The Nation Newspaper

Category: Discourse

  • The Uzodimma effect: Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit

    The Uzodimma effect: Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit

    By Chekwube Nzomiwu

    In a long while, I have not seen any event in Nigeria that witnessed a convergence of high-caliber global political and business leaders like the just concluded Imo Economic Summit 2025, held at Concorde Boulevard, Owerri. The summit which launched Imo State to global horizon had in attendance notable international figures, such as the former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

    African political leaders in attendance at the two-day event included President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, President Amina Akim of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Americo Ramos. Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima GCON, declared the summit open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.  Lest I forget, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, physically attended the event that attracted several Nigerian state governors.  

    The roll call of the global business leaders at the summit included the richest man in Africa and founder of the multi-billion dollar Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, immediate past President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedit Oramah, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of leading commercial banks in the country, and other industry leaders. The premium event was hosted by Imo State Governor, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma.

    Themed: “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment and Innovation,” Governor Uzodinma used the opportunity to announce the entrance of Imo State into a new era of economic transformation, driven by strategic reforms, massive infrastructure expansion and a pro-business environment designed to attract and protect investment.”

    READ ALSO; Christmas: 20 nice places to visit in Nigeria

    The Uzodinma effect:

    Recall that since assuming office on January 15, 2020, Governor Uzodimma has painstakingly pursued his vision of transforming Imo State into a premier economic hub, leveraging its oil and gas reserves, agriculture, strategic location and improved infrastructure. Aligned with national reforms, his vision is geared towards achieving a $1 trillion economy for the state and creating jobs, with focus on energy, digital economy, infrastructure development, agriculture and value chains, as well as security and governance.

    Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit:

    The Oxford Dictionary defines globalization as “the process by which businesses or other organisations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.” Judging by this definition, the just concluded Imo Economic Summit 2025, the first of its kind in Eastern Nigeria, exemplifies a strong “consolidated” global platform for political and business leaders to brainstorm on how to take advantage of the massive transformative opportunities in Imo State to engender economic growth and sustainable development in the state and by extension, Nigeria and the African continent.

    It is interesting to note that the discussions at the summit did not just centre on how to harness the economic potential of Imo State, but extended to issues of global concern, including climate change and sustainable development. The quest for Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and the entire Nigeria, Nigeria’s deep historic and cultural ties with Britain, Nigeria’s security, desire for peace, democracy and good governance in Africa, economic roadmap, both for Imo, Nigeria and Africa, and investment opportunities were equally discussed. 

    For instance, Ban Ki-moon reiterated that Africa holds the solutions to resolving many of the world’s pending challenges, particularly climate change and sustainable development, which the UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs) envisions. The South Korean politician and diplomat, however, made it clear that the world cannot achieve true sustainability without first addressing the unique challenges of the African continent.

    Describing the climate crisis as already a lived reality, the former UN scribe urged nations to uphold the Paris Agreement despite recent setbacks. Zeroing in on the African continent, Banki-moon highlighted the injustice faced by African nations, saying “although 54 African countries contribute only four percent of global emissions, they remain among the worst affected by climate disasters.”

    In a keynote address, Boris Johnson praised Governor Uzodinma for his push to provide 24-hour electricity in Imo State as part of efforts to drive economic growth. The former British Prime Minister suggested that Artificial Intelligence (AI), being the future, would play a critical role in helping the governor realise his plan to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and the entire Nigeria.

    Johnson recalled that Nigeria and Britain share deep historic and cultural ties, strengthened by continuous exchanges of skilled professionals. Contrary to widespread security concerns about Nigeria, including the latest UK travel advisory, urging Britons to reconsider their need to visit Nigeria, Johnson declared that he felt perfectly safe in the course of his visit.

    Bringing the discussion home, President Boakai noted that Imo and Liberia have a lot more in common, beyond occupying geographical space in West Africa, adding that they share a history of resilience, desire for peace, commitment to good governance and the belief that Africa can rise on its terms, through its own efforts. While highlighting Liberia’s recent elevation to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council as an honour for Africa, Boakai looked forward to a fruitful collaboration between Imo and Liberia through regional alliances, focused on development and democratic governance. He expressed confidence that innovation could become the engine that drives the transformation of Imo State.

    President Akim of Mauritius and Prime Minister Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, also acknowledged the promise of Africa as the beacon of hope for the world, urging deeper collaboration to harness the potential of Imo, Nigeria and the African continent at large.

    Instant results:

    Unlike other economic summits that end in elocutions, the Imo Economic Summit started yielding instant results, with Aliko Dangote challenging Governor Uzodinma to show him where to invest and forget the rest. The President of Dangote Group expressed the readiness of his conglomerate to become the biggest investor in Imo. Dangote urged the Governor to identify priority areas, assuring that his group would make commitments once directed. 

    Earlier, Vice President Shettima who represented President Tinubu, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the federal government to the economic development of Imo State and highlighted the summit’s role in fostering and attracting investments through various initiatives.

    Conclusion:

    By all indications, the Imo Economic Summit yielded the desired benefits. Quoting the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy in Imo State, Dr. Chuck Chuckuemeka: “Imo State has risen but people do not know it. The summit was an opportunity for people to see the quantum of transformation, innovation and investments that occurred here in the last few years, as clearly articulated in the Governor’s speech. And frankly, the level of investments inquiries in the last few days has been unabated in all sectors, anchored on the post-summit activities and strategies.”

    I cannot end without applauding Governor Uzodinma for his foresight in organising the Imo Economic Summit. Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) makes security and welfare of the citizens the primary duty of government. The welfare of the citizens can only be guaranteed by a viable economy.  Taking a cue from the Imo State Government, the states can do a lot in this regard. It is important to note that security and welfare go hand in hand. It is difficult to have either of them without the other.

    • Nzomiwu Ph.D, MNIPR is the Director of Media and Publicity, Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN). Reactions to this article are welcome via chekmma@yahoo.com and 08037752672 (WhatsApp only)

  • Assessing NNPC’s transparency, accountability

    Assessing NNPC’s transparency, accountability

    By Enam Obioso

    For decades, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited sat at the centre of public suspicion.

    Every spike in oil prices sparked a new round of accusation, every dip opened the door to speculation, and every audit prompted arguments about what was paid, what was deducted, and what was truly missing.

    The latest claim, a supposed N210 trillion gap in NNPC’s accounts, followed the same pattern.

    It swept through the public space quickly, but analysts were blunt in their response: the allegation belonged more to myth than to mathematics.

    What stands out today is not the noise around the numbers, but the way the new NNPC Limited is choosing to confront it. There is a marked shift toward openness, documented reporting, and a willingness to let auditors, analysts, and even critics examine the books. In many ways, this is the quiet revolution shaping Nigeria’s most strategic company.

    The phantom trillions and the new clarity

    When lawmakers raised the N210 trillion claim, some analysts, such as Professor Uche Uwaleke, an authority in accounting and capital market, Mr. Victor Eromosele, former chief financial officer at Nigerian top companies, dismissed it as “an accounting impossibility that reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of national cash flows.” They explained that the figure was larger than the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and far beyond what decades of crude oil sales could produce.

    More importantly, they said the allegation stems from treating gross revenue as if it belonged to NNPC to lose. In the words of one them, “the total sales value was never NNPC’s money. It was always subject to first-line charges: funding joint venture (JV) cash calls, paying for petrol subsidies, and covering operational costs before anything could be remitted to the Federation Account.”

    This was the structural flaw of the old system. NNPC served as both operator and collector. It deducted costs first, remitted later, and battled constant suspicion over the balance.

    The analyst noted that this confusion is exactly what the Petroleum Industry Act was designed to end. The new framework “makes NNPC a taxed and dividend-paying entity, separating its commercial finances from state revenue in a clear, auditable way.”

    Cash calls and the shift to discipline

    The transformation is also evident in how NNPC now handles joint venture funding. Under the old structure, cash call delays were routine. They stalled investment, caused mounting arrears, and froze new projects. But the expert describes the issue as structural, not ethical. “The JV cash call system was historically the Achilles heel of the sector. Government budgets simply could not keep up.”

    The new incorporated joint venture model changed that. “This means the JVs are now standalone legal entities with their own financing, moving liabilities off NNPC’s balance sheet,” he said. The company’s claim that it no longer owes cash calls holds true under this new system. Legacy arrears are being resolved in a controlled process, while new projects are funded on schedule. International partners have responded by approving multi-billion-dollar investments that previously sat on hold.

    Profit, performance, and the question of sustainability

    NNPC’s N5.4 trillion profit in the 2024 financial year raised eyebrows, but analysts warn against seeing it as a fluke. Yes, the removal of the petrol subsidy removed a major financial burden. Yet the analyst pointed to deeper changes within the company. “Look beyond the top line. Operating expenses per barrel are falling, and refinery utilisation is rising. This shows structural improvement, not just a policy-driven windfall.”

    The next test, he said, is capital discipline. “If this profit is used to fund high-return, low-cost projects and gas infrastructure, it creates a virtuous cycle. If it is pulled into quasi-fiscal duties, the gains will evaporate.”

    So far, the company’s strategy signals the former. There is an emphasis on upstream reinvestment, gas expansion, and long-term, revenue-generating assets.

    The transparency model that never existed before

    Critics often point to opacity in past remittances, but the analyst stresses that those issues belonged to another era. “The old model was inherently opaque because NNPC was both a commercial operator and a revenue collector. The new model is fundamentally cleaner.”

    Under the current structure, NNPC sells its crude, pays its taxes, pays royalties, and then pays dividends. Each of these is a distinct, auditable line item.

    Read Also: ‘Provide evidence of corruption among judges,’ Appeal Court’s president tasks Nigerians

    “This makes tracking and verification infinitely easier,” he said, adding that IFRS-compliant reporting and external audits give the public something they rarely had in the past: verifiable numbers.

    Gas, the transition, and the long game

    Some observers have questioned the heavy investment in gas infrastructure like the AKK pipeline, suggesting it might become a stranded asset. The analyst strongly disagrees.

    “That view misunderstands both the global transition and Nigeria’s context. Gas will remain in demand until at least 2050. For Nigeria, this is not just about transition but about industrialisation.”

    He explained that the AKK pipeline is designed to replace diesel use, reduce emissions, power industry, and strengthen the non-oil economy. “These pipelines can even be retrofitted for hydrogen. This is a strategically sound investment in national infrastructure.”

    The strongest evidence: voluntary transparency

    Perhaps the most telling sign of change lies not in numbers but behaviour. The analyst said the real proof of transformation is the company’s willingness to subject itself to scrutiny. “By holding an earnings call, they are inviting analysts to scrutinise every claim.

    By publishing IFRS-compliant accounts audited by a major firm, they are creating a legally binding record of their performance. By talking about an IPO, they are signalling an intention to be valued by global investors.”

    His conclusion was blunt: “You cannot fake this for long. The market will punish any regression.”

    A turning point built on openness

    In a sector where suspicion once overshadowed facts, the new NNPC Limited is betting on transparency as a strategy. The numbers are clearer, the obligations are cleaner, and the company’s operations are more visible than at any time in its history. Nigeria’s energy future still carries uncertainties, but the shift from opacity to accountability proves to be the most important reform yet.

    •Obioso, a veteran journalist, writes from Abuja

  • How international status for Akwa Ibom Airport signals economic take-off

    How international status for Akwa Ibom Airport signals economic take-off

    By Ibas Emmanuel

    When Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno stepped off his flight at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, on Thursday, the moment carried more than the routine ease of arrival. It marked the dawn of a long-anticipated economic turning point for the oil-rich but increasingly diversified state. Only hours earlier, the Federal Government had granted the airport full international status, setting the stage for Akwa Ibom to connect directly with the global aviation, trade and tourism ecosystem.

    For Governor Eno, the approval represents years of quiet advocacy, strategic alignment and patient negotiation coming to fruition. Speaking with journalists at the airport, he did not conceal his satisfaction, even as he maintained the measured tone that has become his leadership signature. “For this region, trade will be enhanced. Tourism will be boosted. Jobs will be created,” he said. “Flights will land directly here. There will be a whole lot of economic activities for the good of our people and our state.”

    Originally inaugurated in 2009, the Victor Attah International Airport has for more than a decade served as Akwa Ibom’s primary air gateway. Despite its impressive runway, modern terminal design and strategic location in Uyo, the airport largely operated domestic routes, connecting the state to Lagos, Abuja and a handful of other Nigerian cities.

    The limitation, according to analysts, was never infrastructure alone, but status. Without international clearance, the airport could not receive or process foreign carriers or operate cross-border flights. That bottleneck is now decisively removed.

    On November 27, 2025, the Federal Government officially approved the airport for full international flight operations, authorising it to serve as a direct gateway linking Akwa Ibom to destinations outside Nigeria. The approval followed a high-level meeting between Governor Eno and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, underscoring the importance of federal-state collaboration in unlocking major infrastructure milestones.

    The implications of the upgrade are significant. International airports are not merely transit points; they are catalysts for commerce. For a state positioning itself beyond oil dependency, direct global access translates into easier export of goods, import of technology, and smoother movement of investors.

    Akwa Ibom’s comparative advantages are well-known: fertile agricultural belt, expanding manufacturing base, a peaceful social climate, and a growing hospitality and leisure sector. Until now, however, investors and tourists often had to route through Lagos or Port Harcourt before making the final domestic hop to Uyo. That inconvenience, Governor Eno noted, is about to end.

    “With this region, trade will be enhanced and tourism will be boosted,” he said, emphasising that international flights will land directly in Uyo, stimulating a web of economic activities ranging from logistics and hospitality to retail and professional services.

    Tourism, in particular, stands to gain. Akwa Ibom’s beaches, cuisine, festivals and emerging leisure resorts are already gaining national attention. Direct international access could place the state firmly on the West African tourism map, attracting visitors from the diaspora and beyond who seek convenience, security and cultural depth.

    One clear beneficiary of the new status is Ibom Air, the state-owned carrier that has steadily built a reputation for reliability and service quality within Nigeria. Governor Eno noted that the airline is “favourably positioned” to expand its operations and partner with international carriers now that the airport enjoys full global clearance.

    “Our airline stands favourably to expand its operations and partner with other international airlines to choose here as part of their business routes in Nigeria,” the governor said, framing the development as the culmination of deliberate efforts to build an aviation ecosystem rather than a single infrastructure win.

    For Ibom Air, international status means opportunities for code-sharing, regional routes across Africa, and potentially long-haul connections that would place Akwa Ibom on international flight schedules. Beyond commercial benefits, such expansion promises job creation for pilots, engineers, cabin crew, ground staff and allied service providers.

    Governor Eno’s comment that he prefers “working behind the scenes to achieve results” offers insight into how the approval was secured. Unlike high-profile political campaigns, aviation certification requires technical compliance, regulatory engagement and sustained federal cooperation.

    “You know how long we have been pursuing this status for our airport,” he admitted, reflecting on what many observers describe as years of incremental progress. For Eno, alignment with the centre became a strategic necessity rather than a political slogan.

    The international airport approval, he explained, reinforces why Akwa Ibom needed to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to unlock development opportunities of national scale. Such alignment, analysts say, reduces bureaucratic friction and accelerates approvals in sectors that remain federally regulated.

    Read Also: Seyi Tinubu, others hounoured at 9th African Giants Award, Face of Art Nigeria Beauty Pageant

    Beyond aircraft landings and take-offs, the most tangible impact of the airport upgrade will be felt on the ground. International operations demand expanded customs, immigration, cargo handling, security, hospitality and transport services. Each layer generates employment and skills transfer.

    Local businesses like: hotels, car hire services, logistics firms, restaurants, tour operators, stand to benefit from increased traffic. For young people, particularly those trained in aviation-related disciplines, the internationalisation of the airport signals new career pathways closer to home.

    Governor Eno underscored this point when he spoke of jobs and economic activities multiplying across the state. For a government focused on inclusive growth, the airport’s new status fits neatly into broader plans to diversify revenue streams and reduce unemployment.

    While the approval is already official, full international flight operations are expected to commence no later than the first quarter of 2026. That timeline, according to aviation experts, allows for final certification steps, airline scheduling, personnel training and operational testing.

    For Akwa Ibom, the months ahead will be critical. Infrastructure upgrades, service readiness and global marketing will determine how quickly the state converts status into sustained traffic. But confidence remains high, driven by the airport’s existing facilities and the administration’s stated commitment to results over rhetoric.

    As Governor Eno summed it up, “By the grace of God, all of this is coming together for our good.” In that statement lies both gratitude and quiet determination. With the Victor Attah International Airport now a recognised global gateway, Akwa Ibom stands poised at the threshold of a new economic chapter, one where trade, tourism and talent can flow freely between the state and the world.

    •Ibas Emmanuel, writes from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom

  • Let us stop this blame game and get serious

    Let us stop this blame game and get serious

    By Femi Osunro

    A few days ago, I saw a video in the Social media where a man was insulting our female football players in a bus in Switzerland by calling them terrorists and shameless athletes from a terrorist Country. Some of the football players reacted furiously to the assailant who kept telling them that if they dared assault him, he would get them arrested by the police. I was nearly moved to tears by the embarrassment and humiliation these young lasses were subjected to due to no fault of theirs. However, I was very much impressed by the wonderful show of patriotism by these young Nigerians as they also continued to resist the intimidation and stood their ground.

    No doubt, such an ugly incident was apparently brought about my the recent declaration of Nigeria as a Country Under Watch by President Donald Trump of USA who claimed that Christians were being subjected to genocide and kidnapping in Nigeria. He even went further to threaten that he would order American troops to invade Nigeria to liberate Christians from the Islamic Insurgents. At first, when President Trumps made the allegation, I thought that it was a mere diversionary tactic to ease the pressure on his Administration which was facing unprecedented bashing from various fronts in USA. Indeed, to many Americans and some other watchers of the situation in that Country, America had never had it so bad. Many are even asking the question – “how did America get to this sorry pass?”

    At present, USA is facing crises in various fronts viz the immigration policy of Donald Trump which has spiraled out of hand, the incessant shootings of students in their Schools; the “unconstitutional” invasion by Federal troops into some States without their consents/invitation, thus leading to many Court cases challenging these constitutional breaches, the on-going agitations for the release of the ‘Epstein Files’ on the live and escapades of Jeffery Epstein, a convicted felon who was a bossom friend of Trump for years before he was eventually arrested, jailed and later committed suicide in prison. Despite the attempts of Trump Administration, the call for the release of the Epstein files had refused to die down and indeed it is threatening the very foundation of Trump Administration. There is also the spate of indictment of some Legal Officers of some States by the Trump Administration which are being contested in various Courts of Law across the United States. On top of all these is the case of the longest shut-down of Government in the history of United States which had caused various disruptions in the lives of Americans notable of which is the non-payment of salaries of some essential workers of the Federal Government. The list of various problems confronting Trump’s Administration is quite long. Indeed, things had gone so bad for Donald Trump that some media organisations like the MSN are now calling him unprintable names while some even question his state of mind and thence his competence to govern the ‘largest democracy’ in the world. Things have gotten so bad for Trump that his assessment rating had been on a downward spiral for quite sometime and this has even been validated by the recent losses of his party – The Republican Party – in some Mayoral elections. In essence, to say that Donald Trump is in the worst crisis of his political life will be an understatement. With all these, my initial reaction to Trump’s allegation of genocide against Christians in Nigeria was that this was a usual recourse of Trump to diversionary tactic to shy away from the multi-dimensional problems of his Administration. At the time of his claim, there was nothing to support that there was genocide against Christians in Nigeria. What we had substantially was the case of romping bands of brigands who were attacking and kidnapping people randomly for monetary gains or for sadistic and satanic reasons.

    However, and to my utter bewilderment many Nigerian especially some politicians seized the opportunity of Trump’s claim to start bashing the Federal Government of Nigeria for failing to put an end to the spate of banditry as if it just started under the Administration. In essence, some saw the “development” as failure of Government and governance. Such actions tend to validate the assertion of Trump while some were even calling on Trump to, as he threatened, come and save Christians from Islamic genocide. To me, such positions were grossly unpatriotic. While one grants  Trump the right to continue to make his weird outbursts e.g. threatening to annex Canada as the 51st State of USA etc., I expect our people to question Trump’s right to be a judge in our affairs as a sourverign country. Also, I expected people to declare to Trump that “physician, heal thyself.” But trust Nigerian politicians -they will do anything to discredit any Government in power to get themselves enthroned in the saddle. To the opposition parties, they hardly saw anything good about the Government in power. However and unfortunately, their motive had always been to seize power at all possible means and not that they have any better plan for Nigeria.

    Be that as it may, I think that it is high time that we sat down to take a deep reflection of our situation in this country about this sudden upsurge in cases of abductions solely targeted at Christian establishments and organisations. Some pertinent questions need to be asked – Is this development a deliberate act by the enemies of Nigeria, both inside and outside our shores – to get a reason to discredit and possibly push out the present Administration? Is there any possible foreign interest in all these meant to truncate the independent chatting of a new foreign policy direction by the present Administration to look beyond its traditional allies for support and collaboration? Is anybody or country being threatened by the emerging loss of pre-eminent relationship, with Nigeria? Is this a ploy to call the “dog a bad name to destroy it”. One cannot but ask such questions with the disturbing escalation of deliberate and concentrated attacks on Christians organisations in some parts of the Federation. As the Yoruba people will say – EJO LOWO NINU!!. I had always had this knack that kidnappers were being sponsored by some “businessmen” who were using them to make easy money. Or how else do you explain the fact that most of those who had been captured / arrested as kidnappers did not look like people who have seen or counted hundreds or thousands of Naira not to talk of millions that were said to have been paid to them as ransoms.

    In the face of all these, I think that we, Nigerians, should now start to think seriously about how to put an end to the escalating insurgency and save our country from an impending catastrophe, which, at the end, will not do anybody any good. That is why I am now calling on our people to start thinking of and taking concrete steps to stem this horrifying trend of kidnapping etc. This is not an attempt to defend Government’s position on this issue. The Government already has a plethora of media and advertisement gurus who can do this. All the same, it is most unfair if not unreasonable to put all the blame of the persistent insurgency on Government alone. We all have a role to play to save our country from this looming disaster which the insurgents and their backers/collaborators want to impose on us.

    Read Also: Shettima, governors, commissioners, others meet in Abuja to tackle Nigeria’s education crisis

    That is why I expect our religious leaders to start praying to God to put to shame these insurgents and their sponsors before they destroy this Country or plunge all of us into hardship and severe disruption. For example, our Christian adherents should remind our Heavenly Father of His unfailing declaration that the wiles of the devil shall never prevail against the Church. I am also amused by some religious leaders pleading with Trump to come and ‘save’ Nigeria. What about what they are teaching us in our Churches that we should not look up to man but to God who is our Refuge in times of trouble. Why not pray to God who turned the “Counsel of Ahithophel to foolishness” to intervene in our affairs and expose, punish, frustrate the efforts of the evil machinations of the insurgents and their sponsors? And what about the prayer that God should “trouble our troublers”. In essence, the trouble is not with our stars but with ourselves that we are still struggling under the oppression of these insurgents. Why don’t we pray to take back our Country from insurgents. What of the spiritualists who claim to have ‘powers’ to do and undo? They should now come out and use their ‘power’ against these enemies of our Country. After all, we all have no other Country to call our own. What about our local communities especially the vigilante groups. We all have to be much-more watchful and pro-active to expose these agents of the devil, who are residents in our area, before they destroy us.

    This is no longer of a question of us and them i.e. the citizens on one part and the Government on the other. We should never be in doubt that any Government, however well-intentioned cannot put an end to this kind of insurgency on its own as, to me, it appears to be sponsored, encouraged and sustained. No doubt, the Government has to do much more to put an end to the ugly trend but the truth must be told, Government cannot do it alone. It needs the support, prayers, cooperation and active participation of the citizens to confront these agents of the devil. After all, even if we recruit more security agents in large numbers, they cannot be at all places at the same time particularly in such a large Country as Nigeria with its many rural communities some of which are barely accessible by motorable roads.

    Personally, the most-disturbing phenomenon of the activities of the insurgents is that they are debarring those who had worked tirelessly over the years for the good of this Country to have peace of mind, move freely within the Country and enjoy their advanced years. May the Good Lord save us and confront those who are disturbing our peace and comfort. Any weapon fashioned against our dear Country Nigeria will never flourish and God will surely heal our Land.

    I see myself as a Patriot of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I am a passionate lover of good governance. But I want to remind all us that a people get the type of Government they deserve. To salvage this Country from the present menace imposed on us by these insurgents, all hands must be on deck to take back our Country. Now is the time to stop the blame game and chart “the way forward” to save our dear Country. A word is enough for the wise.!

    •Femi Osunro, a retired Permanent Secretary, resides in Ibadan.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s health mandate seals Lagos’ 2025 Hajj success

    Sanwo-Olu’s health mandate seals Lagos’ 2025 Hajj success

    By Taofeek Lawal

    “When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you.” – Norman Vincent Peale.

    This quote captures the foresight of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whose wise counsel during 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebration laid the foundation for this year’s successful Hajj operation. At the event the governor and Ministry of Home Affairs hosted at Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu urged prospective pilgrims to prioritise their health, saying: “I appeal to those with health challenges to reconsider travelling for the 2025 Hajj.”

    This advice was not lost on the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir-ul-Hajj, Olanrewaju Layode. In a response, a team of medical professionals was commissioned to screen intending pilgrims. The goal was to ensure that every participant was medically fit for the journey to the Holy Land, where intense desert heat—often exceeding 45°C—and physical exertion during the rites could pose health risks.

    The screening, coordinated by Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho of Ministry of Health, was extensive. Pilgrims were tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis (TB), kidney function (electrolyte, urea, creatinine), pregnancy, and full blood count (FBC). The addition of TB and kidney function tests was an upgrade from previous years. Thankfully, all pilgrims were certified fit, with only minor health concerns identified and managed proactively.

    The initiative reflected not only care but also vision. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and demands full physical and mental fitness, in addition to financial capability. The Quran (22:27) enjoins Muslims: “And proclaim to the people the Hajj… they will come from every distant pass.” But fulfilling this obligation requires traversing significant distances under harsh conditions—Mina to Arafah (14.4km), Musdalifah to Jamarat (7km), and several kilometres for other rites. While buses ease some movements, others, such as the symbolic stoning at Jamarat require trekking and stamina.

    Recognising these challenges, the government bankrolled the process—an initiative that saved each pilgrim N50,000. Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, made this gesture to cushion effect of the N8.78 million Hajj fare and ensure the health and safety of pilgrims.

    The screening, which began at Badagry Local Government secretariat on April 19, was decentralised in 10 designated centres statewide. Of 1,400 pilgrims screened, 1,315 eventually secured visas. Importantly, not a single casualty was recorded during the Hajj. Except for minor ailments – headaches and fatigue, all pilgrims remained healthy and active.

    This achievement is attributable to not only divine grace but also the pilgrims’ cooperation. Unlike in previous years when some bypassed screening or used proxies, the 2025 cohort complied. Medical personnel, led by Dr. Erinosho, were active throughout the pilgrimage. Lagos-supplied drugs were distributed at clinic points in the pilgrims’ hotels without delay or complaints.

    Beyond the screenings, Sanwo-Olu’s generosity extended to other welfare provisions: monetisation of Ihram clothing, daily breakfast and dinner of Nigerian delicacies, payment for Hadiyah (sacrificial) rams, and organised Ziyarah (visits) to religious sites in Makkah and Madinah. Pilgrims were housed in Tent B+—an upgraded and comfortable tent facility at Mina and Arafah—with hotels close to the Haram.

    In a post-Hajj self-assessment, Layode declared the operation a success. Speaking at the return of the last batch at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, he praised the pilgrims for their discipline and decorum in the Holy Land, calling them worthy ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria. He lauded the governor and his deputy for the support, particularly the medical screenings that proved pivotal to success of the Hajj operation.

    On behalf of the pilgrims, the Central Working Committee, led by Dr. Ahmad Jebe, also appreciated the care and planning. Dr. Jebe praised the government for fulfilling all welfare promises and lauded Saudi Arabia for the smooth Hajj experience. He highlighted the role of NUSUK—an official identification pass issued by Saudi—which granted pilgrims unrestricted access to key Hajj sites like Mina, Arafah, Musdalifah, and Jamarat.

    Read Also: Nigeria is great, nobody can intimidate us, says Gen Musa

    Pilgrims were equally full of praise. Alhaja Kudirat Adebayo, speaking on arrival in Lagos, described Sanwo-Olu as “Mr. Talk and Do,” lauding the quality of food, medical attention, and spiritual guidance received. “We were taken to all historical sites for Ziyarah and received all the promised welfare packages. I urge future pilgrims to go through Lagos State for a fulfilling Hajj experience,” she said.

    She also offered prayers for the success of the administration of Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu, and for excellence in future Hajj operations. Others echoed similar sentiments, affirming that Lagos State remains the benchmark for Hajj administration in Nigeria.

    Secretary of Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, described 2025 Hajj as the best yet, in terms of planning, preparation, and execution. He thanked Allah for safety of every pilgrim and assured that preparations for 2026 Hajj would begin promptly. Early planning, he noted, is essential to securing visas before Saudi Arabia’s portal closure and complying with directives from Saudi Ministry of Hajj and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    In conclusion, the success of 2025 Hajj stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, collaborative planning, and compassionate governance can achieve. The free and compulsory medical screening sponsored by the governor and his deputy was not just a health intervention—it was a life-saving initiative that set a standard for pilgrimage preparation in Nigeria. It is not surprising that stakeholders have called for institutionalisation of the free medical screening in subsequent Hajj.

    Lagos has again shown that when leadership places wellbeing of residents at the centre of policy and action, excellence is not just possible—it is inevitable.

    •Lawal is deputy director (Public Affairs) of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

  • The judicial divide on ARCON’s constitutional powers

    The judicial divide on ARCON’s constitutional powers

    • By Adeyemi Pitan

    Recent developments in Nigeria’s marketing communication and advertising industry following the enactment of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act 2022 have raised important questions about the constitutionality of the Act and the extent of the National Assembly’s legislative authority to centralize regulation across the sector.

    The Act attempts to bring all players under a single federal regulatory system. Two recent Federal High Court decisions have now produced conflicting interpretations of the National Assembly’s authority, especially regarding outdoor advertising and hoarding, which are not expressly listed in either the Exclusive or Concurrent Legislative Lists. Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Lagos Division declared ARCON’s powers unconstitutional when applied to outdoor advertising by relying on a strict textual reading of the Constitution, while Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Lokoja Division upheld the same powers by adopting a broad and harmonizing approach that considers the overall structure of Nigeria’s constitutional order.

    The Lagos decision arose from Massilia Motors Limited v. ARCON delivered on November 7 2025. Massilia Motors had installed outdoor signage consisting of flags bearing its Mitsubishi brand and tagline. ARCON described the installation as an unapproved lamp pole advertisement, demanded prior approval, and later issued a Criminal Summons after non-compliance. Massilia Motors challenged ARCON’s authority.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Senate moves to amend Terrorism Act, proposes death penalty for kidnapping

    Justice Aluko held that Paragraph 1(k)(i) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution vests exclusive power over outdoor advertising and hoarding in Local Governments and declared sections of the ARCON Act unconstitutional to the extent that they regulate outdoor advertising. ARCON’s enforcement actions were set aside and costs were awarded to the plaintiff.

    Only five days later, on November 12 2025, Justice Dashen of the Lokoja Division delivered judgment in Godec Power Nigeria Ltd v. Attorney General of the Federation and ARCON.

    The plaintiff took a similar position by challenging ARCON’s constitutional authority. Justice Dashen upheld the validity of the ARCON Act in full. He held that the National Assembly has legislative competence under Items 49, 62 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List. He distinguished control of the physical structures used for outdoor advertising, which he accepted as falling within Local Government authority, from the regulation of advertising content and professional standards, which he held to be matters properly within federal competence. The suit was dismissed with costs against the plaintiff.

    Justice Aluko relied on a strict literal approach. He held that the words of Paragraph 1(k)(i) are clear and leave no room for distinction between the advertising medium and advertising content. In his view, Local Governments control both. He relied heavily on Section 1(3) of the Constitution to strike down any part of the ARCON Act that touches outdoor advertising, and he refused to read any implied limits or distinctions into the text.

    Justice Dashen approached the same issues from the opposite interpretive direction. Drawing from authorities such as A.G. Bendel v. A.G. Federation, Nafiu Rabiu v. Kano State and Ishola v. Ajiboye, he emphasized that constitutional provisions must be read as a coherent whole rather than in isolation. He examined the legislative powers of the National Assembly in detail.

    Under Item 49 he held that advertising is an organized profession similar to engineering and accountancy and therefore within federal authority. Under Item 62 he held that advertising is incidental to trade and commerce and therefore within the reach of federal regulation.

    Under Item 68 he relied on established precedent confirming that the National Assembly may exercise incidental powers broadly where necessary to give effect to matters already within its jurisdiction.

    The Lokoja judgment also revived the distinction between regulating the physical medium of signage and regulating advertising content and professional conduct. It held that the Constitution assigns Local Governments only the power to control physical structures and locations, leaving the regulation of content, ethics and standards to federal authorities.

    The ARCON Act, with its broad definitions and emphasis on consumer protection and professional practice, fits squarely within this federal domain. Justice Dashen further noted the impracticality of requiring national advertisers to seek approval from over seven hundred Local Governments, which would create an unworkable regulatory environment.

    The two decisions now stand in clear conflict.

    The Lagos judgment rests on a narrow reading that gives absolute priority to Paragraph 1(k)(i), while the Lokoja judgment harmonizes that paragraph with the broader legislative powers granted to the National Assembly. The holistic approach is more consistent with Supreme Court guidance in cases such as A.G. Ondo v. A.G. Federation, which insist that courts must avoid interpretations that fragment constitutional powers or frustrate national regulatory schemes where both levels of government can operate without contradiction. The Lagos judgment raises legitimate concerns about federal overreach but does so by adopting an interpretation that is too rigid and that does not accommodate the broader constitutional framework. The Lokoja judgment offers a more coherent and workable interpretation that preserves the role of Local Governments while affirming the federal government’s authority to maintain nationwide advertising standards.

  • BudgIT’s 2025 Report: Dissecting Enugu’s miracle of five loaves and two fish

    BudgIT’s 2025 Report: Dissecting Enugu’s miracle of five loaves and two fish

    • By Henry Ugbolue

    While discussing the 2025 edition of BudgIT’s State of the State Report, an annual publication that evaluates long-term fiscal performance and sustainability of Nigerian states, Arise News ace presenter and social activist, Rufai Oseni, described Enugu State’s emergence as the likeliest state to survive outside of the receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, as “The Enugu Miracle.”

    His words: “All of a sudden, Enugu has become a haven for raising money. The Governor Mbah some people never gave a chance is doing so well. He is putting digitisation in place. Enugu is now part of the few states in the country that are actually viable; that is, if they do not get FAAC, they should be able to run… If Enugu can do it, if Enugu can create a miracle – the Enugu Miracle – then what are others doing?”

    One cannot but agree with Oseni, especially given where the state is coming from. Indeed, Enugu’s surge under Governor Peter Mbah can be likened to the miracle of five loaves and two fish as recorded in Matthew 14: 14-21. Observing that the multitude that was with him since morning was hungry, Jesus’ disciples asked him to release them to go into the villages to find something to eat. But Jesus, instead, asked them to feed the multitude – to which they exclaimed in bewilderment that they had just five loaves of bread and two fish left. But Christ took that little blessed it, and asked his disciples to serve it. 5,000 persons were fed. Yet, in the end, 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered.

    According to BudgIT’s 2025 State of the States Report, Enugu State is the most probable state to finance its operating expenses exclusively from internally generated revenue (IGR) without relying on FAAC. The findings were based on Index A, which measures states’ ability to meet recurrent expenditure obligations relying only on IGR. The research methodology for Index A was the ratio of operating expenses to the state’s IGR.

    According to BudgIT, states that rank higher on this index exhibit greater financial autonomy and long-term viability. “States that perform strongly on Index A have comparatively limited dependence on FAAC allocations and thus possess greater viability if they were to theoretically exist as independent entities,” the Report states.

    Read Also: NAF promotes 57 officers to new ranks

    The ranking in this regard shows that Enugu State scored 0.68, implying that 68 percent of the state’s IGR would have catered to its operating expenses. Enugu is trailed in the top five states by Lagos State (0.83), Abia State (1.56), Anambra State (1.66), and Kwara State (1.73).

    On Index A1, which measures IGR growth, Enugu again leads the ranking, followed by Bayelsa, Abia, Osun, and Kano. These states recorded the strongest momentum in boosting internally generated revenues during the 2024 fiscal year. According to BudgIT, “While it may be too early to celebrate, as the uptick could partly reflect increased inflows from federation transfers, it is a much better performance than the previous year.”

    In the meantime, whereas Enugu and Lagos lead in IGR ranking, fewer states meet the 50 per cent threshold, as BudgIT’s 2025 State of the States report shows that the number of states generating enough revenue to cover their operating expenses has reduced compared to 2024. Unfortunately, according to BudgIT, 28 states still depend significantly on federal transfers and other external inflows to fund their operations.

    Meanwhile, whereas those who have expressed surprise at Enugu State’s ranking are in order, especially given where the state is coming from in terms of IGR, those who have keenly followed the state’s giant strides and redirection under Governor Peter Mbah, actually saw it coming.

    For instance, Mbah has drastically reversed the state’s Recurrent Expenditure-heavy budget culture – which is actually a subsisting national tradition. Before his coming, the state’s Capital Expenditure hovered around figures not exceeding N30bn, which amounted to about a Capital Expenditure to budget ratio of about 25 to 35 per cent. But in the 2024 budget, Mbah tweaked things positively for the state. That budget consisted of N107.2 billion Recurrent Expenditure or 21 per cent of the record N521.5bn budget and a Capital Expenditure of N414.3 billion, representing 79 per cent of the budget.

    While Nigerians thought that they had seen it, with the new order earning the Mbah Administration reviews by public analysts and editorial comments by several national dailies, he actually took it a notch higher in 2025 budget. The budget comprises N837.9 billion Capital Expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the N971 billion budget, and N133.1 billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing only 14 per cent of the entire budget.

    However, of great significance is the state’s quantum leap in terms of IGR profile. Although Mbah met the state’s IGR at N30bn in May 2023, he ramped it up to N37bn by the close of that year and scaled it up to N180.05bn by the end of 2024, marking a nearly 400 per cent increase in the state’s IGR profile.

    Expectedly, the question on the lips of many is: how was that possible? Basically, whatever has happened in the IGR space is rooted in the principles of transparency, traceability, and accountability of the Mbah Administration. The state’s IGR drive has benefitted so much from the technology to block leakages and also from widening the tax net to bring more people into the revenue stream without increasing the tax rate.

    The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, provided a deeper insight into the state’s IGR revolution in his keynote address at a recent high-level strategy retreat organised by the Governor’s Revenue Assurance Team. In the keynote speech at the retreated themed “From Silos to Synergy: Achieving Unified Revenue Targets Through Coordination and Accountability,” Prof. Onyia gave a participant-witness account of Enugu’s transformative journey, which has practically redefined governance, accountability, and fiscal performance in the state.

    “When Governor Peter Mbah entrusted us with the mandate to reposition Enugu as a model of efficiency and innovation, we knew that business-as-usual would no longer suffice. We needed a bold shift from fragmented silos to a unified, data-driven, and performance-oriented revenue ecosystem. One of the most decisive reforms we undertook was the complete stoppage of cash collection across all MDAs. This was not merely a procedural change; it was a philosophical shift toward transparency and traceability,” he stated.

    The result is that in Enugu State of today, every payment is now routed through digital platforms, ensuring real-time monitoring and eliminating leakages. This bold move has radically reduced opportunities for sharp practices and also enhanced public confidence in the revenue collection system. It has equally helped the administration to build a central revenue intelligence dashboard, allowing the government to monitor every transaction across the state.

    Furthermore, the administration introduced a Performance Appraisal Framework for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, with each MDA now assigned clear revenue targets linked to their operational mandates. But it does not end with the targets. Monthly and quarterly reviews are conducted, with performance scorecards publicly shared. This enables the government to place underperforming agencies on corrective action plans, while high performers are recognized and rewarded. Importantly, this approach has promoted a culture of healthy competition, innovation, and ownership among public servants.

    The administration has also prioritised capacity building for revenue officers, concentrating on ethics, digital tools, and customer service, thus not just improving revenue, but equally strengthening the social contract between government and governed.

    In the same vein, sharp practices in the revenue collection space are no longer overlooked. As the governor often points out, accountability is not just about systems; it is about consequences. Thus, the administration has maintained a resolute stance against corruption, investigating and prosecuting several cases of fraudulent revenue diversion. The administration further set up a Revenue Compliance and Enforcement Unit, which works very closely with law enforcement and the judiciary, while whistle-blower channels have been activated, thus enabling citizens to report malpractices incognito.

    Importantly, the Mbah Administration has earned the faith or confidence of the people that whatever taxes and other payments they make would be used to work for them. Although there were initial hesitations primarily spurred by old experiences, the people soon realised that with Mbah, it is business unusual. With over 2,000 verifiable completed and ongoing projects spread across the 260 wards of the state, it is a case of the Igbo saying that you may preach to the blind that there is oil in the soup, but not about salt. He can tell them, using his buds. 

    Again, the deployment of a real-time project management dashboard has, among others, visibly strengthened the link between revenue and results, as the citizens can now see how their taxes are transforming roads, schools, hospitals and water systems in real time.

    Yet, Governor Mbah will always be credited with giving governance a human face, ensuring that revenue drive is not without an ample touch of humanity. For instance, in response to complaints received about taxes and the like, he recently inaugurated a committee to carry out a comprehensive review of tax policies, rates, levies, and fees under the control of the state. The committee, which draws its membership from interest groups, market associations, government, organised labour, and the civil society, among others, is to benchmark Enugu State’s revenue practices against Lagos, Abuja, and other South East states as they relate to Land Use Charge, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees, market levies, and stall rents, business premises registration, signage and advertisement fees, among others, and recommend reforms.

    Although there is still a long way to go, if Governor Mbah continues on this trajectory, then he is on his way to actualising his campaign promise to wean Enugu State off FAAC allocations and ensure they are saved for future generations, he will also be on the path to actualising his overarching vision to grow the state’s economy sevenfold from $4.4bn to $30bn, eradicate poverty and position it as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living may well become a fait accompli. It is only a matter of time.

    •Anichukwu writes from Enugu

  • Papiri: From peaceful haven to den of banditry

    Papiri: From peaceful haven to den of banditry

    Agwara Local Government Area is a border district located in the northwestern part of Niger State. It serves as a critical frontier zone, sharing boundaries with Kebbi State to the North/Northwest, Borgu local government area to the South and the Republic of Benin to the West.

    Agwara lies near the River Niger and Kaduna River, featuring floodplains and a tropical savanna climate. The council headquarters is in Agwara town, with coordinates approximately 10°42’N, 4°35’E.

    Minna, the capital of Niger State, is approximately 340 km east of Agwara by road, a journey that can take between eaight and 10 hours, depending on conditions. The road travel follows routes through Bida, Borgu and Kontagora.

    The easiest primary access is via the road network linking Minna to Kontagora, and then, proceeding towards the Yauri/Kebbi axis before branching off to Agwara by boarding a ferry to cross the river.

    Papiri is a community in Agwara LGA. It is the hosts St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.

    The area is characterized by dense forest. It is a riverine terrain, situated near the banks of the River Niger (specifically the Kainji Lake basin area). Its proximity to the border and vast ungoverned forest spaces has historically made it a strategic corridor.

    Agwara before the attack:

    Prior to the November 21abduction of over 200 students and 12 teachers from the Papiri schools, Agwara LGA was relatively safer than  other parts of Niger State. There was no incident of abduction or banditry in the area before 2024.

    However, being a border community with a difficult terrain and limited security presence, it was vulnerable to threats like banditry spilling over from neighboring regions.

    Read Also: How police are tackling banditry, other threats, by IG Egbetokun

    Before the incident, security analysts had described Agwara as a “vulnerable frontier.”

    Intelligence reports indicated that armed groups (often linked to Sahelian extremists and bandits) were using the forest corridors connecting Benin Republic, Borgu, and Agwara as transit routes.

    Prior to the school abduction, the convoy of the member of the House of Representatives from Borgu/Agwara Constituency, Jafaru Mohammed Ali, was ambushed by bandits along Borgu.

    The attack, which resulted in fatalities, was a major red flag indicating that armed groups had established a strong foothold in the area.

    Papiri was once a peaceful agrarian and fishing community, but by late 2024 and particularly this year,  it has become a high-risk zone due to the encroachment of armed groups, utilising the porous borders and forest cover for cover.

    Based on available records, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri are young institutions, established in phases between 2008 and 2010.

    As at November, the primary school was 17 years it started operations in May 2008 while the secondary school was 15 years, having admitted its first set of students in September 2010.

    The schools were built through a collaborative efforts of the Catholic Diocese, the Society of African Missions (SMA), and international sponsors (specifically from Ireland).

    They were established to provide education to the Kamberi people and other local communities in Agwara, an area where educational infrastructure was previously very scarce. Before these permanent structures were built, some local children were learning under trees.

  • How Umahi is delivering legacy road projects that align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    How Umahi is delivering legacy road projects that align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    • By Precious Ine

    In the evolving story of Nigeria’s democratic journey, only a few leaders distinguish themselves with the rare combination of vision, courage, competence, and commitment to nation-building. Senator David Umahi, former two-term governor of Ebonyi State and minister of Works, stands among this class.

    At a time Nigeria is undergoing one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in its history, Umahi has emerged as the defining force setting a new national standard. As someone who observes performance across zones in my role as Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, I can assert that the minister’s work ethic and accomplishments are a source of regional pride and national admiration.

    Intervention in Ebonyi

    Davild Umahi’s political journey did not begin at the national stage, it was built from the ground up, forged through a determination to transform his people. As governor of Ebonyi State, he inherited one of the least developed states in the federation. Yet, in eight years, he turned Ebonyi into a model of modern governance and infrastructure delivery.

    Read Also: Fed Govt targets Dana Air assets to refund passengers, agents

    He transformed the state capital, Abakaliki, into a thriving urban centre with world-class roads, flyovers, medical facilities, and landmark projects. Ebonyi Ring Road project, Margaret Umahi International Market, Virology Centre, King David University of Medical Sciences, and his network of concrete roads are enduring testaments to his innovative leadership.

    It takes more than political power to achieve such a transformation, it takes intelligence, courage, and vision.

    Master engineer as minister

    President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Umahi as minister of Works is regarded as one of the most strategic choices of this administration. Under this portfolio, he has become the face of Nigeria’s new infrastructure revolution, and he has approached this responsibility with unmatched expertise.

    Today, from Lagos to Sokoto, from Kano to Port Harcourt, and from Abuja to the remotest corners of the country, Umahi’s impact is visible. The reconstruction of Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja–Keffi–Lafia Road, Benin–Warri–East-West Road, and other federal road rehabilitation projects have placed Nigeria on a path of modernisation.

    Unlike many in public service, he does not manage infrastructure on paper; he is physically on site, inspecting projects at all hours, ensuring accountability, quality, and speed. His trademark concrete road technology, previously a signature of his work in Ebonyi, has become a standard for federal projects due to its durability and low maintenance cost.

    This is not just public service; this is patriotic engineering.

    Respected across regions

    Beyond politics, Umahi is a unifying figure. His loyalty to national interest, his respect for the President, and his humility have endeared him to citizens. As minister, he has shown that leadership is not rhetoric but deliverables.

    Even in Southeast where political tensions sometimes shape public perception, Umahi remains a respected symbol of competence and pride. He represents what the zone can contribute to national development when excellence is placed above sentiment.

    Support for Renewed Hope

    In my capacity as Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, I have observed firsthand the transformational impact of the Tinubu administration, especially through Ministry of Works. Umahi’s execution of key projects is a major backbone of Renewed Hope Agenda.

    His performance has strengthened confidence in the administration and demonstrated that Tinubu appoints individuals on merit, capacity, and proven record, not political convenience.

    The minister Nigeria needs

    Great nations are built by great men, and  David Umahi is one such man. His brilliance in engineering, his discipline in governance, and his clarity of purpose continue to shape Nigeria’s infrastructural destiny.

    Nigeria needs men like Umahi, who think beyond today’s politics, men who understand the science of development, and men who put results before applause. To the younger generation, his journey is a powerful lesson that competence can never be hidden. Excellence speaks for itself, and when it does, it announces the leader before the title.

    Builder worth celebrating

     David Umahi is more than a minister, he is a national builder, a transformational leader, and one of the most accomplished engineers ever to serve in government. His legacy in Ebonyi remains indelible, and his achievements in the Federal Ministry of Works will define an era.

    As an admirer of quality leadership and as a patriotic Nigerian committed to President Tinubu’s success, I celebrate Umahi not just for what he has done, but for what he continues to represent for this nation: excellence, innovation, and dedication to Nigeria’s progress. Nigeria needs more of his kind.

    • Ine is Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement

  • NERC appointment options and need for urgency

    NERC appointment options and need for urgency

    By Michael Nwadike

    There is uncertainty among top officials of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission following expiration of the tenure of the chairman in June and indications that the tenure of the vice chairman of NERC will lapse on December 8. But that should not be the way forward.

    President Bola Tinubu has since nominated Abdullahi Ramat, a former local government chairman, as head of the agency and two commissioners; Mr Abubakar Yusuf, commissioner of Consumer Affairs, and Dr Fouad Animashun, commissioner of Finance and Management Services, subject to Senate confirmation.

    However, the skirmishes in NERC have grown more unsettling. All eyes are on the 10th Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, given importance of the sector to Nigeria’s growth.

    NERC is an independent body, established by Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 (repealed), now Electricity Act of 2023, to undertake technical and economic regulation of Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

    The commission is to, among others, license operators, determine operating codes and standards, establish customer rights and obligations, and set cost-reflective industry tariffs.

    Since its inception, NERC has recorded significant achievements, including expansion of capacity and network by issuance of licences for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and trading, as well as development of industry codes and standards, market rules, and a multi-year tariff order. In addition, the commission has issued regulations and orders that created an attractive and stable electricity market in Nigeria.

    These achievements have been made possible by ensuring that market transactions are rule-based and regulatory interventions are preceded by robust consultative and stakeholder engagement processes to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability.

    Transparency, fairness, and accountability are critical to NERC, Nigeria’s independent apex regulator. The Electricity Act was thorough in ensuring this independence.

    The Act gave statutory recognition to, and enshrined the principle of regulatory independence, by providing for creation of the apex regulator of the NESI by an Act of the National Assembly rather than by subsidiary legislation.

    Section 33(3) states: “The commission shall be the apex regulator of the NESI and shall be an independent body in the performance of its functions and exercise of its powers under this Act”.

    Regulatory decisions are to be taken by a board of commissioners under Section 35 (1), which states that the commission shall consist of seven full-time commissioners appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate.” These commissioners, under Section 226, may make regulations on which the commission has powers.

    Funding from internally generated revenue, as well as government subsidies. Section 53 deals with funding for the commission: “The funds of the commission shall consist of: (a) fees, charges and other income accruing to the commission from licensees and other things done by it in terms of this Act, excluding any fines or penalties recovered under this Act; (b) funds allocated to the commission by the National Assembly, under a request by the commission for additional funds required to meet its expenditure; and (c) such other moneys as may vest in or accrue to the commission, whether in the course of its operations or otherwise, among others.

    It is indeed, in view of the above, that experts have argued that appointing seasoned professionals who have grown through the ranks in the commission would bring far more stability and technical competence to the commission and sector than bringing on board those to start afresh to understudy workings of NERC.

    While National Assembly is debating NERC nominations, industry experts are reminding President Tinubu that there is a need for speed in the appointment of a merit-driven NERC chief on time because of importance of the energy sector in the development objectives of the government.

    Furthermore, complementing the incoming NERC chief with seasoned commissioners with legacy knowledge will do NERC a world of good.

    Read Also: Nigerian set to break Guinness World Record in programming marathon

    The experts said Tinubu needs to act fast and look inwards into the commission to source for qualified and technically sound experts for the board, especially as the chair and vice chair will soon be vacant.

    As we move into 2026, energy experts believe President Tinubu must, sort out the leadership of NERC to enable the country to derive the maximum benefits for which NERC was established in the first place.

    In doing so, experts and insiders are calling on the President to act before the house of NERC, which is looking like a Fuji House of Commotion, crashes down on us. They said NERC has top officials with legacy knowledge of how to move the organisation forward. Presently, NERC has six commissioners:

    • Musiliu Oseni – vice chair and commissioner for Economic Regulations. Appointed in February 2017, he is serving his second term, which will expire on December 8.

    • Aisha Mahmud – commissioner for Stakeholder Management. A former head of Tariff and Rates at NERC, she has served the commission for years and contributed to its development. In recognition of her expertise and impact in the power sector, she was appointed commissioner in December 2020. She led the establishment of NERC Contact Centre, developed the Customer Protection Regulation, and oversaw 33 Forum Offices, among others. She is the only woman commissioner and remains eligible for reappointment.

    • Shatti Nathan Rogers – commissioner for Corporate Services. Appointed in February 2017 and reappointed in February 2022, his second term will expire in February 2027.

    • Dafe Akpeneye – commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance. First appointed in February 2017 and reappointed in February 2022, his second term will expire February 2027.

    • Chidi Ike – commissioner for Technical Regulation. Appointed in February 2022, his first term will expire in February 2027.

    • Yusuf Ali – commissioner for Research and Data Analytics. Appointed in February 2022, his first term will expire in February 2027.

    To ensure continuity, it is essential  Federal Government decides on the future leadership structure of NERC ahead of the vice chairman’s tenure expiration in December.