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  • Varsity Mentor to hold AI summit in Lagos

    Varsity Mentor to hold AI summit in Lagos

    A three-day Generative AI Education Summit to empower university students is set to hold in Lagos.

    This high-impact event, being organised by VarsityMentor, a non-profit is part of the broader strategic mandate funded by the GenAI in CS Education Consortium that was created by University of San Diego.

    The summit, which will be held from February 18 to 20, is aimed at bridging the digital gap, leading African universities into the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and modernizing Computer Science (CS) curricula across the continent for the AI-driven future.

    The summit will bring together academic faculty from multiple African universities and visionary tech professionals and founders.

    “Our vision is to raise a new generation of African graduates who are not just consumers of technology, but the architects of the global AI revolution,” said Obinna Anya, Founder of VarsityMentor and a UX Researcher at Google.

    The summit will be anchored on three core objectives: Curriculum Co-Creation which entails Hands-on design sessions where faculty and industry leaders will rebuild CS modules to include AI-driven development and ethics; Policy Alignment, that is engaging the Ministry of Education officials from various African countries, to ensure that new educational standards are scalable and recognized at a national level; and Talent Pipeline Development to create direct links between universities and the burgeoning African tech ecosystem to foster internships and job placement.

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    The summit will also feature a panel highlighting prominent tech founders, hosted by Valerie Ehimhen, a Technical Program Manager in Google Quantum AI, and co-founder of PETGA Initiative. Valerie Ehimhen stressed “The industry is moving at a pace that traditional curricula often struggle to match.

    By bringing founders and faculty into the same room, we are ensuring, that the next generation of African engineers is equipped with the exact skills —specifically inGenAI and systems thinking—that the market is demanding right now.”

    Building on the need for technical rigor, Adekunle Adeyemo, a Software Engineer and long-time global lead of the Africans@Google employee resource group, emphasized the importance of infrastructure and reliability in education, noting that scaling the African tech ecosystem requires more than just access to new tools; it requires a robust foundation of systems-level thinking and reliability.

    According to the Media Consultant to VarsityMentor, Sir Peter Osamgbi, the event will be attended by computer science faculty, curriculum leads, department heads, ministry of education representatives and education innovators from 27 African universities across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi and Ethiopia.

    This upcoming summit marks a strategic evolution for VarsityMentor, which is deepening the proven precedent set by its two previous large-scale conferences.

    Those earlier events focused specifically on student empowerment and professional readiness; this current mandate shifts the focus upstream to the institutional level, ensuring that the very foundations of African computer science education are aligned with the AI-driven future.

    VarsityMentor is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 2021 and a digital network of African tech professionals in the diaspora committed to tackling the problem of graduate unemployment in Africa. The organisation connects university students in Africa with vetted African professionals and allies for mentoring, skills development and career pathway guidance.

  • Igbobi College Founders’ Day: Osinbajo advocates sustainable financial strength for schools

    Igbobi College Founders’ Day: Osinbajo advocates sustainable financial strength for schools

    Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says educational institutions must deliberately build sustainable financial strength through endowment funding to secure their future relevance, quality and values.

    Osinbajo said this while delivering the 94th Founders’ Day Lecture of Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos.

    The theme of the anniversary lecture is: “Building Generational Strength for Educational Institutions in Nigeria.”

    According to him, endowment funding provides long-term financial stability that enables schools to support staff and students, maintain facilities, expand academic programmes, and withstand economic and leadership transitions.

    “We must intentionally build permanent financial strength for schools so they can serve future generations with equal or greater impact,” Osinbajo said.

    He explained that educational endowments are long-term invested funds whose returns are used to fund scholarships, staff welfare, infrastructure development, and institutional operations over time.

    The former vice president, an alumnus of the school, described legacy as the enduring impact institutions leave beyond their present generation, adding that strong endowments ensure continuity of values and sustained excellence.

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    Osinbajo cited examples from the United States, noting that institutions such as Phillips Academy, Andover, and other members of the Eight Schools Association maintain endowments valued at about 1.3 billion dollars.

    He said many globally renowned schools rely on such funds to remain world-class and relevant across generations.

    In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the significance of Igbobi College at 94 years lies in its sustained relevance, as its alumni continue to contribute to leadership, ethics, and productivity nationwide.

    Sanwo-Olu said sustainability had become the true measure of educational excellence, adding that the launch of an endowment fund demonstrated a commitment to long-term stability and quality education.

    “Excellence cannot rely on goodwill alone; it must be deliberately financed, nurtured and sustained,” the governor said.

    He stressed the need for partnerships among government, alumni, educators, and the private sector, urging legacy institutions to move beyond nostalgia and focus on measurable impact through strategic planning and financial foresight.

    Sanwo-Olu was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun.

    Earlier, the 12th President of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA), Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said the association had initiated a N10 billion endowment fund to preserve the school’s founding vision of nurturing future leaders.

    Badejo-Okusanya said the fund, driven by alumni contributions, was aimed at sustaining academic standards, strengthening infrastructure, and securing the college’s long-term legacy.

    “Just as our founders planned for us without knowing us, we must intentionally plan for future generations,” he said.

    ICOBA presented plaques to Osinbajo and Sanwo-Olu at the event, which attracted alumni from across the country and abroad, as well as students and staff of the college.

    The Founders’ Day celebration, organised by ICOBA, also featured a Holy Communion service at the Igbobi College, Yaba, jointly founded by the Anglican and Methodist missions.

  • How Nigeria’s festive season is fuelling a silent health crisis

    How Nigeria’s festive season is fuelling a silent health crisis

    In Nigeria, festive seasons are moments of joy, generosity and excess. But beneath the music, meals and merriment lies a growing public-health concern. As sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods dominate celebrations, health experts warn that the country’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases is being quietly accelerated, report ADEKUNLE YUSUF and OLABISI AZEEZ

    By the time Christmas lights flicker on across Nigerian cities, something else is already in motion. Long before the first carol is sung or the first pot of rice is stirred, an invisible infrastructure has been activated—one that does not serve celebration so much as consumption, not community but chemistry.

    Festive seasons in Nigeria have always been generous. They stretch tables, loosen purses, and soften the year’s hard edges. But in recent years, public health experts warn, something has shifted. Celebration itself has become a delivery system for disease. This was the central concern raised on February 4, 2026, in Lagos, when Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) presented findings from its report, Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria. Speaking to journalists, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, framed the issue starkly. “What we are dealing with is not festive excess,” he said. “It is a systematic reshaping of Nigeria’s food environment at the most vulnerable moments of the year.”

    Between November 25, 2025, and January 5, 2026, CAPPA documented how the food and beverage industry used Christmas and New Year as high-risk windows to flood Nigerian spaces—physical and digital—with marketing for sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods. The result, public-health advocates argue, is not just seasonal indulgence but the reinforcement of dietary patterns driving Nigeria’s accelerating crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

    Nigeria’s burden of non-communicable diseases has been rising quietly but relentlessly. Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease are no longer conditions of affluence or old age. They are increasingly diagnosed in working-age adults and, disturbingly, in younger populations. Yet festive periods—already associated with higher food intake—have become moments when the country’s weakest dietary defences are deliberately breached. “Festive marketing acts as a health risk amplifier,” Oluwafemi warned. “It intervenes precisely when consumption is already elevated and restraint is lowest.”

    CAPPA’s monitoring revealed a level of saturation that public-health researchers describe as environmental exposure. From malls and transport hubs to churches and parks, Nigerians encountered repeated cues nudging them toward high-sugar, high-salt, and high-fat products. This was not accidental visibility. It was coordinated behavioural nudging. Examples were everywhere: Coca-Cola’s revived Holidays Are Coming truck tour; Nigerian Breweries’ Legendary Christmas light installations; Gino’s Christmas Village in Gbagada Park. These were not just promotions. They were immersive environments in which unhealthy products were positioned as essential companions to joy, generosity, and national identity. “When unhealthy foods are presented as cultural symbols,” a CAPPA researcher noted, “they stop being seen as dietary risks. They become emotional necessities.”

    From a health perspective, the most alarming findings involved children. Festive marketing targeted young people with a precision that bypassed parental control. Cartoon characters, Santa figures, free samples, school donations, and “gifts” embedded unhealthy foods into childhood memory and habit formation. Indomie’s Season to Show Some Love campaign placed branded Santas in malls. Viju Milk’s school donations arrived wrapped in Christmas messaging. Peak’s Enjoy Christmas at Its Peak breakfast events normalised sweetened milk as a daily staple. “These are not neutral gestures,” Oluwafemi said. “They are early dietary interventions—only conducted by corporations rather than health professionals.”

    Public-health evidence is unequivocal: taste preferences and consumption habits formed in childhood persist into adulthood. Early exposure to sugar and salt increases lifelong risk of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Teenagers and young adults were targeted differently but just as deliberately. Music festivals, influencer challenges, and scan-to-win games linked sugary drinks to entertainment, social status, and aspiration. Coca-Cola’s Flytime Fest promotions blurred consumption with access—drink more, attend more. Maggi’s influencer-driven Taste of Christmas campaign reframed seasoning cubes as lifestyle choices rather than sodium-dense additives. “Dietary risk was disguised as lifestyle content,” the report observed.

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    When charity becomes a health hazard

    Perhaps the most ethically troubling finding from a health standpoint was the use of corporate social responsibility as a vehicle for dietary harm. Donations to schools, churches, markets, and NGOs—often involving malt drinks, sweetened beverages, or ultra-processed foods—were presented as acts of compassion. In reality, CAPPA argues, they functioned as brand implantation in trusted spaces. “Nigerian Breweries’ Beer Villages promoted malt drinks as family-friendly,” the report notes, “while alcohol brands remained visible in the same environments.” Knorr’s Share the Good Jollof cook-offs, staged in dozens of communities, normalised heavy seasoning use under the banner of love and togetherness. “These activities generate goodwill that shields companies from scrutiny,” Oluwafemi said. “But from a health perspective, they embed risk where trust is highest.” The parallels with tobacco industry tactics are deliberate. Public-health scholars have long documented how harmful industries use philanthropy to soften resistance and delay regulation. The festive season, CAPPA found, has become a prime opportunity for this playbook.

    If physical spaces were saturated, digital platforms were infiltrated. CAPPA’s volunteers tracked festive campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X, capturing how unhealthy food marketing merged seamlessly with entertainment. AI-generated videos, influencer partnerships, hashtag challenges, and promotional lotteries blurred the line between advertising and personal expression.

    Coca-Cola’s personalised Share a Coke campaign tied identity to sugar consumption. Bigi’s New Year messages used religious language, aligning sugary drinks with faith and hope. Maggi’s youth-focused digital content embedded seasoning products into aspirational narratives. “For regulators, this is a nightmare,” a CAPPA analyst explained. “These are not adverts you can easily label or ban. They are emotional cues hidden in culture.” From a health perspective, this represents a regulatory gap with measurable consequences. Exposure increases. Accountability disappears. Children and young people—already heavy digital users—receive the most intense messaging.

    The health impacts of festive marketing are not evenly distributed. Urban, low-income communities experience the highest exposure. Parks, transport hubs, informal markets, schools, and churches—spaces heavily used by poorer families—were transformed into branded environments with no health warnings. “These are the same communities,” Oluwafemi noted, “that struggle most to access diagnosis and long-term care.”

    As ultra-processed foods displace traditional diets, households are pushed into cycles of illness and out-of-pocket spending. Treatment for hypertension, diabetes, and stroke is expensive and lifelong. An underfunded health system absorbs the downstream costs of private marketing decisions. “Festive consumption today becomes hospital queues tomorrow,” Oluwafemi said.

    Policy failure as a health risk

    CAPPA’s report is explicit: voluntary self-regulation by industry has failed to protect public health. Advertising codes exist, but enforcement is weak. CSR guidelines are porous. Digital marketing remains largely ungoverned. From a health systems perspective, this leaves Nigeria exposed. CAPPA calls for comprehensive, legally binding restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages—particularly during festive periods when exposure and vulnerability peak. These must cover digital platforms, outdoor advertising, broadcast media, point-of-sale promotions, and influencer marketing.

    Equally critical is banning branded CSR activities in schools, religious institutions, and community spaces. “Donations tied to brand visibility are not neutral,” Oluwafemi said. “They are public-health hazards disguised as kindness.” The organisation also reiterates the need to raise Nigeria’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax to at least 50 percent of retail price, in line with WHO recommendations, with revenues earmarked for NCD prevention, treatment, and health system strengthening. Mandatory front-of-pack warning labels would restore information asymmetry that festive marketing deliberately erodes.

    But none of this matters without enforcement. “Health policy without enforcement is symbolism,” Oluwafemi warned. “And symbolism does not save lives.” CAPPA’s appeal to journalists is grounded firmly in health ethics. Festive campaigns, the organisation argues, should not be reported as harmless colour stories. Behind every branded concert or charity donation lies a public-health implication. “Journalists are gatekeepers of context,” Oluwafemi said. “The question is not whether a campaign looks generous, but what it does to population health.”

    Festive seasons should strengthen social bonds and wellbeing. They should nourish bodies as well as spirits. Instead, CAPPA’s findings suggest, they are being engineered into moments of intensified health risk. The danger is not celebration itself, but its capture. What Nigeria faces, then, is a choice: whether festive joy remains a shared cultural resource—or becomes a recurring trigger for preventable illness. “Public health must be placed above corporate profit,” Oluwafemi concluded. “Because the cost of doing nothing is written not in balance sheets, but in blood pressure readings, insulin prescriptions, and premature deaths.” Until that choice is made, Nigeria’s festivities will continue to arrive with hidden costs—paid quietly, long after the decorations are gone.

  • The hidden dangersof high cholesterol -what you should know

    The hidden dangersof high cholesterol -what you should know

    A man hurries through the morning rush, a woman bargains with practiced skill, a father laughs with friends over drinks. None feels sick. None of them has any reason to suspect that, deep inside, a quiet process may already be at work — a gradual tightening of the blood vessels that keep the heart beating and the brain alive. This is the cruel genius of high cholesterol. It announces nothing. It sends no warning. It simply advances, patiently, until the moment it strikes.

    High cholesterol is among the most misunderstood health threats of our time, particularly in Nigeria where illness is often expected to come with visible suffering. Many people assume that if they are not overweight, not constantly tired, not gasping for breath, then all must be well. But cholesterol does not operate on appearances. It works invisibly, within the bloodstream, laying down layers of damage while life goes on as usual. You can be slim, active, and outwardly healthy, yet carry levels of blood fat that put you on a collision course with a heart attack or stroke.

    Ironically, cholesterol itself is not the villain it is often made out to be. It is a vital substance, essential for life. Every cell in the body needs cholesterol to maintain its structure. Hormones that regulate growth, stress, and reproduction depend on it. Even digestion relies on cholesterol-derived compounds. The liver produces most of what the body needs, while the rest comes from food. Problems arise only when the balance is lost — when certain types of cholesterol circulate in excess and begin to settle where they do not belong.

    Doctors often describe cholesterol in simple terms: “good” and “bad.” The labels may sound casual, but the difference is profound. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is the so-called bad cholesterol. Its job is to transport cholesterol through the bloodstream, but when there is too much of it, LDL begins to deposit cholesterol along the inner walls of arteries. Over time, these deposits harden into plaques, narrowing the vessels and making it harder for blood to flow freely. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, plays the opposite role. It scavenges excess cholesterol and carries it back to the liver for disposal, helping to keep arteries clear. Then there are triglycerides, another form of blood fat, which tend to rise with high intake of sugar, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates. Elevated triglycerides further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    To understand the danger, imagine your arteries as water pipes in a house. When they are new and clean, water flows easily. But if grease and dirt are allowed to accumulate year after year, the pipes narrow. Pressure builds. One day, a blockage occurs. In the body, that blockage may appear as a sudden chest pain on a busy morning, or a stroke that steals speech and movement in an instant. What makes high cholesterol particularly frightening is that this process can unfold over decades without causing a single symptom.

    One of the most persistent myths is that cholesterol is only a problem for people who are visibly overweight. Yet stories abound of individuals described as “fit” or “slim” who collapse without warning. Genetics plays a powerful role in cholesterol levels. Some people inherit conditions that cause dangerously high cholesterol from a young age, regardless of diet or body size. Without routine testing, they may live for years unaware of the risk they carry, until the first sign appears as a medical emergency.

    Lifestyle, however, still matters — and often more than we care to admit. Cholesterol risk is not confined to plates piled high with fried meat. It hides in everyday habits that feel harmless because they are familiar. Large portions of white rice eaten day after day. Frequent pastries grabbed on the way to work. Sugary drinks that accompany meals and social gatherings. Fast foods heavy in refined oils and salt. Even the humble routine of bread and tea every morning becomes problematic when fruits, vegetables, and fibre-rich foods are consistently absent. Over time, these patterns shape the chemistry of the blood.

    Then there is inactivity, the silent partner of modern life. Hours spent sitting in traffic, at desks, or in front of screens take their toll. Physical movement is one of the body’s natural defences against cholesterol imbalance. Regular activity raises HDL, the protective cholesterol, and helps blood vessels remain flexible and resilient. Exercise does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. Brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing at home, or engaging in active chores — done consistently — can significantly reduce risk.

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    Age also shifts the balance. As the years pass, the effects of long-standing habits accumulate. Men often face cholesterol-related risk earlier in life, while women’s risk rises sharply after menopause, when protective hormonal effects decline. When high cholesterol combines with conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes — both common and often poorly controlled — the strain on blood vessels intensifies, accelerating damage.

    Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of high cholesterol is how difficult it is to detect without testing. You cannot sense it. You cannot judge it by energy levels or physical strength. The only reliable way to know is through a blood test known as a lipid profile, which measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Many people are stunned when results reveal dangerous levels, precisely because they felt fine. That shock is often the first real encounter with the reality of this silent threat.

    The good news is that high cholesterol is not a life sentence. It is manageable, and often reversible, especially when caught early. Small, sustained changes can yield meaningful improvements. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains increase fibre, which helps lower LDL. Choosing grilled, boiled, or steamed foods more often than fried ones reduces harmful fat intake. Cutting back on sugary drinks, moderating alcohol, and paying attention to portion sizes all make a difference. Foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, and plant oils provide healthier fats that support heart health rather than undermine it.

    Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and improves cholesterol balance. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week can raise HDL and lower overall risk. For those carrying excess weight, losing even a small amount can significantly improve cholesterol levels. In some cases, particularly where genetics play a role, lifestyle changes may not be enough. This is where medication becomes essential. Drugs such as statins reduce cholesterol production in the liver and help clear LDL from the bloodstream. They are among the most studied medications in the world and have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Taking them is not a failure of willpower; it is an act of prevention.

    The true danger of high cholesterol lies not only in what it does, but in how quietly it does it. It allows life to feel normal right up until it no longer is. A simple blood test, done routinely, can expose a hidden risk while there is still time to act. So take a moment and ask yourself a difficult question: when last did you check your cholesterol level? Not your blood pressure. Not how energetic you feel. An actual cholesterol test. That single decision could mark the line between prevention and emergency, between control and crisis. High cholesterol may be silent, but you do not have to be. Awareness, testing, and timely action can keep your arteries open — and your future firmly in your own hands.

  • Closing the gap to improve cancer survival in Nigeria

    Closing the gap to improve cancer survival in Nigeria

    Nigeria’s rising cancer burden has once again come under sharp focus, as the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) called for sustainable and transparent financing mechanisms to curb preventable cancer deaths across the country. The appeal, made to mark World Cancer Day 2026, underscores a growing consensus among health experts that cancer in Nigeria is as much a financing and access crisis as it is a medical one.

    Speaking in Abuja, Chairman of the NCIF Governing Council, Dr Gafar Alawode, said Nigeria could significantly reduce cancer-related deaths if funding for prevention, early detection and treatment was prioritised and equitably deployed. His call aligns with the 2026 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” which highlights the reality that while cancer affects individuals differently, everyone deserves timely access to quality care. “Cancer may be a unique journey for every patient, but access to prevention, early detection and treatment must not depend on income, geography or social status,” Alawode said. “No Nigerian should be denied lifesaving cancer care because they cannot afford it.”

    The scale of the challenge is stark. According to the GLOBOCAN 2022 report, Nigeria records about 127,763 new cancer cases every year, with an estimated 79,542 cancer-related deaths annually. GLOBOCAN, managed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of the global cancer burden, drawing from population-based cancer registries across 185 countries.

    In Nigeria, breast, prostate and cervical cancers remain the most commonly diagnosed, with women accounting for a higher proportion of cases overall. Yet beyond the numbers lies a more troubling reality: too many patients arrive at hospitals when it is already too late. Alawode noted that late presentation remains one of the strongest drivers of Nigeria’s high cancer mortality rate. Studies indicate that between 70 and 75 per cent of cancer patients in the country present at advanced stages—Stages III and IV—when treatment options are limited, more expensive, and outcomes are often poor. “Many of these deaths are preventable,” he said. “Early detection saves lives, but only if people can access screening services and afford treatment when cancer is found.”

    For many Nigerian families, cost is the biggest barrier. Cancer care often requires repeated diagnostic tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or long-term medication—expenses that are largely paid out-of-pocket. In a country where health insurance coverage remains limited, a cancer diagnosis can quickly become a financial catastrophe, forcing families to sell property, exhaust savings or abandon treatment altogether. Health experts warn that this financial strain does not only affect patients; it weakens the entire health system. When people delay care because of cost, cancers progress, treatment becomes more complex, and survival rates fall. The result is a cycle of late presentation, high mortality and rising social and economic losses.

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    It is this cycle that the NCIF hopes to break. Alawode said the Fund is committed to strengthening cancer prevention and control by expanding access to affordable services across the cancer care continuum—from prevention and screening to diagnosis and treatment. “Sustainable financing is not optional; it is essential,” he stressed. “Without it, screening programmes cannot scale, diagnostic centres cannot function optimally, and treatment remains out of reach for the people who need it most.”

    Alawode called on all stakeholders—federal and state governments, healthcare providers, development partners, community leaders and individuals—to play their part in addressing the growing cancer burden. “A coordinated and inclusive response is the only way forward,” he said. “When government policy, health systems, community awareness and individual action align, we can translate personal cancer stories into collective progress.”

    Public health advocates argue that such coordination must include stronger screening programmes for common cancers, better public awareness to dispel myths and fear, improved referral systems, and financing models that protect families from catastrophic health spending.

  • FX reforms, compliance drive Nigeria’sremoval from EU’s high-risk list

    FX reforms, compliance drive Nigeria’sremoval from EU’s high-risk list

    The European Union’s (EU) announcement that Nigeria has been removed from its list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing underscores the success of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) reforms. It highlights growing transparency, stronger compliance in the financial sector, and effective implementation of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures, reports Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    Nigeria’s exit from the EU’s High-risk List is expected to enhance global trust and partnership for the domestic economy. It is also an indication that Nigeria’s financial sector has experienced major transformation in recent years, following reforms in the sector. From exchange rate unification, increasing regulatory guidance, transparency in the forex market operations, enhanced surveillance in financial flows to the economy.

    A large part of these reforms and policy implementations have brought significant benefits to the economy. A remarkable gain was the recent European Union (EU), removal of Nigeria from its list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing, alongside South Africa and four other African countries.

    The move was generally seen by analysts as providing a further fillip to Nigeria’s economic prospects. A statement published on the European Commission’s website said: “The European Commission, in its assessment, concluded that Nigeria has significantly strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime and satisfactorily addressed the technical and strategic deficiencies highlighted by the FATF site, the move reflects decisions taken by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at its June and October 2025 plenaries, where several countries were removed from the list of “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring,” commonly referred to as the grey-list.

    The statement also said that the move means that enhanced due diligence requirements applied to transactions involving Nigeria and other delisted countries will be lifted from January 29, 2026, subject to procedural approval by the European Parliament and the Council. Analysts note that like its removal the FATF grey-list, Nigeria’s removal from the EU high-risk list also has significant economic and financial implications for the country.

    The fact remains that being classified as a high-risk jurisdiction often leads to higher transaction costs, delayed payments, restricted correspondent banking relationships, and reduced foreign investment. Nigeria was removed from the FATF grey-list in October last year after implementing a series of reforms aimed at strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regime.

    CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, earlier said the deployment of the Electronic Forex Market Surveillance System (EFEMS), the shift to a single, market-determined foreign exchange rate regime, and enhanced risk-based banking supervision – underscore CBN’s track record of reform delivery. They have strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to absorb external shocks, from volatile oil prices to shifts in credit rating sentiment.

    “In 2026, we will deepen engagement with stakeholders, strengthen collaboration with other regulators and international partners, and foster responsible innovation across the financial system. We will continue to provide forward guidance, protect the integrity of our financial markets, leverage technology and AI to improve decision‑making, and build institutional capacity to support an evolving and resilient financial system,” he said.

    Reforms’ contributions to high-risk exit

    On assumption of office, the apex bank leadership led by Cardoso swung into action, dismantling the roadblocks and opaqueness in the financial system that put Nigerian on the EU list. From reforms in the bureau de change operations, which falls within the other financial sector segment of the economy, to the increase in surveillance and supervision of the deposit money banks, the CBN left no stone unturned to ensure that Nigeria exits the grey list.

    Part of the compliance records include Nigeria’s lenders being able to identify the beneficial owner, and taking reasonable measures to verify the identity of the beneficial owner, such that they become satisfied that beneficial owner in every transaction is known. As required by the law, the Nigeria’s financial institutions are also able to understand the ownership and control structure of their customers, obtain information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship and conduct due diligence on the business relationship. They equally ensured that scrutiny of transactions are undertaken throughout the course of every banking relationship.

    President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka, described Nigeria’s exit from the EU list as an excellent development, for the country. He praised the CBN’s efforts at ensuring that Nigeria is no longer burdened by the grey list challenges, following its exit. He said: “It opens new approach and opportunities in Nigeria banks and customers dealings with international financial institutions. It shows that Nigeria’s financial system is safe for payments and other transactions. It is worth celebrating by all Nigerians,” he said. Ogubunka advised that government should do more to ensure that Nigeria does not relapse, or return into the list by continuing to do things right.

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    More views from stakeholders

    Reacting to the country’s removal from the FATF grey list in a statement it issued at the time, the CBN said the move recognised “significant improvements in Nigeria’s regulatory, supervisory, and enforcement frameworks, particularly in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.”

    It also added that the development “marks an important milestone in the country’s continuing efforts to strengthen financial system integrity, transparency, and international confidence.” The statement identified key reforms assessed by the FATF and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), FATF’s regional assessment body.

    These include: Strengthened oversight of financial institutions through updated AML/ CFT regulations, risk-based supervision, and fit and-proper assessments; expansion of compliance reporting and monitoring across remittance channels, Bureaux De Change, and fintech platforms to improve traceability and transparency; enhanced inter-agency data sharing and enforcement coordination between the CBN, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), and law-enforcement bodies and implementation of market governance tools, including the Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code) and Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS).

    Furthermore, the statement said: “Nigeria’s removal from the grey list will yield tangible benefits for businesses and households alike including – lowering compliance costs, improving access to international finance, and making cross-border transactions faster and more affordable. In time, these gains will translate into smoother trade settlements, quicker remittance inflows, and even more predictable access to foreign exchange – enhancing livelihoods, supporting enterprise growth, and deepening financial inclusion.

    “The FATF decision reinforces the broader restoration of global confidence in Nigeria’s economic management. Recent international assessments underscore this momentum, with Moody’s and Fitch upgrading Nigeria’s ratings outlook on the back of stronger external balances, credible policy execution, and renewed monetary-policy credibility.”

    It also quoted Cardoso as saying: “The FATF’s decision to remove Nigeria from the grey list is a strong affirmation of our reform trajectory and the growing integrity of our financial system.

    “It reflects a clear policy direction and the coordinated efforts of key national institutions working together to deliver sustainable, standards-based reforms. Our priority now is to consolidate these gains, ensuring that compliance, innovation, and trust continue to advance hand in hand to reinforce financial stability and strengthen Nigeria’s global credibility.”

    Also, the CBN and Bank of Angola Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed late 2025, represents a major step to strengthen financial sector regulations and fight money laundering. Cardoso, who signed on behalf of the CBN alongside the Governor of the Central Bank of Angola, Manuel Antonio Tiago Diaz, noted that the MoU aligns with Africa’s broader goals of economic integration and financial stability. Both apex bank leaders said the partnership marks a critical development between the two institutions in their efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and technical exchange.

    Both institutions are by the MoU expected to establish a bilateral forum for the reciprocal exchange and sharing of technical assistance between the authorities to enhance capacity in the execution of their respective Central Bank functions. They are also expected to cooperate and collaborate in the cross-border supervision of authorized institutions and exchange of cybersecurity information between them.

    According to them, the institutions are to partner on licensing, supervision, resolution planning and implementation of resolution measures for cross-border financial establishments. They are also to ensure transparent and smooth periodic exchange of information as well as define procedures for exchange of information. The cooperation will also extend to exchange control, financial markets and foreign reserves management, currency management and economic research.

    The partnership further extends to payment, clearing and settlement systems management, financial sector development, banking supervision and regulation as well as Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. Both central bank leaders said it is their hope that the outcome of the MoU implementation will be a win-win for both parties.

    Cost of grey list to economy grey-listing of Nigeria carried a significant cost translating to more than $30 billion in potential investments. Cardoso said: “Nigeria’s grey-listing carried a significant cost: countries in this category typically experience a 7.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) drop in capital inflows in the first year, for Nigeria, that translates to more than USD $30 billion in potential investment.  Exiting the list therefore signals a major restoration of confidence and eases compliance frictions for correspondent banks.”

    Cardoso said the global financial community has welcomed Nigeria’s exit, noting improved access to international finance and smoother cross‑border payments. He explained that one of the most significant achievements this year was Nigeria’s exit from the FATF grey list.

    “This milestone was the result of a coordinated national effort led by the Federal Government, with critical contributions from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Justice, the NFIU, the EFCC, and our regional partners. Through stronger supervision, improved reporting standards, enhanced intelligence‑sharing, and governance tools such as the FX Code, we addressed the deficiencies identified by FATF during its on‑site assessment,” he said.

    X-ray on economy

     In the Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank upgraded Nigeria’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.4 per cent, from the 3.7 per cent projection it had announced for the country in June 2025. The report said: “Growth in Nigeria is forecast to strengthen to 4.4 per cent in both 2026 and 2027—the fastest pace in over a decade. This further firming of growth is anticipated to be underpinned by a continued expansion in services and a rebound in agricultural output, with a modest acceleration in non-oil industry.

    “Economic reforms, including in the tax system, along with continued prudent monetary policy, are expected to continue supporting activity. They are also expected to improve investor sentiment and reduce inflation further. Higher oil output is expected to offset lower international oil prices this year, helping to boost fiscal revenues and strengthen the external balance.”

    The apex bank appeared to have set the ball rolling in terms of forecasting positive economic outlooks for the country, when in its macroeconomic outlook for 2026, released last month, it made optimistic projections for the nation’s economy. The apex bank stated: “The year 2026 presents a realistic window of opportunity for macroeconomic stabilisation. The Nigerian economy is expected to continue expanding, with growth projected at 4.49 per cent in 2026. The projection is hinged on continued gains from broad-based structural reforms and a gradually easing monetary policy stance.”

  • Students: NELFUND remains our saving grace

    Students: NELFUND remains our saving grace

    President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector, the Student Loan Scheme has surpassed the expectations of many. It has not only saved many students from becoming dropouts, but provided hope for indigent students. Thus, when erstwhile Anambra State Governor Peter Obi reportedly described it a “wasteful venture”, not a few students raised eyebrows regarding what has become a saving grace for many of them. WONDERFUL ADEGOKE (UDUS) reports.

    • ‘Wasteful’ claim not correct

    Erstwhile Anambra State Governor Peter Obi drew the ire of students and other critical stakeholders in the education space over comments credited to him, tagging the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a “wasteful venture”.

    Established in May 2024, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) grants every qualified Nigerian student, regardless of background or location, education funding with transparency, efficiency, and dignity. Looking at the statistics, the NELFUND scheme tells an encouraging story.

    Unarguably one of President Bola Tinubu’s best social intervention programme, the NELFUND scheme has provided loans to 940, 396 students (as of February 1, 2026) across 263 institutions for tuition fees, charges and upkeep allowances.

    On what grounds and to what end can a zero-interest loan that has supported students to the tune of over N174 billion  be termed a ‘wasteful’ venture? Do students buy  Obi’s criticism.

    Sadik Salihu, a 300-Level Microbiology student at  Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State, isn’t quick to forget how helpful the NELFUND scheme has been.

    “The NELFUND student loan scheme is a well-intended initiative aimed at improving access to higher education for students from less-privileged backgrounds,” said Salihu.

    As a beneficiary, he testifies to its support for students struggling with tuition and academic-related expenses. “Although some students, including those I represent, have faced administrative challenges on the portal, the initiative itself has reduced anxiety around funding education for many beneficiaries,” he added.

    Similarly,  Elom Chioma Favour, a 200-Level Medical Laboratory Science student at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Ikwo, Ebonyi State, shows the relief of having her school fees paid.

    NELFUND, she noted, is remarkable for another reason. “Even though my parents were out of funds early this year, NELFUND saw me through and my school fees was paid. Or do I talk about the upkeep? It’s  great relief as I don’t have to constantly place demands on my parents as there’s at least something in my account.”

    Convinced Peter Obi could try that line elsewhere, she remarked, “NELFUND has done more good than harm, I still don’t know why it should be termed wasteful.”

    Its impacts are unending. Even in the far north, students bear witness to it serving purpose. A student at  Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto(UDUS) who prefers to be identified as Aliyu,  is delighted by  its increasing impact.

    His words: “NELFUND has been highly beneficial to me and several  other students. I see nothing wasteful about the program. It has helped many students remain in school and successfully complete their education.

    “And of course, it also eases the financial pressure on parents, guardians, and students alike. For example, the monthly upkeep allowance provides consistent support. How many parents are able to send N20,000 to their children every month?

    Read Also: NELFUND boosts enrolment, cushions cost burden for Zamfara varsity students – ex-VC

    “Therefore, it is difficult to understand how anyone could describe NELFUND as wasteful. Anyone with such an opinion is clearly not in support of the progress and development of young people or the advancement of education.”

    Lending her voice to Aliyu’s stance, Maryam Umar, also a 400-Level Law student at  UDUS  bears witness to the support those with little options at their disposal have received.

    “As a neutral observer, I think it has saved a lot of potential dropouts since its commencement, I personally know people who won’t be able to pay their school fees or live decently in school without it. So yes, I think it is very beneficial to the student populace,” she  said.

    Its impact could be best scaled when viewed through another lens. According to Abdullateef Faruq, also a 400-Level student of Education English at UDUS, said:”The scheme is potentially beneficial, not wasteful by design. However, its success depends on transparency, proper monitoring, and effective implementation.”

    However, like Sadik Salihu, who agrees to the need for improving the technical efficiency of the portal and increasing sensitization among students, Aderibigbe Emmanuel Kayode, a 500-level Human Medicine and Surgery student of Ambrose Alli University, believes much more could be ruined if all hands are not on deck.

    Of the scheme’s detriment, he said: “Many government schools have increased their tuition with hope that students will apply for the students loan.”

    Aderibigbe suggests the government gets involved.

     “I will suggest the governmen regulates the school fees increament in government schools, have monitoring board to make sure the institution loan is implemented for students without delay, because many schools hold the money for long after the money is given to them by the government,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, in a statement faulted Obi’s claims, saying his uncomplimentary comments about an agency that is doing so much to empower young Nigerians and expand access to tertiary education do not reflect the reality on ground.

    He said: “The recent comment credited to His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, describing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as wasteful, is deeply unfortunate and does not reflect the realities on ground or the aspirations of millions of Nigerian youths who depend on access to tertiary education for national progress.

    “NELFUND is not a wasteful venture, but a strategic investment in human capital development, deliberately designed to provide unflinching access to tertiary education for Nigerian students, irrespective of socio-economic background.

    “Education remains the strongest foundation for sustainable development, social stability, and economic growth,” he said.

    The Presidential aide stressed that it takes a visionary leader like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who clearly understands the critical role of education funding as the only guaranteed pathway to quality and inclusive education, to initiate and sustain an intervention of this magnitude.

    Asefon  added that policies of this nature are not driven by politics but by foresight, compassion, and national interest.

    “It is therefore unbecoming of the status of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, for such a sweeping condemnation to be made against an initiative that has directly benefited over 940,000 Nigerian students across 218 tertiary institutions nationwide, covering both tuition fees and student upkeep.

    “As at Wednesday, 28th January 2026, the total amount disbursed under the NELFUND scheme exceeds N174.5 billion, with billions more set to be accessed by eligible Nigerian students who meet the required criteria.

    “No reasonable or responsible political actor should dismiss an intervention that is transforming lives at this scale.

    “Beyond access to education, NELFund delivers far-reaching social benefits, including:

    “Reduction in youth unemployment and desperation, significant decline in crime rates linked to school dropouts, promotion of social inclusion and equal opportunity and strengthening of Nigeria’s future workforce and leadership pipeline.

    “NELFUND has emerged as one of the most popular and impactful government initiatives, with direct, measurable impact on Nigerian youths and the student community,” the statement added.

    The Presidential aide stressed that NELFUND is a policy that deserves national applause, not political dismissal.

    “We therefore urge His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, to refrain from making disparaging comments on mass-oriented and people-centered policies that are clearly delivering hope and opportunity to millions of Nigerian families.

    “Regardless of political affiliations or interests, NELFUND is a national asset that should be supported by all patriots,” he said.

  • World Bank-funded $500 million meters to be given free, says BPE

    World Bank-funded $500 million meters to be given free, says BPE

    • Urges customers to beware of extortion

    The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Director-General, Dr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi yesterday said the meters provided under the $500 million World Bank funded Distribution Recovery Program (DISREP) are free.

    He also noted that the installation of the meters is free of charge as well, warning customers to resist of any electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) compelling them to pay for them.

    According to him, the Federal Government has provided the meters to eliminate estimated billings from the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    He spoke in Abuja alongside others industry stakeholders at the media briefing on DISREP supply.

    Asked whether the meters were truly free, he requested the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Chairman, Dr. Musliu Oseni to respond.

    The NERC boss said: “The government has taken responsibility to borrow money and provided these meters and said DisCos ‘I don’t want you to charge my people for these meters. Go and distribute these meters freely.’

    “These meters are to be deployed and installed freely. Anybody asking you to bring money, kindly report to the utility because most of the time, the extortion is between the installers or staff of the DisCos and the customers. This is not inclusive of the management.”

    The DISREP Investment Project Financing is a $250million facility that supports DisCos by financing the bulk procurement of 3.2milliion smart customer and retail level meters.

    The other component of DISREP is programme for result, which is also $250milion facility.

    According to Gbeleyi, 182,000 meters are already installed under the DISREP, which he stressed are for all.

    The BPE boss stressed that the meters are for customers who have no meters, however the government has granted DisCos request to allow them deploy 20 per cent of the meters for replacement of faulty or expiring meters.

    Read Also: NELFUND boosts enrolment, cushions cost burden for Zamfara varsity students – ex-VC

    Speaking again, Oseni explained that although customers pay for meters that operators provide them, the government has already absorbed the DISREP meters cost through the Word Bank facility.

    He said: “Every investment made by the GenCos and DisCos is paid for by the customers as far as it is provided by the operators. But the Federal Government is taking responsibility of the DISREP to procure these meters.

    On the payment of subsidy, he said some reforms are underway as states fully take over electricity market.

    “There will be some reforms that will happen when the states take over subsidy regulations,” said Oseni.

    Describing any call for payment for procurement or installation of DISREP meters as extortion, he urged the customers to report any demand for such payment to the commission.

    According to him, timeline for tariff rate is dependent on the government to decide.

    Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Managing Director, Engr. Abdulaziz Sule, who recalled that the metering gap in the industry used to be 10 million meters, noted that it has reduced to 5 million metering gap.

    He revealed that the government has met 75 per cent of the DISREP requirements.

    The TCN boss said 30 per cent of the meters have already arrived Nigeria.

    Similarly, the Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA), Acting Managing Director, Dr. Peter Asuben revealed that as at December 2025, the agency had tested 576,208 meters and also tested 18,716 in January 2026.

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented by Dr. Adedayo Olowoniyi said the DISREP was introduced to strengthen the downstream sector – distribution of electricity.

    He vowed that this administration will bridge the metering gap in the industry.

    “During this administration, the metering gap will be closed,” the minister said.

    The Abuja DisCos Managing Director, Okwuokenye Chijioke said the firm has embraced the DISREP.

    He said the extortionists are not staff of the AEDC even as the firm has embarked on sensitization on the DISREP.

    EKO DisCos Managing Director, Wola Joseph Condotti noted that the firm does not charge for the meters, however, there are a couple of bed eggs in the system.

    Ibadan DisCo, Kaduna DisCo, Yola DisCo and others were present in the event.

  • Wike, labour unions reach truce, end FCT workers’ strike

    Wike, labour unions reach truce, end FCT workers’ strike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has brokered a late-night truce with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), bringing an end to the strike that paralyzed parts of Abuja.

    The development is paving the way for workers to return immediately.

    The agreement was reached around 3:50 am on Tuesday after over three hours of negotiations chaired by the Senate Committee on the FCT, led by Senator Mohammed Bomoi. The meeting started a few minutes before 12:00am.

    In attendance were Wike, the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo respectively.

    The scribes of both labour centres as well as other key stakeholders, were also present.

    THE NATION reports that organised labour, comprising the two labour centres, on Monday insisted that there would be no going back on the planned massive protest to press home the demands of FCTA workers.

    Police authorities in the FCT cautioned the movement to reschedule its action in the “interest of safety”, adding that there were plots by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN/Shi’ites) and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.   

    The Minister had also obtained an interim court order restraining the NLC and the TUC from embarking on the action.

    According to a statement after the meeting and signed by NLC and TUC, it was agreed that, arising from the strike action, no worker shall be victimized in any manner.

    Upah, who was flanked by the General Secretary of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and other labour leaders, also disclosed that all outstanding cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn immediately.

    He added: “All affiliates are hereby informed that a conciliatory meeting was held between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi.

    “At the conclusion of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached: All complaints presented by JUAC members were taken one after the other and fully addressed.


    “The Honourable Minister assured organized labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward.”

    He, however, announced that all workers in the FCT had been directed to resume duties immediately.

    “Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT) are hereby directed to resume work immediately.

    “All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, in good faith”.

  • AfDB okays $3.9m to electrify homesin Nigeria, others

    AfDB okays $3.9m to electrify homesin Nigeria, others

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $3.9 million technical assistance initiative designed to transform energy commitments into actual power connections for millions of Africans living without electricity, marking a significant step toward the ambitious Mission 300 goal of electrifying 300 million people by 2030.

    The two-year programme, officially designated as AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, will deliver direct technical support to 13 African countries where national energy plans have been drafted but implementation has lagged.

    The beneficiary nations span the continent from Chad in the north to Lesotho in the south, including major economies like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia, alongside smaller nations such as Gabon, Mauritania, and Malawi. Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Namibia, and Uganda round out the list of participating countries.

    The approval comes at a critical juncture for African energy access. While dozens of countries across the continent have launched National Energy Compacts over the past year, outlining how governments plan to expand electricity access and attract investment, the gap between planning and execution has remained substantial. These compacts represent binding commitments from governments to strengthen power sectors through regulatory reforms, improved utility performance, and coordinated investment strategies.

    Read Also: AFDB clears Nigerian firm Sargittarius

    According to Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation , AfDB, Wale Shonibare,  the programme  addresses this implementation challenge directly. “Countries have made bold commitments through their energy compacts.  Now, through AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, we are helping them implement those commitments so that more households, entrepreneurs, and communities actually get electricity,” Shonibare explained.

    The technical assistance will focus on four key intervention areas that address fundamental barriers to electricity expansion. First, governments will receive support to reform electricity regulations, improve planning frameworks, and restructure tariffs to create environments where private and public investments can proceed with confidence. Second, the program will work to strengthen national utilities, helping them deliver more reliable power while reducing technical and commercial losses that currently drain resources from already strained systems.

    Third, the initiative will enhance data collection, research capabilities, and knowledge sharing across participating countries through instruments including the Electricity Regulatory Index and regional energy forums. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, expert advisers will be embedded within national Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units to help governments coordinate reforms across multiple ministries and track implementation progress in real time.

    The programme builds directly on AESTAP Mission 300 Phase I, a $1 million initiative approved in December 2025 that focused on establishing and operationalizing the Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units themselves. These government-embedded teams serve as coordination hubs responsible for orchestrating energy reforms across different agencies and monitoring progress against compact commitments. Phase I concentrated on creating institutional capacity within these units through staff training, monitoring tool development, and strategic planning support.

    Funded through the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, Phase II represents the African Development Bank Group’s contribution to accelerating compact implementation by supporting critical upstream policy and regulatory reforms. The program will operate in coordination with Mission 300 partners including the World Bank, national governments, and various development organizations to ensure aligned and mutually reinforcing efforts.

    The combined $4.9 million investment across both phases underscores the development community’s recognition that technical expertise and coordination capacity often prove as critical as financial capital in expanding energy access. For the 13 participating countries, the programme offers specialised support to overcome the complex regulatory, institutional, and technical obstacles that have historically slowed electricity rollout even when funding is available.