The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • African leaders visit to Trump’s White House

    African leaders visit to Trump’s White House

    • By Pius Okaneme

    Sir: The presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal were recently invited to the White House by President Trump for a purported business meeting with Africans. The first impression that comes to mind is why would Trump lump African leaders in one meeting as if they are bad products that are priced together in the open market. Is it conceivable that he would have done the same for European leaders? His action evidently manifested the cheap currency with which he rates the black race. He could not deem it necessary to prioritize the unique values each African country brings.

    This mind-set did not fail to reflect in the manner in which he conducted the state visit. The atmosphere of the meeting was devoid of the seriousness required to treat the issues pressing to the leaders at the table. Trump instead busied himself with frivolities as if wanting to be entertained by some court jesters. As a result, the highlight of the meeting shown across the world was the moment he chose to embarrass the president of Liberia. He insistently with his smug smile asked the leader where he learned to speak English so well.

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    Lost to him is that English is the official language of Liberia. Perhaps, he was bent on perpetuating his cynicism that nothing good can come from Africa. If he loved the polished manner with which President Joseph Boakai spoke English so much, he could have complimented him quietly. Instead, he boisterously suffocated him for an answer in the openness of a state meeting and before the salacious eyes of the television cameras.

    Trump’s shameful encounter in the White House with President Cyril Ramaphoza of South Africa was apparently not enough. He wanted to seize the opportunity of the capture of five African leaders before the T.V. camera to drill in his distaste for the continent. His confrontation with President Ramaphoza during their meeting where he presented the doctored video claiming that South Africa was maltreating their white citizens would have been an epic show of poetic justice. It will present for the first time Africa abusing the white race. Only that the act was a figment of his villainous imagination.

    The progress Africa seeks will not come from the hands of the exploitative masters of deceit. Africa should dig for her resources with her hand in collaboration with the fair-minded global partners to expand her business interest for a maximum gain.  

    •Pius Okaneme,

    Umuoji, Anambra State

  • ‘We are Ukwuani; not Igbo’

    ‘We are Ukwuani; not Igbo’

    • By Chukwunalu Eke

    Sir: At various time and period, Ukwuani people has been referred as “Mid-Western Ibo”, “Bendel Ibo”, “Delta Ibo”, more recently “Anioma Igbo”, and the hilarious one is “Ndokwa Igbo”, all these they call us.

    Yet our ancestors do not tell that story. Our language does not sing that tune. Our panegyric did not extol that and even one of Africa’s earliest voices in world literature Olaudah Equiano confirms what history remembers and what identity demands: Ukwuani is not Igbo. Let me be clear, I’m not denying a connection. There is, of course, a history of interaction between Ukwuani communities and the Igbo to the east. Trade routes. Intermarriages and shared markets. But contact does not equal kinship and linguistic similarities as convenient as they are for census officials and lazy ethnographers are no substitute for shared history, culture, or ancestral memory.

    Olaudah Equiano, the 18th-century African abolitionist and author, gives us the earliest insider testimony of Ukwuani society. Born in Essaka (Ashaka), believed by scholars and local historians to be in today’s Ukwuani territory, Equiano wrote a vivid description of his homeland in his famous 1789 autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. He describes his community’s governance system, rituals, religion, marriage customs, and funeral rites in intricate detail. The society he presents with its chieftaincy, its ancestor veneration, its agricultural spirituality bears little resemblance to the spiritual-political structure of the Igbo Nri kingdom or the Aro priesthood. But it is this line that seals the argument: “These people are called Eboe in the West Indies; but in my country we call them Ibo. They differ from us in many customs…”

    They differ from us, that simple phrase is not casual. It is decisive. It shows that even in the 1700s before colonial borders and census distortions Equiano’s Ukwuani-speaking people recognized the cultural distinction between themselves and the Igbo, even if outsiders lumped them together under a single name.

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    This is the voice of a man born into Ukwuani memory, not a colonial label. It is the oldest recorded voice of an Ukwuani son saying clearly: We are not them.

    Ukwuani is linguistically categorized within the Igboid language group, but it is distinct, much like how Dutch is close to German yet is never considered German. But here’s the deeper truth: language is not identity. The Fulani of Nigeria speak Hausa in many communities, yet no one dares to call them Hausa. The Jukun of Taraba, many of whom speak Hausa fluently, are never labeled Hausa by ethnicity. Language can be adopted. But ethnicity is inherited. And the inheritance of the Ukwuani is indigenous and distinctive.

    From traditional governance to cosmology, the Ukwuani worldview stands apart, The Okpala system of seniority and ancestral authority has no parallel in Igbo society. The Iyi and Ukwata festivals center on water spirits and fertility cycles, rooted in a riverine spirituality alien to the inland Igbo cosmology. Ukwuani naming conventions, marriage rites, burial traditions, and even musical instrumentation bear more resemblance to other Niger Delta and Edoid cultures than to the Igbo across the Niger.

    An observation often made is that the internal structure of Ukwuani society,  its age-grade system, taboos, and social obligations, aligns more closely with Benin and Urhobo traditions than with those of the Igbo.

    So why, despite all this, does the Igbo label stick?

    Because colonialism in its endless appetite for simplification drew maps not with memory, but with mouths.  British administrators in the 20th century, hearing the superficial similarity between Ukwuani and Igbo, collapsed both under one administrative term. It was convenient. It helped missionaries develop teaching tools. It served the census. And it served political interests after independence, when numbers meant votes. But this was a linguistic fiction not a cultural fact.

    The time has come to say, confidently and clearly: We are Ukwuani, not Igbo. We have our own language, not a dialect. We have our own gods, our own governance, our own memory. We have Equiano, whose name should be on our school gates and university signs as our first witness. This is not separation. It is self-respect. Let our children grow up knowing who they are not, who they were mislabelled to be.

    •Chukwunalu Eke,

    Ogume, Delta State

  • The abuse of honorary doctorate degrees

    The abuse of honorary doctorate degrees

    • By Kayode Awojobi

    Sir: It has become both amusing and concerning to witness individuals who receive honorary doctorate degrees from obscure or questionable institutions parade themselves with an air of superiority. Many waste no time attaching the “Dr.” title to their names on social media, at public events, and even in official documents, as though they earned it through years of rigorous academic pursuit.

    Sadly, what many fail to understand is the depth of work, intellectual discipline, and personal sacrifice that genuine doctoral candidates undergo to earn a legitimate degree.

    In respected academic circles, honorary doctorate degrees are not awarded carelessly. Prestigious universities confer them sparingly, as a symbolic recognition of significant and verifiable contributions to society, whether in humanitarian services, scientific innovation, public leadership, the arts, or other impactful fields. When a reputable institution bestows a honorary doctorate, it serves as a public acknowledgment of real achievement, not a tool for self-promotion.

    Unfortunately, this noble tradition has been commercialized and debased by lesser-known or outright dubious institutions. Today, honorary degrees are frequently offered to anyone willing to pay or trade shallow publicity. This trend has not only cheapened the honour but has also misled many into believing that the title itself confers inherent prestige, regardless of how it was obtained.

    Even more troubling is how this trend has crept into religious circles. Both Christian and Islamic religious leaders are increasingly guilty of the same malpractice. Among some so-called “men of God,” unregulated theological institutions—many of which barely qualify as Bible schools, award so-called doctoral degrees after six months of superficial training. Graduates from these schools emerge flaunting titles like “Doctor of Pastoral Ministry,” deceiving their followers and the broader public. Islamic scholars, too, are not exempt from this embarrassing development.

    Academic cleansing must not be limited to conventional universities. Regulatory scrutiny should extend to religious institutions where academic titles are now being dished out casually. If those flaunting such honorary titles understood the long hours, intellectual rigour, and sacrifice required to earn a true doctorate, perhaps they would approach such titles with the humility they deserve or refrain from using them entirely.

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    The situation has grown so alarming that notable voices in the academic community have begun to speak out. Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), recently condemned the indiscriminate award of honorary degrees by some universities. Speaking at an investiture ceremony at the University of Ilorin, he lamented how these awards are being handed out without proper scrutiny, undermining the credibility of the academic sector.

    Interestingly, Nigeria need not look far for solutions. In Ghana, the Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) recently issued a directive banning individuals from publicly using honorary doctorate or professorial titles, warning that violators would face public exposure and potential legal action. GTEC described the practice as unethical, misleading, and damaging to the integrity of Ghana’s academic system. It emphasized that such titles should not be used to misrepresent one’s academic standing.

    Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC), as the regulatory body overseeing university education in the country, must take proactive steps to address this growing menace. Its role should not be limited to course accreditation alone. The NUC should establish strict guidelines for the conferment of honorary degrees, including mandatory vetting of proposed recipients to ensure that only deserving individuals are honoured.

    Furthermore, the National Assembly should consider enacting legislation to regulate the conferment of honourary degrees, especially by institutions not directly under NUC oversight. Many politicians, businesspeople, religious leaders, and other public figures now flaunt unearned honorary titles, acquired through questionable means, without consequence. Such laws could help restore sanity and protect the sanctity of academic titles.

    If Ghana can take decisive steps to safeguard the integrity of its academic system, Nigeria certainly can and must follow suit.

    In the end, honours are meant to be earned, not bought. Let us restore the dignity and value of academic titles. Titles should reflect merit, not marketing.

    •‘Kayode Awojobi,

    Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

  • Centring care for maximal healthcare

    Centring care for maximal healthcare

    • By Ibanga Inyang

    Imparting compassion in the process of healthcare can amplify the benefit of the act. The limitation of only physical professional or mental competence output during care act is aptly portrayed by the following two short testimonies.

    About 12 years ago, a man in a foreign country who had been under medication for several years for chronic multi-morbidities lamented – “I live daily on medicines they give me, but I die every day from their lack of showing affection for me”. This man learnt “caring” from the unsavoury side.

    Contrast this with my anecdotal glow, six months ago in my country over 4000 kilometres away from the episode above. I was not feeling well, so I lumbered into a roadside pharmacy shop in my town of residence (Uyo) to buy some drugs. I also requested that my blood pressure be measured. The young woman in the shop who attended to me agreed, measured my blood pressure and told me the reading. I screamed because of what I thought I heard – “180 over…?” The young woman promptly and affably corrected me – “No, I did not say 180 over…, God forbid; that is not your portion; I said 130 over….”

    In my local residence culture, the pronouncement of “God forbid,” or “not your portion,” evinces the acme of goodwill, passion and supportive spirituality. It was not the correct but dispassionate yield of the healthcare apparatus that afforded me leaving the point of service with the veritable sprint of a healthy teenager (despite my old age!), it was the empathy shown by the health worker. Combined with a compassionate heart of the care provider, the therapeutic effect of the fingers was enhanced and care ingrained in the service.

    In medical terms, care connotes the way and process of looking after or holistically paying attention to sustain the person in health and the life-course of value. It may entail the deployment of appropriate materials and technology, and ensuring that opportunities are not missed to provide a continuum of crucial interventions (including disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support on healing pathway).

    Centring care “is a patient-focused approach. It is a healthcare model that places the patient at the centre of decision-making. It emphasises the importance of building a strong relationship between the healthcare provider and the patient for effective care.”

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    The onus of implementing the ideals of person-centred care, though subject to the social determinants of health, falls on the health workers at various professional or vocational levels, and in diverse care delivery settings. Examples of the social determinants of health, which can influence health equity in positive and negative ways, include: income and social protection, education, unemployment and job security, working-life conditions, the environment, non-stigmatization, early childhood development, social inclusion, non-discrimination, and access to affordable health services of decent quality. In some environments, the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choice in influencing health.

    Patient-centred care impels regarding every person who seeks or needs care as unique with peculiar attention imperatives. But there is this important question of how the health worker advanced into the healthcare system; that it was not the allurement of the prestige of the medical field, transactional consideration of material gains or just an employment opportunity, but a noble commitment to serving humans with wholesomeness of the heart and mind.

    Are best performing care outcome providers made, or born as such? The motive may not be discernible through conventional aptitude tests for admission into training institutions. This discourse focuses on medical education and the provider determinants of health care because person-centred care actors, health and social care professionals, can operate synergistically and collaboratively with people who need and use their service acts. This carevice approach minimises the veracity of the viewpoint that “often, health care does ‘to’ or ‘for’ people rather than ‘with”

    An initiative of any work-frame entity to re-invigorate and revitalise care acts in the overarching health care system is plausible, to state the least consideration. It is an aspirational thrust in exploiting and catalysing innovative and coordinated definitive solutions to factors that raise challenges inherent in formalising a person-centred health care approach. Such an initiative would be a transformative investment for humanity.

    In this discourse, a logical framework of creative interventions aggregated in four pillars of integrity has the viable prospect of driving the initiative to achieve its aim. The synergistic pillars are medical education, clinical settings, community landscapes, and evaluation configurations. These four pillars encompass all the facets and domains of the act of caring, from doctrine conceptualisation and curriculum formulation through policy and practice, to research.

    Of course, there will be the challenge of articulating indicators of variables specific for compassionate heart and mind, without impugning the integrity of the sensitivity of the composite and overall yardstick for measuring quality of healthcare content and outcome, in a setting or context of interest. Furthermore, in the context of centring care, the norms and values that are ingredients of medical ethics may not be expressed in a way that is direct and clear in the curriculum of medical education at various levels. Some may even be regarded as antithetic to some aspects of professionalism and not amenable to check-list-based assessment in the care process. But centring care entails reversing the decline of empathy during the care act. Thus, the initiative to strengthen the centring care pathway may entail disrupting some apathetic perspectives and practice inclination.

    The social determinants of health can influence care access process and outcome in some negative or unfavourable ways. Those negative elements may be assuaged by the positive provider determinants of care. These positive provider determinants include kindness, longsuffering, humbleness of mind, meekness, forbearing the care receiver, charity as the bond of caring and not as ostentation. Others are paying attention to perceived or expressed needs, respecting the care target person and reducing health and social pressure where the demands from these can be modified by provider’s voluntary inconvenience and emotional support. These provider determinants do not compromise professionalism or legalism, or quality of care; nor imply circumvention of quality drivers and assurance.

    Evidence and anecdotal experience support the perception that there is a need to implement patient centred care more purposefully in the health care pathway. Some elements of care centring have been highlighted. One challenge is how to measure the contribution of compassionate hearts as a discrete factor or positive contributor in the care outcome. But there is the adage that “what gets measured gets done.”

    This is also an opportunity to practicalise the much-vaunted “bottom-up approach.” In this case, defining “centring care” in conceptual and operational terms, enunciating discrete indicators from a detached view point, using this cache or charter of indicators to measure compassion attributes and contribution to care outcome, its contribution to long duration healthy living, and entrenching these tenets in the training formats and educational curriculum.

    •Inyang, a medical practitioner, writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

  • Veteran of gerontocracy

    Veteran of gerontocracy

    Cameroonian President Paul Biya has just reinforced his country’s gerontocratic order with a declaration to seek an eighth term in office at the next presidential election. The 92-year-old could remain in power till close to 100 years of age if he has his way at the poll scheduled for 12th October, and if he lives out a new term.

    Biya, Africa’s second-longest-serving president after Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, is reputed as the world’s oldest head of state presently. Not that his health is so robust, as he frequently falls ill and travels abroad for medical attention. Last year, there were speculations he had died when he disappeared from public view for 42 days. The government denied the rumour and claimed he was fine, but it banned further discussion of his health, saying it was a matter of national security.

    The nonagenarian came to power in1982 following the resignation of his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo. He is the second president since Cameroon’s independence from France in 1960. In the more than 40-year-rule, his government faced allegations of corruption and a secessionist movement in the country’s English-speaking region that has forced thousands out of school and triggered deadly clashes with security forces. Biya scrapped term limits in 2008, clearing the way to run indefinitely, and he won his current term in 2018 through an election in which opposition parties – perhaps typically so – alleged widespread fraud.

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    It was in 2018 Biya first used the social media to announce his candidacy for that year’s presidential contest, marking a rare direct engagement with Cameroonians on digital platform. He had recently been posting frequently on his verified X handle in a build-up to the latest announcement. In a post last Sunday in both French and English, he told his citizens: “I am a candidate in the presidential election,” adding: “Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face.” His re-election bid had been widely anticipated since he fixed October 2025 for the new poll, but not formally confirmed until Sunday’s post.

    Members of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) and other supporters have since last year publicly called for Biya to seek another term. But opposition parties and civil society groups argue that his long rule has stifled economic and democratic development. Two former allies have quit the governing coalition and declared their own plans to run for the presidency. “President Biya’s announcement to run again is a clear sign of Cameroon’s stalled political transition. After over 40 years in power, what the country needs is renewal – not repetition. Cameroonians deserve democratic change and accountable leadership,” a human rights advocate and lawyer was reported telling The Associated Press.

    In a country of 28.4 million people, you would wonder if there is so much lack of new vigour and capacity as to warrant a would-be centenarian ruling the turf.

  • Buhari: A call for reflection, forgiveness, and prayer

    Buhari: A call for reflection, forgiveness, and prayer

    Sir: The recent passing of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has stirred diverse reactions across the nation. As expected in the wake of a leader’s death, emotions are high ranging from solemn prayers to bitter criticisms.

    Yet in moments like this, we must ask ourselves: where is our humanity? Where is our sense of compassion, especially when a life, no matter how controversial, has ended?

    Leadership is never easy. No matter how well-intentioned, no leader can satisfy the needs of every citizen. Some will gain much, others little and some nothing at all. That is the nature of governance, shaped not only by vision but by circumstances, limitations, and often, factors beyond human control.

    Even the most capable of leaders make mistakes not out of malice, but simply because they are human. And no human is perfect.

    Throughout his tenure and even after leaving office, President Buhari often expressed regret and openly asked for forgiveness from the people he served. He acknowledged that he may not have gotten everything right, and in doing so, he displayed a rare humility.

    Sadly, many have continued to rain down curses, mockery, and abuse on him even after his death. Some have even rejoiced, believing his end marks divine retribution. But this attitude is not only unjust; it is dangerous.

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    The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”

    The principle is clear, especially when it comes to the deceased. None of us is promised tomorrow, and we do not know who among us is next to stand before our Creator.

    What legacy will we leave behind? Will we be remembered with prayers or with scorn?

    Rejoicing over someone’s death, no matter their mistakes, is a sign of a hardened heart. It reflects a failure to recognize that one day, we too will lie in silence, helpless and dependent solely on the prayers and mercy of others. If we desire forgiveness in our own final hour, should we not offer the same to those who came before us?

    To those still consumed with bitterness and anger, I urge you to let it go. Let the dead rest. What has happened is now between him and his Lord. No amount of insults will change the past, but your prayers might help soften your own heart and open doors of mercy for you in this life and the next.

    And to all Nigerians, I say this: forgive, not because they deserve it, but because you seek forgiveness from the One above. Pray for others, because one day, you will crave those prayers for yourself. And know that whatever good or evil you sow in this world, you will surely reap its harvest.

    May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive the shortcomings of our former president, Muhammadu Buhari. May He accept the good he did, overlook his mistakes, and reward him with eternal peace. May Allah admit him into Al-Jannatul Firdaus and shower his family and the entire nation with patience and comfort.

    •Hussaini Ahmed Kumshe, Maiduguri, Borno State

  • Is Nigeria forfeiting its future?

    Is Nigeria forfeiting its future?

    Sir: A properly oriented and educated mind is free from the shackles of servitude. It’s an essential institution that every society must prioritize to secure a good future for itself. Yet, in Nigeria, the very foundation of enlightenment seems to be crumbling, threatening our nation’s continuity.

    A recent incident vividly illustrates this alarming decline. Popular TikTok streamer, Habeeb Hamzat, famously known as Peller, held a live session where he announced a need for a cameraman. His astonishing clause? Applicants must possess at least a Master’s degree for a monthly remuneration of N500,000. The most disturbing part? Over 20 graduates were seen applying for the role, with Peller—a self-proclaimed dropout who struggles with grammatically correct English—interviewing them live on his platform.

    This wasn’t just a quirky viral moment; it was a stark mirror reflecting the trying times for education in Nigeria, where most youths are losing interest in hard work and genuine learning. While these graduates paid the immense financial and non-financial costs of tertiary education, they now find themselves vying for a position under someone who openly disdains the very path they pursued.

    Consider the Islamic Golden Age: the Middle East flourished as the world’s intellectual centre because scholars were utilized and empowered to contribute to society’s development. People from Europe flocked there, becoming scholars themselves after tapping into the ocean of knowledge that resided in that enlightened world. This era thrived because society appreciated the essence of knowledge.

    What happens when a nation’s youth, the very workforce of tomorrow, have already lost interest in education—the same way they’ve abandoned crucial handicrafts like plumbing, carpentry, and bricklaying? It means that Nigeria’s economy could worsen significantly in the next 30 to 40 years. The Peller interview with Master’s degree holders isn’t just a setback; it highlights that Nigerian society, today, no longer truly cherishes knowledge or those who seek it.

    Just as it is happening to many American youths, young people in Nigeria are increasingly pursuing wealth without struggle or hard work. But fortunately for the American government, it possesses the wealth and ability to attract global talent (including, ironically, from Nigeria) to compensate for this trend. What, then, will become of our Nigeria in the future?

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    This is an issue that gravely threatens Nigeria’s continuity. If nothing is done, Nigeria risks becoming indistinguishable from a nation with a perpetually underdeveloped population, unable to innovate or compete.

    The government must act. Firstly, it needs to provide meaningful employment for graduates with attractive remuneration, making education a worthwhile investment. Furthermore, if the government cannot control how its citizens are utilizing popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, then the federal government and legislative bodies should enact policies for these platforms to monitor user activities and the information they disseminate.

    But the responsibility isn’t solely governmental. Parents and guardians, as well, need to educate the young people under their care that knowledge is not merely a means to attain wealth; rather, it is a wealth in itself. Government agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) need to organize enlightenment programs on the vital importance of education and knowledge.

    Nigerian youths need to understand that the only true wealth that will always remain with a sound mind is the knowledge acquired during one’s youthful era. This is the light that must not be extinguished.

    •Somoye Abdusalam O.Lagos

  • Buhari’s interment: It’s business as usual, again

    Buhari’s interment: It’s business as usual, again

    Sir: With the burial rites of late president, Muhammadu Buhari concluded, the political class is already shifting its attention back to familiar territory: the race for 2027. The air is thick with renewed scheming, alliances are being formed and broken in whispers, and the focus is no longer on legacies or service but on power, positions, and personal gain.

    The deaths of three former presidents, Sani Abacha, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and now Muhammadu Buhari should have been sobering moments for Nigeria’s ruling class. These were powerful men who held the nation in their hands, yet death humbled them, suddenly and unceremoniously.

    Abacha died in power, without warning, at the peak of his dictatorship. Yar’Adua, despite his gentle disposition and vision, was consumed by illness amid political controversy. And now, Buhari, who ruled Nigeria for eight years, departs after a retirement that was meant to be peaceful but was ultimately brief and surrounded by mixed legacies.

    Yet, none of these events have served as cautionary tales. The message that power is fleeting, and life itself is uncertain, continues to fall on deaf ears. Nigerian politicians act as though they are immortal, and as though elections are guaranteed and that tomorrow is promised.

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    Now that Buhari has been laid to rest, the masks are off. Political godfathers are returning to the drawing board. The loud calls for reform and nation-building that briefly followed his death have already quieted. Behind the scenes, familiar deals are being struck, and old rivalries are reigniting. Even as Nigeria bleeds from inflation, insecurity, and unemployment, the ruling class is focused on zoning formulas, endorsements, and backroom meetings. It is business as usual, a vicious cycle of politics without purpose.

    Do these politicians ever pause to reflect on their mortality? Do they consider that, like those before them, they too might never live to see the next election? The obsession with 2027 ignores the truth that death is no respecter of ambition or office. What legacy will they leave if their end comes suddenly?

    Nigeria doesn’t lack leaders; it lacks reflection, humility, and long-term vision. The political elite has turned democracy into a deadly game of thrones, where public service has become self-service.

    The burial of Buhari should have inspired a moment of national soul-searching. Instead, it has become just another news cycle, quickly replaced by the fever of political jostling.

    As 2027 approaches, it is clear that the same old playbook is in use. Nigerian politicians continue to ignore the lessons of history, the inevitability of death, and the urgent need for change. But for how long can a nation keep spinning on this cycle of ambition and forgetfulness?

    •Tochukwu Jimo Obi, <jimobi83@gmail.com>

  • Troubling refinery review

    Troubling refinery review

    Money spent by the Federal Government to rehabilitate Nigeria’s refineries, which had been inoperative for years, may well have gone down the drain. The new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari, who was appointed in April, said the refineries may be sold.

    “We’re reviewing all our refinery strategies now,” Ojulari was reported saying at the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria. He added: “sale is not out of the question.”

    Interestingly, in November 2024, NNPCL declared that it had revived the 60,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Port Harcourt refinery in the Niger Delta. In December 2024, the company said it had resumed some operations at its 125,000 bpd Warri refinery, also located in the Niger Delta, which was shut down in 2015. There was understandable excitement, especially in Nigerian government circles.

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    However, the revived refineries failed to deliver the expected result and continue to have issues.  The country’s oil problems had been partly blamed on the four inactive state-owned refineries with a combined capacity of 445,000 bpd, including the 110,000 bpd Kaduna plant in the north and another one in Port Harcourt with a capacity of 150,000 bpd.

    Following President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy when he assumed office in May 2023, which led to sharp increases in fuel prices, making the problematic refineries operational was expected to lower fuel costs.   The high fuel cost resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy is among the identified major factors responsible for the cost-of-living crisis in the country.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was reported to be investigating the disbursement of $1,559,239,084.36 to the Port Harcourt refinery, $740,669,600 to the Kaduna refinery, and $656,963,938 to the Warri refinery. The commission said it was “a case of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.”

    The Federal Government has been accused of staging the revival of the refineries to deceive the public. Indeed, some observers argue that it was a waste of money trying to rehabilitate the refineries in the first place.

    Were the refineries repairable, to start with? If they are, why did the money spent on rehabilitation not achieve the intended result?  The ongoing corruption-related investigation should be comprehensive and thorough, leaving no room for untouchable suspects.

    A further question is whether they can attract buyers if a decision is taken to sell them.  The picture of futile rehabilitation efforts and unsellable refineries is a grim one indeed. 

  • Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    Nigeria’s BRICS partner status and initial gains

    • By Tunde Rahman

    President Donald Trump never ceases to amaze with his haughty and self-aggrandising governance style, endless huffing and puffing, brinkmanship, and tendency to weaponise America’s often-stated exceptionalism and unilateralism.

    Last weekend, as member states of the fledgling association of the Global South and a growing economic bloc, otherwise called BRICS, were holding their 17th Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, Trump threatened to impose a fresh tariff hike on them, labeling the group a gang-up against America.

    He warned that any country aligned with the policies of the BRICS alliance that diverge with US interests, would be hit with an extra 10% tariff. “Any country aligning itself with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on his Truth social media.

    Trump’s threat emerged after BRICS members criticised US tariff policies, proposed some reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and discussed how major currencies are valued. After the two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS Finance Ministers issued a statement criticising tariffs as a threat to the global economy. They noted that they have brought “uncertainty into international economic and trade activities.”

    Trump has always been disdainful of the BRICS since its formation. In 2024, he threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they moved ahead with their currency to rival the US dollar. After the association’s recent meeting, he uttered the same threat, saying members of the group were out to de-legitimise the US dollar.

    The BRICS nations must demonstrate unity of purpose in responding to President Trump. More than ever before, they need to be focused, act in unison, and continue to harp on their collective interest. It’s just as expedient that BRICS members demonstrate they are driven by the need to get a fair deal for their countries within the international system, and that the association is by no means a gang-up against America.

    BRICS was designed to enhance the member nations’ economic interests and promote their international standing. This may be interpreted as a push against the US and Western Europe, but BRICS nations also have a responsibility to pursue and defend their interests.

    In this context, one key advantage of BRICS nations is their large population, which translates to a bigger market. BRICS member states account for more than half of the world’s population.

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    Last year, the list of BRICS member countries expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In January this year, Nigeria became BRICS’ ninth partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

    Because of this partner-country status, President Bola Tinubu attended the 17th Summit of BRICS last week at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. The Nigerian leader arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, July 4. The next day, July 5, he went into a bilateral meeting accompanied by some of his ministers and governors with the Brazilian leader and some of his cabinet members.

    Along with the President, cabinet members, including Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture; Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment; and Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; and Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), participated in the summit.

    State governors such as Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger) were also present at the bilateral talks.

    During the meeting, President Tinubu informed his Brazilian counterpart, Lula Da Silva, that all bottlenecks hindering the agricultural sector’s potential, including livestock production, would be removed to enhance food security and exports.

    Noting that bureaucracy and administrative hiccups contribute to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s well-acknowledged potential, the President disclosed that Nigeria was already undergoing reform to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already has a comparative advantage.

    Discussions at the meeting centred mainly on agriculture, including livestock development, environment, aviation, trade and investment, and the Green Initiative, which designs climate-positive migration solutions for addressing climate change risks, market challenges, and innovation opportunities.

    All the technicalities in actualising the agreements between Nigeria and Brazil, according to President Tinubu, will be streamlined and fast-tracked in areas of trade, aviation, energy transition, food and agricultural development, as well as mining and natural resources exploration.

    President Lula, on his part, promised that all agreements with Nigeria would be regularised, and MOUs would be updated and signed without delay during President Tinubu’s next visit to the country. He also pointed out that the lingering bureaucratic delays between the two countries would be removed for quick results.

    Brazil has recorded tremendous achievements in research and development. The country is easily regarded as one of the top global producers of food and other agricultural products. President Tinubu’s visit demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to establish a strong partnership with Brazil to tap into this feat to stimulate growth in food production and animal husbandry.

    However, on Sunday, July 6, while addressing the BRICS summit, President Tinubu restated his position on global trade, international financing, climate change, and healthcare, as well as his belief in and support for BRICS. The President advocated a re-evaluation of the current global financial system and healthcare distribution, calling for more consideration, equity, and inclusion for the poor and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

    According to President Tinubu, environmental degradation, climate crisis, and inequalities in the healthcare system deserve more attention, as they contribute to hindering growth and development in Third World countries.

    At the Summit, President Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s support for the position of BRICS on the need to focus on collective, fair and equitable global development. “Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard here today, and all that has been taking place in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and re-evaluation of the global structure,” he told the BRICS member–states, pointing out that environmental deprivation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities were shared concerns pertinent to Africa.

    “Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” the President said, adding: “The African continent is creating the path through the African carbon market initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that eventually, COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to embrace a healthy global environment strategically.”

    Nigeria, the world’s sixth-most populous country and one of Africa’s major economies, undoubtedly shares convergent interests with other BRICS members.

    President Tinubu affirmed this much: “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making. So, issues such as financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental ruin, and global healthcare must be resolved. We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 per cent of our population in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution.

    “We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with global renewal framework and achieving universal health coverage for all.”

    It is instructive that President Tinubu has used every opportunity on the international scene to demand an equitable global trade, accessible financing, sustainable technology transfer, and climate justice. He canvassed the same issues while addressing the 78th United Nations’ General Assembly in New York in September 2023, at UN Climate Change Conference, otherwise called COP28 in Dubai, United Arabs Emirates, in January 2024 and at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, also in January 2024, where he was represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, among other international forums.

    Indeed, the gains of attending the recent BRICS Summit and President Tinubu’s friendship with President Da Silva are already manifesting in many respects. Firstly, on the heels of President Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, visited Nigeria this year to build on the agreements reached between Presidents Tinubu and Da Silva, particularly on the Green Initiative.

    Secondly, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, met with his counterpart from Brazil, where he was informed that President Lula had given a firm directive to Brazilian agricultural institutions and companies to invest heavily in Nigeria.

    Even back at home, the impact has been no less.

    On June 25, 2025, the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer represented by Dr. Dahiru Mohammed officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Brazil’s renowned Campos Group to provide technical expertise for the Irrigate Nigeria programme.

    For some years now, agriculture has been among the highest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP. This collaboration is thus a big boost for Nigeria’s quest to strengthen the agricultural value chain and reduce import dependency through large-scale technology-enabled farming. Campos Group, known for its central role in Brazil’s agricultural revolution under the PRODECER Programme, brings over four decades of expertise in developing irrigated agricultural zones and transforming previously under-utilised lands into thriving agro-industrial hubs.

    There is much more. But to further reinforce these agreements and consolidate the initial gains, signing a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Brazil has become imperative. This is an ample pathway to bilateral cooperation in various aviation areas, including maintenance, mutual flight operations, and environmental certification. We can glean from the foregoing what a full membership of BRICS would yield for Nigeria. Notwithstanding President Trump’s misguided threat, it will help the country reap the full benefits of associating with the group.

    • Rahman is Senior Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.