The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • FG rolls out ECOWAS national biometric identity cards after 11 years of conception

    FG rolls out ECOWAS national biometric identity cards after 11 years of conception

    The federal government has rolled out the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Cards (ENBIC) to foster the ease of doing business, promote economic prosperity, and enhance security within the sub-region.

    The project, a brainchild of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), came on stream after 11 years of its conception.

    Six countries within the region have already rolled out the project in line with ECOWAS protocol to address security issues and boost the economies of member states of ECOWAS.

    The ceremony marking the ECOWAS Card inauguration at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, on Friday was attended, among others, by the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Director General of the Department of State (DSS), Adeola O Ajayi, and the Director General of NIA, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

    Others are Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the representative of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, AIG Victor Olaiya.

    Speaking at the event, the SGF, Dr George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, described the ECOWAS Card as a powerful engine for regional transformation.

    The SGF said Nigeria, despite its challenges, remained an unshakeable pillar for ECOWAS since its establishment in 1975, stating that the ECOWAS Card being inaugurated was a further testimony that Nigeria would continue to play its leadership roles within the sub-region.

    Dr Akume, who praised President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, for accelerating the process for the launch of the Cards, said the cards would unlock opportunities for businesses, promote regional trade, and ensure digital identity and authentication for citizens within the ECOWAS member countries.

    He said Nigeria’s commitment towards regional integration and free movement of migrants within the region remained consistent and resolute, adding that the rollout of the ECOWAS Card is not the end of the journey, but a powerful new beginning.

    While he urged member states to ensure accessibility to the Cards, he said the success of the efforts also depended largely on partnership with the private sector to drive financial inclusion, and scale up business activities without jeopardising National security.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, in his remarks, praised President Tinubu for the landmark achievement, saying that the launch followed 11 years of the conception of the project by ECOWAS member countries.

    He said it was part of the dreams of President Tinubu to quickly transform the country and ensure that Nigeria plays its leadership roles within the sub-region and the African continent.

    Tunji-Ojo said, “The ECOWAS Card is the foundation for identity management and authentication. We have, by the deployment of this project, taken pressure off our Passport systems, and it will provide a foundation for the regional database. With these cards, you don’t need to travel within ECOWAS countries with Passports.

    “Migration data has to be made available so that we can synchronise and manage our migration systems in collaboration with others. Though I cannot discuss the details here, certainly, we cannot manage our migration system in isolation. However, we are glad that the deployment of this card would reinforce our resolve to boost economic activities within the region and enhance security.”

    Tunji-Ojo also said, besides the inauguration of the Advanced Passenger Information System by the Immigration Service, the Service would also launch the Single Travel Emergency Passports by January next year.

    He said the launch would enable Nigerians outside the country to travel back home seamlessly in case they lost their Passports. He assured that with the use of their telephones, Nigerians abroad can find their way home with the new documents.

    The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said the ECOWAS Card represented “a landmark achievement in our collective pursuit of stronger regional integration and security.”

    While she said it would facilitate the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the ECOWAS region, Mrs Nandap noted that it would build a secure, prosperous, and integrated region.

    She praised President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to regional integration and security, asserting that his decisive leadership has been central to advancing this initiative.

    While she commended the Minister of Interior for his leadership and support, Mrs Nandap said, “The New Travel Biometric Card introduced today supports intra-regional mobility within ECOWAS countries. Featuring a secure biometric system, it will strengthen border management by accurately identifying travellers.

    “The ENBIC aims to facilitate legal movement, promote tourism, investment, and trade, and support economic growth throughout the region. Furthermore, ENBIC will deliver tangible benefits, including: strengthened regional security and safer travel.”

  • Obodo emerges 275th certified Global Tech Hero

    Obodo emerges 275th certified Global Tech Hero

    Obodo Bright has been formally inducted as the 275th Certified Global Tech Hero, an accolade that recognizes a career defined by technical mastery, product-led impact, community stewardship, and a clear commitment to building technology that improves lives.

    A software engineer, technical writer, and AI enthusiast, Bright has progressed from early internships to leadership roles where he has architected scalable systems, led cross-functional teams, and driven measurable product outcomes across fintech, game-tech, ed-tech, and startup ecosystems.

    His work has modernized application architectures, accelerated performance through techniques such as lazy loading and code-splitting, and introduced reusable components and design systems that increased development velocity and consistency across products.

    Throughout his career, Bright has delivered notable business and user outcomes of optimizing financial workflows to reduce page-load times and increase mobile adoption, integrating secure payment and KYC systems that strengthened platform reliability, and engineering real-time, low-latency features that drove significant engagement and transaction growth.

    As a technical leader, he has mentored and developed junior engineers, turning internship talent into reliable contributors and helping to cultivate a pipeline of skilled developers. His writing on frontend practices and accessibility extends his influence beyond the codebase, shaping how peers adopt better standards and approaches.

    Entrepreneurially, Bright co-founded and serves as CTO of an innovative credit-based e-commerce platform that pairs everyday grocery purchases with a mechanism for building financial credibility for immigrants and underserved communities. That initiative, alongside fintech and web3-aligned projects that explore asset-backed digital finance, demonstrates an orientation toward pragmatic innovation: solving local, real-world problems with thoughtfully applied technology.

    “His work embodies a practical, people-first vision of innovation, using engineering skill to build products and expand opportunity and financial inclusion,” said Qazeem Oladejo, founder of The Connected Awards. “This recognition celebrates a technologist who pairs measurable impact with mentorship and community purpose.”

    This induction immortalises a professional trajectory that marries product thinking, technical excellence, and social purpose. As the 275th Certified Global Tech Hero, Obodo Bright joins a lineage of practitioners whose contributions have advanced technology’s capacity to create opportunity, resilience, and measurable value.

  • Akume urges African leaders to take centre stage in global energy tech revolution

    Akume urges African leaders to take centre stage in global energy tech revolution

    …says Africa must not stand on the sidelines of global innovation

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged African governments and industry leaders to position themselves at the forefront of the technological revolution reshaping global energy systems.

    Speaking through his Special Adviser on Technical Operations, Prof. Babatunde Bolaji Benard, at the 9th Solewani Energy Summit themed “Emerging Technologies and the Future of Sustainable Development in Africa,” Akume said Africa cannot afford to lag behind as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital monitoring, and smart infrastructure transform the global energy landscape.

    He emphasised that Africa’s rapidly growing population, fast-paced urbanisation, and increasing energy demands require bold innovation and swift adoption of advanced technologies.

    Beyond using these tools, he said the continent must actively participate in developing and scaling them to secure long-term economic strength.

    Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, Akume said Nigeria is demonstrating a strong commitment to a modern, technology-driven energy sector.

    He cited key interventions such as the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, the Energy Transition Plan, enhanced local content policies, and expanded involvement of Nigerian firms in refining, gas processing, pipeline development, and renewable energy.

    “These actions reflect our determination to build a diversified, technologically advanced, and globally competitive energy economy,” he noted.

    Describing technology as the engine of sustainable development, the SGF said emerging technologies are vital to fighting poverty, cutting energy costs, boosting efficiency, and creating jobs for Africa’s youthful population.

    He added that advanced digital systems, renewable energy solutions, and automation will help reduce environmental impacts while strengthening long-term energy security.

    Akume commended the Solewani Group for sustaining what he described as one of Africa’s most credible platforms for shaping energy policy and fostering industry collaboration.

    He urged participants to engage fully and turn the summit’s resolutions into measurable actions that support national and continental development.

    As Africa grapples with poverty and climate vulnerability, the SGF said platforms like the Solewani Summit are crucial for driving transformation in the energy sector.

    “It is a defining moment; emerging technologies will determine whether Africa leapfrogs into a sustainable future or remains on the margins,” he stated.

    Akume congratulated the Solewani Group on hosting the summit and restated the federal government’s commitment to partnerships that accelerate innovation and sustainable development across the continent.

  • Why there’s consensus on Gov Mbah’s second term in Enugu – Obeagu

    Why there’s consensus on Gov Mbah’s second term in Enugu – Obeagu

    The Chairman of Isi-Uzo local government council, Hon. Obiora Obeagu has said that there is uniformity of opinion for Enugu Governor Peter Mbah to go for a second term in office because of the unprecedented social, infrastructural and political harmony his administration has bequeathed the state.

    Obeagu stated that the Governor’s political realignment to the national ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has further bridged divides for the state to benefit fully in the nation’s democratic dividends.

    The council chairman made the remarks at the council headquarters in Ikem, on Thursday, during the inauguration of the Isi-Uzo local government and ward executives of Enugu State Unity Forum, EUF, a support group advocating for Governor Mbah’s  second term in office.

    Obeagu noted that Governor Mbah’s developmental strides in the state, particularly in the council area has made the clamour for the Governor’s second term more attractive and less cumbersome for the advocates.

    The Chairman listed Governor Mbah’s achievements in Isi-Uzo local government area to include but not limited to 11 Smart Schools, 12 Type-2 Health Centres,

    21.7km Agape–Ogbette Farm Settlement Road, upgrades on Eha-Amufu roads from the park to Umuogiri Bridge, ongoing development of a Farm Estate and the 40 kilometers Owo- Umualor-Ikem dual carriage road project, among others.

    The Chairman advised the newly inaugurated support executives to take their responsibilities seriously, assuring them of his massive support; while he commended the leadership structure of the EUF as a platform that promotes peace, unity, and progressive collaboration.

    Inaugurating the Executives, the Zonal Coordinator of EUF in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwatu, emphasized that the Forum has five priority responsibilities tied directly to the administration of Governor Mbah, with a sixth responsibility concerning the council Chairman.

    Nwatu reminded the executives that they were selected through a collaborative stakeholder decision and charged them to return to their wards to spread awareness about the achievements of the Mbah administration. 

    Other stakeholders who made complementary remarks for the support group included the Coordinators of EUF in Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial districts, Arc Jake Udeh and Prof. Ikpe Ibenekwu, respectively.

    The zonal coordinators noted the remarkable infrastructural transformation occurring across the state, adding that the Federal Government’s recent appointment of Governor Mbah as Chairman, Committee on the Overhaul of Security Training Institutions, is a testament to his outstanding leadership.

    They urged the newly inaugurated officials to intensify grassroots sensitization on the achievements of Governor Mbah, describing the inauguration as the planting of a “taproot” that will grow into widespread support for Governor Mbah across the LGA. 

    The EUF zonal woman leader, Barr. Kate Nnamani, encouraged the people to continue supporting the Governor’s developmental vision, while Mbah’s Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Dr. Collins Ogbu urged the people to prioritize obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, commended the council chairman, Obeagu, for aligning with the Governor’s objectives of improving lives through road construction, bridges, empowerment initiatives, healthcare development, and scholarship programs. 

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Isi-Uzo LGA, Hon Jacob Abonyi expressed the party’s full support for the activities of the Enugu State Unity Forum within the LGA, while the coordinator of the EUF in Isi-Uzo LGA, Prof Ifeanyi Odoziobodo charged the executives to redeem the trust placed on them.

  • Court sentences UNIPORT student to death for murder of girlfriend

    Court sentences UNIPORT student to death for murder of girlfriend

    The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced a 400-level University of Port Harcourt student, Damian Okoligwe, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Justina Otuene.

    Okoligwe, a Petrochemical Engineering student, killed Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student, on October 20, 2023, at his apartment in Mgbupba, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. 

    He dismembered her body and attempted to dispose of the remains with a wheelbarrow before being arrested.

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    Delivering judgment, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu ruled that the prosecution had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, describing Okoligwe’s actions as intentional, calculated, coordinated, and evil. The court ordered that he be “hanged on the neck until confirmed dead.”

    Outside the courtroom, prosecuting lawyer Charles Mbaba welcomed the verdict, saying it would console the victim’s family and deter young people from resorting to harmful shortcuts in life.

    Osatawaji, the late Justina Otuene’s brother, also expressed satisfaction, noting that the judgment provided relief and a sense of justice for their family.

  • Nigeria’s security crisis and the case for seasoned leadership

    Nigeria’s security crisis and the case for seasoned leadership

    • By Ken George Eneduwa

    Nigeria’s security challenge has reached a point that no longer allows for easy comfort. What confronts the country now is not only violence, but a steady erosion of confidence in the systems meant to prevent it. When senior officers go missing and ordinary citizens are taken with little resistance, it becomes hard to ignore the deeper signs of strain beneath the surface.

    The reported capture of Brigadier General Uba by armed groups remains one of the clearest warnings of this decline. An officer of such rank, taken during duty, and with no clear account of his condition, raises questions that go beyond the single incident. It points to gaps in awareness, response, and coordination. These are not minor lapses. They touch the core of national defence.

    The assault on the Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where worshippers were subjected to fear and confusion, adds to the unease. So too does the abduction of school children in Kebbi State. In each case, the pattern has been familiar. Attack first. Reaction later. Statements follow. Closure remains uncertain.

    There was a period when such events did not follow this same rhythm. During the tenure of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, intelligence work showed more discipline and structure. Coordination across units was steadier. While no system was flawless, there was a stronger sense of direction and early warning. Movement of hostile groups drew firmer attention. Planning and execution were more closely linked.

    Since his departure, the tempo has shifted. Responses appear slower. Information seems to arrive in fragments. Threats that should be anticipated are now discussed only after damage has been done. This change has not gone unnoticed by those who watch the situation closely.

    This is not a moment for political manoeuvring around matters of life and safety. Soldiers, worshippers, students, and families deserve protection grounded in clear judgment and steady command. Competence should guide decisions, not convenience or proximity to power.

    In this context, it is difficult to ignore the role General Musa once played. His record suggests familiarity with the flow of intelligence, terrain challenges, and the demands of joint operations. His experience carries value at a time when certainty is scarce. Mentioning his name is not about praise. It reflects a practical concern that the country now needs leadership marked by experience and calm focus.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces a choice that requires careful thought. Returning General Musa to a strategic position within the security framework, whether as Defence Minister or in another senior role, would be a measured step rooted in urgency, not sentiment. The situation calls for hands that understand both the field and the weight of decisions made at the centre.

    Beyond individual appointments, broader reform is needed. Intelligence networks must be rebuilt with care and protection for local sources. Military and police units should work in closer harmony, sharing timely information instead of operating in isolation. Field commanders require authority and resources to act without crippling delay. Morale within the forces must also improve through better welfare, training, and equipment that match the risks they face.

    Leadership in defence should rest on ability and experience. Regional loyalty and political favour should not guide choices that affect national survival. The cost of delay is counted in lives and lasting fear.

    Nigeria will not find its way out of insecurity through grand speeches or surface fixes. It will do so through steady resolve and informed leadership. In this light, the call for General Christopher Gwabin Musa to return to a central role reflects a wider concern for order, discipline, and clarity in a time that has grown uncertain.

  • Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 houses wrongly seized by the commission.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while giving a judgment in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025 filed by the EFCC.

    The EFCC had, on March 13, obtained an ex parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties, which it claimed were acquired from proceeds of unlawful acts.

    Following its publication of the interim forfeiture order in the Punch newspaper of April 4, as ordered by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Okwete, Jamec Ltd, and Oladapo objected to EFCC’s subsequent application for final forfeiture of the properties and, in a judgment on October 31, Justice Abdulmalik upheld their objection, dismissed EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the earlier order for interim forfeiture, and ordered the commission to immediately release the properties.

    In the October 31 judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said, based on her analysis of the evidence presented before the court, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.

    “Additionally, I hold in favour of Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo being a person interested in House No 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed the court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause, stands substantiated in its entirety.

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    “Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of Forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025 to the applicant in respect of the properties listed in the schedule attached to the applicant’s ex parte originating motion.

    “Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT to Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo, respectively.

    “In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture, along with the corresponding responses filed, are now otiose. I hold,” Justice Abdulmalik said.

    However, lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN) has written to the Chairman of the EFCC complaining about the commission’s alleged failure to comply with the judgment.

    The November 27 letter written by Larry on behalf of Okwete and Jamec Ltd reads: “We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company Jamec West Africa Ltd, the property owners, to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31st October, 2025, when judgment was given against you.

    “As indicated above, judgment was given by the Federal High Court, coram: Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, on Friday, 31st October, 2025, in the presence of your counsel, led by Maryam Hayatudeen Esq.

    “On 14th November, 2025, the judgment order was served on your good office, and nothing was done to obey it.

    “On 26th November, 2025, the Federal High Court, through its Enforcement Unit, led by Mrs. Lilian Amenger, proceeded to your office to execute the judgment which simply required your office to hand over the title documents of the properties, subject matter of the suit, to the officials of the court,

    “In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgment, which in its penultimate paragraph used the words, ‘the immediate release.’

    “In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it, if judgments of the court are blatantly disobeyed. We, however, want to believe that you are not aware of what happened, hence this letter.

    “We anticipate your positive reactions within a reasonable time before we take further steps.”

  • Jigawa govt awards N400m contract to renovate 1,500 classroom blocks

    Jigawa govt awards N400m contract to renovate 1,500 classroom blocks

    The Jigawa State government has awarded contracts worth over N400 million for the renovation of 1,500 blocks of classrooms across the state.

    The executive chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Haruna Musa, made this known on Thursday during the opening of bids for the project at the SUBEB headquarters in Dutse.

    Addressing reporters shortly after the session, Prof. Musa said the renovation initiative is part of the government’s renewed commitment to improving education infrastructure in the state.

    He revealed that some of the structures earmarked for renovation were built only a year or two ago but failed to meet acceptable standards.

    The SUBEB chairman warned that contractors delivering substandard work would be compelled to return to the site to correct the defects at no extra cost to the government.

    According to him, the quality and durability of classroom infrastructure remain a top priority for the present administration.

    Prof. Musa stressed the need for strict monitoring of all projects, adding that payments would only be made after thorough verification of work done.

    Twenty-seven lots were opened during the bid exercise, with the chairman assuring all participants of a transparent and fair selection process.

    He cautioned that any contractor found violating contract specifications or compromising quality would be sanctioned.

    “The Jigawa State Government is committed to strengthening education infrastructure, and this project is part of that effort,” he added.

  • NDDC lifts sickle cell sufferers in Edo

    NDDC lifts sickle cell sufferers in Edo

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has provided medical interventions to enable sickle cell sufferers to live a better life.

    The NDDC said it was following global medical trends to ensure that people with sickle cell have longevity, quality of life, and improved health outcomes.

    Edo State NDDC Director, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, spoke in Benin City at a one-day awareness campaign on sickle cell health promotion and sensitisation.

     Mrs. Babawale said has sickle cell campaign was one of the Commission’s priority programmes

    According to her, “Before now, sickle cell was like a death sentence. People gave up easily on those with the condition. But things are changing, and medically, things are evolving.

    “As a Commission, we don’t think it is fair, especially as an interventionist agency, to fold our hands and watch people die or give up hope. That is why the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the board led by our Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, decided that we must intervene.”

    Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, lauded the NDDC and its partners for sustaining the fight against sickle cell disorder, even as he called for deeper collaboration to tackle critical health challenges across the state and the region.

    Dr. Oshiomhole said the present administration remained open to strategic collaborations that would improve access to healthcare and strengthen support systems for persons living with sickle cell disorder.

    His words, “I want to see a kind of partnership that will give our sickle cell warriors the opportunity for stem cell transplants. I believe it is doable. We can fashion a way to subsidise it for our warriors. I will be in touch with the NDDC to see how the Edo State Government can come in to make all of this work.

    “I know this is a stepping stone to greater opportunities and greater programmes ahead. I also commend our sickle cell warriors for their resilience and encourage them to continue to avail themselves of laudable events like this.”

    President of the Sickle Cell Club in Edo State, Charles Edigin, called for more investment in modern treatment options and appealed to more agencies to join the campaign.

     “We need bone marrow transplant opportunities. We need oxygen concentrators. These interventions help reduce the severity of crises, and I can testify to how helpful they are.”

  • Our interventions in agriculture yielding positive results — Ekiti govt

    Our interventions in agriculture yielding positive results — Ekiti govt

    The Ekiti State Government has said its ongoing interventions in the agricultural sector are beginning to yield measurable and positive results.

    The Special Adviser/Director-General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Dr. John Ekundayo, said the impacts of government efforts are already visible across markets in the state.

    He spoke during an assessment tour conducted by the Ekiti State Agriculture Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (AGRIC-MEAL) Team across key agricultural projects in the state.

    The team inspected facilities, including the Renewed Hope Farm Dormitory, covering about 50 hectares of cassava and maize farmland in Ikere-Ekiti, the Erefun Farm Settlement, the state fish pond, and the Ounje Ekiti retail food outlet in Ado-Ekiti.

    Ekundayo, who is the Chairman of Ekiti AGRIC-MEAL, noted that initiatives such as expansion of cultivation areas, access to farm inputs, and the operationalisation of agricultural programmes are already enhancing productivity.

    These efforts, he explained, have also contributed to improved availability of staple foods in local markets, helping to cushion the impact of rising commodity prices.

    Ekundayo commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for making staple food items available to residents at highly discounted prices despite the harsh national economic climate.

    The Director General added that the government will now deepen efforts in production, processing, packaging, and marketing to drive further improvements in food sufficiency.

    “The Ministry of Agriculture has been doing tremendous work. This is the third year of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, and for the first time, Ekiti now has a food price index. Prices of commodities have dropped significantly.

    “In August, Ekiti recorded the lowest food prices in the Southwest, and we intend to build on this”, Ekundayo said

    He explained that the tour was primarily aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and evaluation within the sector.

    He added that the review mission was part of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration’s broader strategy to measure progress and improve food availability in the state.

    “This tour is not just about monitoring, but about creating a platform for transparency and accountability so that stakeholders in and outside Ekiti can clearly see what is happening in the agric sector,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ebenezer Ojo, noted that Ekiti State is rapidly emerging as a model for agricultural development in the southwest.

    He expressed optimism that the state is on track to become Nigeria’s leading food provider, saying, “We have become a case study in the Southwest and are recognized nationally for our progress. Very soon, Ekiti will be regarded as the best food provider in Nigeria.”