The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Local manufacturing, collaboration critical in achieving renewable energy solutions – FG

    Local manufacturing, collaboration critical in achieving renewable energy solutions – FG

    The Federal Government has reiterated that strengthening local manufacturing and deepening collaboration on climate-smart technologies are crucial as Nigeria scales up the deployment of renewable energy solutions, from solar home systems and productive-use appliances to mini-grids.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) Conference, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Principal Electrical Engineer, Engr. Metu Francis, said REAN’s push for naira-based concessionary financing and its advocacy for quality standards across the renewable energy value chain remain fundamental to meeting national energy-mix targets and ensuring inclusive energy access.

    He said: *”This year’s theme, ‘Stronger Together: Advancing Energy Access Through Policy, Finance & Inclusion,’ aligns strongly with the Ministry’s commitment to expanding clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all Nigerians.

    “We commend REAN for continuously fostering collaboration, innovation, and meaningful dialogue across the renewable energy ecosystem. The Ministry recognises the critical role that private sector leadership, local manufacturing, financing institutions, and community-based solutions play in achieving our national energy transition goals.

    “Together, we can accelerate sustainable mini-grids, strengthen local capacity, unlock concessionary financing, and support women, SMEs, and underserved communities in adopting clean energy solutions. We appreciate REAN’s efforts in promoting evidence-based advocacy and industry-wide partnerships that strengthen the renewable energy sector.

    “Please be assured of the Ministry’s continued support as we work collectively toward achieving Nigeria’s energy mix targets and a more sustainable future. As Nigeria accelerates the deployment of renewable energy solutions from solar home systems and productive-use appliances to mini-grids, local manufacturing and climate-smart technologies collaboration becomes even more essential.

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    “The Ministry remains committed to strengthening enabling policies, improving financing pathways, and supporting industry players working to expand access to clean, modern electricity. We especially recognize REAN’s leadership in advocating for naira-based concessionary financing, expanding opportunities for women and SMEs, promoting mini-grid development, and championing quality standards across the renewable energy value chain. These efforts are vital for achieving our national energy mix targets and ensuring no community is left behind.”

    REAN President, Ayo Ademilua, said the association has consistently led robust advocacy, strengthened industry cohesion, and built partnerships that continue to shape Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape.

    He said: “Over the past year, REAN has continued to drive impactful advocacy, industry coordination, and strategic partnerships that have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem. REAN members have established solar panel assembly plants in the North and South. These facilities are producing high-quality panels for domestic and export markets, boosting investor confidence.

    “Resulting impact includes increased Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria, enhanced foreign exchange earning potential through exports, a more resilient and sustainable renewable energy value chain.

    “Despite this progress, Nigeria continues to face significant energy access challenges. Our estimated 3.3 GW installed renewable energy capacity remains far from the 9 GW target set for 2030. Millions of Nigerians still live without reliable electricity. The Just Energy Transition Plan is progressing, but requires stronger action across policy, financing, and implementation. These gaps are not setbacks, they are reminders that our work must intensify.

    “This year’s theme points directly to the levers that will shape Nigeria’s energy future. We must continue pushing for clear, predictable, and supportive policy frameworks. Engagement with the National Assembly must remain strong to accelerate climate and clean-energy legislation. Full implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 is essential, especially in mini-grid expansion, decentralized energy, and state-level regulation.

    “A Just Energy Transition must benefit remote rural communities, women and youths, small and medium enterprises, farmers and micro-producers; energy access should not only electrify, it should enable livelihoods, drive jobs, and create opportunities.”

    On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, represented by Assistant Chief Scientific Officer, Halilu Sale, said the conference demonstrates Nigeria’s continued dedication to ensuring that underserved and rural communities gain access to sustainable and affordable energy.

    He said: “As the apex government agency responsible for coordinating national energy policies and planning, the Energy Commission of Nigeria recognises that achieving universal energy access demands strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. We therefore commend REAN for fostering collaboration among government, industry players, development partners, and other key stakeholders to advance renewable energy development in our country.

    “We acknowledge that the innovation and drive of the private sector as championed by REAN are indispensable. You are the engine of implementation, and we, as government, are committed to being the architects of an enabling environment.

    “Through our Energy Research Centers, we are building local capacity,  training energy auditors, energy managers, solar technicians, and policy experts to close the skills gap. Our deliberate focus on decentralized renewable energy solutions, including mini-grids and standalone solar systems, aims to ensure no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy transition.

    “True energy access is inclusive — it means ensuring that every community, household, and business benefits from renewable energy. It also means creating economic opportunities through local manufacturing and empowering our youth with the skills for tomorrow’s green jobs.”

  • MC Izhybee set to host end of the year party in Bangor Wales 

    MC Izhybee set to host end of the year party in Bangor Wales 

    UK-based compere, Israel Babatunde Olasunmade, popularly known as MC Izhybee is set to host an event in Bangor Wales in December, tagged “Bangor end of the year party”. 

    According to him, there is a large Nigerian community based in Bangor Wales with low social activities. 

    He said: “In a bid to to energise the Nigerian communities, I will be hosting an event in Bangor Wales in December which is tagged Bangor end of the year party as there is a large Nigerian community over here with low social life. 

    “This is what I have always wanted to do all my life and I’m glad I’m living my dream.”

    Speaking on plans for the programme, he said: “I’ll be going with my full team from Manchester, I’ve got DJ Tazzy and DJ Fancy who are both amazing, most sorted DJ in Manchester at the moment. 

    “Also, I’ve got Vibe beat from London who is a London A-list drum percussionist and also my brother MC Olympia from Nigeria.”

    Born in Emure Ile Owo Local Government, MC Izhybee grew up in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. He had his Secondary and University Education, respectively in Ago Iwoye. 

    He said: “I started my MC far back as 2010, anchoring children birthday in my church and my neighborhood, but eventually started it professionally in 2016 when I won the second runner-up comedian in the NYSC orientation camp, Kabba. 

    “I have hosted several events during my university days, ranging from social nights. MTN campus rave 2013 was anchored by me in OOU; praise nights in church and many more. I graduated from J-15 school of performing art, owned by femi Adebayo in 2021 where I learned more about stage performance.

    “I got married and relocated to the United Kingdom in 2023 where I have been able to make my name known in the entertainment industry in Manchester and its environment, having hosted several social events, weddings and cooperate events in caro’s cities in the UK. My most recent one was in Manchester which featured DJ Enimoney from YBNL Nigeria.

    “As a graduate of Mass Communication in OOU in the year 2015, Public speaking has been something quite easy for me and my deep root in theatre and entertainment made it easy for me to engage the audience with stories, one of the beautiful things I discovered on the international level is that the non-African audience love African stories and culture, this made it easy for me to feed them more with the beauty of our culture and all.

    “My ability to speak English, Igbo, Yoruba, Ondo, Egba and Ijebu fluently has not only been a plus but gives me the easy access to connect to larger audience, I’m still learning indi and a bit of Pakistani. 

    “One of the beautiful thing of being an MC out here is that, you are treated like the professional that you are, no one talks down on your craft”

  • UCL: Marseille beat Newcastle United 2-1

    UCL: Marseille beat Newcastle United 2-1

    Newcastle United’s three-match Champions League winning streak was halted on Tuesday as they lost 1-2 at Olympique de Marseille after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice for the home side.

    Harvey Barnes gave the visiting side a dream start at the Stade Velodrome when he broke the deadlock from close range after five minutes with his fourth goal in his last three matches in all competitions.

    Aubameyang turned the scoreline around, though, with two goals in four minutes shortly after the interval to give the French side its second win of the campaign.

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    Newcastle, which is eighth with nine points, travels to Bayer Leverkusen next, while Marseille, 19th on six points, visits Union Saint-Gilloise.

  • UCL: Chelsea thump 10-man Barcelona

    UCL: Chelsea thump 10-man Barcelona

    Chelsea have routed 10-man Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.

    The hosts broke through in the 27th minute with a Jules Kounde own goal from a Pedro Neto shot. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Ronald Araujo was sent off for a second booking right before half-time.

    Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded 10 minutes after the break when Estevao scored a magnificent goal from a very tight angle. Liam Delap then made it 3-0 with a free shot after beating Barcelona’s offside trap.

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    The result gives Chelsea 10 points through five matchdays and moves them into fifth place in the league phase, albeit with more games to be played tomorrow. Barcelona remain on seven points and are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification to the knockout phase.

    NY TIMES

  • Bayer Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2 – 0 in UCL first-round game at home after seven years

    Bayer Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2 – 0 in UCL first-round game at home after seven years

    Manchester City suffered a rare Champions League defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, losing 0-2 to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and ending its 23-game unbeaten home run in the competition’s group or league stage.

    The loss spoiled Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City manager and left the Premier League side provisionally sixth on 10 points after five games. Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick scored for Leverkusen, which is 13th.

    Guardiola rested most of his regular starters for the first half, with 10 changes to his team, and the risky move backfired.

    Leverkusen struck in the 23rd minute on the counter-attack when Malik Tillman sent in a cross that Christian Kofane held up in the penalty area for Grimaldo to fire home.

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    Guardiola sent on reinforcements to start the second half in Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly, but it did not stop the visiting side from doubling its lead in the 54th minute with a glancing Schick header over a lunging Nathan Ake and past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper James Trafford.

    City’s scoring machine, Erling Haaland, entered the game in the 65th minute to a standing ovation.

    Though he was in the thick of the action, there were no late-game heroics, with Mark Flekken making a brave stop from the big Norwegian’s best chance, a one-on-one with the ‘keeper after running onto a through ball from Foden.

  • Atiku’s defection to ADC to attract political heavyweights – Support group

    Atiku’s defection to ADC to attract political heavyweights – Support group

    The Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA), said the registration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is expected to trigger an influx of prominent political figures into the party.

    NYFA Director-General, Dare Dada, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that Abubakar’s entry into the ADC “marks a new political dimension within Nigeria’s landscape.”

    Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who recently resigned from the party, officially registered with the ADC on Monday.

    Dada said Abubakar’s decision would provide clarity and direction for politicians who had been undecided about the ADC’s prospects.

    He said, “Many politicians who were unsure of ADC’s direction will now make up their minds quickly.

    “With Atiku officially on board, the ADC will emerge as a credible opposition platform ahead of 2027. This is a major boost for Nigerians hoping for a strong alternative to the ruling party.”

    He described the PDP as a party “relegated by internal crises with eroding relevance despite producing three Presidents.”

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    According to him, the party’s inability to resolve its internal disputes has created space for the ADC to gain momentum.

    Dada noted that the ADC had become “the new political bride,” attracting serious politicians across the country.

    He disclosed that more than seven serving governors were currently in talks with the ADC, while over 15 former governors and 19 former deputy governors had expressed support for the party.

    “ADC membership and activities are expected to surge in the coming weeks,” he added.

    Dada said NYFA structures in all 36 states and the FCT had now been integrated into the ADC to enhance grassroots mobilisation.

    He said the growing alignment was part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen the party nationwide.

    He added that the development “signals a possible major shift in Nigeria’s opposition dynamics and offers a stronger platform to challenge the ruling party.”

  • Uche Igwe congratulates Uzodimma on his presidential appointment

    Uche Igwe congratulates Uzodimma on his presidential appointment

    …pledges to provide evidence-based communication support

    An eminent scholar, political economy analyst and Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Dr. Uche Igwe has congratulated the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his recent appointment as the Renewed Hope Ambassador by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    In a statement released this evening, Dr. Igwe praised Governor Uzodimma and described his appointment as an eloquent recognition of his unimpechable loyalty and unwavering commitment to mobilizing support for the Tinubu administration.  

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    According to the statement, “On behalf of my family, I wish to applaud our Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his recent Presidential appointment as Renewed Hope Ambassador.

    “For me, this is a validation of your resolute commitment towards ensuring the propagation of the dividends of the Tinubu administration across the country and beyond.

    “My belief is that your appointment will further motivate you to work harder in support. Mr. President. I wish to assure you that I will volunteer to work with you to promote the objectives of your new office to ensure that the impact is felt among relevant stakeholders across the country.”

    Dr. Igwe further stated he would use his office to provide relevant evidence to support a data-driven communication support to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • AIG Ahmed holds talks on Kano/Jigawa security concerns

    AIG Ahmed holds talks on Kano/Jigawa security concerns

    A high-powered security meeting on Tuesday held in Kano following the abduction of 10 persons in three villages of Tsanyanwa Local Government Areas of the state.

    AIG Ahmed Garba, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone One Headquarters, Kano, convened the meeting.

    In attendance were tactical and intelligence commanders from Kano and Jigawa states.

    The meeting aimed to address the recent surge in banditry activities in some parts of Kano State and develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue.

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    The AIG and the field commanders discussed modalities to end the violence affecting innocent citizens in Jigawa and Kano.

    They also devised a plan to complement the deployment of police men from kano command and the military already stationed  in the affected areas.

    AIG Garba reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies in their efforts to combat banditry and other crimes.

  • First Lady calls for technology driven by human values at global education summit

    First Lady calls for technology driven by human values at global education summit

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged global leaders, educators and innovators to ensure that technology remains anchored on human values as the world accelerates deeper into the digital age.

    Speaking at the “Education Above All” plenary of the 12th World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, Tinubu said humanity must remain at the centre of technological advancement, warning that innovation without ethics could undermine progress rather than enhance it.

    In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said “we should be the drivers of technology.

    “Technology must lead; we should not remove human values from technology,” she stated, noting that the rapid evolution of digital tools demands deliberate efforts to safeguard human dignity, connection and purpose.

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    Sharing the stage with her counterparts from Lebanon and Syria, the First Lady praised Qatar’s achievements in education and restated Nigeria’s resolve to expand access to schooling for all children, especially girls.

    She insisted that no religion prohibits the education of girls, adding that the federal government remains committed to unlocking the promise that quality learning offers.

    “Everything begins with education. We are doing all we can as a government to advance the sector. Nigeria has a huge human capital resource, and that is what we thrive on,” she said.

    Tinubu highlighted the remarkable global footprint of Nigerian youth across sectors; arts, technology, fashion, agriculture and the creative industries, crediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prioritisation of innovation and technology as catalysts for human capital development.

    “Nigeria, being an emerging economy, has benefitted greatly from digital literacy because it is faster and reaches more people. It also comes with its downsides, as some young people use it positively and others negatively. We believe in continuously empowering them, and they will do better”, she added.

  • 16 banks have met new capital requirements, says CBN

    16 banks have met new capital requirements, says CBN

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the bank recapitalisation exercise is progressing steadily, with 16 banks already meeting the new capital requirements ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline. Another 27 banks have also raised capital through various channels as the sector moves toward one of the most extensive reforms since 2004.

    Governor Olayemi Cardoso disclosed the development on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. He described the exercise as orderly and consistent with the regulator’s expectations.

    “We are monitoring developments, and indications show the process is moving in the right direction,” he said.

    As of April 2025, Nigeria had 44 deposit-taking banks, including seven commercial banks with international authorisation, 15 with national authorisation, four with regional authorisation, four non-interest banks, six merchant banks, seven financial holding companies and one representative office.

    Under the recapitalization framework issued by the CBN, banks must raise their paid-in share capital to levels proportionate to the scope of their operations. International commercial banks are required to attain N500 billion, national commercial banks must reach N200 billion, and regional commercial banks N50 billion.

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     For non-interest banks, the minimum is N20 billion for national operations and N10 billion for regional operations, while merchant banks with national authorisation must meet N50 billion. The apex bank has also made clear that only paid-up capital and share premium qualify toward the new thresholds, excluding reserves and retained earnings.

    Cardoso said the reforms would reinforce the resilience of Nigerian banks both within the country and across the continent. “We are building a financial system that will be fit for purpose for the years ahead. Many Nigerian banks now operate across Africa and have been innovative across different markets. 

    These new buffers will better equip them to manage risks in the multiple jurisdictions where they operate,” he said.

    He added that the reforms would strengthen the financial sector’s support for households and businesses. 

    Aw“Ultimately, this benefits Nigerians—our traders, our businesses and our citizens—who operate across those regions. It should give everyone comfort to know that Nigerian banks with deep local understanding are present to support them. Commercial banks are also creating their own buffers through the ongoing recapitalization.”

    Cardoso recalled that the CBN had earlier outlined the broader objectives of the programme, noting that the Bank’s Deputy Governor for Financial Systems Stability, Phillip Ikeazor, had restated the significance of the exercise during a stakeholder session at the UK-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce. Ikeazor said the apex bank was committed to building stronger, healthier and more resilient banks capable of supporting the government’s ambition of achieving a US$1 trillion economy by 2030.

    According to Ikeazor’s presentation, the recapitalization programme is expected to expand banks’ lending capacity, attract more foreign direct investment, and increase foreign exchange liquidity. He also noted that the reforms would contribute to GDP growth, enhance risk management practices, strengthen credit ratings, broaden ownership structures, improve governance, and boost market value and activity in the equity market.

    “With the recapitalisation programme, our goal is to trigger the emergence of stronger, healthier and more resilient banks,” Ikeazor said.

    Cardoso added that the apex bank considered several factors in determining the new capital thresholds, including prevailing macroeconomic conditions, stress test results and the need for stronger risk buffers. 

    He also affirmed the regulator’s commitment to strict oversight as consolidation progresses. “We will rigorously enforce our ‘fit and proper’ criteria for prospective new shareholders, senior management, and board members of banks, and proactively monitor the integrity of financial statements, adequacy of financial resources, and fair valuation of banks’ post-merger balance sheets,” he said.

    The governor recalled that eight commercial banks had met the N500 billion capital requirement as of July 22, 2024, rising to 14 by September of the same year. The number has now increased to 16 as the industry continues to race toward full compliance.

    Cardoso said the CBN remained confident that the banking system would emerge stronger at the conclusion of the recapitalization exercise, with institutions better prepared to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.