The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Muslim Women flay schools, airports, FRSC, others over hijab rights violations

    Muslim Women flay schools, airports, FRSC, others over hijab rights violations

    A coalition of Muslim women organisations yesterday renewed calls for an end to discrimination against hijab-wearing women across Nigeria, urging governments and institutions to fully implement constitutional and judicial protections.

    Speaking at a at a briefing held at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSSCM) Hall, Ikeja, to commemorate the World Hijab Day, the coalition marked the global event under the theme “Unity in Hijab,” with a locally adopted theme of “One Sisterhood.”

    Addressing reporters, Executive Director of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative (HRAI)Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, said Muslim women in Nigeria were joining millions around the world to reaffirm the hijab as a symbol of faith, dignity and unity, not a basis for exclusion.

    She explained that World Hijab Day, observed annually on February 1, was to promote religious tolerance and understanding. According to her, the hijab cuts across ethnicity, class and ability, uniting Muslim women as one sisterhood.

    Despite constitutional guarantees, Orolu-Balogun lamented that hijab-wearing women in Nigeria still face harassment and denial of rights in schools, workplaces and public institutions.

    Speaking on “The Hijab: Faith, Not Fashion,” Maryam Abdur-Rasheed of Pure Heart Foundation (PHF), stressed that hijab is a divine command rooted in the Qur’an, not a cultural or political statement. She noted that restricting the hijab violates Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental right to freedom of religion.

    Read Also: First Lady, Ooni of Ife launch ‘Dream Centre’ to mentor young Nigerians

    Raising concerns about minority communities, Kudrah Ogunmuyiwa of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) highlighted the plight of Igbo Muslim women, who she said face double vulnerability due to ethnicity and religion. She condemned recent hate speech and threats against Igbo Muslims, calling on law enforcement agencies and community leaders in the Southeast to act decisively.

    The issue of inclusion also featured prominently, as Hussainat Akintola of Al-Mu’minaat drew attention to the challenges faced by Muslim women with disabilities. She described widespread inaccessibility, insensitive treatment and exclusion from public and religious spaces, demanding disability-friendly mosques, inclusive policies and reasonable accommodations.

    On education, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit Amirah, Rofiat Tijani, decried what she described as subtle but persistent discrimination in schools, despite Supreme Court judgments affirming the right of Muslim students to wear hijab. She cited practices such as forced “tuck-in” rules, concealment under berets and threats of suspension as violations of the law.

    Concerns were also raised about harassment at ports of entry and immigration points. Akanbi Maryam of Akhwaat alleged that hijab-wearing women are routinely forced to remove their hijabs for biometric screening, contrary to international standards and Nigerian regulations.

    Similarly, Ummulkhayr Adeleke-Lawal of Nasrul-Lahi-il-Fatih Society (NASFAT) condemned reports from driver’s licence centres, where Muslim women are allegedly denied biometric capturing unless they expose their ears. She noted that Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) guidelines and international biometric standards do not require visible ears, describing the practice as discriminatory and unlawful.

    Presenting the coalition’s demands, Nimat Salako of the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque and Riskiah Adam-Adedimeji of The Criterion called on the federal, state governments, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and regulatory bodies to issue clear directives, train personnel, sanction offenders and establish complaint mechanisms to protect hijab rights.

    Dr. Halimah Ogunbekun of An-Nujabau, emphasised unity, declaring that no Muslim woman should be left behind due to ethnicity, disability or location. She stressed that discrimination, not the hijab, is what divides society.

    The coalition called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, lawmakers and all Nigerians to uphold justice and constitutional fidelity, urging that 2026 be remembered as a year Nigeria chose unity over prejudice and equal rights over discrimination.

  • Nigeria & Turkey: Strategic partnership or transactional diplomacy?

    Nigeria & Turkey: Strategic partnership or transactional diplomacy?

    • By Felix Oladeji

    Sir: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s signing of nine bilateral agreements, signals both continuity and evolution in Nigeria’s foreign policy orientation. The accords span defence cooperation, media and communication collaboration, higher education partnerships, diaspora policy, halal quality infrastructure, and joint institutional ties between foreign affairs and diplomacy academies; while also establishing a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) aimed at bolstering economic cooperation.

    On the surface, this diplomatic milestone reflects a shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties in strategic sectors from security to education. Reports indicate that the communications memorandum, for instance, will facilitate exchange of expertise, training programmes, workshops, and best practices between media professionals in both countries, fostering institutional linkages that could enrich domestic media ecosystems. Meanwhile, the defence cooperation framework has potential implications for military training, joint exercises, and knowledge transfer in tactical and strategic defence capacities.

    Read Also: Five strongest currencies in Africa as of January 2026

    But beyond the celebratory headlines lies a broader question: what kind of international partnership is Nigeria cultivating, and to what end? In a global order defined by shifting geopolitical alignments, partnerships are rarely neutral. For Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, the stakes are high. Its longstanding diplomatic relations with Turkey, dating back to 1960, have over the years encompassed trade, investment, and security cooperation, culminating in energy ties that saw bilateral trade with Türkiye approach significant volumes in 2025.

    The creation of JETCO and spate of sectoral agreements point to an aspiration for deeper economic integration with Ankara reportedly committing to a $5 billion trade volume target with Nigeria. Such a target, if realised, could reshape Nigeria’s trade architecture by diversifying partnerships beyond traditional Western and Asian markets, and by positioning the country as a regional economic anchor with strong external demand.

    Yet strategic diversification carries with it practical and philosophical challenges. On the one hand, expanded defence cooperation — in training, intelligence exchange, and joint capacity building can strengthen Nigeria’s ability to address internal and regional security threats. On the other, it may risk overreliance on external military frameworks or dilute Nigeria’s articulations of defence autonomy. The delicate balance between benefiting from strategic partnerships and maintaining sovereign agency is one that African states, including Nigeria, must continuously negotiate.

    In an era when global partnerships are increasingly transactional, Nigeria’s engagement with Turkey provides a case study in balancing immediate geopolitical benefits with long-term strategic interests. The summit in Ankara may have ended with inked agreements and photo opportunities, but the real work lies in ensuring that these pacts translate into tangible outcomes for citizens — from improved security infrastructure and economic opportunity to enriched academic environments and stronger media ecosystems. Without such results, even the most ambitious bilateral agreements risk remaining symbolic markers of diplomatic goodwill rather than engines of national advancement.

    •Felix Oladeji,

    Lagos.

  • Kwankwaso: Karma not betrayal at work

    Kwankwaso: Karma not betrayal at work

    • By Abba Dukawa

    Sir: The public fallout between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (AKY)’s and his political mentor mirrors familiar fractures from Rabiu Kwankwaso’s past, notably his bitter split with Abdullahi Ganduje. Once again, a protégé has chosen a different path. The question is whether AKY’s move represents calculated independence or a strategic checkmate in a long political chess game.

    Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection to the APC has reignited a debate in Kano politics: was it a betrayal of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s trust, or the inevitable outcome of political pragmatism? To some observers, it looks less like treachery and more like poetic justice—a lesson Kwankwaso himself has long taught others.

    Political independence is the ability to govern based on personal conviction and the interests of the electorate. Blind loyalty, by contrast, subordinates public interest to the will of a godfather. One is autonomy; the other is submission.

    In a subdued and emotional interview with BBC Hausa—his first since AKY’s exit from the NNPP—Kwankwaso expressed deep hurt, describing the defection as an unimaginable act of betrayal. He insisted Kano remains NNPP territory and warned that Abba would face consequences, accusing him of “handing over Kano’s mandate to the Gandujiyya camp.”

    Kwankwaso claimed the issues leading to the defection could have been resolved through dialogue and repeatedly questioned what went wrong and who was to blame. Yet his continued public lament only reinforces a perception of desperation, as though he fears losing something more than political relevance.

    While his emotional appeal may resonate with loyalists, Kwankwaso is hardly alone in having felt betrayed in Kano’s turbulent political history. Ironically, many accuse him of the very conduct he now condemns.

    Kwankwaso’s political ascent in 1999 was aided by figures such as Abubakar Rimi, Hamisu Musa, and Musa Gwadabe. Once in power, he dismantled the structures that supported him, side-lining these benefactors and rendering them politically irrelevant. None truly recovered from that fallout.

    Read Also: Senate orders fresh review of Electoral Act amendments, sets up 48-hour ad hoc panel

    History appears to be repeating itself. A leader who once thrived on alliances has repeatedly abandoned them after consolidating power. Ali Sani Madaki has openly accused Kwankwaso of hypocrisy, arguing that someone with such a record lacks the moral authority to lecture others on loyalty or betrayal.

    This pattern extended beyond Kano. In 2019, Kwankwaso was accused of distancing himself from Atiku Abubakar after securing his own political interests in the state—an act many viewed as a serious breach of trust.

    Compounding this is Kwankwaso’s long history of party switching: from PDP to APC, back to PDP, and now NNPP. These moves, often driven by personal ambition, weaken his credibility when criticizing defections by others—especially when his political protégé followed him through many of those same transitions.

    Governor Abba Yusuf’s silence since leaving the NNPP speaks volumes. While he denies being under anyone’s control, few dispute that Kwankwaso shaped his political career. AKY’s loyalty was once unwavering—sometimes to the point of personal sacrifice and public humiliation.

    Yet history shows that loyalty to Kwankwaso rarely guarantees lasting trust. Many who once defended him eventually fell out after warning of his autocratic and self-centred leadership style. Figures like Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and Professor Hafiz Abubakar—who even resigned as Deputy Governor to demonstrate loyalty—raised these concerns long before they became widely acknowledged.

    Kwankwaso would be wise to stop issuing coded messages that could provoke damaging disclosures. The stakes are high.

    Ultimately, the decline of Kwankwaso’s political dynasty is not the result of external opposition but internal decay. A movement built on control rather than mutual respect cannot endure. The ladder that lifted him was kicked away rung by rung—not by enemies, but by the memories of those who felt used, discarded, and betrayed.

    What we are witnessing today may not be betrayal at all—but karma, long delayed, finally coming full circle.

    In the final analysis, leaders are judged by their outcomes, not just their platforms. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision engages the present and invests in the future – it’s not about rejecting the past. When intentions are clear and service is key, change is a step forward, not a betrayal.

    •Abba Dukawa,

    Abuja.

  • Strategies for power, energy and security

    Strategies for power, energy and security

    • By Engr Bright Mills

    Sir: Nigeria is blessed with abundant energy resources: oil, gas, sunshine and human capacity yet the average citizen lives with darkness, high fuel prices, and growing insecurity. This contradiction raises a painful question: Why does a resource-rich nation struggle to meet its most basic needs?

    When private electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) took over from the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Nigerians were promised efficiency, improved supply, and expanded generation. Instead, the situation has worsened. Electricity has become more expensive, more unreliable, and increasingly beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

    At the time of privatization, expectations were high that power generation would move far beyond the long-standing 5,000 megawatts. Years later, this goal remains largely unmet. What has grown instead are estimated bills and tariffs that do not reflect actual consumption, further burdening households and small businesses already struggling in a tough economy.

    Electricity infrastructure handed over to the Discos was built with taxpayers’ money, yet consumers continue to pay for inefficiency; worse still, most Discos lack the financial and technical capacity to provide basic necessities such as free prepaid meters for customers.

    Against this backdrop, there is a strong case for rethinking Nigeria’s power sector structure. One practical solution is for the federal government to revive NEPA as NEPA Plc, in partnership with global electricity giants such as Siemens and ABB. These companies possess the technology, experience, and capital needed to modernize Nigeria’s power grid and expand generation sustainably.

    Read Also: Five strongest currencies in Africa as of January 2026

    Under this model, Discos that wish to operate should be required to build and maintain their own power infrastructure, rather than relying on assets that belong to Nigerian taxpayers. A stronger, restructured NEPA Plc would also have the capacity to provide free prepaid meters, eliminating estimated billing and restoring trust between consumers and power providers.

    Additionally, government should liberalize the importation of prepaid meters. Allowing consumers to purchase meters independently will encourage competition, drive prices down, and protect citizens from exploitation.

    Nigeria’s oil and gas sector also needs bold incentives that prioritize local production and affordability. The federal government should offer a 40 percent discount on gas and crude oil prices priced in Naira to investors willing to build refineries and gas-powered plants in Nigeria.

    Such a policy would attract more players into the sector, reduce reliance on imports, lower fuel prices, and ultimately bring down the cost of goods and services. Affordable energy is not just an economic issue, it is a direct pathway to reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

    No discussion about development is complete without addressing security. The rising insecurity across the country has shown clearly that the current centralized policing structure is overstretched and ineffective. The implementation of state police has therefore become a matter of urgency.

    Governors are expected to secure their states, yet they lack the authority and operational control to do so effectively. Decisions are dictated from the centre, a situation that contradicts democratic principles and weakens local response to security challenges.

    While the current president remains in office, decisive action must be taken. This is the time to act to make haste while the sun shines so that Nigeria does not end up “looking for a black goat in the night.”

    Nigeria does not lack ideas, resources, or capable hands. What is required now is political will, people-focused policies, and the courage to break away from failed systems. Power, fuel, and security are not luxuries; they are foundations of national progress. Until they work for the ordinary Nigerian, true development will remain out of reach.

    •Engr Bright Mills,

    <brightmills@yahoo.com>

  • Lingering poser on Maga kidnap

    Lingering poser on Maga kidnap

    In the early hours of Monday, November 17th, 2025, terrorists struck at Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State, and herded off 25 pupils into captivity. The abductees have since been rescued. But it isn’t yet a closed matter, because there was a question about the handling of intelligence that remains.

    On the heels of the abductions, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris demanded a probe into sudden withdrawal of security operatives from the school shortly before armed men stormed in to kidnap students. Military personnel had been posted at the school on the strength of Intel obtained ahead of the incident. Speaking in Birnin-Kebbi, the governor described the abductions as particularly unfortunate because the state government received prior intelligence and took proactive remedial steps. “When we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting. The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school,” he said, adding: “Military men were deployed, but they later withdrew by 3:00a.m. and by 3:45a.m. the incident happened.”

    Governor Idris, who spoke at separate audiences with Defence Minister of State Bello Matawalle and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, said the state wanted thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding the security operatives’ withdrawal. “Who authorised the military to withdraw? How did security personnel pull out at such a critical hour? We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave the order,” he stated.

    Read Also: Five strongest currencies in Africa as of January 2026

    More than two months after, the spurious security manoeuvre remains unexplained. A faith-based civil society group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), lately rehashed the poser, wondering why relevant authorities were yet to make findings from probes into the issue public. MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement, argued that the governor did his part with the Intel received, just as those who deployed soldiers to the spot. “But somebody somewhere issued a counter-order for withdrawal of soldiers guarding the school.”

    He further stated: “Who could it have been? A fifth columnist within the army? A signals expert among the leadership of the terrorists who succeeded in decoding the military’s signals and subsequently sent a deceitful message to those on guard? By the way, what kind of change of guards ever occur at 3a.m.? If soldiers are to withdraw from guard duty, is it not strange that the departing guards did not wait to see those who would take over from them before leaving? Even ordinary neighbourhood guards know this simple security protocol.”

    Akintola recalled that both Defence Headquarters (DHQ) authorities and the Senate through its committee on security instituted probes into the occurrence. “Nigerians want to know why both DHQ and the Nigerian Senate are yet to make their findings into the mysterious withdrawal public. Nigerians demand transparency in this matter. Heads must roll on this reckless abandonment,” he said inter alia.

    Hardball can’t agree more.

  • Ogun @ 50: Leading the way in governance and grace

    Ogun @ 50: Leading the way in governance and grace

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    Ogun State is poised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its creation—a landmark historical milestone. This celebration, however, is more than just the passage of time; it is a tribute to the remarkable achievements that have established the state as a leading light in the country.

    By divine providence, Ogun State has the distinct honour of being the home of peerless political leaders and globally renowned scholars. The collective contributions of eminent icons and pioneers, such as the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Dr Tai Solarin, Chief (Dr) Moses Majekodunmi, the Kutis, Shofelas, Akintola Williams, and Ernest Shonekan, among others, laid the bedrock for the progress we celebrate today.

    Known as the cradle of Nigeria’s intellectual and political elite, the state’s journey has been shaped by the combined advantage of its geographical location and the brilliance of its people. Indeed, the enduring contributions of its human endowment remain the heartbeat of this 50-year success story.

    To honour the pioneering spirit of our founding fathers, celebrate five decades of socio-economic and intellectual leadership, and catalyze a new era of innovation and inclusive growth for all citizens of the Gateway State, we must all see this event as a call to action. Let us unite to build a legacy that will inspire the next generation. As we cross this historic threshold, let’s turn the next 50 years into an era of unprecedented industrial and cultural prosperity.

    For the youth, the next 50 years belong to you. Let the achievements of our icons fuel your ambition. Rise with Ogun at 50. For a 50th-anniversary celebration, emphasizing the youth is vital because they are the ones who will carry the state through the next 50 years. As the education capital of Nigeria, the youth are the most significant stakeholders in this Golden Jubilee.The foundations laid by our founding fathers—and strengthened by current leadership—were built specifically to serve as your launching pad. With the highest concentration of tertiary institutions in the nation and a rapidly expanding industrial landscape, Ogun State provides you with the tools to compete, not just locally, but globally. As we celebrate 50 years of history, we are, in truth, celebrating the beginning of your era. Seize the opportunity, innovate with purpose, and carry the torch of excellence forward.

    READ ALSO: SL Akintola: Time is a healer

    The 50th anniversary of Ogun State is a testament to what vision and continuity can achieve. For you as tomorrow’s leaders, the good foundation laid by our leaders is now visible in our tech hubs, our industrial zones, and our classrooms. You are the sons and daughters of giants like Soyinka and Awolowo; greatness is in your DNA. This Jubilee is a call to action. Leverage our status as Nigeria’s industrial hub, take up the mantle of ethical leadership. The building of the Ogun State of 2026 starts today.

    Fifty years ago, a path was cleared. Today, that path has become a highway of opportunity. Both past and present leaders have ensured that the youth of Ogun State do not start from scratch, but from a position of strength. Whether in the arts, sciences, or commerce, the Gateway State stands ready to support your ambitions. You are the heartbeat of our future—let us build the next half-century together.

    We must acknowledge that progress is a relay race where each leader passes the baton to the next. Crucially, the visionary stewardship of both past and present leaders has established a robust foundation, ensuring that the youth of Ogun State are well-positioned to inherit a future of boundless opportunity. From the pioneers of 1976 to the innovators of today, our leaders have consistently prioritised building a sustainable legacy that empowers our young ones to reach global heights. Built on the wisdom of the past and the drive of the present, the foundation of Ogun State is now a launching pad for the dreams of our next generation.

    The dedication of both past and present leaders has laid an enduring legacy for the future of our youth, ensuring that the Gateway State remains a beacon of hope and excellence for generations to come.

    As the state with the highest number of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the future is already paved for the progress of our youth. The emerging tech hubs and digital literacy programmes for young entrepreneurs serve as a competitive advantage.

    Additionally, the state’s industrial growth provides jobs through the massive industrial hubs in Ota, Agbara, and Sagamu.

    Despite the unique diversity of its people, Ogun State remains bound by a common vision of economic prosperity. Acknowledging this diversity is important because Ogun State is famously composed of several distinct sub-groups-Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa, Awori, etc, who, despite their different dialects and traditions, have built a powerhouse economy together.

    Each of these sub-divisions has made specific contributions to the state’s collective success. The pioneers of  enlightenment which Ogun State is known for are largely from the Egba people. They are historically the firsts in many categories of Nigerian development. In their unique contributions, they served as the entry point for Western education and Christianity in Nigeria. They produced the first indigenous newspaper in Nigeria (Iwe Irohin) and established Abeokuta as a fortress of resistance against colonial and regional invaders. Olumo Rock, the iconic symbol, which represents resilience and refuge, defines the Egba spirit.

     The Ijebu division is the commercial heartbeat of the state, known globally for their business acumen and fiscal discipline. They pioneered modern banking and massive indigenous trade networks that still sustain the state’s economy today. They host the Ojude Oba Festival, one of Africa’s biggest cultural celebrations, which has become a major tourism revenue generator for the state. The Awujale’s Palace remains a symbol of one of the oldest and most organized monarchies in Yorubaland.

    Remo land, including Sagamu, Iperu, and Ikenne, is where the state’s political philosophy and industrial strength intersect. It is the birthplace of the Awoist philosophy of free education and social welfare, which defined the Western Region and modern Ogun State. It hosts massive manufacturing plants (like Coleman Cables and Lafarge Cement) and the Gateway International Airport (GIA), positioning the state as a global logistics hub. The Awo Legacy at Ikenne, signifying intellectual and political leadership.

    Formerly known as Egbado, the Yewa people occupy the western frontiers and are the guardians of the state’s international borders. They provide the state’s food basket, specializing in large-scale agriculture, particularly cocoa, cassava, and timber. Their strategic position on the border with the Benin Republic facilitates the cross-border trade that earns Ogun State its Gateway title. Its

    iconic symbol is the Yewa River, which gave the division its name and symbolizes life and continuity.

    The Awori people around Ota, Agbara and the Egun around Ipokia provide the vital links to the Lagos economy and the Atlantic. They transformed Ota into one of the largest industrial clusters in Africa. If Ogun is the industrial hub of Nigeria, the Awori land is its engine room.

    The Egun bring a rich maritime and salt-processing heritage, along with the vibrant Tongeji Island, and Zangbeto culture, adding a unique coastal dimension to the state’s identity.

    As we stand on the threshold of our Golden Jubilee, we look back not as a collection of separate towns and tribes, but as one indivisible family bound by a shared heritage.

    Our strength lies in our Unity in Diversity. We are the intellectual depth of the Egba. We are the commercial brilliance of the Ijebu. We are the industrial grit of the Remo. We are the boundless fertility of the Yewa. We are the manufacturing might of the Awori and the cultural vibrancy of the Egun. Separately, we are proud divisions; but together, we are Ogun State—the heartbeat of the nation and the gateway to the future.

    The foundation laid by our sages and sustained by our present leaders has prepared us for this moment. As the sun rises on our next fifty years, let us pledge to build a state where the dreams of our youth find a home, where our economy knows no limits, and where our leading light never dims. Fifty years of history. Five divisions of strength. One vision of prosperity.

    While boasting a rich tapestry of sub-ethnic diversity, the people of Ogun State remain indissolubly united by a singular vision of shared economic prosperity and industrial growth. In Ogun State, diversity is our strength. Beyond the varied traditions of our people lies a common, unwavering commitment to making the Gateway State a bastion of economic opportunity.

    Transcending its unique cultural diversity, Ogun State remains united by a common drive for economic advancement, cementing its role as the nation’s industrial powerhouse.

    Though our people represent a beautiful mosaic of traditions and dialects, we are unified by one common goal: the pursuit of lasting economic prosperity for every citizen.

    It is this unity of purpose that continues to drive our state toward a future as bright as its illustrious past.

    While our people represent a unique tapestry of cultural diversity, Ogun remains a leader in the Nigerian federation. For inclusivity, the leadership ensure that every group within the state feels seen and part of the historial achievements we all celebrate.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun occupies a unique position as the chief host of this epoch-making event, showcasing his administration’s achievements and vision for the state’s future. His leadership has been marked by significant progress in infrastructure development, human capital growth, and economic transformation, earning him recognition as a visionary leader.  His leadership ensures that the state’s legacy is not only preserved but propelled into a new era of prosperity.

    He will forever be known as the Jubilee Governor. The Gateway International Airport is a 50-year dream being realized under his watch. Over the last six years, he has elevated Ogun’s status to the  number one industrial destination of choice in Nigeria. He is the guardian of this milestone, overseeing a period where the state’s industrial and intellectual heritage is being transformed into a sustainable, global success story.

    As he nears the end of his term in 2027, Abiodun’s legacy is being cemented as a champion of progress and development in Ogun State.

    • Ogbonnikan is a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Ogun State Governor on Media

  • The quick wins Tinubu’s state visit to Turkiye

    The quick wins Tinubu’s state visit to Turkiye

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday arrived in Ankara, the state capital of Türkiye, to commence a historic state visit. On Tuesday, before a grand reception at the Presidential Palace, T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a visit to the President at his suite.

    President Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Palace, where a resplendent ceremony was held to welcome him. After inspecting the guard of honour, the President and his host, President Erdogan, went into a private meeting for bilateral talks.

    President Tinubu’s visit holds immense significance, and happening at a time, the nation is gaining global attention for very good reasons. Nigeria has regained its natural place in the league of nations.

    Nigeria is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 50 Turkish companies operating in the country and with investments totalling over $400 million. Nigeria’s exports to Türkiye were $504.67 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

    The visit is not a jaunt or a leisure run, but a historically, economically, diplomatically, and security-wise consequential visit.

    Some of the quick wins, viz-a-viz the memoranda of understanding, signed, include:

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    1. Agreement on defence cooperation. Türkiye is a Middle-Eastern power with advanced defence capabilities and some success in combating terrorism. Nigeria, as a strategic partner, is strengthening its relations with Türkiye in this regard.

    2. Joint declaration establishing the economy and trade joint committee.

    3. Agreement in the field of Halal quality assurance.

    4. Cooperation in the field of higher education.

    5. Cooperation in the field of media and communication.

    6. Cooperation in the field of diaspora policy.

    7. Cooperation in the field of education.

    8. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy.

    9. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Family and Social Services and Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Women Affairs.

    Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the urgency of collaboration among global partners in tackling today’s existential problems for tomorrow’s security, peace, and progress.

    “How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy? How do we ensure peace in the world?” Nigeria’s President said.

    “We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation.”

    President Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye earns our nation another dividend in trade, defence, and diplomacy.

    • Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

  • Free meters: Why electricity consumers may pay the price

    Free meters: Why electricity consumers may pay the price

    Sir: A few days ago, the Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu directed electricity consumers in Nigeria not to pay for the installation of meters. He also warned that any Distribution Company (DisCo) that violates this direction will face serious sanctions. This announcement raised a lot of controversy, with some DisCos reportedly describing it as a mare political statement. However, my main concern is: who ultimately bear the consequences? There is a proverb that says, when two elephant fight, the grass suffers. In this case, the “grass” is the Nigerian electricity consumer.

    To understand the situation properly, let us examine the core issue at the centre of the disagreement – metering.

    There are currently two major metering schemes in Nigeria.

    The first is the Meter Asset Provider (MAP), this was introduced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulation (NERC) in May 2019 under the MAP regulation. The aim is to bridge the metering gap in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Under this arrangement, the customer pays upfront for the meters while the DisCo refund the cost gradually through monthly energy token. We will come back to this later!

    The second is the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) this is the free metering initiative, yes, it is free of charge. The DISREP is a $500m metering initiative funded by the World Bank and supported by the federal government of Nigeria. It aims to deliver 3.4 million smart meters nationwide at no direct cost to customers across Nigeria. However, just like the MAP Scheme, DisCos are expected to repay the cost of these meters over a period of ten-years. DisCos are also responsible for distribution, installation and maintenance of these meters within their franchise states.

    It is at the installation stage that the current controversy arises!

    Read Also: Nigeria’s Back-to-Farm initiative

    Let us get to the crux of the matter.

    On Thursday, the minister of power made it clear that no consumer should be charged any meter installation fee under the DISREP metering scheme, he describes such charges as illegal. On the other hand, the DisCos fired back insisting that the minister’s comments are mare political statements. They argued that, the meters may be funded under the programme, however, installation cost remain a critical operational expense.

    So when this happens, from the customer point of view, it will be interpreted as the unwillingness on the part of the DisCos to meter consumers or to slow down the metering pace. From the DisCos perspective, their major challenges lies in, cost recovery and financial sustainability as well as policy consistency by the government and regulators. They argued that if meter are provided and there is no fund for installation, the DisCos may likely face revenue losses which may affect their abilities to maintain infrastructure and improve service to their customers.

    While the federal government objectives is clearly to close the metering gap and ensure fair billing, however, lack of alignment with DisCos could unintentionally delay the very benefits the policy seeks to deliver.

    For Nigeria to close it metering gap, there is need for collaborative policy implementation between the regulators, government authorities, Discos and meter providers and installers. They must all agree to work together to establish a clear and sustainable funding framework that covers both meter procurement and installation.  The federal government on its part must design a financial framework that will balance customers’ interest with the sector financial sustainability.

    The ultimate goal is to provide meter to all electricity consumer in Nigeria.

    •Abubakar Ibrahim, PhD, Kano.

  • Why 2027 will not resemble 2015 or 2023

    Why 2027 will not resemble 2015 or 2023

    Sir: The coming election will not resemble either 2015 or 2023. Those contests were defined by sharp oppositional energy, moral narratives, and the promise of decisive change. In contrast, 2027 is shaping up to be a quieter, more cautious affair.

    It will not primarily be a battle of platforms or even personalities, but a contest over who is perceived as institutionally alignable. Candidates will be judged less by ideological clarity or rhetorical force and more by their perceived capacity to govern without friction, maintain elite consensus, and operate credibly within administrative and security architectures.

    This shift does not signal authoritarian closure, it reflects elite risk aversion within a strained and uncertain system. Portable mandates thrive in contexts where institutional neutrality is contested and where the costs of opposition are unevenly distributed. In such environments, politicians seek safety not in ideology but in alignment.

    Mass defection should be understood not as scandal but as communication. Defection signals recognition that a politician understands where authority is consolidating and intends to remain governable within it. This is not betrayal in a moral sense, but adaptation within a system where opposition carries asymmetric costs and where institutional hostility can be more consequential than electoral defeat.

    The more interesting democratic question, therefore, is not why politicians defect, but why mandates can survive such movement without structural consequence. Why do voters’ choices remain formally valid even as their representatives re-anchor those choices elsewhere? That is the deeper puzzle raised by portability.

    Mandate portability is uneven across the country. It follows distinct regional logics, shaped by history, elite structure, and the relationship between state and society. In the North, portability is normalised as a mechanism of access rather than ideological repositioning. It is vertically organised, mediated through recognised elites and validated by proximity to the centre.

    Defection here reflects a political culture in which representation is judged by the ability to secure resources, protection, and institutional recognition for constituencies within a highly centralised state. Alignment is often interpreted pragmatically as representation itself. By 2027, northern politics is likely to prioritise continuity of access over oppositional symbolism, making defections appear procedural rather than shocking.

    In the Southwest, mandate portability operates elite consensus. Political competition here is intense and ideologically expressive, though underwritten by strong informal networks and a tradition of negotiation beneath public contestation. Mandates travel not because ideology is absent, but because elite convergence frequently overrides party boundaries once elections conclude.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Turkiye target $5b trade, pact against insurgency

    In the Southeast, portability is shaped by structural vulnerability. With weaker access to federal power and a long history of political exclusion, elected officials in the region often operate under heightened institutional exposure. Defection is frequently a survival strategy aimed at reducing hostility, securing developmental space, or avoiding isolation within national power structures. Such moves are often experienced by constituents as abandonment, deepening mistrust between voters and representatives. Unless credible institutional pathways for opposition are strengthened, this disconnect is likely to intensify by 2027.

    In the South-south, mandate portability is entangled with resource negotiation. Politics in the oil-producing states operates within a distributive framework in which access to federal decision-making matters more than party identity. Defection is typically framed as a strategy to maximise returns, protect local elite arrangements, and remain relevant within fiscal negotiations. Mandates move because resources do, and representation is evaluated in material rather than ideological terms. As fiscal pressures mount, this pattern is unlikely to change.

    If Nigeria’s democracy is operating with portable mandates, electoral reform must address post-election accountability rather than voting logistics alone. Party reform must confront why platforms fail to anchor behaviour. Civic engagement must extend beyond election days into sustained institutional oversight. Naming the system accurately is the first step to reforming it.

    Nigeria’s democracy is not collapsing. It is evolving, unevenly and quietly, in ways for which existing language is inadequate. By 2027, the central question will no longer be whether Nigerians can choose their leaders, but whether they can still hold mandates in place once chosen.

    •Lekan Olayiwola,  lekanolayiwola@gmail.com

  • Deception of early rain: Navigating 2026 farming season

    Deception of early rain: Navigating 2026 farming season

    Sir: As we enter the 2026 planting cycle, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a stern warning that every farmer and policymaker must heed: do not be fooled by the “pseudo-rains.”

    The recent heavy downpours witnessed in parts of the South and West are not the heralds of the growing season, but a climatic mirage. Vincent Weli, NiMet’s Director of Weather Services, has been clear: these rains are unlikely to last beyond two weeks, and a harsh dry spell is set to follow. For a farmer, planting now is not an act of faith; it is a gamble against the odds that could lead to total crop failure.

    Historically, farmers relied on ancestral wisdom, the behaviour of migratory birds or the flowering of specific trees to time their planting. But in an era of rapid climate change, these traditional calendars are being shredded. We are seeing delayed Harmattans and erratic “false starts” to the rainy season that traditional methods can no longer predict with 100% accuracy.

    NiMet has significantly modernized, recently launching an AI Research and Integration Team to sharpen their forecasting. Yet, a gap remains between the high-tech satellite data in Abuja and the man with the hoe in a rural village.

    Read Also: World Customs hails Nigeria’s report on ports efficiency

    To survive 2026, the relationship between the forecaster and the farmer must shift from “command and control” to a partnership of understanding. Farmers should view NiMet’s bulletins not as mere weather reports, but as economic advisories.

    NiMet is scheduled to release the full 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on February 10. This document is the “Bible” for the year. It will detail the length of the growing season and identify which regions face drought or flood. If the forecast predicts a shorter season, farmers must pivot to drought-resistant or early-maturing seed varieties rather than sticking to the “usual” crops.

    Meteorology is a science of probability, not prophecy. While NiMet’s accuracy has improved to international standards, the “last mile” of communication is where the system often falters. We cannot expect a smallholder farmer to navigate a complex PDF on a website; they need a clear, actionable text message: “Do not plant maize this week. Dry spell coming in 10 days. Etc.”

    The 2026 season poses a significant risk to national food security. The Ekiti State government’s recent advisory, urging patience despite early rains is a model of proactive governance that other states should follow.

    Agriculture is no longer just about hard work; it is about data-driven decision-making. As we wait for the official February 10 outlook, the message to our farmers is simple: Keep your seeds in the barn. The sky may be crying, but the earth is not yet ready to give life.

    •Michael Adedotun Oke, Gwagwalada, Abuja.