The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Tinted glass permit: Is the police above the law?

Sir: The controversies surrounding the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy are far from over. What should have been a straightforward regulatory issue has now grown into a public debate touching on the rule of law, institutional accountability, and the limits of police powers in a constitutional democracy. At the centre of this debate is the Nigeria Police Force and the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), whose insistence on enforcement has raised serious legal and ethical questions.

The renewed tension follows a back-and-forth exchange between the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over a court order reportedly halting the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy. The NBA maintains that a competent court has issued an order restraining the police from enforcing the policy pending the determination of the substantive suit. This position, coming from the umbrella body of legal practitioners, has understandably drawn public attention and concern.

The police, however, have taken a different stance. They argue that although such an order may exist, they have not been formally served and therefore are not bound by it. On this basis, the police insist that enforcement will commence on January 2, 2026. This position raises a troubling question: Does the mere absence of service justify proceeding with an action that is already under judicial consideration?

In defending their position, the police have repeatedly argued that criminals and terrorists use vehicles with tinted glass to perpetrate heinous crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism. According to the police, enforcing the tinted glass permit is a necessary security measure aimed at curbing criminal activities and improving public safety. On the surface, this argument appears reasonable and appeals to widespread fears about insecurity.

However, this justification becomes weak when examined against the reality of Nigeria’s security challenges. It is a well-known fact that much of the insecurity currently facing the country is driven by banditry and kidnappings. These crimes are predominantly carried out by armed groups operating on motorcycles and within forested areas, not by individuals driving tinted glass vehicles through urban roads.

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Moreover, the assumption that a tinted glass permit can prevent crime is fundamentally flawed. Criminals do not typically use vehicles registered in their own names to commit crimes, nor do they rely on official permits to shield themselves from law enforcement. A permit regime may inconvenience law-abiding citizens, but it offers little deterrence to organised criminal networks operating outside the law.

The real issue, therefore, is not the effectiveness of the tinted glass permit, but the insistence of the Nigeria Police on proceeding with enforcement in the face of a pending court order. In a constitutional democracy, once a matter is before a court, all parties are expected to exercise restraint until the court has fully determined the issue. Anything short of this undermines the authority of the judiciary.

This situation inevitably raises a disturbing question: does the conduct of the Nigeria Police and the IGP suggest that they consider themselves above the law? If the police, as the primary enforcers of law and order, appear unwilling to subject themselves to judicial processes, the implications for democratic governance and public trust are grave.

There is no convincing reason why the police cannot allow the court process to be exhausted. Compliance with judicial orders, whether served or not, reflects respect for the rule of law and institutional maturity. Rather than intimidating the NBA and harassing road users over the tinted glass permit, the Nigeria Police should pause enforcement, obey the law, and allow the courts to have the final word. Only then can they legitimately claim to be protectors, not violators, of the law.

•Tochukwu Jimo Obi, Obosi Anambra state.

December 24, 2025
US: How not to engage a changing continent

By Olalekan Adigun

The year is 2025, yet many American politicians still behave as though the world is frozen in the post–World War II and Cold War era, when the myth of U.S. exceptionalism held strong influence across Africa. Today’s global order has shifted, but Washington’s tone toward Africa remains trapped in an age of threats, lectures, and unchecked arrogance. The result? The United States is losing ground on a continent that now demands respect, partnership, and dignity—not paternalism.

Over the years, African leaders and citizens have grown increasingly disillusioned with how U.S. officials speak about them. From the infamous “shithole countries” remarks—echoed repeatedly by American politicians who mirror Donald Trump’s style—to the persistent framing of African states as helpless dependents, Washington’s posture feels outdated. As an African saying goes: If you are not feeding me, and I have never begged you to feed me, telling me you are richer than I am is useless information.

Africa of 2025 is not the Africa of the past. Gone are the days when leaders trooped to Washington “cap in hand” in pursuit of crumbs. Economically, geopolitically, and demographically, the continent has become a fiercely competitive space—and the numbers tell the story.

China has firmly established itself as Africa’s largest source of imports. As of 2025, 34 of Africa’s 54 countries list China as their top import partner, reflecting Beijing’s broad export and developmental presence—from giant infrastructure projects and mining ventures to machinery, chemicals, and everyday consumer goods. It is a full-spectrum relationship built on convenience, speed, and mutual economic benefit.

On the export side, resource-rich African nations increasingly look to the UAE and China. The UAE, now a major importer of African gold, has aggressively expanded diplomatic and commercial ties across the continent. China remains one of the largest buyers of African crude oil. The U.S., meanwhile, trails far behind.

The Trump administration, which returned to power in January, aims to secure “advantageous” trade deals through tariffs and tougher rules. But such measures threaten key African economies that depend on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, and Eswatini—whose textile and apparel sectors are built around U.S. markets—face serious economic shocks if AGOA is abolished or tariffs increased.

Instead of strengthening partnerships, Washington appears intent on signalling dominance. Africa is responding by diversifying—and choosing partners who treat them as equals.

What Africans want is simple: respect. Not lectures. Not threats. And certainly not condescending conditions masquerading as “assistance.”

China’s model—while not perfect—offers lessons. Beijing does not visit Africa to scold governments over known problems; it comes to negotiate railways, ports, power plants, and industrial parks. It may all be business, but it is business wrapped in dignity. China does not insist that Africans change their political systems, cultural identities, or ideologies before cooperation can proceed.

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Contrast that with Washington’s approach.

In 2017, after years of resistance, the U.S. finally sold Nigeria the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to fight insurgency—only after imposing strict conditions: the jets could only be used in the Northeast. Nigeria paid $593 million of its own hard-earned money, yet Washington dictated how and where the aircraft could be deployed. Predictably, insurgents adapted and expanded operations into other regions. To many Nigerians, that did not feel like assistance—it felt like control.

The U.S’ unconditional support for Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza has made Washington increasingly isolated in global opinion. African countries, which take issues of justice and human rights seriously due to their own histories, watched closely as South Africa dragged Israel before the International Court of Justice in 2024. Washington’s anger over this move marked the beginning of a strained relationship with Pretoria. Trump even revived old tropes, suddenly claiming that “white South Africans” needed protection—comments widely dismissed across the continent.

Since his first election in 2016, Donald Trump has never set foot in Africa. Yet he talks about the continent in the most degrading terms. His disdain reflects a wider problem: many U.S. policymakers still view Africa as a peripheral region deserving of sermons, not sovereignty. This is not lost on African governments, who increasingly perceive the U.S. as unreliable, disrespectful, and out of touch.

Africa is young, rising, and increasingly empowered. New partners—China, UAE, India, Turkey, Brazil, Gulf States—are courting the continent with investment, infrastructure, and flexible diplomacy. The U.S., by contrast, is clinging to outdated assumptions and moral superiority.

If Washington wants to regain influence, it must change its tone. Africans do not demand charity. They demand dignity. They demand equality. They demand genuine partnership.

Until American leaders stop speaking down to Africa and start engaging it as a global player, the United States will continue to lose ground on a continent that has clearly—and decisively—moved on.

•Adigun is a researcher and journalist based in Abuja.

December 24, 2025
Xmas; Lottery: Use sold tickets only; Fela; MEXAHANIA

Today is Christmas Eve. Christmas = Christ’s Mass celebration, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. In safer times, it was at midnight mass and at 12 midnight, ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ would ring out . It was a privilege, a right and a rite of passage for midnight to ‘meet you in church’. Xmas was introduced by Greek scribes from the 15th Century and even 1010 AD [Google] as shorthand form of ‘Christ’ [meaning ‘anointed’] which in Greek starts with X representing ‘Chi’, followed by Mas. So, Xmas is not a heathen plot against Christ or Christmas. It is merely historical shorthand for which the ancestors can be referenced and not evil IT. We pray against violence targeted at Christmas and New Year events. But prayer is not enough. We must be vigilant. We must also assist the poor.

There is a ‘Naked Christmas Tree’ movement not to add any decorations to the Christmas tree. The first Christmas tree had no lights obviously. It was the ancestors of today’s ‘event managers’ and ‘content creators’ who added expense and decorations.

Powerball jackpot in the US is $1,600,000,000 a 1:292million chance of winning according to CNN. After tax, it will still be $700,000,000. Mad money even though Elon Musk has $800,000,000,000 – $800b-madder money. Sadly, study of winners of huge fortunes less than $700m – $1.6b rarely found such money brought real happiness and joy. Rather big money can bring big suffering.

In a country with wealth, t here is poverty manifest by millions doing 2-3 jobs and an army of homeless. Google records 771,480 US people as experiencing homelessness one particular night in 2024. Paradoxically and coincidentally, the $700m mentioned above would give each of them almost $1,000,000, $1m/head.

Imagine if the lottery draw each month must be drawn until won and not rolled over. In 2026, why not automatically record all sold tickets and restrict the draw to only sold ticket numbers with many smaller $1-200,000 prizes so as to reach more citizens quicker with useful, meaningful winning.

Nigeria must not follow current misguided mega-wealth creation lottery schemes. Nigeria’s lottery system should also tackle poverty all around.

The Nigerian Lottery Commission should take this up so as to ensure that lotteries in Nigeria are handled so as to utilise only actual lottery numbers sold to help distribute winnings wider to contribute to the reduction of poverty by reaching many more citizens.

Fela has at last been inducted into the 2026 Grammy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award as the first African to be so awarded. Fela Anikulapo Kitu, who died in 1997, the masses’ musician, decibel defender of democracy and musical menace to the military, will be laughing from wherever he is. Just last year his famous record Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Award 2025 Hall of Fame. When Fela returned to Nigeria sometime in 1964+/-1 year, he came to play his saxophone in St Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos, where I was in boarding school. Our housemaster asked us to clap for him even if we did not like him, just to encourage him as he had recently returned from the UK after music studies.

Highly energised, we needed no encouragement to clap wildly unaware we were in the presence of a man at the beginning of an adventurous long road signposted with the Koola Lobitos, Africa 70, Egypt 80, and massive record hits en route international greatness, musical majesty and real royalty.

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Of course, he suffered greatly in advancing the causes of the citizenry to the extent of a 1984 20 months out of five years imprisonment under Buhari and released by Babangida, 200 arrests, having his home Kalakuta Republic burnt and his mother, the aged Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti being thrown from the second floor by the infamous Unknown Soldier, later a ‘record’ of the event and sustaining a broken leg and dying shortly thereafter.

Songs like Water no get enemy, Shuffering and Smiling, Yellow Fever, International Thief Thief, Trouble Sleep, VIP, Yanga Wake am, Unknown Soldier etc are so fundamentally right that Fela could do no wrong even though he encouraged the free use of marijuana in his Shrine and married 23 wives and often went around scantily clad, and used his Range Rover to carry firewood to spite the wealthy and their favourite vehicle of oppression. Sadly, he succumbed to the rage of the time – AIDS. There is only one Fela.

Having known Fela since the late 60s ‘Sunday Jump Days’ in Surulere’s Africa Shrine, my friends and I never inhaled, though now marijuana is being seen less as a demon drug and more medicinal in the West and spreading into the USA. Long after Fela has gone, the jury on this is still out among the medical profession in Nigeria, of which I am a member. Personally, I believe there should be a serious health warning regarding unrestricted marijuana use. As my father, Yaba Psychiatric Hospital Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Abayomi Marinho warned me in 1965, for the vulnerable, just one inhalation can permanently alter the brain, while for those with marijuana tolerance or resistance, there may be little permanent effect of repeated use. Only inhalation will separate the two. Dare you and yours take the risk?

Wishing you a ‘MEXAHNYIA’= ‘MErry Xmas And Happy New Year In Advance’. Amen!!

December 24, 2025
Dangerous embrace

Sir: The security crisis engulfing Nigeria, particularly in the North, is a multifaceted tragedy. Yet, one policy stands out as a profound institutional failure and a clear roadblock to peace: the program to integrate so-called “repentant” Boko-Haram and bandit elements into the national fold, sometimes even into the military.

The policy hinges on the precarious notion that a declaration of remorse constitutes genuine repentance. But the heart of the matter is simple: true, heartfelt repentance is not something a human government can ascertain. When a terrorist or a bandit steps forward and claims to repent, we must remember that only God can truly judge the sincerity of their heart. For a man, this declaration can be a calculated tactical move—a ploy for survival, information gathering, or a path to rehabilitation and resources before returning to crime. To base a critical national security policy on such an unverified, easily faked declaration is to build our future on sand.

This policy is a corrosive agent of demoralization that undermines the fighting spirit of our men and women in uniform, for how can a loyal soldier, who has spent years on the front lines watching colleagues fall to the enemy, be expected to serve alongside that same enemy in a shared uniform?

Furthermore, the pain of the victims—the bereaved families, the orphaned children, the survivors of massacres and abductions—is compounded by this policy, as their tormentors are not being punished but are being rewarded with rehabilitation, potential stipends, and a path back to society, while the state struggles to compensate the victims, constituting a profound betrayal of justice.

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Integrating individuals who have committed atrocities into the very forces meant to protect the nation is a structural flaw. True reconciliation is a necessary goal for any society recovering from conflict, but it cannot come at the cost of the security forces’ integrity. The policy sends a dangerous signal that rewards terrorism and betrayal, with the state effectively managing the crisis through an appeal to mercy for the perpetrators, rather than governing through the rule of law and the decisive protection of its citizens.

The reluctance to use that decisive force, often masked by the rhetoric of ‘rehabilitation’, has only prolonged the agony. Security in the North, and indeed across Nigeria, will not be restored until this fundamentally counter-productive policy is abandoned. The Nigerian state must reassert its moral authority. It must honour its loyal defenders, secure justice for its victims, and make it unequivocally clear that there is no reward for treason, only the full weight of the law. Until then, the dangerous embrace of the ‘repentant’ will only continue to undermine our national resolve and guarantee the persistence of the violence.

•Obadiya John,obadiyajohn@yahoo.com

December 24, 2025
Reserved seats

•Special legislative seats for women undesirable

In pursuit of enhanced women representation, the National Assembly is currently deliberating on the ‘Reserved Seats for Women’ Bill, which is expected to address the long-standing gender imbalance in political representation.

The bill seeks to have one seat reserved for women in the House of Representatives and the Senate in each state of the federation and three for women in state Assemblies. Also, the Senate is seeking one reserved seat per geopolitical zone for women in the Senate.

The Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on Legislative Matters, Chidozie Aja, explained to journalists: “For emphasis, these seats will not replace existing seats, but will expand representation to create room for women at the table of decision-making. It is also important to note that political parties will field only female candidates for these seats.”

He also said the bill “is meant to last for 4 election cycles of 16 years in all. It is a temporary special measure.” According to him, “this approach has been used successfully by Rwanda, now the global leader with 61 percent women in Parliament.” He named Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Senegal among other countries that have “successfully implemented this approach, in various forms and mixes.”

He argued that from evidence, “countries that adopt structural gender quotas tend to experience stronger representation, better governance, and improved development outcomes.”

Indeed, the general concern about low representation of women in the federal and state legislatures cannot be faulted. Gender discrimination is a major problem in our society as there are many cultural and structural obstacles in the way of women’s advancement in our society. This, surely, should be addressed.

In the Nigerian Senate, there are only four women out of the 109 members, while there are 17 women legislators in the House of Representatives. This is abysmal and should be concertedly addressed by the whole society – men, women, leaders, civil society groups and gender advocates.

As observed at the various conferences and training sessions on what must be done, a number of people are still conservative and reluctant to allow a huge leap. The proposal that every state should have a seat reserved in each chamber of the National Assembly and three in the state legislatures could receive a push back by the same forces that thwarted the move in the ninth Assembly. Already, there is a new proposal in the Senate that one reserved seat in each of the nation’s six geopolitical zones would be adequate.

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Another group of lawmakers have argued that the concept of reserved seats for women contradicts the spirit of Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution that is opposed to any form of anti-democratic practice which could be interpreted as discrimination against men. We associate with this position.

Rather, we call on the lawmakers to be more ingenious through advocacy and sensitisation of the menfolk. Political parties should take up the responsibility of encouraging women members. It is not enough to have a women leader position reserved for the female gender. There are many women who are top professionals. There are complaints that party meetings are usually fixed for the nights, thus alienating the women. Such impediments should be dismantled.

Nigeria is at a point where the best hands are needed to lift the country. The bar cannot be lowered on the basis of gender. Hurdles to societal progress such as godfatherism and patriarchy belong in the past century; they should not now be replaced with another unwanted factor.

It should also be noted that the plan has a tendency to balloon the cost of governance at a time when there is an outcry that it should be cut considerably.

The new 156 seats are undesirable; the legislators and political leaders should come up with better ideas to encourage women to seek and win elective offices in the country.

December 24, 2025
Street naming racket

•Abuja authorities should investigate findings

An investigative report by Vanguard has exposed a corruption-related street-naming-for-cash scheme currently thriving within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Officials of the Street Naming and House Numbering Unit are said to contact individuals who have been “nominated” to have streets named after them. The nominees are required to make substantial payments to “process” the honour, ranging from “about N5 million in Nyanya, roughly N 11 million in Lokogoma, and between N25 million and N35 million in the Central Business District (CBD).”

The report said: “An initial “processing” payment of N500,000 per nominee and a baseline package of N5.5 million were also allegedly demanded.” Also, officials “declined to provide any written fee schedule or approved documentation, leaving the process without publicly available guidelines or transparency.”

The investigation “found no official pricing templates or verifiable policy documents governing the alleged fees,” and payments were “routed to private accounts,” causing “concerns over transparency.”

Street naming or renaming is usually not an individual thing. It is often a collective decision either at the local, state or federal levels. What this means is that there is always a collective agreement at various levels about whether a name is deserving of such honour.

Such names could be linked to politics, the corporate world, academia, entertainment, sports or any other field of human endeavour. It is a way of preserving history and promoting legacies that are as admirable as they are lessons for generations.

If the allegation that Abuja streets are being named after individuals in exchange for cash is true, we condemn such negation of the core values of our society.

We suggest that street naming or renaming should have input from the public so that there can be a robust debate about who is deserving or who fails to meet the benchmark. It should be informed by a robust analysis of such individual choices and their contributions to society.

Notably, in October, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike had cautioned the Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, against unauthorised naming of streets and roads constructed by the FCT Administration. He gave the warning during the flag-off ceremony for the provision of engineering infrastructure for layouts in the Guzape AO9 and Asokoro AIT neighbourhood districts of the capital.

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Wike said: “We have to name streets after those who have contributed to the development of the area. You don’t just wake up because somebody has N2 million, he pays you, then you come and name a street after him. That is not possible.”

He continued: “In the city here, the government must know who you are naming the street after. You don’t just name streets after somebody when you don’t know where the money comes from.

“Government must know who you are naming the street after, in order to immortalise and remember them for what they have done for the country.”

We recommend a thorough investigation of the newspaper’s findings by the FCT authorities to fish out the culprits and sanction them accordingly. Such paid-for street names, if already documented, must be nullified. This is one way of returning dignity to the streets so violated with, very often, ill-gotten funds by individuals wishing to deodorise their identities.

Curiously, AMAC has not issued any official response to the allegations. It is clear that the alleged lack of published guidelines, official receipt structures and transparent payment channels regarding AMAC’s street naming process could encourage corrupt practices and lead to loss of official revenue.

It is disturbing to think that this might be happening in other states also. We need to warn that our society must stand for the right human values.

December 24, 2025
Let’s celebrate Christmas with love,peace, Olawepo-Hashim urges Nigerians

A former presidential candidate and frontline politician, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has felicitated Christians and other Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas season.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his media office, Olawepo-Hashim urged fellow Nigerians to embrace the values of love, tolerance, sacrifice, and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that these virtues are essential to sustaining harmony, fostering progress, and advancing the cause of humanity.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain described Christmas as a season that symbolises joy, peace, hope, love, and goodwill, virtues he said are urgently needed in Nigeria at a time when the nation is confronted with numerous developmental and social challenges.

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“I celebrate with the Christian faithful and urge all Nigerians to remember the true essence of Christmas. In the spirit of the season, we must show love to our neighbours, extend kindness to the less-privileged and the vulnerable, and demonstrate tolerance towards one another across lines of faith, politics, and ethnicity—reflecting the supreme sacrifice and teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” Olawepo-Hashim said.

The businessman urged Nigerians to draw strength from the hope that Christmas brings and to renew their trust in God’s power to restore the nation’s lost glory.

He also admonished fellow citizens to reflect deeply on the lessons of the season by emulating Christ’s example in promoting peace, unity, and national cohesion.

According to him, religious tolerance remains a vital pathway to harmonious living.

“As we observe Christmas this year, let us imbibe the core message of Christ’s ministry and genuinely begin to love our fellow Nigerians as we love ourselves,” Olawepo-Hashim added.

December 24, 2025
APC fixes Jan. 26 to admit Mutfwang into party

Leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) at the national and state levels have concluded plans to organise a colorful reception for Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang on January 26, next year

The party’s acting State Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamayi, announced that the reception is meant to officially welcome Mutfwang into the progressives’ family.

In a statement yesterday in Jos, the state capital, the acting spokesman stated that the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, unfolded the reception ceremony to reporters after a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting at the Crest Hotel in Jos.

Bamayi said the planned reception would show that the entire state is now under APC, with the governor coming on board the party.

Addressing the stakeholders, Yilwatda said Mutfwang’s entry into the APC would further galvanise, consolidate and strengthen the party across the state.

The national chairman stressed that he is interested in everybody who matters in the country and wants to join the party.

He promised to work hard and ensure that the APC legitimately wins future elections from top to bottom.

Yilwatda said the present Executive Councils across the country have been transmuted into caretaker committees and that their tenure will end in March next year.

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The national chairman urged all party members to participate in the E-registration to make them bona fide APC faithful.

Also, a former Plateau State governor, Senator Simon Lalong, praised the party members for their resilience, faithfulness, and support to the APC in the state.

Lalong, who is also the Party Leader in Plateau State, allayed the fears of the members over the recent development, describing them as unnecessary.

He said party members would continue to be recognised, respected and carried along in all political arrangements.

APC State Chairman, Rufus Bature, said party members would continue to abide by the decisions of the leadership. assured that members of the APC will continue to respect the decision of their leaders.

The state Chairman of the Council of Elders, Ambassador Danladi Wuyep, expressed delight with the turnout of the stakeholders and expressed the hope that the interest of the people who toiled for the party would be recognised.

December 24, 2025
Fubara donates N100m to 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem

Rivers State Governorr Siminalayi Fubara has donated N100 million to launch the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem.

The governor called for increased support for the families of fallen and retired members of the armed forces, stressing that such support was necessary in recognition of their sacrifices for national unity and stability.

The governor spoke during the Emblem Appeal Launch to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, held yesterday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Fubara described the theme: “Sacrifice and Unity: Honouring Our Heroes,” as timely and significant.

The governor noted that retired soldiers devoted the better part of their lives to the defence of the nation and the maintenance of peace and stability across the country.

He said the donation represented 150 per cent increase over the N40 million the state donated during the previous appeal.

Fubara urged the Nigerian Legion to forward the names of 50 wards for employment, to enable the state government to fulfil its outstanding commitment made last year.

He also assured that the ongoing construction of the legion’s permanent secretariat would be completed next year.

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Fubara said: “This year’s celebration has been tagged Sacrifice, Unity Honouring Our Heroes. It is very significant, as the drama sketch stated. These are people who have lived their lives for Nigeria.

“People who made sacrifices for the unity of this country, and the least we can do is to appreciate them, not just coming here annually to do the emblem launching, but it should go beyond that to support those that are still alive, and appreciate the dead ones through any other means.

“The chairman said we made a promise to employ fifty of their wards. It was an order that I gave. It was expected that they would forward a list to my office, if I had not treated it before saying it publicly. However, bring the list and if I don’t do anything, next year you can now say it.

“The event is an annual ritual that we do to support the families of the fallen heroes, to support the ones that are alive that are considered the casualties for the survival of our country. So I want to urge everyone to ensure that you support this emblem launch for the well-being of the legion.

“As a government, we have always stood by them. I am happy that the chairman made it public that we are ensuring that they have their own Secretariat and by the grace of God, it will be completed before the end of next year.”

December 24, 2025
Kaduna State’s 2026 Budget: A vision of renewal, resilience and inclusive growth

By Mukhtar Maikudi

On December 1, 2025, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State unveiled a transformative N985.9 billion budget for 2026 before the State House of Assembly. Dubbed a “people-centred financial plan,” this appropriation bill represents more than a fiscal blueprint; it embodies a commitment to consolidating reforms in critical areas such as security, infrastructure, education, and rural development.

In his address, Governor Uba Sani emphasized that the budget transcends mere constitutional duty, framing it as a “solemn civic engagement” rooted in transparency, equity, and the welfare of Kaduna’s citizens. This approach signals a shift toward governance that prioritizes the voices of the marginalized, ensuring that development is not imposed from above but co-created with the people.

The genesis of the 2026 budget lies in one of the most extensive consultation processes in Kaduna’s history. Governor Uba Sani highlighted how inputs were gathered from a diverse array of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s groups, youth associations, academia, business leaders, and vulnerable populations across all local governments. Farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, persons with disabilities, and widows played pivotal roles in shaping the document. This participatory model strengthens accountability and ensures that the budget addresses real-world needs, fostering a sense of ownership among citizens. By integrating these grassroots perspectives, the administration has elevated budgeting from an elite exercise to a democratic tool for empowerment.

Reflecting on the outgoing 2025 fiscal year, Governor Uba Sani painted a picture of “remarkable achievements and resilient advancement” amid formidable challenges. Economic pressures, volatile federal allocations, and persistent security threats tested the state’s resolve, yet Kaduna emerged stronger. This resilience forms the foundation for the 2026 projections, which build on ongoing initiatives to propel the state toward sustainable progress. The governor’s review underscores a narrative of perseverance, where setbacks in areas like security were met with innovative responses, ultimately yielding tangible gains for residents.

At its core, the N985.9 billion budget is structured to prioritize development, with N734.2 billion allocated to recurrent revenue and N251.6 billion to capital receipts. Notably, capital expenditure accounts for a commanding 71% of the total, underscoring the administration’s focus on long-term investments over operational costs.

This allocation strategy aligns with Kaduna’s broader transformation agenda, channeling resources into sectors that drive economic growth and human capital development. Education and infrastructure each receive 25% of the budget, health 15%, agriculture 11%, security 6%, social development 5%, governance 5%, and environment and climate action 4%. Such a balanced distribution reflects a holistic vision, where no single area dominates, but all contribute to a cohesive strategy for state-wide advancement.

A standout feature of the budget is the continuation of the Ward Development Committees(WDC) initiative, which allocates N100 million to each of Kaduna’s 255 wards for community-identified projects. Governor Uba Sani described this as one of Nigeria’s largest grassroots budgeting models, empowering local populations to address their unique priorities. This decentralized approach not only democratizes resource allocation but also ensures that development reaches the farthest corners of the state, bridging the urban-rural divide and promoting equity.

Security remains a cornerstone of Governor Uba Sani’s agenda, given Kaduna’s history of banditry, kidnappings, and communal conflicts. The 2026 budget dedicates 6% to bolstering defenses, building on the successes of the Kaduna Peace Model. This framework has facilitated reconciliation in conflict-torn communities, reopened farmlands, and restored schools previously shuttered due to insecurity. Enhanced collaboration with federal security agencies has improved operational efficiency, restoring confidence and enabling economic activities to resume in affected areas. By addressing root causes through community engagement and targeted interventions, the administration aims to create a safer environment that supports broader development goals.

Notably, infrastructure development receives equal prominence with 25% of the budget earmarked for projects that enhance connectivity and economic vitality. Governor Uba Sani, while presenting the budget, reported ongoing execution of 140 road projects spanning 1,335 kilometers of which 64 have already been completed. These roads have unlocked new economic corridors, linking isolated communities to markets and services.

The introduction of the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) system marks a milestone as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, featuring compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses, digital ticketing, and a 24-kilometer dedicated corridor. Complementing this is the Interstate Bus Terminal in Kakuri, now 75% complete, which promises to streamline intercity travel and reduce congestion.

Further innovations in transportation include the Kaduna Light Rail Project, with Phase I focusing on the Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha corridor and Phase II extending to Millennium City and Rigasa. Major bus parks are under construction statewide, while a subsidized transport scheme has already delivered over N500 million in savings through free and discounted rides. These initiatives not only improve mobility but also stimulate commerce, job creation, and urban efficiency, positioning Kaduna as a modern hub in the region.

Rural revitalization is another key pillar, with efforts to reclaim over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands through improved feeder roads, markets, and extension services. This focus aims to boost food production and empower agrarian communities, which form the backbone of Kaduna’s economy. By restoring these vital assets, the budget seeks to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce dependency on urban centers, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience against economic shocks.

Education, allocated 25% of the budget, is positioned as the “cornerstone” of Kaduna’s development. In 2025, the administration reopened 535 schools, bringing over 300,000 out-of-school children back to classrooms, and reduced tertiary fees by 40% to improve access. Investments include the construction of 736 new classrooms, renovation of 1,220 existing ones, provision of boreholes, toilets, and furniture, and training for more than 33,000 teachers. The establishment of bilingual schools and vocational hubs further enriches the educational landscape, equipping students with skills for a global economy. These measures address long-standing gaps, ensuring that education serves as a ladder for social mobility and economic empowerment.

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Health sector reforms backed by 15% of the budget, demonstrate a commitment to comprehensive healthcare. All 255 Primary Healthcare Centres have been upgraded to Level 2 status, while 15 General Hospitals have been renovated, five completed, and the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital commissioned. The implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) has boosted the morale of health workers. Additional enhancements include strengthened emergency services, an oxygen plant, an improved medical warehouse, and N1 billion allocated for insuring vulnerable households. These upgrades aim to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and responsive, particularly, for underserved populations.

Vocational training and skills development receive targeted support, with the new Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun and its satellite campuses. Partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and Google are expanding digital literacy, while the remodeling of Panteka Market supports over 38,000 artisans.

In agriculture, investments have surged from N1.4 billion in 2023 to N74.2 billion in 2025, enabling the distribution of over 900 trucks of free fertilizer, alongside advancements in irrigation, mechanization, livestock vaccines, and seed improvement. The $510 million African Development Bank-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is poised to transform Kaduna into an agro-industrial powerhouse, complemented by the African Quality Assurance Centre to facilitate exports.

The presentation was concluded by Governor Uba Sani by urging lawmakers to expedite the budget’s consideration, framing it as a symbol of “renewal, resilience, and a far-reaching vision” to touch every home, ward, and local government.

In response, Speaker Hon. Yusuf Liman praised the proposal as “ambitious, comprehensive, and aligned with the state’s development priorities.” He highlighted its emphasis on rural infrastructure, human capital, and balanced growth, commending the governor for involving legislators in constituency projects—a first in Kaduna’s history—and respecting legislative independence. Liman assured a thorough, transparent review and close collaboration for swift passage, underscoring the synergy between branches of government.

Already, the public hearing on the budget has been done and the defense by all ministries and agencies concluded around mid-Decembber, 2025 and waiting for the governor’s assent. The 2026 budget for Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani, in essence, can be described as a bold manifesto for inclusive progress. By weaving together participatory governance, strategic investments, and a focus on human-centered development, it charts a path toward a more secured, prosperous, and equitable state. Hopefully, as implementation of the budget begins after the signing into law by Governor Uba Sani, the true measure of success will lie in translating these allocations into lived improvements for Kaduna residents, ensuring that the promise of renewal becomes a reality for all.

•Maikudi, an economic and financial analyst, writes from Kaduna

December 24, 2025