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  • Tinubu’s omoluabiism and June 12 fighters

    Tinubu’s omoluabiism and June 12 fighters

    • By Mobolaji Sanusi

    “It is not titles that honour men but men that honour titles.” -Niccolo Machiavelli

    June 12, 2025 will be a day to remember for a long time to come. Not for the niceties of officialdom but for the fact that it was on that day that those who sow courage yesterday were accorded honour today by a government whose henchman is a leading light of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that sprouted in the wake of June 23, 1993 Presidential election annulment by the military administration of evil dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. That day’s honour is the reward of the courage these patriots and thousands of others not yet honoured displayed in pursuit of electoral justice for the country.

    Why is June 12 being celebrated? It is simply because on that date in 1993, Bashorun MKO Abiola was voted for but denied the victory of his globally acclaimed freest and fairest election ever in the history of this country. Sadly so, he was criminally taken out by the state in circumstances that are still beyond human comprehension.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, conferred this deserved honour on some deserving Nigerians during his Democracy Day address before the joint session of the National Assembly.

    Last Thursday was a day that the toil of some living and dead fighters of today’s democratic fruits, enjoyed by Nigerians, were accorded due official recognition. Quite unlike before when democratically minded Nigerians, including the current president, begged, clamoured and prostrated before past powers-that-be so that freedom fighters of the June 12 hue can be duly recognized by the federation.

    The worst previous leader in this regard is former President Olusegun Obasanjo who still loathes the name MKO Abiola; most certainly out of envy for the martyr of democracy’s larger-than-life image, wealth, and burgeoning political profile during his lifetime and till date.

    The honorees of that day, though not exhaustive, fought on several fronts. Some fought with their pens of which yours sincerely was among. Yours sincerely joined other patriots on the streets of Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, to protest the devilish annulment at the time. However, other patriots fought against the annulment with their voice on radio and television stations. Others including students and the labour movement fought through networking, activism, pecuniary support and organizational skills amongst others. The collective efforts of these known and unknown patriots have brought about what we call democracy today.

    As Tinubu reeled out names of beneficiaries, it is difficult to disagree with him on his choice of recipients even though it is clear that some names have been inadvertently omitted. The three Nigerians that hijacked an airplane just to draw global attention to the June 12 annulment in the prime of their youth were conspicuously missing on the Tinubu Democracy Day list. They went to jail in Niger Republic for over two decades and should now be honoured and rehabilitated for displaying rare selfless courage in times of national distress. General Isola Williams, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa also were not on the list. Despite being uniformed personnel at the time, they risked their lives and service by speaking truth to power. Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and others should equally be fished out for recognition.

    But like Tinubu stated in his address, he’ll still add other deserving names in tandem with the National Council of State. This means that the exercise is a continuum. This is the first time in a long time that national honours awards are not seen by reasonable people as a bazaar.

    The applause that greeted the presidential announcement of some names, particularly that of Professor Wole Soyinka, was tumultuous. It shows titles don’t make man. It is man that confers honour on titles. Names like Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Alani Akinrinade, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Bagauda Kaltho elicited excitement across the National Assembly and the country.

    Read Also: 2027: Tinubu’s re-election is divine mandate -Prophet Wale Ojo

    The presidential honorees cannot be faulted. The heroine of June 12 struggles, Kudirat Abiola posthumously got the national honour of CFR, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR): Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Senator Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON). Also conferred with the national honour are Professor Wole Soyinka (GCON), Professor Olatunji Dare, described as ‘journalist and journalism teacher’ by the president equally got CON:

    Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Professor Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON).

    Others include Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR). Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, the journalism luminary also got CON honour.

    Environmental degradation activists/Ogoni nine, apart from state pardon also got national honours. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa (CON) led Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON) in this regard.

    Listening to Tinubu reel out the names of these rebellious fighters of worthy cause reaffirms my personal conviction that the president is still the commander of his craft. For once since the advent of this democratic epoch, national award is making sense to sensible people in this country. This time around, national awards conferment is not publicly perceived as a mockery of our collective national values. These men, in line with Niccolo Machiavelli’s assertion, will surely give honour to their various national awards. Kudos to Tinubu for achieving this feat.

    The complete or near silence of previous federal administrations on this issue of June 12 actually denied justice to living and dead freedom fighters because such silence empowered evil against good deeds of patriots who fought the military to a stand still.

    Tinubu with this token recognition bestowed upon the deserving, dead and alive, cured the mischievous crime against reason of the past with regards to June 12. Thank you President Tinubu for giving us a day when it can be stated that honourees truly confer honour on National Awards.

    No doubts that Nigerians remain united in commending him on this, just like yours sincerely hopes that one day, Nigerians will have genuine reason to be truly united in celebrating Tinubu’s efforts to put Nigeria on the right track however herculean it might seem today. That day, Nigerians would have gotten answers to the  renewed hope promised them, not excuses.

    Those that Tinubu recognized at one point or the other in the history of this country on Thursday give efficacy to Leo Tolstoy’s assertion that “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

    These people gave Nigeria’s reformation priority at the risk of their lives and that of their family members.

    And on June 12, 2025, past toil of these patriots paid off. Certainly, the toil of those that were not yet rewarded will one day be recognized by our omoluabi president. It is a matter of time and patience.

    • Sanusi is Managing Partner at AMS Reliable Solicitors in Lagos.
  • 70 salutes to the Admiral: Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim @ 70

    70 salutes to the Admiral: Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim @ 70

    • By Chris Olukolade

    In the course of life, men come and go. The test of a man’s journey on earth is the legacy he leaves at every milestone. Nigeria has produced many leaders of repute. One notable military strategic leader is Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim CFR. 

    Born on the 15th of June 1955, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Admiral Ibrahim has lived a life defined by service, leadership, and deep personal integrity. From his early years, it was clear that he was destined for greatness. After primary school in Ilorin, he embarked on a journey of discipline and dedication at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, between 1970 and 1974. Upon completion of his secondary school, Admiral Ola Ibrahim proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna         from 1974 to 1977 thereby establishing a foundation that would shape him into the master sailor, decorated officer, and exceptional administrator we are proud to celebrate today.

    Admiral Ibrahim’s distinguished military career was marked by excellence and honour. His career was characterised by steady growth as he held appointments across the spectrum of command, staff and instruction. He was a senior instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy and he also served as a Directing Staff at both the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and National Defence College Abuja. He later returned to the National Defence College as the pioneer Director of Curriculum and Programmes Development. In these roles, he established himself as a capacity building expert in command, staff and strategic studies.

    Ibrahim was the Commanding Officer of the warship NNS AYAM and later Commander of NNS OLOKUN (now NNS BEECROFT), an operations base. He later became the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command. These command appointments reinforced his leadership and managerial prowess.

    At the Naval Headquarters, Ola Ibrahim was at different times the Navy Secretary, Chief of Administration and Chief of Training and Operations. These appointments demanded high level policy and strategic oversight, which he adequately provided.  By providence, he had the honour of being the 19th Chief of Naval Staff and 14th Chief of Defence Staff.

    Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim’s achievements as Chief of Naval Staff between 2010 and 2012 and Chief of Defence Staff between 2012 and 2014 remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s military history. In those exalted appointments, he always emphasized the importance of strategic leadership in successful military operations, highlighting the need for cohesion and effective execution of missions. As Chief of Naval Staff, he directed the acquisition of NNS THUNDER from the USA and NNS UNITY and CENTENARY from China. He established the Central Naval Command as well as the Nigerian Navy Transformation Branch.

    Moreover, he introduces several welfare initiatives which boosted personnel morale. Admiral Ibrahim promoted the dedication and sacrifice of the Armed Forces in maintaining national security and stability, advocated for a whole of government approach to handling counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations. He also stressed the significance of intelligence-driven operations, strengthening partnerships with local communities, international allies, and other security agencies. In addition, he promoted synergy in joint and interagency joint operations and encouraged innovative thinking and adaptability among military personnel. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of upholding ethics, standards, and core values within the military, emphasizing the need for integrity and honour to maintain trust and cohesion within the ranks. Additionally, he always charged officers to imbibe excellence and professionalism in discharging their duties as future strategic leaders.

    He rose through the ranks with unwavering commitment, guiding and protecting our nation’s maritime strength with wisdom and courage. As a master of the seas and a strategic thinker, he has left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Navy and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    He became the Chief of Defence Staff at a time Nigeria was plagued by terrorism, oil theft and militancy among other security challenges. His tenure as Chief of Defence Staff saw him oversee the Nigerian Armed Forces, working to promote national security, stability, and development. He served in this capacity until he retired on 16 January 2014.

    He was conferred with the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2012, as well as a Doctorate degree in Management Sciences from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2017. Additionally, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016 and briefly engaged in private legal practice in retirement.

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      Beyond the uniform, titles and accolades, stands a man of principles. A devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, Admiral Ibrahim is a family man in every sense. His love and loyalty to those closest to him are a reflect of the same values that guided his leadership—integrity, compassion, and selflessness.

    As a strategic leader, his impact resonates far beyond the military institutions. Whether in Ilorin, where his roots run deep, or across the nation, Admiral Ibrahim has consistently uplifted those around him, investing in people, mentoring the next generation, and standing as a beacon of wisdom and humility.

    And for those fortunate enough to know him personally, he is a loyal friend—steady, kind-hearted, always present with a listening ear and a generous spirit. His ability to lead and serve, while never losing sight of the human touch, is what makes him not only a great admiral, but a truly great man.

    So today, as we mark yet another year in the life of Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, we do more than celebrate a birthday. We celebrate a legacy—a life of purpose, service, and love.

    On behalf of all his associates, we say thank you. Thank you for your sacrifices, for your leadership, and for your mentorship. May this year bring you continued good health, joy, and the peace you so richly deserve.

    Happy 70th Birthday, Admiral. May your sails remain full, your waters calm, and your legacy ever bright. Onward Together Sir.

    • Major General Olukolade rtd, Director of Defence information
  • Tinubu: Resilient driver of Nigeria’s democratic progression

    Tinubu: Resilient driver of Nigeria’s democratic progression

    • By Sam Onuigbo

    As Nigeria marked another Democracy Day, yesterday, June 12, it is only fitting to reflect on the men and women whose sacrifices have kept the flame of our republic burning. Among these patriots who are still alive today, one name stands out, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His struggles embody the axiom that “democracy is not just a system of government, but a way of life built on courage, sacrifice, and an unyielding belief in the people’s will.” The story of Nigeria’s democratic resilience cannot be told without acknowledging this visionary who has shaped our political landscape across three tumultuous decades. 

    A legacy forged in the fires of struggle 

    The battle for Nigeria’s democratic soul in the 1990s was a defining period that separated the patriots from the opportunists. When military dictatorship sought to extinguish the flames of freedom, Tinubu positioned himself not as a spectator but as a strategic commander of the resistance. His NADECO years were marked by extraordinary courage – organising underground networks, funding dissent movements, and constantly outmanoeuvring the junta’s oppressive machinery. This was no armchair activism; it was a high stakes struggle where the price of conviction could be one’s liberty or even life. Like the great democratic champions throughout history, Tinubu understood that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor – it must be demanded by the oppressed. His fellow activists like Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kaltho, Kudirat Abiola, etcetera, who paid with their lives and his own financial and material sacrifices during this period laid the foundation for the democracy we celebrate today. 

    When Nigeria finally transitioned to civilian rule in 1999, Tinubu exercised admirable leadership as the governor of Lagos State and his bold and courageous actions became a masterclass in transformational governance. He didn’t just manage the affairs of state – he reimagined them. Facing a near bankrupt treasury and crumbling infrastructure, he implemented bold reforms that turned Lagos into Africa’s fifth largest economy. The creation of institutions like LIRS and LASTMA weren’t just bureaucratic exercises; they were revolutionary steps in building a modern metropolis. His tax reforms, though initially unpopular, demonstrated the political courage that has become his trademark – the willingness to make difficult decisions for long-term gain.

    The results speak for themselves: Lagos’ internally generated revenue grew from a paltry N600 million monthly in 1999 to over N51 billion today, funding critical infrastructure without reliance on federal handouts. This Lagos miracle stands as irrefutable evidence of what visionary leadership can achieve. 

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    Beyond his gubernatorial achievements, Tinubu’s most enduring legacy may be his role as Nigeria’s foremost political institution-builder. While others hoard power, he multiplies it through strategic mentorship and leadership development. The “Tinubu School of Governance” has produced an impressive roster of leaders, including two presidents, two vice presidents, 14 governors, and hundreds of legislators. This is not mere godfatherism – it is a deliberate, systematic cultivation of leadership pipelines that has strengthened our democracy. His approach reflects a strong understanding that nations thrive when leaders invest in successors rather than cling to power. The democratic stability Nigeria has enjoyed since 1999 owes much to this statesman who prioritised system building over self-aggrandizement. 

    Today, as president, Tinubu faces perhaps his greatest challenge yet – transforming Nigeria’s economic foundations. The fuel subsidy removal, though politically hazardous, exemplifies his characteristic resolve to place long-term national interest above short-term popularity. The early results, while painful for many, show promising signs: nearly N2 trillion saved in eight months, the activation of Dangote Refinery that will end $10 billion in annual fuel imports, and states receiving 300% increased allocations for local development projects.

    These reforms echo the painful but necessary adjustments made by nations like Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew – tough decisions that ultimately propelled them to first world status. As the saying goes, there are no gains without pain, and Tinubu’s economic vision recognises that Nigeria must endure short-term discomfort for lasting prosperity. 

    For the Southeast, Tinubu’s establishment of the South East Development Commission represents the most significant gesture of national reconciliation in decades. This is not mere symbolism but a concrete mechanism to address historical grievances and unlock the region’s vast potential. The commission now has the mandate to rebuild critical infrastructure, revive industrial hubs, and create opportunities that match the legendary entrepreneurial spirit of our people.

    As we move forward, it is crucial that all regions, especially the Southeast, recognise this administration’s commitment to inclusive development and nation-building. 

    As we celebrate this Democracy Day, we stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. The next six years will determine whether Nigeria becomes Africa’s Singapore – a disciplined, investment driven economy – or repeats the mistakes of nations that squandered their potential through policy inconsistency. The evidence overwhelmingly supports continuity: security gains showing a 40% reduction in terror attacks, landmark foreign investments like the $3 billion semiconductor deal with US firms, and an agricultural revolution creating 500,000 new jobs. These are not accidental achievements but the fruits of deliberate, strategic leadership. 

    History will remember President Tinubu as we remember the great nation builders of the 20th century – not for perfection, but for moving the needle of destiny when it mattered most.

    His journey from being a senator to activist, to governor, and then to president mirrors the trajectory of our democracy itself – from struggle to stability, from potential to prosperity.

    As the Igbo proverb teaches us, “A man who doesn’t know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body.” We know our starting point; with Tinubu’s steady hand, we are now witnessing the dawning of our drying season. On this year’s Democracy Day, let us honour his sacrifices by supporting the completion of this vital national transformation. The future beckons, and with continued unity and determination, Nigeria’s greatest days lie ahead. 

    •Sir Onuigbo, member representing Southeast on the governing board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), is former House of Representatives Member for Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South and APC Senatorial Candidate in 2023. He wrote from Abuja.

  • Unsung heroes of June 12

    Unsung heroes of June 12

    By Idowu Ephraim Faleye

    As the nation prepares once again to mark the anniversary of June 12, the memories of Nigeria’s long and painful march to democracy rise to the surface. The stories of courage, sacrifice, and the defiance of tyranny will echo across television stations, newspaper pages, and political podiums. Names like Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, and his brave wife, Kudirat Abiola, will be called out with deserved reverence. The country will remember General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who died in detention, and Pa Alfred Rewane, who was murdered in his own home. These names have become familiar symbols of the democracy we enjoy today. Their faces have been etched into our national consciousness. Their sacrifices are well known.

    However, as we honour these fallen giants of our democratic history, we must ask ourselves a sobering question. What about those whose names are barely mentioned? What about the ones who also risked everything—some their careers, others their lives, and some even their future—but who are hardly ever remembered? What about the unsung heroes of the June 12 struggle?

    One such man is Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.). A man of rare courage; a man who stood on the side of truth at a time when most people in uniform were either silent or complicit. He was not a politician. He was not a civilian activist. He was a serving military officer who dared to speak out against the injustice of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election- the election that was regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. It was a defining moment that could have transformed our country, but instead, it was stolen in broad daylight by the very institution that was meant to protect the people’s will.

    Colonel Umar did not keep quiet. As a military governor of Kaduna State and a respected voice in the military, he used his position to challenge the decision of the ruling Supreme Military Council. He criticized the annulment openly and called for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. In doing so, he challenged not just Ibrahim Babangida, who orchestrated the annulment, but also Sani Abacha, who later took over and unleashed a reign of terror on pro-democracy forces. Colonel Umar knew what it meant to stand alone in the military. He knew the risks—dismissal, detention, or even death. But he chose to speak truth to power. And for that, he paid dearly. His military career was cut short. But his name should never be forgotten. He is one of the unsung heroes of June 12.

    There is another group of Nigerians whose story is even more haunting. Their names are rarely mentioned during national commemorations. Yet, their actions were perhaps among the most daring in the history of the struggle. They were not seasoned activists. They were young men. Just four of them – members of a group called the Association for the Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria (AADN). On October 25, 1993, just months after the annulment of the June 12 election, they hijacked a Nigerian Airways Airbus A310 in a desperate attempt to force the world to pay attention to the injustice that had been done to the Nigerian people.

    The leader of the group was Benson Odugbo Eluma. The others were Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, and Kenechukwu Nwosu. Their plan was audacious. Some would say reckless. But it was driven by patriotic frustration. They boarded a domestic Lagos–Abuja flight with over 150 passengers on board, including top government officials. Mid-flight, they took control of the plane and diverted it to Niamey, Niger Republic with the ultimate destination in Frankfurt, Germany. They demanded the restoration of MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate and a return to civilian rule.

    The hijack, no doubt, was condemned by many at the time. And rightly so—no democratic society can condone violence or the threat to civilian lives. But if we look deeper, we will see that their action was a desperate cry for justice in a country that had silenced all other voices. These young men believed that if they could draw the world’s attention, perhaps the Nigerian military would be forced to do the right thing. They risked their lives, and they gave up their freedom for a cause they believed in. Whether we agree with their method or not, we cannot deny their courage. They, too, are heroes of the June 12 struggle. Unsung, but heroes all the same.

    Sadly, the silence that surrounds these names is deafening. Every year, the country rolls out ceremonies to honour the memory of democracy’s martyrs. All of them have now passed on, their contributions woven into the fabric of our history. Their pictures often appear in newspapers. Their names are mentioned in government speeches.

    If we truly value the democracy we now enjoy—if we understand the weight of what was lost and what was fought for—then we must remember all who contributed. Not just the popular names. Not just those who were part of political organizations or whose profiles were high but also those who acted alone. Those whose courage cost them everything. Those who are still alive today and walk among us quietly, without recognition or reward. Or those who, like the hijackers, returned to find that their country had forgotten them.

    This is why the time has come for Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu—a man who himself was a target of the military and a major figure in the June 12 resistance—to set the record straight. He has the moral and historical obligation to make sure that no hero of June 12 is left behind. He must remember them all. He must tell their stories. He must honour their bravery.

    And more than that, he must act. Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar deserves national recognition. His role in challenging the military dictatorship must be acknowledged with an award befitting his uncommon bravery. The AADN boys must be rehabilitated. Their actions must be officially recognized for what they were: Patriots, though desperate, stand against military tyranny. They must be compensated, not just financially, but with dignity. Their names must be restored to the honour roll of our democratic struggle.

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    We cannot allow history to forget them. We cannot continue to celebrate some and ignore others. The story of June 12 is not complete without them. Their sacrifice was just as real. Their pain, just as deep. Their courage, just as inspiring. And if we let their names die unsung, we are telling future generations that only some kinds of heroism matter.

    As we mark another June 12, let us reflect not just on the well-known faces that grace our history books, but also on the forgotten ones whose bravery has been buried under the weight of time. Let us speak their names. Let us tell their stories. Let us honour them—because they, too, gave us this democracy.

    And to the families of these unsung heroes, to the men who still carry the scars of their sacrifice in silence, and to the ones whose dreams were cut short in the name of justice, we say: you are not forgotten. Your story matters. Your struggle was not in vain. One day, this nation will remember you—not with silence, but with honour. And on that day, your courage will shine as brightly as any other name in the golden book of Nigeria’s freedom.

    •Faleye writes from Ado-Ekiti.

  • June 12 and anatomy of a phantom coup plotter

    June 12 and anatomy of a phantom coup plotter

    By Stanley Ojah

    The humid night air hung heavy over Kaduna as Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba was roused from sleep by an urgent pounding on his door. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, armed soldiers burst in, their faces obscured by the shadows of their berets.

    The date was March 1995, marking the beginning of a 1,460-day nightmare for one of Nigeria’s most distinguished military engineers.

    No warrant. No explanation. Just the cold, metallic click of handcuffs snapping shut around Oloruntoba’s wrists.

    “You are under arrest for treason.”

    Treason? The word echoed in his mind. As they roughly handcuffed him, Oloruntoba’s mind raced through his 23 years of impeccable service. Hadn’t he just received a commendation weeks before for his work on indigenous weapons systems? How could a man who dedicated his life to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities suddenly become an enemy of the state? What followed was a nightmare of torture, solitary confinement, and a death sentence—all for “a coup that never existed.”

    Olusegun Oloruntoba’s journey began in the modest town of Okoro-Gbedde, Kogi State, where he was born on June 15, 1951. The son of a civil servant and a teacher, young Olusegun demonstrated exceptional academic prowess at the Provincial Secondary School in Okene. His physics teacher, Mr. Adebayo, often remarked, “This boy will either become a great scientist or a great soldier.” As fate would have it, he would become both.

    The Nigeria-Biafra civil war (1967-1970) left an indelible mark on the teenage Olusegun. While he was too young to enlist, the conflict ignited his patriotic fervour and convinced him that Nigeria needed not just warriors but technically competent officers who could develop indigenous military solutions.

    Oloruntoba’s military career began in January 1972 when he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Regular Combatant Course 11. His exceptional performance earned him early recognition, with Commandant Major General E.O. Ekpo noting in his evaluation: “Cadet Oloruntoba combines rare analytical skills with physical endurance – a complete officer material.”

    After commissioning, the young officer pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating with honours in 1978. His superior officers quickly recognised his technical acumen, posting him to the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

    The British government soon took notice of this brilliant Nigerian officer, offering him a scholarship to Cranfield Institute of Technology (now Cranfield University), where he earned a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and Production Management (1981-1983). During this period, he became one of the first Nigerian officers to be registered as a chartered engineer by the British Engineering Council.

    Returning to Nigeria, Major Oloruntoba (as he was then) embarked on what would become his most significant contribution to Nigeria’s military: the indigenisation of weapons production. His crowning achievement came in 2004 when he led the team that produced Nigeria’s first locally manufactured 60mm mortar tubes, 81mm mortar tubes and rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPG7)

    For this feat, he received the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria’s Merit Award. Colonel D.J. Abdullahi (retd.), who worked with him on the project, recalls, “Oloruntoba would work 20-hour days, often sleeping in the workshop. His dedication was unmatched.”

    Simultaneously, he excelled in military training, serving as Directing Staff at the prestigious Command and Staff College, Jaji. His lectures on military engineering became required reading for up-and-coming officers.

    The annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections proved to be the turning point in Oloruntoba’s military career. At a commanders’ meeting convened by his GOC, Brigadier General Ahmed Baku, Oloruntoba voiced what many junior officers feared to say: “With all due respect, sir, if the Head of State has genuine reasons for annulling this election, he owes Nigerians an explanation. If not, Professor Nwosu should be allowed to announce the results.”

    The room fell silent. Colonel Jibril (retd.), who was present, later recounted: “We all agreed with Oloruntoba, but he was the only one brave enough to say it openly. That was the day I knew his military career was in jeopardy.”

    True to form, Oloruntoba was quietly reassigned to teaching duties at the Staff College – a move considered a demotion in military circles. Unknown to him, this was merely the prelude to a more sinister plot.

    The “coup” allegations emerged in March 1995. General Sani Abacha’s regime claimed to have uncovered a plot involving over 40 military officers and civilians. Oloruntoba’s name appeared on the list, with the allegation that he was to lead the assault on Aso Rock.

    “They claimed I was to capture Abacha,” said Oloruntoba. “Me? A man who had never even been to Abuja?”

    Retired Colonel P.N. Okeke, who served on the investigative panel, revealed in a 2018 interview: “There was no concrete evidence against most of the accused, especially Oloruntoba. But the atmosphere was such that anyone who had ever questioned the regime was suspect.”

    What followed was an unspeakable descent into the abyss.

    Oloruntoba said he was subjected to sensory deprivation in solitary confinement, suspension torture (hung by limbs for hours), sleep deprivation, and psychological torture, including mock executions. He was suspended like a slaughtered animal, his left hand tied to his left leg, hanging for hours. Beaten, starved, and psychologically broken, all to force a false confession.

    Femi Odekunle, who later served on the Oputa Panel, documented that Oloruntoba’s medical reports showed “severe ligament damage in wrists and ankles consistent with suspension torture.”

    Yet through it all, the colonel maintained his defiance. Captain Y. Bello (retd.), a prison guard at the time, remembers: “Even after torture sessions, Colonel Oloruntoba would walk back to his cell singing. He became a symbol of resistance for other detainees.”

    Sentenced to death alongside Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and others. Yet, he never broke.

    “When they lowered me, I walked out singing—‘Who go suffer? Na dem go suffer!’”

    The special military tribunal was a foregone conclusion. Without access to proper legal defence, all accused were found guilty. Oloruntoba received a death sentence alongside General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Major General Abdulkarim Adisa and 35 others. International outcry followed, with Amnesty International declaring the trial “a gross miscarriage of justice.” The UK Engineering Council petitioned the Nigerian government, highlighting Oloruntoba’s significant contributions to the field of engineering.

    Read Also: Democracy Day: Igbo group hails Nigeria’s impressive departure from military dictatorship

    For four years, Oloruntoba languished in detention. The turning point came with Abacha’s sudden death in June 1998. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, recognising the grave injustice, ordered the immediate release of all phantom coup detainees, restoration of their military ranks, payment of all withheld entitlements and counting detention years as active service.

    The Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel) conclusively established that the 1995 coup was fabricated. Its recommendations included an official apology from the federal government, monetary compensation for victims, and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

    Despite these recommendations and personal assurances from President Obasanjo, no concrete action was taken. Oloruntoba reflects bitterly: “The same man who suffered with us became president and forgot us. That betrayal hurt more than the torture.”

    Post-retirement, Oloruntoba channelled his intellect into academia, serving as Lecturer I at the University of Ilorin’s Mechanical Engineering Department and as Lecturer I at the Nigerian Defence Academy, as well as a consultant to the Defence Industries Corporation.

    Today, Oloruntoba wears a different crown: HRM Oba (Col.) Olusegun Oloruntoba is the Olugbede of the Gbede Kingdom, a first-class traditional ruler. His palace is a sanctuary of wisdom, where he blends military discipline with royal diplomacy. He was crowned in 2010. As monarch, he has established vocational training centres, pioneered community policing initiatives and advocated for educational reforms. Yet, the past lingers.

    Now in his 70s, Oloruntoba continues to seek redress, including the full implementation of the Oputa Panel recommendations, official exoneration in military records, and compensation for years of wrongful detention. His legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has filed multiple petitions to successive governments, all of which have been ignored. “Nigeria owes us. Not just money, but a recognition that we were wronged,” said Oloruntoba.

    Oloruntoba believes the incumbent president can excel where others excuse themselves. Is this June 12, the phantom coup plotters’ final redemption day?

    •Stanley is a writer and an analyst based in Lagos. He can be reached via beebeibee@yahoo.com

  • Six years of Enduring Impact and the journey to the future

    Six years of Enduring Impact and the journey to the future

    By Babajide Sanwo-Olu

    In the grand theatre of time, six years may seem like a mere flutter of the clock’s hands. But in the story of Lagos, these six years have been a symphony of transformation, innovation, and relentless commitment to people-centred governance.

    These have been years where the impossible became visible, where dreams took shape in steel and stone, and where policy was not just a document but a living, breathing force shaping the lives of over 20 million citizens. It has been six years of indelible impact, and the journey to the future has only just begun.

    When I assumed the sacred responsibility of leading Lagos, I did so with an unwavering belief in the limitless potential of our people. I envisioned a city not just thriving in its past glory, but leaping boldly into the future – digitally connected, economically inclusive, environmentally resilient, and globally competitive. That vision crystallised into a strategic blueprint: the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, our compass through turbulent waters and calm tides alike.

    In these years, transportation in Lagos has experienced a metamorphosis. Where traffic congestion once choked productivity, we have laid down new arteries for movement and mobility. The Lagos Blue Line Rail, now a proud fixture of our skyline, glides silently across the horizon, carrying not just passengers but our collective aspirations for a modern megacity.

    And on its heels, the Red Line Rail is completed, moving over half a million commuters daily, easing pressure on roads and transforming lives in ways that asphalt alone never could. We have rehabilitated and constructed over 970 roads, built interchanges, flyovers, and launched water terminals that have opened our waterways as viable transport channels. Each bridge constructed is a metaphor – a bridge to more opportunities, from delay to delivery.

    Healthcare in Lagos today stands as a rebuke to those who once believed dignity could not be built into public service. From the General Hospitals that have been reborn with new infrastructure to the Mother and Child Centres we have built in underserved communities, our focus has been clear: healthcare must be accessible and reliable.

    Through the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme, we have unshackled thousands from the fear that illness equals financial ruin. It is no longer a privilege to be healthy in Lagos – it is a right we are working every day to secure.

    Education, the eternal light of human progress, has not been left in the shadows. Over 1,400 public schools have received infrastructural upgrades. But beyond bricks and mortar, we have reimagined what it means to learn in a 21st-century city.

    With the Eko Excel programme, thousands of public primary school teachers are now armed with digital tablets, delivering data-driven instructions to pupils eager to learn. And through the Eko Digital Initiative, we are training our students in coding, robotics, and AI – because the child in Ajegunle should have as much access to the future as the child in Lekki or Ikoyi.

    The environment is getting its deserved attention. We are planting not just trees, but legacies of sustainability. Through enhanced waste management systems, drain de-silting efforts, and the revitalization of green spaces, Lagos is turning the page to a cleaner, greener chapter. Our coastline is being protected, our air is growing cleaner, and climate resilience is no longer a buzzword but a policy direction.

    Technology is no longer a luxury; it is the spine of our ambition. In these six years, we have laid over 2,700 kilometres of fibre optic cables, part of the larger 6,000 km Metro Fibre project that powers our broadband future. From the Lagos Digital Service Portal to intelligent transport systems, we have woven technology into the fabric of governance.

    Our Art of Technology (AOT) conference birthed the Lagos Innovation Master Plan, which now supports startups, promotes civic tech, and has made Lagos the epicentre of Africa’s digital surge. Global tech giants Microsoft, Google, Meta, and others now see Lagos not as a footnote, but as a frontier.

    And as food security grows more pressing globally, we have moved to feed the future with action, not rhetoric. The Lagos Rice Mill, Imota – Africa’s largest – now hums with activity, turning paddy into prosperity. The Lagos Food Logistics Hub in Epe is reimagining how agricultural produce is preserved, processed, and delivered. With over 20,000 farmers empowered, we are not just growing food, we are growing dignity.

    Commerce, industry, and investment have found a new rhythm in Lagos. The Lekki Deep Sea Port, the largest in West Africa, now stands as a gateway to the world, unlocking trade corridors and employment.

    Read Also: Expert gives insight into how to Navigate Nigeria’s Economic Maze, build wealth in 2023

    With over $1.5 billion in foreign direct investment in just three years, we are no longer asking investors to come; we are showing them why they must. Lagos is fast becoming a global economic powerhouse that is rising not on oil alone, but on the wings of fintech, logistics, clean energy, and innovation.

    Job creation and wealth redistribution are not abstractions in our governance; they are deliberate outcomes. Through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), over 250,000 women and young people have been trained, financed, and mentored into viable livelihoods.

    Our Youth Development Centres are now incubators of talent and civic participation. Whether it is in fashion, tech, agriculture, or filmmaking, the Lagos spirit is thriving because we invest in those who carry it.

    Our journey into housing and urban renewal tells its tale of rebirth. Over 17,000 housing units have been delivered in cities within the city; Ikorodu, Lekki, Badagry, Surulere – all rising to meet the demand for dignity in dwelling. We are digitising land titling, deploying smart surveillance, and introducing green architecture because the Lagos of tomorrow must be smart, secure, and sustainable.

    And what is a city without a soul?

    The creative economy in Lagos is not just alive, it is ablaze. Through the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative (LACI), we are converting passion into profit. From the Lagos Film City to performance hubs across the metropolis, the artist, the storyteller, the gamer, and the innovator now have a home and a future in Lagos.

    Six years have demanded not just vision, but vigilance; not just policies, but people-first implementation. We have governed with open ears, open hearts, and open minds. Through town halls, digital platforms, and community forums, we have not spoken to our people – we have spoken with them.

  • Tinubu: The difference is leadership

    Tinubu: The difference is leadership

    By Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari

    It’s been very interesting keeping tabs on some of the conversations stoked by President Bola Tinubu’s scorecards in two years in office. The engagements have been quite entertaining to say the least. The supporters, the critics and the cynics – all have established their respective but differing positions with justification.

    While one could see where a genuine critic is coming from since the basis for constructive criticism is to make one get better at what one is doing, no individual can do any good in the sight of cynics, even when in the estimation of any right-thinking person, the basis for his cynicism is flawed.

    But an honest supporter, not sycophant, is the only one who will goad you on in the face of challenges, tells you what is wrong without making a public show of it and provides you the shoulder to lean on and as well guides you through the many difficult phases.

    Nigeria, no doubt, is a blessed country. Her natural endowments – human and material – are almost limitless through sheer grace. Yet, she is the most difficult country to govern because of the many tendencies and palpable fault lines.

    Interestingly, the last two years of President Tinubu has confirmed one thing – a long agreed problem of the country – leadership! It is the only distinguishing difference between him and many of his predecessors.

    Whether you are a critic, cynic or supporter – one thing you cannot deny President Tinubu is his leadership of purpose, characterised by vision, determination and the willpower to make hard choices and to also excel where many feared to fail.

    It will be foolhardy, therefore, for anyone, the supporters especially, to not admit that there’s an evident room for improvement or see that there are areas we can actually do better than we are currently doing. After all, President Tinubu didn’t create any of the problems he’s fighting hard to solve for our collective good.

    Other than that, there’s no debating the fact that the last two years of his administration have birthed good for Nigeria and this is to no other factor than LEADERSHIP!

    Shall I start by reminding everyone that the removal of fuel subsidy, has saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone? It not only reduced fiscal strain and helped to redirect funds to other sectors, it halted the inherent fraud in the initiative.

    By unifying the foreign exchange market and naira’s floatation aimed at addressing distortions in the currency market, it has boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

    Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the preceding month. The most significant component of the inflation basket remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

    These figures signify stabilisation, albeit as a process, the immediate impact has been pivotal, too. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is one outreach that even the enemies cannot down play.

    The Tinubu administration, as it currently stands, has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries in the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme; there’s been over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND; N70,000 minimum wage, and the NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000.

    The free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, have led to a major drop in transport costs.

    The President Tinubu administration also cleared over $10 Billion FX debt, federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

    Read Also: Okoro launches “Go talent hunt season one” to discover Nigeria’s next photography talents

    So far, the administration has disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers. Over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project.

    Also,  over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction in the Renewed Hope Cities programme launched across Nigeria, with N200 billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors.

    Speaking further to facts and figures, over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years).

    Over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as of April was down to 23.17%. These are statistics.

    In enforcing fiscal discipline, the administration has reduced the nation’s fiscal deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024.

    The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These have not only shown fiscal discipline, they have become some tangible reliefs for the Nigerian people.

    The administration is not oblivious of the scourge called corruption and has taken steps against it, including suspending former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, in January 2024, over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability.

  • Tinubu: The difference is leadership

    Tinubu: The difference is leadership

    By Abdul’Aziz Abubakar Yari

    It’s been very interesting keeping tabs on some of the conversations stoked by President Bola Tinubu’s scorecards in two years in office. The engagements have been quite entertaining to say the least. The supporters, the critics and the cynics – all have established their respective but differing positions with justification.

    While one could see where a genuine critic is coming from since the basis for constructive criticism is to make one get better at what one is doing, no individual can do any good in the sight of cynics, even when in the estimation of any right-thinking person, the basis for his cynicism is flawed.

    But an honest supporter, not sycophant, is the only one who will goad you on in the face of challenges, tells you what is wrong without making a public show of it and provides you the shoulder to lean on and as well guides you through the many difficult phases.

    Nigeria, no doubt, is a blessed country. Her natural endowments – human and material – are almost limitless through sheer grace. Yet, she is the most difficult country to govern because of the many tendencies and palpable fault lines.

    Interestingly, the last two years of President Tinubu has confirmed one thing – a long agreed problem of the country – leadership! It is the only distinguishing difference between him and many of his predecessors.

    Whether you are a critic, cynic or supporter – one thing you cannot deny President Tinubu is his leadership of purpose, characterised by vision, determination and the willpower to make hard choices and to also excel where many feared to fail.

     It will be foolhardy, therefore, for anyone, the supporters especially, to not admit that there’s an evident room for improvement or see that there are areas we can actually do better than we are currently doing. After all, President Tinubu didn’t create any of the problems he’s fighting hard to solve for our collective good.

    Other than that, there’s no debating the fact that the last two years of his administration have birthed good for Nigeria and this is to no other factor than LEADERSHIP!

    Read Also: Nigerian archaeologist Babalola wins $300,000 Dan David Prize

    Shall I start by reminding everyone that the removal of fuel subsidy, has saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone? It not only reduced fiscal strain and helped to redirect funds to other sectors, it halted the inherent fraud in the initiative.

    By unifying the foreign exchange market and naira’s floatation aimed at addressing distortions in the currency market, it has boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

    Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the preceding month. The most significant component of the inflation basket remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

    These figures signify stabilisation, albeit as a process, the immediate impact has been pivotal, too. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is one outreach that even the enemies cannot down play.

    The Tinubu administration, as it currently stands, has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries in the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme; there’s been over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND; N70,000 minimum wage, and the NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000.

    The free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, have led to a major drop in transport costs.

    The President Tinubu administration also cleared over $10 Billion FX debt, federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

    So far, the administration has disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers. Over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project.

     Also,  over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction in the Renewed Hope Cities programme launched across Nigeria, with N200 billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors.

    Speaking further to facts and figures, over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years).

    Over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as of April was down to 23.17%. These are statistics.

    In enforcing fiscal discipline, the administration has reduced the nation’s fiscal deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024.

    The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These have not only shown fiscal discipline, they have become some tangible reliefs for the Nigerian people.

    The administration is not oblivious of the scourge called corruption and has taken steps against it, including suspending former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, in January 2024, over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability.

    Interestingly, the administration has been working on expediting all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. In the same breath, relevant agencies have been collating reliable evidence on some of the subsisting corruption litigations.

    In 2024, for example, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a record-breaking 4,111 convictions. This turned out its biggest year in terms of success. Their recoveries included over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies, including $214.5 Million, $54,318.64, and 31,265 Euros.

    With the final forfeiture of an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 725 units of duplexes and other apartments, the EFCC achieved its single most significant asset recovery in 2025.

     While the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had faced criticisms for allegedly pandering to the ruling party affiliates, no one has produced any evidence confirming these.

    Talk about security, the impression that the administration’s security architecture have been failing is not true. For the record, more than 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year.

    While there are still reports of abductions and violent attacks, the administration’s response to security concerns has paved the way for more food production and supply, since the farmers started to return to their farms.

    The administration has also embarked on agricultural revolution, which included tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.

    The government has continued to give requisite attention to its Regional Development drive and has succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across the six Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments.

    Without a doubt, the economic reforms have been laying the foundation for long-term stability, with GDP growth at 4.6% in Q4 2024 and a Fitch B credit rating upgrade as evidence. Moody’s Investors’ Service latest upgrade of Nigeria’s rating from Caa1 to B3, with a stable outlook, also indicates that the Tinubu administration is on the right path.

    Let it be clear that the government is not oblivious to some simmering discontents and hard times among the citizenry. The Tinubu administration has committed over N2.2 trillion to infrastructure, with 440 road projects ongoing and 260 palliative road projects completed.

    Some of the iconic road projects include the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway aimed to connect Victoria Island to Calabar, to boost trade and tourism along the coast; the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, a 1,000-kilometer road to link the north and south, with a planned rail line in the median, to improve connectivity and trade, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway.

    The fact that rail lines are designed to integrate into the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway to provide alternative means of transportation on those routes, speaks to vision and foresight.

    By the end of 2024, tax-to-GDP ratio rose from 10 per cent to over 13.5 per cent. Tax reforms were aimed to eliminate multiple taxation, protect low-income earners and support workers by expanding their disposable income.

    Essential goods and services such as food, education, and healthcare to attract 0% VAT. Rent, public transportation, and renewable energy will be fully exempted from VAT to reduce household costs further. Working to end wasteful waivers.

    Through systemic implementation of reforms in the oil and gas sector (especially total commitment to the implementation the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law in 2021), the administration is steadily increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production, restoring investor confidence.

    Production targets are being achieved, and positioned Nigeria as a more responsible and efficient oil-producing nation. Since 2023, oil production has increased to 1.7 million barrels per day, a significant departure from 2022 when it went as low as 1.2 barrels due to theft. 

    In what is considered as a strategic step towards addressing insecurity and environmental concerns in Nigeria’s forests, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a National Forest Guard in Nigeria.

    The aim is to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forests from terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, who use forests as hideouts, hence the new force is expected to flush out these criminal elements reclaim the forests. It is designed as a collaborative security endeavour between federal and state governments.

    The administration’s demonstrable priorities are securing the nation, fixing the economy, and improving human capital development.

    To be honest, the Tinubu leadership is already turning the corner for Nigeria by delivering bold reforms with evident results. It is, therefore, deserving to make a loud noise about President Tinubu’s scorecard as the nation celebrates Democracy Day today on June 12, two years after he assumed office.

    The nation may not be close to her dream destination, she is definitely far from where she was coming, and this is for nothing but serious and focused leadership – the rare type being currently provided by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu!

    •Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, is the Senator for Zamfara West and Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources

  • Border fencing: Turning crisis into collective security

    Border fencing: Turning crisis into collective security

    By Lekan Olayiwola

     In a region shadowed by insurgency, extremism, and fragile diplomacy, Nigeria’s internal security war is no longer just about boots on the ground or intelligence at home. The true battleground, too often overlooked, lies at its borders. A 360-degree strategic assessment of Nigeria’s border zones reveals an urgent truth: our border politics is both our frontline defence and our Achilles’ heel.

    Across West Africa, Nigeria’s evolving border dynamics mirror deeper truths about governance, state fragility, and leadership psychology. A cursory analysis of on-the-ground facts through our empathy-based leadership metrics reveals four types of border zones, each telling a different security story about a complex map of Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

    Bridge Builder

    Start with Nigeria’s western flank. The Nigeria–Benin border exemplifies the Bridge Builder archetype: a corridor of transactional cooperation, where diplomacy and enforcement are delicately balanced. Though smuggling remains a challenge (highlighted by a N39.4 million petrol bust), Nigeria and Benin maintain a policy dance that avoids escalation. Nigeria’s proposal to fence this border to curb infiltration reflects ongoing anxiety, but this is one of the few zones where policy can evolve without collapsing trust.

    Further south, the Nigeria–Cameroon border also fits the Bridge Builder model. Here, despite persistent threats from Boko Haram, both countries sustain trade and migration diplomacy. This cautious collaboration shows that peacebuilding need not always be dramatic; sometimes it’s about sustaining fragile routines that resist collapse. It is here, too, that France’s postcolonial footprint and security partnerships with Cameroon complicate Nigeria’s room for manoeuvre, even as Russian private military contractors look to exploit local tensions.

    When control becomes a crisis

    In contrast, Guardian-type borders such as Nigeria–Niger and Nigeria–Chad are marked by military dominance, suspicion, and deteriorating trust. Niger’s military leadership recently accused Nigeria of harbouring foreign troops and destabilizing its regime. The country’s withdrawal from ECOWAS deepens the diplomatic rift and exposes Nigeria’s northern flank to geopolitical volatility. Russia’s growing influence in Niamey, through security and energy deals, directly contests U.S.-backed counterterrorism frameworks in the region. Nigeria thus faces a strategic dilemma—how to assert regional leadership without escalating proxy tensions.

    Similarly, the Nigeria–Chad border remains heavily militarized, yet porous, allowing Boko Haram and ISWAP to exploit the gaps. France’s declining presence in Chad has opened the door to new power plays from both Russia and regional insurgents, leaving Nigeria with fewer predictable partners.

    The Niger–Mali border, another guardian zone, reflects the spill over of instability in the wake of Sahelian states’ post-ECOWAS exits. Jihadist groups move with ease, and cross-border cooperation has all but collapsed. These borders prioritize control but often at the expense of legitimacy and trust. Without a pivot to inclusive governance, these regions will remain flashpoints.

    Read Also: Crisis of Nigeria’s working class

    Challenger borders: Courage under constraint

    Several borders show untapped promise—zones we classify as Challenger archetypes. These include the Benin–Togo, Chad–Niger, and Mali–Burkina Faso frontiers. Each is marked by persistent insecurity, reform-minded voices, and courageous but under-resourced local efforts.

    In northern Benin and Togo, al-Qaeda-linked jihadists have expanded operations, disrupting trade and exposing weak governance systems. The Chad–Niger region, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, is another hotspot for arms trafficking and terror activity. Both France and the U.S. have scaled back involvement, while Russian-linked actors have sought new footholds.

    Meanwhile, the Mali–Burkina Faso border suffers from unrelenting extremist attacks on military bases. Despite shared threats, military juntas in both countries struggle to coordinate effective responses. Russian mercenaries have become embedded partners in these regimes, offering tactical support at the cost of human rights and transparency.

    These Challenger zones are crucial buffers and potential allies in the fight for peace. Yet they receive little policy attention or investment. Nigeria must prioritize them, not as charity cases, but as strategic partners in co-producing security. Clearly a new negotiating approach is required to enable a historical repair of the fractured relationship between Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

    The Technician’s Dilemma: Stability without soul

    Then there’s the Togo–Ghana border, a Technician-type zone that is efficient and legally stable but emotionally disengaged. Boundary demarcation efforts are peaceful, and governance structures function well—on paper. Yet, they lack social resonance or community engagement. The takeaway for Nigeria is clear: stability alone isn’t enough. Peace must also be felt. Technical governance without empathy is brittle. As we negotiate regional compacts, we must embed values like listening, dignity, and healing into our diplomatic playbook, not just rules and regulations.

    Security in the Digital Age

    While border governance remains a human and institutional challenge, technology must become a force multiplier. AI-powered surveillance drones, biometric tracking systems, and real-time cross-border intelligence sharing, especially among Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, could strengthen early warning systems. However, these tools must be guided by ethics. Without human oversight and community consent, smart borders risk becoming sites of digital exclusion and oppression.

    The strategy Nigeria needs now

    To secure the nation, Nigeria must treat its borders as more than just geography. These are relational spaces where empathy, governance, and power intersect. Here’s what a winning strategy looks like:

    • Move from control to collaboration

    Military fences cannot solve what human partnerships can. The Pakistan-Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia-Iraq fences reduced cross-border smuggling and terrorists’ movements but tensions remain and it has not eliminated regional instability, as ISIS continues to operate in Iraq. In Bridge Builder and Challenger zones, build trust-based engagements, community protection mechanisms, and cross-border civic diplomacy.

     • Use Empathy Scores to Target Investment

    Our analysis highlights where leadership empathy and social dignity are weakest—Benin–Togo, Chad–Niger, Nigeria–Niger, and Nigeria–Chad. These are potential frontline hotspots for community alienation and extremist recruitment. Ignoring them only fuels despair and violence. Instead, Nigeria must treat these areas as priority zones for social investment, empowering local justice mechanisms, and funding psychosocial support programs for traumatized populations (not as charity, but as strategy). Knowing how trauma shapes behaviour is as crucial as knowing how to handle a weapon.

    • Build an ECOWAS 2.0 border cohesion framework

    With key countries exiting ECOWAS, Nigeria must lead a recalibration—one that values inclusive leadership, ethical security, and mutual healing as much as collective enforcement. This framework must respond to not just security gaps but geopolitical ruptures—whether in the shadow of Wagner, Washington, or Paris.

    • Train border officials in empathic governance

    Invest in leadership development for customs and immigration officials. Let dignity, listening, and inclusion become national security assets—not afterthoughts.

    The missing weapon in our arsenal

    Nigeria’s internal security cannot be won in Abuja alone. It is decided every day along the dirt roads of Katsina, in the creeks of Cross River, and at checkpoints in Borno. These liminal zones are not peripheries; they are the pulse of our peace.

    If we continue to treat borders as lines to guard or fence off, we will remain reactive and brittle. But if we begin to treat them as deep, delicate, and strategic relationships to cultivate, we unlock a new frontier in peacebuilding. Nigeria doesn’t just need stronger borders. It needs better border politics. And that begins with leadership rooted not only in strength—but in empathy.

    For Nigeria to reclaim its security narrative, these insights must move beyond analysis and into execution at the highest levels of state strategy and regional diplomacy. The time to act is now not just to defend our territory, but to reimagine what it means to be secure, sovereign, and whole.

    •Olayiwola is a peace and conflict researcher and practitioner. He can be reached via lekanolayiwola@gmail.com

  • Why Nigeria’s future belongs to patient leadership

    Why Nigeria’s future belongs to patient leadership

    By Idris Olorunnimbe

    I was online last week when I stumbled upon a clip that I had first seen a long time ago. There was President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), years before his presidency, defending a decision against detractors that perfectly encapsulates why I call him the King of the Long Game:

    “….When I invested Lagos State funds in Econet they criticised me. But I used N4 billion to bring back N19 billion to Lagos State. So, who really made the better decision? The truth is, when you’re superior to them in knowledge, in intellectual capacity, in professionalism, they do not engage on the issues. Instead, they try to drag you into the mud. And when you wrestle with a pig, you get stained. When will I rest from politics? I’ll rest when I free Nigeria.”

    That video was recorded circa 2009, before Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), five years before the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed, and 14 years before he was elected president. For that long and I dare say even before, he has been working towards his goal. He played the long game. Many things have changed since then but his intention remains the same – to free Nigeria.

    To achieve his lifelong dream, he is once again playing the long game. This is evident by the policies his administration is pursuing.

    Back to that clip, it reminded me why transformative leadership often looks like recklessness to short-term thinkers. The King of the Long Game understands something critics miss: the most impactful policies require time to mature, like investments that compound over decades.

    In our hyper-connected world where instant gratification often drives decision-making, and campaign cycles are every three years, we sometimes forget that the most transformative policies require time to germinate, grow, and ultimately transform lives. The question that should guide every good leader is not ‘what can we achieve by next year?’ but rather ‘what seeds are we planting today that will yield a harvest for generations?’

    This long-term perspective is what distinguishes truly visionary leaders from mere administrators. Take Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s introduction of free primary education in the Western Region in 1955. Critics called it ‘financially reckless’’, ‘politically-motivated’, and ‘economically unsustainable’. Yet, that single policy decision created the most educated generation in Nigeria’s history, producing the doctors, engineers, lawyers, and business leaders who would drive the nation’s development for decades.

    The children who walked barefoot to those free schools in the 1950s and 1960s became the professors, CEOs, and innovators of the 1980s and 1990s. They raised families who valued education, created businesses that employed thousands, and built the intellectual foundation upon which modern Nigeria stands. Awolowo understood that education is not just a policy; it’s an investment in human capital that compounds over generations.

    As Myles Munroe once said, “Managers think of the next position. Leaders think of the next generation”. That distinction could not be more relevant today.

    Similarly, during Tinubu’s Lagos governorship (1999-2007), every major reform faced fierce criticism. Free WAEC and NECO examinations? “Unsustainable”. Jigi Bola? “Pointless”. The Health Insurance Scheme? “Poorly timed”. The BRT system? “A waste of resources”.

    Today, Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic powerhouse precisely because of these “controversial” investments. The young professionals driving Lagos’s economy often trace their success to policies that removed barriers when their families couldn’t afford examination fees or healthcare.

    Now we’re witnessing history repeat itself with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Since launching on May 24, 2024, it has disbursed N56.85 billion to 298,124 students across 198 institutions- with a remarkable 92 per cent approval rate on over 550,000 applications.

    Critics ask why fund education when unemployment is high? Why invest in long-term programs when immediate needs press? This perspective fundamentally misunderstands transformative change. The infrastructure we build today serves this generation. The education we fund today serves the next generation.

    Every NELFUND beneficiary represents a future innovator who will not just fill existing jobs, but create new industries. When a brilliant student from rural Kebbi can study engineering debt-free, or a young woman from Cross River can pursue medicine with the guarantee of debt forgiveness after five years of Nigerian service, we are not just changing individual lives- we are building the human capital foundation for economic diversification.

    What makes this moment unprecedented is the convergence of educational investment with Nigeria’s digital revolution. NELFUND beneficiaries will graduate into a Nigeria where fibre optic cables reach every corner, where 5Gnetworks eliminate geographic barriers to opportunity.

    A computer science student in Makurdi can now collaborate with MIT researchers, access Oxford’s online courses, and launch a fintech start-up serving West Africa-all from Nigeria. This is the “digital dividend the exponential returns when brilliant minds have global access through reliable connectivity.

    Our young entrepreneurs already demonstrate this potential. From Flutterwave to Etap to Jumia, Nigeria’s digital natives build global solutions. Imagine their capabilities with universal broadband access and comprehensive digital literacy.

    What makes President Tinubu’s approach particularly powerful is the compound effect of his policies. Educated parents prioritize their children’s education. Economic opportunities in one generation create investment capital for the next. When combined with digital infrastructure, this compound effect becomes exponential.

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    The children benefiting from NELFUND today will likely send their own children to better schools, funded by opportunities their education provided. They will start businesses employing others, pay taxes funding public services, and contribute to a virtuous development cycle spanning generations.

    This same thinking is visible in the recent passage of the long-debated National Tax Reform Package, designed to streamline collections, reduce burdens for SMEs, and improve compliance. Its impact will not only be immediate-it also clears the fiscal underbrush needed to grow a broader, fairer revenue base for years to come.

    Critics of patient, strategic leadership often ask for immediate results in a complex world requiring generational thinking. They want quarterly returns on policies designed for decadal impact. President Tinubu understands that true transformation takes time-but in our digital age, it can happen faster than ever before.

    The Econet Investment that drew criticism returned nearly five times Lagos State’s initial stake. The BRT system that seemed extravagant now moves millions efficiently across Africa’s largest economy. The free examinations that appeared financially reckless unlocked countless minds that drive Nigeria’s progress today.

    President Tinubu has just inaugurated the first completed section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a bold infrastructural project long dismissed as “impossible” by doubters. When finished, it will connect nine coastal states, boost regional commerce, boost tourism and become a permanent artery for national development- another long bet already taking shape. Real estate proprietors have begun their harvest.

    Nigeria’s future is bright not because of wishful thinking, but because of deliberate policy choices combined with digital infrastructure that amplifies human potential. The King of the Long Game has planted the seeds. The digital highways are being built. The soil is fertile. The harvest awaits, and it will be sweeter and more bountiful than we can imagine.

    And perhaps this is the clearest sign of all that for President Tinubu, it is not just politics; it is purpose. He will rest, as he said, only when he has freed Nigeria.

    •Olorunnimbe is the group chief executive of The Temple Company.