The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Poverty is the root of Nigeria’s violence

    Poverty is the root of Nigeria’s violence

    • By Bashir Bello

    Sir: The late sage Mahatma Gandhi captured a profound truth when he said: “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress in the fight against insecurity without addressing the deeper causes that fuel it. For too long, we have mobilised for defence. What we truly need is to mobilise for development.

    Since the emergence of Boko Haram in 2009, insurgency has steadily expanded. What began as isolated attacks by a handful of poorly equipped fighters in the Northeast, using improvised explosives at the risk of their own lives, has grown into open confrontation with state forces.

    Beyond Boko Haram whose motivations appear superficially ideological, a wider network of armed groups has spread across the country. Their operations now span regions like a swarm of bees, overwhelming national security from all angles.

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    At the heart of this violence is poverty. We must not forget that Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram, did not attract followers with superior ideology. He recruited from the poor and unemployed, offering economic incentives, start-up capital, welfare, and even paying marriage expenses for young couples. These gestures drew thousands into his fold, some crossing state and even national borders to pledge allegiance.

    The uncomfortable truth, which government often avoids, is that a purely military solution will only escalate an already fragile situation. Conventional warfare cannot defeat unconventional enemies. Increasing troop numbers will only increase casualties on both sides. If Nigeria truly intends to end banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, arson, extremism, rustling, and the many conflicts tearing the nation apart, then it must wage a war on poverty.

    This requires mass employment opportunities, major investment in public works, a fair wage system and reduced income inequality free and quality education, free and quality healthcare and the economic empowerment of women. Once these pragmatic solutions are pursued with sincerity and consistency, violence will fade as  shadows disappearing at daybreak.

    •Bashir Bello,

    Kaduna.

  • Nigeria’s diplomatic missions as national risk management

    Nigeria’s diplomatic missions as national risk management

    • By Lekan Olayiwola

    Sir: Nigeria’s Foreign Service is often treated as ornamental, a stage for protocol, prestige, and patronage. Yet in a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, diplomacy is not decorum. It is infrastructure. It is insurance. It is the difference between survival and strategic drift.

    Nigeria’s first vulnerability lies in security. Every time citizens buy groceries, fill their tanks, or pay rent, a hidden “diplomatic tax” is levied against them because the Foreign Service has not shielded the economy from external risks. Global insurers classify Nigerian waters as a high risk zone. Every vessel carrying goods into Lagos, from oil tankers to container ships, is slapped with war risk insurance premiums. These costs are passed on to Nigerian importers, and ultimately, to consumers.

    Countries like Kenya and South Africa worked through their defence attachés — military diplomats embedded in embassies — to negotiate joint patrols and share real time intelligence with NATO and regional partners. They signalled stability, and those premiums dropped. Nigeria, by contrast, operates with a diplomatic security blackout. We have no systematic corps of defence attachés.

    We are blind to the rising tides of transnational threats, relying on costly, last minute military intervention instead of cheap, proactive intelligence. The result is hundreds of millions of dollars siphoned out of the Nigerian economy every year to pay for vulnerabilities our embassies were meant to insure us against.

    The second exposure comes from global finance. When Nigeria borrows money on the international market, our sovereign interest rate (the cost of the loan) is heavily influenced by our credit rating. Rating agencies don’t just look at debt to GDP ratios; they assess institutional credibility and the perceived risk of the nation.

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    Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, often under resourced and politically appointed, project fragility and miss early chances to shape investor and media narratives. This exposes the country to higher borrowing costs, where even small interest rate increases add billions in debt service — funds that could build schools, bridges, or hospitals.

    Debt service crowds out social investment, and while embassies are not the sole cause, their underutilisation within this chain of vulnerability prevents them from functioning as “sovereign profit centres” that lower risk premiums through investor diplomacy. Rwanda and Vietnam send dedicated commercial diplomats to Wall Street and the City of London, lobbying for lower interest rates. Diplomacy is macroeconomic policy, but Nigeria’s missions remain underutilised in lowering national cost of capital.

    The third untapped frontier is the diaspora. Nigerians abroad send over $22 billion annually in remittances, one of Africa’s largest flows. Yet we treat the diaspora as a cash channel, not a strategic asset. Vietnam mobilised its diaspora not only for remittances but also for lobbying power in host countries and technology transfer. India’s diaspora shaped US policy on visas and tech investment.

    Ireland’s diaspora influenced EU positions on trade and migration. Nigeria’s missions, by contrast, seem to treat the diaspora as an administrative burden, a line of citizens waiting for passport renewals. We fail to capture the brain circulation, the technology transfer, and the political leverage that comes from actively integrating our brightest minds abroad.

    This is not a question of budget but of mandate. Nigeria’s missions should be tasked with turning remittances into investment and diaspora influence into policy leverage. Without that clear directive, their potential remains untapped.

    Global shocks are no longer abstract. Nigeria, one of the most climate vulnerable states, has no comparable diplomatic infrastructure to negotiate adaptation finance or migration protections for its citizens abroad. This is an existential gap. Without diplomatic presence, Nigeria absorbs the shocks alone. Migration crises are equally pressing.

    Nigerian citizens abroad often face precarious conditions, yet missions lack the staffing and mandate to negotiate bilateral protections. In a world of tightening borders, diplomacy is the frontline tool for safeguarding citizens. Treating missions as ceremonial undermines Nigeria’s ability to respond to climate and migration shocks that will define the next decades.

    For Nigeria, with its large population, youth bulge, strategic location, and regional influence, diplomatic presence abroad is a necessity, not a luxury.  Every year of drift costs billions in lost investment, weakens security leverage, and leaves diaspora capital untapped. Every delay shrinks our relevance in global governance. Diplomacy, properly framed and funded, is survival work; the shield against risk, the lever for growth, and the bridge to opportunity.

    •Lekan Olayiwola,

    lekanolayiwola@gmail.com

  • Musa’s appointment as defence minister

    Musa’s appointment as defence minister

    • By Dr Baba Ransome Adamu

    Sir: The Institute of Leadership Assessment and Development (ILAD) congratulates General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.) on his well-deserved appointment as the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We sincerely appreciate and thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this timely and strategic appointment. At a time when Nigeria needs to put the right person in the right position, Mr President has once again shown wisdom and commitment to strengthening our national security by choosing a competent, patriotic, and experienced leader.

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    Gen. Musa is a proven professional with a distinguished record of service. As a former Chief of Defence Staff, he demonstrated courage, discipline, and a deep passion for the unity and safety of our nation. His leadership qualities, calm strength, and operational experience give Nigerians renewed confidence that our defence sector is in capable hands.

    ILAD believes that his appointment will bring improved coordination, stronger military readiness, and renewed hope for lasting peace across the country.

    We pray that God grants him wisdom, strength, and protection as he carries out this important national duty.

    •Dr Baba Ransome Adamu

    ILAD, Abuja.

  • Getting it right

    Getting it right

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun ordered the IGP Monitoring Unit and Commissioners of Police X-Squads to ensure strict monitoring and compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s order to withdraw officers protecting Very Important Persons (VIPs) to the detriment of general security.

     They are to arrest any officer found escorting VIPs. Egbetokun said over 11, 566 officers will return to “frontline duties” as a result of the presidential directive, adding that “policing capacity will improve.”

    There is no question that the enforcement of Tinubu’s directive is crucial. The challenge of implementation demands political will and professional resolve.  

    Notably, a retired deputy inspector general of police, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, argued that the police force needs urgent reforms for the successful implementation of the President’s directive. He stated that some IGPs had issued the same order in the past but lacked the structural support to enforce it.

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    Ibrahim further noted that VIP protection “has become an economy” in the force, describing it as a “cash cow” that generates revenue streams for officers, making the structure extremely resistant to reform. He listed the beneficiaries of such protection, including politicians, businessmen, entertainers, expatriates, religious figures, malls, banks and private individuals “seeking status.”

     His deep insider knowledge of police operations makes his observations and recommendations noteworthy and useful. Apart from the necessary political will, he suggested steps for the success of the policy. He advised the authorities to: Publish a list of withdrawn officers; Deploy them to stations, patrols and intelligence units; Establish an NSCDC-based VIP Protection Service; Ban direct escort requests to the IGP or Commissioners of Police; Digitise all VIP security requests.

    Other suggestions are: Introduce penalties for illegal escorts; Reward officers returning to active policing; Conduct surprise audits of formations; Launch a national policing-reform communication campaign; Use community policing to fill temporary gaps.

    These call for a thoroughgoing institutional overhaul: dismantling the old system; building the new system; and sustaining the change.

    It is important to ensure the implementation of the presidential order. But, more importantly, it is necessary to envision and emplace a reformed police force.

    It remains to be seen whether the President’s intervention will make a difference this time around. The authorities must be open to unlearning the old, ineffective ways, and learning new approaches to the country’s security crisis.

  • 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

  • Managing internal migration for national security and stability

    Managing internal migration for national security and stability

    Sir: Nigeria cannot achieve lasting security without confronting one of the least discussed but most consequential issues affecting the country today: the unregulated movement of people across internal and external borders. While insecurity is often attributed to terrorism, banditry, economic hardship, or political tension, the silent contributor underlying many of these problems is the absence of an effective system for monitoring internal migration.

    Our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to reside and work in any part of the country. This right is foundational to national unity. However, the way movement currently occurs—frequently undocumented, unregulated, and poorly supervised—poses serious challenges for both the migrants and the communities receiving them. Over the past several years, Nigerians have grown accustomed to seeing large groups of young people transported across state lines in open trucks or trailers, often without any clear explanation of their destination, purpose, or support structure. This practice raises reasonable questions that demand policy attention.

    Who organises these mass movements? Are there legitimate jobs awaiting these individuals? Do they possess the necessary skills, training, or information to sustain themselves in their new locations? Why are they transported in conditions that compromise their dignity and safety? And most importantly, who is responsible for them when they arrive?

    In many cases, these questions go unanswered. Migrants are simply dropped in towns or cities and left to fend for themselves, often without accommodation, identification, or any verified means of livelihood. This situation is not only unfair to the migrants—many of whom are simply seeking survival in difficult economic times—it also creates security vulnerabilities.

    Unidentified individuals, regardless of their region or background, can be exploited by criminal networks, political actors, or opportunistic groups. In a nation already battling multiple security threats, the absence of a system to track or verify large-scale internal movement is a gap we can no longer afford to overlook.

    To address this, Nigeria urgently needs a well-designed internal migration management framework. Such a system should operate at multiple levels—ward, local government, state, and federal—and should prioritize documentation, transparency, and responsibility.

    First, a biometric and bio-data registration system should be introduced for individuals moving from one community to another. This is not to restrict lawful movement but to ensure that authorities and host communities know who is settling within their environment. This is standard practice in many stable countries and is not incompatible with freedom of movement.

    Second, there should be a clear system of guarantor-ship for migrants who plan to relocate permanently or semi-permanently. A guarantor—whether a family member, employer, community leader, or sponsor—should be responsible for confirming the individual’s identity and purpose. This discourages exploitation and prevents people from being moved anonymously in ways that could compromise their safety.

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    Third, governments should monitor mass transportation of people in trailers, trucks, or lorries, especially when young people are transported under conditions that suggest coercion, misinformation, or lack of planning. Enforcement agencies should have the authority to stop such vehicles, verify identities, confirm destinations, and ensure that the migrants understand why they are being transported.

    Fourth, local and state governments must become active participants in identifying and documenting new arrivals. Community policing efforts cannot be effective if residents, security personnel, and local authorities have no means of identifying unfamiliar individuals living within their jurisdiction. Proper documentation not only improves security; it also allows governments to plan for social services, workforce needs, and community development.

    If we continue to ignore the gaps created by uncontrolled internal migration, we risk deepening insecurity and undermining social cohesion. Conversely, if we implement responsible and humane migration management, we will not only enhance safety but also support economic growth. Migrants, when properly integrated, contribute significantly to labour markets, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity. The goal is not to criminalize movement but to ensure it is structured, transparent, and beneficial to all parties.

    Nigeria is a vast country with diverse peoples, rich cultures, and boundless opportunities. But our progress will remain fragile if we fail to address the factors that weaken internal stability. What we need now is a collective commitment—from policymakers, security agencies, community leaders, and citizens—to look inward and build systems that protect our communities while respecting human dignity.

    Effective migration management is not merely a security strategy; it is a pathway to lasting peace, justice, and national prosperity.

    •Ted Isaiah Omobude,Jos, Plateau State.

  • There’s more to America’s sudden interest Nigeria

    There’s more to America’s sudden interest Nigeria

    Sir: The U.S. President, Donald Trump, recently released a statement alleging that Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. He not only labelled the country as one of particular concern but also vowed to invade in order to stop the killings of Christians. He also threatened to cut off aid support to Nigeria.

    As expected, Trump’s statement has generated controversies. Some welcomed the idea of a U.S. invasion, if only to put paid to the decades of insecurity in the country; others against the idea, citing countries that America has invaded where nothing good came out of it in the end. There are also those who remain neutral and would rather make fun of it.

    There is more to America’s sudden interest in Nigeria than meets the naked eye. Every right-thinking person knows that the Christian population in Nigeria is not the only casualty in the more than one decade of insecurity in the country. We are all casualties, to borrow from the lines of John Pepper Clark’s poem The Casualties. Christians have been killed as much as Muslims and even traditional worshippers. So, when someone sits in the Oval Office in America and talks about Christian genocide, does it mean that the Muslims and adherents of other religions who have been killed are nameless and faceless?

    It would shock some of those hailing Donald Trump if, after applying for asylum in America on claims of persecution in Nigeria, they are denied. The truth is that no Nigerian Christian should be happy with the Christian genocide narrative in a country where they are not minorities.

    Perhaps comprehension has become a casualty in this debate, but I find it difficult to understand how anyone can claim that President Trump’s recent statement on faith-based violence in Nigeria aligns with the sectarian agenda advanced by certain groups. Two points stand out clearly in his comments. First, he deliberately avoided describing the situation in Nigeria as “genocide,” instead using the phrase “existential threat to Christians.” Secondly, and crucially, he identified radical Islamists, not the Nigerian state, and certainly not Nigerian Muslims—as the perpetrators of violence. These distinctions matter greatly, as they contradict the divisive rhetoric being promoted by those seeking to pit one faith community against another.

    This is not the first time President Trump has raised concerns about alleged one-sided violence against Christians. During former President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the White House on April 30, 2018, Trump remarked: “We’re deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria, including the burning of churches and the killing of Christians.” In response, President Buhari, while framing the violence as indiscriminate, acknowledged the challenge of violent herdsmen and cross-border recruits from Libya and the Sahel, stressing that his government was doing its best to stabilise the situation.

    There is a reason that moment remains instructive. Rather than amplifying a narrative of state-sponsored sectarian extermination, the U.S. side identified religious violence as one of several security concerns. The Nigerian side responded by framing the violence as part of complex socio-security dynamics, not as a conspiracy of Muslims against their Christian compatriots.

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    President Trump’s statement, while emotively focused on Christian victims, does not mirror the propaganda promoted by some far-right commentators who claim that the Nigerian government turns a blind eye to attacks on Christians or that Nigerian Muslims are complicit. On the contrary, he singled out radical extremists. This distinction aligns with the Nigerian government’s own position and reflects the sacrifices of its multi-faith armed forces in confronting terrorism across the Sahel and West Africa.

    The line between NGO activism and diplomatic engagement is clear. Activism draws its energy from outrage, while diplomacy thrives on dialogue. In this regard, the response of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs exemplifies the restraint and statesmanship required in such a situation. It acknowledges the concerns raised, reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, and emphasises partnership with the United States in tackling violent extremism, the central theme of President Trump’s statement.

    Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy, operates in a sub-region where democratic governance has faced severe strain in recent years. It cannot afford the luxury of an antagonistic posture toward a strategic partner like the United States, and it is reasonable to believe that the U.S. authorities are equally aware of this. There are no winners in a diplomatic standoff between Abuja and Washington, only losses for both nations. What must prevail now is reason.

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Death of local government as Nigeria’s unspoken crisis

    Death of local government as Nigeria’s unspoken crisis

     Sir: Long before insecurity tightened its grip on our highways, long before poverty colonised the villages, and long before our cities became swollen refugee camps of the economically displaced, a quiet tragedy had already eaten deep into the nation’s foundation. It is the tragedy Nigeria does not talk about enough, the crisis that rarely makes headlines yet determines whether development succeeds or dies: the silent collapse of the local government system.

    Across the world, nations that work do so because governance begins from the bottom. In Nigeria, governance begins from the top — and too often dies there. The original intention behind creating 774 local government areas was noble: to take government to the people, to deliver water, roads, healthcare, schools, markets, records, and security at the grassroots. Today, that vision has become a shadow, wandering through empty secretariats and overgrown council premises.

    But a surprising twist has recently emerged in this long-standing decay — a twist that should have marked a rebirth, yet has instead exposed an even deeper problem.

    For decades, local government suffocation was blamed on the iron grip of governors who held their finances through the State Joint Allocation Account (JAAC). Then came what many hailed as liberation: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu supported, and the Supreme Court granted, full financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils.

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    It should have been the dawn of a new era. It should have breathed life into Nigeria’s most abandoned tier of government. It should have restored accountability, development, and people-focused governance.

    But autonomy has not resurrected the system — because the collapse is not only financial. It is structural. It is administrative. It is moral. It is political. And it is deeply entrenched.

    The autonomy ruling has exposed a painful truth: A system can be rescued on paper yet remain dead in practice.

    It is fashionable to blame Abuja. It is politically convenient to blame the states. But the true foundation of governance lies in the 774 local governments.

    Autonomy has now revealed the national contradiction: We fixed the pipe supplying water, but the tank and taps are corroded.

    If local governments were functional, Nigerians would feel governance every day — not as distant speeches in Abuja, but as clean boreholes, working markets, safe communities, and responsive ward-level administration.

    The truth is now clearer than ever: Autonomy alone cannot save Nigeria’s local governments. Implementation, accountability, capacity, and genuine democracy must follow.

    To fix Nigeria, autonomy must be matched with action. To fix Nigeria, we must revive the government closest to the people. To fix Nigeria, we must resurrect the 774 hearts that pump development into the nation.

    •Aliyu Abubakar Bello Dorayi, Kano.