according to the bank’s note.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a critical global energy chokepoint, handling about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, ReutersGoldmanreported. said its forecasts remain heavily tilted to the upside, with risks including a longer than expected disruption to exports through the Strait of Hormuz and potential damage at oil production facilities.
“If Hormuz volumes were to remain flat for five additional weeks, Brent prices would likely reach $100, a level associated with larger demand destruction to prevent inventories from falling to critically low levels,” it said in a note. Brent crude futures were near $82.57 a barrel by 0408 GMT, after closing at its highest since January 2025 on Tuesday. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $75.28, after settling at its highest since June. Both rose by around 5 per cent or more in the past two sessions. Goldman sees a downside risk to prices from a faster normalisation in Hormuz flows. The bank also revised its fourth-quarter 2026 forecasts for Brent and WTI to $66 and $62, respectively, and for 2027 to $70 and $66, respectively.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
SOLIDARITY PROTEST IN LAGOS ON THE UNITED STATES-ISRAEL STRIKE ON IRAN...
L-R: Chief Imam of Badagry, Fadhilat Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Hakeem Akewusola; Chief Imam of Epe, Sheikh AbdulRahman Abiola Sadallah; Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Oloworibi; Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh (Engr) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla; National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdrahman Olanrewaju Ahmad; Al-Mufasir, Lagos Central Mosque, Imam Shakirudeen Gafar and Chief Imam and Chairman, Mission Board Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Imam (Dr) Sa’eid Ahmad during a press briefing on the solidarity protest in Lagos on the United States-Israel strike on Iran at the Ramadan Tafsir/Ifar, held at the State Mosque, Lagos House, Ikeja ... yesterday
OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
THE VERDICT
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
In Defence of Abuja’s (Non)Voters
Driving through Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) streets during the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections, I witnessed what members of the political class seem uninterested in hearing. Polling units that should have buzzed with civic energy were attended by more party agents and security personnel than actual voters. With 65,676 votes recorded for all the candidates, out of 837,338 registered voters, it means just about 8 percent of AMAC residents bothered to exercise their franchise. And since some have started rushing to judgement about voter apathy, let me offer a modest defence of the Abuja non-voter. Let us begin with the most basic question: Who were the candidates at the election? I ask this literally. If you stopped a hundred residents in Maitama, Wuse II, Gwarinpa, Jabi or Apo (where I reside), in the days preceding the election and asked them to name even one candidate contesting the chairmanship of their area council, I suspect you would struggle to fill a single hand’s worth of correct answers. This is not because Abuja residents are uninformed or indifferent by nature, but rather that the candidates simply did not bother to introduce themselves. There were
the familiar scenes, of course. Videos circulated on social media of aspirants dancing through markets with heavyweight political figures in tow, surrounded by the choreographed enthusiasm of mobilised supporters.
But here is the point. The local government is
the tier where the conversation is not about foreign policy or macroeconomic indices but the refuse bin at the end of your street, the public school your children (or your neighbour’s children) attend; the pothole on the road leading to your house that has swallowed countless tyres, the healthcare centre that has become an eyesore, etc. These are the issues that properly raised and sincerely addressed, would have encouraged a woman in Guzape or a man in Garki to cast their vote on election day.
If you can excuse his scorched-earth politics, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has done commendably well in the area of road infrastructure, especially within the Abuja municipality. But every day comes with the kind of problems that a competent, motivated, community-rooted area council administration could also begin to address. That is currently not the case. Walk through parts of Abuja today, even the so-called highbrow areas, and these ‘little problems’ stare you in the face. Waste management has become a scandal. Refuse festers at corners of estates where residents pay significant levies and expect basic sanitation in return. Beggars are everywhere.
I will confess something that may sound
immodest. But I offer it in the spirit of making a point: If I were to contest the chairmanship election in AMAC, I believe I would win. Not because of party affiliation or the patronage of powerful godfathers, but because the strategy is not complicated. It has simply never been tried. Every estate in AMAC has a residents’ association with officials. These associations hold meetings. They are, in effect, ready-made civic infrastructure. As a candidate, I would write to the executive of every estate and request a meeting. I would sit with them, and ask two simple questions: what are your challenges, and what do you need from a local government that works? I would listen, take notes and make commitments. And I would ask them to hold me to those commitments. I would also make them partners in the campaign rather than spectators of it. At another level, I would canvass door-to-door in every neighbourhood and ask for support on the basis of specific, documented problems that I would promise to resolve. That is how you win a local election. More importantly, that is how you deserve to win one.
The Choice Before Tunji Disu
“ ...I was once called to a scene where a young man had been beaten. His elderly mother saw my uniform and refused to speak to me. She told neighbours she didn’t trust police, that we would take money from the attackers and do nothing. One neighbour who knew me had to vouch for me before she recounted what happened. I wasn’t angry at her. I understood. I had seen what some colleagues had done. I had witnessed corruption, brutality, indifference. Her disgust wasn’t paranoia. It was learned caution based on experiences. My job was to earn her trust through my actions, not demand it because of my uniform…”
The foregoing is from a yet-to-be-published book by Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who was on Monday confirmed the Inspector General of Police (IGP). It is titled, ‘What They Didn’t Teach at the Police College: A Veteran’s Honest Guide to Navigating the Nigeria Police Force’. Considering that the whispers in Abuja had been that Kayode Egbetokun would be around for a long time as IGP, I doubt if Disu imagined he would be where he is today. But Egbetokun’s sudden ‘resignation’ paved the way. Athough Disu sent me a dummy copy of the book (which reads like a post-retirement memoir) last December to help look at, I never got around
Disu...new Inspector General of Police
to reading it until I heard about his appointment last week. The fact that he sent someone to my office yesterday to retrieve the copy indicates the publication has been ‘overtaken by events’. Drawing from his own experience and that of colleagues, Disu addressed several personal and
institutional challenges facing the police in the ‘book’. But what I find most interesting are the anecdotes. Sample this: “Years ago, one of my officers came to me troubled. His cousin, whom he loved like a brother, had gotten involved with a robbery gang. The cousin confided in him, saying he wanted out but feared the gang would kill him. He asked my officer for help. The officer wanted to know what to do. Report his cousin to the Police, knowing this might lead to arrest or death? Help his cousin escape and relocate, making himself complicit in helping a criminal? Try to convince cousin to turn himself in and cooperate? Ignore the whole situation and pretend he didn’t know? …every option led somewhere painful.”
Readers interested in the counsel our new IGP gave his officer and what eventually happened to the confessed criminal would have to wait for Disu’s book should he still decide to publish it one day. But now that he is at the helm of affairs at the Police, I hope Disu will put into practice many of the lofty ideals that have shaped his career thus far, some of which are also highlighted in his unpublished book.
Meanwhile, the new IGP is coming to office at a period when there is a national consensus for the
establishment of state police. Most of his predecessors opposed the idea, essentially to protect their turf. To succeed, Disu must put the security of the country over and above retaining the power and privileges of his current office. When that transition comes, he also must work for the reform of the federal police so that its personnel become more professional and are able to effectively discharge their duties.
As the principal custodian of peace, order and security in a constitutional democracy, no institution is arguably more important than the police whose primary duties include preventing, detecting, and investigating crime, protecting lives and property and bringing criminals to justice. But as I surmised in a recent column, Mr President, Police May Not Obey You! – THISDAYLIVE, it is evident that the NPF can no longer effectively meet public expectations. Which then means that Disu’s job is well cut out for him.
In the message I sent to him last week, I told Disu that I don’t congratulate people I consider my friends when they are appointed to public office. But I do pray for their success. On that note, may God help Olatunji Rilwan Disu in his new assignment.
