The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • T2 is partner of Carnival Calabar

    T2 is partner of Carnival Calabar

    T2 has announced a strategic collaboration with Carnival Calabar as the Digital Technology partner, debuting its new customer-focused mobile app, MyT2. This rollout of the app as the official digital companion for Carnival Calabar underscores T2’s ambition to become Nigeria’s most trusted digital lifestyle partner for young people, families, creators, digital-first users, and businesses.

    According to T2 CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, the introduction of MyT2 marks a shift toward deeper customer-centric innovation, reflecting the realities of how Nigerians now live and connect.

    He noted that people want more than basic connectivity; they want technology that simplifies everyday tasks, strengthens relationships and supports both work and leisure. MyT2, he said, was designed to bring these moments together in a single, intuitive space.

    As the app makes its festival debut, Carnival Calabar attendees will enjoy a richer and more organized experience through Festive Mode, a feature built specifically for major cultural celebrations. Festival-goers will have access to real-time schedules, ticket information, curated experiences and vendor listings, enabling them to navigate events more easily and stay connected to the excitement, whether on the ground or following remotely. This marks the first time the festival will be supported by a unified digital guide.

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    Beyond the festival, MyT2 offers a suite of everyday benefits for all T2 customers and festival participants. Users can buy, borrow or share airtime and data; manage their spending and communications in one place; and create or join T2 Hives, where families, student groups, work teams or friends can pool and monitor shared resources. The app also integrates the 9SB Wallet, allowing users to send and receive money securely and pay for T2 services, with additional financial features set to roll out as the ecosystem expands. Subscribers can also reserve personalized phone numbers, book appointments for SIM registration or SIM swap to avoid queues, and manage their communication preferences through an enhanced Do Not Disturb (DND) tool.

    Banigbe noted that partnering with Carnival Calabar reflects T2’s broader mission of using technology to strengthen cultural expression and community engagement. By serving as the festival’s digital technology partner, T2 aims to ensure a seamless, accessible and engaging experience for millions of Nigerians and global followers.

    The debut of MyT2 at Carnival Calabar represents a milestone in T2’s transformation following its transition from 9mobile, with more lifestyle-driven innovations expected as the brand expands its digital-first strategy.

  • Guinness Nigeria celebrates 75th anniversary

    Guinness Nigeria celebrates 75th anniversary

    Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma has reflected on the brand’s rich history and profound emotional connection with Nigerians.

    Speaking at its 75th anniversary dinner in Lagos, Sharma expressed delight at the brand’s journey so far despite challenges.

    “We’re glad to be here with our critical stakeholders to celebrate Guinness at 75. We’re not in the business of selling beverages, but in the business of selling happiness. After going through stressful days, we are glad to brew the happiness that Nigerians return to and to have done this for 75 eventful years,” he said.

    “We have faced challenges, but we have a much better future where we will be stronger, sharper, and more transformed. This success is powered by the people who stood by us – our employees, past and present, our distributors, and the regulators,” he said.

    The  event,with the  theme: “A Bold Past, A Bright Future,” attracted captains of industry, government leaders, trade partners, regulators, staff, royal fathers, diplomats, and the media.

     Chairman of the Board, Prof.Fabian Ajogwu(SAN), highlighted the brand’s legacy of care and community.

    “Guinness has shown vision, resilience, and purpose. Part of what we also celebrate today are those who have pledged allegiance to the order of the Black Bottle over the years.

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    “Guinness has always been a brand built on care – care for the communities we serve, where we are, and this also finds expression in our deliberate choice of the musical band that has just performed, the Federal Nigerian School of the Blind. We care for and serve the underserved and underprivileged. From ready-to-drink innovations to heritage breweries, Guinness has earned its place in homes, celebrations, and in culture,” he said.

    The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized the company’s cultural imprint.

    “We are glad to celebrate a remarkable 75 years of Guinness Nigeria Plc, a company that has become a part of the rich history, culture, and the enduring soul of Lagos and of Nigeria. The story of Guinness Nigeria has never been just about beer – it is, above all, a story about the people, about the thousands of Nigerians employed, the communities supported, and the shared identity built over generations,” she said.

    Representing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, lauded the brand’s sustained commitment to national growth.

    “Guinness Nigeria’s 75th anniversary celebration is a major milestone. We recognise and celebrate its unyielding commitment to sharing happiness in Nigeria these past 75 years, and we commit to making the environment more conducive for the business to endure much longer,” he said. “Guinness means much to Nigerians as we do not only celebrate its corporate existence but also its relationship with the people. Guinness has invested, innovated, and grown in ways worth celebrating,” he stated.

  • Govt to scale up youth agripreneurship

    Govt to scale up youth agripreneurship

    The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to scaling up youth agripreneurship as a central strategy for food systems transformation and economic growth.

    Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made this known in Abuja at a high-level youth Agripreneurs  workshop organised by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise- Niger Delta (Life  – ND) Project with the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation.”

    Kyari, said Nigeria stands at a moment of boundless opportunities, driven by young innovators who are transforming agrifood systems through precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital marketplaces, soilless farming and agro-processing technologies.

    Despite these advancements, the minister noted that many youths still face barriers, including lack of access to land, finance, markets, processing facilities, mentorship and market-driven skills, resulting in inconsistent participation in agriculture.

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    Kyari said the federal government, through partnerships with IFAD and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is now focused on scaling up proven models such as the LIFE-ND project, which has demonstrated that youth-led agripreneurship can drive food security, job creation and climate-smart production.

    “Our young people are ready to transform agrifood systems, create dignified livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth in our dear nation, Nigeria,” Kyari said.

    He outlined concrete priorities for national scale-up including: unlocking land and productive resources for young farmers; expanding inclusive financing and credit guarantees; strengthening business development, incubation and commercialisation services.

    Others, he said are; improving market access through digital platforms, value chains and public-private partnerships; embedding climate resilience and sustainability at all levels; and adopting transparent data systems to track and measure results.

    “We are not starting from scratch,” Kyari said, noting that President Bola Tinubu has repositioned agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation. The foundation has been firmly laid for measurable and sustainable progress.

    He added that the LIFE-ND project had already shown “proof of concept,” having piloted youth-led agribusiness models, expanded incubation programmes and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance.

    The minister urged young agripreneurs to take bold steps, promising that government will create an enabling environment for their ventures to grow at scale.

    He also called for stronger partnerships across government, financial institutions, private sector players, academia and farmer groups.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the gathering as a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation.

    He noted that the presence of multiple ministers, including those of Regional Development, Women Affairs and Youth underscored the multidimensional nature of food systems reform.

    “Our gathering today symbolises a renewed commitment to transform agriculture from subsistence into a thriving enterprise,” he said.

    Ogunbiyi highlighted the ministry’s Agri-Food Investment Plan (2025), which outlines Nigeria’s pathway to climate-smart agricultural growth and rural economic expansion. He praised LIFE-ND’s incubation model, which provides young agripreneurs with mentorship, digital tools, vocational training and market integration.

    In his presentation, LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, detailed the programme’s milestones across its nine participating states, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

    According to him, the project has trained 29,620 youths and women in priority value chains such as cassava, rice, aquaculture, poultry, oil palm and horticulture.

    He noted that it also facilitated enterprise incubation through master farmers and agri-enterprises; increased household incomes by about 50per cent among beneficiaries; strengthened institutions and fostered digital and climate-smart innovations and ensured at least 50per cent gender inclusion.

    Sanni noted key lessons, including the need to position agriculture as a business, expand access to finance, deepen value chain integration and institutionalize mentorship-based incubation.

    Unveiling the scale-up strategy, he said the project aims to expand nationwide to all 36 states and the FCT.

  • Nigeria, China partner on agric

    Nigeria, China partner on agric

    The Federal Government’s ongoing drive to modernise the agricultural sector has received a major boost, following a series of strategic engagements with leading agribusiness enterprises in Beijing, China.

    The strategic engagements came on the heels of a high-level delegation led by the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and the Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, to China.

    The delegation toured Beijing Doudian Yisheng Halal Meat Industry Co. Ltd and CP Food Layers and Eggs Ltd, two major players in China’s livestock and poultry ecosystem.

    The visits formed part of ongoing high-level engagements aimed at accelerating the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector and advancing agro-industrial growth in Kaduna State and other parts of the country.

    This is to complement NCSP’s earlier engagements with DQY Ecological Farm, a major subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Group and one of China’s most advanced agricultural technology platforms.

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    According to officials on the mission, the engagements focused on deepening technical cooperation, finalising project frameworks, and securing long-term investment commitments from Chinese partners.

    The NCSP noted that the mission aligns with the Federal Government’s strategic priorities on food security, agricultural industrialisation, and expanded foreign investment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Partnership reaffirmed its commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives that drive large-scale agricultural transformation and unlock sustainable economic growth.

    A central component of the collaboration is the establishment of a landmark $200 million National Integrated Poultry Development Project, whose pilot phase will be sited in Kaduna State.

    Designed for eventual replication across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the project is expected to evolve into one of West Africa’s most technologically advanced poultry enterprises—ultimately reducing the market cost of eggs and other poultry products through large-scale, efficient production.

    Once fully operational, the Kaduna pilot is projected to generate over $450 million annually and create more than 350,000 direct and indirect jobs along the national poultry value chain. Analysts highlight that the initiative will significantly strengthen food production capacity, accelerate agro-industrialisation, boost export competitiveness, and contribute substantially to Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.

    The delegation expressed deep appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its sustained partnership and growing commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural development.

    Chinese institutions engaged during the visit signaled strong interest in expanding investment and technology cooperation with Nigeria.

    The NCSP reiterated that it remains committed to driving high-impact bilateral partnerships that reinforce Nigeria–China relations, accelerate agricultural modernisation, and unlock inclusive economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

  • Lagos continues strong pension performance with fresh N1.5billion bond issuance

    Lagos continues strong pension performance with fresh N1.5billion bond issuance

    The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of retirees by issuing another tranche of retirement bond certificates under its ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ pension model.

    Yesterday, 832 retirees received their retirement bond certificates worth a total of N1.5billion being their past service benefits prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2007.

    This latest issuance, reinforces the state’s reputation as one of the best-performing sub-national entities in pension administration in Nigeria.

    Under the Pay-As-You-Go system, the state ensures that retirees receive their entitlements promptly upon retirement, with the consistent release of redemption bonds forming a key part of this process.

    In addition to financial entitlements, Lagos State also provides a year of free healthcare coverage for all retirees, a gesture widely applauded by pensioners and stakeholders in the sector.

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    Speaking during the  112th Batch Retirement Bond Presentation Ceremony held in Lagos, the Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission (Laspec), Mr. Babalola Obilana said the state has been  celebrating dedication, service, honour and fulfilment.

    He said: “We are here to recognize men and women who have given the best years of their lives to the service of Lagos State. Individuals who built institutions, strengthened systems and supported the machinery of governance through diligence, loyalty and professionalism.

    “On behalf of LASPEC, I congratulate all our retirees present today. Your career journeys represent decades of sacrifice, resilience and commitment to the Lagos State Public Service. You have served faithfully, and today the State stands ready to fulfill its promise to you.

    “Allow me to reaffirm, unequivocally, the unwavering commitment of the Lagos State Government, under the visionary leadership of Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to the welfare of workers both in service and in retirement. Since the adoption of the Contributory Pension Scheme, Lagos State has consistently met its statutory obligations by remitting both employer and employee pension contributions promptly to the respective Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of its workforce”.

    Obilana further stated that through continuous reconciliation of employee records, digitalization of pension processes, and collaboration with Pension Fund Administrators and Annuity Service Providers, they have improved service delivery and eliminated longstanding bottlenecks that once plagued the pension system.

    He noted that the bond presentation ceremony remains central to these reforms.

    “Each ceremony we hold represents another significant milestone, not just numbers on charts but real people whose futures are being safeguarded. The Lagos State Government has made significant strides in pension administration over the years despite various challenges. Today, we can proudly say that the CPS in Lagos State is one of the most efficient and well-managed pension systems in the Country.

    “Furthermore, LASPEC has launched, and will continue to implement, trainings and sensitization programs aimed at equipping public servants, particularly Directors, eAdmin. & HR and Pension Desk Officers, with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively navigate the pension system and ensure the timely payment of retirees’ entitlements. Looking forward, LASPEC is committed to ensuring that the pension system continues to meet the needs of both current and future retirees. The system must remain adaptable, responsive to the economic realities of our time, and increasingly inclusive of diverse forms of retirement savings.

    “Today, the Governor will be presenting another set of 832 retirees with their retirement bond certificates worth a total of N1.5billion being their past service benefits prior to the commencement of the CPS in 2007”, he disclosed.

  • NAICOM commends Continental Re, says recapitalisation’ll position Nigerian insurers for AfCFTA competitiveness

    NAICOM commends Continental Re, says recapitalisation’ll position Nigerian insurers for AfCFTA competitiveness

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has commended Continental Reinsurance Plc for convening the 2025 CEO Roundtable themed “Recapitalization & Beyond: Rethinking Risk, Capacity and Collaboration for a Resilient Insurance Sector,” describing the forum as timely and vital to the industry’s transformation.

    The event which took place in Lagos drew a large gathering of chief executives of insurance companies across Nigeria.

    Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, the Deputy Commissioner, Technical, Dr. Usman Jankara, expressed optimism that the ongoing recapitalisation exercise will reposition Nigerian insurers for stronger competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    He stated that recapitalisation is the foundation for growth, not the finish line, noting that it will strengthen solvency and underwriting capacity, enabling insurers to write bigger tickets and retain more risk locally; build public and investor confidence to attract capital and partnerships; encourage mergers and acquisitions for scale and efficiency; and position Nigerian insurers for regional competitiveness, especially under AfCFTA.

    Jankara added that Continental Re’s efforts to drive industry dialogue align with NAICOM’s reform agenda, which focuses on enhanced capacity, stronger solvency and innovation.

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    He reaffirmed the new minimum capital requirements of N10bn for life insurers, N15bn for non-life companies and N35bn for reinsurer, stressing that they are crucial for developing firms capable of handling larger transactions and expanding across African markets.

    The Lead Paper Presenter and Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismark Rewane, described recapitalisation as a transformative tool that will strengthen the industry’s role in economic growth, climate resilience and capital market development.

    He said it will enhance claims-paying ability, support long-term risk protection, enable underwriting of more complex risks, boost investor confidence, promote consolidation and encourage innovation and technology adoption.

    Managing Director of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Dr. Fatai Lawal, said the theme reflects a central challenge and opportunity for the industry.

    “It demands that we look forward with clarity and courage, while learning from the foundations already lay,” he said.

    He noted that Continental Re convened the roundtable to bring industry leaders together to assess progress, share experiences and identify strategies for achieving a stronger, more resilient sector.

  • SUNU Assurances football team seals 2025 insurance Super Cup in debut victory

    SUNU Assurances football team seals 2025 insurance Super Cup in debut victory

    In a thrilling finale on November 29, the SUNU Assurances Football Team etched its name in history by emerging as champions of the 2025 Insurance Super Cup—an extraordinary feat achieved in their first-ever appearance at the tournament.

    Entering the competition as debutants and underdogs, SUNU Assurances Football Team stunned the league with a series of spirited performances, culminating in a dramatic final showdown against two-time title holders, AXA Mansard.

    After a nail-biting encounter that ended in a draw, SUNU sealed the championship with a composed 5–3 triumph in the penalty shootout.

    The team’s victory was defined not only by their resilience and tactical discipline but also by standout individual performances.

    In addition to the team trophy, SUNU players walked away with top honours including Best Defender and Golden Gloves, cementing their dominance in this year’s tournament.

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    Following the victory, a celebratory reception was hosted at the company’s Head Office, where the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Samuel OGBODU, commended the team’s exceptional grit, strategy, and unity. He underscored these attributes as being perfectly aligned with the core tenets of the company’s corporate culture.

    He said: “This victory reflects not just sporting excellence, but the spirit of SUNU: disciplined, focused, and built on teamwork. We are proud of what the team has accomplished and what it represents for our brand,” Dr. OGBODU added.

    The win signals a bold new chapter for the SUNU Assurances Football Team and raises expectations for future competitions.

  • SanlamAllianz Nigeria wins .NGInsurance Website of the Year

    SanlamAllianz Nigeria wins .NGInsurance Website of the Year

    SanlamAllianz Nigeria’s website and portal has been adjudged winner of the NiRA .NG Awards 2025.

    Nigeria Internet Registration Association, NiRA, is the registry for .ng Internet Domain Names and maintains the database of names registered in the .ng country code Top Level Domain. NiRA is a Not-for-Profit, Non-Governmental Self-Regulatory body established by the order of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Internet Community to manage Nigeria’s Country Code Top Level Domain.

    The .ng Awards celebrate the achievements and innovation of Nigerian internet initiatives and aims to showcase Nigerian businesses, individuals, charities, public and private sector organisations that help to .make the Internet a more secure, open, accessible, and rewarding experience for all.

    According to the .ng awards website, the criteria for the awards include: Local Content, User Experience, Functionality, Website Relevance and Website Dynamism.

    Commenting on the awards, Group Head, Strategy, Marketing and Customer Relations, SanlamAllianz Nigeria, said “This award is another testament to the overall quality of our website. Last year, we were finalists at this same award as Sanlam Nigeria, now as SanlamAllianz Nigeria, following our JV with Allianz, we finally brought this home.

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    This reinforces our rebrand theme of two giants coming together; two forces joining forces. Indeed with this award, we unequivocally reaffirm our enhanced technical and innovation capabilities to deliver a delightful experience to our customers and prospects who interact with us across all our touch points.”

    In a further testament to the increased strength of the company’s digital exertions, days earlier, a leading marketing services firm with strength across automated email marketing, Netcore/Infytel adjudged SanlamAllianz as the most innovative user of its platform.

    “When it comes to digital adoption, we are clearly one of the leading lights in our industry ,” said Bankole Banjo, Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager at SanlamAllianz Nigeria. “From our easy-to-use customer app called SanlamAllianz Connect, to the agents’ app which allows for seamless paperless sales by our over 5000-man field force, we have shown the industry that innovation is not just a core value for us, but a way of life”, he concluded.

  • NIA co-opts Lesi, Ikekhua, Oyinlade, Mimiko into Governing Council

    NIA co-opts Lesi, Ikekhua, Oyinlade, Mimiko into Governing Council

    The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has inaugurated new members to its Governing Council.

    The Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, Managing Director of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Andrew Ikekhua and the Managing Director of emPLE General Insurance Limite, Mr. Olalekan Oyinlade have been re-coopted, while Mr. Tunde Mimiko of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Limited has been newly co-opted.

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    These members, having been admitted officially into the NIA Governing Council during the November Council meeting at Insurers House on November 27, 2025, will serve a one-year tenure.

    NIA Chairman, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, congratulated the new council members and expressed confidence in their abilities, while urging them to represent the association effectively and drive its growth and development.

    Meanwhile, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, Mr. Bode Opadokun, Mr. Femi Asenuga and Mr. Lawrence Nazare have exited the present Governing Council of the NIA, having completed their tenures.

  • UNIZIK Alumni focus on future, cultural heritage at convention

    UNIZIK Alumni focus on future, cultural heritage at convention

    The International Alumni Convention of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, held at the Welcome Centre Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together members of the university’s alumni association from across Nigeria and the diaspora for an engaging discourse on the future of alumni collaboration and national development.

    The event, themed “The Future is Now,” explored how different generations of graduates, Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z, can collectively harness their strengths to impact their alma mater and contribute to national progress.

    Speaking at the convention, Global President of the UNIZIK Alumni Association, Professor Ikechukwu Ubeh, emphasized that the gathering was more than a reunion, it was a strategic platform for rethinking the future of alumni engagement.

    “This convention is our annual event, and this time around, we are focusing on the future of the alumni. Our university has produced thousands, if not millions, of graduates, and now we are looking at how to harness the potential of the new generation, the Gen Zs, alongside Gen X and Y,” he said.

    He said that the association is transitioning into a more digital and globally connected network, with over 2,000 registered members and more in the diaspora.

    According to him, the goal is to strengthen the link between past and present students while fostering mentorship, innovation, and institutional growth.

     “Participants will go home with a renewed understanding of what alumni truly represent at this point in time, a force for institutional greatness. We are harnessing our members, students, and affiliates to make our alma mater greater,” he added.

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    Beyond academic and professional goals, the convention also spotlighted the role of culture in national development, with attendees proudly dressed in traditional Nigerian attires.

    “We are proud of our culture and heritage. Nobody here is wearing foreign attire. We are Nigerians and proud of it. That pride is part of what we are promoting even in our dress,” he said

    Chairman of the Lagos Mainland Branch and host of the convention, Kenneth Kenechukwu, underscored the need for intentional planning in an increasingly unpredictable world.

    “The focus of this convention is to encourage ourselves to plan our lives, our resources, our families, and our future. The economy globally is not encouraging, so we need to be proactive. The theme, The Future is Now, reminds us that if we don’t plan, we are already planning to fail,” he said.

    Kenechukwu also highlighted the importance of unity, social interaction, and shared learning among members, stressing that such gatherings strengthen professional networks and preserve the cultural values that define the Nigerian identity.

    “When we come together, listen, and interact, we make meaningful headway toward our various achievements. This convention gives everyone a reason to move forward and thank God for new opportunities,” he said.

    The UNIZIK Alumni Convention concluded with a renewed commitment to digital transformation, mentorship of younger graduates, and the continuous promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage as a cornerstone of national development.