WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL 2025

MAN: US Tariff Hike to Wipe Out N2trn from Nigeria’s Agric Exports

Says firms in EPZs targeting United States market to be worst hit Farouk Ahmed: Blame Trump’s inconsistent tariff policies for reduction in crude oil prices Reveals Nigeria recorded 67% drop in petrol imports (MAN) said the 14 per cent tariff imposed on Nigerian exports to the United States of America (USA) by the President Donald Trump administration would result in a

in Nigeria’s agricultural exports to the North American country.

Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed,

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World Bank Urges Nigeria to Maintain Momentum on Economic Reforms

FG, states, LGs Share N1.578tn for March

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The World Bank has stressed the need for Nigeria to maintain the momentum on its economic reforms in order to achieve inclusive, jobcreating growth. World Bank highlighted the country’s position as its largest portfolio in Africa, with commitments

totalling around $17 billion. The bank’s advice came as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed a total sum of N1.578 trillion, as

March 2025 Federation Account Revenue to the federal, state and local governments across the country. The global development institution applauded Nigeria’s recent Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.4 per cent — the strongest since 2014 — and commended the government’s progress in stabilising the economy and improving portfolio

performance. World Bank’s Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, disclosed

Shettima: We’re Building a Country for Workers El-Rufai: Tinubu’s Govt Worst in Nation’s History

Kwankwaso: Perpetrators of Plateau killings must be brought to book Your days are numbered, IG Egbetokun reads riot act to marauding killers We’ve failed you, please forgive us, Mutfwang begs community Killings far from communal disputes, Jang maintains Northern CAN demands justice, Borno govt hosts Northern emirs for solution

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh, michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke in Abuja, John Shiklam in Kaduna, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos, Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu towards fulfilling his administration’s promise to build a Nigeria, where members of the workforce could attain their full potential.

To achieve this, Shettima said the administration was upskilling and reskilling the citizens in order to prepare them for both jobs that were available and those that were up ahead.

Unfortunately, a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, thought otherwise when he described the government of President Tinubu as the “most corrupt, most intolerant and worst” in Nigeria’s history. El-Rufai, who spoke in an interview with some journalists in Katsina Mon-

L-R: Honorable Admin Judges of the Lagos State

Justice (Mrs) Modupe Nicol-Clay;

(Mrs) Olutoyin Ipaye;

for Justice, Mr

SAN; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, during the official inauguration of the newly constructed Lagos State Commercial Court at Tapa, Lagos Island, yesterday Continued on page 9

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos Manufacturers Association of Nigeria

Lawal Pedro,

NMDPRA BRIEFS STATE HOUSE PRESS...

L–R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed; Executive Director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr. Ogbugor Ukoha; Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plant Installation and Transportation Infrastructure, Mr. Francis Ogare; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Mr. Otega Ogra, at the State House Meet the Press briefing held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

In Historic Move, Oyetola Orders NIMASA to Commence CVFF Disbursement

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to commence the process that would lead to the long-awaited disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

This was disclosed in statement, yesterday, by the Media & Communications Adviser to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.

According to the statement, the directive was a significant shift from over two decades of administrative stagnation and ushers in a new era of strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s indigenous shipping.

The CVFF, established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, was designed to empower Nigerian shipping companies through access to structured financing for vessel acquisition. However, successive administrations failed to operationalise the fund until now.

“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Oyetola, the federal government has signaled a deliberate course correction.

“The disbursement of the CVFF would represent not just the release of funds, but a profound commitment to empowering Nigerian maritime

operators, bolstering national competitiveness, and fostering sustainable economic development,” the statement added.

It quoted Oyetola to have said: “This is not just about disbursing funds. It’s about rewriting a chapter in our maritime history.

“For over 20 years, the CVFF remained a dormant promise. Today, we are bringing it to life deliberately, transparently, and strategically.

“We are not merely funding vessels; we are investing in a future where Nigerian shipping companies can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their international counterparts. This is a turning point—one that affirms our commitment to local content, economic resilience, and maritime sovereignty.”

Continuing, Oyetola added that the disbursement of the CVFF was anticipated to yield far-reaching benefits.

“It will enable the growth of a stronger, self-sufficient shipping fleet, generate employment opportunities, stimulate local shipbuilding and repair industries, and significantly reduce capital flight associated with foreign vessel chartering,” it added.

According to the statement, industry stakeholders hailed the move as a, “watershed moment” for Nigerian maritime development.

Experts believe that with proper implementation, the CVFF will help

realign the industry toward long-term growth, enhanced logistics efficiency, and global relevance.

“We are doing what should have been done years ago—because our vision is clear,” said Oyetola. “A strong indigenous fleet is not just a matter of pride; it is a strategic national asset. Through this intervention, we will

be securing jobs, strengthening our economy, and redefining our place in the global maritime economy.”

“This decisive action by the Tinubu administration and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy represents a historic milestone, reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to take its rightful place on the global maritime stage—

powered by indigenous capacity, guided by clear policy, and sustained by unwavering political will.”

The statement, however revealed that NIMASA, in alignment with the Minister’s directive, has already issued a Marine Notice inviting eligible Nigerian shipping companies to apply. Qualified applicants, it stated

could access up to $25 million each at competitive interest rates to acquire vessels that meet international safety and performance standards. The fund would be administered in partnership with carefully selected and approved Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs), ensuring professional and efficient disbursement.

US Ambassador: Nigerian Music Has Profound Influence on Global Stage

Segun James

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, Jr., yesterday celebrated the profound influence of Nigerian music on the global stage and the vital role that American streaming platforms, record labels, and US Government exchange programs have played in amplifying Nigerian music globally, driving economic growth and fostering mutual prosperity for both countries.

He said this at a reception the US Mission in Nigeria hosted in honor of the 17th Headies, reputed as Nigeria’s biggest and most prestigious music awards show.

Mills explained that taking the

Senate Vows to Ensure Judicious Use of N1 Trillion Budget

sector in Nigeria to boost economic development.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Ekong Sampson, has said the 10th Senate will closely monitor to ensure the judicious use of the N1 trillion earmarked in the 2025 budget to revive and boost the solid minerals’ sector. Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South said this while on an oversight to Mining Sites in Jos, Plateau State.

Sampson spoke through his deputy, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, at the Palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler, according to a statement by the committee yesterday.

He expressed the determination of the 10th Senate to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s drive to revitalise the solid minerals’

He said Jos occupies a pride of place in the solid minerals’ sector and called on traditional rulers to check the activities unlicensed miners who have been exploiting the sector at the expense of licenced operators.

He pledged the Senate’s determination to assist the president in achieving the objective.

On his part, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, told the committee that insecurity has continued to grow due to illegal mining activities.

He revealed that young Nigerians in the state were being killed in the mining pits while institutions and other residential buildings were being threatened due to devastating mining activities.

The traditional ruler noted sadly that the hike in foodstuffs in the state was as a result of increasing illegal

mining activities, and pointed out that the decline in school enrollment in the state was also due to mining activities.

The royal father revealed that, it was the reason, the Plateau State Government activated the Executive Order 001, which has temporarily suspended mining activities in the state.

He, however, revealed that some persons haven’t stopped mining, in spite of the order.

The Gbong Gwom Jos called on the Senate Committee to insist that the Minister of Solid Mineral’s Development to do the needful in regulating mining activities in Nigeria.

Also, the Chairman, Mining Association of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter, Musa Paul Gindiri, urged the Nigerian Senate to prevail on the federal government to relinquish powers of mining activities to state governments.

Headies to the United States in 2022 and 2023 was a bold step and a recognition of the impact African music has made in the United States and around the world.

“We’ve seen a remarkable rise in the number of Nigerian artists performing at sold-out shows in arenas across the United States and earning recognition at major award shows like the Grammys,” Ambassador Mills said.

He added: “We are proud to support the Headies as it recognizes those at the top of their game and provides a platform for emerging talent, playing a vital role in growing the economy for both our countries and creating opportunities for millions of people, at the microphone and behind the scenes.”

As Nigerian Afrobeats stars continue to make their mark on the global stage, Executive Producer of the Headies, Ayo Animashaun, noted that there has never been a

greater time to be a Nigerian artist.

He underscored the important role of international collaborations in cementing Afrobeats place in the global music industry.

U.S. creative companies such as Paramount, Apple Music, YouTube, and leading record labels like Universal, Empire, and Atlantic have been at the forefront of partnering Nigerian producers and artists to share authentic African sounds with audiences around the world.

The US Mission continues to engage with Nigeria’s creative industry leaders and innovators to discuss building a sustainable ecosystem, unlocking access to new markets, and advancing opportunities for two-way trade and investment in the creative sectors.

In 2024 the US Department of State introduced three new exchange programs for Nigeria’s creative industries that include the American

Music Mentorship Program - which is in partnership with the Recording Academy (Grammys). This exchange program has created unique opportunities for African musicians and industry professionals to engage with the U.S. music scene.

In its inaugural year, three Nigerian creatives participated in the program, with one selected following his exchange to lead a regional office in Nigeria for a U.S.-based media group, further strengthening US-Nigeria music industry ties.

Guests, including creative industry leaders and policymakers, nominated artists, alumni of US Government exchange programs, representatives of US businesses in Nigeria, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the reception, highlighting the growing global reach of the Nigerian music industry.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, yesterday, said Nigeria’s tourism sector was leveraging advancements in innovation and AI to enhance visitor experiences and promote the country’s rich cultural heritage on a global stage. She asserted this in Abuja, when she met the delegation of the UN Tourism Commission led by Director UN Tourism Regional Department for Africa, Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, on the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) billed for Nigeria. The minister noted that the

creative industries, including film, music, fashion and arts, were playing essential role in shaping the country’s cultural identity and fostering local entrepreneurship. She stated that by integrating innovative technologies and educational platforms, Nigeria aims to harness the full potential of the sectors to address social challenges, provide learning opportunities and empower communities.

Musawa, also reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong partnership with the UN Tourism by recognising the critical role collaboration plays in achieving sustainable growth for Africa’s tourism industry.

She said through its continued engagement with the UN Tourism,

Nigeria has actively contributed to shaping policies, promoting best practices and supporting initiatives that foster responsible tourism development across the continent. The minister touted the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) for its integrating tourism efforts across the continent by fostering collaboration among African nations, regional organisations and international stakeholders, adding through its strategic initiatives, the Commission works to harmonise tourism policies, promote sustainable practices and facilitate the development of shared tourism infrastructure that enhances connectivity and accessibility across borders.

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

EFFICIENT AIRPORT SERVICES ON THEIR MINDS...

L–R: Director-General, Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), Mrs. Lola Olutola; Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Kehinde Ajobiewe; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Managing Director, AAC Management Limited, Mr. Christophe Penninck; Technical Adviser, AAC Management, Mr. Olaoluwa Adejumo; and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Ekiti Airport Project, AVM Sunday Makinde (Rtd), during a meeting with the Ekiti Airport Facility Manager in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday

After Initial Relief Following Rebasing, Inflation Assumes Upward Trajectory to 24.23%

Severe in Kaduna, Osun, Kebbi amid higher commodities, energy, food prices

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities, increased to 24.23 per cent in March, compared to 23.18 per cent in February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

Month-on-month, headline inflation also increased to 3.90 per cent in March, compared to 2.04 per cent in February. Food inflation stood at 21.79 per cent year-on-year, compared to 23.51 per cent in February. Month-on-month,

the food index increased to 2.18 per cent, compared to 1.67 per cent. Food inflation was attributed to an increase in the average prices of fresh ginger, yellow garri, broken rice (ofada), honey, crabs, potatoes, plantain flour, periwinkle, and fresh pepper, among others. Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produces and energy stood at 24.43 per cent, year-on-year, in March, compared to 23.01 per cent in the preceding month. Month-on month, core inflation increased to 3.73 per cent compared

to 2.52 per cent in February.

Year-on-year, food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed 9.28 per cent to headline inflation; restaurants and accommodation services 2.99 per cent, transport 2.47 per cent, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels 1.19 per cent.

Education services contributed 1.44 per cent, health 1.40 per cent, clothing and footwear 1.17 per cent, information and communication 0.76 per cent, personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services 0.76 per cent.

Other contributors included furnishing, household equipment, and routine household maintenance 0.69 per cent, insurance and financial services 0.11 per cent, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics 0.09 per cent, and recreation, sport, and culture 0.07 per cent.

Month-on-month, items that contributed to inflation included food and non-alcoholic beverages 0.82 per cent, restaurants and accommodation services 0.26 per cent, transport 0.22 per cent, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels 0.17 per cent. Others were education services 0.13

CBN Grants Operating License to Ascensia Finance Company, Warns Against Violation of Banking Rules

Firm promises to catalyse funding to SMEs, others

James Emejo in Abuja

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved the application of Ascensia Finance Company Limited to operate as a finance company in the country.

The final approval was conveyed in a letter dated April 10, 2025, and signed by Dr. Abubakar Shebe, on behalf of CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department.

The apex bank stressed that the approval was granted subject to strict adherence to the provisions of the CBN Act 2007, the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020, and rules and regulations issued by CBN from time to time.

per cent, health 0.12 per cent, clothing and footwear 0.10 per cent, information and communication 0.07 per cent, personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services 0.07 per cent.

Other contributors to inflation included furnishing, household equipment, and routine household maintenance 0.06 per cent, insurance and financial services, 0.01 per cent, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics 0.01 per cent, and recreation, sport, and culture 0.01 per cent.

Year-on-year, urban inflation stood at 26.12 per cent compared to 25.15 per cent in March. Month-on-month, the urban index stood at 3.96 per cent, compared to 2.40 per cent in February.

highest in Oyo (34.41 per cent), Kaduna (31.14 per cent), and Kebbi (30.85 per cent), while Bayelsa (9.61 per cent), Adamawa (12.41per cent), and Akwa Ibom (12.60 per cent) recorded the slowest increase.

Month-on-month, inflation was highest in Oyo (19.74 per cent), Kaduna (17.24 per cent), and Kebbi (14.03 per cent), while Sokoto (-14.10 per cent), Nasarawa (-9.91 per cent) and Edo (-5.78 per cent) recorded decline in prices.

Following its rebasing, CPI declined to 24.48 per cent year-on-year in January, compared to 34.80 per cent in December 2024, using the old template.

The central bank further stated that any adverse report on any of the board members or management staff will invalidate his/her appointment and might negatively affect the finance company.

The letter also stated that any false claim on the basis of which the approval was granted will render the authorisation invalid.

CBN mandated the finance company to inform the bank of the date of commencement of operations to enable the former to update its records accordingly.

CBN added that the licence (certificate) for the finance company will be issued in due course.

CBN warned that “failure to abide by these laws and regulations may be grounds for revocation of your licence”.

Commenting on the license approval, Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Ascensia Finance Company Limited, Mr. Jude Ezeamii, said the company will bring succour to SMEs, local corporates and selfemployed professionals, and salaried employees in both the private and public sector.

Ezeamii said that would be achieved through creating workable access to sustainable financing, which businesses required to meet their business needs.

A seasoned banker with extensive retail and commercial banking experience, Ezeamii assured that the company will redefine SME financing in the country by leveraging technology to deploy financial

Experts Worry over Nigeria’s Poor Risk Management Culture

Emmanuel

Addeh in Abuja

Experts in business risk management and corporate executives yesterday expressed worry over the nonchalant attitude of Nigerian businesses to the adoption of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as a strategic tool to ensure long-term growth. Making their positions known during a seminar hosted by Kreston Pedabo in Lagos, the panellists said most Nigerian firms remain exposed to shocks due to a fragmented approach to risk and poor alignment between regulation and business realities.

The hybrid event which featured

regulators, academics, and private sector leaders was themed: “Spreading Business Resilience: Integrating Enterprise Risk Management for Sustainable Growth.”

Head of Audit, Risk & Internal Control at Lafarge Africa Plc, Olanike Olakanle, described the situation as worrying.

“Many organisations have the documents, but ERM is not embedded in how decisions are made. There’s little linkage between strategy and risk management, and this gap continues to expose businesses to avoidable crises,” she said. She added that without predictive

tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with a robust governance culture, businesses will remain reactive and slow to adapt. “Technology alone won’t save you. Risk culture must be internalised across all levels of the organisation,” she noted.

Executive Director at Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Biyi Olagbami, posited that regulatory instability and poor risk ownership were harming business confidence. “Knee-jerk changes to policies do more harm than good. We need stability, we need foresight. When regulation doesn’t align with business value, the result is uncertainty,” he said.

services across the area councils in Abuja, and major cities across Nigeria within the first two years of operation.

The chairman of the company, Nelson Omanibe, said on commencement of business the firm will roll out products and services that will support the various initiatives of the current administration to boost the operations of SMEs.

The company was also expected to leverage the expertise of its promoters to boost small businesses, described as the engine room of the country’s economy.

On the other hand, rural inflation stood at 20.89 per cent, year-on-year, in March, from 19.89 per cent in the preceding month. Month-on-month, rural inflation was 3.73 per cent, compared to 1.16 per cent in February. At state level, headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kaduna (33.33 per cent), Osun (32.08 per cent), and Kebbi (30.74 per cent), while Akwa Ibom (12.81 per cent), Bayelsa (14.02 per cent), Sokoto (14.83 per cent) recorded the lowest rise in prices.

Month-on-Month, however, the highest increases were recorded in Kaduna (18.85 per cent), Osun (16.49 per cent), Oyo (14.44 per cent), while Sokoto (-8.66 per cent), Nasarawa (-4.38 per cent) and Kwara (-3.69 per cent) recorded the lowest rise.

Year-on-year, food inflation was

CPI rebasing means updating the reference year used to gauge price levels in the country by essentially changing the basket of goods and services used to measure inflation, to better reflect current consumer spending patterns and ensure the inflation data accurately reflects the economy’s current state. It involves replacing outdated items with new ones that better represent what people are buying today. The statistical agency, however, pointed out that the decline in the rebased inflation did not mean the general price level was declining.

NBS explained that the major factor responsible for the decline was the base year being closer to the current period from 2009 to 2024.

Following on the decline at rebasing, headline inflation further declined to 23.18 per cent in February, compared to 24.48 per cent in the preceding month.

EU Eyes Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Sector to Diversify Trade

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

European Union (EU) has expressed interest in expanding trade and investment of member countries to Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E Gautier Mignot, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. Mignot commended ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s mining sector, stating that the EU delegation seeks to better understand the industry and explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration.

Responding, Alake emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to engage with EU member states and investors

to unlock the vast potential of its solid minerals for shared prosperity.

“Given our history and the cordial relationship we’ve maintained with the EU, the time is ripe to map out concrete plans and translate them into actionable projects within the solid minerals sector,” Alake stated.

Highlighting Nigeria’s wealth of critical minerals, the minister pointed to the abundance of high-grade lithium – an essential component in solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery production.

He described Nigeria as a hub for minerals critical to the global shift towards green energy. Alake stated, “We have lithium, cobalt, copper, and more – all in commercially viable quantities.

Nigeria is deepening exploration this year to discover more. Even within the limited areas explored so far, we’re looking at over $700 billion in mineral deposits.

“This represents a massive investment opportunity, and we encourage EU investors to take advantage of it.”

To attract investments, the minister outlined several incentives, including tax waivers on mining equipment, policies allowing full repatriation of profits, enhanced security through dedicated mining marshals, and streamlined licensing processes.

He stressed that local value addition remained a prerequisite for issuance of mining licenses to prospective investors.

James Emejo in Abuja

INAUGURATION OF

THE

PRESIDENT OF

Report: Despite Nigeria’s

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE...

210.54 TCF Reserves, Algeria, Egypt Control 60% of Africa’s Gas Market

GECF sees positive outlook for Nigeria’s gas production Continent’s gas consumption hit 183bcm in 2024

Despite holding Africa’s largest gas reserves of 210.54 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF), Algeria and Egypt control 60 per cent of the continent’s gas market, a new report by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), has said.

However, the production of gas in Nigeria, which also has the status of the country with the 9th highest stock of the resource globally, like in some other African nations, the report said, has been hobbled by several obstacles.

These, it said, include: Inadequate

gas infrastructure, conflict between prioritising domestic gas use and fulfilling export commitments, limited energy access and difficulty in securing financing for gas development projects.

In spite of these challenges, the GECF, headquartered in Doha, Qatar, stated that Africa’s natural gas consumption hit 183 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024, growing by 3 per cent, fuelled by ongoing industrialisation, increased demand in the power sector, and the expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

The 2025 Annual Gas Market

Report (AGMR), said Algeria and Egypt remain the primary drivers of growth on the continent, with demand fuelled by the industrial and electricity sectors, but with Nigeria also contributing significantly, particularly through its expanding gas-to-power projects.

“Nigeria, the regional leader in proven gas reserves, played a pivotal role in counterbalancing lower gas production elsewhere in Africa, with increased gas production in 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to a rise in associated gas production, which now accounts for 42 per cent of total gas output.

Industrial Action: NiMet Counters Strike Threat, Reaffirms Commitment to Staff Welfare

Invites unions to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), have invited the three major aviation sector unions, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns and prevent the breakdown of industrial harmony.

Nimet issued a formal response to a joint letter by unions to prevent the planned resumption of industrial action.

In a letter dated April 10, 2025, the unions had accused NiMet’s management of failing to implement critical components of the January 28, 2025 agreement.

However, NiMet, through its Director, Human Resource Management & Administration, Dr. Nasiru Sani, has rejected the unions’ claims, describing them as “unfair” and “demeaning.”

The key highlights from NiMet’s response, hinted that in the January 28 agreement, management maintained that while the union’s concerns are valid, many of the issues raised, however required inter-agency cooperation.

According to Dr. Sani, NiMet has engaged relevant government

agencies and is awaiting responses or approvals on several matters.

“On conditions of service, NiMet expressed dismay over what it termed the union’s “unbelief attitude” regarding the integrity of the negotiated Conditions of Service.

“The agency affirmed that it had forwarded the documents to the ministry and even enhanced the terms by including additional allowances.

“Pending Wage Awards and Payments: On the 25-35% wage award, the balance of the 2019 minimum wage, and omission of 30 staff from that payment, NiMet confirmed that all necessary approvals have been obtained.

Unilorin Student Sets New Global Record in Mathematics Marathon Lesson

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

With a lecture spanning 31 hours, 42 minutes and 54 seconds, a 400-Level University of Ilorin Mathematics Student, Kazeem Sanusi, has set a new Guinness World Book Record for the ‘Longest Mathematics Lesson’.

The groundbreaking event witnessed by representatives of Guinness World Record, smashed the previous record of 26 hours non-stop lesson.

A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by the University of Ilorin Director of

Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, stated: “Kazeem performed the feat to the cheers of a captivated audience led by the University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Fawole; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Alfanla; the Dean of Physical Sciences, Prof. Abdullahi Alafara Baba; the Ag. Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Alex Akanmu, and the Student Union President, Comrade Victor Agezeh, among others.

“He is now eagerly awaiting official confirmation from Guinness

World Record”. Congratulating the student prodigy, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Egbewole, said that the university is “immensely proud of the feat of Kazeem, and we will continue to encourage others to find their passion and pursue it.”

Prof. Egbewole expressed the hope that with the provision of the enabling environment by the University Management for students to be the best they could be, others would be inspired by Kazeem’s feat to also break all ceilings and continue to write the name of the university in gold.

“Notably, the government is executing an ambitious programme for associated gas recovery and monetisation, through utilising this gas as feedstock for LNG export terminals. This initiative has significantly reduced Nigeria’s flaring intensity.

“Looking ahead, a positive outlook for Nigeria’s gas production is expected in the short and medium-term, largely fuelled by substantial upstream and midstream investments from major international companies, as part of Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative,” the report added.

According to the GECF, of which Nigeria is a prominent member, overcoming these challenges require coordinated efforts in policymaking, investment and infrastructure development.

The flagship gas publication offers a comprehensive and

insightful analysis of the key trends and developments that shaped the global gas market in 2024, while also providing short-term projections for the natural gas industry.

Secretary General of the GECF, Mohamed Hamel, commenting on the report, stated: “In a year when global primary energy demand surged, natural gas reaffirmed its central role, with consumption reaching an all-time high and contributing 35 per cent to the incremental growth in primary energy demand — the highest share among all fuels.”

According to the report, global gas consumption grew by 2.5 per cent in 2024, reaching a record high of 4,170 bcm, driven regionally by Asia Pacific and sectorally by the power generation and industrial sectors, supported by steady global economic growth, increased demand for heating and cooling, and lower

transformation, and broader financial inclusion.

gas prices.

Global gas production kept pace with rising gas demand, with supply growth driven by Eurasia, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific and GECF member countries continuing to play a key role in meeting global gas needs, the document added.

In addition, Global gas trade rebounded by 4 per cent to 1.17 tcm, supported by increased volumes in both pipeline gas and LNG segments, with Asia reinforcing its position as the leading gasimporting region.

“Africa’s natural gas consumption continued to rise, reaching 183 bcm, marking a 3 per cent y-o-y increase. Algeria and Egypt, representing together over 60 per cent of the regional market, were the primary drivers of this growth, with demand fuelled by the industrial and electricity sectors.

Worl D B A nk Urge S nI ger IA T o M AI n TAI n Mo M en TUM on e cono MI c r efor MS these when he led a high-level delegation of the bank to Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in Abuja, yesterday.

Diagana disclosed that the visit was to reaffirm support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda and development priorities.

He called for faster implementation of social protection measures, particularly, targeted cash transfers.

Diagana also welcomed Nigeria’s leadership on the Mission 300 initiative — a pan-African drive to expand energy access to 300 million people.

Edun reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to implementing the various economic reforms of the Tinubu administration aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

He restated the government’s focus on three key areas: improving project delivery speed, scaling up biometric verification for 15 million individuals on the national social register, and accelerating the implementation of the Mission 300 initiative.

The minister announced the establishment of a Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit and requested a status update to ensure the country stayed on track to set new records in project approval and execution.

According to him, key areas of collaboration with the World Bank include increased agricultural productivity, improved access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enhanced digital

Meanwhile, disbursement of N1.578 trillion out of a gross revenue of N2.411 trillion for the reference month took place at the monthly FAAC allocation meeting, which took place in Abuja, Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Edun.

Citing a communique issued at the end of the meeting, separate statements from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) said the total distributable revenue of N1.578 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N931.325 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 593.750 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N24.971 billion, and Exchange Difference revenue of N28.711 billion.

Total deduction for cost of collection was N85.376 billion, while total transfers, interventions, and refunds was N747.180 billion.

Gross statutory revenue of N1.718 trillion was received for the month of March 2025, which was higher than the sum of N1.653 trillion received in the preceding month of February 2025 by N65.422 billion.

From the total distributable revenue of N1.578 trillion, the federal government received N528.696 billion, states received N530.448 billion, while the local government councils received the sum of N387.002 billion, and a total sum of N132.611 billion as 13 per cent of mineral revenue was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Also, the N931.325 billion distributable statutory revenue saw the federal government receiving N422.485 billion, state governments received N214.290 billion, and the local government councils getting N165.209 billion.

The sum of N129.341 billion or 13 per cent of mineral revenue was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Similarly, for the N593.750 billion distributable VAT revenue, the federal government received N89.063 billion, the states received N296.875 billion, and the local government councils received N207.813 billion. The sum of N3.746 billion was received by the federal government from the N24.971 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) while states and local governments got N12.485 billion and N8.740 billion, respectively.

Likewise, from the N28.711 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the federal and state governments received N13.402 billion and N6.798 billion, respectively, while the local government councils received N5.241 billion.

The sum of N3.270 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Further highlights of the March revenue indicated Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased considerably while Oil and Gas Royalty, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), VAT, Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies decreased.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

20TH

NIGERIAN-AMERICAN

L–R: Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Dauda Lawal; Federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; 20th President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Alhaji Sheriff Balogun; President/CEO, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Samaila Zubairu, during the inauguration of the 20th NACC President held at Continental Hotel, Lagos, last Saturday PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Harvard Rejects Trump’s Demands, Hit by $2.3bn Freeze in Govt Funding

Varsity says it won’t surrender its independence, set to borrow $750m from Wall Street

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The administration of President Donald Trump has announced the freezing of $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard, after the school rejected numerous demands from the government, which it said would cede control of the institution to a conservative-led administration that portrays universities as dangerously leftist.

The funding freeze came after the Trump administration said last month it was reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard as part of a crackdown on what it said is antisemitism that erupted on college campuses during pro-Palestinian protests in the past 18 months.

On Monday, a Department of

Education task force on combating antisemitism accused America’s oldest university of having a “troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges - that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.”

The exchange escalated the high-stakes dispute between the Trump administration and some of the world’s richest universities that has raised concerns about speech and academic freedoms, Reuters reported.

The administration has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for numerous universities, pressing the institutions to make policy changes and citing what it says is a failure to fight

committed to building a system that helps and encourages their search for work as well as equip them to grow on the job.

antisemitism on campus.

Deportation proceedings have begun against some detained foreign students who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while visas for hundreds of other students have been canceled.

Harvard President, Alan Garber, wrote in a public letter that demands made by the Department of Education last week would allow the federal government “to control the Harvard community” and threaten the school’s “values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge.”

Garber added: “No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which

S H e TTIMA : We’re B UI l DIN g A c o UNT r Y for Worker S day night, said Tinubu’s government has been lying and dishing out false claims about the security situation in the country, while refusing to tackle the root cause of the scourge.

But the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, worried about the state of the nation, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous killings in Plateau State were brought to justice.

This was as the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has said the days of perpetrators of attacks on rural communities in Plateau were numbered.

With penitence, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has appealed to the community recently attacked to forgive the government because they failed them.

Yet, a former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, has dismissed the misconception that the persistent attacks and killings in the state had anything to do with communal crisis, saying the president might not have been briefed accurately on the state of things in the state.

At the same time, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has condemned the latest killings in Bassa Local Area of Plateau state.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has expressed concern over the recurring violence, bloodletting, and killings in the state and other parts of Nigeria.

In the same vein, the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, has lamented the effect of insecurity in parts of the country.

Concerned, too, the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), while condemning the massacre in Plateau State, described it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.

In finding solutions to the growing insecurity in the country, the Northern Traditional Rulers Council was on Tuesday hosted in Maiduguri by the state government as a form of collective approach to the menace.

Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA), has however lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for its continued patriotic contributions to national stability and its ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism.

Shettima who made this known yesterday, when he officially launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) at the State House, Abuja, noted that the national initiative, “is designed to expand employment opportunities, equip Nigerians with critical skills, and drive economic empowerment through innovation and technology.

“LEEP is the fulfilment of the promise made by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to build a national ecosystem where every Nigerian worker can reach their full potential, and where technology enhances, not threatens our labour market,” he added.

The vice-president observed that the government could not boast of investing in the citizens unless it was

According to him, “The future of work in Nigeria must compel us to rethink the dynamics of a rapidly evolving world. Across continents, the very idea of what constitutes a job is being redefined.

“Machines are replacing hands. Artificial intelligence is challenging intellects.

“Traditional employment structures are giving way to fluid, digital ecosystems. Yet, within this uncertainty lies a sea of opportunity, if only we are bold enough to sail it.”

He commended the Minister and staff of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for working hard to ensure LEEP unfurled into a reality, describing them as the quiet architects of progress.

On what the administration intended to achieve with the LEEP, Shettima said, “The Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, is a well-considered response to a pressing national need.

“As jobs become increasingly vulnerable to technological disruption, our duty is not to lament but to prepare. LEEP aims to provide comprehensive training that equips our people with the right skills to compete and contribute to today’s global economy.

“This intervention isn’t just about creating jobs. It is about transformation. LEEP targets all sectors of the economy, including the expanding Gig economy, and leverages technology to connect employers with a skilled and ready workforce.

“The strength of this nation has always been its people. Their ingenuity, and their will to rise against the odds. This programme was inspired by the need to carry all parts of the country along, beginning from our six geo-political zones. We are laying the foundation for inclusive progress.”

The vice-president sought collaboration with the private sector, civil society organisations, trade unions and global partners, saying it was a collective effort that must not be left to the government alone.

“Yet, the government cannot do this alone. I call upon the private sector, civil society, trade unions, and our international partners to join us. We must create a workforce that is not just employable, but empowered. This is a collective assignment.

“The road ahead may be challenging. But with our collective effort, determination, and faith in our shared potential, we will succeed.

“We are at the threshold of a new era, one where our workforce is empowered, where our economy is strengthened, and where our people are equipped to compete globally,” he pointed out, maintaining that with LEEP, Nigeria was ready to lead in the future of work.

Shettima applauded the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for spearheading the initiative “to this point with purpose and clarity.”

Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, pledged the support and commitment of the state governors

to the successful implementation of the programme.

He said if the scheme was religiously implemented, the economy would be significantly impacted through the reduction in unemployment and criminality and productive engagement of the citizenry.

On her part, Onyejeocha, said the programme was aimed at expanding access to sustainable employment and stimulating vocational training, noting that the current unemployment statistics are a clear and imminent danger for the country’s future.

She explained that while LEEP was an institutional shift targeted at enhancing training, upskilling and connecting Nigerians to sustainable jobs across different sectors, it would require the collaboration of all stakeholders for the scheme to be successful.

Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Silas Agara, said LEEP was a bold step by the Tinubu’s administration to decisively address the challenge of unemployment in Nigeria and reposition employment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

LEEP, he contended, was carefully articulated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with its parastatals to, among other goals, equip young Nigerians with employability skills in the bid to create wealth and contribute to the economic development of the country by creating 2.5 million jobs in two years.

The International Labour Organisa-

January 2025 was having an adverse effect on global crude oil prices.

Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, disclosed the association’s position in a statement yesterday, titled, “MAN Position on the U.S Tariff Hike on Nigerian Manufacturing Sector and the Broader Economy.”

Ajayi-Kadir stated that the reciprocal tariffs could halt Nigeria’s industrialisation journey and transition from exporting raw commodities to semi-processed and finished goods.

Trump recently announced a complete three-month pause on all “reciprocal” tariffs he had imposed on several countries, with the exception of China.

MAN said the hike in tariff could pose significant disincentive to firms investing in value-added manufacturing in Nigeria and constrain them to revert to exporting raw materials.

Ajayi-Kadir explained, “MAN members who are exporters in agro-processing, chemicals and pharmaceutical, basic metal, iron and steel, non-metallic mineral products and other light industrial manufacturing rely heavily on the U.S. for market access.

“With increased costs for American buyers due to the tariffs, demand for Nigerian products is expected to decline.

“For instance, processed agricultural goods such as cocoa derivatives, sesame seeds, and ginger, which have gained modest penetration in U.S. markets, are likely to witness a

areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

The issue of antisemitism on campus erupted before Trump took office for his second term, following pro-Palestinian student protests last year at several universities following the 2023 Hamas attack inside Israel and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza.

White House spokesman, Harrison Fields, said in a statement that Trump was “working to Make Higher Education Great Again by ending unchecked anti-Semitism and ensuring federal taxpayer dollars do not fund Harvard’s support of dangerous racial discrimination or racially motivated violence.”

In a letter last Friday, the education department stated that Harvard had “failed to live up to both the

tion (ILO) Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and ECOWAS Liaison Office, Ms. Vanessa Phala, noted that the programme was Nigeria’s commitment to shaping the lives of its youths.

“This marks a turning point for our youths to contribute to the growth and development of this country,” she said.

However, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, said the initiative must be properly implemented to meet its objective of creating jobs for 2.5 million Nigerian youths.

“I also pray that it will be a programme that will bring sustainable jobs, not causal jobs and jobs that the pay will not be able to take you home,” he said.

El-Rufai: Tinubu’s Govt Worst in Nigeria’s History

Taking another swipe at the current administration for the umpteenth time, former governor Nasir El-Rufai said the federal government under Tinubu was the most lying government that depended on false propaganda, especially on security challenges bedeviling the country.

Addressing what was wrong with the government, when asked, he said, “I should ask you. Can you afford three square meals? Can your salary buy what it used to buy two years ago? I should ask you. There is nothing wrong with the government?”

Refuting claims by the government

drop in export volume.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics, agricultural exports accounted for over N4.42 trillion in 2024, with the U.S. being one of the top destinations. The tariff could potentially wipe out N1 to N2 trillion of that figure annually.”

The MAN director-general stated that Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, which contributed 8.64 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2024, was one of the most predisposed sectors of the economy when it came to trade policy shifts. He added that the imposition of a 14 per cent tariff on Nigerian exports would significantly undermine the competitiveness of locally manufactured goods in the U.S. market.

He stated, “In addition to revenue losses, the new tariffs pose a significant disincentive to firms investing in value-added manufacturing.

“Over the past decade, manufacturers have made concerted and strategic efforts to support the country’s transition from exporting raw commodities to semi-processed and finished goods.

“However, higher market-entry costs because of higher tariff on Nigerian products reduce the profitability of such investments, making it more attractive for firms to revert to exporting raw materials.

“This is counterproductive to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda and compromises the long-term goal of achieving export diversification under platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement

intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment.”

The department demanded that Harvard work to reduce the influence of faculty, staff and students who are “more committed to activism than scholarship” and have an external panel audit the faculty and students of each department to ensure “viewpoint diversity.”

The letter also stated that Harvard, by this August, must only hire faculty and admit students based on merit and cease all preferences based on race, colour or national origin. The university must also screen international students “to prevent admitting students hostile to American values” and report to federal immigration authorities foreign students who violate conduct rules.

that security had improved in the country, he added that the insecurity in the country was due to the federal government’s failure to proffer deeper solutions to address what he termed the prevailing security challenges from their roots.

He stressed that many local government areas in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States were under the control of bandits, adding that bandits and terrorists’ leaders like Dogo Gide, Mallam Abba and Bello Turji had not been killed.

“I have said it before, this is the worst federal government in Nigeria’s history and all the indices have shown it. This is the most corrupt and most intolerant government in Nigeria.

“This is the most lying government that depends on false propaganda. They lied that security has improved in Nigeria. They read out numbers of bandits killed except the ones we know are the leading bandits.

“In Kaduna, Dogo Gide is still around, Mallam Abba, the Boko Haram terrorist is still alive. Bello Turji is still around but everyday, they announce names of people that are bandits’ leaders that they have killed and security has improved.

“How many local governments are under the occupation of bandits in Katsina State? How many are occupied by bandits in Zamfara State and some parts of Sokoto State? And because you are in government you think that nothing would happen, things will remain like that?

(AfCFTA).”

Ajayi-Kadir also stated that the implications of the tariff hike on employment in the manufacturing sector were dire, adding that it may cause many companies to reduce their production scale or downsize workforce to cut costs as export revenues fall.

He said, “Contract manufacturers, small-scale industrialists, and firms operating in special economic zones targeting the U.S. market are likely to be worst hit.

“This could lead to job losses at a time when the national unemployment rate remains high, and youth underemployment continues to pose a socio-economic threat.”

Ajayi-Kadir added that Nigerian firms that were part of regional or global supply chains, particularly in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods and beverages and motor vehicle assembly, stood to lose their competitive edge as their products became less attractive to U.S. companies seeking sourcing partners.

Commenting on the effect of the tariff hike on the broader Nigerian economy, MAN stressed that there could be direct impact on Nigeria’s trade balance.

It stated that with Nigeria already grappling with a fragile external sector, any significant reduction in exports to the U.S. would erode the current trade surplus Nigeria enjoyed in its trade relations with the USA and potentially push the balance into deficit.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “This will have

Last week, a

“It’s okay, you are free to engage in your grand delusion, but when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth,” El-Rufai said.

On his support for Tinubu’s campaign in 2023, he said, “I was a state governor. Go and ask what I did in my state. Don’t even make me part of the federal government.

“Between 2015 and 2023, I was not part of it. What you can ask me and I can defend my tenure is what I did in Kaduna between 2015 and 2023. I had very little to do with the federal government.

“I was among those that formed the APC and I campaigned for president Buhari, (and of course the current president). Yes, I did. He was the candidate of my party and I campaigned for him. I was never part of his government.”

El-Rufai, who described SDP as a party with a long history and credibility, said, “but we have to build it. We have to build it almost from scratch. In the last presidential election, it got less than 100,000 votes, compared to millions of votes that the leading parties got, so we have a lot of work to do.

“We have the will and we have the human resources to work on it. That’s part of the reason why I’m here in Katsina and I’ll be moving from state to state, working with the leaders in every state to try to build this party.

“We have to build it just as we built

immediate implications for the nation’s balance of payments and could result in a drawdown of foreign reserves, putting further pressure on the exchange rate.

“The CBN may be forced to intervene more aggressively in the foreign exchange market, thereby reducing its buffer for managing other macroeconomic shocks.”

He also stated that the timing of the tariff decision was particularly difficult for the federal government, which had tied much of its 2025 budgetary projections to optimistic revenue assumptions.

Ajayi-Kadir stated, “The budget, pegged at N55 trillion, assumes oil prices will average $75 per barrel throughout the fiscal year. However, the reality of the global oil market is starkly different, with current prices already falling below $60 per barrel.

“If export earnings from non-oil sectors such as manufacturing also decline due to the new U.S. tariffs, the government will face greater shortfall in revenue.

“This could lead to cuts in capital expenditures, delays in infrastructure projects, and an increase in borrowing—all of which could undermine economic growth and stability.”

The director general of MAN also said there was the inflationary dimension to consider, warning, “As the trade environment becomes more uncertain and foreign exchange earnings dwindle, monetary authorities

group of Harvard professors sued to block the Trump administration’s review of nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to the school.

Trump

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Benue Factional APC Chairman Decries Tribunal’s Sacking of LGA Bosses

George Okoh in Makurdi

Benue factional All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Mr. Benjamin Omale, has described the sack of nine local government chairmen of his faction by the Benue State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal, as a miscarriage of justice.

Omale was reacting to the judgement handed down by the

Tribunal, in which it sacked nine of the local government chairmen and declared candidates that were nominated by the Comrade Austin Agada-led faction of the party, as duly elected. The council chairmen that were sacked by the Tribunal include those of Vandeikya (the local government of Governor Hyacinth Alia); Konshisha; Kwande; Ushongo; Otukpo;

Three Feared Drowned as Boat Capsizes in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna Search and rescue operations have continued for three men said to have been drowned while traveling on the River Niger last week in Niger State. Scores of bags of perishable goods were also said to have been sunk in the river as a result of the same accident.

Local divers from both Pogi town of Kogi State and Sogun in Niger State have been searching unsuccessfully for the remains of the men and their goods

It was said that the men were conveying the goods to the markets for sale before the accident occurred.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Dr. Ibrahim Hussain, when contacted, said though the agency had got the information about the accident, the details are still very sketchy, promising to issue a statement on it soon. Hussaini advised commuters by boat to always be security conscious, and avoid overloading their boats.

Agatu; Ado; Apa; and Ohimini.

“According to him, “We view the judgments against some of our elected council chairmen as a clear miscarriage of justice. Even those who were not cleared

by Benue State Independent Electoral Commission(BSIEC)) to participate in the election were given judgement in their favour.

“However, we are confident that the appellwwate process

will correct these wrongs. Our legal department has commenced the process of filing appeals, and our team of seasoned legal experts will present compelling arguments

before the Benue State Local Government Elections Appeal Panel.”

“We remain optimistic of victory for all our duly nominated candidates.

Assault:Association Demands Justice for Lagos Female Driver

Kuni Tyessi in abuja

The Female Drivers’ Association of Nigeria (FEDAN) has demanded justice from the Lagos State Government over the harassment and assault of its member.

Reacting to a viral video where a female bus driver was beaten

and humiliated in the discharge of her legitimate business and chosen career in Lagos, the Founder/ President of FEDAN, Eunice Odeghe, said the dignity and safety of female drivers in Nigeria remain sacrosanct.

Addressing the press in Abuja, Odeghe said the unfortunate incident is a stark reminder of the

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Residents of Ogbe-Ijoh have called for the creation of more wards for the Ijaws of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, asserting that the three wards delineated to the Ijaws in the area by the

Ikoyi Ladies Golf Club Honours

Sunday Ehigiator

Senior Members

The Ikoyi Ladies Golf Club, a sub-sect of the Ikoyi Golf Club, over the weekend celebrated senior and life members of the club with a ‘Veteran Competition’ and medical checkups.

Speaking on the essence of the event and health benefits of golf, a life member of Ikoyi Club, the Iyalode of Remo land, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Event, Folashade Ogunbiyi, said: “Normally, it’s called a veteran competition, but we

decided that we should name it seniors because veterans, for me, connote ex-service men and women, and seniors are just elderly people and we know that there are so many of them.”

“I will be 80 by next year, we have other members who are in their 80’s and 90’s as still members of the club, and our aim for this event is to celebrate them. We want to let them know that we appreciate their getting out of bed in the morning or anytime during the day to come and enjoy themselves on the course.”

Lawrence Olu-Ibukun Dies at 93

The family of Otunba (Dr.) Lawrence Olu-Ibukun yesterday announced his death at the age of 93 years.

According to a statement signed by Chief (Dr.) Olusegun Olu Ibukun, on behalf of the family, the late OluIbukun was a globally celebrated engineer, academic, diplomat, traditional and community leader whose work left an indelible mark in Nigeria and across the world.

The statement said: “Born in Ogbagi-Akoko, Ondo State, in 1932, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s most accomplished technocrats.”

“He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from the prestigious Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London. Over his distinguished career, he held numerous international and national appointments, including:The first African Managing Director of the Western Nigeria Radio and Television Broadcasting, Corporation (WNTV/ WNBS), a precursor to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Member of both the Western Nigeria House of Assembly and the Federal House of Representatives.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the Supreme Court order were not new but to right an “injustice” which denied them representation in the council’s administration in the past years.

They called on INEC to

ordeal many female commercial drivers face on a daily basis, and emphasized that such should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. She said the association demands justice for victims of violence on Nigerian roads, safe and supportive environment for women drivers, and a collaboration with transport operators to prevent future incidents.

The group leader stated that unfortunately, some men have taken it upon themselves to subject women to verbal and physical abuse, simply because they dare to operate behind the wheel.

Delineation: Ogbe-Ijoh Leaders Defend Allocated Wards in Warri South

create more wards, as well as create a state constituency for the Ijaws of Warri South LGA.

The Ogbe-Ijoh people, while addressing journalists in Warri yesterday, said the clarification became necessary following claims by neighbouring Itsekiris that they were not part of Warri South Local Government Area in the series of protest that followed the release of fieldwork report to the three ethnic nationalities – Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos-of the Warri federal constituency.

NGOs Advocate Labour-Saving Technologies to Ease Burden on Small Scale Farmers

Kogi State Government has been advised to adopt labour-saving technologies to ease the burden on smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, to encourage agricultural practice, and stop seeking white collar jobs.

Some groups and Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation (SWOFON) have also urged the state government to increase the allocation for purchase of farm inputs such as organic fertilizers, improved seedlings and subsidize

the farmers across the state to increase their access to inputs to boost food production in the state.

Kogi State Budget Committee Group is a group of NGOs working on agriculture issues in collaboration with SWOFON to ensure food security.

The groups, which are supported by the Actionaid Nigeria, have expressed worries over the high level of inconsistencies of the government and constant lack of release of the budgetary allocations into the critical sectors ( agriculture) in the state .

Enugu Govt Advocates Recognition of Heritage Sites by UNESCO

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Enugu State Government has said that it is advocating the recognition of four significant heritage sites across the state as official monuments of global importance by the United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke, made this known yesterday at an event held as part of activities to mark this year’s

International day for monuments and sites with the theme: ‘From Ruins to Remembrance’.

In her address, Madueke said that the four sites include the Nsude Pyramid, the Lejja Iron Smelting Site, the Premier Residence of the former Premier

of Eastern Region, Nnamdi Azikiwe in Enugu, and the Okpoho Iron Site in Ezeagu.

“These sites, taken together, weave a powerful narrative about who we are- a people of thought, of invention, of leadership, and of legacy,” she said.

FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays for Easter Celebration

Michael Olugbodeinabuja

The federal government has declared Friday, 18th and Monday, 21st April 2025 as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter Celebration.

The Easter festival comes after the 40 days fasting (Lent), with a holy

weekend starting with Good Friday, Sunday (the day of Resurrection of Christ) and Easter Monday, all showcasing the virtues of sacrifice and resurrection.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while making the holidays declaration yesterday,

Mary Nnah

As the nation grapples with moral decay and leadership challenges, the Dominion City Church is poised to spark a spiritual revival with its annual Camp Meeting 2025, with the

theme: ‘Revival and Multiplication’. Scheduled to hold from April 17 to 21 in Ajah, Lagos, this year’s event promises to be a game-changer for the nation, commemorating the Easter celebration.

According to Pastor Shola Olapade,

on behalf of the federal government, extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on the joyous occasion. He emphasised the importance of the holidays to Christians, which embody the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, having to die for the redemption of man.

In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister also called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.

Dominion City Church to Ignite National Transformation with Easter Camp Meeting

the Resident Pastor of Dominion City Church, Lagos headquarters, the camp meeting aims to provide an opportunity for men and women to seek the face of God for revival, which is essential for national development.

“We need a revival that will

transform the lives of individuals and the nation at large,” he emphasised, adding that: “The theme ‘Revival and Multiplication’, is particularly relevant in today’s society, where moral values and cultural norms are being challenged.”

Ibrahim Oyewaleinlokoja

L-R:

Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Rotimi Odusola; Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion(NOTAP), Dr.. Obiageli Amadiobi; Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma; Head, Policy and Public Affairs, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Chiomah Momah, during a courtesy call to NOTAP in Abuja...recently

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

Anambra Guber Primary: Crisis Rocks Opposition Parties as APGA Returns Soludo

David-Chyddy Eleke reports that at a time when permutations should have been clearer following conclusion of party primary for the 2025 anambra governorship race, crisis have crept into opposition parties, as Governor Chukwuma Soludo maintains his grip on the all Progressives Grand alliance.

Penultimate Saturday was a critical decision-making day for stakeholders in Anambra as major political parties in the state elected candidates that will fly their flag during the November 8, 2025 governorship poll in the state.

While the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) elected incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to fly its flag, the Labour Party chose immediate past Director General of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Hon Jude Ezenwafor and All Progressives Congress (APC) settled for businessman and real estate giant, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. While the Peoples Democratic Republic (PDP) which used to be the centre of attraction in the state seems to have lost steam, many had been very expectant to know who the APC would choose as its candidate among the seven heavy weight politicians contesting to pick its ticket for the election. Already, it was clear that the APGA would affirm the incumbent governor, Prof. Soludo as he was the only one who purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms. The big question was who the APC and LP would elect to rival him.

Among those seeking the ticket of the APC were; founder of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo; former member representing Aguata federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Chuma Umeoji; oil engineer, Johnbosco Onunkwo; businessman and real estate magnate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu; former MD/CEO of Transnational Corporation, also known as Transcorp, Mr Valentine Ozigbo; Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi, Sir Paul Chukwuma; and Mr Edozie Madu.

The aspirants had campaigned extensively, with each of them harping on the need to elect a candidate with integrity, charisma and the capacity to match Soludo, bearing in mind that he is an incumbent.

After the recent primary election which witnessed a lot of violence, intrigues and horse trading that led to the withdrawal of three of the aspirants, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu emerged as the candidate of the party. Ukachukwu during the primary election garnered 1,455 votes to defeat Mr Valentine Ozigbo who came second with 67

votes while Johnbosco Onunkwo and Hon Edozie Madu polled 26 and eight votes respectively.

In APGA, the party which prides itself as the most organized; through a voice vote affirmed Prof Soludo as the candidate of the party, this was after ballots were cast, in which Soludo polled a whooping 3,168 votes, out of the total votes cast, 3,172, while four votes were disqualified as invalid votes.

The exercise which held at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square was monitored by representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and was deemed very orderly and transparent.

In Labour Party, Dr George Moghalu; a new entrant into the party was announced winner of a contest which his co-contestant, Mr John Nwosu has long rejected, distancing himself from it. Moghalu had reportedly polled 575 votes, while Nwosu was allocated 19 votes.

But Nwosu in a press release signed by the Director General of his campaign organisation, Hon Ben Chuks Nwosu said he never took part in the primary election where votes were allocated to him, having previously stepped down from the race as a result of irregulari-

ties in the compilation of delegates’ list. The press release read in part: “The attention of John Nwosu Campaign Organization has been drawn to the purported allocation of some votes to our principal, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu at the 5th April Labour Party primary election, in which he did not participate in person or by proxy.

“Accordingly, it is patently mischievous for the organizers of the purported election to allocate any number of votes purportedly cast by delegates to Mr. John Chuma Nwosu who had withdrawn from the primary election because of cogent and verifiable series of manipulations of the delegates list. Nwosu chose to withdraw because the election lacked legitimacy in the teeth of the intent and meaning of the Supreme Court judgment sacking the National Chairman, Julius Abure.”

Sources hinted THISDAY that following the sack of Abure-led executive, Nwosu is hoping that the new leadership of the party led by Nenadi Usman will cancel the primary superintended by Abure-led party officials and announce one where he would emerge as candidate of the party.

In APC, three of those who stepped down from the APC primary contest had complained bitterly about sabotage. The trio of Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Hon Chuma Umeoji and Sir Paul Chukwuma had withdrawn from the race, citing diverse reasons. In the case of Okonkwo,

Major political parties in Anambra state elected candidates that will fly their flag during the November 8, 2025 governorship poll in the state. While the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) elected incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to fly its flag, the Labour Party chose immediate past Director General of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Hon Jude Ezenwafor and All Progressives Congress (APC) settled for businessman and real estate giant, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

he complained about the introduction of violence into the race, insisting that his ambition is not worth the life of any of his supporters. True to his words, there had been an orgy or violence at the accreditation points during the party primary election, to the point that an aspirant was accused of hiring thugs to the venue and also compromising security agents, such that they looked away while thugs had a free reign, chasing away supporters of other aspirants. Some party delegates were said to have sustained injuries during the fracas.

As for Sir Paul Chukwuma, he did not only withdraw from the race, but resigned from the party, saying that some unprogressive elements existed within it. THISDAY also gathered that one of the aspirants compromised the leadership of the party by giving out huge amounts of money. His resignation from the party has fueled the belief that he may join another party to battle those who sidelined him from the party primary, but when journalists asked him, he refused to let out any information, insisting he had resigned from the party and needs time to think through his next step.

As a fallout of the APC primary election, a chieftain of the party and Director General of the campaign council of one of the aspirants who withdrew, Hon Ifeanyi Ibezi, has dumped the party and pitched tent with Soludo, promising to ensure that Soludo gets a second term.

In a meeting in his country home, Ibezi said: “We will start with the 710 polling units in Idemili North and South. The same way I delivered the zone to Tinubu in 2023, the same way I gave it to Soludo in 2021, that is how I will package the votes of the constituency in November and deliver it to Soludo. Soludo must go for a second term. I went on inspection of Soludo’s projects and I know he is doing well. If your party is not doing well, what will you do, is it not to switch support to a better party?

“Do you want to be stagnated for the next eight years? I know what to do, if you have been my follower all these years and you have not learnt politics, then you are not intelligent, and I will advise you to stop coming to political meetings in my house. Our support will move immediately to Soludo,” he said.

Ezenwafor

Soludo Moghalu

Ukachukwu

www.thisdaylive.com

opinion@thisdaylive.com

A BLUEPRINT FOR NIGERIA

Kaduna State launches the nation’s first special agro-industrial processing zone, writes ADAMU MUHAMMED

See page 21

5G, IOT AND AI TO BOOST GLOBAL GDP

Africa is still on the fringe of 5G services, argues SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE

See page 21

FESTUS AWENERI AKANDE contends that religious and ethnic conflicts have stifled economic development, political stability, and social harmony

NIGERIA, RELIGIOUS FANATICISM AND ETHNIC BIGOTRY

Nigeria, often described as the “Giant of Africa,” is a country rich in cultural diversity and natural resources. However, since gaining political independence from British colonial rule in 1960, Nigeria’s growth has been severely hampered by two intertwining issues: religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry. These factors have not only undermined national cohesion but have also stifled economic development, political stability, and social harmony.

Upon gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria inherited a colonial legacy that divided its multi-ethnic population into regions often polarized by ethnicity and religion. The three major ethnic groupsHausa in the North, Yoruba in the West, and Igbo in the East- each had distinct cultures, languages, and religious affiliations. The North was predominantly Muslim, the West largely Christian with traditional religious practices, and the East mainly Christian with some indigenous beliefs. These preexisting divisions were exacerbated by the British colonial policy of “divide and rule,” which further solidified ethnic identities at the expense of national unity.

Religious fanaticism in Nigeria has been a significant barrier to national progress since independence. Various radical Islamic groups, most notably Boko Haram, emerged in the North to challenge the Nigerian state and institute an extreme interpretation of Sharia law. Founded in 2002, Boko Haram’s insurgency has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced. This violence has created a humanitarian crisis and diverted resources away from development and public services.

Periodic religious clashes, especially in the Middle Belt, have resulted in loss of lives and property, inciting fear and fostering mistrust among communities. Such conflicts not only claim lives but also disrupt economic activities, as businesses hesitate to invest in volatile regions.

Religious identities have been exploited by politicians to gain and maintain power. Politicians often exploit religious sentiments during electoral campaigns, exacerbating divisions that distract from governance and development. The prioritization of religious agendas over national interests has led to ineffective leadership and failure to address pressing socio-economic issues.

Ethnic bigotry has equally constrained Nigeria’s growth trajectory, affecting social cohesion and economic development. The competition for political power among various ethnic groups has led to a culture of mistrust and hostility. The Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970, which was mainly fuelled by ethnic tensions and the desire of the Igbo to secede, resulted in significant loss of lives and fostered lingering enmity among groups. Ethnic conflict has fostered a climate where governance becomes a

contest for ethnic supremacy rather than a platform for national service.

Certain ethnic groups, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, have repeatedly felt marginalized regarding political representation and resource distribution. This perception has led to unrest, including militancy, and a demand for greater selfdetermination and resource control, which ultimately distracts from national priorities.

Ethnic loyalty often supersedes meritocracy in appointments and resource allocation. This has resulted in corruption and inefficiency within the political space. When leadership is based on ethnic affiliation rather than capability, it cripples the growth potential of the nation, perpetuating a cycle of poor governance and underdevelopment.

The interplay of religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry has dire economic consequences for Nigeria. Continuous violence and instability stemming from religious and ethnic conflicts discourage foreign investment. Investors seek stable environments, and Nigeria’s image as a volatile state has led to capital flight and a reliance on state-controlled oil revenues, which are insufficient for sustainable development.

Ethnic conflicts often disrupt local economies by limiting trade routes and undermining community relations. Markets close, businesses fail, and communities become impoverished, worsening the socioeconomic challenges of already vulnerable populations. The focus on ethnic and religious identities detracts from efforts to improve education and healthcare, critical components for national development. With societal divisions leading to unequal access to education and healthcare, Nigeria’s human capital struggles to compete on a global stage.

Breaking the cycle of religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry is essential for Nigeria’s future. There is an urgent need for a collective effort to promote national

identity over ethnic and religious identities. Strengthening civic education, promoting interfaith dialogue, and emphasizing a shared future can counter divisive narratives. Employing inclusive policies to ensure equitable representation and resource allocation across different ethnic and religious groups is vital. Creating a sense of belonging for all Nigerians can mitigate feelings of alienation and marginalization. Massive economic diversification by way of reducing reliance on oil can create jobs and reduce tension among various groups competing for oil revenue. Expanding sectors like agriculture, technology, and tourism can foster collaboration and provide a common ground for economic growth. Establishing strong, impartial institutions that prioritize rule of law and justice can help rebuild trust. Effective governance that emphasizes accountability and transparency will restore confidence in the political system. Initiatives that encourage collaboration between different ethnic and religious communities, such as joint economic ventures, cultural exchanges, and peacebuilding programmes, can foster mutual understanding and cooperation.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria stands at a crossroads, burdened by the weight of historical grievances rooted in religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry. However, the potential for growth and development remains vast, if only the country can take a bold step in addressing these challenges directly. By promoting unity, inclusivity, and economic diversification, Nigeria can begin to heal its divisions, laying the groundwork for a more harmonious and prosperous future. Only through collective effort and commitment to national identity can Nigeria reclaim its status as the true Giant of Africa.

Dr. Akande is the Director Press and Information, Supreme Court of Nigeria

Kaduna State launches the nation’s

first special agro-industrial processing zone, writes ADAMU MUHAMMED

A BLUEPRINT FOR NIGERIA

In a historic leap for agricultural transformation and economic revitalization in Nigeria, Kaduna State, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has officially launched the nation’s first Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).

The laudable project supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has indeed set the tone for a new era of inclusive development, food security, and regional stability.

At the heart of this transformational project lies not just infrastructure, but visionary leadership, decisive investment, and a commitment to changing the narrative of Northern Nigeria through agriculture.

Historically, the SAPZ model is not a new concept globally, but Kaduna's move makes it the first subnational entity in Nigeria to implement it. These zones are designed to cluster agro-processing activities around areas of high agricultural potential, enabling seamless integration between production, processing, and markets. The model encourages public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and direct investment in rural economies.

The importance of this initiative was highlighted by AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, during his recent visit to Kaduna. In his words, “You are the first state to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Nigeria. This is a great day for us all.”

Dr. Adesina, a globally respected development economist and former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, heaped praises on Governor Uba Sani, describing him as “a model leader—a listener, a unifier, and above all, a doer.”

His words were not just ceremonial. Under Governor Sani’s administration, Kaduna State’s agricultural budget has surged from a modest ₦1.4 billion in 2023 to a staggering ₦74 billion in the current fiscal year. This dramatic increase marks more than just a budget line—it signals political will and long-term strategic thinking.

“You didn’t just put your money where your mouth is—you put your money where your mind and your body are,” Dr. Adesina said to the applause from stakeholders present at the launch event.

By allocating over 10% of its budget to agriculture, Kaduna has become the first Nigerian state to meet the 2014 Malabo Declaration target, a commitment by African Union member states to boost agricultural financing for inclusive growth.

While the SAPZ is rooted in agro-industrial development, its scope goes far beyond just farming. Dr. Adesina emphasized that the AfDB’s support extends to education, primary healthcare, digital infrastructure, and sanitation—elements critical for creating a thriving rural economy.

One standout proposal is the integration of school feeding programs with local agro-processing zones. This model not only ensures nutrition for students but creates a direct market for local farmers, closing the loop between production and consumption in a sustainable way.

In addition, the AfDB has pledged further support to enhance health insurance, maternal and child health care, and clean water supply across Kaduna State. “We’re proud to partner with a government that listens, that leads with compassion, and that is open to all,” Adesina stated.

The significance of Kaduna’s SAPZ lies in its potential ripple effect across the country. Agriculture accounts for about 42% of Kaduna’s GDP and nearly 60% of employment, making it a cornerstone of the state’s economy. But these numbers also reflect a broader trend in Northern Nigeria, where rural livelihoods are deeply en-

trenched in agricultural activity.

Unfortunately, this potential has often been stifled by insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of market access. Governor Sani argues that agriculture is not just an economic sector—it is a strategic tool for addressing poverty and insecurity.

“In Kaduna, agriculture is at the heart of our economy,” he said. “This is why we believe insecurity has hindered much of the development we could have achieved through agriculture.”

With the SAPZ, Kaduna aims to reverse that narrative—creating jobs, improving food systems, and reducing the economic incentives that often fuel conflict and migration.

Governor Sani did not hesitate to credit Dr. Adesina for laying the foundation of modern agricultural reform in Nigeria. As Minister of Agriculture, Adesina introduced the revolutionary e-wallet system, which provided millions of smallholder farmers with subsidized inputs through mobile technology.

“The initiative aimed not only to transform agriculture but could have also addressed the problem of financial exclusion we are facing today,” Governor Sani remarked. “It could have provided access to financial credit for our smallholder farmers and contributed to addressing insecurity in Northern Nigeria.”

Over 15 million smallholder farmers benefited from the scheme, a figure that remains a testament to how targeted interventions can empower rural economies.

The launch of the SAPZ in Kaduna is not an endpoint, but a beginning of a broader development journey. The success of this initiative will depend on continuous investment, robust partnerships, and community engagement. With the AfDB, international donors, private sector players, and local cooperatives aligning under one vision, the future looks promising.

Governor Sani has also called on other Nigerian states to follow Kaduna’s example by prioritizing agriculture in their budgets and adopting inclusive, innovation-driven strategies.

“This is not just about Kaduna,” he said. “It is about creating a blueprint for the rest of Nigeria— and indeed, Africa—to follow.”

Kaduna’s SAPZ is more than a development project—it is a symbol of what can be achieved when leadership, vision, and commitment align. As Nigeria and the wider continent continue to grapple with food insecurity, unemployment, and rural poverty, the Kaduna example stands tall as a beacon of hope and progress.

In the words of Dr. Adesina, “Kaduna’s leadership reflects not just a vision for food security, but a road map for economic prosperity and inclusive development.”

If the rest of Nigeria takes note, the agro-industrial revolution might just be around the corner.

Muhammed writes from Kaduna

Africa is still on the fringe of 5G services, argues SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

5G, IOT AND AI TO BOOST GLOBAL GDP

With Mobile technologies and services now generating around 5.8% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) a contribution that amounts to about $6.5 trillion of economic value, there are strong projections that by 2030, this figure will rise to almost $11 trillion, or 8.4% of GDP.

Global System of Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) says much of this will be driven by countries around the world increasingly benefiting from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the increased take-up of mobile services and digital technologies, including 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The GSMA recently introduced the 5G Connectivity Index to provide insights into 5G performance in 39 markets in order to encourage informed decisionmaking.

In terms of Economic Impact, the GSMA emphasizes the economic benefits of mobile technologies and services, including 5G, projecting that they will contribute significantly to GDP growth by 2030.

“The GSMA provides specific reports and analyses on 5G in different regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Asia ,Middle East among others highlighting the progress and challenges of 5G deployment in specific areas.”

In sub-Saharan Africa for instance with particular attention on Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt,Kenya and Botswana, some measure of progress in deployment has been recorded.

The rollout of 5G has brought immense benefits across multiple industry sectors, particularly those involving internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in which the real-time transfer of data is crucial.

More broadly, the adoption of 5G is expected to accompany increased data use across the globe, with forecasts anticipating mobile data traffic of over 300 exabytes per month by 2030, more than twice the volume consumed in 2024 according to Statista.

And with a third of global population expected to be covered by this fifth generation (5G) networks ,a technology that has defined new ways of communication by 2025 ,GSMA says the technology has surpassed growth projections of all times.

“5G subscriptions increased by 163 million during the third quarter 2024 to total 2.1 billion. 5G subscriptions reached close to 2.3 billion by the end of 2024 accounting for more than 25 percent of all global mobile subscriptions. “4G subscriptions continue to decline as subscribers migrate to 5G” according to GSMA.

As of the first quarter of 2024, there were nearly two billion 5G connections worldwide, with 185 million new additions. This is expected to grow to 7.7 billion by 2028.” Statistics show that 5G is the fastest-growing mobile broadband technology, reaching 1.5 billion connections by the end of 2023.

It only took four years to reach this number, compared to 10 years for 3G and more than five years for 4G.

“5G is more than a new generation of technologies; it denotes a new era in which connectivity will become increasingly fluid and flexible.5G Networks will adapt to applications and performance will be tailored precisely to the needs of the user” GSMA submits.

By covering one-third of the world’s population , impact on the mobile industry and its customers will be profound according to GSMA.

To deepen the spread of 5G ,GSMA is working closely with the mobile operators pioneering 5G, “by engaging with governments, vertical industries including automotive, financial services, healthcare providers, transport operators, utilities and other industry sectors to develop business cases for 5G.”

And in order to accelerate the growth and spread, many operators are said to be deploying AI technology as part of an integral part of telecoms operators’ strategic and operational plans.

“Operators are making important advancements in the deployment of AI technology, which is serving as a transformative force shaping the telecoms industry.

By deploying autonomous AI-based systems, operators can enhance operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and security, while also creating new revenue opportunities”.

China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States are the leading countries with robust 5G coverage in the world.

Since the first commercial launches of the fifth generation of mobile networks in late 2018, these five countries have emerged as leaders because multiple companies in these countries have deployed networks and are selling compatible devices. Countries including Switzerland and Finland are up and comers in 5G development, though they have limited deployment.

In China there are three companies leading in deployment. The world’s largest 5G network was launched by the three largest Chinese network operators Oct 31, 2019, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua. These are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom which all activated their networks in less than five months after they were issued 5G licenses.

Each of the network operators offered their 5G services at $18 per month in 50 Chinese cities at the beginning of the launch.

GSMA expects 36% of China’s mobile users to be using 5G by 2025. That’s about 600 million subscribers, who would also make up 40% of the entire global 5G market by this year.

This is all despite efforts made by the United States government to hamper the progress of Chinese vendors, though those efforts may affect how Chinese companies may expand into the global market.

In South Korea,SK Telecom and Korea Telecom run as the main competitors for the South Korean 5G market. SK Telecom acquired spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz frequencies to prepare for deploying 5G.

In April of 2019, the Enterprise claimed to be the first mobile carrier in the world to launch 5G services to work on 5G smartphones. SK Telecom asserted an edge over rival Verizon, as the former launched 5G services available at the same time as Samsung Galaxy S10 5G smartphone launched in South Korea. Verizon launched mobile 5G services in the U.S. before a 5G enabled smartphone was available to U.S. consumers.

SK Telecom also conducted tests with a 5G Standalone (SA) Core (a core not reliant on the 4G network) for their 5G network in cooperation with Samsung Electronics.

The world’s largest 5G network was launched by the three largest Chinese network operators Oct 31, 2019, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua. These are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom which all activated their networks in less than five months after they were issued 5G licenses. Each of the network operators offered their 5G services at $18 per month in 50 Chinese cities at the beginning of the launch.

Aragba-Akpore is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE PROLIFERATION OF UNIVERSITIES

The indiscriminate licensing of universities is uncalled for

Even when university education in Nigeria is at a crossroads, the obsession with new tertiary institutions is not about to flag. Indeed, universities are still springing up with the rapidity of mushrooms, and impacting significantly on the quality of our graduates. But at a workshop on High Impact Research and Journal Advancement in Ado Ekiti last week, Afe Babalola, SAN, expressed deep concern at the ‘anything goes’ approach to the licensing of these academic institutions. The unrestrained approvals of new universities without due consideration for quality and infrastructure, according to the proprietor of Afe Babalola University, is impacting negatively on Nigeria’s future. We enjoin authorities in the sector to pay attention to his lamentation.

Despite the huge shortfall in budgetary allocations over the years, and in actual funding for education at both state and federal levels, the proliferation of public universities has been on the rise for decades. There is also a reckless recourse to all manner of ramshackle private universities with the sole aim of making profits. Yet, even if belated, the 2012 Needs Assessment of Nigeria’s Universities was good enough to sound a note of warning. But nobody bothered. Even the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration under which the report was published went on to establish 12 additional federal universities in states that could not fill their quota in existing universities. The take-off grant for each institution was a paltry N2 billion. The Muhammadu Buhari administration curiously built on this, creating universities for all arms of the armed forces, despite the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna which has been dutifully carrying out the task of training military officers for decades. And to boot, a Transportation University was cited in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State!

students seeking admission into tertiary institutions. The Bola Tinubu administration is unfortunately jumping into the train, perhaps to satisfy lawmakers and other government functionaries who crave public universities in their constituencies. Last February, President Tinubu assented to two bills establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji in Osun State, and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State. In the same month, Tinubu also approved the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni town, Rivers State, in addition to that of the Federal University of Sports in Afuze, Edo State.

As a result of scant attention to tertiary education in Nigeria, many of the universities are substandard, with some lacking even the basic learning facilities and infrastructure

H I S D AY

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU

DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH

Many stakeholders are concerned that new universities are still being established with abandon, apparently yielding to the National Universities Commission (NUC) sentiment for expansion to accommodate more

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI

CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

Indeed, in the first three months of this year, nine new institutions have been established while other existing public tertiary institutions have been upgraded. Some eleven privately - owned universities were also licensed. In addition, there are about 200 bills before lawmakers in the National Assembly for the creation of more tertiary institutions, one of which is the Bola Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages to be located in Aba, Abia State. This is despite the warning by Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa that the universities are excessive and piling pressure on the Nigerian education system.

As a result of scant attention to tertiary education in Nigeria, many of the universities are substandard, with some lacking even the basic learning facilities and infrastructure. Most of the public universities which admit about 95 per cent of all Nigerian students are nothing to write home about. They suffer from inadequate classrooms, seats and hostel accommodation for students, poorly equipped laboratories, outdated books, erratic power and poor water supply, etc. When you add understaffing and poor remunerations for lecturers, most of whom also lack the requisite qualifications, one is confronted with a system that is in crisis.

That is not the way to compete in the knowledge world.

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

Dr. Cosmas Odoemena’s letter (THISDAY, 7 April 2025) betrayed unfamiliarity with the pay television sector in the country and elsewhere. It was a rehash of social media narratives, a mish-mash of lies, half-truths and wrong assumptions.

It is incorrect to say that MultiChoice, of which I stopped being a subscriber after losing my job in 2023, has no competition. It is undoubtedly the dominant Pay TV operator perhaps because it was the first and certainly because of quality content plus innovation. But it has and has always had competition. There is StarTimes, a JV between the company and the Nigerian Television Authority.

A few years ago, StarTimes wrested the broadcast rights to the games of the Italian football league, better known as Serie A, after outbidding MultiChoice. It is currently the rights owner of the Bundesliga, the German top division, for which it outbid MultiChoice, the reason the rights owners must have sold to it.

Before StarTimes, there was HiTv, which outbid MultiChoice for the rights to matches of the English Premier

League from 2007-2010 when, according to the founder, Toyin Subair, it “collapsed essentially because of a clause in our original Shareholders Agreement, which allowed a group of founding shareholders to block the company raising money or selling off a subsidiary”. Industry insiders, however, said the company collapsed because of mismanagement. Kwese TV came after HiTv and operated for about three years during which it was unable to gain subscribers and, of course, cash flow, resulting in inability to pay its broadcast partners. Before these were Communications Trends Limited, whose founder, Uzoma Udemba, was prosecuted for signal piracy by the Uyo office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2021 when I worked in Uyo.

There were also Daarsat, founded by the late Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; and FStv founded by Chief Reuben Famuyibo. Odoemena needs to ask why mortality rate in the sector is high.

Romanus Mmeribeh, Lagos

MINNA IS AN OPEN-AIR TOILET

Minna, in central Nigeria, is the administrative capital of Niger State. It is home to the Federal University of Technology and Minna is the hometown and the retirement home of two former heads of government: General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalam Abubakar. Regrettably, Minna is a failed city. Open defecation has defaced this city sitting on a slab of basement complex rock of central Nigeria. That does not excuse the lack of aptitude to build latrines for households. Inability to build latrines and other toilet facilities is a cultural thing and the government is not doing anything about the glaring lack of city-wide hygiene. Who told the people that stench from rotting shits on the surface of streets is medicinal elixir? Strangely, this is what the folks believe and this lore has been handed down to them a long time ago. Is this the reason the Niger State Government is not enforcing strict public hygiene? Some really strange and evil doctrine were handed down to the people a long time ago. Native African culture emphasises good hygiene and proper waste disposal in shit-holes and not on street surface. Thus what was handed down to the native folks was un-African. Actually, certain ones hold that building and using latrines is “haram” for the injunction to use a toilet simply is missing and so the use of toilets must be a cultural thing of the “unbelievers.” Who needs a toilet when there is vast open desert field to shit on? Thus, Minna stinks and it is amazing how the folks over there beat epidemic outbreaks.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

Empowering Ability: CODISA’s 41-Year Journey of Service, Inclusion and Scaling Compassion into Impact

Founded on compassion and rooted in community-driven action, CODISA — the Committee for the Development of the Inclusive Society for All — has spent four decades as a quiet but powerful force supporting people with disabilities in Lagos. Through direct aid, empowerment initiatives, and consistent advocacy, the organisation has built a reputation for transformative grassroots engagement. As it marks its 41st anniversary this April, it is preparing to scale its impact like never before by seeking to raise N500 million to expand its reach and deepen its work. The proposed fund will support school fees for blind children, provide laptops for visually impaired students, supply outdoor wheelchairs, fund business grants, tertiary scholarships, critical medical interventions, and support for homes and institutions across Lagos, including training and advocacy. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that this creation of a Legacy Fund aims to secure CODISA’s mission for future generation by inspiring, empowering and transforming lives

In a world where individuals with disabilities often face exclusion and neglect, CODISA — the Committee for the Development of the Inclusive Society for All — stands as a beacon of hope and compassion. What began in 1984 as a small initiative under the Chapel of the Healing Cross has evolved into a life-changing movement that has impacted over 100,000 lives.

Now in its 41st year, which it would commemorate on Thursday, April 24 with an official launch and a fundraising, CODISA is poised for even greater impact.

In an interview recently with Olaoluwa Awojoodu, leader of CODISA, he stated with unmistakable passion, this is more than an organisation for us. It’s a calling, a mission to ensure that persons with special needs are not left behind”.

For more than four decades, CODISA has worked with children and adults with visual or hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and other physical and cognitive disabilities. What makes its model unique is that it started not as a conventional NGO, but as a church-based community effort driven by volunteers with a shared vision of inclusion.

“Like many impactful initiatives, it began from a place of faith and service,” Awojoodu explained. “It wasn’t just about charity. It was about dignity. About helping people reach their full potential”.

A Heritage of Impact

CODISA’s roots can be traced back to a 10-member committee formed under the Chapel’s Total Wholeness Project. Led by Professor G.I. Odia and Dr Shina Akinsanya, and supported by Aid’s Trust UK, the group was inspired to support people living with disabilities by offering skills training, infrastructure support, and compassionate care. Fast forward to today, CODISA now comprises over 80 passionate volunteers and supports 42 schools and institutions across Lagos State annually. It has directly benefited over 200 individuals while impacting thousands more through systemic support and awareness campaigns.

“The real turning point came in the last two years when we officially registered as an NGO,” Awojoodu said. “Before that, we operated under the Chapel’s umbrella, but now we have the independence to engage with corporate bodies, international partners, and broader communities”.

Impact Over Overhead

CODISA’s operating model is as efficient as it is impactful. “We’re largely volunteer-driven. Most members have full-time jobs — this is a passion project,” he revealed. “That’s how we keep our administrative overheads low. Over 95 per cent of the funds we raise go directly into projects.”

The organisation doesn’t run a physical facility of its own. Instead, it supports existing schools and care homes. “We visit institutions — currently about 42 in Lagos State — to understand their needs,” he says. “We then raise funds to meet those needs, whether it’s for food, medical equipment, learning aids or renovation.”

Unlike some charitable efforts, CODISA does not hand out cash indiscriminately. “We prefer to provide goods and services directly,” he explained. “In cases where we’ve worked with institutions for years and trust their management, we might provide cash support with proper documentation.”

Each CODISA member acts as an ambassador for one or two institutions, visiting them regularly and assessing needs. “We do followups, we monitor usage, and some of us even sit on the boards of these homes,” he added.

From Skills to Advocacy

CODISA’s core mission revolves around five pillars — encapsulated in the acronym SPACE: Skills development, Programmes, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Elevation of both individuals and institutions.

Their Sign Language Classes are helping to bridge communication gaps for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Caregiver training equips individuals to provide quality support. There are also classes that teach organisations how to comply with the rights of persons with disabilities.

Beyond training, CODISA runs annual events like Ability Day, which showcases the unique talents of people with disabilities, and the TAHH Anniversary, which honours their contributions to society. Its Inclusion Catalyst Programme aims to fast-track structural and societal inclusion.

“We believe in empowerment through knowledge,”

Awojoodu said. “We run workshops for teachers, caregivers, and parents to help them better understand and support people living with disabilities.”

Story of Lives Transformed

When asked to share a success story, Awojoodu hesitated. “There are so many. But I always feel the people we’ve helped should be the ones to tell those stories. We’ve had children we supported through school who are now employed. We’ve sponsored surgeries — prosthetic limbs, eye operations, even heart surgeries for toddlers.”

One such story involved a boy with cerebral palsy. “We supported him all the way, and when he passed on, it hit us hard,” Olaoluwa recalled. “But his life mattered. That’s why we do this”.

Scaling for the Future

CODISA’s ambition is not only to continue but to scale. The organisation is currently seeking to raise ₦500 million to expand its reach. The funds will go toward: School fees for 80 blind children (₦36 million); Laptop empowerment for 100 visually impaired

students (N100 million); Outdoor wheelchairs for 200 individuals (₦100 million); Business grants for 25 persons (₦12.5 million); and Tertiary scholarships for 20 students (₦20 million).

Additionally, medical support is earmarked for prosthetic limbs, hip replacements, and surgeries for vulnerable children. Institutional support includes maintenance for 15 homes, food support for 30 institutions, and learning aids.

Part of the proposed fund will also go into training and advocacy efforts, including beginner and intermediary sign language classes and public education on disability rights.

Perhaps most visionary is CODISA’s planned Legacy Fund — a strategic reserve to ensure the organisation’s mission endures. “It’s about ensuring that long after we are gone, CODISA continues to inspire, empower, and transform lives,” Awojoodu affirmed.

Looking Ahead

Despite its impressive legacy, CODISA is not resting on its laurels. It continues to evolve, driven by an unshakable commitment to service. “This is my ministry,” he said passionately. “It’s not just about helping people. It’s about giving them the tools and the confidence to live with dignity.” He is optimistic about the future, particularly the potential for partnerships. “Historically, our funding came from church members and High Net-Worth Individuals. But now that we’re a registered NGO, we’re ready to work with corporates and apply for grants.”

Still, the challenges remain. “We receive over 200 requests yearly, but can only meet about 10 per cent of them,” he admitted. “The need always outpaces our current capacity. That’s why we’re calling on more people to support”. As CODISA steps into its fifth decade, one thing remains clear — the journey is far from over. And for every child given a chance, every life uplifted, and every barrier broken, the organisation moves one step closer to a society where ability is truly empowered.

The dedicated CODISA Team bent on making impact

Olaoluwa Awojoodu, Head CODISA

Donation to Hearts of Gold Hospice

Supply and water treatment plant by CODISA In collaboration with Dillip Shah for Ile-Anu Pre-school for special children

Kayode Tokede

Stakeholders in the financial service sector has expressed dissatisfaction with the massive Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) levy incurred by banks in the last three years.

Zenith Bank Plc and six other Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria paid an estimated N635.5 billion as banking sector resolution costs to the AMCON between 2022 and 2024.

The remaining six DMBs are: Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Fidelity Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and FCMB Group Plc.

The breakdown showed that the seven banks paid N297.58 billion, as AMCON levy in 2022. In 2023, it stood at N187.2 billion and N150.78 billion in 2024.

Banking sector resolution cost

represents the corporation levy, which is applicable on the total balance sheet size of the banks.

The current applicable rate based on AMCON Act of 2015 is 0.5 per cent of total assets plus total off balance sheet assets.

In their latest financial year statement, THISDAY can report that the seven DMBs generated an estimated N93.65 trillion in total assets in 2024, about 48 per cent increase over N63.18 trillion declared in 2023.

Also, the seven banks declared a whopping of N3.99 trillion as profit before tax, representing an increase of 54.18 per cent from N2.43 trillion in 2023.

Zenith Bank, with a total asset of N29.56 trillion in 2024, paid AMCON levy of N92.2 billion, up by 60.6 per cent from N57.38 billion reported in 2023.

UBA’s AMCON levy closed 2024 at N71.91 billion, representing

an increase of 78.1 per cent from N40.36billion declared in 2023, while GTCO announced N36.7 billion AMCON levy in 2024, a growth of 34.2 per cent from N27.31 billion declared in 2023.

GTCO in a presentation noted AMCON levy, among others contributed to its N403 billion operating expenses in 2024, up by 61 per cent from N250.4billion in 2023, with non-controllable cost mix improving to 28.9 per cent of the total operating expenses in FY-2024 from 33.3 per cent in FY-2023.

The bank in the presentation said, “Increase in regulatory chargesAMCON levy and Deposit Insurance Premium. AMCON levy increased by 34.2 per cent (N36.6 billion vs N27.4 billion) due to growth in total Asset and contingents base (N7.33 trillion vs N5.46 trillion). Also, deposit insurance premium increased by 28.9% (N21.9 billion vs N17.0 billion) due to a 48.1

per cent increase in underlying customers’ deposit volume (N5.26 trillion vs N3.55trillio).”

AMCON was established in 2010 in a bid to stabilize the Nigerian banking system by efficiently resolving the non-performing loan assets of the banks in the economy.

Currently, it is being funded by a combination of loan recoveries, contributions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), sales of pledged assets, and a sinking fund assessed to the banks.

The federal government established AMCON with a 10-year mandate in response to the mounting bad loans and the requirement to prevent the banking sector’s impending collapse. The AMCON Act 2019 (Amended) gives the corporation broader authority to pursue obligors for unpaid debts.

Additionally, helping eligible financial institutions efficiently dispose of eligible bank assets in

compliance with the Act’s rules is one of the key objectives of the Act.

Initially, banks were required to pay 0.3 per cent of all assets into the sinking fund. In 2013 it was raised to 0.5per cent of total assets (and 0.3 per cent of contingent liabilities).

Meanwhile, capital market stakeholders have expressed mixed feelings over 0.5 per cent AMCON levy on banks.

The Investment Banker & Stockbroker, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka in a chat with THISDAY said the operations of AMCON is long overdue.

“The fact that AMCON continues to place yearly levies on banks in the country in an endless manner, is an indication that AMCON is unable to pay its debts, and that its birth as a failure resolution option was unnecessary or absolutely misplaced at the time it was conceived.

“Those failed banks could have been better managed with more

robust failure resolution options outside AMCON arrangement. And I blame the governor of CBN at that time, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for the error,” Olayinka explained. President Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, also backed Olayinka’s AMCON overdue in the banking sector.

“Even those debts that have been taken over by AMCON, what has been the level of recovery? There continuing stay is more like a waste conduct pipe that has consequences on shareholders’ fund in the Nigeria’s banking sector,” Bakare echoed.

Speaking from a different perspective, the MD/CEO, Globalview Capital Limited, Mr. Aruna Kebira, said, “AMCON was established and was given powers to operate in its jurisdiction.

The National Pension Commission (PenCom), has said it committed a total of N5.51 trillion to asset classes that support long-term financing for real sector growth.

PenCom said these investments span infrastructure, private equity vehicles, real estate, and subnational infrastructure initiatives, among others.

The Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, made this disclosure during a meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which visited the commission as part of the Fund’s 2025 Article IV Consultations. The delegation, led by Senior Financial Sector Expert, Mr. Jose De Luna, held discussions with PenCom’s key officials on matters relating to the pension industry and broader financial sector developments.

PenCom said the industry Net Asset Value (NAV) increased by 22.65 per cent from N18.36 trillion as of 31 December 2023 to N22.51 trillion as of 31 December 2024.

Represented by the Head, Surveillance Department, Abdulrahaman Muhammad Saleem, the Director General told the delegation that pension fund investments in the real sector of the economy were indicative of the pension industry’s vital role in providing funding for key economic growth and development in Nigeria. In a presentation to the delegation,

According to PenCom, the growth was attributable to additional contributions received and investment income.

However, she decried the limited availability of investable instruments that meet the minimum requirements for pension funds’ investments in Nigeria currently. She told the delegation that only 86 investable instruments, constituting part of the pension broad index, meet the minimum quality requirement for pension

fund investments that were liquid and have the required free float.

According to the commission, this is despite the numerous provisions made in the investment regulation to foster increased eligible investment outlets.

The commission said going forward, it would continue to collaborate with capital market operators to broaden the spectrum of eligible financial instruments for pension fund investments. It added that the initiative aimed to further diversify portfolios and enhance real returns.

“Additionally, the Commission will promote increased pension fund investment in alternative asset

classes. These efforts are intended to strengthen the overall investment portfolio and reinforce the long-term growth and sustainability of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)” the commission stated.

During the meeting, PenCom presented key developments within the pension industry, focusing on investment strategies, asset quality concerns, financing for growth, and regulatory challenges.

It also expressed its commitment to fostering the development of diverse asset classes and securities eligible for pension fund investments.

“This initiative involves collaboration with entities such

as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp),” PenCom said. The IMF delegation expressed satisfaction with PenCom’s ongoing efforts to diversify pension fund investments. Additionally, they commended PenCom’s regulation and supervision of the pension industry in Nigeria. Overall, the IMF praised PenCom for the remarkable growth achieved within Nigeria’s pension industry, recognising the Commission’s pivotal role in driving positive momentum and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Ebere Nwoji

Argirou: Wema Bank is Facilitating Business Growth Around the World With Ambitious Target, Reach

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Beirut in the United Kingdom, Sofoklis Argirou in this one-on-one interview, speaks on Wema Bank’s 80 years anniversary celebration, the numerous changes that have taken place in the bank within the period, Bank of Beirut UK’s long-lasting relationship with Wema Bank and the future of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, among many others: Excerpts:

Argirou

Can you speak to us on the longlasting relationship between Bank of Beirut UK and Wema Bank?

Bank of Beirut UK, has a longstanding relationship with Wema Bank Plc in Nigeria. We have witnessed first-hand, the transformation of Wema Bank through the years and I have seen the people I met here in 2015 when I first came to this country. These people have grown with the bank over the years. Wema Bank in the last eight years that I have been following it, has grown very fast and tremendously, too. The bank’s fast journey is not just in its number, but also with its people, growing its people, its reach and delivering products and services in Nigeria for financial inclusion and leading actually the space in digital spectrum.

How has Wema Bank impacted the growth trajectory of Bank of Beirut UK?

Our story with WEMA Bank is from a correspondent banking perspective from the UK. So, we have worked with Wema Bank facilitating imports into Nigeria. We have developed utmost customer relationships with not just with Nigerian importers, but also with exporters all over the world,

in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the United States.

I remember the first time I met with Wema Bank management in 2015, it was at a time they were embarking on a journey to increase the size of their portfolio. By 2018, these very ambitious targets were set, and they were met. These targets were repeated in 2021 and 2024.

Also, my experience with Wema Bank is serving and facilitating imports of pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, raw materials, and establishing relationships with international business customers.

Take us through your experience with Wema Bank since your first contact in 2015.

I will give you an example. I know Wema Bank is one of the few banks in Nigeria that has been consistently supporting the agricultural sector. Agriculture being one of the mainstays of Nigeria, not just for food security, but also for improving the lives of the people.

I have seen Wema Bank go to places where other Nigerian banks are afraid to venture into. For instance, the bank has been supporting companies in the

“Bank of Beirut UK, has a longstanding relationship with Wema Bank Plc in Nigeria. We have witnessed first-hand, the transformation of Wema Bank through the years and I have seen the people I met here in 2015 when I first came to this country. These people have grown with the bank over the years. Wema Bank in the last eight years that I have been following it, has grown very fast and tremendously, too. The bank’s fast journey is not just in its number, but also with its people, growing its people, its reach and delivering products and services in Nigeria for financial inclusion and leading actually the space in digital spectrum.”

“I have seen that Wema Bank is not just about launching products and setting missions without meeting them. Wema is about setting missions and targets, but following up with concrete action to meet these ambitious targets. For me also, one thing that distinguishes Wema Bank from the others is retaining, sustaining and growing with its people. I met some people back then in 2015 that were just relationship managers, but today they are the heads of their departments, treasurers and Executive Directors. Wema Bank is also investing in its people and growing organically with them within the system.”

agrichemical industry who in turn support the farmers in improving and maximising their crop yields and every other thing.

I have seen that Wema Bank is not just about launching products and setting missions without meeting them. Wema is about setting missions and targets, but following up with concrete action to meet these ambitious targets.

For me also, one thing that distinguishes Wema Bank from the others is retaining, sustaining and growing with its people. I met some people back then in 2015 that were just relationship managers, but today they are the heads of their departments, treasurers and Executive Directors.

Wema Bank is also investing in its people and growing organically with them within the system.

What is your view about Wema Bank’s influence in the banking industry over the past decades?

First, I want to congratulate Wema Bank for a successful 80 years of diligently servicing the people. It’s

been a journey that is worth celebrating. A journey with success.

Wema Bank has embarked on a very ambitious journey. I expect that Wema Bank in the next three years will be one of the protagonists in the banking sector and will join the ranks of tier one banks in Nigeria through the efforts of its people, support of its shareholders, successful strategies and employment of products and services.

I have been privileged enough to witness the transformation that Wema Bank has had over the last 10 years and I believe the Bank, with its resources and people, will make and will continue to make impact within the society of Nigeria, leading with products directed to underbanked people, underprivileged people.

I want to thank Wema Bank for its support and for its financial inclusion and backing this direction with solid financial resources and numbers to make them a success. So, I want to say a big congratulations to the board and management of Wema Bank for sustaining the tempo in the last 80 years. I look forward to another exciting 80 years with the bank.

Report: Nigeria Now Africa’s Fastest-growing ‘Web3 Developers Hub’

Over 80 startups secure $130m funding

Sunday Ehigiator

Hashed Emergent, the venture capital firm accelerating web3 adoption in Africa and other emerging markets, in its inaugural edition of the ‘Nigeria Web3 Landscape Report’, has revealed that Nigeria is now the fastest growing ‘Web3 Developers Hub’ in Africa, accounting for 4 per cent of the global new ‘Web3 Developers’ in 2024.

The report also revealed that over 80 Nigerian ‘Web3 Developer’ startups have so far secured $130

million in funding, as the USDT/ NGN emerging as the most traded pair on centralised exchanges, with stablecoin transfers in Nigeria nearing $3 billion in Q1, 2024.

The ‘Hashed Emergent Report’ offers a comprehensive view of the country’s startup ecosystem, developer activity, consumer and government adoption, and regulatory outlook, drawing on ecosystem interviews, primary research, and platform data.

According to the CEO and Managing Partner at Hashed

Emergent, Tak Lee, “Nigeria’s momentum in web3 adoption will not only shape the future of digital innovation locally but also serve as a catalyst, leapfrogging Africa to the forefront of the global web3 economy. As the country continues to build on a strong foundation of entrepreneurial resilience and technical talent, it is well-positioned to lead Africa’s charge into the global web3 economy.”

Providing more insights, the report noted that, “Over 80 web3 startups founded by Nigerians

have collectively raised more than $130 million to date. In 2024 alone, startups raised a total of $20 million, largely concentrated in infrastructure and financial use cases.

“Unlike previous cycles dominated by large rounds, deal activity in 2024 was early-stage and driven primarily by ecosystem grants and Layer 1/Layer 2 program support. Infrastructure startups led all sectors with $11 million in funding, followed by finance at $7 million, up from $2 million the previous year. Stablecoins, in

Leadway Partners Firm to Launch Retail Insurance Product for Women

Ebere Nwoji

In line with passion and aspiration of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to achieve financial inclusion among Nigerians especially Nigerian women, Leadway Assurance, has partnered with Wafira Ntaba Limited a marketing firm to launch a bespoken insurance policy for Nigerian women.

The product, Leadway Plan B Insurance policy, comes in simplified and affordable packages for as low as N26,000 per quarter, broadening financial inclusion and income

protection for women-led small to medium-sized enterprises and lifestyle protection for women across different social strata in Nigeria.

Speaking at the media launch of the product, Leadway ‘s Director Sales, Retail and Partnership, Kike Fischer, shed light on the market approach for the Plan B product, saying “one uniqueness of the Plan B product is in its single-wide coverage from risks and perils related to auto insurance, healthcare, personal accident, fire, burglary, life insurance and education cutting across its different product packages – SME, Corporate and

Premier packages.”

Also speaking, the visioner behind the Plan B Insurance for Nigerian women, Ayona Aguilera Trimnell shared the inspiration behind the products saying, “Plan B is an idea that has been in development for 10 years. As I began exploring insurance products aimed at women in other countries, I recognised the need for an insurance product that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria, specifically for women. I believed we could create something that addresses their unique concerns. Women need to understand how insurance

can alleviate their worries and the benefits of being insured. I have personally enjoyed the advantages of insurance for over fifteen years, and I believe other women should have the opportunity to experience the same benefits.”

She said both partners could simplify the benefits of the plan B insurance product to help even the uneducated, understand and be convinced to secure their future by becoming a policyholder. According to her, it has been proven and tested that women too buy insurance, but more women need to be aware and get insured.

Experts: Human Touch Vital Despite AI Technology

The Managing Director, Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation, Mr. Akinsola Ale, has observed that while the insurance industry is grappling with a significant challenge as it increasingly adopts technological applications like Artificial Intelligence (AI), there’s growing concern that the human element—crucial for building sustainable customer relationships—is rapidly diminishing.

Ale stated this along other insurance and reinsurance experts present at a comprehensive training program titled, “Reinsurance Accounting System and Claims Handling,” organised by the reinsurance firm in Lagos.

He noted that training and retraining insurance professionals

remained essential, as human presence is still critical for customer confidence.

“The training was specifically designed to target accounting systems and claims handling to upscale participants’ underwriting skills,” he said.

He said that the company had scheduled additional training sessions for practitioners, noting that while the current program focused on non-life operators, similar training for life operators would be organised before year-end.

Ale emphasised on reinsurers having consistently met their claims responsibilities when called upon by insurers, stating that both reinsurers and insurers make significant

auditors, and

committee roles to ensure accountability. The

sacrifices to ensure payment of insurance claims.

Addressing Nigeria’s deployment of AI in claims settlements, he said it was essential for any company to position itself in alignment with AI. According to him, Nigeria Re plans to use AI in analysing huge data, creating clear distinctions in claims management processes while redefining task assignment procedures.”

He noted that AI delivers efficient results, effectively identifies potentially fraudulent transactions, ensures quick outcomes, and reduces costs.

“There are still other areas in the insurance business where AI will create ease for officers in the

N687 million, N881.5 million and N5.1billion respectively.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, IEI’s Independent NonExecutive Director and Chairman of the AGM, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside said the strategic manoeuvre represented a significant victory for the company, demonstrating its proactive approach to strengthening its financial foundation and

organisation,” Ale noted, adding that “Nigeria Re is planning to take effective steps to actualise the required transformation.”

Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO of GIC Re South Africa Limited, Jetho Jhamnani explained that his firm partnered with Nigeria Reinsurance due to its belief in the Nigerian insurance market. The training aimed to expose participants to reinsurance companies’ expectations regarding accounting and claims handling.

On the matter of prompt claims settlement, Jhamnani urged all stakeholders—reinsurers, insurers, and policyholders—to fulfil their responsibilities to ensure timely payments.

optimising its capital structure. Peterside who represented the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Bukar Goni Aji stated that the successful exit from this legacy loan was projected to unlock substantial growth opportunities and accelerate IEI’s ongoing recapitalisation initiatives, with a clear focus on meeting the regulatory minimum capital requirement of N15 billion.

particular, saw rising adoption across cross-border payments and inflation-resilient financial tools.”

The report noted a funding dip in the entertainment and gaming sectors, which fell to $2 million in 2024 from $17 million the previous year. “However, builder interest remains active in SocialFi and Gaming/NFT projects, even as capital flows consolidate around foundational infrastructure.”

Citing developer’s activity as Nigeria’s competitive advantage, the report revealed that, “In 2024, the country recorded a 28 per cent year-on-year increase, reaching 1.1 million total developers. Nigeria contributed 4 per cent of all global new Web3 developers, the highest from any country in Africa.

“86 per cent of Nigerian Web3 developers are under the age of 27, and over half entered the ecosystem in the past 12 months, most entered through community-led programs like Web3bridge, SuperteamNG, Web3Ladies, and bootcamps hosted

by ecosystems such as Solana, Base, and Starknet.”

On employment fluidity, the report noted that, “Only 15 per cent of developers report full-time web3 roles, while 41 per cent identify as freelancers. 45 per cent of Nigerian web3 developers are paid in stablecoins, while 31 per cent receive ETH, BTC, or SOL.”

Compensation gaps relative to global peers remain, but the report notes rising exposure to international roles, bounty programs, and founder tracks.

The report further noted that, “In 2024, Nigeria ranked #2 globally for crypto adoption (Chainalysis), with $59 billion in crypto value received; $24 billion of that in stablecoins.

“Stablecoin trading has overtaken Bitcoin trading on centralised exchanges, reflecting changing behaviour; for many, crypto isn’t speculative, it’s practical; It’s how people hedge against inflation, send money, and make real-world payments.”

Heirs Insurance Group, in partnership with payment services provider, Mobikash, hosted a seminar to promote financial and insurance literacy among 150 members of Nigeria’s informal sector in Abuja.

The group said this was in line with its mission to make insurance accessible to all Nigerians.

With the theme: “Insuring Nigeria’s Informal Sector for the Better,” the event convened representatives from the Keke Riders Association, Market Women Association, Hotel Owners Association, Taxi Drivers Association, and Okada Riders Association.

Heirs Insurance facilitated an engaging training and orientation,

equipping participants with practical knowledge and tailored insurance solutions to meet their everyday needs. The interactive session provided hands-on learning opportunities, ensuring that participants gained a deeper understanding of how insurance can serve as a financial safety net, especially in times of economic uncertainty. By training and educating their peers, the Heirs Insurance believe that participants would serve as financial literacy champions, helping to extend the benefits of insurance awareness and financial security to a wider network of informal workers.

The Managing Director, Rex Insurance Limited, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu has advocated for greater youth involvement in the insurance industry in Nigeria as they are future business leaders and should begin to play active roles in insurance in Nigeria.

She made this assertion at the 9th BusinessToday Annual Conference which held in Lagos recently.

The conference has the theme: “Banking on the Future: Youth, Pension and Insurance Penetration”. Nwachukwu, who was a panellist at the event, advised

the youths to begin to explore innovative strategies for deepening insurance and pension penetration among Nigerian youths. According to her, it is vital that the Nigerian youths understand the nuances of insurance, as it empowers individuals to make informed decisions, ensuring personal and familial financial protection. She also said as future leaders, it was important that youths began to invest in their future and get more knowledge about insurance and pensions and recognise the symbiotic relationship between pensions and insurance, as both serve as pillars for a stable and secure retirement.

Ebere Nwoji

The Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP), Binta Lami Adamu Bello (4th from right); Board member, MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Lami Tumaka, (3rd from left); Deputy Director, represented the Director Legal and Prosecution Department, Mrs Nneka, Ajie; Assistant Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Mrs Abosede Iheabunike, Assistant Director, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Department, Mrs.Tolu Odugbesan; and extreme left, Robinson Nasikai and CEO, MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the agency and the NGO in Abuja… recently

FG Launches Survey to Encourage Nigerian Digital Firms Spread Across Africa

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has announced the launch of the Digital Services Survey in a strategic effort to empower Nigerian digital service providers to expand across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The ministry’s Director Press and Public Relations, Dr. Adebayo Thomas in a statement said the aims of the digital services initiative is to map and support the growth of Nigerian digital services throughout the continent and simplify the process for digital businesses to navigate

regulatory environments and expand their reach across African markets.

He added that Nigerian digital businesses often face challenges when entering other African markets, including uncertainties around service registration, applicable regulations, and responsible agencies.

Thomas said: “Unlike physical goods, digital services don not always align with existing trade categories. This framework will serve as a common language, ensuring consistent treatment of digital services across borders” and its benefits include unlocking new markets by identifying

target African countries for expansion, as Nigeria can focus trade negotiations on opening specific markets for digital services.”

He added, “The framework would also create a Digital Services Repository and for the first time, Nigeria will compile a comprehensive database of digital service providers, their expansion plans, and the challenges they face. Furthermore, the framework would strengthen Nigeria’s digital leadership by positioning the country as a proactive leader in Africa’s digital economy, shaping the rules and standards for digital trade.”

Walcot Inks Landmark Deal With Angola’s ANPG for Oil Block

In a move that underscores Nigeria’s growing footprint in Africa’s energy sector, Walcot Limited has signed a landmark Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Angolan National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG) for Block CON 3, following its successful bid for three oil blocks in Angola.

The signing ceremony, which took place on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Luanda, was led by Walcot Group’s Founder and Group President, Agaba-Idu, Christopher Nwabueze Ezea II, Eze Edem, while Mr. Alcides Andrade, Executive Administrator of ANPG, signed on behalf of the Angolan agency.

The agreement grants Walcot Limited operatorship and 100% participating interest in two of the awarded blocks — Block CON 3 and Block CON 7, both situated

in Angola’s hydrocarbon-rich Lower Congo Basin — as well as a minority stake in Block KON 13, located in the prolific Kwanza Onshore Basin.

Block CON 3, the centerpiece of the agreement, spans 723.37 km² in the northeastern section of the Lower Congo Basin. Extensive geophysical re-evaluations have revealed promising structures with prospective resources estimated at 1.25 billion barrels of oil, encompassing both Pre-salt and Post-salt plays. The block is underpinned by well-established petroleum systems including the Bucomazi, Pinda, Iabe, and Landana formations.

In Block CON 7, which covers 744.77 km², Walcot also holds a 100% interest. The block exhibits significant hydrocarbon potential, with resource estimates ranging

from 710 million to 1.15 billion barrels, driven by robust source rock profiles and favorable structural leads.

Speaking after the ceremony, Walcot’s President, Christopher Ezea, described the deal as “a significant advancement” in the company’s pan-African growth strategy.

“Securing these blocks marks a strategic leap in our journey to establish a formidable presence in Africa’s most promising basins,” Ezea said. “We extend our appreciation to the Government of Angola and ANPG for their confidence in our vision and capability. We are fully committed to deploying our technical depth and operational excellence to unlock value, not just for our shareholders but also for Angola and the broader region.”

Entrepreneurs: FCMB’s Training Programme Transforming Our Business

Dozens of entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s southwest are crediting First City Monument Bank (FCMB)’s recent business training programme has helped them improve on how they run their businesses and pursue growth.

It is the Business Empowerment, Sustainability and Training (BEST) Masterclass organised by FCMB, which concluded its latest phase last month, delivering practical training to participants in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Kwara States.

From 12 to 21 March 2025, the initiative focused on financial management, digital marketing, business planning, and

sustainable growth practices. Some participants also received free business registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), supported by the bank. For many, the training proved more useful than expected. Jide Olaniyi, a small business owner from Kwara State, said he was initially unsure what to expect.

“But I left with a deeper understanding of how to structure my business and apply digital tools. I’m already seeing the difference in how I operate,” he said. In Ogun State, Patricia Simisola said she gained new business skills and benefited from the free business registration support.

“That was a real bonus. It gave me the push I needed

to formalise my business,” she added.

Participants also spoke about the value of engaging with other entrepreneurs. Dolapo Olayiwola, who attended the Oyo State session, said the experience gave her a new perspective.

“It changed how I approach decision-making in my business,” she said. “I now have a clearer idea of how to grow without losing focus.”

FCMB’s Divisional Head of Business Banking, George Ogbonnaya said the programme aligns with the bank’s commitment to inclusive growth.

“Our goal is not just to support entrepreneurs financially but to help them build sustainable, scalable businesses,” he said.

PAL Pensions Celebrates 20Years of Excellence, Innovation in Nigeria

Funmi Ogundare

Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL Pensions), recently commemorated two decades of dedication of helping Nigerians retire with a smile; securing and actualising their dream retirement.

Sa’adu Jijji, acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, in a statement, explained that it has grown into Nigeria’s foremost Pension Fund

Administrator ( PFA) known for reliability, excellence, and innovation.

According to him, “Over the past 20 years, PAL Pensions has demonstrated consistent growth, managing assets of over one trillion naira and serving more than 700,000 Retirement Savings Account( RSA) holders nationwide. The company’s vision, driven by customer-centricity and long-term value creation, has

L-R: Board member, Alert Group Limited, Mrs. Temitayo Alabi;

remained consistent in the face of economic shifts and regulatory changes.”

Beyond numbers, he noted that the organisation has built a reputation for integrity and service excellence and, “It was one of the first PFAs to adopt digital platforms for pension management, ensuring seamless access for customers, and has continued to innovate across service delivery, customer engagement, and brand experience.“

and Merey (Venezuela).

Saharan Blend

(Gabon), Iran Heavy

Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE)

Abuja-based lawyer, Barr. Funmi Kazeem; President, Alert Group Limited, Dr. Kazeem Olanrewaju; Board member, Alert Group Limited, Prof. Haruna Kazeem; CEO, Green Bucks Limited, Hachem Bdeir; Board member, Alert Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Akindileni Frederick; CEO, Alert Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Raji Saheed; Chief People Officer, Alert Group Limited, Mrs. Okoko Priscilla; Board Chairman, Auto Bucks Lenders Limited, Mr. Donald Ayodele; Board Member, Alert Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Otitolaiye Olajide; Board member, Alert Microfinance Bank Limited, Dr. Ajayi Sunday and Board member, Auto Bucks Lenders Limited, Omar Niaz during Alert Group customer forum held in Lagos

Kayode Tokede

SEC, SMEDAN to Champion SMEs Financing through Capital Market

Kayode Tokede

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), yesterday said it is collaborating with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to implement joint nationwide sensitization campaigns on “Financing SMEs through the Capital Market.”

The Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who stated this during a

meeting with SMEDAN in Abuja, said the agencies will also co-brand financial literacy content and SME investment-readiness toolkits.

Agama said the purpose of the meeting is to initiate a strategic collaboration between the SEC and the SMEDAN to support small business financing through access to the capital.

The engagement, he said, aligns with the mandate of SEC’s newly established Office

of Small Business Advocacy (OSBA)—created to serve as the primary interface between SEC and SMEs seeking to raise capital via securities issuance.

According to him, “SMEs represent over 90per cent of businesses in Nigeria and contribute significantly to employment and GDP. Despite their importance, most SMEs face significant barriers in accessing long-term, affordable financing.

“SEC, through the OSBA, is actively working to broaden access to market-based financing instruments for SMEs. SMEDAN is a statutory stakeholder in the MSME space with deep knowledge, nationwide networks, and relevant data infrastructure to support SME development and a collaborative framework between SEC and SMEDAN will foster synergies for policy innovation, capacity building, and SME investment

readiness.”

The SEC DG disclosed that the Commission seeks to formalize a partnership with SMEDAN to implement coordinated interventions in Data Sharing by secure access to reliable and verified SME data to enable capital market outreach and segmentation and joint use of SME analytics for market readiness assessments and policy insights.

He said, “We also hope to design and deliver training

programs for SMEs on capital market funding opportunities, governance, and compliance as well as co-host a National SME Capital Market Summit in Q3 or Q4 to showcase financing opportunities for SMEs”.

Agama emphasised the need to harness Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potentials through inclusive capital formation saying, “There will be no economy without the capital market.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF APRIL/15/25

ICAN NGX CORPORATE REPORTING AWARDS...

Monitor Activities of Rivers Administrator, Speaker Abbas Charges Oversight C’ttee

Asks Ibas to report to National Assembly for approvals

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has inaugurated a 21-man committee to oversee the affairs of the sole administration in Rivers State.

The Speaker stated that with the declaration of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suspension of Governor

Siminalayi Fubara, and dissolution of the state House of Assembly, the National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility of making and amending laws for the state.

While charging the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight with monitoring the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), Abbas asked the administrator to report to the National Assembly

for legislative approvals.

Crisis a deliberate politically-induced coma, says Dele Momodu

He said, “It is instructive to recall past instances where our nation has faced similar challenges. We witnessed state emergencies in Plateau State in 2004 and Ekiti State in 2006. Similarly, in 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States after a series of deadly attacks by terrorists and militant groups. In those periods of dire security and

governance challenges, the National Assembly assumed a vital role in upholding constitutional order.

“When state institutions were suspended, the intervention of the National Assembly ensured continuity in governance. Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory

NASS Partners NIPR, Launches Campaigns on Parliamentary Policies, Legislations

As Nasarawa donates 100 hectares for NIPR Varsity take-off functions.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has revealed that the National Assembly was collaborating with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to launch public orientation campaigns that explain how policies are created and showcase the important role of parliament.

Abbas stated this yesterday after he was conferred with the Honourary Fellowship of the NIPR at the Second Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit in collaboration with Ministry of Information with the theme: “Integrity and the Evolving Roles of Spokespersons in Leadership Communication,”

The occasion was attended by the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris; former information ministers including, John Nwodo, Frank

Nweke, Labaran Maku, Prof. Jerry Gana, and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Dignitaries on the occasion also included, former Governor Segun Osoba; President spokespersons including Bayo Onanuga and Sunday Dare; Mr. John Momoh, Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre IssaOnilu; Tosin Dokpesi among others.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives said the National Assembly and NIPR initiative could significantly enhance public understanding and reduce negative perceptions.

Abbas said: “By combining our efforts, we can ensure clear, effective, and inclusive communication.

“Moreover, targeted training programmes for press officers and parliamentary committees - guided by global best practices - will help translate complex legislative matters

into narratives that resonate with all Nigerians.

“After 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has reached a stage where the way we communicate leadership and policy must reflect the maturity of our democratic process.”

He stressed the need for an active and ongoing partnership between those who govern and those who are governed.

He said: “This relationship should be built on truth, inclusion, and mutual respect.

“In an era when misinformation can spread faster than facts and erode public trust, the necessity for honest, clear, and inclusive communication cannot be overstated”.

Abbas noted that in the current challenging information landscape, the role of spokespersons had evolved from being mere mouth-

Hajj 2025: Appoint Hajj Ad hoc Officials on Merit, CSO Tasks NAHCON, SMPWBs

As the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Hajj 2025 inches closer, Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR), a registered faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO) that reports and advocates workable Hajj policies has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/ Agencies and Commissions to lay down a merit-based procedure in the selection and appointment of ad hoc officials for the forth coming hajj exercise.

IHR said the call became impera-

tive because of previous experiences where some government-appointed ad hoc Hajj officials abandoned their primary responsibilities of assisting, guiding and serving Nigerian pilgrims as soon as they step their feet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“They are often also the first contingent to be flown home, effectively abandoning the very pilgrims they are supposed to assist in Saudi Arabia,” the CSO said.

IHR in a statement signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad on Tuesday said the

roles of officials are extremely crucial to the success of Hajj operations because neither NAHCON nor States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have enough manpower to provide adequate services for Nigerian pilgrims, especially during offshore operations.

IHR said: “NAHCON and States’ Muslim Pilgrims Boards should adopt a merit-based criterion for selection of adhoc teams like what is obtained in Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and other top Hajj participating countries.

pieces to becoming custodians of public trust.

He noted that under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Ike Neliaku, the NIPR had made significant progress by launching initiatives such as the Nigerian Spokesperson’s Charter and Practice Code that set high ethical standards and promote transparency.

“The new digital membership system, he stated, would ensure that only qualified practitioners represent organisations, while discounted registration fees for young professionals and individuals with disabilities promote inclusivity in the field.

“Accordingly, in response to the President’s declaration and in accordance with our constitutional duty, the Official Gazette of the State of Emergency was duly transmitted to both the House and Senate.

“On 20th March 2025, the chambers deliberated extensively and approved the President’s request with significant amendments designed to reinforce democratic safeguards and ensure robust oversight.

“These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for implementation. The Certified True Copies of this will be made available to this committee.

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).

“His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored”

“The administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by

the Constitution.”

The Speaker noted that the moment marked not only a critical milestone in the parliament’s constitutional mandate but also a display of the lawmakers’ dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in the country.

Rivers State Crisis a Deliberate Politically Induced Coma, Says Dele Momodu

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, has criticised the political developments in Rivers State, alleging it was a calculated attempt to destabilise the region for personal and political gain.

Momodu, who spoke during an interview on Arise Prime-time, accused powerful political figures of deliberately inducing turmoil in the oil-rich state.

“There was no political upheaval in Rivers, it was deliberately induced,” he said, likening the state’s situation to ‘an induced coma’.

He pointed fingers at former governor, Nyesom Wike, saying his refusal to relinquish control even after a ministerial appointment played a key role in the unfolding crisis.

According to Momodu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint a sole administrator in Rivers was “a move to dismantle or even destroy and reconstitute the structures” of governance, further inflaming tensions.

Sudan War: Govt Alleges 450 IDPs, Humanitarian Workers Killed by Militias in Savage Reprisal

The Sudanese Government has expressed profound concern and unequivocal condemnation of the continued campaign of terror and genocide being waged by the terrorist Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia against civilian populations in and around the city of El Fasher, insisting that 450 civilians - mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) - have so far been killed, including children and women, during the savage attacks.

The government, through a statement issued on Tuesday by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alleged that in recent days, this criminal militia has launched a series of brutal assaults on camps for internally displaced persons - most notably

the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps - as well as on residential neighbourhoods within El Fasher.

The statement read that: “Around 450 civilians -IDPs- were so far killed, including children and women, during these savage attacks. Among the victims were 9 humanitarian workers and medical staff.

“These heinous acts constitute a blatant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736 and a grave breach of international humanitarian law, particularly the provisions enshrined in the Geneva Conventions regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

“The ministry extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and conveys its sincere wishes for the speedy recovery

of the wounded.

“In light of these egregious crimes, the ministry calls upon the sisterly and friendly nations, regional and international organisations, and the international community at large to denounce these atrocities in the strongest possible terms and to stand resolutely with the people of Sudan in these critical times.

“Furthermore, the ministry reiterates the demand that the Janjaweed RSF militia be designated a terrorist group, its regional sponsors and backers be called out and compelled to stop supplying the militia with the weapons, ammunition and mercenaries that it uses to pursue its campaign of genocide in Darfur. Impunity and leniency will only embolden the militia and its sponsors to continue their heinous crimes.

L–R: Corporate Governance Consultant, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Adesola Alonge; CEO, NGX Regulation Limited, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo; 60th President, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Davidson Alaribe; Acting Company Secretary/General Counsel, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Edward Imoedemhe; and GM, Finance, Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Adetaiwo Osindero, during the ICAN/ NGX Corporate Reporting Awards in Lagos, yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Funmi Ogundare in Lagos and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

DECORATION OF UNION BANK’S CEO AND CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER...

L–R: Director, Seaport Operations, NDLEA, Madam Omolade Faboyede,

B. Oni, during the decoration of Union Bank’s CEO and Chief Compliance Officer for their immense contributions and partnership in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), held at Stallion Plaza, Marina, Lagos, last Friday

Idris: We Don’t Expect Full-blown Crisis in Oil Sector, Despite Intermittent Disruptions

IEA cuts 2025

The federal government has said that it does not foresee a major crisis in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, despite recent attacks on key infrastructure in the Niger Delta, which have been linked to the political crisis in Rivers State.

Speaking in an interview with France 24, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that although there were challenges in the industry, the federal government did not envisage an escalation.

Nigeria’s reliance on the oil sector has long been a defining feature of its economy, with crude accounting for over 90 per cent of its export earnings and about 60 per cent of government revenue, making the economy vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations and local disruptions.

Data for March production showed that the country’s crude oil output dropped to 1.4 million barrels per day, as per the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota, and 1.6 million bpd, when condensate is added. The drop in production has been attributed to the attacks on pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

In addition, the international prices of oil had recently fallen significantly, slumping below $60 per barrel last week, on Donald Trump’s unbridled tariffs.

Asked whether Nigeria was seeing a full-fledged crisis in the oil sector

demand

now, especially the prices declining, Mohammed said, “No, I don’t think so. I think that what we are seeing are just little issues here and there.

“And the oil chief or the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) that was fired, as you said, they’ve been there for a while now. And so it is expected that at some point these kinds of changes could happen.

“But I don’t think there’s so much turbulence. I think that the markets are fairly stable. We have pockets of people, some extremists going to the oil pipelines to create some problems there. But I don’t think that it is significant yet to see a major disruption within our oil supply system yet.”

Idris also acknowledged Nigeria’s exposure to the global tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, and expressed delight that there had been a pause.

He stated, “We’re a player on the global scene. And, therefore, the tariffs are also affecting us. So we have our concerns. But it’s heart-warming to hear that there is a pause now. Let’s see what that does.

“We do hope that at the end of the day, the Nigerian and other governments around the world will find the right balance for it. We don’t want this to escalate. We want to have the right balance for everyone to practise trade.”

Idris also responded to issues on

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which had declined in the last 10 years, explaining that it has grown under the Bola Tinubu administration.

He said, “Since the government of President Bola Tinubu came in, there has been some upward movement. In the first quarter of 2024, we saw the GDP moving from about 2.3 per cent to about 3.84 per cent.

“And we are already beginning to see that indication, that it is going to

go even further up. So, yes, we had this decline in the last decade, but we have also seen some movement up. And I think that it’s going to get better.”

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) downgraded its outlook for global oil demand growth in 2025, warning that a weakening global economy and rising trade tensions are weighing heavily on consumption.

In its monthly oil market report released yesterday, the Paris-based

agency revised its demand growth forecast down by 300,000 barrels per day, to 730,000 bpd for 2025.

The IEA expected the slowdown to continue into 2026, when demand was projected to rise by just 690,000 bpd—one of the slowest rates in recent years.

The downgrade came despite a strong first quarter, in which global oil consumption rose by 1.2 million bpd—its fastest pace since 2023.

However, that momentum was expected to fade amid a more fragile

Wale Igbintade

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Egho Amiebelomo, yesterday testified before the Federal High Court in Lagos in the ongoing N152 million fraud case involving Chief Executive Officer of Oak Homes Limited, Olukayode Olusanya, and his company.

Olusanya and his company were facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, fraud, and stealing, brought against them by the Nigeria

127 Nigerians Die of Lassa Fever in First Quarter 2025, Says NCDC

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that a total of 127 persons died from Lassa Fever disease out of 674 confirmed cases within the first quarter of this year.

According to the weekly update report on Lassa fever epidemiology by NCDC, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 local government areas in 2025. For instance, a summary of the current week (14) and cumulative epidemic report of week 14, 2025 indicated a significant reduction in Lassa Fever infection in comparison with the previous year (2024).

The report showed a marked reduction in the number of fatalities recorded this year from that of 2024,

from 151 deaths to 127. Also, the number of confirmed cases of Lassa Fever dropped from 817 in the week 14 of 2024 to 674 confirmed cases within the same period in 2025.

The Centre said that in week 14, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 14 in week 13, of 2025 to 15.

These cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe States

The report showed that, “cumulatively in week 14, 2025, 127 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.8 percent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.5 percent).

It also said: “In total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 Local

economic backdrop, particularly in advanced economies, where industrial activity and freight transport remain under pressure. At the same time, oil prices fell sharply in recent weeks, reflecting growing concerns about oversupply and faltering demand. Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped around $10 per barrel since March, falling to $65 and briefly dipping below $60 earlier this month—the lowest level since 2021.

Court Hears Testimony in N152m Fraud Case Against Oak Homes CEO

Police.

He was arraigned on November 26, 2024, and pleaded not guilty.

According to the police, Olusanya conspired with the company’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Lynda Umeh – currently at large – to defraud a Nigerian-American engineer, Anthony Ugbebor.

The prosecution alleged that between November 8, 2017, and August 4, 2020, the duo deceived Ugbebor into paying N152 million for two three-bedroom apartments at Oak Residence, Victoria Island, with a promise to hand over possession by February 28, 2019 – a promise that was never fulfilled.

At the last adjourned date on February 10, 2025, the prosecution sought to tender the complainant’s petition and the defendant’s statement as evidence, but the defence

objected to their admissibility.

Justice Musa Kakaki had reserved ruling until April 15.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Kakaki admitted the complainant’s petition as evidence, marking it as Exhibit A.

However, the court rejected the defendant’s confessional statement, ruling that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

During the hearing, Amiebelomo, the first prosecution witness, testified that he invited three individuals during his investigation – Mrs. Kofo Coker, Mr. Seye, and Mr. Shuiabu – and obtained documents from them, including a payment receipt and an offer letter from Oak Homes dated 2017, which Ugbebor accepted.

forecast amid global slowdown signs Rejects confessional statement Lagos Deputy Governor Hamzat Condemns Eko Disco Over Outrageous Electricity Bill

Government Areas (Figures 2 and 3). Seventy-one (71 percent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Bauchi and Edo) while 28 percent were reported from 15 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 71 percent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 30%, Bauchi 25 percent, and Edo 16 percent “.

NCDC noted that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30 years).

It explained that the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8, while the number of suspected cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.

NCDC said that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14.

Sunday Ehigiator

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday called out Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over an outrageous bill of N29 million he received at his official residence in April 2025, as against the N2.7 million he received in March 2025. Speaking at a roundtable between the Lagos State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) held in Victoria Island, on

Monday, April 14, Hamzat said the electricity provider, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), had also frustrated his efforts to install a prepaid meter despite payment. According to him, “I am a perfect example,” he said. “Last month, the bill for the official residence was N2.7 million. This month, Eko DisCo sent a bill of N29 million. I sent it to the Commissioner for Energy. It’s crazy. I procured a meter to avoid estimated billing, but

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Adeleke Agboola (SAN), Amiebelomo confirmed the complainant’s petition was dated and submitted on December 27, 2023. He also admitted that he saw the complainant for the first time when the case was referred to his department by the ASP, and Ugbebor made and signed his statement in his presence. However, Amiebelomo stated that he was not a signature expert. He also revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously handled the matter, but he was unaware that Olusanya had refunded N110 million to EFCC via bank draft. He further stated that Olusanya never mentioned the repayment during his investigation.

converting it has been an ordeal.” Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, said the issue of arbitrary electricity charges was affecting not just high-profile officials but also everyday Lagosians. He cited the case of a resident in Coker Aguda, Surulere, who was issued a bill of N2.8 million, more than his annual rent of N2 million.

“Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” Hamzat said.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

DCGN; Chief Compliance Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Abigail Duopama-Obomanu; Director, Asset and Financial Investigation, NDLEA, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, DCGN; and Managing Director/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Yetunde

in Abuja

LAUNCH AND TOUR OF THE EDRYV EV FACILITY...

L–R: Executive Director, Folti Technologies, Mr. Lanre Badmus; Managing Director, Emadeb Energy and Chairman, Ibom Upstream, Mr. Debo Olujimi; Managing Director, Ashgrove Energy, Mr. Mahmud Tukur; Managing Director, Newcross Petroleum, Mr. Bolaji Ogundare; and Founder/Managing Director, Folti Technologies, Mr. Ahmad Damcida, owners of eDryv electric vehicle e-hailing services, at the official launch and tour of the eDryv EV facility in Victoria Island, Lagos

Atiku: Coalition is a Movement to Save Nigeria

Nigerians have lost confidence in PDP, says Suswam Our party is finished if Atiku gets 2027 ticket, George warns

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Atiku, who spoke through his spokesman, Paul Ibeh said, “the coalition is not about Atiku, it has gone beyond that. It is like the G34 movement that rescued Nigeria from long years of military rule. It is not a desperation on the side of Atiku.

‘’It is like the G34 where Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Abubakar Rimi, Francis Ellah, Sule Lamido stood their ground,

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has rebuffed the party’s governors opposed to any coalition, stating that, the coalition was a movement to save Nigeria from the misrule of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, likened the coalition to the G34 group that midwifed the PDP and eventually saw the return of the military to the barracks.

insisting that Military rule in Nigeria must end.

‘’This movement, this time around is not about military rule, but the movement to save Nigeria from the misrule of the APC. The coalition is about Nigeria.

‘’The PDP governors no doubt is an important arm of the party, but when the push comes to shove, there will be alignments and realignment. When the time comes they will see the

light and will join the band wagon,’’ Atiku’s aide stated.

But a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has decried PDP’s current situation, saying Nigerians had completely lost confidence in the party.

Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, Suswam said many people and stakeholders were no longer interested in the opposition party because of its lingering crisis

Court Dismisses Suit to Oust 27 Rivers Lawmakers over Alleged Defection to APC

State judiciary dismiss magistrate’s claims of resignation

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has dismissed suit filed by Labour Party in Rivers State against the alleged defection of suspended Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers.

The presiding Judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile, in his judgment cited the judgment of Supreme Court, which he said touched on the issue of defection and declared that he could` not preside on a matter that have already been decided by the apex court

The Labour Party had filed the suit challenging the legitimacy of 27 lawmakers accused of defecting to the APC.

The ruling, delivered yesterday by Justice Obile, cited a lack of jurisdiction due to a binding Supreme Court judgment, prompting the Labour Party to vow an appeal.

In Suit No: FHC/PH/25/2024, the Labour Party went to court seeking

to have the lawmakers’ seats declared vacant, arguing that their defection violated constitutional provisions under Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

But Justice Obile in his judgement held that the court was bound by Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which mandated adherence to Supreme Court decisions.

Referencing the February 28, 2025, Supreme Court ruling, the judge stated that the apex court had resolved the issue, confirming that the 27 lawmakers did not defect.

“The Supreme Court’s judgment is binding on this court,” Justice Obile declared, saying, “The issue of the lawmakers’ status has been settled, and this court lacks jurisdiction to reopen it.”

Meanwhile, Rivers State Judiciary has dismissed the reason given by retired Chief Magistrate, Ejike KingGeorge for his retirement as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State. The magistrate had tendered his

resignation from service, citing the unlawful appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the political affairs of the state.

In the letter, addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission Magistrate on April 11, 2025, George said the appointment of a sole administrator was tantamount to a ‘quasi-military administration’.

In the letter titled: “Voluntary Retirement from Service”, George expressed dismay over the direction of the governance of the state, which he said was “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession.

“This is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State. This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours.

NRC to Partner Rivers, Abia, Others on Smooth Rail Service

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed plans to partner with Rivers, Abia, and other state governments to revive and ensure smooth rail service across the states.

Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this when he led his team on a familiarisation tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Addressing journalists immediately after the tour, Opeifa said that the corporation had earlier commenced partnership with the

Plateau government tagged “Rail on the Plateau”.

During his tour on facilities in the Eastern District office in Port Harcourt, Opeifa stated that the NRC was going to continue the inspection to evaluate how the Rivers State government can key into the project.

Opeifa explained that the narrowgauge tracks pass through Port Harcourt to Aba, noting that the state government can also participate.

“So, we will be looking at the potential that will make it work. Plateau State has started ‘Rail on the Plateau’, so we’ll see what Rivers

State Government will come out with.

“And when we move on from here tomorrow, we will be in Aba, we are also going to examine what goes on in the coaches, and the train. We are also going to witness the return of the train from Aba and speak to some of the passengers to know what they feel. But more importantly, customer service is key.

“We appeal to people from the private sector, if you have the capacity to run services on this track, and you can invest in coaches and locomotives, you are welcome.

“Milord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.

“Having put in a whopping 16 out of my 22 years of legal practice into this Judiciary as Magistrate under successive democratic administrations, I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naïve acquiescence.”

Reacting, however, the Chief Registrar of Rivers State High Court, DavidIhua-Maduenyi said George was compulsorily retired from service with effect from February 10, 2025 for disciplinary reasons bordering on complaints of continuous absence from duty without leave from August 2025, 2023 till December, 2024.

and leadership failure.

“There are many fundamental problems in PDP and those problems have not been sorted out. So, a lot of people, in their minds are no longer in PDP, a lot of stakeholders and that’s because of the failure of leadership in PDP,” he stated. He maintained that for the PDP to stand a chance in the 2027 presidential election, it has to fix its leadership problem and present a credible candidate. The ex-governor condemned the practice of giving the party’s presidential ticket to the highest bidder.

He stressed that the PDP, with its structure all over the country, should not be struggling to win elections.

“Two factors that can enhance PDP’s chances in the next election.

The first is transparent leadership. People have lost confidence in PDP completely.

“This is a party that has structures all over the country, but because of a lack of good leadership, that has diminished substantially.

“The second issue is the candidate. When we talk about candidates, let us have people who have interests. It is not just about somebody sitting and saying I want to be presidential candidate of PDP, that will not suffice.”

On his part, Bode George, a chieftain of the party said if Atiku emerged the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, it would signify the end of the PDP in Nigerian politics.

George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, has said the opposition would collapse if former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar

emerged its 2027 presidential candidate.

Speaking on a Television programme, the PDP chieftain said, “If he (Atiku) picks it (PDP’s ticket), that is the end of this party. If he picks it by manipulation which was what was done the last time, we will not accept it,” he said.

Atiku, who has been contesting for Nigeria’s president for over three decades, came second in the 2023 presidential election, defeated by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ahead of the 2027 election, Atiku has championed an inter-party alliance that birthed a coalition, which was announced on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as a springboard to wrest power from the Tinubu-led government. The coalition, which included the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai as arrowheads, was banking on the numerical strength of the votes Atiku and Obi recorded in the 2023 poll.

Speaking on a television programme, George praised the PDP governors for rejecting the coalition led by Atiku, saying Atiku has not shown himself to be a leader of the party because he has not made efforts to resolve the crisis rocking the party.

“No, if he is the leader of the party, he would have waded into it (the crisis). The fact that he was the presidential candidate of the party at the last election doesn’t mean he is a bona fide, fixated leader of the party. If he’s running for his private interest, it’s different from the interest of the party.

Sex Scandal: Agbakoba Raises Timeline Contradictions in Natasha’s Allegation

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has picked holes in the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying it has significant timeline contradictions.

Agbakoba, who is Akpabio’s lawyer, and made the remark during a press conference in his office in Lagos, said the allegation, “as it currently stands, falls short of the threshold for proving sexual harassment anywhere in the world.”

In a letter dated April 14, 2025 and addressed to AkpotiUduaghan, he asserted that while individuals should feel safe to speak

up in an ideal society, the principles of justice, which required evidence and fairness must be upheld.

The renowned lawyer wrote the letter to the Kogi Senator, on the instruction of the Senate President, asking her to clarify the contradictions in her allegations, which were published widely in local and international newspapers.

The letter was titled: “Re: Your Allegation of Sexual Harassment Against Senator Godswill Akpabio”, stated: “This widespread coverage has damaged our client’s reputation locally and internationally. We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions that we have referred, while our client reserves the right to all legal options.”

He specifically pointed out that the warm, celebratory tone and

personal affection expressed in the public message the suspended Senator posted a day after the alleged harassment presented a significant timeline contradiction that could not be overlooked. Agbakoba noted that the embattled Senator had claimed that she was sexually harassed by Akpabio on December 8, 2023, but she went on social media to eulogise the same Senate President a day after that.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that she was sexually harassed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio on December 8, 2023. However, merely a day later, on December 9, 2023, she publicly posted favourable messages about the Senate President on both her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

Segun James

RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE...

L–R: Chairman, Energy Times Editorial Board, Mallam Yakubu Lawal; District Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, New Oko Oba, Rev. Dr. Wole Adebayo; and Group Financial Division Manager, Oando PLC, Mr. Anthony Ituen, at the Energy Times Awards 2025 in Lagos, where Oando and its Group Chief Executive, Mr. Wale Tinubu, CON, were honoured as the Emerging Major Oil Company of the Year and Group Chief Executive of the Year, respectively

Sanwo-Olu Urges Stakeholders to Leverage on Unbundling of Power Sector

Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on industry experts and stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector to leverage on the unbundling of the sector by the federal government.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the critical role energy plays in economic growth and development, stressing that reforming the sector is essential for industrialisation and improved quality of life.

Also, a former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who was guest

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Lagos Energy Summit, themed: ‘’Journey to Energy for All’’, the governor emphasised that unbundling holds the key to delivering sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to Nigerians.

may be compelled to raise interest rates in a bid to control inflation and stabilise the naira.

‘However, higher interest rates will increase the cost of borrowing for businesses, including manufacturers, and could stifle domestic investment.

“The ripple effects will be felt by consumers, as firms pass on higher costs through increased prices for goods and services. This will exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and further strain household incomes.”

MAN stated that the tariff hike would halt investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s economy, which had been striving to position itself as a manufacturing hub in West Africa, partly by attracting foreign direct investment from firms interested in tapping into both domestic and export markets.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “The new tariff regime makes Nigeria a less attractive proposition for such investors, particularly those who view access to the U.S. market as a key strategic advantage.

“In 2023 alone, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector attracted over $1.6 billion in capital importations. That figure could decline significantly in 2025 if investor confidence is not restored through robust policy responses.”

Ajayi-Kadir also said MAN was wary of potential pressure on Nigeria to reciprocate by reducing its tariffs on U.S. goods in the name of so called fair trade.

But the reality, according to him, was that lowering tariffs on U.S. imports could flood the Nigerian market with subsidised goods, thereby undermining local producers.

He stated, “Another key concern is the risk of policy diversion. Nigeria has, in recent years, made commendable strides toward achieving self-sufficiency in several manufacturing segments and diversifying away from oil.

“However, succumbing to external pressures to liberalise trade prematurely would reverse these gains. Instead of supporting domestic production, such actions would signal to investors and industrialists that Nigeria lacks a coherent long-term trade and industrial policy.

“Furthermore, the absence of institutional capacity to engage in sophisticated trade negotiations places Nigeria in a vulnerable position. While countries with advanced legal and economic institutions may be able to negotiate favourable terms, Nigeria is at a disadvantage due to capacity constraints. This could lead to suboptimal agreements that serve foreign interests more than domestic development objectives.”

Farouk Ahmed: Blame Trump’s Inconsistent Tariff Policies for Reduction in Crude Oil Prices

Briefing newsmen at State House, Abuja, Ahmed warned that Trump’s reintroduced protectionist trade policies – particularly new tariffs targeting key global economies – were fuelling uncertainty in international oil markets, driving volatility and dampening investors’ confidence.

He said, “The global oil market today is reacting sharply to the erratic tariffing policies of the new American government.

“These tariffs are not only aimed at China but are sweeping across multiple countries and regions. They are unsettling the balance of demand and supply, particularly in the energy sector.”

Ahmed emphasised that the unpredictability surrounding the U.S. government’s economic direction was forcing investors and traders into short-term, high-risk decisions.

According to him, “The problem is

speaker at the event, echoed the governor’s sentiments, noting that decentralising power generation and distribution allows for increased efficiency, competition, and innovation. He urged stakeholders to harness emerging technologies and investment opportunities to drive long-term solutions for Nigeria’s energy challenges. Both leaders reiterated the need for collaborative efforts across govern-

not just the tariffs. It’s the inconsistency. One day, a major policy is announced; the next, it is reversed or escalated. This kind of back-and-forth has made it almost impossible for investors to make long-term plans.”

The NMDPRA boss said many oil traders were now operating on a “daily strategy,” buying and selling within 24 hours due to fears of sudden policy swings from Washington.

“We’re seeing traders close out by the end of each day because they’re unsure what tomorrow’s news from the U.S. will bring. This isn’t healthy for the global market,” Ahmed said.

He also raised concerns that the Trump administration’s energy posture appeared to favour lower crude oil prices – possibly below the $50-per-barrel mark – through a combination of aggressive domestic drilling and strategic manipulation of global supply lines.

Ahmed explained, “There is a policy direction from the U.S. president to push crude oil prices down.

“Part of that includes encouraging massive domestic exploration and placing pressure on international suppliers through tariffs and trade negotiations.”

He warned that the drive could have ripple effects for oil-dependent economies like Nigeria, which rely heavily on crude exports for revenue and foreign exchange inflows.

Nigeria, which exports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil, is particularly vulnerable to price fluctuations driven by external shocks.

The 2025 budget was benchmarked on a projected oil price of $74 per barrel, meaning the country could face revenue shortfalls if prices dropped significantly below that mark.

Ahmed’s remarks came at a time when the federal authorities were already grappling with forex pressures, slow subsidy reforms, and efforts to

ment, private sector, and regulatory bodies to ensure that reforms translate into real benefits for the populace.

The former minister commended Sanwo-Olu for his earlier steps on electricity sustainability from the Bola Tinubu administration, stating that 80 million Nigerians lack electricity supply and urged governments at all levels to take decisive actions to address the gap.

“In the next 20 years, natural gas

attract investment under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He warned, “The volatility we’re seeing today is not just market-driven – it’s policy-driven, coming from one of the world’s most influential economies. And for countries like Nigeria, that’s a serious concern.”

Though, Ahmed acknowledged that the oil market was naturally dynamic – affected by geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, and OPEC+ decisions – he called for greater coordination among global powers to avoid actions that might destabilise energy markets.

The call came in the wake of a significant decline in petrol importation by Nigeria, as local refineries began to play a more active role in meeting domestic fuel demand.

According to the NMDPRA boss, the Nigeria’s petrol imports dropped from 44.6 million litres per day in August 2024 to just 14.7 million litres per day by April 13, 2025 – a reduction of nearly 30 million litres daily.

The agency attributed the sharp decline to increased production from domestic refineries, particularly the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and contributions from modular refinery operators.

Ahmed described the development as a positive shift towards energy self-sufficiency.

According to him: “After contributing virtually nothing in August, local refineries ramped up production to 26.2 million litres per day by early April. This marks a significant jump from just 3.4 million litres recorded in September - the first month with measurable output.”

He stated that local supply rose by a remarkable 67 per cent over the period under review, driven primarily by the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery and increased activity among modular refineries.

will be the fuel to power electricity with about 210 trillion cubic feet of gas,” he stated.

In his address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the summit would lay the foundation for a sustainable future that would make the city conducive for all.

He held that the state government would continue to engage the audi-

Despite the improvement, Ahmed pointed out that Nigeria’s total daily PMS supply surpassed the government’s benchmark consumption target of 50 million litres only twice in the past eight months—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February 2025.

He explained, “In March, supply slightly dipped below the target at 51.5 million litres per day, and in the first half of April, it further dropped to 40.9 million litres.”

Ahmed also emphasised that NMDPRA only issued import licenses based on actual supply needs, stating that the authority remains committed to balancing domestic output with strategic imports to maintain market stability.

The significant drop in petrol imports was seen as a critical step toward reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign fuel, strengthening energy security, and conserving scarce foreign exchange.

Ahmed stated, “Obviously, we see a downward trajectory, like I said earlier, in terms of products pricing and crude oil pricing. So we are happy, of course, as consumers of the derivatives of pricing that the price is coming low.

“But we look at globally as a nation, it’s not good for our economy, because our revenue inflow is also impacted. If the crude oil price like what happened previous week, Fridays, where they dropped in one day from about $74 $73 a barrel to 60. You can see that in terms of our production of crude oil, our revenue is impacted severely.

“So you can look at the revenue inflow into the country were compounded with the problem of vandalism and illegal bunkering and the low protection. Because recently, we just had a report from OPEC that Nigerian protection has come down to about 1.4 million barrels a day. And

ence and carry out quality research to shape the future that would make Lagos a more livable place to activate innovations and ideas.

Ogunleye also said the event would be a key e-mobility platform to have a root for the Lagos gas master plan, make the city a choice destination for everyone to live their dreams and partner with the private sector while creating a community of interest across the divide.

then, if we lose the price to by $10, you can see the negative impact to our economy, to our national reserves, as well as across the strength of our naira.”

He added, “But again, when you look at the products market, we are happy to say, Oh, the price is coming down.

“So this volatility will continue, because as recent as yesterday, when President Trump again exempted some sectors from tariff, particularly to China, like in terms of vehicular tariffing, You saw the market again, started to go up. So this is how it will continue to show. Just to give you a general perspective of the oil industry.”

On refining operations, the NMDPRA CEO explained that six licenced private and four public refineries currently produced 1.12 million barrels per day. According to Ahmed, “Six licensed private plants account for 679,500 bpd of the total. The Dangote single train complex refines 650,000 bpd.

“Other modular sites include Aradel (11,000 bpd), OPAC (10,000 bpd) and Waltersmith (5,000 bpd), Duport Midstream Limited (2,500 bpd) and Edo Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited (1000 bpd).

“State owned facilities add 445,000 bpd. The refurbished Port Harcourt complex (150,000 bpd), Warri (125,000 bpd), Kaduna (110,000 bpd) and the old Port Harcourt unit (60,000 bpd) make up the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s share.”

The NMDPRA boss said it had issued 47 licences to Establish (LE) covering 1.75 million bpd and 30 Licences to Construct (LC) for 1.23 million bpd. Only four plants currently held Licenses to Operate, and these together gave a 27,000 bpd in steady output.

DOMINION CITY ANNUAL PROGRAMME – CAMP MEETING 2025...

Resident Pastor of

briefing to announce the Church’s annual programme – Camp Meeting 2025 – billed for 17th to 21st April, with the theme: “Revival and Multiplication,”

S H e TTI m A : We’re Bu I l DI ng A Coun T r Y for Worker S the APC from the ground up. It’s hard work, it’s risky work. We will succeed by the grace of God, but even if we fail, let it go down in history that some people tried and stood up to challenge tyranny and incompetence and grand corruption at all levels. This is what we are trying to do.

Responding to the APC chairman’s remarks that nobody could unseat Tinubu in 2027, he said, “I have nothing to say. Silence is usually the best answer to people like that.

“The quality of governance in the country is appalling. This is the worst government in Nigeria’s history. I’m 65 years old. I have seen every government in Nigeria since independence. This is the worst.

“And if they think that nothing will happen, that Nigerians are helpless, that all of us will just fold our arms and allow this country to be run aground, they are making a mistake. Nigerians will challenge them. Nigerians will teach them a lesson. Nigerians will put their arrogance to rest by the special grace of God.”

The erstwhile Kaduna governor, hinted that he was in Katsina to condole with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda over the demise of his mother.

“I came to Katsina state to condole with the governor of the state on the death of his mother, as well as condole with my elder brother, who also lost his grand-uncle, and use the opportunity to catch up with my colleagues and leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“The state chairman happened to be my classmate in Barewa College. We first met in Barewa College in 1972. We have a long relationship. I said it’s a good opportunity to meet with him, as well as other political leaders in Katsina that we are trying to persuade to join the SDP.

Kwankwaso: Perpetrators of Plateau Killings Must Be Brought to Book

Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in 2023, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators of the heinous killings in Plateau State were brought to book.

He asked the federal government to rise to their responsibility to ensure Plateau State did not become a hotbed of violence by ensuring that lives and property were protected.

Kwankwaso, in a post on his verified Facebook handle, said: “I am saddened to learn of the attack on the Zike community, Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which resulted in the death of 51 people and destruction of several properties.

“This sad attack came after over 50 persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities in the state.

“It is important that Plateau State must not be allowed to become a hotbed of violence and wanton destruction again after the relative peace it has enjoyed in recent years.

“The federal government must rise to its responsibility to ensure that all lives and properties are protected and the message of peace should be embraced by everyone in the state and beyond.

“I extend my condolences to the government and people of Plateau State. I also urge the authorities to ensure that justice is served by bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book,” Kwankwaso stated.

IGP to Attackers: Your Days Are Numbered

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has warned the criminals attacking rural communities in Plateau State that their days were numbered.

He also assured the people of federal government’s commitment to ensuring adequate security in the state and the region.

Egbetokun gave the assurance during a visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, following the recent attacks that have claimed over 100 lives and displaced several others from their communities.

He expressed condolences to the victims and communities affected by the violence.

“We condemn these acts of violence and recognise their devastating impact, especially on local farmers. In response, we have deployed more security personnel and resources to the affected areas and are working closely with other security agencies.

“Intelligence gathering efforts have also been intensified to identify and bring the masterminds behind these attacks to justice,” he said, commending the state government’s efforts.

The IG, who assured the state that, “we will work tirelessly until these issues are resolved”, further noted that the attackers were taking advantage of the limited security manpower across the local governments, but reassured the people that the tide would soon turn.

“I assure you that these criminal elements will soon be outnumbered. I appeal to the people of Plateau to remain calm and peaceful,” he said.

Mutfwang commended the Police boss for coming to the state and described the attacks on innocent villagers as unprovoked.

We’ve Failed You, Forgive Us, Says Gov Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who paid a visit to the attacked community to sympathize with the people, expressed sorrow over the incident, admitting that despite efforts made, the government fell short in preventing the tragedy.

“The whole nation mourns with you, the international community mourns with you. I have cried since yesterday. All arrangements were put in place to avoid this, yet we failed you. On behalf of the government and security agencies, please forgive us,” he said.

The governor condemned the continuous attacks that have plagued the Irigwe land and promised renewed commitment toward ending the violence. He lamented the state of infrastructure, including poor roads, attributing it to years of neglect due to insecurity and terrorism.

“We are more determined than ever to ensure that no more innocent blood is shed on the Plateau. There’s no reason for anyone to take the law into their hands. While we continue to invest in security, communities must also rise to defend themselves. We can

no longer afford to sleep while the enemy strikes at night,” he warned.

He called on youths to stay vigilant, especially during the upcoming farming season.

“This is not the time to lament or trade blame. It’s time to unite and protect one another. The people who attack us are not ghosts — they are known, and those shielding them are complicit,” he added.

He also conveyed the assurances of President Tinubu, promising federal support for them not just to survive, but to thrive in their ancestral land.

Jang: Killings Far from Communal Disputes

A former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, has dismissed misconception that the persistent attacks and killings in the state had anything to do with communal crisis.

While noting that President Bola Tinubu might not have been accurately briefed on the state of things in the state, Jang, in a press statement personally signed, commended the president for showing determination to end the killings in the state.

“I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his tireless efforts to find a lasting solution to this crisis. His dedication to the safety and well-being of Plateau citizens is truly commendable.

“I also applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determination to stop the senseless killings of innocent citizens. His commitment to protecting the lives of Nigerians, particularly those in Plateau State, is a positive step forward.

“However, I believe it is important to address a misconception in the President’s recent statement directing Governor Mutfwang to resolve the ‘communal issue’. This suggestion appears to stem from inaccurate briefings by his advisers.

“The attacks in Plateau State are not merely communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda. It is crucial for the President to understand the true nature of these attacks in order to address them effectively.”

Jang advised the president to convene an expanded meeting with community leaders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Plateau State.

He said such a meeting would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the president to develop a more informed approach to tackling the problem.

Northern CAN Seeks Justice for Victims

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has condemned the latest killings in Bassa Local Area of Plateau state.

Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, made the condemnation in a statement yesterday.

He called on security agencies to act swiftly and apprehend perpetrators of the killings and bring them to justice.

Pam also called for an end to the senseless killings in Plateau and other parts of the country.

“We are deeply saddened and

outraged by the senseless and barbaric attacks that have claimed the lives of innocent and peace-loving citizens.

“These repeated acts of violence are not only a violation of human dignity and the sanctity of life, but they are also a direct threat to the peace and unity of our state and the nation at large,” the statement said.

The Northern CAN said it stood in solidarity with the grieving families and the entire people of Bassa LGA in this moment of pain.

“We call on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“We also urge the government at all levels to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of lives,” Pam said.

He stressed that the time had come for all stakeholders — traditional rulers, religious leaders, security operatives, and community-based organisations to unite and work together to end the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau for too long.

IPCR Decries Violence, Bloodletting, Killing

The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has expressed deep concern over the recurring violence, bloodletting, and killings in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria.

Ochogwu, in a statement, echoed President Bola Tinubu’s sentiments, condemning recent killings in Plateau and parts of Benue States as “festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities.”

He condemned the Sunday killings that resulted in several deaths, noting the region’s history of recurring conflicts and tragic loss of innocent lives.

Ochogwu urged community leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to collaborate to foster genuine and long-lasting peace.

“Efforts should focus on rebuilding trust and restoring harmony to conflict-affected areas. Understanding the context of violent attacks and addressing root causes is crucial to preventing future conflicts,” he said.

He emphasised that understanding conflict complexities and addressing root causes could promote peace and stability in Plateau and beyond.

C&S

Movement Decries

Effect of Insecurity

Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, has lamented the devastating effect of insecurity that has pervaded every part of the country and decried the bloodshed and kidnapping going on in different states in Nigeria.

The church made this known yesterday in Lagos during a press conference to mark the 56thAscension of Mount Horeb 2025, and disclosed that some members of the church in some states were kidnapped.

It said while some regained their freedom, others were killed, adding that although tragic, such incidents would not dampen their morale, rather, they spurred them to serve God more and seek to find permanent solution to the crises that have bedeviled the nation.

Chairman and Spiritual Head of the Church, His Grace, Spiritual Father, Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Adewale

Alogbo, urged Nigerians to protect one another by making useful information available to their neighbours to help them avoid dangerous places and also provide important information to security operatives to help them identify suspected criminals and take decisive action against them.

“We must play our part by providing information at our behest to our neigbours to help save them from danger. We should also give important information to the law enforcement personnel to help them carry on their jobs very effectively. Alert people who may want to go into danger if you know about it,” he said.

He noted that the mission and vision of the church was to spread the light of God and his love; nurture the spiritual lives of members, and provide meaningful support to the wider community.

AAN Says Attacks Shameful Violence Cycle

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the recent massacre in Plateau State, describing it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.

AAN, in a statement by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said it was “outraged by the savage attack on Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which left over 40 innocent Nigerians dead in a single night.

“This cold-blooded massacre, carried out in the early hours of Monday, April 14, is yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State.

“This was not a sudden or unpredictable tragedy. Community members, raised the alarms ahead of the attack. They warned of threats. They called for help.

“But once again, they were ignored. The attackers stormed Zike around midnight and operated for nearly two hours – killing, burning and destroying – while security forces were nowhere to be found.

“ActionAid Nigeria condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms and holds the Nigerian government accountable for its continued failure to protect lives of Nigerians in Plateau state and across the country.

“We stand in total and unshakable solidarity with the people of Zike and every community across Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu that has suffered these atrocities.

“These are not numbers; these are human beings, families, farmers, and children. Nigerians who deserve to live in peace and dignity. ActionAid Nigeria demands immediate and concrete action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments.

Borno Hosts Northern Emirs on Solution

As a part of solution-finding mission to the growing insecurity in the country, the Borno State Government, yesterday, hosted the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Maiduguri.

The meeting which was the 7th Executive Committee Meeting of the Council was hosted by Governor Babagana Zulum, with the main agenda being how to tackle the rising insecurity plaguing Northern Nigeria.

The meeting with the theme: “Enhanced Security As A Panacea For Stability and Development of the North” was declared open by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Zulum. In his remarks, he highlighted security and peacebuilding, agriculture and youth empowerment as the critical pillars of sustainable development in the northern region.

He also called on all stakeholders to focus on providing opportunities for the youth in northern Nigeria, saying, “Our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities.

“This vacuum is dangerous. We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship. Empowered youths are not only less vulnerable to crime or radicalisation, they become active agents of development.”

Zulum also stressed that agriculture had remained the economic lifeline for the north, hence a deliberate effort was needed to enhance farming activities across the region.

According to him, “With vast arable land and a population well-versed in farming, agriculture is our greatest opportunity. However, insecurity has displaced farmers and halted rural productivity.

“We must secure our farmlands and support modern agricultural practices to restore livelihoods and reduce dependency. In Borno, we are expanding access to inputs, mechanised farming and irrigation despite the challenges, and the results are promising.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, I assure you of our commitment to peace, justice and shared progress. Together, with faith and determination, we will rebuild the north physically, socially andChairmaneconomically.” of the Northern Traditional Rulers and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, explained that the meeting in Borno was to strengthen unity among states in the north and to deliberate on the situation in the region to support the political leadership in addressing series of problems across the north.

National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police were all represented.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, and Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, among many other Emirs across the 19 states of the northern region.

Group Warns against Sabotaging Counter-Terrorism Efforts, Lauds DSS

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA), has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for its continued patriotic contributions to national stability and its ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism. The group, however, regretted that some unpatriotic elements had launched a campaign to impugn the integrity of the DSS with the aim of inciting the public against the agency.

L–R:

Dominion City, Ajah, Pastor Chuks Anochie; Resident Pastor of Dominion City Church, Lagos Headquarters, Pastor Shola Olapade; Pastor Blaise Udunze; and Ambassador Henry Agbai, during the press

held at the Lagos headquarters at Golden Heart Place, Ajah, Lagos

Bellingham: Tonight is Made for Real Madrid, Not Arsenal

a European knockout tie on five previous occasions.

LA2028 to Feature Olympic Mixed-team Golf Event

A mixed-team golf event will be held at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles following approval by the International Olympic Committee executive board.

Organisers have said it will contested as 36-hole competition across two 18-hole rounds - foursomes and fourball - with a maximum of one team per country.

Teams will be comprised of one male and one female athlete from the individual men’s and women’s competitions being held at the Games.

The group event will take place in between the men’s and the women’s competitions at the Riviera Country Club.

Golf returned to the Olympics at

Rio 2016 after an absence of over a century, and LA 2028 will see the first team competition since St Louis Games of 1904.

International Golf Federation executive director Antony Scanlon said: “We’re excited to bring even more attention to our sport through this additional format.

“The athletes were very enthusiastic about their desire to play with their compatriots, and we look forward to watching them compete together in Los Angeles.”

TeamGB’s Justin Rose won goldin the men’s individual event in Rio just under a decade ago while Tommy Fleetwood picked up the silver medalat Paris 2024.

Investors Move into Abia’s Sports Sector, Launch Football, Cycling Tournaments

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State government’s policy of running sport as business has begun to attract investors to the sector, with the emerging sport industry being driven by private and public partnership(PPP).

Among the early investors is Fifty 1 Alliance, which has partnered government to set up the Abia State Football Supalig 5-a-Side Championship which would kickoff on May 7, 2025 with eight participating clubs.

Speaking at the official launch of the tournament at the Fifty 1 Alliance Sports Centre, Umuafor Aba, the Chairman of the sports investment/promotion firm, Mr. Dike Dimiri said that Abia was ripe for a thriving sports industry.

“There is something enormous going on in sports in Abia. And I ask sports investors to key into the Abia State sports industry,” he said.

He noted that the Abia Governor, Alex Otti has done a lot to encourage investors to come to the state hence

his decision to invest in sports and encourage other investors to follow suit.

Dimiri explained that though eight clubs have been slated to participate in the Supalig 5-a-Side Football tournament, adjustments would be made if the required number did not register before the commencement.

He stated that matches would be played on natural grass every Wednesday and would run for 12 weeks, adding that “it is better for us to play on natural surface than on synthetic (artificial) surface”.

Not only that, the organisers have also made arrangements to broadcast the tournament live on radio and stream it on U-Tube with “all participating clubs getting maximum exposure”.

The Fifty 1 Alliance has already put down N10 million prize money for the tournament with the overall winner expected to go home with N3.5 million while every team would be rewarded according to their ranking on the table.

2025 MASA Isonyin Half Marathon Gets Royal Blessings

Preparations are in full swing for the 2025 edition of the MASA Isonyin Half Marathon (MIHM), as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has officially certified the race route.

Organisers have also confirmed a new date for the highly anticipated event slated for August 23, 2025.

Adding cultural weight to the announcement, the Saderiren of Isonyin, HRH Àlaiyeluwa Oba Abdulrasheed Omotayo Cossy Salami, offered his full support and royal blessing for the event’s success.

“The MASA Isonyin Half Marathon is a welcome initiative that uplifts our youth and community. I give it my full royal blessing and urge all to support this noble cause,” the

monarch stated. The race is the brainchild of Dr. Muideen Adegboyega Salami (MASA), Ph.D., the President of MASA Foundation, whose commitment to youth empowerment and grassroots development continues to drive impactful initiatives in Ogun State and beyond.

With the theme “Running for Exposure,” the 2025 edition aims to unearth athletics talent, promote a culture of healthy living, and shine a spotlight on the rich traditions and hospitality of Isonyin, Ijebu North East Local Government, Ogun State. Over 2,500 runners from across Nigeria and abroad are expected to compete in what promises to be a vibrant and high-energy gathering.

since last week, I’ve seen a million videos - it’s really motivating stuff,” the England international told a media conference on Tuesday.

“It’s a night that’s made for Real Madrid.

“A night that would go down in history but also something that people are familiar with around this part of this world. Hopefully we can add another special night.”

Real Madrid have lost by three or more goals in the first leg of

The only time they came from behind to progress was in the 1975-76 European Cup, when they recovered from a 4-1 defeat by Derby County in the last 16 to win 5-1 at home and go through 6-5 on aggregate.

They have never achieved a comeback of this scale in the Champions League era - but Bellingham believes they can rise to the challenge at home.

“There’s not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that hasn’t already been done,” the 21-year-old said.

“Tomorrow is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time, so that’s really important to us.”

Bellingham’s England team-mate

Declan Rice was the Arsenal hero last Tuesday, scoring two of Arsenal’s goals with brilliant free-kicks.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa threatened to pull off a stunning comeback against Paris St-Germain before going out of the Champions League 3-2 on a dramatic night at Villa Park 4-5 on aggregate.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund couldn’t recover from a first-leg demolition by Barcelona to reach

Nuno Mendes doubled the French side’s lead to leave Villa needing to score at least four goals.

In a thunderous Villa Park atmosphere, Unai Emery’s team refused to yield and launched a magnificent response to put this hugely talented PSG side on the rack.

Youri Tielemans pulled one back after 34 minutes with a deflected shot before a second half of pure theatre unfolded in front a frenzied Villa Park. Villa struck twice in two minutes to spark hopes of a remarkable revival, John McGinn scoring from 20 yards after 55 minutes before defender Ezri Konsa put them ahead on the night after fantastic work by Marcus Rashford.

Gusau Heaps Plaudits on Aluo for Turning around the NNL

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has expressed his satisfaction with the leadership of the board of the Nigeria National League (NNL), following the board’s seamless organization of the country’s second tier league Gusau gave the commendation during the third edition of the NNL Monthly Awards ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.

The NFF president, who was represented at the event by the first Vice President of the federation, Felix Anyansi Agwu, said the National League has taken a new shape with giant and commendable strides since the emergence of George Aluo as it’s chairman.

He emphasized that the newly introduced monthly awards has given the league a greater face and made it more competitive as all actors, including players, coaches, referees and managers alike not only compete to be recognized and selected but ensure a transparent management and smooth flow of the league.

Earlier in his opening remarks the NNL Chairman, George Aluo, noted that the awards recipients, including players, coaches and clubs have shown enormous strength in projecting the image of the most important league in the country,

the NNL, adding that the awards is therefore designed to reward those who have performed exceptionally well in the month under review.

He expressed the board’s appreciation of the support from the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, noting that he has always give the NNL a free hand to do what he believes in, adding that he has remained very supportive in all the achievements the NNL board has recorded in the ongoing league season.

Aluo further highlighted the strength and quality of the second tier league, stating that the strong

performances of the clubs in the league have similarly been replicated in the big victories the NNL clubs have recorded in the ongoing President Federations Cup where NNL teams are upstaging their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) counterparts.

He said, “Exceptional achievements are within our reach when we stand tall on a foundation of personal integrity, hard work and unwavering determination.

“Success is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction,

and skillful execution.

“Today, I feel very privileged and honoured to stand here in front of you all and acknowledge the achievements of our brilliant Football Players, Team Officials, outstanding Team and outstanding arbiters for the Month of February, 2025 who have made themselves, their parents and their clubs proud.”

The NNL chairman noted further that the awards programme is held “to recognize the young talents who have made an immense contribution to our noble League “the most important League in Nigeria,” adding that the brilliant athletes exhibit such qualities that will not only help them in achieving their goals, but also bring glory of success to their football clubs and organizations.

“Today, we have gathered here not just to celebrate the achievements of our players, but also to give due regard to our values and morals which these awardees exemplify, like discipline, compassion and zeal for learning.”

He explained that the awards are a way to encourage good performances, good behaviour and inculcate competitive spirit, stressing that such practices informed the Nigeria National League (NNL) alongside its partners, organize monthly award ceremony to encourage outstanding footballers, officials and referees.

Jude Bellingham (centre) at training ahead Arsenal’s visit to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their quarterfinal clash

L-R: NFF bigwigs, General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi Agwu, 2nd Vice President/NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and NNL Chairman, George Aluo at the NNL/ Prostar Monthly Award yesterday in Abuja

hiGh-LEVEL STAKEhoLDERS DiALoGUE...

L–R: Director-General, The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Sola Obadimu; Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale SmattOyerinde; Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Magdalene Ajani; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Kemi Nandap; and Director-General, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Mr. Ifeanyi Oputa, during the high-level stakeholders dialogue titled “Sensitisation on the New Expatriate Administration and Other Reforms,” held in Lagos, last Friday

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We Must Rethink Africa’s Population Boom

Few things are more important to the future of the African continent than the implications of rapid population growth. We cannot wish any of its assumed potential positive implications into existence, nor should African governments wait for its equally negative possible effects to materialize, without the foundational policy and scenarios planning that is needed NOW. In 1800, the world had 1 billion people. Today we have 8.2 billion people on the planet, and we will have a population of 10 billion by 2050.

While population growth is slowing in the rest of the world, and even declining in Europe, Africa’s population is growing in leaps and bounds. Africa, with a continental population of 1.5 billion people today, will have 2.7 billion by 2050 – one quarter of the world’s projected population 25 years from now. By 2070, Africa’s population will have doubled to 3.2 billion. Of the eight countries that, together, will make up half of global population growth by 2050, five are African – Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Egypt. At current trends, Africa as a continent will likely be 40% of the world’s total population by 2100 according to population experts.

The future of the world is increasingly African, demographically speaking. Why is this happening? Because fertility rates remain high in our continent, combined with decreasing mortality rates. This trend has created an extremely young continent in terms of population, one in which 70% of Africans are under the age of 30. If the future will be increasingly ‘‘African’’ with one-third of the world’s working age population being African, will Africans automatically prosper because they have multiplied on the earth? Will Africa’s population boom be an asset or a liability? Will the 21st century be the African century?

Some have argued that it will be, and, that this population explosion – the population momentum -- means Africa is The Next Big Thing. It is politically correct to be optimistic. No one wants to be a party-pooper. And yet … The question is not Africa’s population numbers. The real question is about how prosperous or poor the billions of the new African entrants to planet earth will be. Evidence abounds that projections of Africa’s imminent transformation have often been exaggerated. The post-independence euphoria about our continent’s prospects after colonial rule ended in the 1960s were not born out, while Asia, most of which also experienced colonial rule, has made remarkable progress in human development and industrialization. In the 2000s, the ‘‘Africa Rising’’ euphoria hit the airwaves. While the continent witnessed some economic progress, it certainly did not rise, and has not risen, because the structure of the continent’s economies has barely changed from reliance on raw commodities in its international trade and revenue profile, and most African countries continue to suffer from a marked deficit in leadership and governance.

Africa’s demographic trends should be understood in a clear-eyed manner to assess accurately whether it will be an asset or a liability. First, as we all know, it has resulted in a massively young population. But will this young population have the skills, jobs, and productivity that can secure the future? Without this, the phenomenon will ultimately prove a liability – a youth bulge that will foster challenges of unrest and security. Even discounting the entrepreneurial inclinations of Africa’s youth and the changing nature of work and opportunities fostered by technology including social media, the reality is that the economies of African countries are not creating jobs for young Africans at the rates that are necessary.

Second, a massive wave of urbanization is afoot. This has implications such as the adequacy of urban infrastructure, social services, and other aspects of municipal governance. Third, Africa’s young population is putting its stamp on the world in the areas of music and the arts. Afrobeat is taking over the world. Whether in the suburban malls of Virginia, USA, or in the restaurants in Kigali, Rwanda, the likes of Rema and Davido croon away, calming the moods of customers. I am proud of their achievement. But how many jobs do musical superstars create? We should not be misled by cliches and feel-good stories and statistics. Fourth, the young generation of Africans is more self-assured than their forebears, and they are more entrepreneurial. This means that African agency, a missing factor in the continent’s development trajectory, is on the rise. Fifth, the younger the African population gets, the more the possibility rises that the texture of politics and democracy could change for the better in the years ahead. The youth, especially if well educated, will likely be impatient and demand more from aspiring political leaders in the continent. We have seen this trend in countries such as Kenya and Senegal

in recent months. In NIgeria, however, it remains only an unproven assumption.

Sixth, a population boom has implications for climate change in African countries. There will be increased demand for resources, including fossil fuels that drive higher greenhouse gas emissions. Seventh, the booming youth population has triggered more and more innovation and is responsible for the rise of the Fintech industry in the continent. But I argue that this is financialization without underlying economic productivity in goods and services.

To future-proof Africa’s booming youth population, massive investments in education (including in education reforms that transform both what young Africans are taught and how they are taught), is required. Massively boosting skills (productive knowledge) of African youth is critically needed to increase the economic productivity of African populations. This is what drove the Asian economic miracles. Investment in energy infrastructure will also boost productivity, including in the informal economy.

Strategic investment in science, technology and innovation as a core goal of public policy remains necessary. This is an area of natural competitive advantage for African youth, but it remains a low priority for too many governments on the continent. Innovation ecosystems need to be supported by governments in African countries. Other than South Africa, Kenya is one of very few African countries truly investing in technology and innovation as a major plank of public policy. Private sector investments without strategic policy support are unlikely to yield the kind of technological transformation that powered the industrialization of the western world and is powering the rise of Asia.

Access to capital, in a manner that is truly transformative, must be created in African countries where the lack of infrastructure and inflation drives up the cost of capital as monetary policy tackles rising prices with high monetary policy rates to achieve price stability. Governments must create alternative funding structures to support small businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship by African youth, and not leave the financial space only for central banks whose toolkits are limited. That, in turn, requires more effective mobilization of fiscal resources by governments. All of this is different from participation in financial flows through fintech. Here, what is needed is access to low-cost funds to support innovation and small businesses formation. Giant venture capital funds established as public-private partnerships will stimulate wealth-creation by young Africans. Expansion of agricultural value chains will create jobs for young Africans. Agriculture remains a major anchor of economic activity in most African countries. Transforming it from subsistence farming to agri-business that African youth will engage in, with value chains of mechanized agricultural production, storage, transportation, processing and export, will create wealth for young Africans.

Population policy is essential. Africa’s population growth must decline for economic growth to catch up. The best way to achieve this is through education, especially in rural areas and the education of women and girls, that changes mindsets away from cultural tendencies and reduces the number of children that women have on the average. The average fertility rate in sub-Saharan Africa is around 4.3 to 4.6 children per woman, while the global rate is 2.3 births per woman. This is what will make investments in education yield the transformations that will secure the future of Africa’s youth. This is a major lesson from China and several Southeast Asian countries.

Competent, thinking governance, including performing the basic task of providing security inside territorial states, is required overall in Africa. Conflicts and terrorism remain a threat to the future of Africa’s youth and must be tackled decisively. Nigeria has the world’s highest out-of-school age children at nearly 20 million, mainly because of terrorism and its disruptive effects on municipal and local populations. Are these children the ones that will be harbingers of The Next Big Thing? Competent governance also includes a capacity for futures-thinking and scenario planning. The mission of the African School of Governance (ASG) is to become a pipeline for the emergence of this kind of leadership in the continent. The question of the implications of Africa’s “youthquake”, along with that of why Africa remains poor relative to the rest of the world despite its abundance of critical natural resources, is a major reason why Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and other African academics, philanthropists and policy makers founded the ASG university in 2024.

Africa’s youth population boom can be both an asset or a liability. The trajectory depends on the choices governments in Africa make today. We should not get carried away by narratives that are not created and owned by Africans themselves. Time to end our worship at the altars of the “gods of small things’. We often get excited about trends without truly interrogating them and their implications for our present and future as a continent. There are two scenarios. One is a super story in which Africa’s youth become increasingly skilled and productive, creating broad-based prosperity. In this scenario, the demographic boom shifts from rhetoric about The Next Big Thing to a lived reality. The other is a dystopian future in which increasingly unemployed and frustrated young men and women mill around in African urban centers, jobless and unskilled. No outcome from this scenario should surprise anyone, but it is likely that such outcomes will not be pleasant.

•Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, President and ViceChancellor of the African School of Governance in Kigali, Rwanda, delivered this keynote address to Harvard University’s African Development Conference 2025 at Harvard Law School in Boston, USA, recently.

President Bola Tinubu