The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Kosofe disburses N25m in second phase of N100m empowerment scheme 

    Kosofe disburses N25m in second phase of N100m empowerment scheme 

    In continuation of the ongoing Kosofe Local Government under the #Kosofe Cares and the Renewed Hope Agenda 100 Million Naira Empowerment Scheme, the local government has successfully organised the second phase of the impactful initiative aimed at uplifting artisans, strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises, and enhancing economic self-reliance across communities within the Local Government Area.

    The event drew beneficiaries, community leaders, youth groups, artisans, market associations, and stakeholders who gathered to witness the continuation of this people-centered programme.

    The programme kicked off with a warm and insightful Welcome Address by the Council Manager, Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka, who expressed delight at hosting Artisans and Tradesmen in the second phase of the empowerment scheme. She appreciated the Executive Chairman for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to grassroots development. 

    She noted that the empowerment initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes economic inclusion and support for citizens at all levels. 

    Read Also: OPC seeks empowerment of local security outfits in fight against insecurity

    She further encouraged all beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly and assured them that the Barr. Ogunlewe led administration remains committed to sustaining such initiatives for broader community growth.

    In his Keynote Address, the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Barr. Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe, ably represented by the Former Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Fatai Gbedebo, described the scheme as a deliberate step towards strengthening the socio-economic landscape of the Local Government. 

    He highlighted that the ₦100 million intervention, now in its second phase, continues to support traders, artisans, who require financial assistance to enhance their livelihoods and businesses.

    The Council Mayor further announced that beneficiaries will receive instant credit alerts, ensuring immediate access to funds and eliminating unnecessary delays. 

    He emphasised that the sustainability of the empowerment scheme demonstrates the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of residents. 

    He further reiterated that transparency and accountability remain central to the programme, and that the selection process was fair, inclusive, and guided by community needs.

    In the same vein, major stakeholders at the occasion commended the Executive Chairman for sustaining the empowerment scheme beyond its initial stage, while urging beneficiaries to expand their businesses with the financial support received and put it to good use.

    The second phase concluded with heartfelt expressions of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

  • CEAR lauds NNPC for N5.4tn 2024 profit, says reforms driving unprecedented growth

    CEAR lauds NNPC for N5.4tn 2024 profit, says reforms driving unprecedented growth

    A policy advocacy group, the Centre for Energy Accountability and Reform (CEAR), has praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for posting a Profit After Tax of N5.4 trillion for the 2024 financial year.

    Describing the performance as “an unmistakable affirmation that Nigeria’s oil industry is finally responding to disciplined management and modern commercial reforms”, the Centre said the latest figures released by GCEO Bayo Ojulari mark the clearest evidence yet that the company’s push for operational efficiency, transparency and investment expansion is yielding measurable gains.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by CEAR’s Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed, the organisation noted that NNPC’s newly announced profit represents a 64 percent rise from the N3.297 trillion posted in 2023. 

    Revenue also surged by 88 percent to N45.1 trillion, driven by increased production volumes and strengthened downstream reforms.

    CEAR added that the results further validate NNPC’s transformation since becoming a limited liability company, crediting Ojulari’s leadership for stabilising operations, tightening cost controls and restoring investor confidence at a time when global capital is increasingly sensitive to governance standards.

    Read Also: 14th NNPC sports fiesta kicks off in Abuja

    “This profit performance is not accidental. It reflects a deliberate, disciplined shift in how NNPC Limited is run—one that prioritises efficiency, transparency and commercial viability. Under Bayo Ojulari’s watch, the company has shown that a national oil company can be profitable, globally competitive and strategically aligned with national development goals,” the statement reads.

    The Centre said the ongoing reforms across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors are beginning to correct years of inefficiency, vandalism, under-investment and regulatory conflict. 

    Ahmed noted that the financial results align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly the push for fiscal sustainability and improved sectoral governance.

    While acknowledging the decline in foreign exchange earnings reported in the 2024 statement, the Centre said the shortfall underscores the need for sustained reforms to boost production, expand gas output and deepen value-addition rather than crude export dependency.

    “The path to long-term stability must be investment-led and production-driven. NNPC Limited’s plan to raise crude output to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030 is the type of ambition the sector requires. Likewise, the move to scale gas production to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030 shows strategic foresight,” the statement added.

    CEAR also praised the company’s plan to mobilise $60 billion in new investments across the value chain, saying such an expansion will be critical for job creation, revenue growth and anchoring Nigeria’s energy transition.

    “With this performance, NNPC Limited has sent a clear message that Nigeria’s energy sector can work, and work profitably, when guided by clear vision and competent management,” Ahmed said.

    The Centre urged regulators, industry players and political actors to avoid distractions and continue supporting the reforms that are restoring credibility to Nigeria’s petroleum value chain.

  • GETI hails NUPRC, Komolafe for setting global benchmark in NUPRC’s $10bn licensing round

    GETI hails NUPRC, Komolafe for setting global benchmark in NUPRC’s $10bn licensing round

    A UK-based energy watchdog, the Global Energy Transparency Initiative (GETI), has applauded the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and its Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, for introducing world-class transparency standards and investor-friendly reforms in the launch of the 2025 Licensing Round Portal.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Jonathan Whitfield, GETI described the unveiling of the licensing round, featuring 50 oil and gas blocks across onshore, swamp/shallow water, frontier basins, and deepwater terrain, as a landmark step that aligns Nigeria’s upstream governance with international best practices.

    The commendation comes after Monday’s announcement that the NUPRC portal, br2025.nuprc.gov.ng, has gone live, with the Commission projecting $10 billion in new investments and an additional two billion barrels to Nigeria’s reserves over the next decade.

    GETI also lauded the full digitisation of the licensing process, noting that the public disclosure of bidding procedures and detailed breakdown of available blocks, 15 onshore, 19 shallow water, 15 frontier, and one deepwater, represents one of the most ambitious transparency measures implemented by any African upstream regulator in recent years.

    “Under Engr. Komolafe’s leadership, Nigeria has demonstrated that regulatory openness, clarity, and accountability are not optional but essential to attracting credible investors,” Dr. Whitfield said. 

    “From prequalification and bid submission to evaluation and award, every stage is now transparent, reducing discretion and the opacity that has historically undermined confidence in the sector.”

    GETI also highlighted the licensing round’s projected production potential of 400,000 barrels per day and the emphasis on gas utilisation and job creation, describing it as a “holistic approach to energy governance that balances revenue, competitiveness, and social impact.”

    Read Also: NUPRC targets $10 billion from oil licensing bid round

    “The 2025 Licensing Round is a template for Africa. It demonstrates that transparency and fairness in upstream licensing are key drivers of investment, trust, and long-term sectoral stability,” he added.

    The UK-based think tank urged NUPRC to maintain consistent implementation of the licensing process, including publication of contracts, fiscal terms, and beneficial ownership information, to ensure that transparency extends beyond the bidding stage.

    “The message is clear: strong governance is a competitive advantage. Nigeria is showing that with the right leadership, regulatory credibility can coexist with rapid investment growth,” the statement added.

    GETI’s endorsement positions NUPRC’s 2025 Licensing Round as a benchmark for the African upstream sector, underscoring the importance of investor confidence, digitalisation, and international alignment in modern oil and gas regulation.

  • Drama as 2Baba, Natasha clash on Daddy Freeze’s Instagram live

    Drama as 2Baba, Natasha clash on Daddy Freeze’s Instagram live

    An Instagram live session hosted by media personality Daddy Freeze took an unexpected turn when singer 2Baba and his wife, Natasha Osawaru, were heard in a heated argument in the background, an incident that has since gone viral on social media.

    The controversy arose from allegations made against Natasha by 2Baba’s former management team, Kaka Igbokwe and Lori Tosan, who appeared on Daddy Freeze’s live session.

    During the broadcast, the managers accused Natasha of seeking “full control” over 2Baba’s personal and professional life.

    Read Also: 2Baba joins Made-in-Benue movement to drive cultural, economic renaissance

    They also referenced past explosive incidents, including an airport altercation and a domestic dispute that nearly required police intervention.

    The situation escalated when 2Baba abruptly joined the live session, telling the former managers to “shut the fvck up” and stop discussing his private affairs.

    Shortly after, loud arguments between him and Natasha were audible off-camera, with their voices growing increasingly heated before the broadcast was cut.

    2Baba and Osawaru’s relationship became public shortly after his split from estranged wife Annie Macaulay Idibia in January.

    At the time, he clarified that his romance with the Edo lawmaker was unrelated to the breakup.

    He proposed to Osawaru in February, and the relationship gained family approval in April when Natasha visited 2Baba’s mother, Rose, who had previously spoken against the union. The couple officially tied the knot in July.

  • Troops foil FCT kidnap plot, sustain nationwide offensive — Army

    Troops foil FCT kidnap plot, sustain nationwide offensive — Army

    The Nigerian Army says its troops have recorded fresh operational successes across the country, foiling a major kidnap plot in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and disrupting terrorist activities in the North-West, North-East and North-Central within the last 24 hours.

    A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA disrupted multiple terrorist activities in Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto States.

    He said the troops of 1 Battalion (Reconnaissance) raided Sakwabe Forest on at Bachaka in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, forcing terrorists to flee and recovering ammunition, clothing and communication devices.

    The source said the troops at FOB Kaoje also responded to a distress call at Bakin Ruwa where police had arrested three suspected terrorists. The source said troops increased patrols in the area following fears of reprisal attacks by the suspects’ accomplices.

    In Katsina, he said the troops of 17 Brigade responded to an attack along the Kankara–Mabai Road, where terrorists killed a commercial driver.

    Read Also: Ndume hails Army over teenage girls’ rescue

    According to him, soldiers evacuated passengers and their vehicle to safety.

    “The same brigade also rescued a kidnapped victim at Unguwan Nayaya during a fighting patrol.

    “Also in Sokoto, troops of 8 Division Garrison engaged terrorists at Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area, where one civilian injured by gunshots was evacuated to UDUTH Sokoto.

    “The highlight of the 24-hour operations was in the FCT, where troops of 176 Guards Battalion, working with the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, foiled a planned mass abduction in Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils.

    “Acting on intelligence and intercepted communications, the troops ambushed the kidnap syndicate at Gada-Biu on Dec. 1, killing one of the suspects and recovering an AK-47 rifle with ammunition,” he said.

    The source said the troops operating under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), conducted clearance operations in communities within Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba, recovering a pump-action gun, a Dane gun and three motorcycles after insurgents fled during contact.

    He added that a soldier was also arrested in Kashimbila for allegedly communicating with a wanted insurgent leader identified as “Commander Abam”.

    According to the source, troops across all theatres have continued to dominate the battlespace through aggressive patrols, ambushes and fighting operations.

    “The security forces remain committed to sustaining the pressure until terrorism, banditry and kidnapping are decisively defeated,” he added.

    (NAN)

  • HIV/AIDS: Nigeria making strides but work remains, say FG, stakeholders

    HIV/AIDS: Nigeria making strides but work remains, say FG, stakeholders

    Nigeria is making significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but gaps remain, the Federal government has said as the country marked World AIDS Day on Monday in Abuja.

    The Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, highlighted national and global statistics to underline achievements and ongoing challenges.

    Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day, Ilori, “Today, 40.8 million people are living with HIV worldwide, with 1.3 million new infections occurring in 2024. Yet through collective global action, more than 29 million people globally are now accessing life-saving antiretroviral treatment, stigma is being challenged, and the vision of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is within reach”.

    She emphasised the relevance of the theme, ‘Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response’, noting that it highlights the country’s resolve to maintain progress despite the pandemic, economic challenges, and changing donor support.

    She said, “These disruptions were real. They had implications. But they did not break us. They strengthened our resolve to build a more self-reliant and sustainable HIV response.

    “Nigeria has made notable progress in prevalence reduction. HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 now stands at 1.3 percent, down from 2.8 percent, with about 1.9 million Nigerians living with the virus.

    “The country has performed strongly toward global 95-95-95 targets. 87 percent of people living with HIV in Nigeria know their status, 98 percent of those who know their status are on treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

    “New infections have fallen by 46 percent over the past decade, while enrollment and retention in care continue to rise.

    Read Also: First Lady pushes for free HIV/AIDS treatment

    “Maternal and child health milestones are also significant. In 2024, 5,189,353 pregnant women were tested for HIV, with 26,566 testing positive and immediately placed on treatment.

    “Additionally, 23,561 HIV-exposed infants received early diagnosis within two months. Ilori acknowledged remaining gaps, including 65 percent HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 63 percent PMTCT coverage, and 56 percent early infant diagnosis coverage, stressing that efforts are ongoing to close them.

    “100 percent of pregnant women tested for syphilis in the last year received treatment, while 13 percent were tested for hepatitis B”.

    Breakthroughs in HIV prevention have improved access. Ilori noted the availability of a twice-yearly injectable now priced as low as 40 dollars, saying, “This is what global solidarity looks like. This is what innovation in the service of humanity achieves.”

    Financial sustainability remains central to Nigeria’s response, Ilori noted, while commending the Global Fund’s $11.34 billion replenishment and the United States’ strategy to sustain funding during the transition to domestic ownership.

    She also highlighted the Federal Government’s $200 million intervention to maintain uninterrupted HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, in his remarks, reported that Nigeria has surpassed UNAIDS targets, with 98 percent of people living with HIV on treatment and 95 percent achieving viral suppression.

    “We have surpassed the UNAIDS target by putting 98% of Nigerians LWHA on treatment, met the second target of 95% viral suppression, and are on the way to ensuring that at least 95% of Nigerians with HIV know their status.

    “Expanded pre-exposure prophylaxis, integrated HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and reproductive health services, and reduced consent age for testing from 18 to 14 are helping close gaps in service access,” he noted.

    Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s HIV response have urged the Federal Government to strengthen domestic financing, protect community-led services, and address emerging gaps as global funding uncertainties threaten recent gains.

    The Global Fund’s Country Coordinating Mechanism noted that Nigeria had received $1.6 billion for HIV programmes since inception and continued to contribute to the Fund.

    The acting UN Resident Coordinator commended Nigeria’s progress, highlighting the President’s recent emergency funding and the First Lady’s prevention initiatives, but emphasised the need for stronger domestic financing, human-rights protections, and sustained community leadership.

    The WHO Country Representative described Nigeria’s gains as “impressive but fragile,” calling for integration of HIV services within universal health coverage, strengthened health systems, and accelerated access to new prevention tools.

    Abdul Qadir Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s $200 billion approval for antiretroviral, TB, and malaria medicines, noting it came “at the right time.”

    He cautioned that donor cuts are affecting community programmes, including the disengagement of more than 1,700 mentor mothers linking HIV-positive pregnant women to care.

  • Tinubu assures parents of abducted Niger schoolchildren of safe return

    Tinubu assures parents of abducted Niger schoolchildren of safe return

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured parents of the abducted pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State, that their children will soon return safely.

    Delivering the President’s message during a visit to the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said every necessary effort is underway to secure the children’s release. The meeting, held at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, also had several affected parents in attendance.

    Ribadu said security agencies have intensified operations around the area and expressed confidence that the victims will be rescued unharmed.

    “The children are where they are and will come back safely. God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back, I give you assurance,” he said.

    He added that national unity remains essential to defeating the criminal groups tormenting communities across the country.

    “This is a solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from some of the parents. However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you,” he stated.

    According to him, President Tinubu immediately cancelled a planned trip upon receiving reports of the abduction and directed the security leadership to visit the school and its community. “Mr. President is in pain. He is in sorrow, just like all of us. Enough is enough. Let us not allow bad people to divide us or let evil get into us,” Ribadu added.

    Read Also: First Lady rallies Nigerians behind Tinubu’s drive for an HIV-free Nigeria by 2030

    The NSA was accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Doro; Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern region, Rev. Joseph Hayab. No representative of the Niger State Government was present at the meeting.

    Ribadu commended Bishop Yohanna for his unwavering support and transparency since the incident, revealing that Nigeria is receiving external assistance to strengthen ongoing security operations.

    “Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and others. The whole world is coming together to defeat this evil that has plagued Nigeria for two decades,” he said.

    He further assured that the school will continue to operate and that adequate security will be provided to ensure the children’s safe return and long-term protection. “This thing they have done is what will change Nigeria for good,” Ribadu noted.

    Bishop Yohanna, while expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and Ribadu for the visit and words of reassurance, said the intervention has brought renewed hope to the affected families.

    He presented a detailed report on the incident to the NSA before a closed-door meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.

    The school principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, and a parents’ representative, Mr. Luka Iliya, also narrated how the abduction occurred and the emotional distress families are currently facing.

  • FG, NSITF backs sweeping social security reforms

    FG, NSITF backs sweeping social security reforms

    …seeks clearer governance structure in new Bill

    …As NLC, NECA, CSOs demand wider consultations

    The federal government and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) have endorsed the proposed Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund Bill, 2025, describing it as one of the most ambitious and transformative reforms of the country’s social protection framework in decades.

    However, while backing the bill, the NSITF and other critical stakeholders, including organised labour, employer groups, and civil society organisations, warned that without clearer governance structures, stronger accountability safeguards, and stricter compliance enforcement, the reform could end up replicating the decades-long weaknesses that have undermined the nation’s social security regime.

    Presenting the NSITF’s position at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment in Abuja, the agency’s Managing Director, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, applauded the initiative as a “strategic and forward-looking intervention” that aligns with global standards, including the ILO Social Security Convention 102 and the Tripartite Consultation Convention 144.

    He noted that consolidating and repealing the NSITF Act, 1993, and the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, was long overdue, especially following the Pension Reform Act 2014, which removed contributory pension management from the Fund.

    “This consolidation eliminates duplication, resolves conflicts, and strengthens the legal foundation of the Fund,” Faleye said.

    Faleye listed key innovations in the bill, such as electronic claims processing, protection of children of deceased workers through trust arrangements, cultural recognition of multiple dependants, and inclusion of traditional medical practitioners in injury management.

    He also hailed the provisions that empower the governing board to periodically review occupational disease schedules, penalise employers who fail to report workplace accidents, and enforce higher safety standards.

    Read Also: NSITF disburses N1.1b compensation on workplace accidents

    He, however, cautioned that the bill contains “a significant conceptual gap” by conflating the roles of the governing board and management, warning that this could blur oversight, weaken accountability, and sabotage operational efficiency.

    “The Bill must clearly distinguish the Governing Board as the oversight body, Management as administrators, and the Agency as the implementing structure,” he argued, recommending governance reforms similar to the Federal Inland Revenue Service model.

    Faleye affirmed NSITF’s commitment to working with lawmakers, pledging technical assistance to ensure the legislation is strengthened before passage.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, commended the collaborative process and described the bill as a major step toward a transparent, inclusive, and globally aligned social security regime for Nigerian workers.

    He emphasised full inclusion of the informal sector, transparency in administration, and employer compliance as vital to building a sustainable system.

    Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, adopted a more cautious tone.

    While acknowledging the urgency of reform, he insisted that compliance with existing social security laws remains abysmally low, especially among private-sector employers.

    “Of what use are laws that are not complied with?” he asked, urging improved enforcement rather than continuous restructuring.

    Ajaero rejected attempts to limit labour representation within the tripartite system, warning against provisions that confer “exclusive and unchecked powers” on the agency.

    He demanded the creation of an independent investment committee with representation from labour and employers to safeguard workers’ funds.

    He also insisted that while the Minister of Labour should receive reports, the Fund must remain independent and not be reduced to a parastatal structure under full ministerial control.

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), represented by Mr. Thompson Akpabio, criticised sections of the bill that could impose excessive financial burdens on employers, collapse corporate governance lines, and create legal contradictions.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Senator Diket Plang, assured stakeholders that their concerns would be reflected in the final draft.

    “Even those who support the bill have pointed out areas needing review. These inputs will guide our work,” he said.

    The hearing attracted labour unions, employer bodies, CSOs, ministries, and policy experts.

  • SFH launches CoElevate Fund for health innovators

    SFH launches CoElevate Fund for health innovators

    Nigeria’s health innovation drive gained new energy on Thursday as the Society for Family Health (SFH), through its enterprise arm SFH Access, introduced the CoElevate Catalytic Fund — a new mechanism intended to support the country’s growing pool of health innovators. The launch, held at SFH’s Lagos office, brought together entrepreneurs, funders, policymakers, and partners committed to solving long-standing health challenges with local ideas.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of SFH Access, Pharm. Dennis Aizobu said the fund was created to address the gaps that often hinder promising ideas. “This is the beginning of a new chapter in West Africa’s innovation story,” he said. “Many ideas in Nigeria don’t fail because of a lack of competence. They fail because innovators lack exposure, capital, and the systems that help ideas grow.”

    According to him, CoElevate will offer “access to mentorship, access to support, access to capital, and access to platforms that will ensure scale.”

    Aizobu explained that the fund combines milestone-based grants, equity investments, and access to SFH’s technology and operational experience. He added that “Africans must invest in Africa,” noting that SFH Access will run two funding cycles each year to give more innovators the chance to join an ecosystem built for long-term growth.

    Chairperson of the SFH Access Board, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai described the launch as “a landmark moment for building equitable access to healthcare.” He said the initiative reflects SFH’s long-standing work in supporting vulnerable communities and backing young Nigerians who want to create solutions that serve the public good. “Innovation is essential to meeting our health challenges,” he said. “CoElevate offers a pathway for identifying and lifting ideas that can make a real impact.”

    SFH Managing Director, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, highlighted the infrastructure that innovators will access under the programme. “We operate on Microsoft Azure, we work with AWS, we build APIs and digital tools, and we maintain one of the strongest logistics networks in the health sector,” he said. He noted that SFH’s national supply-chain system — which includes a pharmagrade warehouse, 22 satellite warehouses, and distribution links across Nigeria — will be available to participating startups. “These are assets that would cost billions for a new company to build. We want innovators to focus on the science and the product, while we help with the systems that move it forward.”

    Idogho said the value of the fund should ultimately be measured by progress in Nigeria’s major health indicators. “If the innovations we support help reduce maternal deaths, improve immunisation and expand access to essential services, then we would have achieved what this programme was designed for,” he said.

    Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi said the initiative arrives at a time when innovators face limited opportunities. “Innovation drives progress in every health system,” she said. “This fund gives Nigerian ideas the chance to grow and reach communities that need them.”

    Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, SFH’s Deputy Managing Director, said CoElevate was set up to support ideas that often struggle because their creators lack clear structures or guidance. “Many innovators have strong concepts,” she said. “What they need is the right support to refine them and position them for real-world implementation.”

    With grants of $5,000–$10,000, equity investments, mentorship, regulatory support and a 24-month management programme, the CoElevate Catalytic Fund aims to strengthen HealthTech, WASH, pharmaceutical R&D and NCD-focused innovations. According to SFH Access, the goal is simple: to build a system that helps Nigerian innovators turn ideas into practical solutions for the country’s health needs.

  • Global Scientist Leads Breakthrough Study on Blood Flow and Advanced Cancer Treatment

    Global Scientist Leads Breakthrough Study on Blood Flow and Advanced Cancer Treatment

    Dr. Adebowale Martins Obalalu is redefining the future of medical science through groundbreaking research that transforms mathematical theory into real-world innovation. At a time when the world is seeking more precise and technology-driven solutions to major health challenges, he is demonstrating how advanced mathematical modelling can reshape the understanding and treatment of complex diseases on a global scale. An internationally recognized researcher from Kwara State University, Dr. Obalalu has built a reputation for applying high-level mathematics to healthcare, energy systems, and technological development worldwide. His work sends a clear message: mathematics is not just a classroom subject, it is a global engine for scientific, biomedical, and industrial progress. His recent study titled “Dissipative heat transfer in blood-based ternary hybrid nanofluids through a parallel channel with entropy optimization: The case of biomedical applications” represents a major leap forward in cancer research. By combining fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and magnetic nanotechnology, he explores how cancer alters the thermal and physical behaviour of blood at the microscopic scale, opening the door to more precise therapies and new frontiers in biomedical engineering.

    Redefining Cancer Through Mathematics

    Using advanced non-Newtonian blood-flow models, Dr. Obalalu has developed simulations that show how tumors alter viscosity, pressure gradients, and temperature distribution inside arteries. These models capture hidden biological patterns that medical imaging alone cannot reveal, offering an unprecedented view of how cancer reshapes the circulatory system. Through cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics, his work identifies regions of high stress, predicts drug dispersion, and analyzes heat transfer under realistic physiological conditions. This enables more accurate drug delivery, reduces harmful side effects, and improves treatment outcomes in hospitals across the world. His approach sets the foundation for truly personalized medicine guided by predictive mathematical modeling.

    Magnetism and Nanoscience at the Cellular Level

    One of the defining innovations in Dr. Obalalu’s work is the integration of magnetic nanoparticles into dynamic blood-flow models. By applying controlled magnetic fields, he demonstrates how therapeutic nanoparticles can be guided directly to malignant cells with exceptional precision. This minimizes drug loss to healthy tissues and enhances the effectiveness of cancer therapy.

    Transforming Science into Global Strength

    Dr. Obalalu’s work goes beyond scientific discovery. His models incorporate region-specific physiological data from various global populations, capturing real differences in blood composition, environmental exposure, and thermoregulatory behaviour.

    Equations That Save Lives

    For Dr. Obalalu, mathematics is the foundation of progress worldwide. Each equation he develops translates into improved technologies, optimized systems, and life-saving medical breakthroughs. His cancer-related blood-flow model has the potential to reduce treatment delays, improve survival rates, and support artificial intelligence tools used in modern hospitals around the world. He has demonstrated that mathematical modelling is not an abstract academic exercise. It is the essential bridge between scientific discovery and patient recovery, between technological innovation and global well-being. His work illustrates how nations can use knowledge, computation, and scientific precision to build healthier, stronger societies.

    Read Also: FG expands cancer care amid social media concerns over FMC Jabi

    Recognition and Excellence

    A graduate of Kwara State University with a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Applied Mathematics, Dr. Obalalu is widely respected internationally for his contributions to nanofluid research, heat-transfer analysis, and computational modelling. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, more than 2550 citations, and an h-index of 31, he is recognized as one of the leading mathematicians of his generation. His influence has earned him a place on the World’s Top 2 Percent Scientists list compiled by Elsevier and Stanford University for 2024 and 2025. These distinctions highlight his exceptional contribution to science and his role in shaping the future of mathematical research.

    A New Scientific Vision for the World

    The core of Dr. Obalalu’s mission is to demonstrate how mathematics, when applied with precision and grounded in real data, can transform global healthcare. He envisions a world where hospitals rely on advanced computational models to predict disease progression, personalize drug dosages, and reduce diagnostic uncertainty. His research proves that the same mathematics used to guide satellites and power engineering systems can also guide life-saving decisions in medicine. Through his pioneering work in cancer modelling, Dr. Adebowale Martins Obalalu has achieved more than a scientific breakthrough. He has provided a blueprint for a world where medical independence, technological innovation, and scientific excellence form the foundation of healthier societies everywhere.