The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Before the next ‘Biafra Day’

    Before the next ‘Biafra Day’

    Businesses were paralysed again last Friday as residents of cities and communities in the South-east region stayed indoors in apparent commemoration of 2025 ‘Biafra Day.’ Not that they were voluntary commemorators. Many residents obliged the directive by proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), to sit at home to avoid potential consequences of defiance. Meanwhile, the region loses monumentally in forfeited revenue every time commerce gets suspended.

    IPOB has for many years asked South-east residents to stay indoors on May 30th in honour of fallen heroes of the stillborn Biafra Republic. That directive was over time enforced by violence, with supposed members of the separatist group using lethal means to make residents sit at home as directed, resulting in many deaths. There has been de-escalation in enforcement vigour over recent years. But the dread of rogue enforcers lingers with most residents, making them err on the side of caution whenever the separatist group calls another sit-at-home.

    That was the case last Friday with government offices, banks, schools, marketplaces, motor parks, shopping centres, filling stations and restaurants paralysed and streets deserted as residents kept indoors in South-east states. Media reports cited some residents attributing the apparent compliance to fear of violence outdoors, while some said they used the day to rest after busy schedules earlier in the week.

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    A resident was reported saying the day could well be adopted as a cultural landmark region-wide to appease the historical sensibility of the people. “There’s nothing wrong for governments of South-east states to declare a public holiday every May 30th for Biafra Day. If it were in the South-west, their leaders would have pressed the Federal Government to declare a national holiday… Why must soldiers, police and other security agencies take on youths in the South-east because of Biafra Day? By so doing, people will continue the agitation and tension will persist,” he argued.

    Imo streets were deserted despite heavy security presence across the state and admonition that the residents should go about their normal business chores. Traders who spoke with journalists said they stayed away to avoid attack on their business premises under whatever guise; even when Imo police command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, pledged readiness by security agencies to ensure safety of lives and property. “Joint security operatives have been strategically deployed across the 27 council areas of the state. These operatives are currently undertaking intensive confidence-building patrols and operation show-of-force to deter criminal elements and reassure members of the public,” he said.

    It seems obvious that while separatist actors have lost the hearts of residents of the region, they rule their minds with fear of the unknown. Authorities in the South-east must thus find what works to dispel this fear and free the people to operate their normal lives, so the periodic haemorrhage on the regional economy is stopped.

  • The AFRICOM Commander

    The AFRICOM Commander

    The name of the man in the picture is General Michael E. Langely.

    He is an American.

    He is a General in the U.S. Marine Corps.

    He is the Commander of AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand).

    He is an enemy of all Pan Africanists & African nationalists.

    He is an enemy of all people of color and all true progressives.

    He is a tool of the western imperialists that seek to continue to subjugate and enslave Africa, milk us dry, supress our people and undermine, discredit, eliminate and destroy every progressive leader and force that rises on our continent.

    He has called for the removal and elimination of Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the Head of State of Burkina Faso, accusing him of stealing the gold belonging to his people.

    He has criticised numerous other African leaders and sought to rubbish their efforts.

    He is only comfortable with African leaders that work for the CIA or that tremble and bow before the west.

    When the history of Africa is written the malodrous name of this mendacious Yankee will be clothed with scorn and opprobium.

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    He will be remembered as one of the most shameless and notorious house negros that ever lived, and his name will be synonymous with that of the pitiful and grovelling Norwegian World War II Minister of Defence and Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling, the self-hating and self-denigrating Aunty Jemimah leader of the British Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch and the servile black American lickspittle and fictional character known as Uncle Tom.

    As obnoxious as his earlier interventions on Africa have been, the man just keeps spewing rubbish.

    His latest outing took place on May 27th during a television interview on Kenya’s Citizen TV.

    With all the arrogance he could muster he said, “I have talked to a number of Ministers of Defence and Presidents and told them we were assessing. If we are that important to you, you need to communicate that and we will see.”

    After getting his nose-bloodied by millions of Africans for attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of a number of African countries and making the most outrageous and asinine claims about their leaders, this creature now comes up with this.

    Such unadulterated arrogance and pristine insolence coming from the conflicted and confused commander of a western imperialist army turns the stomach!

    Can someone tell me who the hell he thinks he is, who invited him to Africa in the first place and who and what he is assessing?

    He must really think that all Africans are fools and that we do not know his real mission and purpose. What a nerve! Did we invite you here in the first place? Has your nefarious and sinister prescence in any way bettered our lives?

    In the case of Nigeria, despite all our appeals and attempts at collaboration, you and your superiors in Washington have refused to help us in our war against insurgency and terrorism for the last 15 years!

    Instead, you have sought to castrate, weaken, shame and silence us. You have left us to fight Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and ISWAP, three of the most deadly terrorist organisations in the world, all alone.

    You have refused to give us the intel that we need. You have refused to sell us the arms and equipment that we asked for.

    You have refused to either give us access to your satellite intel or share it with us.

    You have done NOTHING for us in Africa except make empty promises, give us lessons about how to run our nation and live our lives and disparage and undermine our leaders.

    Worse of all, you have sought to introduce regime change and destabilise many African governments through the clandestine and nefarious activities of your CIA and its sister agencies.

    You have covertly encouraged and empowered the terrorists because their activities suit your purpose and the only way you can justify your unconciable neo-colonialist disposition and imperialist prescence is by arming them and telling us that you are here to help us to fight them and to protect your so-called strategic national interests.

    This is a classic case of what is known as a Hegelian dialectic. You create the problem, you wait for the reaction and then you offer the solution. This is how the Western hegemons have always behaved.

    The Englisman David Icke rightly describes your behaviour as the “PROBLEM/REACTION/SOLUTION formula” which succesive western governments have used to control and ultimately destroy many nations in the Middle East, Africa and indeed the global south.

    The truth is that YOU are the source of ALL our problems. We need you like we need poison! We need you like we need ebola! We need you like we need P. Diddy’s “freak offs”!

    We need you like we need AIDS, COVID and cancer all rolled into one! We need you like we need a garbage dump. We need you like we need rats and cockroaches.

    Let me be clear. The tide has turned. Africa has come of age! Africa is no longer your football that you can kick up and down the field for pleasure.

    Africa is no longer your little slave girl who you rape, plunder and pillage at will.

    We can and will solve her own problems, fight our own battles, choose our own leaders and forge our own destiny.

    My advice to you is to carry your invading force, get the hell out of our continent and NEVER come back!

    We remember what you did to Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara, Silvano Olympio, Kwame Nkrumah, Muammar Ghadaffi, Gamal Nasser, Laurant Gbagbo, Murtala Mohammed, Jerry Rawlings, Ahmed Ben Bella, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Mandela and so many other great and powerful men and visionary leaders of our great and beautiful continent.

    We remember how you undermined ECOMOG and brought it to its knees.

    We remember how you destroyed North Africa and the Sahel, how you shattered East Africa and established Al Shabab and how you destabilised southern Africa and supported the Boers.

    You and those that sent you to our shores are cruel, cold-hearted and insincere and you have nothing to offer but death, misery and destruction.

    In the name of God leave and allow us to become that which God has ordained us to be.

    • (Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, a lawyer, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism of Nigeria and a former Minister of Aviation of Nigeria)

  • Between President Bola Tinubu and Napoleon Bonaparte

    Between President Bola Tinubu and Napoleon Bonaparte

    By Gboyega Amoboye

    President Bola Tinubu is a man of history.  In politics, he is as skillful as Charles Talleyrand, the French Foreign Minister at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and as smart as Metternich, the  Austrian  Foreign Minister  at the same Congress. Though France  was vanquished, Talleyrand was able to play the victorious  European countries that defeated Napoleon against each other to the advantage of France. Where Napoleon Bonaparte has failed, Tinubu has succeeded. Any wonder he is always a step ahead of his challengers including Baba Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, the over bearing Ebora Owu. He outsmarted Obasanjo in the battle for the  control of Lagos State in 2003.

    To Baba Obasanjo’s suprise Tinubu became the first Yoruba he could not stop from becoming President. He had stopped  the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1979 and said Abiola was not the expected Messiah after the annulment of the June 12 1993 Presidential election. Obasanjo tried in vain the “Orubebe formula” to get the election of President Tinubu annulled in 2023.

    As destiny  would have it President Tinubu has become the undisputed champion in the running battle between him and Obasanjo. It may be inadvertently, the President proves that a new Sheriff is in town.  He reverted to the old National Anthem rested by then Obasanjo before leaving office as Head of State in 1979.

    Baba is fond of renaming  National Monuments as if the masquerade is to blame and not the face behind it.  For instance, he changed the logo of the Nigerian Airways from a flying Elephant to Eagle. In the first Republic, Nigeria operated a less expensive Parliamentary System. But was replaced with the Presidential System of today. Perhaps with a new Sheriff  it may be goodbye to Egypt soon.

    A skilful politician per excellence, President Bola Tinubu is likely conversant with “Owe Akala, Oju a t’urari” meaning the proverb of Akala, destiny may bring us together again. Many of us might have read the popular Alawiye by J.F Odunjo in our primary  school days.

    Akala is a bird. When caught in a hunter’s snare, it pleaded with the hunter to spare its life because destiny might bring them together again. Indeed the future came too soon when it was only Akala that could save the life of the hunter.

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    Where political shylocks  would demand a pound of flesh, President Tinubu  remembers  ‘owe Akala’.

    Statesman, is a word often abused. The press in particular is guilty of labelling anybody a statesman even if devoid of credibility. Statesmanship should be associated with nobility. President Bola Tinubu demonstrated  nobility by ordering the reopening temporarily, the PDP secretariat along with others, shut down by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom for non payment of tenement rates. While as expected some opponents of PDP might be rejoicing over it’s travail, the President demonstrated Statesmanship. All his political career, the President has never been found wanting in humanity.

    He was as good as becoming the President of the Senate in 1992 but conceded it to the North and settled for Senate Leadership even though President Babangida was from the north.

    In the course of the race for the APC Presidential Primaries  in 2023, even when it became obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari was against his candidacy, Bola Tinubu remained unperturbed. He focused on the ball when it should have been pay back time having helped Buhari to power in 2015.

    However if Buhari had forgotten the past, many other political associates never did. Party stalwarts including Governors defied Buhari to stand with Tinubu. This is where he   succeeded, where Napoleon failed. Napoleon once cartooned as the butcher of Europe, never spared his victims. But he never read Alawiye so he was not conversant with Owe Akala. It was therefore  an opportunity for eight European countries to unite against him at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 where France was defeated and Napoleon sent out of  history, where Tinubu is finding allies even in his ‘grateful enemies’.

    In Israel, we were shown the house of the ‘bonus lastrus, good thief’ as the thief on the right hand side of Jesus at crucifixion is called. So there are equally good enemies.

    The gale of defections to the APC from other political parties is a demonstration of appreciation and trust reposed in the President. This does not mean it would lead to one party system.The Peoples Democratic Party is too strong to die just yet, but would remain a god with a foot of clay.

    While his predecessors from Ibrahim Babangida held on to funds raked in from fuel subsidy withdrawals, Tinubu shares the money monthly among States and local governments to enable them develop their people and alleviate poverty.  Unfortunately many state governments are yet to cope with the expectations of the President for an even development of the country.

    Obviously defectors to APC might have realised that more time is required to build a nation where other political opponents are clamouring for a change of government after two years out of four in the first instance. While some critics may be eager to quote development in Singapore under President Lee Kuan Yew they have failed to note that it took him 31 years to build a country of just 5.7m people.

    As one congratulates Mr. President on the halfway journey, it is two years down, two up and the future belongs to the Almighty. God’s speed Your Excellency.

  • Climate change: The disproportionate impact on developing nations  

    Climate change: The disproportionate impact on developing nations  

    • By Adebayo Adeleye

    Climate change is a global issue, but its impacts are felt disproportionately by developing nations. The struggle and disappointment between wealthy nations and developing nations are rooted in the unequal distribution of climate change’s burdens and benefits.

    The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change

    Developing nations are more vulnerable to climate change due to their limited resources, infrastructure, and economic resilience. They are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, from more frequent natural disasters to droughts, heat-waves, and rising sea levels. The World Bank reports that the lowest-income countries, which produce only one-tenth of global emissions, will bear the brunt of climate change’s impacts, including increased poverty, hunger, and displacement.

    The Role of Wealthy Nations

    Wealthy nations, on the other hand, have contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, yet they are not taking adequate responsibility for their actions. The recent COP29 deal on climate finance, which offered a paltry $300 billion from rich nations, has been met with disappointment and frustration from developing nations. This lack of commitment to climate finance is exacerbating the struggle between wealthy and developing nations.

    The Need for Climate Justice

    Climate justice is essential to addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on developing nations. This requires wealthy nations to take responsibility for their emissions, provide adequate climate finance, and support developing nations in their efforts to adapt to climate change. Climate justice also involves recognizing the rights and dignity of vulnerable communities and ensuring that their voices are heard in global climate negotiations.

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    The Way Forward

    To address this disproportionate impact of climate change and the struggle between wealthy nations and developing nations, we need to prioritize climate justice and equity. This requires:

    Increased climate finance: Wealthy nations must provide adequate funding to support developing nations in their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

    Technology transfer: Wealthy nations must share their technology and expertise with developing nations to help them transition to low-carbon economies.

    Capacity building: Wealthy nations must support developing nations in building their capacity to adapt to climate change and develop sustainable economies.

    Global co-operation: We need enhanced global co-operation and coordination to address the global nature of climate change.

    Ultimately, addressing climate change requires a collective effort that prioritizes justice, equity, and human rights. We must work together to ensure that the burdens and benefits of climate change are shared fairly and that we create a sustainable and equitable future for all.

    Dr. Adebayo Matthew, Adeleye (Ph.D., Ibadan)

    Researcher on Environmental Pollution and Control

    badeleye@gmail.com  +234 803 525 6450

  • Controversial shutdown of Port Harcourt Refinery

    Controversial shutdown of Port Harcourt Refinery

    Sir: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently announced the shutdown of Unit 10 in Area 5 of the Port Harcourt Refinery (PHRC), officially citing sustainability concerns. However, the move has ignited a storm of controversy, with insiders suggesting a more troubling reality: the decision stems from the underperformance of the current operations and maintenance (O&M) contractor whose alleged inefficiencies have led to a complete halt in production.

    The official narrative from NNPCL frames the shutdown as important for operational maintenance. But before the shutdown, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria had said that the refinery had become “insignificant to the Nigerian petrol market, stressing that the plant did not produce petrol for about three months before its eventual shutdown.”

    According to multiple sources, the shutdown was precipitated as a failure to maintain consistent product quality and perform routine maintenance tasks. These shortcomings reportedly rendered operations unsustainable, forcing the unit offline. In addition, Unit 10 of Area 5 (old refinery) had only recently resumed stable operations after years of dormancy. The shutdown not only disrupts production but also casts a shadow over the broader rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt Refinery, one of Nigeria’s most vital energy assets.

    The roots of the current controversy trace back to July 2024, when Italian engineering firm Tecnimont successfully completed the rehabilitation and testing of the Area 5 infrastructure old refinery. The project was ambitious, involving the revival of facilities that had been inactive for over a decade. Tecnimont’s work culminated in the reactivation of Unit 10 in November of the previous year, following a prolonged fine-tuning phase.

    The plan was to gradually bring additional units—12, 14, and 17—online, thereby completing the full commissioning of Area 5. The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), acting through the Nigerian Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), appointed EPROM, an Egyptian O&M firm, to take over operations. This decision marked a significant departure from earlier directives that emphasised the need for an internationally recognised contractor. EPROM’s appointment has raised eyebrows across the industry.

    While technically a foreign entity, EPROM lacks a robust international portfolio. According to its own website (Projects – EPROM), its only projects outside Egypt are in Nigeria: The Port Harcourt Refining Company and the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company. This limited exposure sparked concerns about the company’s capacity to manage a facility as complex and strategically important as Port Harcourt’s refinery. The controversy deepens with allegations that EPROM is employing predominantly Egyptian personnel, many of whom reportedly lack valid Nigerian work visas. Only a handful of local workers—three or four—have been hired, according to internal sources.

    This situation appears to contravene Nigeria’s Local Content policies, which are designed to ensure that local communities benefit from industrial operations through employment and capacity building. The apparent disregard for these policies has drawn criticism from labour unions, civil society groups, and local stakeholders. The decision-making process that led to EPROM’s appointment remains opaque. Industry observers have questioned why a company with limited international experience was chosen over more established firms with proven track records.

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    The shutdown of Unit 10 has had immediate operational consequences. Production targets have been missed, and the timeline for bringing additional units online has been pushed back indefinitely. This delay threatens to undermine Nigeria’s broader energy strategy, which hinges on revitalising domestic refining capacity to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

    Port Harcourt’s situation is symptomatic of a broader pattern in Nigeria’s energy sector, where short-term decisions often undermine long-term goals. The preference for expedient solutions over strategic planning has, they argue, led to a cycle of underperformance and missed opportunities.

    As the shutdown drags on, pressure is mounting on NNPCL and PHRC to take corrective action. The shutdown of Unit 10 at the Port Harcourt Refinery has exposed deep fissures in NNPCL’s approach to managing its critical energy infrastructure. What began as a technical issue has morphed into a broader debate about contractor selection, local content, and institutional transparency. As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, one thing is clear: the decisions made today will shape the country’s energy future for decades to come. Whether the lessons of Unit 10 will lead to meaningful reform remains to be seen.

    •Patrick Edward Port Harcourt

  • Price of internet access in Nigeria

    Price of internet access in Nigeria

    Sir: In today’s digital age, internet connectivity is as essential as electricity and clean water. Yet, for many Nigerians, staying connected comes at a steep price, both financially and in terms of service quality.

    At the start of 2025, Nigerian telecom subscribers faced a significant 50% increase in tariffs on voice, data, and SMS services. This hike led to a decline of approximately one million internet users in February, as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Data consumption also dropped by 12% in the same month, reflecting consumers’ cautious usage in response to increased costs.

    The tariff adjustments were attributed to escalating operational costs for telecom operators, driven by factors such as high inflation, currency devaluation, and increased energy expenses. In 2023, MTN Nigeria reported losses of approximately N137 billion, while Airtel Africa experienced a 15.55% decline in Profit Before Tax, largely due to foreign exchange and energy-related losses.

    Despite the higher costs, service quality issues persist. The NCC identified data depletion and billing issues as the top consumer complaints in 2024. Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, noted that the complexity of tariff plans and the impact of high-resolution devices contribute to these concerns. To address this, the NCC issued a ‘Guidance for the Simplification of Tariffs,’ mandating operators to provide clear information on data plans and Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), acknowledged that many consumers are unaware of background data usage by smart devices, leading to unexpected data depletion. He emphasised the industry’s commitment to transparency. 

    The increased costs and service issues have led to a surge in subscribers switching networks. In January 2025, over 8,700 subscribers ported their numbers to different operators, a 190% increase from the previous month. 9mobile experienced the highest customer losses, while MTN, Airtel, and Globacom gained subscribers during this period

    Despite these challenges, the telecom sector saw growth in active subscriptions, rising to 169.3 million in January 2025. MTN led with 87.5 million subscribers, followed by Airtel with 57.6 million, and Globacom with 20.5 million

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    Nigeria’s telecom operators have made significant investments in expanding broadband coverage, with initiatives like 4G and 5G rollout, fiber infrastructure, and partnerships with global tech firms. However, these investments are often driven by profit, not inclusion.

    Despite NCC’s efforts to regulate pricing and improve service delivery, consumers regularly complain about data zapping, network downtimes, and non-transparent billing practices. Competition has done little to force down prices meaningfully, as all major players face similar infrastructural hurdles and operational costs.

    If Nigeria is serious about becoming a digital economy powerhouse, it must confront the high cost of connectivity head-on. This means investing heavily in: Rural broadband infrastructure; Affordable data pricing models; Improved electricity access; Consumer protection regulations.

    Public-private partnerships must be strengthened to reduce costs while maintaining profitability. Local innovation in satellite internet, community Wi-Fi, and solar-powered connectivity hubs must be encouraged and scaled.

    The internet fuels education, commerce, healthcare, and governance. For Nigeria’s youths, startups, and underserved communities, access to affordable and reliable internet can mean the difference between opportunity and exclusion.

    The cost of staying connected should not cost Nigerians their dignity, income, or peace of mind.

    It’s time we reframe internet access in Nigeria, not as a commercial commodity—but as a public utility, a human right, and a catalyst for national development.

    As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation, ensuring affordable and reliable connectivity is crucial. Stakeholders must collaborate to address infrastructural challenges, simplify tariff structures, and enhance service quality. Only then can the promise of a connected Nigeria be fully realised.

    •Don Pedro Aganbi getdonpedro@gmail.com

  • ‘Our journey not over, but direction is clear’

    ‘Our journey not over, but direction is clear’

    Text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech to mark the second anniversary of his administration.

    Fellow Nigerians, as we mark the second anniversary of our administration, I salute your resilience and undaunting spirit. Two years ago, you entrusted me with the sacred responsibility to lead our nation at a time of historic challenges. Together, we have faced these headwinds with courage and determination.

    The economic and general situation of the country I inherited required that we redirect the country’s affairs with a bold and new vision. I immediately implemented two necessary policies to stop our country from further drifting into the precipice. It was apparent that if the federal government and the other two tiers of government must remain viable and cater to the citizens’ welfare, we must do away with decades-long fuel subsidies and the corruption-ridden multiple foreign exchange windows. The two were no longer sustainable and have become a chokehold on our nation’s neck, strangling our nation’s future.

    While our administration has implemented the reforms to restore and reinvigorate our national economy and strengthen our social fabric as a strong and united country, I must thank my fellow citizens for your unrelenting support and belief in the grand vision we share to uplift our nation and renew our collective hopes and aspirations.

    We are halfway through the journey that began 24 months ago. Today, May 29, 2025, offers our administration the opportunity to share again how far we have gone and our progress in steering our country along the critical path of socio-economic development.

    When we embarked on this journey, propelled by a burst of hope and abiding faith in Nigeria’s unity and progress, I made a pledge before God and fellow countrymen and women to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding trust, fostering prosperity, and restoring our nation’s economic health. Today, I proudly affirm that our economic reforms are working. We are on course to building a greater, more economically stable nation.

    Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty.

    While implementing the reforms necessary to strengthen our economy and deliver shared prosperity, we have remained honest by acknowledging some of the difficulties experienced by our compatriots and families. We do not take your patience for granted. I must restate that the only alternative to the reforms our administration initiated was a fiscal crisis that would have bred runaway inflation, external debt default, crippling fuel shortages, a plunging Naira, and an economy in a free-fall.

    Despite the bump in the cost of living, we have made undeniable progress.

    Inflation has begun to ease, with rice prices and other staples declining. The oil and gas sector is recovering; rig counts are up by over 400% in 2025 compared to 2021, and over $8 billion in new investments have been committed. We have stabilised our economy and are now better positioned for growth and prepared to withstand global shocks.

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    In 2025, we remain on track with our fiscal targets. Gross proceeds per barrel from crude oil are broadly aligned with our forecasts as we intensify our efforts to ramp up production. Our fiscal deficit has narrowed sharply from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024. We achieved this through improved revenue generation and greater transparency in government finances. In the first quarter of this year, we recorded over N6 trillion in revenue.

    We have discontinued Ways & Means financing, which has been a major contributor to high and sticky inflation. The NNPC, no longer burdened by unsustainable fuel subsidies, is now a net contributor to the Federation Account. We are also achieving fuel supply security through local refining.

    Our debt position is improving. While foreign exchange revaluation pushed our debt-to-GDP ratio to around 53%, our debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. We paid off our IMF obligations and grew our net external reserves by almost 500% from $4 billion in 2023 to over $23 billion by the end of 2024.

    Thanks to our reforms, state revenue increased by over N6 trillion in 2024, ensuring that subnational governments can reduce their debt burden, meet salaries and pension obligations on a timely basis, and invest more in critical infrastructure and human capital development.

    One of our administration’s most impactful achievements is our bold tax reform agenda, which is already yielding results. By the end of 2024, our tax-to-GDP ratio rose from 10% to over 13.5%, a remarkable leap in just one year. This was not by accident. It results from deliberate improvement in our tax administration and policies designed to make our tax system fairer, more efficient, and more growth-oriented.

    We are eliminating the burden of multiple taxation, making it easier for small businesses to grow and join the formal economy. The tax reforms will protect low-income households and support workers by expanding their disposable income. Essential goods and services such as food, education, and healthcare will now attract 0% VAT. Rent, public transportation, and renewable energy will be fully exempted from VAT to reduce household costs further.

    We are ending the era of wasteful and opaque tax waivers. Instead, we have introduced targeted and transparent incentives supporting high-impact manufacturing, technology, and agriculture sectors. These reforms are not just about revenue but about stimulating inclusive economic growth.

    There is a deliberate focus on our youth, who a friendlier tax environment for digital jobs and remote work will empower. Through export incentives, Nigerian businesses will be able to compete globally. Our National Single Window project streamlines international trade, reduces delays, and enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness.

    To promote fairness and accountability, we are establishing a Tax Ombudsman, an independent institution that will protect vulnerable taxpayers and ensure the system works for everyone, especially small businesses.

    Most importantly, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable future by introducing a new national fiscal policy. This strategic framework will guide our approach to fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and disciplined spending.

    These reforms are designed to reduce the cost of living, promote economic justice, and build a business-friendly economy that attracts investment and supports every Nigerian. Together, we are creating a system where prosperity is shared, and no one is left behind.

    We have breathed new life into the Solid Minerals sector as part of our efforts to diversify the economy. Revenue has increased phenomenally, and investors are setting up processing plants as the sector dumps the old pit-to-port policy and embraces a new value-added policy.

    We have also repositioned our health sector despite all odds.

    Over 1,000 Primary Health Centres are being revitalised nationwide. An additional 5,500 PHCs are being upgraded under our Renewed Hope Health Agenda. We are establishing Six new cancer treatment centres. Three are ready. We offer free dialysis services in pilot tertiary hospitals and subsidise the service in others. Under the Presidential Maternal Health Initiative, over 4,000 women have undergone free cesarean sections. Lastly, we have expanded Health Insurance Coverage from 16 million to 20 million within two years.

    As a result of our bold and deliberate policies, the economy is growing stronger again. Real GDP rose by 4.6% in Q4 2024, with full-year growth of 3.4%. This is one of the strongest in a decade.

    Without a responsive and reliable national security infrastructure that can protect lives and properties, our economy will not perform optimally, and those who seek to harm us will impair and disrupt our way of life. Our administration is committed to the security and safety of our people. For our government, protecting our people and their peaceful way of life is the utmost priority.

    Since I assumed our country’s leadership, our administration has improved collaboration among security agencies, increased intelligence-driven operations, and better ensured the welfare of our armed forces and security personnel. I use this opportunity to salute the courage and everyday sacrifice of our service men and women. We may not always witness the tremendous efforts they make to keep us safe, but we benefit every day from the results of their dedication. Even if we do not thank them often enough, they willingly face danger so we can go about our lives freely and without fear.

    Our military, police, and intelligence agencies are committed to always responding to emerging security threats and new challenges because it is the patriotic duty they owe a grateful nation.

    Amid the new security challenges, we can report some successes. In some areas of the northwest, hitherto under the control of bandits, our gallant armed forces have restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods. With the success achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways, hitherto dangerous for travellers, have become safer. Our security agencies have succeeded many times in rescuing the abducted citizens from the hands of their tormentors. I promise you, we shall remain vigilant, as I told security chiefs during the last meeting to up their game and collaborate to end this plague of evil men. Every Nigerian deserves to live without fear.

    Outside of Security, we have prioritised human capital development as a central pillar of our national development strategy.

    To this end, we have significantly expanded access to quality education through infrastructure investments and the student loan scheme to support indigent students in tertiary institutions. Through the Renewed Hope Health initiative, our administration has begun equipping health facilities and deploying skilled personnel to unserved areas. We are also strengthening our response to public health threats and implementing targeted social investment schemes.

    Our youth empowerment initiatives include access to funds, skill development, and creating employment opportunities. Through our MSME support, we empower the next generation and bridge inequality. In our mission to empower the next generation, we have taken bold steps to place young Nigerians at the heart of national development. Nowhere is this more evident than at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), where the current management is making giant strides. NASENI has embraced a digital-first approach, introduced real-time dashboards, and implemented end-to-end e-procurement through its Unified ERP System—setting a new governance benchmark for public institutions.

    Through bold, high-impact programmes like Innovate Naija, Irrigate Nigeria, the Asset Restoration Programme, and the Renewable Energy and Innovation Park in Gora, NASENI drives inclusive industrialisation at scale. From assembling electric vehicles and reviving idle assets to launching Africa’s most advanced Rapid Diagnostic Kit Factory and training female drone engineers through the NASCAV programme, these initiatives are creating jobs, restoring dignity to work, and opening up a future of possibilities for our youth. This is the movement we promised—a government of action powered by the energy and innovation of young Nigerians.

    Agriculture and food security are top priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda. We have launched aggressive initiatives to boost local food production, support farmers, and stabilise food prices. We have also invested in mechanised farming by procuring thousands of tractors, other farming tools, and fertilisers.

    Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government has continued with major road construction and rehabilitation projects across all geopolitical zones, from the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, the 9th Mile-Oturkpo-Makurdi Road, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Oyo-OgbomosoRoad, Sokoto-Badagry Road, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Second Niger Bridge Access Road to Bodo-Bonny Road among hundreds of ongoing road projects across the country.

    We have launched initiatives to improve electricity generation by upgrading generation and transmission infrastructure and investing in off-grid solar energy to power our homes, business premises, industries, schools and hospitals.

    In the spirit of democracy and national renewal, we are preparing to welcome the world to Nigeria soon for the Motherland Festival. This landmark gathering will spotlight our rich heritage, dynamic creative industries, and the vibrant energy of our people. It will showcase Nigeria’s beauty through tourism, culture, and innovation, inviting the world to rediscover our nation.

    The Nigerian diaspora plays a vital role in our national transformation. Their expertise, investment, and global perspective are key to shaping the future we seek. In recognition, the government has introduced policies like the diaspora bond and the non-resident Bank Verification Number to make it easier for Nigerians abroad to invest, engage, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s progress.

    The Motherland Festival will bring together voices from across the continent and the diaspora in a decisive moment of unity and purpose, affirming that Nigeria is not only a leader in Africa but a committed global partner ready to engage, inspire, and lead.

    Once again, I acknowledge the sacrifices many Nigerians have made and continue to make as we reposition our country, not just for today but for generations yet unborn. Our journey is not over, but our direction is clear. So is our resolve to tackle emerging challenges. By the Grace of God, we are confident that the worst is behind us. The real impact of our governance objectives is beginning to take hold. The future is bright, and together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria that we can all be proud of.

    Thank you all, and May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Tinubu’s invitation to Pope’s inauguration

    Tinubu’s invitation to Pope’s inauguration

    Sir: After the demise of the previous Pope, those who had no prior knowledge of how a new leader of the Catholic faithful would be chosen became aware. A list of potential successors was revealed, and there was even a scramble for an African to secure the position.

    Although I grew up in a building not far from a Catholic church, and through its speakers, I had subconsciously memorised the Lord’s Prayer – “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” – it was after the election of Pope Francis’ successor, Robert Prevost, who has officially adopted the name Pope Leo XIV, that a conversation with a friend in Christendom shed more light on the grey areas surrounding the nomination, albeit briefly.

    The discussion concluded on the note that, in a perfect world, a Pope’s country of origin would hold little significance; what remains immeasurably important is that people will continue to worship God and stay true to religious teachings, irrespective of where the leader hails from.

    Days after, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was then invited to Pope Leo’s inauguration into the exalted office after his election by the Conclave of Cardinals. In the Papal invitation sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the significance of the president “at a moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts” was underscored.

    Stressing further, the invitation says, “Your great nation is particularly dear to me, as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.” Looking at the healthy and sizable population of Catholics in Nigeria, such a gesture is not like a weed, out of place or time. Moreover, world leaders all over the globe received similar invitations.

    Read Also: Mid-term: Tinubu has lifted gloom over Nigeria, says APC

    What prompted this piece are two questions some individuals raised: “Is our President a Christian, warranting his invitation?” and “Of what economic benefit was his presence at the ceremony?” I would like to address this in two parts and maybe, as Nigerians, we might pick a lesson.

    Imagine if the president wasn’t invited; we might have had another set saying, “Despite our significance in the continent of Africa, our president wasn’t invited!” So, instead of questioning why a president who does not belong to the faith was invited, let’s simply say it was an invitation we honoured as a nation – simple!

    Second, no nation, no matter how great, can live in isolation. None can attain a level of self-sufficiency that wouldn’t require interacting with others for survival. Hence, there is every need to interact and socialise, and such interactions come with being responsible enough to accept gestures as simple as invitations to inauguration ceremonies.

    In the long run, such interactions make a nation stay relevant and may even be accompanied by the “economic benefits” the questioners seek.

    •Lawal Dahiru Mamman Abuja

  • Two years of Tinubu: A time for truth, unity, patriotic resolve

    Two years of Tinubu: A time for truth, unity, patriotic resolve

    By Ibrahim Adekunle Yusuf

    As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office, Nigerians must pause—not merely to criticize or commend, but to reflect with honesty, unity, and a patriotic sense of responsibility.

    A Nation at the brink: The context often ignored

    When President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria was facing an economic disaster of historic proportions. The country was using 96% of its revenue just to service debt. The petrol subsidy had become a conduit for massive corruption, costing trillions annually. Future oil revenues had been mortgaged, and forex round-tripping had hollowed out the naira. The nation’s reserves were dwindling. Left unchecked, Nigeria was heading the way of Venezuela and Zimbabwe—where citizens now cross borders to buy bread and medicine, and their currencies are practically worthless.

    The courage to choose reform over ruin

    In that moment of national peril, President Tinubu made a difficult but necessary choice: to dismantle the subsidy regime, liberalize the naira, and begin restoring fiscal sanity. These reforms were painful, but essential. Without them, a loaf of bread could easily cost N10,000 today, and a litre of petrol N50,000. Those who now complain would have had no country left to complain about.

    Across the world, from the UK to the US to Germany, citizens have endured austerity and reform with resilience. Britain took nearly 15 years to fix its economic decline; Germany and America needed three or more. Nigeria cannot be different. Real reform demands time, discipline, and national unity.

    Opposition or opportunism?

    It is disheartening that instead of informed debate, we are witnessing waves of misinformation, protests incited by former beneficiaries of the broken system, and tribalized politicking. These voices, often from elite circles, would rather see chaos than progress, and in crisis, they will be the first to flee—leaving the ordinary Nigerian to suffer.

    A simple web search would show how grave the economic situation was before 2023 and why these reforms were non-negotiable. This is not the time for emotional outbursts or empty outrage. It is time for every Nigerian to rise above politics and tribe, and stand for the nation’s future.

    Read Also: 10 essential skills Nigerian graduates must possess to get hired in 2025

    Signs of progress: A new Foundation is being laid

    Despite inherited constraints, President Tinubu’s administration is already laying down vital pillars of renewal:

    •Students Loan Act – Unlocking education for millions.

    •Consumer Credit Scheme – Powering productivity and dignity.

    •Refinery Revivals – Restoring energy independence.

    •Federal Ministry of Livestock Development – Addressing food security and agricultural reform.

    Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road & Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway – Game-changing infrastr•ucture with long-term economic impacts.

    These are not abstract plans; they are tangible foundations for a sustainable future.

    A call for national patriotism, not pessimism

    Nigeria’s greatest challenge today is not policy—it is patriotism. In other nations, even the most divided political opponents draw a red line at sabotaging national survival. Here, some amplify hardship, hoping to reap political gain. We must rise above this.

    The journey is long, but the road has direction. True change is never convenient, but it is always necessary. What President Tinubu has done is to halt a free fall. What we now need is citizen alignment with national interest.

    Conclusion: A Salute to Steadfast Leadership

    As we mark two years of the Tinubu administration, let us replace noise with knowledge, bitterness with balance, and cynicism with citizenship. Reform is never comfortable, but it is our only path to a truly sovereign, prosperous Nigeria.

    I salute President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his rare courage, strategic foresight, and unwavering leadership in the face of inherited chaos. Let us support, not sabotage. Let us build, not break.

    Yusuf is a Political Strategist & Advocate for Democratic Stability; former Organising Secretary, APC UK Chapter; UK Coordinator, Mandate Movement of Nigeria; former Coordinator, SWAGA’23 UK Chapter; founder, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban Borgu) Mandate Movement of Nigeria (Facebook)

  • Shettima: Two years in the saddle with a visionary, historical reformer

    Shettima: Two years in the saddle with a visionary, historical reformer

    By Stanley Nkwocha

    The trademark of governance in a democracy is its regular consolidation. This has been the challenge with Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999. Yearly, at individual and corporate governance levels, aspirations are set out to be pursued – objectives to be achieved and missions to which unflinching commitment is required. Where the vision is strong, the pursuit is fierce.

    The slogan of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency on assumption of office on May 29, 2023 was, and remains, a significant cut-down on insecurity, poverty, enhanced transparency in the conduct of government affairs and management of the nation’s commonwealth, increased provision of infrastructures as well as enhancing economic condition of Nigerians.

    In this pursuit, President Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, set out to pursue economic transformation with all the vigour available to them. They spent the first few months criss-crossing the length and breadth of the global investment space, all in a bid to explain to the world the ease of doing business in Nigeria and why the country should be the investor’s delight.

    Undoubtedly, the last two years of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have unveiled what is possible where a president is engrossed in selfless service to his nation, and his deputy is devoted to his boss’s policies, principles and ideals. Senator Shettima has consistently declared that he will remain loyal to his principal, President Tinubu, whom he has described as a reformer, builder and visionary leader. At various fora, he has constantly assured Nigerians that the President is fully committed to his campaign promises encapsulated in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Two years down the line, it is evident that the administration’s multi-pronged approach is working. The economy has witnessed positive growth in the last two years and is progressing strongly. Just like the President has maintained that he will not have respite until Nigeria’s reputation as a $1trillion economy and investment destination is restored, his deputy, Senator Shettima has sustained the tempo in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), with meaningful government interventions, programmes and initiatives being spearheaded in the office of the Vice President.

    Below are some of the key accomplishments of the Tinubu administration initiated and overseen by the office of the Vice President in the last two years:

    AGRICULTURE

    It has been manifestly clear from the beginning in 2025, when President Tinubu was seeking the position of the president of the country, that agriculture was going to be the major thrust of his administration. It is not surprising to see the President living up to that promise. The administration set out a regime of incentives to make farming more attractive once again, as it was in the 60s when Nigeria had groundnut pyramids in the North, cocoa in the West and palm oil in the East. Then Nigeria had enough to feed its population and an excess for export.

    To this effect, Vice President Shettima embarked on international diplomacy to attract agricultural investments. As chairman of the NEC, he has been overseeing several agricultural initiatives. At the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in China in November 2023, he promoted Nigeria as a safe investment destination for the agricultural sector. During his visit to the United States for the African Development Bank (AfDB) World Food Prize-facilitated Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, he sought investors’ commitments towards Nigeria’s agro-food sector development.

    The Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere. The partnership aims to establish a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria to boost agricultural mechanisation and food production. Under the agreement, John Deere is to supply about 2,000 tractors annually to Nigeria over the next five years. The Vice President played a key role in initiating this partnership during his visit to the United States, where he met with John Deere officials.

    Also, the international engagement tripled the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) agricultural interventions in Nigeria from $500 million to over $1 billion. The cumulative effects of the commitment from AfDB include the groundbreaking for the federal government’s Specialised Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) recently performed in Kaduna and Cross River State to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reduce food import dependence. SAPZs are designed to industrialise rural economies by adding value to agricultural products, attracting investment, and reducing youth unemployment. Others are improved fertiliser availability for farmers, the establishment of Agro-Rangers to address farm security issues, and the implementation of modern agricultural practices.

    In a bid to advance the Green Imperative Agricultural Project, the Vice President presided over the commercial signing of the $1.1 billion Nigeria-Brazil Green Imperative Project at the Presidential Villa. This initiative seeks to modernise Nigeria’s agriculture sector by supporting smallholder farmers and integrating them into global value chains. A government-catalysed, private-sector-driven agricultural industrialisation programme in Nigeria, VP Shettima is championing the Green Imperative Programme as an important component of the government’s broader strategy to boost agricultural productivity, increase crop yields, and make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

    And to lead by example, Vice President Shettima launched the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme in 2024. This personal initiative includes the distribution of essential farming inputs such as tractors, seeds, fertilizers, and herbicides to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season; financial support of N100,000 per month to 50 beneficiaries for 4 months during the planting period, and the provision of startup funds up to N30 million for farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms.

    FOOD SECURITY

    Throughout the history of humanity, agriculture has always played a pivotal role in social and economic development. Firstly, robust agriculture engagement ensures food security, which is the fundamental and best form of security because a nation that cannot feed its population is vulnerable, and in fact is sitting on a time bomb. When President Tinubu came to power in 2023, the first appeal he made was for Nigerians to return to the land, for therein lies true prosperity.

    Read Also: May 29: Ex-Minister greets Tinubu, urges Nigerians to key into Renewed Hope Agenda

    Acting on the President’s directive, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), an initiative of the administration to tackle hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria. The PFSCU is tasked with harnessing resources and ideas from stakeholders, including state governors, to modernise farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer. If a person is food secure, it typically means that sufficient quality food is available, they have enough resources to buy food for a nutritious diet, and they have stable access to adequate food at all times.

    NCP AND ECONOMIC REFORMS

    In 2023, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) committee to drive the economic reforms of the Renewed Hope administration. The Council has remained a key institution in Nigeria’s journey toward a market-driven economy, balancing the challenges of reforms with the need for sustainable development. In late 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired a meeting of the National NCP focused on the recapitalisation and restructuring of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). This initiative has helped greatly in revitalising the bank and making it more effective in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The Vice President has been actively involved in efforts to transform the BOA into a more robust financial institution capable of providing enhanced support to farmers and agribusinesses across Nigeria. Under Shettima’s supervision, there have been discussions about increasing the BOA’s capital base to strengthen its capacity to provide loans and other financial services to the agricultural sector. The Office of the Vice President has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other relevant stakeholders to streamline the operations of the BOA and make it more accessible to smallholder farmers. There have been plans to leverage technology to improve the BOA’s reach and efficiency, including the possible introduction of digital banking services tailored for farmers. This is as the Vice President has been advocating for partnerships between the BOA and international development finance institutions to increase the pool of funds available for agricultural lending.

    NUTRITION

    Under the administration, the Vice President, who is the chairman of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), has emphasised the importance of reinforcement in agriculture to combat malnutrition. Accordingly, he approved a 5-year National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition. Senator Shettima went on to push for the Nutrition 774 Initiative at the National Economic Council, an initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition by providing life-saving nutritional support across all local government areas. It focuses on community-based impact, particularly for mothers and children. A significant landmark within the initiative is the establishment of a House Committee on Food and Nutrition, the first of its kind, at both federal and state legislatures. The functions of the House committee include maintaining political commitment, pushing for legislative support, as well as ensuring that nutrition remains a priority in national policies and budgets.

    HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT (HCD)

    As part of its resolve to position the nation among top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by building a healthier, better-educated, and empowered Nigeria, the Tinubu administration stepped up government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) initiative aimed at improving education, healthcare, and skills training across the country to boost economic growth and create a more productive workforce. Under the chairmanship of Vice President Shettima, NEC took the initiative to its second phase (HCD 2.0), which focuses on areas like gender equality, climate change, digital economy, financial inclusion, and food and nutrition. It also aims to address unemployment, the informal sector, and low labour force participation. About 24 million Nigerians are set to benefit from the federal government’s Human Capital Development initiative, which aims to improve education, healthcare, and skills training across the nation. During the HCD Steering Committee meeting, VP Shettima insisted on swift, data-driven implementation of education, health, and workforce programmes across states. To this end, he launched the HCD Dashboard to monitor progress on key indicators like youth unemployment and learning poverty.

    MSMEs

    The Expanded National MSME Clinics is another initiative launched by the Tinubu administration to support and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria, including in the agricultural sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima has played a central role in championing and overseeing the MSME Clinics programme, launching editions in states Benue, Ogun, Enugu, Jigawa, and Ekiti States, with federal government grants for business owners. The MSME Clinics aim to boost economic empowerment and support small-scale enterprises, including agricultural businesses, by facilitating access to finance, markets, skills, and regulatory compliance. The MSME Clinics have led to the launch of major ultramodern fashion hubs in these states. The fashion hubs are expected to create millions of jobs.

    ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

    In April 2025, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to address national grid reliability. Also, VP Shettima, in meetings with the World Economic Forum President and other global stakeholders, championed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and Lake Chad recharge. These projects aim to address energy shortages in West Africa, strengthen Nigeria’s export footprint, and boost agricultural resilience in the Sahel.

    REVITALISATION OF THE NIGERIA-BRAZIL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

    In March, VP Shettima coordinated preparations for the revival of Nigeria-Brazil bilateral ties, which had stalled for over a decade. Discussions are now set to enhance cooperation in agriculture, health, military technology, and tourism, anchored on the upcoming Brazil-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.

    RSPIC

    The Tinubu administration launched the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC), a national initiative aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by internal displacements across Nigeria. The project, which is in its pilot phase, focuses on 7 states disproportionately affected by farmer-herder conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna. Last year, Vice President Shettima, representing President Tinubu, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the RSPIC project in Kaduna State. Earlier, VP Shettima had inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the RSPIC initiative, fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of Nigerians affected by conflict.

    While the primary focus of the RSPIC is on providing relief and rehabilitation for conflict-affected communities, it is also linked to the administration’s efforts to address food insecurity in Nigeria. The areas targeted by the RSPIC have been significantly impacted by farmer-herder conflicts, which have disrupted agricultural production and food supply. By resettling and rehabilitating these conflict-affected communities, the RSPIC aims to restore their livelihoods and access to food, thereby contributing to the broader goal of improving food security in Nigeria.

    FINANCIAL INCLUSION

    Vice President Shettima has played an important role in advancing financial and economic inclusion as a foundation stone of the administration’s development agenda. In April 2024, he led the signing of the landmark Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, uniting federal and state actors, financial institutions, and development partners around a shared commitment to integrate over 30 million unbanked Nigerians into the formal economy. He followed this with the launch of a national operating model aimed at transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through improved access to credit, digital payments, and financial literacy. And to promote economic growth and financial inclusion, the Vice President, in February 2025, inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI). The financial inclusion efforts of the administration have been serving as a vehicle that helps Nigeria to bring life to dead capital.

    Indeed, while the first half of President Tinubu’s first term in office can best be described as a remarkable and impactful success story, the unalloyed belief in his economic policies, institutional reforms and developmental ideas, especially by his lieutenants led by VP Shettima, is as inspirational as it is legendary.

    As the administration steps into mid term of its first term in office, there is no doubt that President Tinubu foresight’s, vision, reforms, well thought-out policies and programmes will impact tremendously on the lives of Nigerians. His absolute trust in the capacity of the Vice President and all others in the cabinet to plan and execute the programmes and interventions of the Renewed Hope Agenda will motivate them to ramp up the business of governance for the overall benefit of the people.