The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Education takes lion’s share as Uba Sani signs N985.9bn 2026 budget into law

    Education takes lion’s share as Uba Sani signs N985.9bn 2026 budget into law

    Governor Uba Sani has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, with Education taking the largest share of 25% of the N985.9 billion budget of Kaduna State.

    Speaking at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, the Governor said that the budget ‘’reflects our resolve to consolidate the gains we have made while laying even stronger foundations for sustainable growth.’’

    Governor Uba Sani disclosed that ₦698.9 billion, representing 70.9 percent of the budget, has been devoted to capital expenditure, targeted at infrastructure development, economic expansion, and improved service delivery.

    He also said, ‘’Recurrent expenditure stands at ₦287 billion, or 29.1 percent, ensuring that essential government services continue to function efficiently and responsibly.”

    Giving a breakdown of the budget, the Governor said that Education got 25 percent of the budget ‘’because we believe that knowledge is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and securing the future of our children.”

    “Infrastructure and rural transformation also account for 25 percent, reflecting our determination to open up communities, connect markets, and stimulate economic activity across the state.

    “Health takes15 percent, affirming our conviction that a healthy population is the foundation of productivity and human dignity. Agriculture and food security receive 11.65 percent, reinforcing our commitment to feeding our people, empowering farmers, and strengthening our local economy,’’ he disclosed.

    According to Governor Uba Sani, his administration “also made deliberate provisions for climate change activities, nutrition, and environmental sustainability, recognising the realities of our time and our responsibility to future generations.”

    Titled Budget of ‘’Consolidation of Transformation for Inclusive Development,’’ he pointed out that its defining feature is the administration’s resolve to correct long-standing exclusion errors.

    ‘’By allocating ₦100 million to every ward in Kaduna State for community-driven projects, we are empowering our people to determine their priorities and drive development from the grassroots. This is governance that listens, governance that includes, and governance that delivers,’’ he argued.

    The Governor maintained that his Government is committed to fiscal discipline and responsible financial management.

    ‘’The 2026 budget introduces no new loans, and we have already paid ₦114.9 billion in debt servicing. This reflects our determination to protect the future of Kaduna State while meeting the needs of the present,’’ he disclosed.

    According to him, the 2026 budget is more than figures and projections because it promises ‘’ progress, opportunity, and a better quality of life for every citizen of Kaduna State.’’

    The Governor, however, said that its success will depend on effective implementation and continued collaboration with the Kaduna State House of Assembly, assuring a cordial and productive working relationship with the legislature.

    ‘’Together, we have helped position Kaduna as Nigeria’s bastion of peace and tranquillity, and together we will sustain this stability as the bedrock of development. By working together, we will consolidate transformation, deepen inclusion, and build a Kaduna State that truly works for all,’’ he promised.

  • Fed govt orders compulsory drug tests for public service job seekers

    Fed govt orders compulsory drug tests for public service job seekers

    The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants into the Nigerian Public Service, in a move aimed at curbing the growing menace of illicit drug use and safeguarding national productivity and security.

    The directive, conveyed through a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), mandates all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals to make drug testing a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said under the new policy, MDAs are required to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in conducting the tests, in line with established standards and procedures.

    According to the circular, the decision forms part of the present administration’s broader determination to decisively tackle drug and substance abuse and to insulate the nation’s workforce from practices considered inimical to efficiency, discipline, and public trust.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, Arthur Eze partner to drive innovation

    The Federal Government expressed concern over what it described as the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the country’s teeming youth population, warning that the trend poses serious risks to public health, workplace productivity, socio-economic development, and national security.

    There have been concerns that substance abuse within the public sector could undermine service delivery, compromise institutional integrity, and weaken the capacity of government to meet its development objectives.

    The circular emphasized that the introduction of compulsory drug testing at the entry point into public service is intended not as a punitive measure, but as a preventive step to promote a healthy, disciplined, and dependable workforce capable of driving national development.

  • 2027: Oyo APC, Renewed Hope Ambassadors begin federal constituency tour for Tinubu’s re-election

    2027: Oyo APC, Renewed Hope Ambassadors begin federal constituency tour for Tinubu’s re-election

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, has commenced a 14–Federal Constituency tour aimed at uniting party stakeholders and strengthening mobilisation structures ahead of the 2027 re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The tour was flagged off on Monday at the Oba Adeyemi Stadium, Oyo town, with the Oyo Federal Constituency as the first stop, drawing a large turnout of party leaders and supporters from across the state.

    Speaking at the event, former First Lady of Oyo State and Ambassador-designate, Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, commended the initiative, describing it as a unifying platform that underscores the strength, discipline, and renewed commitment of the Oyo APC.

    She declared that internal disputes within the party had been resolved, urging leaders to embrace peace and collective focus as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.

    Also speaking, the Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope and former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, said the Renewed Hope Ambassadors are working closely with existing APC structures in the state to drive strategic, results-oriented mobilisation for President Tinubu’s re-election. He stressed that Oyo State would play a critical role in securing the President’s victory in 2027.

    Folarin noted that President Tinubu secured 449,884 votes in Oyo State during the 2023 presidential election, one of the highest margins nationwide, adding that the target is to increase the figure by at least 35 per cent through aggressive grassroots engagement across the state’s 33 local government areas.

    According to him, the re-election strategy combines political intelligence, stakeholder engagement, and early election planning to energise the party base and consolidate APC structures across all 14 Federal Constituencies.

    “Every leader with ambitions for 2027 has agreed to set them aside. Our focus must be unity, rebuilding internal trust, and delivering a landslide mandate for President Tinubu,” he said.

    Several party leaders who spoke at the event, including the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; APC State Chairman, Pharm Olayide Abass; Senators Yunus Akintunde, Sharafadeen Alli, Femi Lanlehin, and Ayo Adeseun; as well as Engr Idris Adeoye, Engr Remi Oseni, and Hon Olaide Muhammedah, called on members to remain disciplined and united, stressing that cooperation within the APC family will be key to victory in 2027.

    Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Governors Chief Iyiola Oladokun and Chief Moses Alake; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North); Rt Hon Akeem Adeyemi; former Speaker Rt Hon Asimiyu Alarape; Engr K.K. Raji; Rt Hon Muraina Ajibola; Prof Adeolu Akande; and Dr Abisoye Fagade, among other party elders and grassroots mobilisation leaders.

    The tour is expected to continue across the remaining Federal Constituencies in the coming weeks as the Oyo APC intensifies efforts to strengthen its internal structures and secure a historic victory for President Tinubu and the party in 2027.

  • Operation sweep raids motor parks, blackspots to ensure safe yuletide in Abuja

    Operation sweep raids motor parks, blackspots to ensure safe yuletide in Abuja

    Operation Sweep, a special security task force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday carried out coordinated raids on motor parks and other strategic locations across the FCT to flush out criminal elements ahead of the festive season.

    The Director of the Security Services Department, FCTA, Mr Adamu Gwary, said the operation was aimed at ensuring a safe and secure yuletide for residents and visitors to the nation’s capital.

    Gwary, who spoke through the Secretary of the Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, said the exercise would be sustained throughout the festive period.

    He explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had issued a clear directive to all security agencies under Operation Sweep to rid the territory of all forms of criminality.

    According to him, the operation has already recorded significant successes and will continue with constant monitoring of motor parks and other vulnerable locations.

    Gwary said illegal motor parks being used by “one chance” criminal syndicates to abduct unsuspecting commuters were being dismantled. He added that shanties and other structures harbouring criminal elements were also being destroyed.

    “We want to tell all miscreants and criminal elements in the FCT that the territory will be too hot for them to operate. We no longer have a haven for criminals in the FCT, and they should take note of that,” he said.

    Read Also: FCT Operation Sweep arrests 210 ‘robbers’, beggars

    The director disclosed that several arrests had been made, numerous shanties demolished, and criminals posing as taxi drivers dislodged during the operation.

    He stressed that the primary objective is to safeguard lives and property across the FCT during the festive season and beyond.

    He further noted that, in collaboration with security agencies, the FCTA had deployed personnel to the identified blackspots across the city to provide tight security throughout the celebrations.

    Gwary also called on operators of motor parks and event centres to ensure that only individuals with verifiable identities, especially motorists, are allowed to operate within their facilities.

    Commending the task force, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Jabi Motor Park, Abuja, Adamu Abubakar, said the operation was helping to rid the city of “one chance” operators.

    He added that the initiative was contributing to the sanitisation of transport operations within the FCT.

  • UPDATED: Uzodimma presents ₦1.439 trillion budget to Imo Assembly

    UPDATED: Uzodimma presents ₦1.439 trillion budget to Imo Assembly

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Monday, presented a budget proposal of ₦1.439 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Imo House of Assembly.

    Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Economic Breakthrough,” Governor Uzodimma explained that the total budget for 2026 is ₦1,439,573,590,405.04, representing a 78% increase from the ₦807 billion budget of 2025.

    The governor disclosed that the proposal consisted of 83.4 percent capital expenditure and 16.6 percent recurrent expenditure with substantial allocations for health, works, and power sectors to support economic growth.

    Uzodimma said the figure was predicated on improved federal allocation and internally generated revenue, and his ambition to eradicate “a generator-based power economy and provide world-class infrastructure to facilitate economic breakthrough.”

    The proposed Recurrent Expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year is N238,499,999,653, covering personnel costs, overheads, and subventions, while the total projected Capital Expenditure is N1,201,073,590,752.04.

    He noted that this was a clear statement of his administration’s direction and determination to provide needful infrastructures for economic development.

    Governor Uzodimma said that the Ministry of Agriculture and food security is allocated N20.506 billion, while the Health Ministry will get N698.163 billion.

    He also said that the Ministry of Works and infrastructural development is allocated N87.727bn, while the Ministry of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition will receive N6.471bn.

    The Ministry of Power and Electrification gets N190.451 billion, the Education Ministry was allocated N60.623 billion, while the Ministry of Rural Development receives N15.106 billion.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Uzodimma presents N1.439tr. 2026 budget to Imo Assembly

    The governor expressed gratitude for the support of the Imo State House of Assembly, acknowledging their collaboration in passing bills that benefit citizens.

    Earlier The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, expressed hope that the budget would usher in increased and improved power generation in the state, increased infrastructural projects, improved healthcare, and increased human capital development, as well as sustained food security.

    Olemgbe stated that the governor had continued to abide by the tenets of democracy as enshrined in the constitution, while commending him for his initiatives geared towards strengthening security in the state.

    He commended the governor for his achievements and assured him of the House’s support for his policies geared towards the state’s progress.

    In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Speaker, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), commended the governor for diligently piloting the affairs of the state.

  • FAAN unveils measures to ensure smooth passenger movement during festive travels

    FAAN unveils measures to ensure smooth passenger movement during festive travels

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has outlined a series of measures being implemented across airports nationwide to ensure seamless passenger movement during the end-of-year travel rush.

    According to the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire, the measures include advanced traffic forecasting aimed at anticipating increased passenger volumes and managing pressure on airport facilities.

    Agbebire said FAAN is finalising a comprehensive seasonal strategy developed by its technical teams in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address the expected surge in travel.

    To ease congestion and improve passenger experience, FAAN has adopted a multi-pronged operational approach.

    This includes the deployment of dedicated augmentation teams, easily identifiable by branded shirts and jackets, to provide real-time information, manage queues, and offer on-the-spot assistance at critical contact points.

    The initiative, he noted, complements the authority’s core customer service units, enhances first-contact resolution, and helps reduce passenger anxiety.

    In addition, FAAN has engaged in high-level advocacy with key security and border control agencies, particularly the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to streamline procedures and minimise processing delays. Agbebire explained that the collaboration aligns with directives aimed at optimising the passenger experience during peak travel periods.

    To further address congestion at arrival concourses and vehicular pick-up zones, he said FAAN has also introduced a dynamic security and traffic management plan designed to ensure the smooth flow of passengers and vehicles within airport premises.

    He said, “Under the directive of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the authority has augmented the security detail by over 80 personnel to manage crowd control and ensure efficient traffic flow during peak bank arrivals.

    “We also have Infrastructure Contingency. We acknowledge that ongoing construction on the new terminal, intended to replace Terminal 1, has impacted operational space. While the temporary terminal facility is now projected to be completed in the second week of January, we are optimising the existing infrastructure to maintain operational continuity.

    “The operational template for peak season management is being applied across all FAAN-managed domestic terminals. This includes reinforcing ground staff, maintaining 24/7 operational shifts, and continuously monitoring facility management systems, such as HVAC, to ensure a conducive environment.

    “We are also coordinating with domestic airline operators to manage check-in queues and mitigate the impact of flight delays. Regarding passenger grievances and unethical practices, we are addressing this through a two-tiered approach: procedural management and passenger empowerment.”

    Agbebire said while the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulates passenger compensation for airline-induced delays/cancellations, FAAN will continue to focus on airport-side contingency.

    “This includes ensuring basic amenities are available and facilitating communication between passengers and airlines. We have a zero-tolerance policy. Our strategy involves. Active Surveillance and Enforcement. Coordinating with agency supervisors to enforce strict disciplinary measures for any harassment or solicitation,” he said.

    He added, “We actively campaign for passenger awareness. Travellers are advised to be familiar with prohibited items, arrive early to avoid rushed situations that make them vulnerable, and firmly decline any requests for unofficial payments.

    Read Also: Ex-governors, Senate Leader, FAAN MD board maiden commercial flight to Ekiti airport

    “We also have Multiple Reporting Channels. We have deployed prominent QR codes linked to direct complaint lines at strategic locations. This gives passengers immediate access to a dedicated response team, including my office, to report issues in real-time.

    “Yes, collaboration is continuous and has been intensified for this season. While security protocols are inherently dynamic, we have aligned all stakeholders on the shared objective of passenger facilitation during this peak period.

    “Regular inter-agency briefings ensure a balanced approach that maintains security integrity while prioritising efficient passenger processing.

    “Our focus is on execution, not excuses. We recognise the current challenges posed by our extensive infrastructure development program, which is akin to a necessary period of operational gestation.

    “The outcome will be a significantly upgraded facility. In the meantime, we appeal for the understanding and patriotism of our passengers.

    “We are committed to relentless improvement and thank the public for their patience. The goal is for every passenger to experience a safe, secure, and increasingly efficient gateway.”

  • MWUN closes 2025 with grand end-of-year celebration, rewards members with cash prizes

    MWUN closes 2025 with grand end-of-year celebration, rewards members with cash prizes

    The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday, December 19, 2025, rounded off its activities for the year with a colourful end-of-year celebration marked by worker recognition, cash rewards, and a strong display of labour solidarity.

    Union officials described the gathering as an unprecedented event in MWUN’s history. Held under the leadership of the President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu, the celebration brought together workers, staff, and executives in what was widely regarded as the largest end-of-year party ever organised by the union, reinforcing internal cohesion amid ongoing reforms in the maritime sector.

    As part of activities to formally close the 2025 calendar year, MWUN presented cash awards to deserving members in recognition of punctuality, dedication, and exemplary conduct. In the punctuality category, the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Administration and Personnel, Comrade John Ekpo, received a cash prize of ₦100,000.

    In the best-dressed category, the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Protocol and the union’s representative of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Comrade Kenneth Ibanga, was awarded ₦100,000, alongside the General Secretary of the Dockworkers Branch, Comrade Mathew Adele, who also received ₦100,000.

    Female award recipients included Comrade Akala Mistura of the Accounts Department, who emerged best dressed, as well as Funke Apesin, Assistant Secretary-General (Administration), and Serifat Ogbede, Personal Assistant to the President-General. Each received ₦100,000 in cash.

    Additional recognitions in the punctuality category went to the union’s Chief Driver, Comrade John Kessy, and the Assistant General Secretary of the Dockworkers Branch, Comrade Rotimi, who both received ₦100,000 each. Comrade Taofeek Adeleke was also rewarded as the best among MWUN security personnel.

    In the entertainment segment, the Vice President-General, Comrade Martina Njoku, emerged as the best female dancer during an open dance competition and received ₦50,000, while other participants went home with consolation prizes.

    A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a special award to the President-General by the organisers of the “Face of Maritime,” alongside the 2025 Queen of the platform, in recognition of his leadership within Nigeria’s maritime labour movement.

    Speaking at the event, Comrade Bunu thanked participants for their discipline and conduct, reaffirming the values expected of union members.

    He noted that “the only way this tempo can be surpassed is through hard work, dedication, punctuality, commitment, and loyalty.” He also commended the organisers of the “Face of Maritime” for sustaining the annual event and expressed appreciation to journalists in attendance.

    The celebration featured a variety of local delicacies drawn from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, including the Niger Delta, South-West, South-East, and Northern regions, reflecting the union’s commitment to inclusiveness and national representation.

    MWUN officials said the event underscored the union’s dedication to worker motivation and unity as it positions maritime labour to engage more effectively with evolving port operations, industrial relations, and sector-wide reforms in the years ahead.

  • Foundation begins yearly support for essential workers, heads to UN women’s conference

    Foundation begins yearly support for essential workers, heads to UN women’s conference

    The Louis Awode Foundation (LAF) has launched a yearly outreach programme to support essential workers in Lagos, beginning with female officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).

    The foundation at the weekend distributed consumables to women working in LAWMA’s Waste Collection and Sanitation Department in Surulere, Lagos, under its mobile outreach initiative tagged “Touching Lives 1.0.”

    LAF said the initiative, which will now run annually, is designed to support workers engaged in physically demanding but often overlooked public service roles.

    Some beneficiaries described the intervention as timely, noting that it acknowledged the importance of their work, which is frequently carried out under difficult conditions. They said the support affirmed their contribution to environmental hygiene and public health in the state.

    Founder of the foundation, Louis Awode, said the focus on female LAWMA workers was deliberate, given the critical role they play in maintaining cleanliness and public safety across Lagos.

    “These women begin work very early each day and are central to keeping the city clean and safe. Despite the physical strain and health risks involved, their contribution to public health and urban living is rarely recognised,” Awode said.

    Waste collection work, he noted, involves long hours of walking and handling potentially hazardous materials, exposing workers to fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and injuries. Many sanitation workers also face economic pressures arising from low or irregular income and limited access to benefits.

    One of the beneficiaries, a road cleaner who has worked with LAWMA for 16 years, said she joined the agency after relocating to Lagos in search of stable employment.

    “I was looking for work and was referred to LAWMA. It has not been easy, but the job has helped me support myself,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Titilayo, thanked the foundation for the gesture, describing it as meaningful support for workers whose efforts are often unnoticed.

    Established in 2025, the Louis Awode Foundation focuses on education, community development, empowerment, and social impact. Its interventions include scholarships, mentorship, digital skills training, and vocational support for underprivileged students, first-generation graduates, women, youths, and persons with disabilities.

    Awode said the outreach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing poverty reduction and sustainable cities.

    A volunteer and marketing lead for the foundation, Taiwo Abdulai, said the programme reflects the importance of compassion and shared responsibility.

    “Small acts of support can make a meaningful difference, especially when they affirm dignity and shared humanity,” she said.

    The outreach comes as the foundation prepares to participate in the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, United States.

    LAF leadership said the invitation to the global forum was received with a sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to delivering measurable impact.

    “We see this engagement as an opportunity to advance inclusive economic justice, women’s empowerment, and youth-driven solutions on a global platform,” the foundation said.

    With the theme “Future of Work, the Future of Justice: Strengthening Legal Pathways to Women’s Economic Empowerment,” LAF said its participation in the CSW70 side event aligns with its mission to amplify underserved voices, influence policy discussions, and contribute community-based perspectives to shaping equitable futures of work and justice.

    The foundation added that the Touching Lives Programme will remain a yearly engagement, with plans to empower groups of dedicated citizens across Nigeria who contribute significantly to the country’s economic and social well-being.

  • Toyin Abraham’s ‘Oversabi Aunty’ earns N99.8 million in opening weekend

    Toyin Abraham’s ‘Oversabi Aunty’ earns N99.8 million in opening weekend

    Actress and producer Toyin Abraham has achieved a remarkable milestone with her latest film, “Oversabi Aunty”, becoming Nollywood’s second-highest opening film in 2025 with box office earnings of N99.8 million in its opening weekend.

    The film, which marks Abraham’s directorial debut, tells the story of a well-meaning but overly involved aunty who tries to fix everyone’s problems, leading to hilarious misunderstandings and touching revelations.

    The film’s advanced screening on December 18 generated significant buzz among audiences, paving the way for its nationwide release on December 19.

    The film boasts an all-star cast, including Mike Ezuruonye, Efe Irele, and Enioluwa Adeoluwa, among others.

    Read Also: Toyin Abraham unveils trailer for ‘Oversabi Aunty’ film

    In a post on social media, Abraham expressed her gratitude to fans, saying, “Opening weekend for Oversabi Aunty, GOD DID! You all did this, and I’m beyond grateful.

    “Thank you to everyone who has seen and is still going to see Oversabi Aunty in cinemas. This is my first big-screen directorial debut, and I don’t take it for granted.”

  • Motherland festival delivers world-class homecoming experience in Lagos

    Motherland festival delivers world-class homecoming experience in Lagos

    The inaugural edition of the Motherland Festival concluded on December 20, 2025, marking a significant cultural moment in Lagos.

    The festival, which brought together over 8,000 attendees, marked a powerful return to roots while introducing a new global standard for live entertainment experiences in Nigeria.

    Designed as more than a festival, Motherland was intentionally positioned as a homecoming. It created a space where Nigerians from different cities, countries, and generations could reconnect through music, culture, and shared experience. From the energy in the crowd to the stories exchanged on and off the stage, the festival reflected the emotional and cultural significance of coming home.

    Motherland delivered a world-class experience from start to finish. The festival featured a state-of-the-art stage, international-standard sound and lighting, immersive visual production, and carefully designed environments that mirrored leading global festivals. Every detail was executed to meet international benchmarks while celebrating Nigerian culture in a modern, elevated way, signaling a shift in what large-scale festivals in Nigeria can look and feel like.

    Music sat at the heart of the homecoming. Headlined by Omah Lay, the lineup brought together a deliberate blend of artists, including Seyi Vibez, Odumodublvck, The Cavemen, Fola, Qing Madi, and more. The diversity of the lineup offered attendees something distinctly different, bringing live instrumentation, soulful storytelling, and high-energy contemporary performances together in a way that reflected the full spectrum of Nigerian music across generations.

    The response from attendees reflected the scale and impact of the experience.

    “This was honestly the best festival I’ve been to,” shared one attendee. “The energy, the production, the crowd — I’ve never experienced anything like it in Lagos before.”

    Beyond the stage, Motherland delivered real and tangible impact. The festival activated the local creative and service economy, engaging hundreds of vendors, producers, technicians, designers, and hospitality partners. It also reinforced Nigeria’s growing position as a destination for cultural tourism, with many attendees traveling specifically to reconnect with home through the Motherland experience.

    A central pillar of the festival’s impact was its partnership with First Bank of Nigeria, whose involvement went far beyond sponsorship. First Bank played a critical role in supporting diaspora participation by offering on-ground access to essential financial and identity services. Attendees were able to open bank accounts, complete BVN and NIN registrations, and access banking support directly at the festival grounds, removing long-standing barriers often faced by Nigerians returning from abroad.

    By bringing these services into the cultural space, First Bank helped make reconnection easier, more practical, and more inclusive. From airport touchpoints to festival activations, the bank enabled a seamless experience that supported both celebration and long-term engagement with home.

    Jameson and Pepsi were also key sponsors of Motherland Festival 2025, supporting the overall festival experience. Their presence contributed to the energy, social atmosphere, and scale of the event.

    Reflecting on what comes next, the founders of Motherland Festival shared their long-term vision:

    “Motherland has always been bigger than December. Our focus is on creating spaces for connection and celebrating excellence as a global community all year round. As Motherland continues to grow, we’re excited to keep honoring who we are as a people, whether we’re at home or far away.”