The Nation Newspaper

Category: Discourse

  • How Tinubu is enhancing governance through reforms

    How Tinubu is enhancing governance through reforms

    • By Rabiu Isiyaku Rabiu

    During the public presentation of the book “Ten Years of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,” authored by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma, I reflected on Nigeria’s decade-long journey under successive progressive administrations as Chief Presenter. Though time did not allow me to deliver my written remarks in full, the message remains vital to our national conversation on leadership, governance, and reform.

    There are moments for politics and moments for governance. Once elections are over, governance must take precedence. Our duty as citizens is to move beyond division and measure progress not by sentiment but by delivery, performance, and impact.

    Over the past ten years, Nigeria’s story has been one of courage and continuity, of institutions learning discipline, and of leaders willing to face hard truths about our economy. President Muhammadu Buhari laid the foundation of fiscal prudence, agricultural revival, and infrastructure renewal. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advanced that legacy through decisive structural reforms such as removing the fuel subsidy, unifying exchange rates, modernising tax policy, and restoring credibility to public finance. These choices were not easy, but they were necessary. They broke habits that had become too costly to sustain and redirected public wealth toward productivity.

    Since May 2023, government non-oil revenue has grown by more than 400 percent. This is not coincidence. It is the outcome of intentional policy and technological transparency. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee has simplified compliance, eliminated duplication, and placed technology at the centre of revenue collection. Revenue agencies that once competed now cooperate. Multiple taxation is being dismantled. Incentives for businesses are transparent and available online without intermediaries or privileged access. Every entrepreneur, large or small, can now apply for fiscal waivers or export credits within minutes. Fairness by design and technology is replacing favour by connection.

    Energy stability has returned as proof that reform, though painful, delivers results. The queues that once defined our petrol stations are gone. Deregulation has reopened the downstream market and restored investor confidence in oil and gas, bringing new capital into deep-water, midstream, and modular-refinery projects. Parallel reforms in the Presidential CNG Initiative are changing urban mobility by replacing petrol fleets with cleaner and cheaper gas vehicles. At the same time, a nationwide solar-power rollout is providing electricity to schools, clinics, and small industries. Together, these initiatives reflect a balanced energy future built on efficiency, competition, and sustainability.

    Security remains the foundation of every reform. In 2024, N3.85 trillion, about 13 percent of the national budget, was allocated to defence and internal security. For 2025, that figure rose to N6.57 trillion, with significant investment in equipment, intelligence, and personnel welfare. The Nigerian Air Force is modernising with 24 M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 helicopters. The Navy has commissioned new patrol ships and maritime helicopters to strengthen coastal and energy-asset protection. Across all theatres, joint operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces and intelligence agencies have neutralised tens of thousands of terrorists, insurgents and criminal elements, arrested many more, and rescued well over one hundred thousand hostages and displaced persons. The tempo has changed. Our armed forces now take the initiative rather than wait for it.

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    Infrastructure remains the bridge between ambition and opportunity. Across the country, more than 260 major projects in roads, bridges, ports, and pipelines are under construction or near completion. The Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto to Badagry Super Highway are redefining commerce and mobility. The national Bridge Fibre Project is expanding digital connectivity across cities and rural areas, strengthening the country’s broadband backbone and opening new corridors for education, innovation, and enterprise.

    Digital governance reform is also deepening national capacity. The ongoing overhaul of the National Identity Management Commission has expanded NIN registration to tens of millions of citizens, creating a reliable digital backbone for planning, financial inclusion, and social protection. For the first time, national data is being harmonised across agencies, improving service delivery, strengthening security coordination, and helping the country plan development with precision.

    Work along the River Niger corridor from Lokoja to Baro Port is progressing to enable future inland-waterway operations that can reduce transport costs and improve market access across regions. These projects reflect a deliberate effort to balance regional growth, from the Niger Delta cleanup and gas expansion in the South to new exploration in the North and industrial corridors across the Middle Belt.

    Reform without human investment is reform without soul. The $2.2 billion Health Sector Renewal Programme is upgrading 17,000 primary health centres and training 120,000 health workers, while free caesarean care and subsidised dialysis are easing the burden on families. In education, student-loan schemes, digital-skills initiatives, and new STEM and AI curricula are preparing our young people for a digital economy. Through the Student Loan Fund, access to higher education is becoming a right, not a privilege. Its synergy with new financing institutions such as CREDICORP and the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company ensures that young Nigerians can pursue knowledge with the same confidence that entrepreneurs pursue capital. Free technical and vocational training at the tertiary level will supply the technicians and artisans required for industrial growth.

    Agriculture and food security have become the centre of national resilience. Beyond grains, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is unlocking a trillion-naira value chain in meat, dairy, and leather. Expanded fertiliser blending, mechanisation, irrigation, and storage are supporting millions of smallholders. With increased investment in rice, cassava, and cash-crop processing, Nigeria is moving toward genuine food sovereignty. Food security is not an aspiration but a necessity for economic stability.

    The government’s economic renewal is also anchored on access to finance, enterprise, and inclusion. The establishment of CREDICORP, the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company, and the Student Loan Fund has strengthened the foundation for a credit-based economy as well as human capital and domestic productivity. Together, these institutions expand access to credit for small businesses, farmers, civil servants, individuals, and students while derisking lending and empowering citizens to build their future without political connections. In promoting local production over import dependence, the Nigeria First Policy is not only conserving foreign exchange but also creating pathways for skilled youth employment and industrial apprenticeship across states.

    I say this not out of any search for appointment or reward, but from a place of patriotism and perspective. From where I stand, and for every Nigerian, the true beauty of the Nigeria First Policy is that it invites us all to become participants in our country’s renewal. We can each now go into productive enterprise and live the Nigerian dream, so long as we care enough to believe in this nation and invest in our people, resources, and future.

    In the midst of reform, President Tinubu’s words have been both compass and caution: “As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.” That statement captures the essence of progressive governance which I define as courage guided by compassion. Under this directive, Nigeria’s social-protection system has been rebuilt on transparency and technology. The Conditional Cash Transfer programme now reaches more than 15 million households on a verified digital register, each linked to a NIN-validated wallet or bank account for direct payment. No intermediaries and no leakages. In addition, N344 billion has been disbursed in three tranches to the 36 states and the FCT to support local welfare and enterprise programmes. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which will operate across 8,809 wards, will economically engage over 10 million Nigerians and ensure that national policy translates into local opportunity.

    The humanitarian principle of progressivism is simple. Reform must lift, not leave behind. Fiscal discipline restores credibility. Social investment restores trust. When citizens see roads being built, hospitals working, and social payments arriving on time, faith in reform deepens and the social contract is strengthened. Special attention is also being given to women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities through targeted enterprise and skills-support initiatives under the Renewed Hope framework.

    The numbers also tell their own story of impact and renewed hope in Nigeria. Non-oil revenues continue to rise. Exports are diversifying. Nigeria has recorded its first trade and balance-of-payments surplus in years, a sign of growing production and renewed confidence in the naira. Oil output is improving, new investments are flowing into the upstream and midstream segments, and our current account is gaining strength as reforms take hold. President Bola Tinubu and his government recognise that inflation and living costs remain a strain on households, but the fiscal discipline now taking root is designed to restore purchasing power in a sustainable way. President Tinubu has also acknowledged that meaningful reform takes time. While citizens are beginning to see the first trickles of progress, the greater task is to ensure that these trickles flow downward to communities, markets, classrooms, and farms where growth becomes tangible and human.

    The task ahead is to sustain this momentum but it won’t be easy. Every child must be in school. NIWA must be further strengthened to expand partnerships for safer and cleaner waterways. NDLEA must receive greater support to combat the rising threat of drug trafficking and addiction, and NAFDAC must be empowered with stronger laboratories and technology to protect the public from counterfeit medicines and unsafe food. These are not peripheral agencies. They are frontline guardians of national wellbeing, and their effectiveness determines the credibility of our progress.

    Communities themselves must also understand that with all the support given to our security agencies and the military, their partnership is vital. Cooperation between citizens, traditional institutions, and security operatives will solidify these gains, strengthen intelligence at the grassroots, and prevent a return to disorder. National security is not the burden of the state alone. It is the shared duty of all Nigerians determined to protect their future.

    The state governors of Nigeria, under this Renewed Hope and progressive compact, also have a historic role to play. We have faith that with President Tinubu’s commitment, they can write their names in gold, but that gold must first be mined in proper service of the people.

    The progress of any nation is not measured only by its wealth, but by the collective will of its people to do right, even when it is hard. That is the essence of progressive governance and the covenant that must bind us for the next decade.

    I imagine a Nigeria where every child learns, every farmer prospers, every hospital has power, and every young person earns a dignified living. That is the spirit of renewal behind this progressive decade. It is the belief that courage and compassion are not opposites but partners in building a fair and prosperous country. Tomorrow’s Nigeria is not waiting to be discovered. It is waiting to be delivered with courage, competence, and care. I am Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu and I endorse the publication of this message.

    God bless our President.

    God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    • Rabiu Isiyaku Rabiu is the Chairman of IRS.

  • PMI: Innovation key to tackle climate challenge

    PMI: Innovation key to tackle climate challenge

    To deliver real-world impact and address the urgent climate crisis, innovations are needed to be unleashed, global authority for project professionals, Project Management Institute (PMI) has said, adding that the world can’t afford to keep innovations in experimental labs.

    Chief Marketing Officer at PMI, Menaka Gopinath, spoke against the background of the release of a new documentary series called The Solutionaries, co-produced with Studios and PMI, that highlighted three innovators driving scalable transformation to address global climate crisis.

    Cyrill Gutsch, Rebecca Hu-Thrams, and Lisa Dyson are The Solutionaries, that made bold moves to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges and expand their impact through project management.

    Gopinath said: “The Solutionaries demonstrate that the answers to our greatest challenges often come from individuals with the courage to build the world they imagine. To deliver real-world impact and address the urgent climate crisis, these innovations need to be unleashed – the world can’t afford to keep them in experimental labs. That’s where the power of project management to scale innovation makes all the difference, and The Solutionaries are doing just that.

    “More often than not, the barrier to implementing solutions tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges is just figuring out where to start and having the tools and mindset to move from idea to action. The project profession is a critical element to enabling action.

    “At PMI, we’re redefining how the world tackles environmental challenges, championing for every project to be designed with sustainability at its core. Our research shows projects with sustainability baked in are nearly twice as likely to deliver successfully. Our mission is to inspire project professionals to use their skills to shape a more sustainable future to drive meaningful change.”

    United by a shared mission to drive cultural and social impact through storytelling, each innovator’s work is featured in an episode, the first of which premiered on October 8th, on time.com. Further episodes went live on October 28th, and November 10th.

    The first episode, Parley for the Oceans – October 8 introduced viewers to Cyrill Gutsch, a German-born designer and founder of Parley for the Oceans, a global environmental organization that brought together creators, thinkers, and leaders to raise awareness about the fragility of the oceans and collaborate to end their destruction. Through Parley Future Material they are introducing natural materials, biofabrication and green chemistry as alternatives to conventional and often harmful and toxic material standards, disrupting the status quo of the fashion and design industries and driving a material revolution.

    In 2024, Parley intercepted 1,609,979 kg of debris from the environment, cleaning a 16,028,161 m2 area.

    In partnership with Dior, Parley launched its third Beachwear Capsule collection, crafted entirely from innovative materials, including 30per cent made with Parley Ocean Plastic, a bold step toward an eco-innovative future and a ‘Symbol of Change’ for fashion.

    Parley’s mission is a powerful reminder that ocean health is the foundation of human and economic well-being.

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    This is extremely evident in Africa, where the ocean is both a lifeline and a vast reservoir of opportunity. Africa’s oceans are among its greatest economic assets.

    Stretching over 30,000 kilometres of coastline and bordering two of the world’s most dynamic oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, they sustain millions of livelihoods and power key sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and transport. Healthy oceans are essential to Africa’s food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience, but they are under

    increasing threat from pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. Protecting these blue ecosystems is therefore both an ecological and economic imperative.

    As global innovators such as Gutsch demonstrate through their work, reimagining human relationship with the ocean can spark a material revolution, one that aligns sustainability with creativity.

    For Africa, maintaining ocean health is not just about conservation; it is about safeguarding a foundation for future prosperity, ensuring that the continent’s blue economy becomes a driver of inclusive growth rather than a casualty of neglect.

    The second episode, Glacier – October 28 spotlights Rebecca Hu-Thrams, co-founder of Glacier, a next-generation robotics company reinventing recycling to reduce landfilling and unlock a circular economy at scale. Today, Glacier’s robots process recycling streams for 1 in 10 Americans, a sign of how quickly material recovery facilities in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Phoenix, and San Francisco are adopting the technology.

    Glacier designs custom-built robots powered by proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) models to trace and recover more recyclables from the waste stream. Their compact units install directly into recycling facilities, where robots extract valuable materials and computer vision captures real-time footage of every item, using AI to classify each one. The result: more materials recovered, higher-quality feedstock for manufacturers, and verified evidence for brands seeking

    accountability.

    Physical AI meets recycling as Glacier’s models have already identified and sorted more than 50 categories of materials—including plastics, fiber, metals, cartons, glass, and branded packaging—at industrial scale.

  • Nnaji’s resignation: A lesson in honour

    Nnaji’s resignation: A lesson in honour

    By Nnena Agbai

    After several weeks of sustained public debate, featuring rigorous claims and counterclaims from the Premium Times newspaper and supporters of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the allegation of forgery levelled against the ex minister reached its conclusion on Tuesday, 7th October 2025.

    On that date, Chief Nnaji, who until that time held the portfolio for Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, formally tendered his resignation from the Federal Executive Council. He submitted his official resignation letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

    In his correspondence, the former minister expressed his profound gratitude to the President for the confidence placed in him and for the privilege of serving in the administration. He extended his best wishes for the continued success of the government’s agenda. Concurrently, he articulated his position that the allegations against him constituted a coordinated campaign of political blackmail, orchestrated by opponents seeking to undermine his work.

    In his response, President Tinubu acknowledged Chief Nnaji’s service to the nation, thanked him for his contributions during his tenure, and wished him success in his future endeavours.

    The announcement was met with widespread surprise, as the minister’s decision to voluntarily relinquish his position was widely unexpected.

    When I first saw the headline about Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji resigning, I sighed. In Nigeria? I braced for the usual circus, what many in his position would have done. The furious denials, the press conferences with hired crowds, the legal threats thrown at journalists, the desperate attempts to drag the entire apparatus of government into a personal battle. It is a tired, ugly play we all know by heart, a script written in the ink of impunity and performed with brazen defiance. But Chief Nnaji didn’t go that path. He didn’t even glance at the old script. Rather, he towed the path of honour, a path so rarely taken it seems almost revolutionary.

    When I read his statement, I had to read it again. And something felt… different. It was the quiet, the lack of noise. It wasn’t a retreat under fire; it was a strategic, dignified withdrawal in the interest of a higher cause.

    In his decision to step down, he joins the ranks of brave leaders like Goodwill Jonathan and others who have chosen principle over position. It is crucial to understand this point: his resignation is not an admission of guilt. Far from it. He has resigned as a man of honour.

    He has chosen to fight for his name and his integrity from outside the government. This is a strategic move to ensure that when he clears his name in court, the victory cannot be tarnished by any claims of bias or political interference.

    Here is a man who built a successful business over many years. He is a man of independent wealth who chose to put his own affairs on hold to answer the call of national service.

    Ultimately, he has shown that no single political career is worth the turmoil upsetting his Ministry or distracting from President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. For him, the nation’s stability and his own good name come first.

    He didn’t wait to be pushed. He wasn’t defiantly clinging to his seat, leveraging connections and power to remain entrenched. He was just… stepping aside. In a system where political power is treated like a lifelong trophy, where simply holding on to your position is seen as a sign of strength and “street credibility,” this man simply let go. It’s a move so quiet, it’s almost deafening in its implication.

    Let’s forget the legalities for a moment. The courts will do their work. Let’s talk about the simple, human wisdom in what he did. He talks about a reputation built over five decades. I know a thing or two about that. When you have spent that long building something—a career, a name, the respect of your peers, the idea of it being trashed in a week of “orchestrated… malicious attacks” must be a special kind of agony. Your first instinct is to fight, to stand your ground, to show you won’t be moved, to deploy every weapon in your arsenal.

    But Chief Nnaji did something else. He must have sat down, maybe in his study a night before, and asked himself a simple question: what is this actually costing? Not just for him, personally. But for the ministry he leads. For the young, bright minds in that department trying to launch a new tech initiative, whose innovative work is now being drowned out by the cacophony of scandal. For the civil servants whose morale is tied to the integrity of their leadership. And crucially, for the President’s agenda, which he claims to believe in. He realised that his very presence in that office had become the story. The work wasn’t the headline anymore; he was.

    So, he made a choice. A choice that looks almost alien here: he put the work before the worker. This is where his profound respect for the institutions of state becomes glaringly evident. His resignation was not an admission of guilt; it was a profound affirmation of faith in the system. He said his resignation was to “preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings.” That is not just lawyer-speak. Think about it. How can a case proceed fairly when one of the parties is a sitting minister, with all the power, influence, and patronage that entails? Every legal manoeuvre would be seen through a political lens. Every ruling, from the lowest court to the highest, would be dissected for signs of pressure or favour. The very institution of the judiciary would be under a cloud of perceived partiality. By stepping down, he has taken himself out of that equation. He is saying, “Try me as Uche Nnaji, the citizen. Not Uche Nnaji, the Honourable Minister.” It is a stunning act of respect for the law itself, an act that strengthens the judiciary by allowing it to function without the shadow of executive influence.

    Furthermore, his action demonstrates a deep and often overlooked form of respect for the Office of the President. In our political climate, the most damaging thing a subordinate can do to a leader is to become a constant source of distraction and negative publicity. To cling to office while mired in controversy is to force the President into a corner—to either defend the indefensible, thereby tarnishing his own credibility, or to engage in the publicly messy and politically costly act of firing an appointee. Chief Nnaji, in his wisdom, spared the President that invidious choice. He recognised that his continued presence in the cabinet was becoming a liability to an administration he pledged to serve. His resignation, therefore, was an act of loyalty. It was him saying, “The mission of this government, as set by you, Mr. President, is more important than my individual role in it. I will not allow my personal problems to become an obstacle to your vision for the nation.” This is the epitome of putting the collective good over personal ambition, a lesson in true loyalty that many in the corridors of power have yet to learn.

    This is what gets me. In Nigeria, we have become so used to people fighting to the bitter end that we have forgotten there can be strength in stepping back. We confuse stubbornness with principle. We see someone clinging to a title with bloody fingernails and call it courage, mistaking destruction for resilience. But what takes more courage? Holding on to power when everyone is telling you to let go? Or being the one to voluntarily open your hand and let it slip away, trusting that your name and your legacy are stronger than any single job title?

    Chief Nnaji is betting on his legacy. He is trading the fleeting, day-to-day power of a minister for something more lasting: the story of the man who did the honourable thing. He knows that in the long run, that story is more powerful. He can now fight his legal battle without dragging an entire government department through the mud with him. If he is vindicated, he returns to public life with his head held higher than ever, his integrity not just intact but burnished. If not, he has at least spared the institution further damage and exited with a measure of dignity.

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    This is the lesson from which every other public official, from the highest to the lowest, must learn. The lesson is not about resigning at the first sign of trouble, but about possessing the situational awareness and moral compass to understand when one’s presence is harming the very institution they are meant to serve. They must learn that true power is not in the ability to command and control, but in the wisdom to know when to let go for the greater good. They must learn that respecting the President is not just about public sycophancy or blind obedience, but about taking responsible actions that protect his agenda and the integrity of his office from unnecessary scandal. They must learn that institutions—the judiciary, the civil service, the ministries—are fragile ecosystems that require nurturing and protection from the corrosive effects of personal scandal and political brinksmanship.

    This should not be about whether he is guilty or innocent. That is for the judges. This is about a different kind of verdict—one on our political culture. For years, we have been begging for a different kind of politics. We complain that our leaders don’t have shame, that they have no sense of propriety, that the concept of the “greater good” is dead. Then, one man, in the twilight of his career, actually embodies it. He gives us a living, breathing example of what it looks like to value the health of the system over the ambition of the individual. And our first reaction is often cynical disbelief. We’re so conditioned to the ugly game that a clean move looks suspicious.

    Maybe it is time we recognised the move for what it is: mature, strategic, deeply honourable, and institutionally astute. He has not just resigned from a job. He has offered a masterclass in public service, a tutorial in patriotic loyalty, and a blueprint for ethical conduct. He has shown his colleagues that true honour is not about the title before your name, but the integrity of the name you leave behind after the title is gone. He has demonstrated that the strongest legacy is not one of power held, but of dignity preserved and institutions respected.

    Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, former Minister, has done more to innovate our political science and technology, to reboot our civic software, than any policy paper or technological initiative he could have ever launched from his office. He has given us a new code to run our democracy on, if only we are brave enough to install it.

    •Agbai wrote from Abuja

  • Democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Nigeria’s soft power and global responsibility

    Democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Nigeria’s soft power and global responsibility

    By Ademola Oshodi

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future disruptor; it is a present weapon for democracy which faces the dual pressures of internal erosion and external manipulation today. Around the world, AI is already being used to weaken democracies, manipulate public opinion, prop up authoritarian regimes and dampen diplomatic credibility. Yet the risks are not confined to national borders. A recent DW report warned that AI-driven disinformation could destabilise elections across Africa in the coming years. With 18 African countries scheduled to hold elections between 2025 and 2026, the stakes are global. As these reports emphasise, Africa is one of the key battlegrounds where the integrity of democracy will be tested by the malevolent use of AI. Technology has become a tool of destabilisation and control with AI-generated deepfakes sowing doubt in elections and synthetic propaganda amplifying the appeal of military juntas. This dual threat makes AI one of the defining battlegrounds of the 21st century, and for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, the question is not whether AI will shape our political and social life, but how we choose to govern AI in ways that strengthen our democracy rather than undermine it.

    The evidence is mounting. In Nigeria’s 2023 elections, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns flooded social media, fuelling polarisation and public scepticism about democratic institutions. This is not a uniquely Nigerian problem, but part of a global trend. A 2024 report from the Institute for Security + Technology warned that AI-powered disinformation campaigns are now a norm, with direct consequences for electoral integrity and citizen participation.

    What Nigeria experienced in 2023 is not an isolated episode. It is a preview of the aggressive information warfare already unfolding in its neighbourhood. In the Sahel, Technology is accelerating authoritarian consolidation. In Burkina Faso, for example, deepfake videos have transformed Captain Ibrahim Traoré into a mythic figure, depicted as Africa’s messiah in digital campaigns featuring AI-generated music, starlike endorsements, and grandiose claims about infrastructure and social programs. In one wave of AI-generated content, a synthetic announcement by American Pan-Africans purportedly supporting the junta surfaced days after France withdrew its troops. In Mali, manipulated content on social media frames France and the UN as complicit in prolonging insecurity and exploiting the region’s resources, while in Niger, AI-generated videos amplify pro-junta messaging and discredit calls for a return to civilian rule. These campaigns are often linked to Russian-influenced information networks, illustrating how generative AI is now a tool  in the geopolitical competition over Africa’s political future, shaping public support for undemocratic regimes and destabilising regional governance. If Nigeria fails to respond decisively, the same forces could undermine its institutions, deepen polarisation, and destabilise West Africa’s largest democracy.

    Meanwhile, surveys confirm the danger is real as faith in democracy is declining across Africa. Afrobarometer reports that while roughly two-thirds of Africans still prefer democratic rule, support has fallen by seven percentage points in the last decade due to military coups and corruption. In 2025, the Mo Ibrahim Index noted that 78 per cent of Africans live in countries where governance and democratic participation have worsened, often due to repression of civic and media freedoms. This context makes AI-fuelled disinformation a force multiplier for democratic decay because it accelerates the spread of false narratives, erodes trust in legitimate institutions, and overwhelms citizens’ ability to discern truth from fabrication. By amplifying conspiracy theories, delegitimising elections, and glorifying authoritarian figures, AI-driven campaigns deepen cynicism and normalise undemocratic alternatives. For Nigeria, this is a national security challenge, not just a technological one.

    The dual-use nature of AI – capable of tampering with democracies yet also empowering authoritarian actors – underscores the urgency of crafting global governance frameworks. The responsibility is twofold for Nigeria: to safeguard its democracy at home and to champion norms abroad that ensure technology does not undermine Africa’s democratic future. In that regard, democracy in the age of AI requires more than defensive measures. It demands proactive investment in digital literacy, robust regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. Here, Nigeria can lead by example. With more than 220 million citizens, half of them under the age of 19, Nigeria represents both the vulnerability and potential of the digital era. A youthful population that is globally connected but unevenly protected from digital manipulation is at once a risk factor and a resource for resilience.

    This makes Nigeria the best-placed country to set the tone for an African-led response and the country has already begun to act in tangible ways. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched the development of a National AI Policy Framework to regulate the ethical use of emerging technologies in governance and electoral processes. Just recently, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria unveiled N-ATLAS, a pioneering AI language model trained in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English – a bold signal that the country is staking its claim in shaping global AI technology in ways that reflect African voices and realities. Fact-checking civil society organisations such as Dubawa have deployed AI-powered tools to detect and debunk disinformation in real time, especially during election cycles. These domestic initiatives are reinforced by Nigeria’s multilateral engagement. The government is aligned with UNESCO to train its civil service on AI and digital governance, embedding global best practices into public institutions. Diplomatically, Nigeria has used its influence in ECOWAS and at the African Union to press for stronger regional standards on electoral integrity and emphasise African agency in multilateral forums. Taken together, these actions show that Nigeria is actively building the frameworks, tools, and alliances needed to protect democracy and set a model for the continent.

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    This is where Nigeria’s soft power can be most effective. Nollywood and Afrobeats are reshaping global perceptions of African creativity; extending this influence to digital democracy is a natural progression. Nigeria can spearhead a continental coalition on AI ethics, champion digital literacy campaigns targeting its massive youth population, and continue to press for African inclusion in global AI governance forums. Such initiatives would not only protect Nigeria’s democracy but also give Africa a voice in shaping the rules of a technology that will define the future of governance worldwide.

    Leadership also means leading by example. Nigeria’s own electoral reforms, including the digitisation of voter registration and the expansion of civic education, must be accelerated to show that technology can strengthen democracy. Regulation should focus not only on punitive measures but also on supporting innovation that defends civic space, protects human rights, and enhances transparency. Such leadership would reinforce Nigeria’s credibility as a defender of democratic norms in a period where coups and authoritarian backsliding have threatened regional stability.

    The age of AI will test democracies everywhere, but it also offers an opportunity to reimagine global cooperation. Nigeria has the size, the voice, and now the tools to lead Africa’s response. The choice is stark: allow external actors to script the future of its democracy or shape the rules of engagement for a digital century. Acting decisively now would turn Nigeria’s domestic vulnerabilities into diplomatic capital. That is the essence of soft power: projecting influence through culture or diplomacy, while embodying solutions that others seek to emulate.

    The world is entering uncharted territory where the boundaries between truth and falsehood can be engineered with a few lines of code. Nigeria cannot afford to be a passive recipient of these forces. Our responsibility, and indeed our opportunity, is to help shape how democracy survives, adapts and thrives in this new era.

    •Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Foreign Affairs and Protocol

  • Oborevwori: Setting the gold standard in sporting excellence

    Oborevwori: Setting the gold standard in sporting excellence

    By Efeturi Onokpasa

    Since assuming office as Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has not merely supported athletics but has elevated sports in general to a cornerstone of state pride and youth empowerment. His administration’s unwavering commitment to sporting excellence reached a crescendo with the fulfillment of a bold pledge he made to athletes who competed in the 2025 National Sports Festival, otherwise known as the Gateway Games which was hosted by Ogun State, few days ago.

    That “Ukodo,” as Governor Oborevwori is popularly called in socio-political circles in the state will make good his promise, not only galvanized Team Delta to put up one of the best performances at the sports meet, it led inexorably to a triumphant return and solidified the state’s unchallenged dominance in Nigeria’s sporting landscape. Through strategic investments, motivational incentives, and a philosophy that prioritizes human capital development through the “MORE Agenda”, Oborevwori is redefining what it means to lead in sports governance.

    Delta State’s sporting legacy is nothing short of legendary. Often dubbed the “Nigeria’s Sports Powerhouse,” Delta State has clinched the overall championship at the National Sports Festival an astonishing nine times consecutively, a streak that underscores decades of deliberate nurturing of talent. From the dusty fields of local communities to the roar of national stadiums, Delta has produced national super icons in athletics thus proving that grassroots investment yields global glory. Interestingly, under Oborevwori’s stewardship as governor, this legacy has evolved from mere tradition to a meticulously engineered machine of success. His “MORE Agenda,” a blueprint for inclusive growth—allocates substantial resources to sports infrastructure, coaching programs, and athlete welfare, ensuring that no promising talent slips through the cracks. This holistic approach has been pivotal in maintaining Delta’s supremacy in sports.

    The 2025 National Sports Festival, held from May 16 to 30th in Abeokuta, Ogun State, served as the ultimate reference point for Oborevwori’s vision. The Gateway Games, the 22nd edition of this biennial sports extravaganza in the country, brought together over 5,000 athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing in 35 sporting disciplines ranging from athletics and wrestling to table tennis and para-sports. For Delta, the stakes were sky-high: not just to defend their title but to inspire a new generation amid whispers of rising competition from states like Bayelsa, Lagos and Rivers.

    And this is where Governor Oborevwori’s game-changing pledge matters. In the lead-up to the festival, during a morale-boosting send-forth ceremony in Asaba, the governor promised unprecedented financial rewards to motivate his Team Delta. “Excellence must be rewarded,” he declared, outlining a tiered incentive structure: one million naira for each gold medal, five hundred thousand for silver, and two hundred and fifty thousand for bronze. This was no empty rhetoric. It was a calculated infusion of fiscal firepower designed to transform abstract motivation into tangible drive.

    The impact was immediate and profound. Team Delta comprising athletes, officials, and support staff, stormed the MKO Abiola Stadium and other venues with determination that echoed across the country. By the time the curtains fell  on the sports festival on May 29, 2025, they had amassed a staggering haul of 126 gold medals, 100 silver, and 111 bronze, totaling 337 medals—a haul that dwarfed other competitors and reaffirmed Delta State’s stranglehold on the top spot.

    Bayelsa settled for second with a respectable but distant tally, while host Ogun clinched third, highlighting Delta’s tactical edge in high-medal events like athletics where it swept a whopping 45 gold medals and wrestling 32 gold medals. Of particular note is the standout performance of a young sprinter Ejiro Okoro’s double gold in the 100m and 200m dashes. Then there was the para-athletics squad’s clean sweep in seven events, thus showcasing the inclusivity that is apparent in the champion’s team. These victories weren’t flukes, they stemmed from rigorous pre-festival camps funded by the state government, international coaching exchanges, and psychological support sessions that instilled a winner’s mindset in the athletes, all orchestrated by Oborevwori’s winning aura.

    Significantly, what set this edition apart, however, was the governor’s fulfillment of his pledge—a masterstroke in leadership that transcended the medals. Talk of a promise keeper. On September 18, 2025, Oborevwori hosted a grand reception at the Delta State Government House in Asaba for the sporting ambassadors. In a ceremony brimming with jubilation, he personally handed over cheques totaling hundreds of millions of naira to the heroes of Ogun 2025. Gold medalists like Okoro pocketed N1 million for each medal, their eyes lighting up with the realization that their sweat equity had real-world value. Silver and bronze recipients followed suit, with N500,000 and N250,000 respectively, ensuring every contributor felt valued. Officials, from coaches to medical personnel, received N200,000 bonuses, acknowledging the ecosystem behind the stars.

    “This is not just about money; it’s about building a culture where excellence is the norm,” Oborevwori remarked, his words resonating with athletes who recounted how the pre-game promise fueled late-night trainings and unbreakable team spirit.

    This commitment to fulfillment is no isolated gesture; it’s the linchpin of Delta’s enduring dominance. In a nation where sports funding often evaporates post-victory, Oborevwori’s reliability has created a virtuous cycle. Athletes train harder, knowing rewards await; coaches innovate without budgetary fears; and communities rally behind a program that delivers jobs, pride, and economic ripple effects. Consider the numbers: Delta’s medal count has grown by 15% since Oborevwori took office, correlating directly with a 20% increase in state sports allocations. This motivation has permeated beyond the festival, propelling Delta squads to glory in continental events like the African Games and fostering talents who now eye Olympic berths. Young athletes in Warri and Ughelli, inspired by tales of millionaire medalists, flood local academies, swelling participation rates by 30% in the last year alone.

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    Moreover, Oborevwori’s approach addresses deeper societal needs. Sports in Delta isn’t elitist; it’s a ladder for social mobility. Many athletes hail from humble beginnings, using platforms like the festival to escape poverty. Female athletes, in particular, have thrived under this regime, with women’s teams securing 40% of Delta’s golds in Ogun, a testament to gender-inclusive policies that include maternity support for competitors.

    The ripple effects extend nationally. Other governors now eye Delta’s model, with states like Edo and Anambra replicating reward systems. Yet, Oborevwori’s edge lies in authenticity—his pledge wasn’t a campaign gimmick but a fulfillment of a lifelong passion for sports, honed as a former student athlete himself. By receiving the Torch of Unity in May, symbolizing the festival’s spirit, he infused the event with personal gravitas, urging unity among the many ethnic groups in Nigeria. This holistic ethos—blending motivation, resources, and recognition—has made Delta not just winners, but architects of a sporting renaissance.

    In Oborevwori, one sees a leader who understands that true excellence is forged in the fire of commitment. The 2025 Gateway Games weren’t merely a victory lap; they were a manifesto in motion, proving that when leaders back words with wallets, miracles happen on the field. As Delta prepares to defend its crown in future festivals—perhaps eyeing Enugu 2027—the governor’s gold standard gleams brighter than any medal.

    For athletes nationwide, his message is clear: strive, and the rewards will follow. In Oborevwori, Nigeria has found a champion whose legacy will echo through stadiums for generations, setting an unassailable benchmark in the pursuit of sporting greatness.

    •Onokpasa, a sports enthusiast and good governance advocate, writes from Asaba, Delta State.

  • President Tinubu’s bold statement at UNGA 80 and the impact on global governance

    President Tinubu’s bold statement at UNGA 80 and the impact on global governance

    By Stanley Nkwocha

    The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) just concluded in New York, United States. However, what has continued to dominate national discourse is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement to world leaders at the annual event. His bold policy statement demanding reforms in global governance has strengthened Nigeria’s international standing as one of Africa’s foremost economies.

    In the statement that captured the attention of participants and the world in general, President Tinubu unequivocally called for multifaceted reforms of the UN, focusing on key areas that require immediate attention. And Vice President Kashim Shettima, who delivered Nigeria’s policy statement on his behalf, nailed it for Mr President.

    One of the key aspects of VP Shettima’s capacity to represent his boss is his ability to understand and articulate the President’s vision. His presentations reflect Tinubu’s policies and ideas, demonstrating a deep understanding of the President’s mind and work.

    The Vice President’s adeptness at representing the President effectively has been evident at various international fora. With the brilliance with which he marshalled and delivered President Tinubu’s foreign policy statement, Nigeria’s voice was clear and loud at the international gathering.

    Unlike some world leaders who made their growing disenchantment fully palpable in their addresses at the global stage, President Tinubu did not require any show of righteous indignation to pass on the message of Nigeria and the continent. Subtly, he appealed to the interest of the international community instead of the regional interest. Categorically, he warned that the global body must embrace sweeping restructuring or face growing irrelevance, with world events increasingly bypassing its influence.

    One of Nigeria’s primary concerns is the reform of the UN Security Council. The Nigerian leader stood his ground in demanding a permanent seat for Nigeria and Africa in the Council. He argued that this is the only way the country’s growing population, economic influence, and contributions to global peacekeeping would be reflected. 

    President Tinubu’s point of contention on this is clear: Nigeria, a nation that has transformed from “a colony of 20 million people, absent from the tables where decisions about our fate were taken” to “a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth,” is politically and morally certified to represent Africa on the UN Security Council. This move is part of a broader process of institutional reform aimed at making the UN more representative and effective.

    President Tinubu’s address accentuates Nigeria’s commitment to peace, development, unity, multilateralism, and human rights. He emphasised the need for reform and cooperation in tackling global challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and financial instability. His diplomatic approach seeks to foster partnerships and cooperation, showcasing his negotiation skills.

    The President identified an underlying pattern missing in the UN: the need for a more inclusive and effective multilateral system. For the most part, he took a pragmatic view of multilateralism, regarding it as useful but only when it is all-inclusive. By addressing the challenges and opportunities outlined in his policy statement, nations can work towards a better future for all. The emphasis on reform, cooperation, and collective action underscores the importance of multilateralism in achieving global peace and development.

    On the global front, President Tinubu declared Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He described this approach as “the most dignified path” to lasting peace, stressing that Palestinians “are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order,” but human beings deserving of the same freedom and dignity as everyone else. He urged the international community to take concrete actions to protect Palestinian lives and facilitate a peaceful resolution.

    By advocating for a two-state solution, President Tinubu’s stance aligns with other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, which have also called for Palestinian statehood. This move marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s foreign policy posture, showcasing its commitment to peace, human rights, and collective security.

    Sadly, unpatriotic and unscrupulous politicians in Nigeria have lashed out at the Palestine issue to score cheap political points. The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) faulted President Tinubu’s two-state solution stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he failed to address the worsening insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria.

    But this is a view based, in the first place, on a misleading oversimplification and ignorance of the nuances and complexities of global politics of the time. Fortunately, well-meaning Nigerians have described the opposition’s stance as unnecessary critique, emphasising the need for politicians to prioritise national and global interests over partisan politics, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like human suffering. On Palestine, the critics are hereby handed a damning verdict.

    President Tinubu must not be seen as making a case for Africa alone at the global event. His bold policy statement on the global stage shouldn’t have been slanted towards regional demands. It is a call for global awakening. What he simply did was prioritise empathy and compassion over political gains, especially in situations involving human suffering, hence maintaining a level of statesmanship and decorum in global political discourse.

    Besides, President Tinubu did not only focus on the crisis in Palestine. He also condemned the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and other conflict zones, maintaining that efforts must be redoubled to de-escalate global tensions. Describing the human cost as “stains on our collective humanity,” he tasked world leaders with the need for coordinated global efforts to combat tensions across the globe and address the underlying causes of regional conflicts and instability.

    Was Tinubu actually mum on the Nigerian situation? Certainly not! He said that while “Nigeria has continued to face the threat of violent extremism and terrorism,” his administration is tackling the menace through values and ideas. “At home, we confront the scourge of insurgency with resolve. From this long and difficult struggle with violent extremism, one truth stands clear: military tactics may win battles measured in months and years, but in wars that span generations, it is values and ideas that deliver the ultimate victory,” he added.

    On the ongoing economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu acknowledged the difficult reality facing his citizens but said that Nigeria’s economic reforms represent a model for resilience. He noted that his administration has taken difficult but necessary steps to restructure the economy and remove distortions, including subsidies and currency controls that benefited the few at the expense of the many. Expressing confidence in the power of the market to transform, he said, “Our task is to enable and facilitate, and to trust in the ingenuity and enterprise of the people. But the process of transition is difficult.”

    The President proposed the setting up of a new, binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, including an International Court of Justice for money. According to him, this would enable countries to break free from the “economic straitjacket of primary production of unprocessed exports” and promote local value addition in agriculture, solid minerals, and petrochemicals.

    The proposal emphasises the need for urgent action to promote debt relief, not as an act of charity, but as a clear path to peace and prosperity that benefits everyone. It aims to help emerging economies escape the constraints of debt and focus on development and growth. He stressed that the current system is not suited to address the needs of developing countries, citing Africa’s total debt of around $685.5 billion and debt service payments of $88.7 billion in 2025.

    President Tinubu also called for a complete overhaul of the global financial architecture governing Africa’s mineral resources. He said African nations must be allowed to finance their own mineral sectors and assert control over African products’ global supply chains, promoting economic development and sovereignty. He also emphasised the importance of benefit-sharing from strategic minerals. Nigeria believes that countries hosting these minerals should reap the benefits, not just through revenue but also through investment, partnership, local processing, and job creation.

    The President also called for a dedicated initiative to close the digital divide. This initiative would bring together researchers, the private sector, governments, and communities to promote access to technology, mitigate potential negative impacts, and enable growth. Closing the digital divide is crucial for ensuring that all nations, especially developing ones, can participate in the global digital economy and benefit from technological advancements.

    No doubt, what has become clear about Senator Shettima’s diplomatic outings is that President Tinubu’s choice of Vice President has proven to be a strategic move, showcasing effective leadership and partnership. VP Shettima’s performance at the 80th UNGA demonstrates his capacity to stamp the President’s authority on the global stage. His ability to convey the President’s vision and policies seamlessly has been particularly notable.

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    It’s clear that their cordial partnership and collaborative leadership style, characterised by mutual trust, are crucial factors in Nigeria’s current progress. Their bond has proven to be solid and effective, with VP Shettima demonstrating absolute loyalty to President Tinubu and working tirelessly to support his initiatives and vision for Nigeria. They are united by a shared goal to engender a strong economy, deliver prosperity, and improve living standards for Nigerians based on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Beyond the General Debate, the Vice President met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters to personally discuss Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and other matters of mutual interest. He also attended a meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government held on the margins of UNGA 80.

    Senator Shettima also held bilateral meetings with key leaders, including the President of Namibia,  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the Gates Foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Namibia, calling for expanded investment in Nigeria, particularly in education and human capital development.

    The Vice President also engaged with investors, highlighting Nigeria’s growth ambitions and economic reforms under the Tinubu administration. He emphasised the country’s potential for investment, citing macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and education.

    Nkwocha is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President)

  • The business case for diversity in Nigeria’s workforce

    The business case for diversity in Nigeria’s workforce

    • By Adeola Olufunmilola Oshiyemi

    “Nigeria’s diversity is its greatest economic advantage — but only if businesses make inclusion a deliberate strategy.”

    In today’s global economy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have evolved from moral imperatives into strategic drivers of growth and innovation.

    Across the world, research consistently shows that organisations prioritising DEI outperform their peers in decision-making, innovation, and financial returns.

    For Nigeria — Africa’s largest economy and one of its most diverse nations — DEI represents a competitive advantage waiting to be unlocked.

    The Global Evidence Leading firms from New York to Nairobi demonstrate that DEI is not simply corporate charity but good business.

    McKinsey’s 2023 report found that companies with diverse executive teams are significantly more likely to achieve above-average profits.

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    Deloitte’s research shows inclusive companies are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets.

    The lesson is clear: diverse teams make better decisions, solve problems faster, and innovate more effectively.

    In a rapidly changing environment — where Nigerian businesses face technological disruption, new competitors, and evolving customer expectations — innovation is essential, not optional.

    Nigeria’s untapped potential with more than 200 million people across six geopolitical zones is one of the most ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse in the world. Yet, in many organisations, inclusion remains limited and often left to chance. Recruitment still leans heavily on personal networks rather than merit, narrowing the talent pool and stifling innovation.

    Gender disparities persist, with women under-represented in leadership. Persons with disabilities face systemic barriers to employment. Generational gaps and cultural silos limit collaboration.

    These patterns represent a missed opportunity for businesses that want to compete regionally and globally

    Concrete examples show what’s possible: A Lagos tech firm with a multilingual sales team can more easily expand into Francophone Africa; banks employing more women in product design will better serve Nigeria’s growing female entrepreneur segment; manufacturing companies that integrate persons with disabilities tap overlooked talent and win loyalty among socially conscious consumers.

    From compliance to competitive advantage

    To turn diversity into a growth engine, Nigerian companies must shift DEI from a checkbox to a core business strategy. Practical steps include:

    – Inclusive Hiring: Structured recruitment, blind CV screening, and diverse interview panels to minimise bias.

    – Equitable Career Paths: Transparent advancement opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development programmes for under-represented groups.

    – Cultural Competence Training: Equipping leaders to manage across cultural, gender, and generational lines.

    – Data-Driven Accountability: Tracking metrics beyond headcount — including inclusion and retention rates — to measure progress.

    – Leadership Commitment: Linking executive bonuses and evaluations to diversity goals.

    – Policy Reform: Ensuring accessibility, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity, especially for persons with disabilities.

    Why it matters

    Diverse teams challenge group think and spot opportunities others overlook. Fintech startups with mixed teams adapt faster to varied customer needs. Manufacturing firms with gender-balanced leadership report improved safety compliance and productivity.

    At the national level, a truly inclusive workforce — representing all geopolitical zones, empowering women and youth, and supporting persons with disabilities — would be better positioned to tackle Nigeria’s complex challenges. With over 60 per cent of the population under 30, sidelining young talent is a luxury Nigeria cannot afford.

    For businesses, the case is straightforward: companies that reflect their markets thrive. Those that do not risk irrelevance. This is not about quotas or tokenism — it is about competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable success.

    The Global Market Is Watching. Foreign investors now weigh DEI practice as part of due diligence. Multinationals expect their partners to uphold global inclusion standards.

    Nigerian firms that get ahead of the curve will attract not only capital but also top-tier talent from home and abroad. Inclusion also builds public trust, reduces workplace conflicts, and supports national development goals.

    A Call to Action. Having worked extensively in talent acquisition, organisational development, and community leadership across Nigeria’s banking, technology, and manufacturing sectors, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of inclusion. Diversity is not about lowering standards; it is about raising possibilities.

    Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on harnessing the full spectrum of human potential. Inclusive organisations will attract the best talent, open new markets, and create lasting value.

    The business case for diversity is no longer theoretical — it is proven.

    The question facing Nigerian companies is not whether diversity and inclusion work, but whether they will act now.

    • Oshiyemi is MPA, CSM and CompTIA Security + certified.

  • Are protests against Women Affairs minister justified?

    Are protests against Women Affairs minister justified?

    By Kenneth Nonso Igwe

    In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics, few figures have demonstrated the resilience and visionary leadership of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the current Minister of Women Affairs.

    Despite recent protests by a segment of ministry staff, a deeper look at her career reveals a pattern of dedication and effectiveness that continues to earn her widespread support.

    The protests, which included allegations of neglect and inaccessibility, seem to clash with the broader narrative of a leader known for her results-driven approach and unwavering commitment to public service.

    Imaan’s journey in public service is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. Before her current role, she served as the Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), where she worked tirelessly to protect some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

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    Her tenure as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) further showcased her ability to tackle complex challenges with empathy and strategic precision.

    Notably, she was also the first female Minister of State for Police Affairs, a role in which she brought innovation and renewed vigour to police reform and gender inclusion in security governance.

    These roles underscore her capacity to deliver on mandates and drive tangible change, making the recent criticisms appear inconsistent with her established record. Indeed,  her appointment as Minister of Women Affairs stands as a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Her leadership embodies the very essence of this visionary blueprint, translating its principles of economic growth, social empowerment, and institutional reform into tangible actions that directly impact the lives of millions.

    Central to Imaan’s philosophy is her dedication to actualizing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Her focus on women’s empowerment, child protection, and social justice aligns perfectly with the administration’s goals.

    Under her leadership, the Ministry of Women Affairs has launched initiatives like the Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which aims to provide financial literacy, business development training, and cooperative support to 4.5 million women across the country.

    She has also been a vocal advocate for legislative reforms, such as the Special Seats Bill for Women, to ensure stronger female representation in governance.

    Additionally, her efforts to strengthen child protection laws and promote gender-responsive climate action highlight her holistic approach to development.

    These programs are not just policy documents but lifelines for millions of Nigerian women and children, offering them opportunities for growth and security. Her multifaceted achievements across security, humanitarian affairs, and women’s empowerment are a validation of the President’s discerning appointment strategy and the overarching goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The recent protests at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, where some workers expressed grievances over welfare issues, must be viewed within a broader context.

    While the staff’s concerns are valid and deserve attention, it is important to recognize that Imaan’s role as a minister is primarily political and policy-focused.

    As she herself noted, administrative duties such as welfare and training largely fall under the purview of the Permanent Secretary and directors. This is not to dismiss the staff’s frustrations but to emphasize the structural limitations within which she operates.

    Moreover, Imaan has acknowledged these concerns and expressed her commitment to addressing them creatively. Her response to the protests—calm, diplomatic, and focused on dialogue—reflects her maturity as a leader.

    She even remarked that the incident had inadvertently raised her profile, noting, “People who didn’t know me now know me”. This perspective underscores her understanding of the political landscape and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

    The backlash against Imaan appears to be part of a larger pattern of resistance against strong female leaders. In a press briefing, she highlighted the coordinated efforts to undermine her leadership, stating, “There’s an attack on the Ministry of Women Affairs and on female politicians, and they are trying to use the staff against the ministry”.

    This sentiment resonates with many who see the protests as motivated by factors beyond genuine grievances. Critics, including political detractors and those wary of her rising influence, have sought to tarnish her reputation. Yet, these efforts have largely failed, thanks to the overwhelming support she has received from stakeholders across the country.

    Human rights activists, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens have rallied behind her, describing the protests as an “affront to constituted authority”. This groundswell of support is a testament to the goodwill she has earned through years of dedicated service.

    Imaan’s impact extends beyond the federal level to her home state of Nasarawa, where she has implemented numerous empowerment initiatives. During President Tinubu’s recent visit to commission projects executed by Governor Abdullahi Sule, Imaan was singled out for commendation.

    As part of the event, she distributed grinding and sewing machines to over 500 women, helping them achieve self-sufficiency amid economic hardships. She also organized the Renewed Hope Year-End Intervention for Vulnerable Women and Families, providing essential items like rice, pasta, cooking oil, and tomato paste to hundreds of people in Akwanga, Kokona, and Keffi Local Government Areas.

    These efforts reflect her deep understanding of grassroots needs and her ability to translate policy into practical solutions. For many in Nasarawa, Imaan is not just a minister but a beacon of hope whose work has directly improved their lives.

    What sets Imaan apart is her resilience and unflinching resolve in the face of adversity. She has faced challenges before, from her time at NAPTIP to her role as Police Affairs Minister, and each time, she has emerged stronger and more determined.

    Her response to the current protests is no different. Instead of resorting to confrontation, she has chosen dialogue and collaboration, urging staff to focus on the bigger picture of women’s struggle in governance.

    She reminds them that the Ministry of Women Affairs is the “conscience of the country,” with a responsibility to protect women, children, and vulnerable groups. This vision-driven leadership style, combined with her empathy and strategic thinking, has earned her the respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike.

    After all said and done, the protests against Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim are up against a tall wall—a wall built on a foundation of proven performance, widespread popularity, and unwavering political support.

    President Tinubu’s public endorsement of her, including his birthday message where he praised her as a “reform-minded and results-driven public servant,” reinforces her position.

    Her ability to champion policies that resonate with ordinary Nigerians, from financial literacy programs for women to clean energy initiatives, demonstrates her commitment to nation-building.

    While the protests highlight legitimate administrative issues that need addressing, they do not define her leadership. Instead, they have inadvertently shone a light on her strengths: her resilience, her dedication, and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

    As Nigeria continues to navigate complex social and economic challenges, leaders like Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim are indispensable. Her work is a reminder that true leadership is not about avoiding conflicts but about navigating them with grace, empathy, and an unwavering focus on the greater good.

    • Igwe, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja

  • How Eno is redefining learning in Akwa Ibom

    How Eno is redefining learning in Akwa Ibom

    By Racheal Udom

    When Pastor Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, walked into the warm embrace of his old classmates at Victory High School Old Students’ Association (1981 set) during their special quarterly meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, the moment was more than just a reunion. It was a poignant reminder of how far life had brought him, from the humble corridors of a secondary school to the commanding heights of public office. For him, it was also a chance to reflect on the life-changing power of education and to reaffirm his commitment to lifting the next generation through qualitative learning.

    At the event, Governor Eno was bestowed with the title of Grand Patron of the association, an honour he described as humbling and inspiring. “Our alma mater played a crucial role in shaping us into who we are today,” he told his classmates. “Those of us whom God has lifted must, in turn, support the growth of our schools and educational institutions.”

    This conviction is not merely rhetorical. Since assuming office, Governor Eno has woven education into the very fabric of his administration’s vision. He sees it not only as the most sustainable tool for empowerment but also as the bedrock upon which Akwa Ibom’s future must be built. His presence at the reunion, therefore, was not only personal but symbolic of his broader agenda, one that places education at the heart of governance.

    In Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno has already embarked on ambitious reforms designed to reimagine the learning environment for children and young people. At the meeting, he spoke passionately about these initiatives:

    His administration has commenced the construction of modern, fully-equipped model primary schools across the state. These are not just classrooms but comprehensive learning centres with digital facilities, science laboratories, libraries, and recreational amenities to nurture well-rounded pupils.

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    Recognising the importance of equity, the governor is ensuring that each senatorial district hosts at least one model secondary school. These schools are designed to meet global standards, serving as hubs for academic excellence and technical skills development.

    “Our children deserve access to sound, qualitative education no matter where they are born,” he affirmed. “By building these institutions, we are laying the foundation for a knowledge-driven economy in Akwa Ibom.”

    Governor Eno’s initiatives are already leaving an indelible mark. Among the most remarkable achievements so far are: Building on the foundation laid by previous administrations, his government has reinforced the policy of free and compulsory education for children in primary and secondary schools. Importantly, he has ensured that hidden costs such as exam fees, textbooks, and uniforms are addressed through targeted interventions.

    Beyond the model schools, renovation and upgrading of existing schools have been prioritised. Dilapidated classrooms are being replaced with modern blocks, equipped with desks, electricity, and ICT facilities. Rural communities, once plagued by overcrowded or collapsing structures, are now witnessing a new era of conducive learning environments.

    Recognising that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, the governor has invested heavily in training, welfare, and incentives for educators. Capacity-building workshops, digital literacy training, and new teacher recruitment drives are revitalising the workforce and improving learning outcomes.

    Governor Eno has also paid special attention to vocational training. Several technical schools across Akwa Ibom are being repositioned with state-of-the-art facilities for carpentry, welding, ICT, fashion design, and other trades. This focus ensures that students not inclined to white-collar careers have employable skills for self-reliance.

    His government has equally revived bursary schemes for undergraduates from Akwa Ibom and expanded scholarships for brilliant but indigent students. By easing the financial burden, more young people can pursue tertiary education without fear of dropping out.

    In line with global trends, the administration is integrating ICT into classrooms. Pilot schemes have seen the distribution of learning tablets, introduction of e-libraries, and partnerships with technology providers to boost digital literacy among students.

    While policy achievements are notable, what stands out about Governor Eno’s approach is the personal dimension he brings to leadership. During the reunion, he openly thanked his old classmates for the solidarity they showed him — both during his election and, more touchingly, during the passing of his wife.

    “Education remains the greatest gift we can give the next generation,” he reminded them, drawing parallels between the support they had given him and the collective responsibility society owes to children. For him, giving back to schools like Victory High and expanding opportunities in Akwa Ibom are deeply intertwined missions.

    Governor Eno’s vision for education transcends the classroom. He sees it as an economic enabler. By producing skilled, knowledgeable, and disciplined graduates, Akwa Ibom can strengthen its workforce, attract investment, and drive industrialisation.

    Model schools, vocational hubs, and ICT-driven learning are not just policies; they are components of a long-term development strategy. In his own words: “By investing in the education of today’s children, we are investing in tomorrow’s workforce, entrepreneurs, and leaders. This is the surest way to guarantee sustainable development for our state.”

    Governor Eno’s story is also a powerful testament to the enduring influence of secondary education. Victory High School shaped him not only academically but also in values, resilience, and social responsibility. Becoming the Grand Patron of the alumni association was, in a sense, a full-circle moment, a reminder that no leader ever outgrows the institutions that nurtured them.

    It also reflects his philosophy that those who rise must look back. His call to fellow alumni to support schools is consistent with his governance style, where partnerships between government, communities, and the private sector are seen as essential to sustainable development.

    As Akwa Ibom continues to witness reforms in education under his watch, there is a growing sense of optimism. Parents speak of improved learning environments, teachers testify to better support, and students are gradually accessing the kind of facilities once reserved for elite schools.

    For Governor Eno, the journey is far from over. He has repeatedly pledged that education will remain a top priority throughout his tenure. His recent reunion with classmates was therefore not just nostalgia, but a reaffirmation that the legacy he wishes to leave behind is one of enlightenment, empowerment, and transformation through education.

    From the classrooms of Victory High School to the Government House in Uyo, the trajectory of Umo Eno’s life has been shaped by education. Today, as he drives reforms in Akwa Ibom, he is ensuring that the same opportunities he had , and more,  are extended to every child, regardless of background.

    His reunion with classmates may have been a simple gathering, but it underscored a profound truth: education is the common thread that binds generations, shapes destinies, and builds nations. In Governor Eno’s Akwa Ibom, that thread is being woven into a stronger, brighter, and more inclusive future.

    • Udom, writes from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state capital

  • Marwa, a man of uncommon grace at 72

    Marwa, a man of uncommon grace at 72

    By Femi Babafemi

    I have had the privilege of knowing Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) for about 30 years. As a young reporter, I observed from a working distance the metamorphosis of a military administrator who was unlike any other—an enigma committed as much to his work as to becoming a paragon of excellence in public administration. In an era when military governments were often distant from the people, he ironically became a man of the people in Lagos State, the very cauldron of anti-military sentiment.

    Quite luckily, twenty-five years later, I found myself working with him as my direct boss. Then, and even now, he remains the quintessential beacon of leadership and inspiration. Certain men are legends: larger than life by their achievements. Gen Marwa is undoubtedly one of them. Around him, there are never-ending stories of his goodness, drive, and accomplishments. Wherever you go—from New York to Washington; from Borno to Lagos; from Kaduna to Abuja and from Lagos to Owerri—if you meet someone who has worked with him or knows him in a leadership or personal capacity, the encounter is certain to reveal new perspectives of Marwa. Each fresh recollection adds another dimension to his multifaceted personality. Despite knowing him for years, I still hear new details by the day.

    Working closely with him at Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency over the past 56 months has afforded me the opportunity to reflect on his character, distil his qualities, and identify what stands him out. In that way, I also have my own stories to tell about him in a work context. I can say this without any iota of doubt or contradiction: wherever he works, the place feels the pulse of change, and he leaves a legacy that continues to echo for generations, long after his departure.

    One such story comes from his tenure as Defence Adviser in New York. He had previously served briefly as Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington before his recall home. His second tenure in America, as Defence Adviser at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, resonates to this day. Through his foresight and effort, he was able to secure permanent accommodation for future occupants of that role—a privilege that had not existed before him. His predecessors had been left to solve accommodation challenges on their own, but he deemed it fit that there should be an official residence for the office and was committed to make it a reality. Today, that is a lasting legacy of the office.

    Thetre was a strong sense of déjà vu earlier in February this year, when he stood with dignitaries to commission the first-ever barracks for the 35-year-old National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). What he accomplished decades ago in New York was repeated at NDLEA, where he currently serves. That is the vintage MB Marwa. His life and legacy follow a familiar arc. At DICON, he transformed what did not exist into tangible structures and systems.

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    In Lagos, his achievements were legendary; in recounting them, he is often elevated to an Olympian. Lagosians remember his impact vividly and with nostalgia, reveling in his legacies. The famous ‘Keke Marwa,’ now ubiquitous across the country, remains a reminder of his extraordinary administrative acumen in Lagos. His other imprints, such as restoration of security through Operation Sweep; Operation 250 Roads; the construction of many housing estates; Lagos University College of Medicine; and Eko Tourist Beach Resort, to name but a few, stand in bold relief in the state’s history. Indeed, his transformative influence extends back to his time in the old Borno State (now present day Borno and Yobe states), which is still recalled with admiration by the generation that experienced him. The establishment of State Ministry of Water Resources in Nigeria began in Borno, and its creator was the State Military Governor, the then Colonel Mohamed Buba Marwa.

    Now, at NDLEA, his four and half years of leadership have been equally transformative. His vision and guidance have woken a sleeping giant by introducing reforms that are both foundational and forward-looking. Today, NDLEA’s service resonates not only nationally but regionally and globally. For Marwa, there is no magic wand—that is my summation. Yes, leadership and vision are traits he embodies, but these alone cannot adequately capture the essence of the man.

    In my final conclusion, I always say: he is a man of uncommon grace, imbued with the capacity to touch lives, shape institutions, and leave an indelible mark. In that way, his name has found its place in our national book of exploits for services of enduring impact.

    As he celebrates his 72nd birthday today 9th September, I am delighted to join others in wishing him a long and fulfilling life. He is a celebrated hero: with two national honours, CON and OFR, scores of chieftaincy titles across Nigeria, and four Honoris Causa, his record is a testament to a life of recognition. Our celebration of him, and his new age, is an acknowledgment of how his unwavering dedication and keen sense of service have shaped countless lives, livelihoods, and institutions across our nation.

    •Babafemi is the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Abuja