The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

All eyes on banks as N4.14 trillion recapitalisation drive heats up

The ongoing recapitalisation of banks ranks among the most ambitious reforms undertaken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Governor Olayemi Cardoso. The initiative reflects the apex bank’s commitment to regulatory excellence and a stronger financial system. So far, 20 of the 44 banks have met the minimum capital requirement, with lenders expected to raise a combined N4.14 trillion by the March 31 deadline. Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE reports that the exercise underscores the CBN’s resolve to build a resilient banking sector

In less than three months, the ongoing recapitalisation of Nigerian banks through capital raising is expected to be concluded, with an estimated N4.14 trillion projected to be mobilised across the sector by the time the exercise is completed. One of the most significant outcomes of the programme is the emergence of stronger, better-capitalised banks with the capacity to undertake large-scale transactions capable of supporting businesses and driving broader economic growth. By strengthening balance sheets, the exercise is designed to position Nigerian banks to play a more decisive role in financing critical sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the leadership of its Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has consistently maintained that sustainable economic growth is impossible without a robust and well-capitalised financial system. In line with this conviction, the apex bank is working to align monetary and fiscal policies in support of the Federal Government’s ambition to expand business activity and grow the economy to a $1 trillion valuation.

For the CBN leadership, this ambition is inseparable from the need to entrench a strong culture of compliance and reinforce risk management frameworks across the financial system. Cardoso has emphasised that protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s banking sector while enhancing its resilience and credibility—both domestically and internationally—remains a central priority. To this end, the apex bank has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining a transparent, stable, and resilient financial system by tightening regulatory oversight and strengthening compliance and risk management practices across Nigerian financial institutions.

Milestones assessment for recapitalisation

Ahead of the March 31 deadline, Cardoso, in his last public update on the recapitalisation programme, confirmed that 16 banks have met their new capital requirements. He also indicated that 27 other banks were raising funds. Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi, who spoke last week at Nigeria Economic Summit (NESG) forum said not less than 20 banks have met the new capital requirements.

Nigeria currently has 44 deposit-taking banks across various licence categories. At least seven other banks are weighing the option of scaling down their licence from national to regional bank, given the concentration of their operations and the almost equal ubiquitous advantage offered by Nigeria’s expansive digital banking. Another bank, which currently holds an international banking licence, indicated over the weekend that it could be scaling down to a national banking license in the immediate period before the deadline, while pursuing further recapitalisation to boost its capital base and regain its international banking authorisation.

The apex bank categorises banks into three broad categories – international, national, and regional – based on their financial strength. Under the recapitalisation guidelines, beyond raising funds, banks are required to subject their new equity funds to capital verification before the clearance of the allotment proposal and release of the funds to the bank for onward completion of the offer process and addition of the new capital to its capital base.

The CBN is the final signatory in a tripartite capital verification committee that included the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The committee is saddled with scrutinising new funds being raised by banks under the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation programme.

N4.14 trillion to be raised

With expected N4.14 trillion new capital being raised and 20 banks already met the minimum capital requirement, this year will turn out a significant milestone in the economy. The CBN had, on March 28, 2024, announced a two-year bank recapitalisation exercise which commenced on April 1, 2024. The recapitalisation plan requires minimum capital of N500 billion, N200 billion and N50 billion for commercial banks with international, national and regional licences respectively. The 24-month timeline for compliance ends on March 31, 2026.

Cardoso said the apex bank will be enforcing stronger governance, greater transparency, and firmer accountability to protect raised funds. He disclosed that several banks have already met the new capital thresholds, while others are advancing steadily and are well positioned to comfortably meet the March 31, 2026 deadline. Banks meeting or exceeding the new requirements is a clear testament to the depth, resilience and capacity of Nigeria’s banking sector,” Cardoso stated.

The CBN has equally established a dedicated Compliance Department, now fully operational, with mandates covering financial crime supervision, market conduct, enterprise security, corporate governance, and Environmental, social, and governance (ESG). According to the CBN boss, the process of enforcing stronger controls on raised funds is ongoing with the redesigning of the credit‑risk framework expected to ensure that raised funds are well managed by financial institutions. Previously, banks were awash with post recapitalisation funds, with analysts predicting that without proper risk management policies and regulatory controls, chances of misapplying such raised funds through risky loans remain high.

To guard against such occurrence, Cardoso stated: “As recapitalisation progresses, we are redesigning the credit‑risk framework to enforce stronger governance, greater transparency, and firmer accountability across the sector. We are determined to break the boom‑and‑bust cycle that has accompanied past recapitalisation efforts.”

Already, the CBN Credit Risk Management System (CRMS) is web-enabled, allowing banks and other stakeholders to dial directly into the CRMS database to render statutory returns or conduct status enquiry on borrowers. Also, the CBN is in the process of integrating the CRMS with other systems operating in the banks to make it more efficient.

In a report titled: “Nigeria’s macro headwinds trigger bank recapitalisation” Deloitte, a global accounting and audit firm, put the total funds to be raised in the recapitalisation exercise which ends on March 31, 2026 at N4.14 trillion. It said the upward review of banks’ capital base from N50 billion to N500 billion depending on the type of licence held by the bank, remains an essential action required to boost capital adequacy needs of the Nigerian financial industry.

Nigeria banks’ capital adequacy, the report says, has been significantly impacted by macroeconomic challenges such as high inflation and interest rates, currency volatility and forex illiquidity. “The upward revision will ensure that Nigerian banks have the capacity to take on bigger risks and stay afloat amid both domestic and external shocks. It also means increased liquidity position of banks, which will help broaden their loss-bearing capabilities,” the report said.

Continuing, Cardoso said Nigeria’s banking system remains fundamentally sound and resilient, a cornerstone of our financial stability. “At the same time, we remain vigilant to emerging risks, including cyber threats, credit-concentration pressures, and operational vulnerabilities. These are being addressed through strengthened risk-based supervision and our ongoing transition to Basel III, which will further bolster resilience, improve capital quality, and strengthen liquidity monitoring,” he said.

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The CBN boss disclosed that with just four months to the conclusion of the recapitalisation exercise, the recapitalisation process remains firmly on track. “As we strengthen the capacity of our banks, stress-testing this year confirms that Nigeria’s banking sector remains fundamentally robust. Key financial soundness indicators overwhelmingly satisfied prudential benchmarks during the year,” Cardoso added.

He said the apex bank is reinforcing operational discipline to ensure the financial system serves all Nigerians reliably. “Our starting point was a comprehensive, end‑to‑end review of the entire cash lifecycle: from production, to transportation, to distribution, and eventual access by consumers. This holistic assessment enabled us to address root causes rather than symptoms.

“As a result, we recalibrated our cash‑printing models, issued guidelines on the optimal ATM‑to‑card ratio, strengthened requirements for CBN approval before ATM or branch closures, enforced sanctions on banks whose ATMs fail to dispense cash, and intensified supervision of payment agents and POS operators nationwide,” he said.

Speaking recently to bankers, Cardoso said the ethics and professionalism of bankers and treasurers are under constant scrutiny. According to him, the apex bank introduced the FX Global Code for all authorized dealers and market participants to ensure full compliance with regulations. He urged the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) to take the lead in upholding and demonstrating the highest standards in the industry. “At the Central Bank, we have intensified surveillance of market activities to ensure compliance and eliminate bad actors who attempt to undermine the system. Together, we must build a market based on strong governance and transparency. As regulators, we will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to compliance violations,” he said.

The Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba described the ongoing CBN bank recapitalisation policy as both timely and essential in positioning the financial system to meet the demands of a growing and globally competitive economy. According to Alawuba, the initiative is expected to boost the resilience of the banking sector by strengthening its capacity to withstand economic shocks such as inflation, currency volatility and global geopolitical disruptions. He noted that the policy will also place Nigerian banks on a stronger footing to finance the country’s long-term economic transformation, including funding of large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects.

Alawuba further stressed that the recapitalisation policy goes beyond regulatory compliance. It is a forward-looking strategy aimed at equipping Nigerian banks to operate at the scale and sophistication required by a trillion-dollar economy. He said the move would enhance the sector’s ability to support traditional economic drivers such as oil and gas, agriculture and manufacturing, as well as emerging sectors such as fintech, green energy and infrastructure development. “Nigerian banks need adequate capital buffers to meet the evolving demands of these sectors. Without this, the industry cannot effectively rise to the challenge,” he said.

Building resilient banking system

Cardoso earlier explained that within the banking sector, the sector remains robust with key indicators reflecting a resilient system. “The non-performing loan ratio remains within the prudential benchmark of five per cent, showcasing strong credit risk management. The banking sector liquidity ratio comfortably exceeds the regulatory floor of 30 per cent, a level which ensures banks are maintaining adequate cash flow to meet the needs of customers and their operations. The recent stress test conducted also reaffirmed the continued strength of our banking system,” he said.

To ensure that our banking system can effectively support the growth of our economy, efforts to strengthen banks’ capital buffers were announced in 2023 with a two-year implementation window. “I am pleased to note that a significant number of banks have raised the required capital through right issues and public offerings well ahead of the 2026 deadline! I believe that the banking sector is in a strong position to support Nigeria’s economic recovery by enabling access to credit for MSMEs and supporting investment in critical sectors of our economy,” he said.

Cardoso explained that the banking sector remains robust, with key indicators reflecting a resilient system. “The non-performing loan ratio remains within the prudential benchmark of five per cent, showcasing strong credit risk management. The banking sector liquidity ratio comfortably exceeds the regulatory floor of 30 per cent, a level which ensures banks are maintaining adequate cash flow to meet the needs of customers and their operations. The recent stress test conducted also reaffirmed the continued strength of our banking system.

“I am pleased to note that a significant number of banks have raised the required capital through rights issues and public offerings well ahead of the 2026 deadline. I believe that the banking sector is in a strong position to support Nigeria’s economic recovery by enabling access to credit for MSMES and supporting investment in critical sectors of our economy,” he said.

January 22, 2026
CONUA, SSANU, NASU to Fed Govt: give us our own deal

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude renegotiations with them. According to them, the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreement is a welcome development, but it does not automatically translate to total industrial peace in the university system. Stakeholders have joined SSANU, NASU and NAAT in asserting that the government must urgently conclude renegotiations to avoid fresh unrest and sustain the current stability on campuses, Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon writes

Last week, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) signed and unveiled a landmark renegotiated agreement. Parents, students and other education stakeholders expressed a sigh of relief since the new deal replaced the controversial 2009 pact. It was aimed at ending nearly two decades of industrial friction in the university system.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the agreement as a “decisive turning point” for Nigerian education. To ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, the union remains cautious regarding the “totality” of the government’s implementation based on past experiences.

President, National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Alhaji Haruna Danjuma and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, among others, hailed the signing of the agreement.

Danjuma, in a chat with The Nation, said: “It’s a great turning point in restoring stability, trust and quality in Nigerian tertiary education systems if Federal Government stands by the agreement, and on the other side I urge ASUU to accept the agreement now that the government has unveiled the renegotiation agreement as part of their own contributions, we therefore commend the efforts of the Minister of Education for facilitating this agreement, and we hope he will ensure total execution of the agreement.”

Ajasa said: “I believe this new agreement will build a new stability and ensure proper funding of education, with all these previous agitations resolved. I believe it will take proper and immediate effect, whereby all parties will be satisfied.

“This should also motivate the lecturers and staff to do their best and deliver proper education and teaching and learning to students, including proper research works.”

SSANU, NASU announce indefinite strike’s threats

But not surprising though, other university unions, such as Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have threatened indefinite strikes over alleged non-completion of pending agreements with them. The other university union is the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

SSANU and NASU have demanded that the government meet its obligations, concerning the payment of withheld four months’ salaries from 2022 and implementing agreements like the 2009 renegotiation and the N35,000 wage award.

A statement signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary, NASU and Mohammed Ibrahim, President, SSANU and Chairman of JAC, said: “JAC of NASU and SSANU remains committed to the entrenchment of industrial harmony and sustainable communities in our universities, and calls on the Federal Government to ensure expedited action in the ongoing renegotiation with NASU and SSANU, as any further delay after the signing of today’s agreement with our sister union would be tantamount to a clear invitation to chaos, and the distortion of industrial peace which we have continued to maintain despite government’s continued insensitivity to the university system and the gruesome conditions under which our members are made to work.

“JAC notes that timely conclusion of the ongoing renegotiation with NASU and SSANU would avert the breakdown of industrial peace and harmony in the system, and hereby advises the Federal Government not to stir the hornet’s nest through any form of delay tactics.”

The SSANU and JAC Chairman, in an interview, warned that the relief expressed by stakeholders might be short-lived unless the government urgently concluded negotiations with other university-based unions.

According to him, the “solution to this is simple: the government must deploy all necessary resources, strategies, and political will through the existing renegotiation committee to conclude discussions with the remaining three non-teaching staff unions with the speed of light.”

In that regard, the most brilliant move this present government can make at this moment regarding industrial peace and harmony, and smooth operation of tertiary education in the country is to build on the quantum leap it has taken by finally addressing the lingering issue of the 2009 agreement renegotiation with ASUU, an issue that dragged on for 16 years.

“Having taken this wise decision to this problem in the bud, it is only logical and strategic that the process should now flow naturally to the other university-based unions. These unions also have outstanding 2009 agreements awaiting renegotiation, and the government has already commenced discussions with them. It is, therefore, paramount, timely, and strategic that the government concludes all outstanding renegotiations, ideally within the shortest possible time, even within the next one month.

“Doing so will send a powerful signal to workers across the university system that this is a responsive government; one that genuinely has the interest of workers and its citizens at heart. So now that that of ASUU is concluded, all eyes are focused on what the government will do concerning the conclusion of negotiation of the same 1999 agreement with NASU, SSANU and NAAT.”

He argued that since all tertiary education–based unions have anchored their demands on the same 1999 agreement framework, stressing that the Federal Government should shun staggered or selective conclusion of negotiations with separate unions

Ibrahim strongly advised the Federal Government to urgently conclude renegotiations with the remaining three university-based unions.

Also, the CONUA National President, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, PhD, said his association recognised that issues arising from the 2009 agreements extend beyond a single union and affect the wider university system. The conclusion of the renegotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU, he said, in 2025 represents progress, particularly given how long those matters remained unresolved.

“More importantly, negotiations in the university sector are ongoing and not limited to one union. Other university-based unions, including CONUA, NASU and SSANU, have outstanding issues that require timely and good-faith engagement. For reforms to be comprehensive and for industrial peace to be durable, it is essential that the Federal Government expedites negotiations with all recognised and registered unions,” Sunmonu said.

Primary points of contention

As of this month, the funding and labour disagreements between NASU, SSANU, and the Federal Government centre on perceived marginalisation compared to academic staff and unfulfilled financial commitments.

The contentions include:

The “Sharing Formula” Dispute: A major grievance involves the distribution of the N50 billion intervention fund. The unions reject the government’s formula, which they claim allocates roughly 70–80% of the funds to ASUU, leaving only 20–30% to be shared among all non-teaching unions.

Inclusion of Specific Centres: SSANU has demanded that Inter-University Centres and research institutes, which they claim were “wrongly excluded” from previous payments, be fully included in future disbursements.

“No Work, No Pay” Backlog: The unions are demanding the payment of salaries withheld during past industrial actions, specifically for several months in 2022.

Salary Increment Arrears: There is a persistent demand for the payment of arrears from the 25% and 35% salary increments previously promised to university staff.

Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement: Following a milestone agreement signed between the Federal Government and ASUU on January 14, 2026, NASU and SSANU have warned of “chaos” and potential strike action if their own renegotiations are not fast-tracked.

Demand for a Living Wage: The unions are seeking a comprehensive review of conditions of service and a wage increase that reflects current economic realities.

Ministry’s position

Following the Federal Government’s agreement with ASUU, the Federal Ministry Education is under pressure to conclude similar negotiations with the non-teaching staff to avoid disrupting industrial harmony in universities.

Alausa has acknowledged the ongoing negotiations and indicated that the government is working to address the welfare of both academic and non-academic staff.

The ministry has previously stated it is engaging with the unions to address grievances and has urged restraint regarding threats of strike action, asserting that the government is working in phases to meet demands.

While the minister has expressed optimism about the ongoing process, the unions have stated that “something substantial has not yet happened,” warning that the lack of concrete, finalised offers could lead to a breakdown in peace.

The ministry has, however, streamlined the negotiation process, moving from multiple committees to a single committee led by Yahaya Ahmed to handle negotiations with all tertiary institution unions, including NASU and SSANU.

Stakeholders: why govt must conclude deal with SSANU, NASU

The Chairman of Board of Trustees, National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, while reacting over the issue, urged the Federal Government to try and engage and negotiate with the non-academic unions.

“But usual trouble is they also want the same thing as academic staff. And that has not been tied in with the government.

“But if they have been doing the same thing for them, both SSANU and NASU, they should work out a commensurate service policy to also satisfy them. Definitely, I’m in total support of negotiating with them to ensure that they also treat them fairly. A situation where they won’t touch the 2009 agreement at all may be counter-productive in the university because they will now start their issues again.

“But they should try and be reasonable when they’re on the negotiating table with the Federal Government. There’s no way that the Federal Government can treat ASUU, SSANU and NASU the same way.

“If they have been on the same negotiating standpoint – the 2009 agreement with the ASUU, the 2009 agreement with SANU and the other bodies – it is the same thing. I think it’s only fair the government concludes the agreement with them for peace and harmony on our campuses.”

However, Sunmonu called for inclusive, sector-wide engagement that promotes equity, transparency, and stability across the university system.

He said: “Our position is grounded in law and international labour standards. Nigeria is a signatory to ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which guarantee freedom of association, protect collective bargaining rights, and recognise union pluralism as a legitimate feature of modern labour relations. These conventions do not establish a monopoly for any union; rather, they require good-faith bargaining and respect for lawful representation.

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“CONUA remains committed to constructive dialogue, responsible unionism, and policies that strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system for the benefit of staff, students.

The National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hassan Taiwo Soweto, in his contribution, asserted that the demands of the unions have always been rational and legitimate.

“Also, these demands have always been in the interest of public education. Without the resolute struggle of ASUU, SSANU, NASU and other unions in the education sector, the reality would have been gorier than what is presently obtainable.

“However, the newly signed agreement is like a drop of water into an ocean. The 40% increment in the monthly earning through additional allowance is not in conformity with the rate of inflation, which has eroded such increase in wage.

“We strongly believe that ASUU can fight more; in fact, this agreement is a product of the relentless struggle of ASUU over the years. Left to the government, it would have watched the complete collapse of public education.

“Importantly, we believe that the demands of SSANU and NASU must equally be met in full. However, we urge that unions in the education sector, including student unions, wage a united and resolute struggle to force government to begin the process of uplifting the education sector from its present ruin. This can only be done by properly funding the education sector and democratising the decision-making process of institutions to include the active participation of students and staff members through their independent unions.”

National President of Association for Formidable Educational Development Orji Kanu Emmanuel told The Nation that he was concerned about the systemic challenges the government is allowing to fester.

According to him, successive administrations’ neglect had significantly hindered progress, adding that it’s disheartening to see crucial issues linger unresolved.

Emmanuel asserted that the unfulfilled agreements between the Federal Government and university workers since 2009 are a stark example of this trend.

“Over 15 years of waiting for salary increments, earned allowances, and other entitlements is not just unacceptable – it’s detrimental to the very fabric of our education system.

“As AFED’s leader, I align with NASU and SSANU’s request for the Federal Government to conclude the pending agreements. Quality education is key to Nigeria’s future, and resolving these issues is crucial to unlocking the potential of our institutions and, by extension, our nation. I appeal to the government to address NASU and SSANU’s concerns with the same urgency they’ve approached ASUU’s negotiations. This would avert pending strike actions, demonstrate commitment to education, and show that the government values the welfare of all education stakeholders.

“I commend the current administration’s efforts to reform and prioritise education, but let’s be honest – the inherited challenges are substantial. With the strong will demonstrated by the team of ministers in charge of education, I remain hopeful that we’ll see tangible progress. Our education system deserves better, and our future depends on it,” he said.

January 22, 2026
Alausa urges innovation, governance reforms in polys

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged polytechnics to drive innovation, good governance and sustainability, to accelerate Nigeria’s national growth.

Alausa said this in Abuja yesterday, at a retreat for governing council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.

The retreat was organised by the Council for Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS), with the theme: “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development”.

Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Education had prioritised revitalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to produce industry-ready graduates with practical, problem-solving skills.

He urged institutions to establish entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and industry partnerships to transform ideas into enterprises and reposition graduates as job creators.

”Innovation must be the heartbeat of our Polytechnics, therefore, I urge you to foster entrepreneurship centres, research hubs, and industry partnerships that turn ideas into prototypes, inventions into enterprises, which will graduate into job creators. ”Polytechnics should lead in areas like renewable energy, agriculture technology, digital manufacturing, and climate-resilient solutions directly contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable development goals,” he said.

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Alausa stressed that transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership must also guide governing councils, adding that the era of impunity was over, with zero tolerance for corruption.

He said sustainability required long-term funding models, increased internally generated revenue, eco-friendly campuses and infrastructure that reduced import dependence through local production.

The minister assured stakeholders of government support under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including reforms to eliminate the HND dichotomy and strengthen polytechnics.

Dr. Sani Tunga, Chairman of COHEADS, called for stronger collaboration to reposition polytechnic education.

Tunga said that polytechnics played a critical role in producing skilled and entrepreneurial manpower for national diversification.

He identified challenges facing the sector to include inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, governance gaps and the need to align training with evolving industry demands.

“This retreat offers us a unique platform to explore innovative approaches to curriculum development, research, and industry partnerships that respond to 21st-century realities.

”It will also strengthen good governance principles, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in our institutions, including clear delineation of roles to prevent overlaps and misunderstandings,” he said.

Tunga also highlighted recurring conflicts between governing councils, management and staff unions, which he said often disrupted harmony and slowed institutional progress.

He said the retreat would provide a platform for honest dialogue, sharing best practices and clarifying roles among councils, management and unions to minimise conflicts.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, said TVET sector was witnessing renewed progress after years of challenges.

Bugaje said deliberate policy actions and reforms in the last two years had begun to reinvent and reposition TVET for national development.

He added that the ongoing amendment of the Polytechnic Act had reached an advanced stage, with the bill passing second reading in the House of Representatives.

He explained that the proposed amendment would allow polytechnics to award National Diplomas and Bachelor of Technology degrees in science, technology and engineering programmes.

Bugaje said non-science programmes would retain the HND structure, with clear progression to postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees.

He also disclosed that technical education had been made free in Federal Technical Colleges, alongside stipends to boost enrolment and retention.

The NBTE boss said Skills Training Centres had been established nationwide, engaging thousands of trainers to empower youths through skills acquisition.

Bugaje said that a ministerial committee had been inaugurated to monitor skills interventions across 37 polytechnics, including upgrading engineering schools to global standards.

He urged stakeholders to support the reforms with dedication, stressing that polytechnics must focus on skills-based education rather than replicating the university system.

January 22, 2026
NSSEC seeks partnership with banks on senior secondary education

The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) has sought partnerships with Wema and First Banks to boost Senior Secondary education through improved infrastructure, digital learning tools and teacher capacity development.

The Executive Secretary, NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, made the appeal during courtesy visits to the management of the two banks in Abuja on Tuesday, as part of efforts to mobilise private sector support for human capital development.

Iyela said senior secondary education remained a critical but previously neglected segment of the education system, stressing that government alone could not adequately fund quality education.

He said the proposed collaboration would be mutually beneficial and contribute to national development.

According to him, senior secondary education is critical to character formation, skills development, and smooth transition to tertiary education.

The executive secretary explained that NSSEC was established in 2021 as a regulatory and intervention agency to address long-standing gaps in senior secondary education, which had previously lacked focused regulation and intervention.

“Before the establishment of NSSEC, primary and junior secondary education were regulated by UBEC, while tertiary education was overseen by bodies such as NUC, NBTE and NCCE.

“Senior secondary education was largely left on its own,” Iyela said.

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He said that this situation led to infrastructural decay, shortage of qualified teachers, and declining standards at that level.

He added that government alone could not adequately fund quality education due to competing national demands, hence the need for private sector’s collaboration.

The executive secretary therefore appealed to the banks to support NSSEC in areas such as provision of digital devices, science equipment, ICT laboratories, classroom construction and teacher training.

He commended the banks for their track record in corporate social responsibility (CSR), youth empowerment, scholarships, teacher development and support to underserved communities.

Responding on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, the Regional Executive of the bank, Mr Sunday Olaitan, promised the support of wema bank to collaborate with NSSEC in the areas of provision of learning equipment.

Oseni described senior secondary education as crucial to human capital development and national prosperity.

He said the bank was committed to contributing to societal development through strategic partnerships, especially in education and youth empowerment.

“We are happy with the mandate of NSSEC and proud to be associated with it. The youth at this level hold the key to the future development of the country,” he said.

On his part, the Group Executive, Retail Banking North Division, First Bank, Mr Idris Ibrahim, expressed the bank’s readiness to partner with an education-focused institution to advance senior secondary education and national development.

Ibrahim said that education remained central to societal growth, stressing that neglecting senior secondary education undermined preparation of future leaders.

According to him, First Bank’s CSR policy places strong emphasis on education, alongside health and gender-related interventions.

Ibrahim explained that the bank’s CSR commitments were reported annually in its financial statements to ensure transparency and accountability to the public.

He assured the delegation that the proposed partnership would be mutually beneficial and aligned with the bank’s long-standing commitment to educational development.

January 22, 2026
Fed Govt raises committee on textbooks for schools

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Book Ranking and Selection Committee to introduce reforms to cap the number of approved textbooks per subject, ensure transparent and objective ranking, and protect learners and parents from exploitative practices.

The new committee, inaugurated by Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa is expected to improve the quality and affordability of textbooks used in Nigerian schools.

The committee is chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad with members drawn from key education agencies, including the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the National Teachers’ Institute, and the National Senior Secondary Education Commission.

Alausa explained that the aim of the committee is to reform the current textbook approval process that has allowed poor-quality materials, lack of standardisation and excessive financial burden on parents to persist.

The minister said the existing system failed to properly validate and rank textbooks before approval, resulting in some subjects having as many as 50 approved books without clear quality benchmarks.

He said the absence of a structured ranking system meant that low-quality instructional materials were approved alongside books of higher pedagogical value.

Alausa also faulted publishers for bundling workbooks and consumables with core textbooks, a practice he said forced parents to buy new books yearly and placed unnecessary financial pressure on families.

He said: “Your assignment is both timely and strategic. You are expected to critically review existing approval frameworks, recommend strengthened assessment instruments and ranking systems, define clear and enforceable quality benchmarks, and propose mechanisms that ensure genuine content improvement before new editions are approved.

“You are also expected to address issues of pricing transparency, edition control, separation of textbooks from consumable workbooks, and protection of learners and parents from unnecessary financial burdens.”

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‎He added that although regulatory agencies could approve more books, only seven textbooks per subject would be officially ranked for selection by schools, particularly under the UBEC framework.

‎Alausa said once ranked, textbooks would remain in use for a minimum of three years, except where major curriculum or technological changes required updates.

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‎He urged the committee to address issues of pricing transparency, edition control, and the separation of durable textbooks from consumable materials, and called on the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council to publicise the reforms to reassure parents.

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‎Also speaking, Ahmad pledged the committee’s commitment to reforming the textbook approval process to ensure learners have access to high-quality materials.

She added that the committee will plug existing gaps identified by ensuring that books are standardised and properly ranked.

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‎“As long as a textbook meets the minimum standard, it is approved, without any benchmark to determine whether it is of grade A, B or C quality,” she said.

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‎Also speaking, the NERDC Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu, said the initiative would end arbitrary book selection in schools and ensure that only the best instructional materials are adopted nationwide.

The NERDC office will serve as the secretariat for the committee work.

January 22, 2026
Absence of new-born hearing screening delays care, drives late detection in children

The absence of a sustained new-born hearing screening programme in Nigeria’s public hospitals is contributing significantly to the late detection of hearing loss in children, limiting their access to timely and effective treatment, a clinical audiologist, Dr. Simeon Afolabi, has said.

Dr. Afolabi, promoter of the BSA Hearing and Speech Centre in Lagos, spoke with The Nation at the weekend during a Cochlear Implant information and support meeting for patients and parents. He warned that the lack of routine screening means many Nigerian children with hearing impairment are only identified years after birth, long after critical windows for speech and language development have begun to close.

According to him, hearing loss in new-borns can be detected within hours of birth through a simple, non-invasive test known as otoacoustic emission (OAE) screening. The test measures sound waves produced in the inner ear in response to auditory stimuli and takes only a few minutes to perform. Despite its simplicity and effectiveness, Dr. Afolabi noted that the screening is not routinely offered in government hospitals across the country. “In many countries, new-born hearing screening is standard practice and part of routine postnatal care,” he said. “In Nigeria, however, it is largely absent in public hospitals, even though early detection can change the entire trajectory of a child’s development.”

He explained that in private healthcare facilities, the cost of an OAE screening test ranges between N10,000 and N15,000, putting it beyond the reach of many families. Without a publicly funded programme, parents often remain unaware that such screening exists, and signs of hearing loss may go unnoticed until a child fails to develop speech or struggles academically.

Dr. Afolabi recalled that Lagos State had previously piloted new-born hearing screening programmes in selected facilities, including the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and General Hospital, Gbagada. However, he said the initiative was not sustained due to staffing constraints and administrative challenges. “As a result, many children are diagnosed very late, sometimes at seven or eight years of age, when speech and language development have already been significantly affected,” he said.

He noted that delayed diagnosis has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond communication difficulties to include social isolation, poor academic performance, and reduced economic opportunities later in life. Early detection, he stressed, allows for timely intervention, which may include hearing aids, speech therapy, or cochlear implantation, depending on the severity of the hearing loss. Dr. Afolabi explained that cochlear implants, which are electronic medical devices that bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, are most effective when implanted early—ideally before the age of six. When hearing loss is identified late, the benefits of cochlear implantation are significantly reduced, and children often require longer and more intensive rehabilitation to develop functional speech and language skills. “Time is critical in auditory development,” he said. “The brain’s ability to process sound and develop language is strongest in the early years. When we miss that window, we are trying to correct years of lost stimulation.”

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According to him, children account for about 70 per cent of cochlear implant users in Nigeria. However, overall access to the technology remains limited due to a combination of low awareness, late diagnosis, and high cost. He disclosed that a single cochlear implant costs between N19 million and N20 million per ear, a figure that places it far beyond the reach of most Nigerian families without external support.

He argued that the high cost of treatment underscores the importance of early screening, which can reduce long-term expenses by enabling less complex and more cost-effective interventions at an earlier stage. Dr. Afolabi called on health authorities to integrate new-born hearing screening into routine postnatal services in public hospitals, alongside existing checks such as immunisation and metabolic screening. He also urged greater investment in training audiology personnel and equipping public health facilities with basic screening tools.

According to him, institutionalising new-born hearing screening would not only improve clinical outcomes for children with hearing loss but also reduce the broader social and economic burden associated with untreated hearing impairment. “Early detection is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he said. “If Nigeria is serious about improving child health and developmental outcomes, new-born hearing screening must become part of standard care in our public hospitals.”

January 22, 2026
‘Nigeria risks losing healthcare manufacturing gains without structured funding’

Nigeria must move urgently to institutionalise dedicated, long-term healthcare funding if it is to sustain its emerging healthcare industrial boom and secure its ambition of becoming a regional manufacturing hub. This call was made by Prof. Lere Baale, Professor of Pharmacy and a leading voice in healthcare policy, at the Codix Group Dinner themed “Sustaining Nigeria’s Healthcare Industrial Boom: The Need for Dedicated Healthcare Funding.”

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Baale described Nigeria’s current healthcare transformation as a historic yet fragile moment—one that could easily falter without deliberate and enduring financial architecture. According to him, the country is witnessing nothing short of an industrial awakening in healthcare, marked by a decisive shift from import dependence to local capability and value creation. “Nigeria is experiencing a healthcare industrial awakening—a shift from dependency to capability, from imports to local value creation. The boom is real. However, there is a call for us to sustain it,” he said.

Prof. Baale noted that in recent years, Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystem has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. Indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers are expanding production capacity, diagnostic firms are investing in local assembly and innovation, and regulatory confidence is steadily improving. Skilled professionals who once sought opportunities abroad are beginning to return, while regional and international partnerships are deepening across the value chain.

He attributed this progress to a convergence of necessity and leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain disruptions, foreign exchange volatility, and rising import costs, he argued, exposed the vulnerabilities of overdependence on external suppliers. In response, regulators and policymakers have become more intentional in aligning healthcare regulation with national industrial priorities. “What we are witnessing is not just growth; it is industrial possibility—the emergence of healthcare as a strategic pillar of national development,” Prof. Baale said.

Despite these gains, he warned that the absence of structured, long-term, affordable healthcare-specific financing poses a serious threat to the sector’s sustainability. Healthcare manufacturing, he explained, is fundamentally different from conventional trading activity. It is capital-intensive, characterised by long gestation periods, heavy upfront investment, stringent regulatory requirements, advanced technology needs, and reliance on highly skilled human capital.

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Yet, he lamented, it is often financed with short-term, high-cost capital that is ill-suited to the realities of the industry. “A healthcare industrial boom without dedicated funding is like a factory without power—it may exist, but it cannot operate optimally,” he stated.

According to Prof. Baale, dedicated healthcare funding is not merely desirable but a strategic necessity. Properly structured financing, he said, would stabilise supply chains, improve product quality and regulatory compliance, create high-value jobs, protect national health security, and position Nigeria as an attractive destination for global healthcare investment. He emphasised that medicines, diagnostics, and medical consumables should be treated as strategic national assets rather than ordinary commodities, given their centrality to public health, productivity, and national resilience.

To translate this vision into action, Prof. Baale outlined a comprehensive seven-point framework aimed at institutionalising sustainable healthcare financing in Nigeria. Central to the proposal is a call to increase the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) from the current one per cent to three per cent of consolidated government revenue. He argued that such an increase would better reflect the strategic importance of healthcare to national productivity, economic growth, and security. He further proposed that the expanded BHCPF be strategically domiciled with the Bank of Industry (BOI), working in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health. This structure, he said, should be supported by well-designed Medipool arrangements at state and local government levels to ensure efficient, transparent, and timely disbursement of funds across the healthcare value chain.

Payment discipline, Prof. Baale stressed, must also be non-negotiable. He recommended a guaranteed payment turnaround time of no more than 30 days for healthcare manufacturers and service providers, noting that predictable cash flow is critical for sustaining production, meeting regulatory standards, and planning long-term investments. In addition, he called for the establishment of a revolving healthcare fund to ensure continuity and long-term capital availability, rather than the current reliance on sporadic, one-off interventions. Such a fund, he explained, would allow capital to be recycled and redeployed, supporting sustained growth and resilience in the sector.

Prof. Baale also advocated the implementation of a guaranteed sales and offtake framework. By providing market assurance, he said, government-backed offtake arrangements would encourage manufacturers to expand capacity, invest in quality improvements, and reduce overall risk across the value chain. Collectively, these measures, he noted, would create a mutually reinforcing, win-win financing architecture—securing reliable supply for government, enabling sustainable scale for industry, reducing risk exposure for banks, attracting investor confidence, and ultimately improving access to quality healthcare products and services for Nigerian citizens.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Baale issued a broad call to action across the healthcare ecosystem. Banks, he said, must evolve beyond transactional lending to become genuine development partners. Policymakers should begin to treat healthcare funding as infrastructure investment rather than recurrent expenditure. Regulators must continue to balance patient safety with industrial growth, while institutional investors should recognise healthcare as a long-term value sector with strategic national importance. According to him, the decisions taken now will determine whether Nigeria’s healthcare industrial boom matures into a durable pillar of economic development—or fades as a missed opportunity.

January 22, 2026
Beyond resolutions: From why we fail to how we live

Resolutions fail, but life continues. Health isn’t shaped by January promises—it’s formed in the small choices, routines and compromises we make every day. Notice your body, recognise quiet adaptations, and respond with intention. Insight, not guilt, guides sustainable wellbeing. What is your life quietly teaching you about your health?

For weeks, we’ve been exploring why health resolutions fail. We’ve peeled back the layers of human behaviour, revealing how motivation, willpower, and even our best intentions can crumble. Stress, unrealistic expectations, and the quiet pressures of daily life quietly sabotage efforts to eat better, move more, or sleep enough. Many of us nodded along—some with discomfort—because these weren’t stories about “other people.” They were stories about us.

But understanding why we fail, while useful, is only the first step. Knowledge alone doesn’t change anything. Change begins when insight meets action. We’ve dissected failure; now it’s time to explore life itself—how we actually live, the patterns we normalise, and how these routines quietly shape our health. So here’s the shift: we’ve examined why we fail. Now, let’s examine how we live. Take a moment, no one is watching. Ask yourself: How many hours did you sleep last night? When did you last eat without rushing or scrolling through your phone? How often do you move your body outside of work or commuting? When did you last check your blood pressure, blood sugar, or weight? Do you feel rested—or just functional?

If any of those questions made you uneasy, you are not alone. Most of us live with quiet compromises: low energy, mild discomfort, postponed health checks. We accept them as “normal.” But normal is not always healthy. Resolutions are episodic; life is continuous. Health doesn’t collapse because a January promise failed—it erodes slowly, shaped by what we accept every day: skipped sleep, ignored symptoms, stress worn as a badge of honour, and care deferred “until things settle down.”

This series is taking a new direction. It’s no longer about chasing the next perfect January or ticking off resolutions. Instead, it’s about understanding the cumulative impact of the life you lead right now—how the choices, habits, and compromises you make daily shape not just your body, but your energy, clarity, and capacity to engage with life. Only by noticing these patterns can you respond with intention rather than reaction.

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Our upcoming series, The Health We Live With, will explore this gradually, in stages. We’ll begin with adaptation. Most of us have learned to live with aches, fatigue, headaches, digestive discomfort, or restless sleep. We shrug and say, “This is just how life is.” But adaptation is not healing—it is survival. Your body is remarkable at adjusting to stress, poor diet, and irregular routines, but adjustment is not health. It’s the difference between enduring and thriving. This week, take a moment to assess: what has your body quietly adapted to? Are you merely surviving, or are you truly thriving?

From there, we’ll examine the understated power of small choices. Health is rarely transformed by a single heroic gesture or dramatic overhaul. It grows through repetition, through countless small decisions: the breakfast you choose, whether you take the stairs instead of the elevator, how consistently you hydrate and rest. These daily micro-actions accumulate, shaping your long-term wellbeing. Ask yourself: what is one small, practical change my future self would thank me for today?

Modern life complicates this picture. Busyness is lauded; exhaustion is often worn as a badge of honour. Yet constant activity carries costs—stress, poor sleep, elevated blood pressure, a weakened immune system. Imagine if rest were non-negotiable. What commitments would you need to decline? What routines would need to shift to protect your energy? Recognising these hidden costs is essential to reclaiming vitality.

We’ll also explore the subtle signals the body gives before serious illness arises. Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease often begin quietly. Symptoms can be mild, easily dismissed, or attributed to “normal life.” The body whispers before it screams. This week, pay attention: what gentle alerts have you been ignoring? A slight dizziness, unusual fatigue, or persistent discomfort may feel trivial—but acknowledging them now can prevent far greater problems later.

Equally important, we’ll redefine what health really means. It is not a number on a scale, a cholesterol reading, or the calories you consume. True health is energy, mental clarity, functionality, and the ability to fully engage with life. Sustainable wellbeing arises when habits, environment, and mind-set align—not when a short-term goal is reached. Imagine health measured not by aesthetics, but by vitality. Where does your life currently fall on that scale?

This approach asks you to move from self-judgment to self-recognition. Change does not begin with discipline; it begins with awareness. Observe your routines, acknowledge the compromises you’ve normalised, and consider their long-term impact. You are not expected to overhaul your life overnight—only to see it clearly. Here’s a practical exercise: write down three behaviours you’ve normalised that quietly undermine your health—skipping breakfast, scrolling late at night, skipping movement breaks. Beside each, list one small adjustment you could try this week. Incremental changes compound over time.

Another exercise: schedule a “body audit.” Spend a day tracking your energy, mood, digestion, and alertness. Note patterns. These are the clues your body is sending about the life you lead. Awareness comes before action; insight comes before transformation. Over the coming weeks, this series will remain interactive. Each instalment will invite reflection, experimentation, and practical steps grounded in real-life experiences. The aim is not to provoke guilt, but to cultivate insight. Each week encourages you to look inward, to recognise where you compromise and where you can choose differently.

In short, we are shifting from resolution failure to life awareness. From asking why goals collapse, we are moving toward asking how daily living shapes health. We’ll explore adaptation, small choices, modern living, early warning signs, and the building blocks of sustainable wellness. The goal is simple: to help you see your life clearly, respond thoughtfully, and act with intention. Ultimately, ask yourself this question every day: What is my life quietly teaching me about my health? Answer honestly. Those insights will matter far more than any resolution ever could.

January 22, 2026
Fed Govt renews commitment to ethical health research
- ’We pledge to sustain support for NHREC’
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to entrench the highest ethical standards in health research, pledging sustained institutional and policy support for the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) as a safeguard for research participants and a pillar of scientific credibility in Nigeria. This assurance was given on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, at the 2026 Face-to-Face Meeting and Training Workshop of NHREC—an annual forum that brings together ethics regulators, researchers, and partners to strengthen oversight of health research across the country.

Salako underscored the centrality of ethics to credible and impactful research, particularly studies involving human subjects. He noted that as Nigeria expands its research footprint in areas such as clinical trials, vaccines, and disease surveillance, ethical oversight must keep pace and remain aligned with internationally accepted best practices.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s renewed focus on research ethics dates back to the establishment of NHREC in 2005, a milestone that was further consolidated by the National Health Act of 2014. The Act formally empowered the committee to grant ethical approvals, issue guidelines, and monitor health research activities nationwide—roles Salako described as fundamental to protecting citizens and strengthening confidence in scientific outcomes.

He praised the current NHREC, inaugurated in January 2024 under the chairmanship of Prof. Richard Adegbola, for recording measurable progress in a relatively short period. The committee, he said, has improved the timeliness of ethics reviews while reinforcing oversight mechanisms that promote accountability and consistency. “The expertise and dedication demonstrated by NHREC members in the last two years are bringing progress, order and credibility to Nigeria’s health research ecosystem,” Salako said, adding that ethical governance is no longer optional but essential in a global research environment that demands transparency and trust.

The minister commended the committee for convening early in the year to develop a clear work plan and strategic direction, describing the 2026 meeting as a fitting way to mark the second anniversary of the present NHREC. Such proactive planning, he noted, reflects institutional maturity and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. A major highlight of Salako’s address was the digital transformation of the ethics review process. He applauded the revamping of the NHREC website and the deployment of an electronic ethics review portal, describing the innovation as a game-changer that will enhance efficiency, strengthen data management, improve transparency, and deepen engagement with stakeholders.

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He urged researchers, institutions, sub-national ethics committees, and international collaborators to fully embrace the e-portal, stressing that digitalisation would help standardise reviews, reduce delays, and better protect the rights and welfare of research participants. Salako also acknowledged the crucial role of development partners in strengthening Nigeria’s ethics landscape. He specifically mentioned the Gates Foundation, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF), the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) Centre, and GARNET partners for their technical and financial support.

The minister described the ongoing Trial Regulation and Clinical Ethics Optimisation (TRACE) project as a welcome intervention, assuring participants that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would build on its gains to ensure a sustainable and robust ethical environment for clinical research. Reiterating the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Salako said the government remains focused on encouraging and funding local research for drug development, vaccine production, and disease epidemiology. Ethical conduct, he emphasised, is indispensable to public trust, national ownership of research outcomes, and global scientific credibility. He called on NHREC members to intensify their efforts toward achieving a fully ethically compliant health research ecosystem in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, before formally declaring the 2026 NHREC Face-to-Face Meeting and Training Workshop open.
January 22, 2026
‘How to resolve Rivers crisis’

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose spoke on the protracted political crisis in Rivers State and how the face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike can be resolved. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

What is your reaction to the face-off between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike?

In my meeting with Fubara, I said to him, Your Excellency, Governor Fubara, you’re here by the grace of your brother, the former governor and today you are the governor of the Rivers State. I was able to remind him that it’s better for him to seal all his windows because patronizers will soon come. People who lead people astray will soon come; seal your door, don’t wait for people to come by and say things to your ears that will destroy your relationship with Wike.

I further admonished him that in the first four years and ultimately for eight years; if you open these doors, you’ll begin to see spirits and don’t follow a trend and fight with Wike because if you do so, by Wike’s antecedents, these problems will continue indefinitely. It’s quick to forget what life is all about.

I was a different person during my first term as governor. The youthful exuberance of getting yourself can put you into so many troubles. It doesn’t have to be said it’s spiritual but it’s an advance warning. Also, by telling him that there’s a window, there’s an ample opportunity for you to close this and solve this problem.

The price for peace is cheaper than the consequences of war. If you don’t do it, it’ll only be left in the hands of God because you can’t take away the powers of the House of Assembly. During my first tenure, I inherited the House of Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State because our election is the off-season election. It was a tough experience. They would have taken me out the second time. I had to use wisdom, carrot and stick. I had to manage everybody for me to survive.

While is Wiike not concentrating on his job in Abuja and leaving Fubara alone?

May I say this to you, and to Nigerians. That’s always the beginning. You brought up your child. And somebody says, he wants to marry your daughter. If you have left that girl untrained, ordinary carpenters and people who have no capacity will be chasing her. A man who wants to marry must have capacity. Life is level by level. God has graduated this life like a pyramid.

The governors, the minister, everybody is at a level. You can’t tell me that a man who is down the ladder wants to marry a queen somewhere

They will tell him that he doesn’t have the capacity. Let’s go back to the issues. Everybody must have helped everybody in life. But God himself says he hates ingratitude.

I will only fight with what I have left. You can’t sack Wike from Rivers politics. You can’t sack me from Ekiti politics. I’m not supposed to say what I want to say to you now but I’ll say it to you. This is about equity in politics. I was in this house three years ago.

The current governor of Ekiti State is of the APC extraction. I’m of the PDP. He told me that he would want to visit. He came here and sat on the chair and said, I want to beg you to come to my support.

I want you to stand by me in this government. I didn’t go to him. He’s the governor. To him, I still have hands and legs everywhere in the state. Yes, I’m not the governor but that’s a path of wisdom.

I was taken off my feet. I said to him, whoever has taught you this, has taught you the right thing. And if it’s the leading of God, you’re well led. I’ll give you my support. When the governor was having issues in APC, I stood my ground. I went to Tinubu and said: This is the man that has won the election.

The governor is doing well. My own position is always clear. Whether Fubara or my governor; all of them got their strength from other people. Like I said, there are a lot of issues between godfathers, and godsons in most states. But it’s wisdom that guides the sitting governor.

Look at Kogi. Why are they not having issues in the state? Why is the governor of Kogi being very humble? Whatever you say about Yahaya Bello, he doesn’t want to hear it.

Whenever anybody comes to say something to him about Yahaya Bello, he remembers the day Yahaya Bello gave him that platform. And I told my governor, whatever former Governor Kayode Fayemi must have done to you, remember the day he gave you that platform. Don’t say ill of him. I cooperated with him and he thanked me for such advice.

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The national chairman and secretary of the APC have both said that Fubara is the leader of the party in the state, but Wike says the governor cannot be the leader of the party. Who is the leader?

When I was governor; if I’m coming, the traditional rulers, the leaders of thought and people that matter in the state will get up. They will rise up and say ‘the governor is here.’ And nothing is called to order except the governor is seated.

That’s in the office. That’s the difference between the office and 001. What brought about 001? Who gave Fubara the platform to be calling himself 001? Wike gave him the platform. It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling. It is a sad story for my governor to be fighting Fayemi.

Rather, he should manage the situation. You see, Ekiti people said that those who give you life are the fathers of those who give you money. The person that prevents you from dying is the father of the person that gives you wealth because if you have no life in the first instance, wealth will not come.

Who is Governor Fubara? I respect him as a governor. A governor goes before the people and prostrate. As a governor, I would go to certain places and prostrate. Did it take anything away from me? Even if Wike says he’s the leader, it’s not for Governor Fubara to be contesting that with him. You didn’t know about Fubara three years ago. You never heard about Fubara three years ago.

I was supporting Austin Opara. I was sitting by Governor Wike to mull his opinion to support Austin Opara towards the time of the election. In the car, when I was asking who the candidate was, Wike told me ‘Fayose, I know where you belong and I’m not going that way. I’m going to Fubara.’ I never knew Fubara. Let’s call a spade a spade.

Who is the governor? The governor is the creation of some people. He’s the creation and influence of some people, Wike is the major influence that led to the emergence of Fubara as governor.

Do you think that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention will make any difference this time aroubd?

I want to advise Governor Fubara again, Please, Governor Fubara, I’m begging you, go and make an end to this crisis. Your wife can only tell you, after all, I’ve said sorry to you.

Is that an apology? My wife can tell me, I’ve said sorry to you. How many times will I say sorry to you? There’s what we call in Yoruba, I’m saying it just for me to have peace, not because I want to show remorse.

Those people are misleading Governor Fubara but if he goes down today, they’ll run away. People who were saying I should fight back in those days, they were not there when I was isolated and when I was alone. That’s all I will say. In this current situation, the President that I know hates ingratitude. The President that I know controls Lagos from the palms of his hands.

For instance, the Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly was impeached and somebody else took over. The President, without saying a word, caused the system to restore that speaker because it’s an affront to the President, who’s the leader there. Do you want to tell me that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the leader in Lagos?

Let him announce it. Let Governor Sanwo-Olu come out and say ‘I’m the leader in Lagos.’ There are certain things that are said to cause aesthetics. Don’t let it get into your head.

The emergency rule was all-winning for Governor Fubara. By now, he would have been history because the moment you’re impeached, you’re out of the way.

You can’t contest. If you read the text of President Tinubu, it took Governor Fubara to the cleaners. So, it’s time for Governor Fubara to learn the way I learnt after my first tenure. And let me explain to you: Will the President remove the office of the lawmakers; will he say the lawmakers cannot do their assignments? I don’t think so.

How would you be running a government without sending names of appropriate people for clearance with the House of Assembly? How would you be spending public funds? Even if it’s for a photo-trick, it’s supposed to follow due process. These are matters of the constitution. The constitution gave Rivers people the power as members of the House of Assembly.

Where does this leave the people of Rivers State; the people who voted?

They should wait for another time to vote. Americans have conceded their powers to President Donald Trump. Trump is using his powers today. For them to say a word about Trump, they should go back to an election.

And may I say to you, the same people of Rivers State voted for their House of Assembly members. They’ve transmitted their powers to that House of Assembly. And let me run that up for you to tell you very clearly.

I’m not here to tell you the people of Rivers State are with Fubara or with Wike but I’ll not tell you they’re with Fubara. Wike has been going around, drawing crowd. Fubara has the resources of his state, let him go around too. People who have power of creation can have power of taking out. And to the House of Assembly, they have a mandate.

No matter the narrative, the House of Assembly removed me in Ekiti. Whichever hand is behind it, that time, it was President Olusgeun Obasanjo’s hand, it was a lot of elite’s

hand, but they accomplished it. I was removed; I became history, and went on exile. If not for God, I wouldn’t have returned.

Is Nigeria sliding into a one-party state?

I have said that I have always supported President Tinubu even when I was a sitting governor. I was part of the G5 that supported him. I was one of those who told Governor Wike to stay with Tinubu against Atiku who is not a promise keeper, he’ll come back for you when he wins the election.

By the grace of God I was among the people who went to Port Harcourt with Fayemi, late Rotimi Akeredolu, Sanwo-Olu and about two other people to consummate the relationship.

There was no time that we admitted that it was our fault that caused the exodus. We must be honest. When you’re weak, tendencies are there for you to fall in front of the stronger side.

The challenges in the PDP are not the fault of Tinubu. How many out of about eight governors who have defected have you seen a trace of oppression, suppression, like we’re saying? Money was given to Governor Seyi Makinde. Remember that Oyo is a PDP state; it’s not an APC state. So, in what way was he suppressed? They had issues with their own party. And as governors, they want to survive at all costs.

They took that path. It’s not their fault, probably not, but let me help you to round it up. There are two dominant parties at a given time. Are we saying the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not dominant? Recently, Peter Obi moved into to the party, and I’ve said it, Obi is the life in the ADC. I’ve never said the other people there are not human beings. I’m saying they are likely spent forces.

Let Obi not go to ADC, let Obi go to another party, you will see the effect. Let’s say Obi is in Accord, the party would become alive, I’m saying that Obi is the only traction, Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in the ADC that matters. And if Obi had not gone to ADC, you would have seen the difference.

When Obi went to Labour Party, the Labour Party that would never have won elections had members in the National Assembly and so on. I’m not saying Obi will win the election. I’m not saying Obi will not win this election, but I’m telling you, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.

January 22, 2026