The Nation Newspaper

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  • Democracy and the messiah-villain binary trap

    Democracy and the messiah-villain binary trap

    • By Oladoja M.O

    In the grand, often tumultuous, theatre of African politics, a deeply entrenched and insidious narrative persists: the messiah-villain binary. This simplistic, yet devastating, framework casts political leaders not as fallible public servants, but as either divine saviors or malevolent destroyers. It’s a binary that suffocates nuance, stifles accountability, and, in a continent desperate for democratic maturity, acts as a corrosive cancer on the body politic. We must call this what it is: a dangerous delusion that has shackled Africa’s progress for far too long.

    This orientation, a relic of post-colonial strongman politics, reduces the complex art of governance to a moral melodrama. Citizens, conditioned to see their leaders as larger-than-life figures, become spectators in a perpetual battle between good and evil. When a new leader emerges, they are instantly elevated to the status of a messiah, the one chosen to slay the dragons of poverty, corruption, and instability. Any opposition is, by default, cast as the villain, a saboteur working against the people’s will.

    This is not just a rhetorical device; it’s a profound psychological trap that prevents a healthy, critical relationship between the electorate and those they elect.

    Look no further than the story of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. In the euphoric dawn of independence in 1980, Mugabe was the indisputable messiah. He had led the liberation struggle, promised land to the people, and was seen as the architect of a new, prosperous Zimbabwe. But as his rule solidified, dissent grew. His brutal suppression of the Gukurahundi massacres and his increasingly authoritarian tendencies were not seen by his staunchest supporters as the actions of a flawed leader, but rather as the necessary evils required to defeat the ‘villains’—the opposition, foreign agents, and internal critics. This narrative allowed him to dismantle democratic institutions and cling to power for nearly four decades, all while his country’s economy imploded. The messiah had morphed into a tyrant, but the binary, with its pre-assigned roles, kept many from seeing the reality until it was too late.

    A similar pattern can be seen in Rwanda, albeit with a different trajectory. Following the 1994 genocide, Paul Kagame was hailed as the man who pulled his nation from the brink of total annihilation. He is undeniably a messiah figure for many Rwandans, credited with bringing stability, order, and remarkable economic growth. Yet, this messianic status has made it incredibly difficult for a genuine political opposition to emerge. Critics, journalists, and political rivals who question his iron grip on power are often swiftly silenced, accused of undermining national unity or of being sympathizers of the genocidal past.

    The messiahnic narrative, while perhaps initially justified, has become a tool to legitimize the suppression of democratic pluralism. The ‘villain’ is no longer the genocidal regime, but anyone who dares to challenge the man who defeated it. This is a profound danger: when a leader’s infallibility is tied to a nation’s salvation, dissent becomes tantamount to treason.

    The messiah-villain binary is a disease that festers in the heart of African electoral politics. It’s visible in the fervent, almost religious, rallies where supporters see their candidate not as a political leader with a manifesto, but as an oracle. The 2017 Kenyan election and the subsequent crisis offered a stark illustration. Both Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga were cast as messianic figures by their respective supporters. For Odinga’s base, he was the long-awaited liberator, the man who would finally lead them to a promised land of social justice. For Kenyatta’s supporters, he represented stability and continuity, the man protecting the country from the ‘villainous’ forces of instability. This emotional fervor, fueled by tribal and regional loyalties, led to a deeply polarized society where compromise became impossible. The result was not just political gridlock, but a cycle of violence and deep-seated animosity that continues to haunt the nation. The election wasn’t a contest of ideas; it was a crusade.

    Read Also: Democracy cannot thrive without civic freedoms, credible elections – Group 

    This binary is not just a problem of the past; it’s alive and well today. In Nigeria, the perennial politics of ‘savior’ and ‘enemy’ plagues the electoral landscape. From the military regimes to the current democratic dispensation, every election is framed as a life-or-death struggle against forces of darkness. A new candidate emerges, promising to sweep away the corruption of the past, and is instantly elevated to a messianic pedestal. Yet, once in power, the same old patterns of patronage and unaccountability emerge. The people, having invested their faith in a person rather than in institutions and processes, are left disillusioned, only to repeat the cycle with the next messianic figure. This prevents the building of strong, independent institutions, a free press, an impartial judiciary, and a non-partisan civil service, because the entire political system revolves around the individual, not the rules.

    The messiah-villain binary is a trap, a narrative cul-de-sac from which genuine democratic progress cannot escape. It’s a cancer because it preys on hope, exploiting the legitimate frustrations of the populace for political gain. It turns citizens into blind followers and opponents into sworn enemies. This dangerous orientation must be dismantled. We must stop looking for messiahs. There are no magical saviors. There are only men and women fallible, flawed, and accountable to the people they serve. We must demand a politics of substance, not spectacle. We must judge our leaders not by the promises they make on the campaign trail, but by their respect for democratic institutions, their commitment to the rule of law, and their willingness to be held to account.

    The true liberation of Africa as a continent, Nigeria as a nation will not come from a single hero, but from a critical, engaged citizenry that understands that the power to govern belongs to them and that no politician, no matter how charismatic, is a god. It is time to retire the messiah, to dismantle the villain, and to embrace the hard, unglamorous work of building a true and lasting democracy.

    • Oladoja writes from Abuja and can be reached via mayokunmark@gmail.com
  • Pivoting BDCs from cash arbitrage to tech-driven forex providers

    Pivoting BDCs from cash arbitrage to tech-driven forex providers

    SIR: For decades, Nigeria’s Bureau de Change (BDC) sector operated largely on arbitrage between official and parallel markets. With the previous minimum share capital requirement of $23,000 (N35 million), entry was relatively easy, resulting in over 5,000 licensed operators before the regulator pulled the plug in 2025.

    The prevalence of cash transactions among BDCs led to widespread non-compliance, undermining national monetary policy and exposing the system to money laundering and regulatory arbitrage. This made them unsuitable for a digitally driven and transparent financial ecosystem.

    In response, the Nigerian regulator introduced a new BDC regulatory framework, increasing share capital requirements to $1.3 million (N2 billion) for Tier-1 BDCs and $330,000 (N500 million) for Tier-2 BDCs. This move aims to eliminate undercapitalized players and attract stronger entrants. The repositioning seeks to transform BDCs from fragmented, cash-arbitrage dealers into fit-for-purpose, technology-driven forex intermediaries aligned with Nigeria’s financial stability and digital economy goals. However, the move has drawn strong criticism from operators, who argue that the entry requirements are too high, especially when compared to other licenses such as Mobile Money ($1.3 million / N2 billion), Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) and Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) authorizations ($66,000 / N100 million), and Microfinance Bank licenses ranging from N50 million to N5 billion (Tier-1, Tier-2, State, and National).

    Recent forex reforms have increased transparency and narrowed the official/parallel market gap, reducing arbitrage opportunities. With local banks enabling international Naira card payments and the commencement of diaspora banking, the demand for low-value, physical forex transactions have dropped significantly.

    Read Also: 2027: PDP sets stage for Ibadan convention, vows to reclaim power

    For new BDCs to remain competitive, the traditional cash-arbitrage model is no longer sustainable. Revenues are shrinking due to lower margins on both transaction value and volume. Banks are innovating aggressively in the forex space, licensed fintechs are pushing boundaries, and unregulated local and international cross-border fintech providers are competing directly.

    Regulatory constraints and compliance costs are also rising, with the CBN imposing stricter KYC rules, limits on transaction value and frequency, and forex rates tied to NFEM windows. Offshore remittance services must be routed through commercial banks only, further capping arbitrage opportunities while increasing costs.

    To survive, BDCs must shift away from cash arbitrage and over-the-counter trading toward fee-based forex services. This requires investing in digital transformation and product diversification, such as:

    • Partnering with International Money Transfer Organizations (IMTOs) to provide remittance payout hubs.

    • Facilitating cross-border education, healthcare, and business payments.

    • Issuing local and international travel forex cards and multi-currency accounts.

    • Offering corporate forex settlement support for trade, tuition, and related needs.

    At the same time, the regulator can help improve risk management and market certainty by:

    • Reviewing share capital requirements in light of competition from unauthorized fintechs.

    • Recalibrating transaction margins.

    • Adjusting transaction limits and frequency, for example, raising the cap on annual cross-border tuition payments capped at $10,000 transaction limit per annum.

    • Emmanuel Okoegwale, emmanuel@campteller.com
  • On annual textbook changes in Oyo schools

    On annual textbook changes in Oyo schools

    SIR: I am writing to draw attention to a pressing issue affecting parents, students, and the education system in Oyo State: the frequent and unnecessary annual changes to school textbooks, especially by private school owners.

    While schools may justify this practice as a means to update curricula or align with new standards, it places an undue financial burden on families, undermines sustainability, and does not always translate to improved educational outcomes.

    Each academic session, parents in Oyo State are compelled to purchase new sets of textbooks for their children, even when the content of these books differs only marginally from previous editions. This practice is particularly challenging for low- and middle-income families who struggle to afford these recurring costs. For example, a single textbook can cost between N5,000 and N15,000, and with multiple subjects, the expenses quickly become overwhelming. This financial strain often forces parents to prioritize basic needs over education, potentially impacting students’ access to essential learning materials.

    Moreover, the constant change in textbooks contributes to waste, as older editions are discarded despite being reusable. This practice contradicts efforts to promote sustainability and efficient resource use. It also raises concerns about transparency, as some schools may be influenced by publishers or other stakeholders to adopt new textbooks unnecessarily, potentially prioritizing profit over educational quality.

    Encouragingly, several other Nigerian states have already taken decisive steps to curb this issue, offering models Oyo State could emulate. For instance, Imo State has prohibited annual replacements, mandating textbooks for a minimum of four years in both public and private schools. Edo State similarly requires reuse for at least four years, while Ogun State enforces a six-year cycle before any changes, with sanctions for non-compliance.

    Enugu State reviews and approves textbooks for three-year periods, and Benue State has abolished non-transferable customized books to promote handover from seniors to juniors.

    Read Also: 2027: PDP sets stage for Ibadan convention, vows to reclaim power

    These policies not only alleviate parental burdens but also foster resource efficiency and consistent learning.

    While the Oyo State government has a responsibility to intervene and regulate this practice, I propose the following measures:

    – Standardize Textbook Usage: The government should establish a policy mandating schools to use approved textbooks for a minimum period (e.g., 3–5 years) unless significant curriculum changes justify updates.

     – Strengthen Oversight: The Ministry of Education should monitor schools to ensure compliance and investigate cases where textbook changes appear driven by commercial interests.

     – Promote Reuse and Affordability: This will encourage schools to implement textbook recycling programs and provide subsidies or free textbooks for indigent students.

    – Engage Stakeholders: Involve parents, teachers, and education experts in reviewing textbook policies to ensure they prioritize student welfare and learning outcomes.

    By addressing this issue, the Oyo State government can alleviate the financial burden on families, promote equitable access to education, and foster a more sustainable learning environment—much like its neighbouring states.

    I urge policymakers to act swiftly to regulate textbook changes and prioritize the interests of students and parents.  I hope this intervention sparks meaningful discussion and actions.

    • Alhazan Abiodun Rilwan, Ministry of Information, Ibadan, Oyo State.
  • 2027 election and the choice facing Nigeria

    2027 election and the choice facing Nigeria

    SIR: Nigeria is changing. Our economy is slowly stabilizing, sectoral self-reliance is inching forward, and new alliances are forming—not least with the BRICS community. These shifts are happening under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But make no mistake: the more Nigeria asserts independence, the less “reliable” we look to the West.

    As 2027 approaches, one fact should be clear to discerning Nigerians: Tinubu will not be the West’s preferred candidate. The signs are already here. Whenever African nations attempt to break free from dependency, the pushback begins.

    The West rarely confronts directly. It prefers softer weapons:  International media suddenly “discovering” Nigeria’s failures; NGOs and donor agencies amplifying discontent; policy conditionalities tied to loans; well-timed sermons about “human rights” and “inclusive governance.”

    We would be naïve to think Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election will escape these manoeuvres.

    Tinubu’s opponents know where he is vulnerable. Nigerians are groaning under high prices, food inflation, and low purchasing power. Macro-economic numbers may look better on paper, but daily survival is the real metric.

    Rather than propose alternative policies, the opposition prefers to weaponise anger. Their bet is simple: ride the people’s pain all the way to power. But anger without ideas is no solution. It only weakens democracy and leaves us open to manipulation—both at home and abroad.

    If Tinubu hopes to survive 2027, he must address the people’s hunger—not just the spreadsheets.

    Tame inflation: Food costs are the loudest grievance. Secure supply chains, support farmers, and crush artificial market speculation.

    Read Also: Blackout in parts of Benin enters two weeks

    Raise real incomes: Expand social investments, support SMEs, and push for fairer wages. Nigerians must feel relief in their pockets.

    Show visible progress:  Electricity, transport, healthcare—let the people see improvements, not just hear promises.

    Control the narrative:  If Tinubu doesn’t explain his reforms, opponents will keep painting him as indifferent and incompetent.

    This is bigger than one man’s re-election. The election will test whether Nigeria has the will to chart her own course in a multipolar world. The West’s “revenge” won’t come as open hostility. It will come through narratives, funding, and subtle pressures designed to derail Nigeria’s independence project.

    President Tinubu must prepare. Nigerians must be alert. The election ahead will not only be a domestic contest of parties, but a global tug-of-war over Nigeria’s future.

    The question is: will we see through the games, or allow ourselves to be played?

    • Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba, <shilgba@gmail.com>
  • The beginning of the end of an era

    The beginning of the end of an era

    By Oguntoye Opeyemi

    The year 2013 marked a definitive turning point in Nigeria’s economic history when the federal government made the monumental decision to end its complete ownership and control of the electricity sector. This move was not a sudden impulse but the culmination of a long-gestating policy shift aimed at reversing decades of infrastructural decay and chronic inefficiency.

    The idea had, in fact, already been conceived during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo, as part of a broader liberalization agenda. However, he didn’t have the sufficient political will or capital to see it through to execution. His administration was more intensely focused on winning a contentious election and establishing new anti-corruption agencies, and he ultimately neglected the profound structural reforms required in the critically ailing electricity industry.

    However, under President Goodluck Jonathan, the landscape shifted. Despite the widespread reservations most people held against his perceived soft-heartedness and cautious leadership style, he was able to take the bull by the horn and ensure that the era of complete government ownership of the entire electricity value chain finally came to a decisive end. His administration pushed through the privatization process against significant political headwinds. It is crucial to note that he didn’t merely end the government’s complete role; he also successfully dismantled the powerful forces of the workers’ associations that had long held a stranglehold on the electricity sector, fundamentally reshaping the power dynamics within the industry.

    The Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) was an extremely powerful entity during the days of complete government ownership, operating as a formidable veto player against any meaningful change. Their influence was comparable to that of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE) during the period when the government was still in total control of the defunct and notoriously inefficient Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

    The blueprint for this change, however, was first tested in the telecommunications sector. It all began with NITEL during the later days of President Obasanjo’s administration when he championed the idea of allowing private investors into the sector, thereby bringing in major players like MTN, Glo, and others. These new entrants were aggressively innovative and capital-rich, enabling them to wrestle dominance away from the sluggish state-owned NITEL, which quickly became obsolete in the new competitive landscape.

    However, the most recent and dramatic incident illustrating the clash between old and new systems occurred during the first tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is important to recall that the electricity privatization transaction was finalized in 2013, and after a complex transition period, the assets were officially handed over to the new private investors in November 2014. Almost immediately after the investors took over the assets, they encountered their first significant challenges, both in distribution and generation, in the form of the NUEE unions. The unions were hell-bent on ensuring that all existing staff, regardless of competency or redundancy, were not affected by the necessary organizational restructuring being implemented by the new owners. Furthermore, the new owners’ attempts to reform staff welfare policies and establish modern, merit-based recruitment modalities were fiercely challenged and obstructed by the NUEE at every turn.

    However, the primary focus of the new investors was initially on achieving rapid improvements in network stability, service reliability, and revenue collection efficiency—metrics that had been abysmally low for years. Their perspective was fundamentally different from that of the union. The investors, facing commercial pressure to perform, made the difficult decision to lay off as many NUEE members as possible whom they deemed incapable of handling the critical tasks required to deliver adequate and stable power to its customers. The skills gap was stark; some employees, who had been in the system for more than two decades, did not possess more than secondary school certificates and had not acquired a single day of additional certification or training throughout their careers. To the investors, this represented a severe case of institutional brain drain and operational redundancy. They knew fully that if they kept most of those staff, there wouldn’t be any tangible progress in their business or any hope of modernizing the grid. But it was a tough battle, and many occurrences, including protests and threats of shutdowns, made it exceptionally hard for them to swiftly do away with the NUEE’s influence.

    Today, another familiar drama is unfolding from another critical sector in the country. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been the sole dominant union in charge of the country’s energy sector for decades. Because the sector, especially the downstream segment, had been mostly under government influence and monopoly through the NNPC, it granted an inordinate amount of power to the association. When one reflects on their recent actions, including the strategic blocking of fuel supply routes, one is compelled to merge them with the past atrocities committed by the NUPTE, NUEE, and others who are now largely powerless and irrelevant. The actions of most of these unions do not directly affect the government machinery but rather the ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of their selfish, ambitious, arrogant, and inconsiderable actions, facing fuel queues, blackouts, and higher costs.

    There is an ongoing and irreversible paradigm shift in Nigeria’s energy sector as new, sophisticated players are now entering the downstream sector, thereby crippling the traditional monopolistic hands of the government. Therefore, those entrenched in the old NNPC downstream system may soon fade out into obscurity as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provides the legal framework for the sector to thrive in a competitive market. So, it is important to note that most of these new corporate players may not want their staff to join NUPENG, just as the new players in the electricity, telecommunication, and even banking sectors did not allow their workers to join the old, combative associations. Moreover, it is a critical point of law that there is no legislation in this country that makes it compulsory for an employee to join a union; it is a purely voluntary action.

    Read Also: Allow Dangote to provide relief to Nigerians – Okechukwu tells NUPENG, others

    NUPENG has essentially declared a war between themselves and the Nigerian people the moment they decided to blockade access to the massive Dangote Refinery. Because, when the NUEE shut down Ikeja Disco’s operations nine years ago, it was millions of innocent Nigerians that suffered for it. The same exact pattern is repeating itself with the recent actions of the NUPENG leadership in the last few days.

    The government must now ensure that they protect the visionary entrepreneur who decided to build the largest single-train refinery in Africa within his own country, investing billions of dollars. They must actively encourage other potential investors that their business is safe and secure in Nigeria and that no rogue entity would be permitted to sabotage their investments if they put their trust in our economic environment. Leaders are defined by the bold decisions they take in times of crisis, and these are signs that are never wanting in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has staked his administration on economic renewal.

    Whatever the narrow motive of the NUPENG leadership might be, it cannot be allowed to override the overriding interest of the 250 million Nigerians who would be forced to start queuing again for fuel or pay double the price simply to get by. The country is just gingerly emerging from a period of severe economic instability, and with the concerted effort of Mr. President and his economic team, it would be the height of foolishness for any association to deliberately derail these positive efforts for its own parochial gains.

    As a nation, every citizen and institution ought to be working hard to ensure that this country gets back on its right feet and not actively join any association to sabotage it. The call for patriotism and collective sacrifice is resonating everywhere in the national discourse, and it would be profoundly wise for the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers to heed this urgent call and not allow themselves to be seen by history as the nation’s enemy in its hour of potential recovery.

    •Opeyemi, an engineer, writes from Lagos.

  • Renewed push for a cleaner, safer, and healthier Lagos

    Renewed push for a cleaner, safer, and healthier Lagos

    Ajayi Lukman

    With over three million cars and 100,000 commercial vehicles on the roads (when the national average is 11 vehicles per kilometre), Lagos daily records an average of 227 vehicles per kilometre of roads. Lagos is home to about 2,000 industrial complexes, 10,000 commercial ventures, and 22 industrial estates. 

    It accounts for over 60 percent of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities; 70 percent of national maritime cargo freight, over 80 percent of international aviation traffic, and over 50 percent of Nigeria’s energy consumption. All banks in the country are not only located in Lagos but also have their headquarters in the state.

    Aside from this, Lagos consumes about 45 percent of the petroleum products in the country. The above statistics are what make Lagos a unique economic and industrial hub in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa. It is what is partly responsible for the prosperity of Lagos.

    It is, however, ironic that this sheer uniqueness of Lagos, in terms of population and economic activities, portends great danger to its environment if not well managed. Lagos, for instance, generates 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, almost three times higher than what the whole of Ghana generates daily.

    Also, the kind of industrial pollution experienced in Lagos is second to none in the country. The peculiar Lagos traffic situation also poses a serious threat to the Lagos environment.

    It is to address this that the Lagos State government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is challenged to invest heavily in the environment because of the status of Lagos as a littoral state, which is greatly exposed to environmental abuse due to intense economic and social activities.

    Not only were agencies established for enforcing sanitation, but integrated mass enlightenment and social mobilization on maintenance of the sanitary environment have become ongoing activities in the state. It is equally perceptible that the state government is also taking a leading role in its approach to the climate change phenomenon through an integrated tree-planting drive across the state.

    In line with this principle, the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been implementing the THEMES Plus development agenda, which focuses on promoting economic growth, improving the environment, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

    A major pillar of this agenda is environmental sustainability. In this area, the state has shown an unwavering commitment by working tirelessly to maintain environmental sanity and promoting a cleaner and more habitable state. This proactive stance underscores the government’s vision of transforming Lagos into a healthier and more liveable megacity through bold policy initiatives and sustainable practices.

    The government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to promote a cleaner and more habitable environment will undoubtedly contribute to making Lagos a better place for its residents.

     A key agency driving this effort is the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI. Under the leadership of Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), the agency has been instrumental in enforcing the state’s environmental laws and promoting environmental awareness.

    In the past two years, the agency has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making the state cleaner and habitable for business.

    In July, LAGESC announced that more than 264 defaulters were arrested for offences bordering on open defecation, urination, and improper refuse disposal.

    While making the disclosure, Major Cole (rtd) reiterated the determination of the agency to make Lagos habitable and cleaner for business via monitoring of all environs. He particularly stressed the readiness of LAGESC to eliminate environmental nuisances such as open defecation, open urination, street trading, indiscriminate waste disposal, roadside parking, and displaying wares for sale on road setbacks, lay-bys, medians, verges, curbs, and street begging, among others.

    One should also commend the agency in its efforts to rid the metropolis of Styrofoam and Single-Use Plastics, as it recently recorded a joint seizure of N2.5m worth of Styrofoam food packs and SUPs during enforcement operations spanning some Lagos markets and shopping malls in the past week.

    The ban on styrofoam is already in effect, and while the ban has also been extended towards single-use plastics, it was discovered via intelligence reports that there are traders in shopping malls and markets around the state who keep flouting the orders of the state.

    This informed the decision to undertake enforcement operations in the Agege, Oshodi, Idunmota, Mushin, Victoria Island, and Lekki market areas, which resulted in a seizure of banned products worth N2.5m.

    The harm caused by single-use plastics constitutes a negative threat to the coastal environment, and the dangers posed to public health cannot be overemphasised.

    It is important to stress that LAGESC is also using the instrumentality of the law to effect attitudinal change to environmental issues.  Recently, the agency secured the arrest and subsequent arraignment of eight environmental defaulters for charges bordering on breach of peace and public urination in the Yaba area of the State.

    By sentencing the defaulters to one-month imprisonment, the judgment has consolidated the level of deterrence to intending defaulters not to engage in acts of public indecency.

    Considering the negative impact and hazard that such harmful practices pose to the environment, it is quite heartening that LAGESC and other relevant agencies of government are working hard to tackle the menace.

    Read Also: Nigeria losing billions by excluding women entrepreneurs from credit system – Experts

    No doubt, open urination, open defecation, and improper refuse disposal, among others, contribute to the subpar air quality in some parts of the state; just as indiscriminate waste disposal also significantly contributes to flash flooding. Therefore, the fact that KAI operatives have been strategically stationed across the state to arrest defaulting individuals is quite a commendable move. 

    In view of the fact that the world is currently being plagued by many mysterious diseases, partly occasioned by poor sanitary attitudes and filthy environments, every resident of Lagos should be interested in the health of the metropolis. According to experts, except we change our attitude to the environment, more terrible diseases might soon be on the loose.

    Looking at the huge population and metropolitan nature of Lagos, no doubt, the city could be more vulnerable when it comes to the spread of such deadly diseases as Lassa fever. This should be of serious concern to all residents of the metropolis.

    A healthy environment, built on sound environmental sanitation practices, is the cornerstone of human development, health, and economic prosperity. Proper environmental sanitation is essential for preventing the spread of diseases, promoting public health, and ensuring a high quality of life.

    Effective waste management, clean water supply, and adequate sewage disposal are critical components of environmental sanitation that directly impact human well-being.

    By maintaining a clean and healthy environment, communities can thrive and achieve sustainable development. In this context, environmental sanitation plays a vital role in supporting the overall health and prosperity of communities.

    This, of course, is why every Lagosian must support the quest of LAGSEC and other relevant agencies of government to sanitise and make the Lagos environment more liveable.  Together, we can achieve the ‘Greater Lagos’ of our collective aspiration.

    •Ajayi is Head, Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit, LAGESC, Oshodi, Lagos.

  • Nigeria can save its children from kidney failure

    Nigeria can save its children from kidney failure

    By Ademola Anigilaje

    Several years ago, I met an eight-year-old boy I will call Tunde. Despite swollen legs and overwhelming fatigue, he arrived at our clinic full of life and dreams of becoming a pilot. He was suffering from end-stage kidney disease, meaning his kidneys were functioning at less than 15% of their capacity. They could no longer remove waste or regulate fluids—hence the swelling and exhaustion.

    At this advanced stage, the only options for survival are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis requires a machine to perform the functions of the kidney, typically demanding hospital visits at least three times per week. Transplantation involves receiving a kidney from a living or deceased donor. Unfortunately, deceased donor programmes do not yet exist in Nigeria.

    Tunde’s parents did everything imaginable. They sold their land, their car, and every valuable possession to start him on dialysis, clinging to the hope of a transplant. But dialysis in Nigeria costs approximately N35.24 million per year (about $23,000 USD), while a kidney transplant ranges from N34.47 million to N41.05 million ($22,500–$26,800 USD) for the surgery and initial medications, depending on whether it is performed in a public or private facility. Overseas, the expense is even greater. With the national minimum wage standing at N70,000 per month—roughly $46 USD—the numbers simply do not add up.

    When I had to tell Tunde’s parents that without a transplant their son would not survive, their faces fell. They looked at me and asked, “Doctor, can you help us?”

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    I could not. There was no government-supported programme in place. Not long after, Tunde passed away. He was only eight years old.

    I share his story because it is tragically common. Every year, between 300 and 600 Nigerian children are diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. For the majority, the diagnosis is effectively a death sentence.

    State of paediatric kidney transplantation in Nigeria

    Nigeria’s first paediatric kidney transplant took place in 2009 at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos—nine years after the first adult transplant. Since then, perhaps only two centers—St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos and Zenith Medical & Kidney Centre in Abuja—have performed these procedures with any consistency. Other public and private hospitals have attempted transplants, but not regularly. The expertise exists, yet it remains severely underutilised.

    From 1986 to 2019, just 22 Nigerian children received kidney transplants. That averages to fewer than one child per year in a nation of over 200 million people.

    The situation is profoundly inequitable. Most children who receive transplants come from wealthy families. Boys are three times more likely to receive a transplant than girls. Many families travel abroad—mainly to India—for the procedure. For those without means, the choices are dire: bankrupt the family through unsustainable dialysis or watch the child die.

    Why transplantation is the best path forward

    Transplantation is not merely an alternative—it is the optimal solution. Although the initial expense of a transplant is high, the long-term costs drop significantly to maintenance immune-suppressants. Dialysis, by contrast, remains perpetually expensive and financially draining. A transplant offers children not just additional years of life, but a better quality of life. It allows them to attend school, grow, and pursue their dreams. Dialysis, even when accessible, ties children to machines and limits their potential.

    From a national perspective, transplantation is cost-effective. It protects families from medical poverty and preserves the contributions these children can make as future citizens. Investing in transplant programmes also strengthens Nigeria’s health system and reduces the foreign currency spent on overseas treatments.

    Why Nigeria has lagged behind

    Why do so few Nigerian children receive the transplants they need? A multicentre study conducted between 1986 and 2019 revealed that 72% of transplants were paid for out-of-pocket by families. State governments supported only three children during that period. Health insurance did not cover a single case. The National Health Insurance Scheme does not include kidney transplantation or long-term dialysis for children with end-stage kidney disease. There are too few transplant centres, a scarcity of equipment, and an uneven distribution of renal care services. There is a critical shortage of skilled transplant surgeons, nephrologists, and support teams, and they are concentrated mainly in large cities.

     Although the National Health Act of 2014 provides a legal foundation for organ donation, it requires further amendments. Currently, transplants rely entirely on living donors, which restrict supply and raises ethical questions.

    The way forward: Building a Nigeria Transplant Community

    The time has come for decisive action. Along with other paediatric nephrologists across the country, we are forming the Nigeria Transplant Community (NTC), an advocacy group uniting doctors, nurses, policymakers, civil society, religious leaders, and advocates with one common goal: to make paediatric kidney transplantation accessible to every Nigerian child.

    We are calling on professional health consultants to lead structured advocacy for transplant financing. Nigerian paediatric nephrologists have already taken steps forward: we have created a paediatric renal registry to inform policy and track outcomes, invested our own resources to gain expertise in transplantation science, and often used personal funds or organised crowdfunding to help poor children access dialysis and transplants. We have also carried the emotional weight of watching children die for lack of affordable care. Now, it is time for the government and society to step in.

    Our goals are clear: Establish transplant centres across all six geopolitical zones so that no child has to travel excessively for care; Designate children with end-stage kidney disease as a “vulnerable group” eligible for coverage under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund; ensure affordable immune-suppressants through pooled procurement, drug revolving funds, and eventually local generic production; Strengthen legal and policy frameworks to enable ethical, well-regulated organ donation, including future deceased-donor programmes; and Develop a specialised workforce of surgeons, nephrologists, nurses, and transplant coordinators through training and partnerships.

    The resources are available

    In 2022, Nigeria allocated just 4.4% of its national budget to health—well below the 15% committed to in the Abuja Declaration of 2001. However, the health sector received its highest-ever allocation of N1.17 trillion in 2023, followed by a further increase to N1.48 trillion in 2024. Though the percentage remains low, the trend is upward.

    The National Health Insurance Authority Act (2022) makes health insurance mandatory for all citizens. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund already sets aside money for vulnerable populations—we need only ensure that children with kidney failure are included.

    The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has successfully funded cancer and other high-cost treatments; it could extend that support to kidney transplant centres. International organisations such as the World Health Organization and the World Bank are also prepared to assist. In May 2025, for the first time, the WHO recognised kidney health as a priority. What is lacking is not funding, but political will.

    Yet there is reason for hope. Nigeria now has a president willing to make difficult decisions, having already expanded fiscal space by removing fuel subsidies and implementing tax reforms. President Bola Tinubu has shown commitment to the nation’s youth by introducing a student loan programme for university education. He also recently reduced the cost of a dialysis session to ₦12,000 (about $7.80 USD). While this gesture is appreciated, many Nigerians still cannot afford this amount. Like Oliver Twist, our children are asking for more—they need the government to fully cover the costs of dialysis and transplantation. Only then will we stop losing children to kidney failure.

    We are also encouraged by the leadership of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and his team, who have the vision and capacity to turn this around. Establishing functional, publicly funded renal transplant centres is now an achievable goal.

    The solutions are within reach. The policy frameworks exist. The pieces are scattered across legislation, donor agencies, and hospitals—our task is to assemble them.

    It is time for Nigeria to declare that no child with kidney failure will die due to poverty. It is time to create a publicly funded paediatric transplant programme that saves lives, restores hope, and protects our children’s futures. The question is not whether Nigeria can do this—but when we will choose to act.

    The answer must be: now.

    •Professor Anigilaje is a paediatric nephrologist & transplant specialist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja. This article is adapted from a presentation delivered on 19th August 2025, at the sixth Biennial Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the Transplant Association of Nigeria, held in Ibadan.

  • The giant strides of Issa-Onilu at NOA

    The giant strides of Issa-Onilu at NOA

    By Emma Ibediro

    As a young man growing up, it was always a delight to listen to the jingles of Professor Jerry Gana “if you are a governor, govern wel; if you are a policeman, police well; if you are a managing director, manage and direct well, and so on. It was a clarion call for commitment to nation building.  It was from the Federal Ministry of Information.  We had a National Orientation Agency headed by Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi. The impact of the National Orientation Agency was felt all over the country. Those were the days of MAMSER (Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery). Then, the agency went the way of many others before it.  It suffered neglect and became moribund.

    In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fished for and picked a thorough bred professional, a seasoned dye in the wool journalist, a consummate technocrat to resuscitate the very crucial agency. It is very interesting and indeed gratifying to see how Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu has, within a short period, revived the Agency. Today, the national consciousness and pride in our country is witnessing a resurgence. Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu as Director General of NOA is intentional in thought and actions.  He has worked assiduously to put the necessary framework in place to restore pride in one’s nation.

    The consciousness has been taken to an admirable height. Through carefully crafted television and radio programmes, jingles and advertorials, the good works of the government are being disseminated seamlessly and convincingly. They are packaged in captivating and appealing messages that penetrate the mind.

    The “I am a real Nigerian” jingle is a deeply penetrating message that resonates well with our efforts at national consciousness. Citizens must learn to see the nation from a positive angle at all times. Indeed, you cannot see the light if you keep your eyes closed. So many positive things have happened in the life of this administration, but the naysayers who prefer to close their eyes to these developments will deliberately refuse to see them. Their hate for the leaders blinds them to the good works being done.  But Mallam Issa-Onilu has persevered despite challenges to drive the good messages home. He enjoins Nigerians to see our cup as half-full instead of half-empty. We must continue to be proud, resilient, and accountable Nigerians.

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    The activities and programmes of government have continued to be disseminated to the citizens through short but insightful visuals and audio on television and radio. The Captain Excellence and the delightful children provide in practical terms information and availability of the Student Loan being championed by the Federal Government through NELFUND. The save energy and water campaign could not have come at a better time now that energy conservation is key to development.  Timely warnings on flooding and other natural climate change save the citizens’ lives and properties. When the new National Anthem was introduced, the National Orientation Agency, through sustained campaign, took it to all the nooks and crannies of the country.

    On the print media, he has brought to bear his knowledge and experience as a seasoned editor to pilot the publication of The Explainer journal.  The Explainer has brought the programmes and projects of government to the doorstep of every Nigerian. This weekly publication has brought to an end the speculations associated with government programmes and the reasons behind them.  Now you have them on your finger tips. The DG is not a man that is limited by analogue bureaucracy.

    He is in tune with digital realities of our time. Little wonder he has developed an AI chatbot, CLHEEAN. This chatbot provides an opportunity for Nigerians to seek information on government policies, programmes and activities through voice or chat assistant right on their devices. This is currently available on noa.gov.ng. Indeed, Mallam Issa-Onilu as Director General of National Orientation Agency has revived the once comatose Information and Orientation Agency into a giant Information megaphone.

    However, it is my opinion that these efforts should be encouraged. The need to establish a desk in all government departments as NOA desk cannot be overemphasised. In this day of technology, an NOA desk equipped with a mobile telephone and Internet-enabled laptop to receive information and forward same to a central database should be considered and encouraged.

    Secondly, the once popular but now moribund MAMSER ‘army’ should be established in all the states and local government areas and assigned the duties of maintenance of civil order, control of traffic and related matters. This set of thoroughly trained MAMSER officials will harmonise the haphazard activities of the untrained local government officials in maintaining social order and sanity.  Certainly, it will be cost demanding, but every society is rated by the behaviour of its people.  It will also be a huge avenue for the employment of our unemployed youths, especially in the local government areas. There is no point emphasising that in today’s Nigeria, the police and civil defence corps have not lived up to the expected standard in the discharge of their duties with regard to management of social order.

    Thirdly, the National Orientation Agency should be encouraged to take over the various moribund information units of local government councils. The equipping of this NOA driven information units with outside broadcast vans with film projectors will bring to an end the hitherto inability of information about government activities reaching the grassroots.  I still recall with nostalgia when information officers moved from one community to another, disseminating information about government activities in local languages and captivating visuals for the information, education, and entertainment of the locals at village squares or community town halls. Nobody can fault this strategy.

    Nigeria is good, but Nigeria can be better if we adopt the right attitude, and it can become best if we develop conscious love for our country.

    National Orientation Agency under Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu is working.

     • Ibediro is a former National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress.

  • Climate change devastation in Nigeria: A growing concern

    Climate change devastation in Nigeria: A growing concern

    By Adebayo Adeleye

    Climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a harsh reality that Nigeria and Africa in general are grappling with. Rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, and desertification are some of the devastating effects of climate change that are impacting lives and livelihoods across the continent.

    The Alarming Statistics: According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), climate-related hazards cause African countries to lose 2-5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually. In West Africa, rainfall deficits in Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana led to localised shortfalls in agricultural production in 2023. The region has experienced a 1.2°C temperature rise above pre-industrial levels, with 2024 being one of the five hottest years on record for the Sahel.

    Effects of Climate Change in Nigeria: Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is highly vulnerable to climate change. The country is experiencing increased flooding, droughts, and heatwaves, which are impacting agriculture, food security, and human health. Climate change is also shifting climate regions, with the desert region in the North receding North and the tropical savanna climate expanding.

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    Recent Initiatives and Events: There are, however, signs of hope. Recent initiatives aimed at combating climate change include; Kano’s Inclusive Climate Change Policy, where Kano State has unveiled an inclusive climate change policy to mitigate the effects of climate change. Adamawa’s Recycling Plant: Adamawa State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to construct a recycling plant. Eco-Circulate Ayobo Initiative: This initiative is driving climate action through community partnership and rewards. Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan: Nigeria has launched an Energy Transition Plan to decarbonize its energy sector and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

    Call to Action: Experts are urging immediate action to reduce methane emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has called for urgent action to combat deforestation, restore ecosystems, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also raised concerns about the worsening climate-related disruptions in West Africa.

    As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, it is clear that urgent action is needed to mitigate its effects. Nigeria and other African States must work together to address this pressing issue and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

    •Dr. Adebayo Matthew, Adeleye (Ph.D., Ibadan) Researcher on Environmental Pollution and Control badeleye@gmail.com  +234 803 525 6450

  • Revenue target: What might have been!

    Revenue target: What might have been!

    That was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, speaking in a recent address to key political figures. Tinubu announced that Nigeria had reached its 2024 revenue target in August, a feat he attributed to strategic economic reforms focused on the non-oil sector.

    The president asserted that Nigeria’s economy is now on a predictable and stable path, that the era of illicit currency trading has ended, and that foreign exchange and imports are now transparently accessible without the need for personal connections. He made many sweet pronouncements and gave the hope of a promising future. Kudos to the Father of the Nation for this wonderful feat!

    To a cross-section of Nigerians, the early achievement of the revenue target is a reflection of the effectiveness and efficiency of the government’s tax collection system. This surplus, coupled with a stable exchange rate, may signal a more predictable and stable economy, increased investment and new job opportunities.

    ​It is also plausible that this success is a result of blocking revenue leakages and that revenue officers are now better trained and more committed to their duties. Most importantly, the success may be attributed to a new synergy between government agencies and the use of modern technology.

    Conversely, cynics may not view meeting the annual revenue target in August as an achievement, given the widespread poverty. To them, it might be a reflection of a pattern of extortion and aggressive collection, an immense coercive power exerted over a vulnerable populace by state agencies, or a sign that the public has been burdened with increased costs across various sectors. This perspective raises important questions about the sustainability and equity of such revenue generation methods. Anyway, I will come back to that later!

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    The economic term, ‘Opportunity Cost’, is “the value of the next-best alternative that is foregone when making a choice between mutually exclusive options.” Opportunity cost is very critical in guiding both personal decisions and economic policies. In the case of a government grappling with a very difficult situation, the presentation of policies must be anchored on explaining the cost of doing things or not doing them at all.

    Due to its ongoing period of transition and painful readjustment, it is not surprising that the Nigerian government is taking flak. Not unexpectedly – and this is acceptable in a democracy – those waiting to grab power are not slowing down in capitalizing on this temporary discomfort. In like manner, those who have lost unearned privileges and advantages in a rigged market are, unsurprisingly, screaming ‘blue murder’. But then, we must consider the path not taken. For instance, what would have happened if Nigeria had not put in place the reforms needed to reverse and correct a deteriorating economic situation?

    Talking seriously, we need neither a rocket scientist’s intellect nor the gift of clairvoyance to see that the country was on the verge of financial collapse before the Tinubu government decided that a fundamental correction was necessary. What would have clearly happened was an Argentinian or Venezuelan-style currency crisis, reminiscent of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. Nigeria’s fragile democracy might not have had the shock absorbers to withstand such a tsunami. So, the necessary corrections had to be carried out, even at the great risk of losing some political support.

    We will not subscribe to the ‘Great Man Theory of History’. However, any discerning analysis of the available options and the effective implementation of the counter-attack must focus on key individuals in the process. It appears to be a classic case of the right person for the job at the right time.

    A key actor has been Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). His appointment came at a critical juncture and was not for the faint of heart. On the contrary, whoever was appointed to that post was handed a poisoned chalice.

    By all accounts, Adedeji has proven more than capable of his task. He has demonstrated the tactical savvy needed to navigate stormy seas. He had to lead the charge in moving the economy away from consumption and toward production. He has positively shifted public discourse by leading a team that successfully convinced the public that funding deficits without adequate income is a self-defeating strategy.

    While the FIRS on his watch also met its oil and gas targets, Adedeji has consistently emphasized that sustained success hinges on a robust non-oil tax system. His professional demeanor and an ambitious N25.2 trillion revenue target have positioned Nigeria’s tax system for long-term growth, with gains that will be impossible to reverse.

    A shining example is the public commitment by the Imo State Government to pay its civil servants a minimum wage of N104,000 per month – approximately 48.57% above the national minimum wage of N70,000. “This includes all consequential adjustments.” Of course, this is significant in a country where many states once struggled to pay monthly salaries and pensions.

    Imo State also increased doctors’ salaries from N215,000 to N503,000, with an entry-level salary now at N582,000. More states will likely follow suit, as increasing purchasing power parity is fundamentally important for revitalizing our country’s commercial and economic landscape.

    In a positive trend reflecting robust economic management, Ondo State has demonstrated a remarkable ability to grow its revenue base. Its “Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) surged by an impressive 132.53% in the first half of 2025, reaching ₦28.15 billion compared to ₦21.24 billion during the same period in 2024.” This amazing achievement is not only part of a sustained upward trajectory but also a statement to the rest of the world that Nigeria’s subnational governments are becoming more fiscally disciplined and attractive for investment.

    In Zacch Adedeji, Tinubu uncovered a true rough diamond; and this has once again demonstrated the president’s ability to assemble an effective team. A mere ‘job-for-the-boys’ appointment could have spelled disaster for the nation. Thankfully, Adedeji has proven to be a consummate professional, successfully reforming and legitimizing the tax system for the country’s benefit.

    While these achievements are noteworthy, critics may argue that the economic reforms have not yet translated to widespread prosperity. Well, it is essential to acknowledge that economic progress often involves painful readjustments, and there has never been a silver bullet in economic history.

    What we currently have is a marathon and not a sprint; and there will always be hidden landmines. Nevertheless, there’s been a decline in the rate of inflation. Unfortunately, this has been mixed up in the clamour for a decline in inflation itself.

    Again, while these technical economic arguments may be valid, they offer little solace to citizens struggling with rising costs. So, these two concepts need to be clearly explained in simple terms: a decline in inflation will be preceded by a decline in the rate of inflation itself.

    Last of all, Tinubu needs to do more to address the widespread hardship. For God’s sake, life shouldn’t be defined by the rising costs of international passports, tinted permits and flight tickets. Since the removal of the oil subsidy, more revenue has been generated and shared among the tiers of government. Why isn’t this wealth reaching the downtrodden? For all we care, governments across the board should channel existing revenues towards addressing critical social and institutional needs rather than imposing additional taxes.

    This is an optimal path forward, and it is poised to be a defining element in President Tinubu’s legacy.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!