The Nation Newspaper

Category: Discourse

  • The judicial divide on ARCON’s constitutional powers

    The judicial divide on ARCON’s constitutional powers

    • By Adeyemi Pitan

    Recent developments in Nigeria’s marketing communication and advertising industry following the enactment of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act 2022 have raised important questions about the constitutionality of the Act and the extent of the National Assembly’s legislative authority to centralize regulation across the sector.

    The Act attempts to bring all players under a single federal regulatory system. Two recent Federal High Court decisions have now produced conflicting interpretations of the National Assembly’s authority, especially regarding outdoor advertising and hoarding, which are not expressly listed in either the Exclusive or Concurrent Legislative Lists. Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Lagos Division declared ARCON’s powers unconstitutional when applied to outdoor advertising by relying on a strict textual reading of the Constitution, while Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Lokoja Division upheld the same powers by adopting a broad and harmonizing approach that considers the overall structure of Nigeria’s constitutional order.

    The Lagos decision arose from Massilia Motors Limited v. ARCON delivered on November 7 2025. Massilia Motors had installed outdoor signage consisting of flags bearing its Mitsubishi brand and tagline. ARCON described the installation as an unapproved lamp pole advertisement, demanded prior approval, and later issued a Criminal Summons after non-compliance. Massilia Motors challenged ARCON’s authority.

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    Justice Aluko held that Paragraph 1(k)(i) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution vests exclusive power over outdoor advertising and hoarding in Local Governments and declared sections of the ARCON Act unconstitutional to the extent that they regulate outdoor advertising. ARCON’s enforcement actions were set aside and costs were awarded to the plaintiff.

    Only five days later, on November 12 2025, Justice Dashen of the Lokoja Division delivered judgment in Godec Power Nigeria Ltd v. Attorney General of the Federation and ARCON.

    The plaintiff took a similar position by challenging ARCON’s constitutional authority. Justice Dashen upheld the validity of the ARCON Act in full. He held that the National Assembly has legislative competence under Items 49, 62 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List. He distinguished control of the physical structures used for outdoor advertising, which he accepted as falling within Local Government authority, from the regulation of advertising content and professional standards, which he held to be matters properly within federal competence. The suit was dismissed with costs against the plaintiff.

    Justice Aluko relied on a strict literal approach. He held that the words of Paragraph 1(k)(i) are clear and leave no room for distinction between the advertising medium and advertising content. In his view, Local Governments control both. He relied heavily on Section 1(3) of the Constitution to strike down any part of the ARCON Act that touches outdoor advertising, and he refused to read any implied limits or distinctions into the text.

    Justice Dashen approached the same issues from the opposite interpretive direction. Drawing from authorities such as A.G. Bendel v. A.G. Federation, Nafiu Rabiu v. Kano State and Ishola v. Ajiboye, he emphasized that constitutional provisions must be read as a coherent whole rather than in isolation. He examined the legislative powers of the National Assembly in detail.

    Under Item 49 he held that advertising is an organized profession similar to engineering and accountancy and therefore within federal authority. Under Item 62 he held that advertising is incidental to trade and commerce and therefore within the reach of federal regulation.

    Under Item 68 he relied on established precedent confirming that the National Assembly may exercise incidental powers broadly where necessary to give effect to matters already within its jurisdiction.

    The Lokoja judgment also revived the distinction between regulating the physical medium of signage and regulating advertising content and professional conduct. It held that the Constitution assigns Local Governments only the power to control physical structures and locations, leaving the regulation of content, ethics and standards to federal authorities.

    The ARCON Act, with its broad definitions and emphasis on consumer protection and professional practice, fits squarely within this federal domain. Justice Dashen further noted the impracticality of requiring national advertisers to seek approval from over seven hundred Local Governments, which would create an unworkable regulatory environment.

    The two decisions now stand in clear conflict.

    The Lagos judgment rests on a narrow reading that gives absolute priority to Paragraph 1(k)(i), while the Lokoja judgment harmonizes that paragraph with the broader legislative powers granted to the National Assembly. The holistic approach is more consistent with Supreme Court guidance in cases such as A.G. Ondo v. A.G. Federation, which insist that courts must avoid interpretations that fragment constitutional powers or frustrate national regulatory schemes where both levels of government can operate without contradiction. The Lagos judgment raises legitimate concerns about federal overreach but does so by adopting an interpretation that is too rigid and that does not accommodate the broader constitutional framework. The Lokoja judgment offers a more coherent and workable interpretation that preserves the role of Local Governments while affirming the federal government’s authority to maintain nationwide advertising standards.

  • BudgIT’s 2025 Report: Dissecting Enugu’s miracle of five loaves and two fish

    BudgIT’s 2025 Report: Dissecting Enugu’s miracle of five loaves and two fish

    • By Henry Ugbolue

    While discussing the 2025 edition of BudgIT’s State of the State Report, an annual publication that evaluates long-term fiscal performance and sustainability of Nigerian states, Arise News ace presenter and social activist, Rufai Oseni, described Enugu State’s emergence as the likeliest state to survive outside of the receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, as “The Enugu Miracle.”

    His words: “All of a sudden, Enugu has become a haven for raising money. The Governor Mbah some people never gave a chance is doing so well. He is putting digitisation in place. Enugu is now part of the few states in the country that are actually viable; that is, if they do not get FAAC, they should be able to run… If Enugu can do it, if Enugu can create a miracle – the Enugu Miracle – then what are others doing?”

    One cannot but agree with Oseni, especially given where the state is coming from. Indeed, Enugu’s surge under Governor Peter Mbah can be likened to the miracle of five loaves and two fish as recorded in Matthew 14: 14-21. Observing that the multitude that was with him since morning was hungry, Jesus’ disciples asked him to release them to go into the villages to find something to eat. But Jesus, instead, asked them to feed the multitude – to which they exclaimed in bewilderment that they had just five loaves of bread and two fish left. But Christ took that little blessed it, and asked his disciples to serve it. 5,000 persons were fed. Yet, in the end, 12 baskets of leftovers were gathered.

    According to BudgIT’s 2025 State of the States Report, Enugu State is the most probable state to finance its operating expenses exclusively from internally generated revenue (IGR) without relying on FAAC. The findings were based on Index A, which measures states’ ability to meet recurrent expenditure obligations relying only on IGR. The research methodology for Index A was the ratio of operating expenses to the state’s IGR.

    According to BudgIT, states that rank higher on this index exhibit greater financial autonomy and long-term viability. “States that perform strongly on Index A have comparatively limited dependence on FAAC allocations and thus possess greater viability if they were to theoretically exist as independent entities,” the Report states.

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    The ranking in this regard shows that Enugu State scored 0.68, implying that 68 percent of the state’s IGR would have catered to its operating expenses. Enugu is trailed in the top five states by Lagos State (0.83), Abia State (1.56), Anambra State (1.66), and Kwara State (1.73).

    On Index A1, which measures IGR growth, Enugu again leads the ranking, followed by Bayelsa, Abia, Osun, and Kano. These states recorded the strongest momentum in boosting internally generated revenues during the 2024 fiscal year. According to BudgIT, “While it may be too early to celebrate, as the uptick could partly reflect increased inflows from federation transfers, it is a much better performance than the previous year.”

    In the meantime, whereas Enugu and Lagos lead in IGR ranking, fewer states meet the 50 per cent threshold, as BudgIT’s 2025 State of the States report shows that the number of states generating enough revenue to cover their operating expenses has reduced compared to 2024. Unfortunately, according to BudgIT, 28 states still depend significantly on federal transfers and other external inflows to fund their operations.

    Meanwhile, whereas those who have expressed surprise at Enugu State’s ranking are in order, especially given where the state is coming from in terms of IGR, those who have keenly followed the state’s giant strides and redirection under Governor Peter Mbah, actually saw it coming.

    For instance, Mbah has drastically reversed the state’s Recurrent Expenditure-heavy budget culture – which is actually a subsisting national tradition. Before his coming, the state’s Capital Expenditure hovered around figures not exceeding N30bn, which amounted to about a Capital Expenditure to budget ratio of about 25 to 35 per cent. But in the 2024 budget, Mbah tweaked things positively for the state. That budget consisted of N107.2 billion Recurrent Expenditure or 21 per cent of the record N521.5bn budget and a Capital Expenditure of N414.3 billion, representing 79 per cent of the budget.

    While Nigerians thought that they had seen it, with the new order earning the Mbah Administration reviews by public analysts and editorial comments by several national dailies, he actually took it a notch higher in 2025 budget. The budget comprises N837.9 billion Capital Expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the N971 billion budget, and N133.1 billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing only 14 per cent of the entire budget.

    However, of great significance is the state’s quantum leap in terms of IGR profile. Although Mbah met the state’s IGR at N30bn in May 2023, he ramped it up to N37bn by the close of that year and scaled it up to N180.05bn by the end of 2024, marking a nearly 400 per cent increase in the state’s IGR profile.

    Expectedly, the question on the lips of many is: how was that possible? Basically, whatever has happened in the IGR space is rooted in the principles of transparency, traceability, and accountability of the Mbah Administration. The state’s IGR drive has benefitted so much from the technology to block leakages and also from widening the tax net to bring more people into the revenue stream without increasing the tax rate.

    The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, provided a deeper insight into the state’s IGR revolution in his keynote address at a recent high-level strategy retreat organised by the Governor’s Revenue Assurance Team. In the keynote speech at the retreated themed “From Silos to Synergy: Achieving Unified Revenue Targets Through Coordination and Accountability,” Prof. Onyia gave a participant-witness account of Enugu’s transformative journey, which has practically redefined governance, accountability, and fiscal performance in the state.

    “When Governor Peter Mbah entrusted us with the mandate to reposition Enugu as a model of efficiency and innovation, we knew that business-as-usual would no longer suffice. We needed a bold shift from fragmented silos to a unified, data-driven, and performance-oriented revenue ecosystem. One of the most decisive reforms we undertook was the complete stoppage of cash collection across all MDAs. This was not merely a procedural change; it was a philosophical shift toward transparency and traceability,” he stated.

    The result is that in Enugu State of today, every payment is now routed through digital platforms, ensuring real-time monitoring and eliminating leakages. This bold move has radically reduced opportunities for sharp practices and also enhanced public confidence in the revenue collection system. It has equally helped the administration to build a central revenue intelligence dashboard, allowing the government to monitor every transaction across the state.

    Furthermore, the administration introduced a Performance Appraisal Framework for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, with each MDA now assigned clear revenue targets linked to their operational mandates. But it does not end with the targets. Monthly and quarterly reviews are conducted, with performance scorecards publicly shared. This enables the government to place underperforming agencies on corrective action plans, while high performers are recognized and rewarded. Importantly, this approach has promoted a culture of healthy competition, innovation, and ownership among public servants.

    The administration has also prioritised capacity building for revenue officers, concentrating on ethics, digital tools, and customer service, thus not just improving revenue, but equally strengthening the social contract between government and governed.

    In the same vein, sharp practices in the revenue collection space are no longer overlooked. As the governor often points out, accountability is not just about systems; it is about consequences. Thus, the administration has maintained a resolute stance against corruption, investigating and prosecuting several cases of fraudulent revenue diversion. The administration further set up a Revenue Compliance and Enforcement Unit, which works very closely with law enforcement and the judiciary, while whistle-blower channels have been activated, thus enabling citizens to report malpractices incognito.

    Importantly, the Mbah Administration has earned the faith or confidence of the people that whatever taxes and other payments they make would be used to work for them. Although there were initial hesitations primarily spurred by old experiences, the people soon realised that with Mbah, it is business unusual. With over 2,000 verifiable completed and ongoing projects spread across the 260 wards of the state, it is a case of the Igbo saying that you may preach to the blind that there is oil in the soup, but not about salt. He can tell them, using his buds. 

    Again, the deployment of a real-time project management dashboard has, among others, visibly strengthened the link between revenue and results, as the citizens can now see how their taxes are transforming roads, schools, hospitals and water systems in real time.

    Yet, Governor Mbah will always be credited with giving governance a human face, ensuring that revenue drive is not without an ample touch of humanity. For instance, in response to complaints received about taxes and the like, he recently inaugurated a committee to carry out a comprehensive review of tax policies, rates, levies, and fees under the control of the state. The committee, which draws its membership from interest groups, market associations, government, organised labour, and the civil society, among others, is to benchmark Enugu State’s revenue practices against Lagos, Abuja, and other South East states as they relate to Land Use Charge, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees, market levies, and stall rents, business premises registration, signage and advertisement fees, among others, and recommend reforms.

    Although there is still a long way to go, if Governor Mbah continues on this trajectory, then he is on his way to actualising his campaign promise to wean Enugu State off FAAC allocations and ensure they are saved for future generations, he will also be on the path to actualising his overarching vision to grow the state’s economy sevenfold from $4.4bn to $30bn, eradicate poverty and position it as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living may well become a fait accompli. It is only a matter of time.

    •Anichukwu writes from Enugu

  • Papiri: From peaceful haven to den of banditry

    Papiri: From peaceful haven to den of banditry

    Agwara Local Government Area is a border district located in the northwestern part of Niger State. It serves as a critical frontier zone, sharing boundaries with Kebbi State to the North/Northwest, Borgu local government area to the South and the Republic of Benin to the West.

    Agwara lies near the River Niger and Kaduna River, featuring floodplains and a tropical savanna climate. The council headquarters is in Agwara town, with coordinates approximately 10°42’N, 4°35’E.

    Minna, the capital of Niger State, is approximately 340 km east of Agwara by road, a journey that can take between eaight and 10 hours, depending on conditions. The road travel follows routes through Bida, Borgu and Kontagora.

    The easiest primary access is via the road network linking Minna to Kontagora, and then, proceeding towards the Yauri/Kebbi axis before branching off to Agwara by boarding a ferry to cross the river.

    Papiri is a community in Agwara LGA. It is the hosts St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.

    The area is characterized by dense forest. It is a riverine terrain, situated near the banks of the River Niger (specifically the Kainji Lake basin area). Its proximity to the border and vast ungoverned forest spaces has historically made it a strategic corridor.

    Agwara before the attack:

    Prior to the November 21abduction of over 200 students and 12 teachers from the Papiri schools, Agwara LGA was relatively safer than  other parts of Niger State. There was no incident of abduction or banditry in the area before 2024.

    However, being a border community with a difficult terrain and limited security presence, it was vulnerable to threats like banditry spilling over from neighboring regions.

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    Before the incident, security analysts had described Agwara as a “vulnerable frontier.”

    Intelligence reports indicated that armed groups (often linked to Sahelian extremists and bandits) were using the forest corridors connecting Benin Republic, Borgu, and Agwara as transit routes.

    Prior to the school abduction, the convoy of the member of the House of Representatives from Borgu/Agwara Constituency, Jafaru Mohammed Ali, was ambushed by bandits along Borgu.

    The attack, which resulted in fatalities, was a major red flag indicating that armed groups had established a strong foothold in the area.

    Papiri was once a peaceful agrarian and fishing community, but by late 2024 and particularly this year,  it has become a high-risk zone due to the encroachment of armed groups, utilising the porous borders and forest cover for cover.

    Based on available records, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri are young institutions, established in phases between 2008 and 2010.

    As at November, the primary school was 17 years it started operations in May 2008 while the secondary school was 15 years, having admitted its first set of students in September 2010.

    The schools were built through a collaborative efforts of the Catholic Diocese, the Society of African Missions (SMA), and international sponsors (specifically from Ireland).

    They were established to provide education to the Kamberi people and other local communities in Agwara, an area where educational infrastructure was previously very scarce. Before these permanent structures were built, some local children were learning under trees.

  • How Umahi is delivering legacy road projects that align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    How Umahi is delivering legacy road projects that align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    • By Precious Ine

    In the evolving story of Nigeria’s democratic journey, only a few leaders distinguish themselves with the rare combination of vision, courage, competence, and commitment to nation-building. Senator David Umahi, former two-term governor of Ebonyi State and minister of Works, stands among this class.

    At a time Nigeria is undergoing one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in its history, Umahi has emerged as the defining force setting a new national standard. As someone who observes performance across zones in my role as Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, I can assert that the minister’s work ethic and accomplishments are a source of regional pride and national admiration.

    Intervention in Ebonyi

    Davild Umahi’s political journey did not begin at the national stage, it was built from the ground up, forged through a determination to transform his people. As governor of Ebonyi State, he inherited one of the least developed states in the federation. Yet, in eight years, he turned Ebonyi into a model of modern governance and infrastructure delivery.

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    He transformed the state capital, Abakaliki, into a thriving urban centre with world-class roads, flyovers, medical facilities, and landmark projects. Ebonyi Ring Road project, Margaret Umahi International Market, Virology Centre, King David University of Medical Sciences, and his network of concrete roads are enduring testaments to his innovative leadership.

    It takes more than political power to achieve such a transformation, it takes intelligence, courage, and vision.

    Master engineer as minister

    President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Umahi as minister of Works is regarded as one of the most strategic choices of this administration. Under this portfolio, he has become the face of Nigeria’s new infrastructure revolution, and he has approached this responsibility with unmatched expertise.

    Today, from Lagos to Sokoto, from Kano to Port Harcourt, and from Abuja to the remotest corners of the country, Umahi’s impact is visible. The reconstruction of Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja–Keffi–Lafia Road, Benin–Warri–East-West Road, and other federal road rehabilitation projects have placed Nigeria on a path of modernisation.

    Unlike many in public service, he does not manage infrastructure on paper; he is physically on site, inspecting projects at all hours, ensuring accountability, quality, and speed. His trademark concrete road technology, previously a signature of his work in Ebonyi, has become a standard for federal projects due to its durability and low maintenance cost.

    This is not just public service; this is patriotic engineering.

    Respected across regions

    Beyond politics, Umahi is a unifying figure. His loyalty to national interest, his respect for the President, and his humility have endeared him to citizens. As minister, he has shown that leadership is not rhetoric but deliverables.

    Even in Southeast where political tensions sometimes shape public perception, Umahi remains a respected symbol of competence and pride. He represents what the zone can contribute to national development when excellence is placed above sentiment.

    Support for Renewed Hope

    In my capacity as Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, I have observed firsthand the transformational impact of the Tinubu administration, especially through Ministry of Works. Umahi’s execution of key projects is a major backbone of Renewed Hope Agenda.

    His performance has strengthened confidence in the administration and demonstrated that Tinubu appoints individuals on merit, capacity, and proven record, not political convenience.

    The minister Nigeria needs

    Great nations are built by great men, and  David Umahi is one such man. His brilliance in engineering, his discipline in governance, and his clarity of purpose continue to shape Nigeria’s infrastructural destiny.

    Nigeria needs men like Umahi, who think beyond today’s politics, men who understand the science of development, and men who put results before applause. To the younger generation, his journey is a powerful lesson that competence can never be hidden. Excellence speaks for itself, and when it does, it announces the leader before the title.

    Builder worth celebrating

     David Umahi is more than a minister, he is a national builder, a transformational leader, and one of the most accomplished engineers ever to serve in government. His legacy in Ebonyi remains indelible, and his achievements in the Federal Ministry of Works will define an era.

    As an admirer of quality leadership and as a patriotic Nigerian committed to President Tinubu’s success, I celebrate Umahi not just for what he has done, but for what he continues to represent for this nation: excellence, innovation, and dedication to Nigeria’s progress. Nigeria needs more of his kind.

    • Ine is Southeast zonal coordinator of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement

  • NERC appointment options and need for urgency

    NERC appointment options and need for urgency

    By Michael Nwadike

    There is uncertainty among top officials of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission following expiration of the tenure of the chairman in June and indications that the tenure of the vice chairman of NERC will lapse on December 8. But that should not be the way forward.

    President Bola Tinubu has since nominated Abdullahi Ramat, a former local government chairman, as head of the agency and two commissioners; Mr Abubakar Yusuf, commissioner of Consumer Affairs, and Dr Fouad Animashun, commissioner of Finance and Management Services, subject to Senate confirmation.

    However, the skirmishes in NERC have grown more unsettling. All eyes are on the 10th Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, given importance of the sector to Nigeria’s growth.

    NERC is an independent body, established by Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 (repealed), now Electricity Act of 2023, to undertake technical and economic regulation of Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

    The commission is to, among others, license operators, determine operating codes and standards, establish customer rights and obligations, and set cost-reflective industry tariffs.

    Since its inception, NERC has recorded significant achievements, including expansion of capacity and network by issuance of licences for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and trading, as well as development of industry codes and standards, market rules, and a multi-year tariff order. In addition, the commission has issued regulations and orders that created an attractive and stable electricity market in Nigeria.

    These achievements have been made possible by ensuring that market transactions are rule-based and regulatory interventions are preceded by robust consultative and stakeholder engagement processes to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability.

    Transparency, fairness, and accountability are critical to NERC, Nigeria’s independent apex regulator. The Electricity Act was thorough in ensuring this independence.

    The Act gave statutory recognition to, and enshrined the principle of regulatory independence, by providing for creation of the apex regulator of the NESI by an Act of the National Assembly rather than by subsidiary legislation.

    Section 33(3) states: “The commission shall be the apex regulator of the NESI and shall be an independent body in the performance of its functions and exercise of its powers under this Act”.

    Regulatory decisions are to be taken by a board of commissioners under Section 35 (1), which states that the commission shall consist of seven full-time commissioners appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate.” These commissioners, under Section 226, may make regulations on which the commission has powers.

    Funding from internally generated revenue, as well as government subsidies. Section 53 deals with funding for the commission: “The funds of the commission shall consist of: (a) fees, charges and other income accruing to the commission from licensees and other things done by it in terms of this Act, excluding any fines or penalties recovered under this Act; (b) funds allocated to the commission by the National Assembly, under a request by the commission for additional funds required to meet its expenditure; and (c) such other moneys as may vest in or accrue to the commission, whether in the course of its operations or otherwise, among others.

    It is indeed, in view of the above, that experts have argued that appointing seasoned professionals who have grown through the ranks in the commission would bring far more stability and technical competence to the commission and sector than bringing on board those to start afresh to understudy workings of NERC.

    While National Assembly is debating NERC nominations, industry experts are reminding President Tinubu that there is a need for speed in the appointment of a merit-driven NERC chief on time because of importance of the energy sector in the development objectives of the government.

    Furthermore, complementing the incoming NERC chief with seasoned commissioners with legacy knowledge will do NERC a world of good.

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    The experts said Tinubu needs to act fast and look inwards into the commission to source for qualified and technically sound experts for the board, especially as the chair and vice chair will soon be vacant.

    As we move into 2026, energy experts believe President Tinubu must, sort out the leadership of NERC to enable the country to derive the maximum benefits for which NERC was established in the first place.

    In doing so, experts and insiders are calling on the President to act before the house of NERC, which is looking like a Fuji House of Commotion, crashes down on us. They said NERC has top officials with legacy knowledge of how to move the organisation forward. Presently, NERC has six commissioners:

    • Musiliu Oseni – vice chair and commissioner for Economic Regulations. Appointed in February 2017, he is serving his second term, which will expire on December 8.

    • Aisha Mahmud – commissioner for Stakeholder Management. A former head of Tariff and Rates at NERC, she has served the commission for years and contributed to its development. In recognition of her expertise and impact in the power sector, she was appointed commissioner in December 2020. She led the establishment of NERC Contact Centre, developed the Customer Protection Regulation, and oversaw 33 Forum Offices, among others. She is the only woman commissioner and remains eligible for reappointment.

    • Shatti Nathan Rogers – commissioner for Corporate Services. Appointed in February 2017 and reappointed in February 2022, his second term will expire in February 2027.

    • Dafe Akpeneye – commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance. First appointed in February 2017 and reappointed in February 2022, his second term will expire February 2027.

    • Chidi Ike – commissioner for Technical Regulation. Appointed in February 2022, his first term will expire in February 2027.

    • Yusuf Ali – commissioner for Research and Data Analytics. Appointed in February 2022, his first term will expire in February 2027.

    To ensure continuity, it is essential  Federal Government decides on the future leadership structure of NERC ahead of the vice chairman’s tenure expiration in December.

  • NASENI and the new era of Nigerian innovation

    NASENI and the new era of Nigerian innovation

    By Godwin Ogwuche

    In just two years under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has transitioned from a policy-driven institution into an action-oriented engine of innovation.

    Between September 2023 and September 2025, the agency has undergone institutional transformation, redefining how Nigeria deploys indigenous technology to drive industrialisation, job creation, and promotion of homegrown solutions. At a time when national institutions struggle with bureaucracy and inefficiency, NASENI’s reforms under Khalil’s stewardship is a model for public-sector innovation and accountability.

    Reforms and policy overhaul

    The first step in NASENI’s transformation was a restructuring of its institutional framework. His administration introduced Project and Implementation Management Offices (PIMOs) to ensure all projects are delivered in scope, time, and budget. This was followed by a 100 per cent budget reorientation, ensuring that every allocation is tied to measurable deliverables, a shift that has improved fiscal discipline and transparency.

    To promote accountability and efficiency, NASENI deployed a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that integrates finance, procurement, and project monitoring in all departments and units. This digitisation move has not only reduced wastage but also improved real-time oversight of public spending.

    Policy-wise, the agency introduced strategic frameworks to guide Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem: the Accelerated Technology Transfer Programme, Green Economy Roadmap, 3Cs Blueprint (Collaboration, Creation, Commercialisation), and an Innovation-to-Commercialisation Framework that bridges the gap between research and market-ready products. These initiatives have positioned NASENI as a hub for translating ideas into impactful technologies.

    Turning ideas into impact

    Under the guidance of Halilu, NASENI has complemented its reforms with visible, large-scale projects that have direct social and economic benefits. A major highlight is the 40-hectare Solar Industrial Park in Nasarawa State, an investment in renewable energy projected on completion to create 4,000 jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy value chain.

     Complementing this is CNC Reverse Engineering Centre in Abuja, which has trained over 300 engineers to build local capacity for precision manufacturing. In agriculture, Irrigate Nigeria Project in Bauchi and Jigawa states leverages smart irrigation technologies to support farmers, improve yields, and reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.

    Meanwhile, National Asset Restoration Programme has restored over 1,000 tractors, returning idle machinery to farms and supporting food security goals. The agency also made progress in health technology. Its NASENI-TROMENT Rapid Diagnostics Factory was set up to produce indigenous diagnostic kits.

    Its NASCAV Technologies, a collaboration with Caverton, has birthed Nigeria’s first UAV School, advanced aircraft recovery systems, and helicopter design projects. In defence, NASENI’s partnership with Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and Ministry of Defence is strengthening local capacity for defence equipment manufacturing, aligning with national security priorities.

    Technology transfer

    Recognising that innovation thrives on collaboration, NASENI has built a portfolio of over 50 Memoranda of Understanding with local and international partners. On the local front, it has partnered Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Police, DICON, Bayero University Kano, Imose Technologies, MECA, and Galaxy Backbone.

    Internationally, the agency has sealed partnerships with global technology giants, such as Haier, Chery, Yingli Solar, Caverton, Dongfeng, Z-Park, Shanghai Launch Automotive, and Aftrade. These collaborations cut across key growth sectors, such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, biotechnology, ICT, agritech, defence manufacturing, and fertiliser production, signalling Nigeria’s readiness to be a serious player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

    To ensure inclusiveness and reach, Halilu has expanded the agency’s presence with 18 Development Institutes and R&D centres, six Centres of Excellence (CoE) and Skill Labs, and six Agritech Parks (notably in Lafia).

     In addition, it has established a UAV Centre in Kaduna, NASENI Campus, and Showrooms of Excellence to showcase innovations. This expansion strategy is more than just physical, it demonstrates the agency’s commitment to decentralising innovation and making technology accessible to every part of Nigeria.

    Commercialisation

    A defining achievement of the Khalil administration is the commercialisation of 44 indigenous products, proving that Nigerian ingenuity can meet local and international standards. In energy, NASENI has produced solar irrigation pumps, clean cookstoves, panels, and smart meters. In mobility, it has unveiled electric tricycles, pickup EVs, electric motorcycles, and CNG conversion centres to support green transportation.

    In ICT, NASENI produces tablets, laptops, smartphones, and even home appliances, such as televisions, air conditioners, microwaves, and water dispensers. Its health innovations include rapid diagnostic kits and assistive technologies, while STEM education is being strengthened through initiatives like HatchBox Labs, Android tablets, and STEM mobile kits to inspire new innovators.

    Human capital empowerment

    The agency’s approach to innovation also centres on inclusion and empowerment. The SheFly Programme trains rural women farmers in drone technology for agricultural monitoring, while DELT-Her Fund supports women in engineering. Through NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme (NRCGP) and DELTA-2 Programme (a joint R&D initiative with Czech Republic), the agency is funding university-based researchers to commercialise innovations. The Reverse Japa Initiative seeks to harness Nigerian diaspora expertise for national development.

    Read Also: Boko Haram vs ISWAP: Turning insurgent civil war into a Nigerian victory

    The NASENI Innovation Hub and InnovateNaija Challenge provide platforms for startups to pitch and scale their ideas, while Tech Roadshows in the 36 states have brought innovation closer to the grassroots. Through its Clean Cookstove Deployment Initiative, over 10,000 women have been empowered with sustainable energy solutions.

    Outcomes and national impact

    Two years on, Halilu’s record at NASENI speaks for itself: 44 products commercialised, 55 national projects executed, 30,000 direct jobs created and over two million indirect jobs targeted, 1,000 tractors restored under National Asset Recovery Programme, five national policy frameworks enacted, over 50 partnerships across local and international spheres, 7,500 women and youth empowered directly, nationwide reach in 36 states and FCT. These figures aren’t just statistics, they represent a shift in Nigeria’s technological narrative, from dependency to self-reliance.

    Sustainability

    By championing domestication, adapting global technology, NASENI is demonstrating Nigeria can lead in clean mobility, renewable energy, and green manufacturing. Its ZeCo Initiative (Zero Carbon by NASENI) will make Nigeria a hub for sustainable production and circular-economy solutions.

    Leadership and blueprint

    Halilu’s leadership offers an instructive case study in public-sector innovation. Under his visionary leadership, NASENI has proven that government institutions can be efficient and innovative. The agency’s transformation from policy to action exemplifies how strategic leadership, accountability, and collaboration can deliver real results.

    As NASENI continues to bridge research with industry, empower women and youths, and deepen Nigeria’s technological independence, it stands today as a symbol of what a reformed public institution can achieve when vision meets execution. Every generation produces a few institutions that redefine what governance can achieve. NASENI, under Halilu, is becoming one of them.

    By combining policy reform with enterprise-grade execution, the agency has proven government can work and work efficiently. The path from policy to action is visible in solar parks, irrigation pumps, diagnostic factories, electric vehicles, and empowered innovators.

    If Nigeria is to be a global industrial power, vision must be backed by accountability, innovation driven by inclusion, and leadership anchored in result. NASENI’s journey shows with right leadership, right policy, made-in-Nigeria can truly mean Built for the World.

  • Nigeria fighting for survival and United States must not stand aside

    Nigeria fighting for survival and United States must not stand aside

    By Olufemi Soneye

    The United States’ designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern has reignited conversation across diplomatic, security, and human rights circles. The CPC mechanism under the International Religious Freedom Act is vital, but its application must be precise. In Nigeria’s case, the designation misidentifies the problem and risks damaging a crucial partnership at a time when global security threats are escalating.

    Nigeria is not a state persecuting its own religious minorities. It is a state fighting for its survival against some of the world’s deadliest extremist organizations. Boko Haram, ISWAP, violent bandit networks, and other non-state armed groups have terrorized communities for over a decade, burning villages, abducting schoolchildren, attacking churches, mosques, and markets, and targeting Muslims, Christians, and anyone who refuses their ideology. These actors are not agents of Nigerian policy. They are enemies of the Nigerian state and of humanity.

    To understand why Nigeria’s CPC status is an error, it is useful to look at countries previously designated and later removed. Vietnam was removed after pursuing structured engagement with Washington. Iraq’s designation ended only after the fall of its repressive regime. Uzbekistan spent more than a decade under CPC status until it implemented sweeping religious reforms. Sudan emerged from the list following major political change and strong commitments to protect religious diversity. These cases share one feature: government-directed persecution. Nigeria does not fall into that category.

    The Nigerian government continues to invest enormous resources in fighting extremist and terrorist groups determined to fracture the country along religious lines. These groups kill Muslims in prayer, Christians in worship, travelers on highways, and farmers on their land. Their strategy is to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a battlefield. Despite real structural and operational challenges, Nigeria has taken meaningful steps, including large-scale military operations against terror groups. These actions reflect commitment, not complicity.

    Nigeria must also strengthen coordination on religious issues. A Presidential Envoy on Religion, working with a fully empowered interfaith advisory council, could help harmonize government responses, reduce tensions, and more clearly communicate Nigeria’s efforts to international partners. This role should leverage the influence of prominent religious leaders who can help reduce tension, counter extremist narratives, and build trust across communities. A coordinated national framework is essential in a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria.

    To correct misperceptions and build stronger partnerships, the Nigerian government should pursue several strategic steps immediately. It should send a high-level delegation to Washington that includes respected religious leaders, especially Christian leaders from northern Nigeria. Such a delegation would brief United States officials, lawmakers, and think tanks on the realities on the ground, counter misleading narratives, and demonstrate unity across Nigeria’s religious spectrum. Nigeria should engage directly with international religious freedom institutions, including the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and the Office of International Religious Freedom at the State Department. These meetings would strengthen Nigeria’s case and establish permanent channels for dialogue.

    The government should also invite bipartisan United States Congressional delegations to visit Nigeria. Seeing affected communities firsthand, including churches rebuilt, mosques attacked, and families displaced, helps United States lawmakers understand that the threat Nigeria faces is terrorism, not state-sponsored persecution. At the same time, Nigeria should use this moment to reset broader United States and Nigeria economic and development cooperation. Having lived in the Washington area for over 20 years, multiple sources across Washington have voiced concerns to me about the sharp decline in United States business engagement in Nigeria. This diplomatic moment can and should be leveraged to revive trade, investment, and development initiatives. Greater economic cooperation strengthens stability, reduces extremist recruitment, and benefits both nations.

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    Nigeria is a longstanding strategic partner of the United States, but the complexity of today’s security landscape, from Sahelian insurgencies to arms trafficking and climate-driven displacement, requires deeper collaboration, not punitive labels. Nigeria needs the United States to work closely with its security agencies to help eradicate terrorist threats by expanding intelligence cooperation, providing advanced counterterrorism training and equipment, supporting justice sector and police reforms, assisting displaced and traumatized communities, and implementing joint programs that promote interfaith dialogue and community peacebuilding. Helping Nigeria succeed is not charity. It is strategic. A stable Nigeria anchors West Africa, strengthens global counterterrorism defenses, and supports international economic stability.

    CPC status should target governments that persecute their own people, not governments fighting extremist forces determined to destroy religious coexistence. Nigeria’s situation demands nuance, accuracy, and partnership. By sending a unified interfaith delegation to Washington, welcoming United States lawmakers to Nigeria, strengthening direct engagement with religious freedom institutions, and revitalizing trade and development ties, Nigeria can reset the narrative and chart a more constructive path forward.

    The United States should reassess Nigeria’s designation with clear-eyed realism. Nigeria is not the problem. Nigeria is a frontline nation confronting a global threat, and the world, especially the United States, should stand with it.

    •Soneye, previously served as the Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of NNPC Ltd

  • Strengthening key sectors amid challenges, opportunities in the Renewed Hope agenda

    Strengthening key sectors amid challenges, opportunities in the Renewed Hope agenda

    • By Salisu Mohammed

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and a beacon of potential on the continent, continues to navigate a complex landscape of economic reforms, security threats, climatic vulnerabilities, and global pressures as of late 2025. President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, launched with ambitious goals of economic diversification, security restoration, infrastructure revival, and social welfare enhancement, remains the framework for national progress. Yet, two and a half years into the administration, tangible outcomes in several critical sectors fall short of the urgency demanded by citizens facing hardship, from blackouts and food shortages to rampant insecurity and untapped cultural wealth.

    The average Nigerian believes the buck stops at the table of the President, they are half right. There are the buck bringers, the ministers who work with him and this is addressed to them. This piece, grounded in fact and data looks at performance in four pivotal ministries: Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Defence; Power; and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The intent is constructive: to highlight gaps not for blame, but to propel actionable reforms.

    Harnessing vast soft power

    Under Musa Musawa, the ministry’s merger of tourism, arts, culture, and creative economy was visionary, aiming to position these sectors as pillars of non-oil revenue and job creation. Nigeria’s assets are unparalleled: over 1,000 annual festivals, two UNESCO World Heritage sites (Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Sukur Cultural Landscape), 14 tentative listings, vibrant Nollywood (second-largest film industry globally), Afrobeats dominating international charts, and natural wonders like Yankari National Park, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and the Idanre Hills.

    Yet, as of November, performance remains disappointing. International arrivals hover below pre-COVID levels, with World Bank data showing stagnation around 1-2 million annually, far behind Kenya (over two million) or Rwanda (rapid post-pandemic recovery). Tourism contributes less than five per cent to GDP, compared to 10-15 per cent in peers like Thailand or Kenya. Revenue projections for 2025 are modest at $3-5 billion, per Statista and WTTC estimates, despite potential for $10-15 billion with proper harnessing. Domestic tourism, vital amid economic constraints, lacks aggressive promotion—Lagos’ “Detty December” generates millions but remains localised.

    In just 365 days, under leadership of Aare Abisoye Fagade, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has done what previous administrations feared to attempt: it has activated the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022. Where others saw lawsuits and entrenched interests, Dr. Fagade saw a sacred mandate. He enforced registration, certification, grading, and regulation of practitioners in hospitality, travel, and tourism. 

    The physical transformation is breathtaking. From a mere six campuses and zonal offices, NIHOTOUR has exploded to 29  locations in the federation in under 12 months.

    This is not just brick-and-mortar expansion; it is a deliberate democratisation of skills and opportunities. Thousands of youths, women, and previously excluded practitioners now access internationally benchmarked training in culinary arts, tour guiding, hotel management, and customer service excellence. E-learning platforms have been scaled, curricula modernised, and partnerships with international bodies initiated.         

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    Perhaps most revolutionary is the regulatory courage displayed. Dr. Fagade’s three-phase strategy stakeholder dialogue, systematic implementation, and unapologetic enforcement (with security agencies where necessary) has forced compliance from powerful operators who had grown comfortable in the shadows. Hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, and event centres are being graded and certified. Standards are no longer optional. Revenue that previously disappeared into private pockets is beginning to flow properly to government coffers and, more importantly, service quality is rising. Youth unemployment is being attacked at its root through genuine skill acquisition. Investors now see a regulated, professional sector worth betting on. In one year, NIHOTOUR has become the brightest spot in tourism ecosystem.   Few days ago, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Musa Musawa, in an act that can only be described as inexplicable, announced the suspension of NIHOTOUR enforcement activities. The very agency that has delivered the most tangible progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda; the one actually implementing President Tinubu’s diversification agenda while the ministry itself has remained largely invisible,  has been deliberately crippled.

    Challenges persist: insecurity deters visitors, visa processes are cumbersome (despite e-visa improvements), infrastructure at sites is poor (e.g., poor roads to Sukur), and marketing is fragmented. Initiatives like the D30 Data Platform (launched for creative economy insight) and collaborations with NIHOTOUR show intent, it should not be extinguished. Nollywood exports grow organically, yet government support for formal distribution and IP protection is inadequate. The creative sector employs millions informally but suffers from piracy and limited funding. 

    Comparatively, Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” campaign (Arsenal sponsorship) boosted arrivals 20-30 per cent annually post-2018, generating billions. Kenya’s Magical Kenya brand and visa-free policies for Africans drove 32 per cent growth in 2023-2024. Thailand’s integrated cultural-tourism strategy (festivals + eco-sites) yields over $60 billion yearly.

    For the longest time, one project I have expected from the ministry has been a VR guided tour of the wonders of Nigeria; Old Kano city, Ife sculpture, Benin walls, Igboukwu Terracotta carvings. Ease visas as Rwanda did, turning arrivals into millions. Fund creative hubs like Korea’s Hallyu wave, exporting Nollywood to billions. Certify sites for safety, involve communities as Benin kings once did their guilds. This is the chance to unlock 20 million jobs to rival the glory of oil.

    Defence in age of shadows

    In the tales of old, Ogun, god of iron, forged weapons for justice, not tyranny. The Oyo Empire’s cavalry swept vast lands; Kanem-Borno’s knights repelled invaders in deserts. Leaders like Sunni Ali Ber of Songhai protected caravans, fostering peace for trade. Yet, when shields cracked, empires fell to hubris. 

    Nigeria stands at such a monumental moment in our history, Hannibal stands at our gate, infact, to put it into proper context, Hannibal has crept through the crevices. Boko Haram’s resurgence, bandits in Zamfara’s forests, Lakurawa’s terror in Northwest. In 2025 alone, over 2,266 killed in the first half, surpassing  2024. Some villages have been sacked overnight, hundreds killed. The schoolgirls of Chibok are in our rearview mirror, Just a few days ago, another school was ransacked, and school pupils were carted away again. Kidnappings haunt highways; 33 million face hunger partly from untended farms.

    Mohammed Abubakar, the Defence minister, is supposed to stand guard against these marauders; however, that has not been the case. To see real gains, we must seal loopholes that leak information to the insurgents, shift to population-centric counter-insurgency (COIN) and protect civilians first (Colombia model vs. FARC). Night operations, mobility upgrades; reduce special forces over-reliance. The need for oversight is needed; AI/drones for real-time surveillance. Community intelligence networks will be better. 

    Security is the lifeblood of investments; we cannot say foreigners or  local investors should come and put their money where insecurity reigns. Mohammed Badaru needs to tighten his belt. The military must come back to working for the people, not their selfish agenda and ambition. 

    Path to industrialisation

    Reliable electricity is the lifeblood of modernisation. Under Adebayo Adelabu, Ministry of Power has pursued reforms like tariff adjustments and Siemens deal for grid upgrades. Yet, in 2025, challenges endure: frequent grid collapses, estimated losses of over N10 trillion annually to businesses from unreliable supply, and about 4,000-6,000 MW generated against a demand exceeding 20,000 MW.

    Public frustration is palpable; tariff hikes without corresponding service improvements have sparked outcry from labour unions. While privatisation aimed at efficiency, distribution companies struggle with metering, theft, and collection. Rural electrification lags, exacerbating poverty.

    Progress includes some mini-grid initiatives and renewable pushes, but the gap between policy and delivery widens hardship amid inflation. There have also been a number of power grid issues this year. To see more gains, there must be full implementation of constitutional allowances for states to generate and distribute power. Support models like Lagos and Rivers’ independent projects. Aggressively pursue solar and hydro, targeting 30 per cent renewables by 2030. Partner with private firms for off-grid solutions in rural areas, akin to Kenya’s M-KOPA success. Also, the ministry should look into establishing an independent regulator with citizen representation to oversee tariffs and performance, ensuring hikes tie directly to service improvements.

    Response to vulnerabilities

    With overlapping crises, displacement from insecurity, floods affecting millions, and economic shocks, the ministry (post-reshuffle under new leadership) manages safety nets like school feeding and cash transfers.

    Yet, 2025 projections are grim: 33 million in acute food insecurity, up significantly, with emergency levels nearly doubling. Floods submerged farmlands, cholera outbreaks surged, and aid access remains blocked in conflict zones. Past scandals eroded trust, though reforms aim to clean up.

    This ministry is one in which there are weights of expectation and eyes look up to. In a bid to revamp soiled reputation, transparency must be order of the day. The ministry must integrate disaster management with agriculture for flood-resistant crops and early warning systems in partnership with states. Empower state emergency agencies and NGOs for faster response, reducing bureaucracy.

    Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable with leadership that embraces feedback. To the ministers of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Defence; Power; and Humanitarian Affairs: this is a professional appeal to redouble efforts. The Renewed Hope Agenda can shine brighter with innovative, inclusive, and accelerated implementation.

    We, as patriotic Nigerians, stand ready to support through dialogue, expertise, and partnership. Let us move from critique to collaboration, for a secure, prosperous, and vibrant Nigeria.

    • Mohammed, a  social commentator, writes from Birnin Kebbi

  • 15 per cent tariff suspension: Thank you, Mr President

    15 per cent tariff suspension: Thank you, Mr President

    By Rotimi Matthew

    Mr President, your decision to suspend the 15 per cent tariff on petrol and diesel is more than a policy pause.

    It is a historic moment. It signals that, for the first time in 26 years of our democracy, a Nigerian President has chosen the people.

    You have shown that leadership is not about bowing to the loudest interests, but about standing with the most vulnerable. For this, Nigerians say thank you.

    Nigerians are glad to realise that, at the heart of government, is a president with a people-centred vision and not a man swayed by theatrics.

    You proved that listening to Nigerians is not a weakness. It is strength.

    But, Mr President, we are sure that the detractors are not done.

    They may come up with faulty figures and selective interpretations of the Petroleum Industry Act. They want to bring this tariff back to your table.

    They want to convince you that Nigerians must pay through their noses today so that some investors can break even tomorrow.

    What happens if prices are increased without restraint? The entire burden will fall on your administration.

    Nigerians will blame the government. Your government. Why should the destiny of a nation be placed in the hands of a few? Why should the price of fuel, the heartbeat of our entire economy, not be decentralised in deregulated market?

    That will not just be risky. It is dangerous.

    Mr President, no country secures its future this way.

    Not when we do not even have confirmed local refining capacity of sixty per cent, let alone eighty per cent.

    Not when the only reliable alternative is importation. Not when policy mistakes can create nationwide scarcity overnight.

    No investment should break even on the backs of the poor within one year. Let competition thrive. Let poor Nigerians breathe.

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    This is why your suspension of the tariff means so much.

    It is the first time a President has acknowledged the overwhelming political and economic influence of Africa’s richest man and recognised where the real power lies.

    The real bulk stops on your table, not his. For the first time, the people have a President who is willing to say: No, not at the expense of Nigerians.

    Sir, the people are counting on you. The economy is depending on you. Millions of households who have endured years of hardship are hoping you hold the line.

    Nigeria cannot afford to be reduced to a company town. Not in our democracy. Not in this century. Not under your watch.

    We are rooting for you, Mr President. We are praying for you. And we thank you for choosing Nigerians over monopoly.

    God bless you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Kaduna Peace Model: Sani rewrites Nigeria’s security playbook

    Kaduna Peace Model: Sani rewrites Nigeria’s security playbook

    By Adekunle Akinmosa

    On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State delivered in Lagos, what may be described as one of the most grounded, experience-backed lectures on tackling insecurity in modern Nigeria. The occasion, Distinguished Lecture Series of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), was chaired by the eminent former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, and attended by notable figures including Senator Adeleke Mamora. It offered a platform for the governor to distill what has quietly been unfolding in Kaduna over security since he assumed office in May 2023.

    Speaking on the topic, ‘The role of state governments in overcoming insecurity in Nigeria,’ Sani summarised his difficult but determined journey to restore peace and stability in one of the country’s most complex theatres of conflict. His lecture went beyond recounting achievements but offered a blueprint for what is possible when political will, strategic clarity and inclusive governance converge.

    Donning a cream coloured Agbada, Sani, composedly described how upon assuming office, Kaduna was still grappling with banditry, kidnappings, rural violence and the aftershocks of communal distrust. But rather than resort to a single-track approach, his administration designed a layered security architecture. On the kinetic side, the state intensified collaboration with security agencies, strengthened local intelligence networks and facilitated better coordination among the military, police, and civil defence operatives stationed across volatile communities. These measures helped re-establish control over previously vulnerable corridors.

    Yet the more compelling part of his lecture lay in his explanation of the non-kinetic strategies. From the outset, his government recognised that insecurity feeds on economic despair, youth alienation and breakdown of trust between citizens and institutions. To rebuild Kaduna’s social fabric, the administration invested heavily in community engagement, grassroots dialogue, local peace committees and interventions aimed at reviving livelihoods in affected communities. It was those series of initiatives that birthed what is now christened ‘Kaduna Peace Model.’

    According to the governor, many young people drifting into crime were not inherently violent; they were economically cornered. Creating alternatives, therefore, equated to crime prevention.

    “Central to this model is the understanding that the roots of insecurity transcend criminality to encompass grievances related to identity, resource access, and political exclusion,” said Sani.

    “We therefore convened over 50 consultative forums, engaging traditional rulers, Fulani herders, farmers, youth leaders and religious figures. These dialogues underscored a universal truth: sustainable peace is inseparable from inclusion and meaningful participation of all stakeholders in conflict resolution and governance.”

    But the realistic administration understood that conversations are only the beginning. He calmly laid out how Kaduna’s security challenge demanded a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic interventions. The governor’s argument was that insecurity is multidimensional, and any government that treats it as a problem to be solved solely through force is only postponing its recurrence. There had to be involvement of all stakeholders in the advancement of the economy too.

    Sani then walked the audience through specific examples such as the reactivation of rural development programmes, the support for smallholder farmers, the expansion of vocational and technical training, and the push for inclusive governance that gives communities a sense of belonging. In the lecture, he explained that forums and continuous interface with traditional rulers and religious leaders, his government sought to rebuild trust, which in turn made information-sharing smoother and reduced the space for criminality to thrive unnoticed.

    But what truly broadened the conversation was his emphasis on how Kaduna secured federal government cooperation at levels rarely achieved in other states. Rather than operate in isolation, Sani noted that effective governance in modern Nigeria requires synergy, not rivalry, between tiers of government. He disclosed one of the manifestations of this synergy with the federal government as Kaduna’s readiness to kickstart its own Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems as well as a light rail project. According to the governor, when people can move safely, predictably and affordably, the economic ecosystem expands; crime shrinks naturally because more people become productively engaged.

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    This integrated approach of linking security with development, infrastructure, and economic opportunity was the backbone of Sani’s NIIA lecture. And this is what has played out in places like Birnin Gwari and a few other places that used to be a hotbed for banditry and kidnapping but are now secured with residents back to living safely there. In fact, the famed Kara Livestock Market that was closed for over a decade now thrives, loading thousands of heads of cattle across the country. Also, in September 2025, the United Kingdom moved its travel advisory to Kaduna for its citizens from ‘red’ to ‘amber’, which Sani said means “British citizens are now free to travel to Kaduna State.”

    The lecture also served a broader purpose. At a time when insecurity remains a defining challenge across the country, leaders are searching for workable models. He acknowledged that each state has its peculiarities, but insisted that the principles of inclusive security remain universal. Listening to him, one could sense a quiet challenge addressed to political leaders nationwide. Sani’s message to his fellow governors was clear. What is happening in Kaduna is not magic, and it is not unique to the state. Any government that prioritises people, embraces collaboration, strengthens institutions and invests in development alongside enforcement can replicate the progress.

    Governance should move beyond rhetorics, reactionary crisis management, and adopt preventive, systems-driven, citizen-centered strategies. And leaders must recognise that security begins where dignity begins, hence a need to constantly create opportunities. An individual isolated from democratic goods is merely a ticking bomb. Leadership must also embrace inclusivity and deliberate partnership with its various organs.

    What makes the Kaduna story noteworthy is not that all problems have been solved. Even the governor admitted that the work is far from finished. Rather, it is that the trajectory has changed.

    “Since May 2023, my administration has witnessed the power of proximity-based governance to restore hope and stability,” Sani said while concluding.

    “We inherited fear, violence, and mistrust, yet through bold people-centred interventions, strategic peacebuilding, social investments and unwavering federal collaborations, we have reversed that narrative.”

    In Kaduna today, democratic dividends are being steadily unleashed, ensuring agriculture resumes, commerce boom and industries blossom while insecurity is being driven away. Many communities that were previously terrorised by criminal gangs, farmers have returned to their farms, rural markets that once shut early now operate freely, and residents who once slept lightly now speak of a calm they had nearly forgotten.

    These transformations did not materialise accidentally. They arose from policy consistency and from a government willing to confront root causes rather than symptoms. And if other states choose to borrow from Sani’s strategies, Nigeria’s national search for peace may finally begin to find direction.

    In concluding his lecture, Governor Sani reminded the audience that peace is not a trophy a state wins but a condition it must continuously cultivate. The applause that followed was not merely out of courtesy. It was an acknowledgment of the clarity with which he articulated the Kaduna experience and the usefulness of the less ons he shared.

    • Akinmosa writes from Abuja