The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Inside LUTH’s infrastructure renaissance

    Inside LUTH’s infrastructure renaissance

    Once synonymous with failing infrastructure and interrupted care, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, is now undergoing a striking rebirth. Backed by unprecedented federal funding, sweeping renovations and new medical equipment, the institution is repositioning itself as a true centre of healthcare excellence. But even as members of staff and patients embrace this new dawn, persistent challenges—especially erratic power supply and the exodus of health professionals—remain pressing concerns, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF.

    A gentle hum of monitors and clinical beeps once filled the wards at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)—steady, reassuring sounds that signalled life and routine care. But all too often, that calm was shattered by the deep, mechanical cough of a failing generator. The lights would flicker. Machines paused. And for a few heart-stopping seconds, nurses and doctors held their breath, waiting for backup power to kick in.

    Before the hospital’s ongoing infrastructure renaissance, this scene was painfully familiar—especially in intensive care units and operating theatres, where even a moment’s delay could be critical.

    Like many public health institutions across Nigeria, LUTH—once a flagship of Nigerian healthcare — battled unreliable electricity supply for decades. Wards were lit by torchlight. Surgeries sometimes proceeded under the glow of mobile phones. Generators ran around the clock, guzzling diesel that drained budgets and blackened the air. The cost—both financial and human—was steep. “Sometimes, we lost more than power,” one nurse recalled softly. “We lost time, we lost patience, and in rare, heart-breaking moments—we lost lives.”

    A new dawn sweeping across LUTH

    These days, that dark chapter is giving way to a brighter, more reliable era. In the last few years, LUTH has undergone a transformation that speaks to the larger story of renewal unfolding across Nigeria’s healthcare system. The hum of monitors is steadier now. The flickers are fewer. And the once-ominous silence that followed a power cut has been replaced by confidence in more sustainable and dependable energy sources.

    At the heart of this transformation is a wave of unprecedented federal investment in teaching hospitals — a surge in infrastructure funding that has risen by over 900 per cent under the current administration. This injection of resources has become the lifeline powering LUTH’s renaissance, reshaping it into a model of resilience and modern healthcare delivery.

    According to the LUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, Nigeria is witnessing an infrastructural revolution in its teaching hospitals unlike anything seen in living memory. “Teaching hospitals’ infrastructure funding has increased by over 900 per cent,” he told The Nation in an exclusive interview; his voice carrying both conviction and optimism following a guided tour across LUTH’s sprawling premises and newly upgraded facilities.

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    “The government is allocating lots of money to upgrade infrastructure here. We have never witnessed anything close to this in over 40 years. Aside from the physical transformation, we’re also getting new medical equipment. If the Federal Government sustains this trend in the next five years, all our teaching hospitals will become world-class,” he said.

    Those words are not just a boast—they echo through the very walls of LUTH currently. Where once peeling paint, leaky ceilings and crumbling wards defined the patient experience, new scaffolding, fresh tiles and humming machinery now tell a different story.

    At the centre of this renewal is the comprehensive renovation of LUTH’s largest and busiest wards—E3, E5 and E7. Collectively, these three wings stretch across three floors and accommodate a total of 240 beds, serving as the hospital’s workhorses for decades. Together, they house 90 individual wards and receive some of the highest patient inflows in the entire facility.

    “These are the busiest wards in the hospital, and their upgrade will significantly boost our capacity to serve patients,” Prof. Adeyemo, a maxillofacial surgeon and professor at University of Lagos, further explained. What makes the renovation remarkable is not just its scale, but its source. “It is fully funded by the Federal Government,” he stressed. “That shows a clear policy shift. The government is no longer patching holes; it is making long-term, transformational investments.”

    As the CMD said during the tour, the work is painstaking. Walls are being reinforced. Worn-out plumbing and electrical systems are being replaced with modern fittings. Each ward is being redesigned to reflect international standards of patient comfort and infection control. The result will be a more dignified, efficient and safe environment for patients and caregivers alike.

    Beyond the general wards, LUTH is also breaking new ground by investing in a dedicated three-storey geriatric centre—a first of its kind in Lagos, and among the few in Nigeria. For Prof. Adeyemo, who graciously acknowledged the solid infrastructural strides of his predecessor, Prof. Chris Bode, the symbolism could not be more powerful. “Elderly people don’t always need treatment; what they need is a place where they can live with dignity among their peers,” he explained.

    “Facilities of this kind are scarce in Lagos, so this will make a huge difference,” he also said. The geriatric centre is designed not only as a medical hub but as a sanctuary for ageing Nigerians, reflecting an emerging recognition that health planning must keep pace with the country’s changing demographics. With Nigeria’s elderly population growing, he said LUTH’s investment is both timely and visionary.

    The transformation does not stop with the main wards. Other critical points of care—often the first or last line of defence in life-and-death situations—are also receiving a facelift. Renovations are underway in additional medical and surgical wards, including E6, while major upgrades are progressing in the labour ward, neonatal intensive care units and the Accident and Emergency (A and E) complex.

    “These upgrades will have a direct impact on patient outcomes. From maternal health to accident response, LUTH will be better equipped than ever,” he said.

    In practical terms, this means mothers in labour will no longer deliver under flickering lights or amid faulty equipment. Accident victims rushed into the A and E will receive care in a modernised environment designed to save precious seconds. And fragile new-borns will have a better fighting chance, shielded by reliable power and state-of-the-art incubators.

    While the government funding has been the catalyst, private philanthropy is quietly expanding the margins of LUTH’s transformation. One striking example is the recent upgrade of the Physiotherapy Department, financed by a philanthropic family determined to make a lasting impact. Through the remarkable benevolence of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and his family, what was once a modest bungalow in LUTH has been magnificently transformed into a striking three-storey complex equipped with world-class facilities. Recently inaugurated, the new Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre is being hailed as a landmark addition to the nation’s health infrastructure—one that blends architectural brilliance with a deep sense of service to humanity. Solar-powered and future-ready, the centre embodies a seamless mix of elegance and functionality. Within its walls are a hydrotherapy pool designed to aid recovery and rehabilitation, gyms specially created for both adults and children, spacious seminar halls for training and knowledge exchange, and a fully equipped radiology centre to support advanced diagnostics. Spread across three expansive floors, the complex also boasts eight treatment cubicles, making it capable of serving a large number of patients at once while providing specialised physiotherapy services that meet international standards.

    The facility, estimated to have cost well over N1.5 billion, is already being touted as by far the most advanced physiotherapy centre in Nigeria—and indeed West Africa, capable of delivering comprehensive rehabilitation services to patients recovering from stroke, injury, or chronic illness.

    According the CMD, the centre was donated by Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN) and his wife, in honour of the Olanipekun family’s enduring legacy of giving back to society. More than just bricks and mortar, the facility represents a philosophy of compassion and commitment to community renewal.

    The outpatient building as a game-changer

    At the heart of LUTH’s ongoing renaissance is one of its boldest undertakings yet—the transformation of its outpatient services. For decades, the hospital’s old outpatient building struggled under the weight of sheer demand. Long queues, crowded waiting areas and inadequate consulting spaces often defined the patient experience.

    But now, a revolutionary redesign is changing that story. One of the flagship projects in the pipeline is the renovation of the old outpatient building and its integration with a state-of-the-art outpatient complex situated just across the road. Linking the two facilities is a sleek, glass-panelled skywalk—an architectural solution that does more than bridge two buildings.

    The CMD enthused that it symbolises LUTH’s determination to reimagine patient care and workflow for the 21st Century.

    The new outpatient centre, a massive five-storey edifice, is set to be inaugurated by President Tinubu—a move underscoring its national importance as a model of federal investment in healthcare. LUTH’s Chief Medical Director described the project as “a bold redesign of hospital architecture to improve patient flow.”

    In his words, it is not just about new bricks and mortar, but about creating an environment where efficiency, dignity and accessibility are at the core of service delivery. The facility will feature 254 consulting rooms—an unprecedented leap in capacity that promises to drastically cut down waiting times.

    Each room is being purpose-built to enhance the consultation process, ensuring doctors and patients have adequate space and privacy. The building also incorporates wide ramps, modern lifts and other accessibility features, making it user-friendly for elderly patients and those with disabilities.

    For a teaching hospital that sees thousands of outpatients daily, this project is a potential game-changer. It represents not only an infrastructural upgrade but a philosophical shift: patient care must be efficient, dignified, and uncompromised by the failings of the past.

    Parallel to the outpatient expansion, LUTH is constructing a three-storey Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Centre dedicated to tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. For a country that still carries one of the highest TB burdens in the world, the significance of this cannot be overstated.

    Equipped with modern laboratories, isolation wards and consultation rooms, the DOT Centre will serve as a referral hub not only for Lagos but for the wider West African sub-region. It reflects the reality that world-class healthcare is not just about treating heart attacks and cancers, but also about controlling communicable diseases that continue to claim thousands of lives each year.

    For Prof. Adeyemo, the challenge now is sustainability. “If the government sustains this pace for another five years, our teaching hospitals will stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” he said.

    How it all began: FG’s renewed focus on the health sector

     For decades, Nigeria’s health sector has wrestled with deep-seated challenges: a rise in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension; limited access to healthcare and essential medicines; and hospitals weighed down by inadequate infrastructure and outdated equipment. These shortcomings have often translated into unnecessary deaths, medical tourism, and a growing lack of confidence in the nation’s capacity to deliver world-class care. Successive administrations promised reform, but progress was often piecemeal—leaving patients, health workers and policymakers yearning for decisive, coordinated action.

    That tide began to turn in February 2024, when the Federal Government signalled a bold new chapter for the sector. In a move described as one of the most ambitious health investments in the country’s history, the Federal Executive Council approved $1.07 billion for health sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme. This sweeping initiative was conceived not merely as an intervention, but as a systemic overhaul designed to tackle both immediate needs and long-term structural weaknesses.

    The reforms were wide-ranging. Alongside the HOPE programme, the government also approved a N4.8 billion allocation specifically targeted at HIV treatment, prevention and care. The combined effort reflects an understanding that Nigeria’s health burden is twofold: communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis remain stubbornly prevalent, even as the country battles the rising wave of non-communicable conditions that now account for an increasing share of hospital admissions and mortality.

    To finance the HOPE programme, Nigeria secured two concessional loans of $500 million each from the International Development Association (IDA), complemented by $70 million in grant funding from international partners. Speaking on the package, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, explained that the facility was structured to ease repayment pressure while unlocking critical resources needed to reverse decades of underfunding in the health sector.For Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the HOPE programme goes to the heart of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. More than just injecting funds into infrastructure, he stressed, the initiative is about investing in people. Already, as Prof. Adeyemo put it, institutions such as LUTH are beginning to feel the ripple effects of this renewed focus. The reforms are translating into both structural and physical transformations, gradually reshaping Nigeria’s apex healthcare centres into true centres of excellence—marked by upgraded infrastructure, modern equipment, and environments increasingly aligned with global standards.

    Recall that the President had, in February 2024, directed that the infrastructure and equipment of 16 selected institutions be comprehensively upgraded across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, marking a decisive step in his administration’s commitment to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system.

    Among them are the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Six of these teaching hospitals have been earmarked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres, with each facility expected to be delivered within 12 to 18 months.

    According to a statement from the Presidency titled ‘President Tinubu Approves Immediate Upgrade of Key Health Infrastructure Across Nigeria’s Six Geo-Political Zones,’ the modernisation drive is “in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector… to ensure that world-class cancer diagnosis and care is accessible to all Nigerians.”

    In addition to LUTH and ABUTH, other beneficiaries of the oncology and nuclear medicine expansion are the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Edo State, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu State, the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina and the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State.

    Beyond oncology, President Tinubu also approved the expansion of critical healthcare services—including radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, as well as cardiac catheterisation—in 10 hospitals nationwide. These are: Reference Hospital, Kaduna (Northwest), which will benefit from new facilities in radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology; Medical Diagnostic Centre Complex, Enugu (Southeast), slated for similar upgrades; and Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (Northwest), which will receive diagnostic and interventional radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterisation services.

    Others are University College Hospital, Ibadan (Southwest), which will see expansions in diagnostic and interventional radiology, clinical pathology, and cardiac catheterisation; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (Southsouth), marked for improvements in radiology and clinical pathology; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi (Northeast), also set for radiology and clinical pathology upgrades; and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba (Southsouth), which will undergo similar expansions.

    The list continues with Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre Complex, Ilorin (Northcentral), earmarked for radiology and clinical pathology; Jos University Teaching Hospital (Northcentral), also scheduled for upgrades in the same areas; and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru (Northeast), which will equally benefit from new radiology and clinical pathology facilities. The Presidency explained that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), will implement the upgrades. These include comprehensive improvements in cancer-treatment infrastructure, alongside the renovation and expansion of existing facilities, with the aim of broadening access to quality healthcare nationwide.

    Poor remuneration and power supply crisis persist

    Now, the palpable mood inside LUTH reflects a new sense of optimism. For decades, staff and patients had grown accustomed to leaky roofs, peeling walls, overcrowded wards, and frequent equipment breakdowns. For the CMD whose colleagues describe as tireless, the transformation is nothing short of inspiring. “The pace of infrastructure renewal here is refreshing,” he told The Nation. “Members of staff morale is high and patients are already beginning to notice improvements. For the first time in many years, there is genuine hope that LUTH is reclaiming its pride of place.”

    The CMD appealed for the Federal Government’s support to replicate in Lagos what was done in Maiduguri, where the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital now enjoys a 12-megawatt solar hybrid power supply from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

    “A similar intervention here at LUTH would transform our capacity. It would guarantee uninterrupted power for our theatres, ICUs, laboratories and diagnostic centres—ultimately improving patient outcomes and enabling us to deliver world-class care,” he explained.

    While electricity remains the most pressing infrastructural headache, another equally urgent challenge threatens the future of LUTH and the wider Nigerian health system: the unrelenting wave of medical brain drain, popularly known as japa.

    Nigeria has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world, and the exodus of skilled professionals to Europe, North America and the Middle East has only worsened the crisis. For teaching hospitals like LUTH, where training the next generation of healthcare workers is central to its mandate, the human resource gap is particularly devastating. “The federal government has made efforts to increase the number of doctors and other medical professionals trained annually,” Prof. Adeyemo acknowledged. “But the main issue is not just the numbers—it is retention. If you train 1,000 and most of them leave within a year, what have you gained?”

    The CMD argued that the root of the exodus lies in poor remuneration and working conditions, a reality that has become more glaring in recent years.

    Prof. Adeyemo insists that the solution is clear: competitive pay and better welfare packages. “If the government can address the issue of poor remuneration, many healthcare workers will stay. They are not just leaving for better facilities abroad; they are leaving because they want to be valued here. Until we fix this, infrastructure upgrades will not achieve their full impact.” For him, the picture is one of both progress and caution. The wave of federal investment in LUTH and other teaching hospitals is laying the foundation for centres of healthcare excellence that can rival peers across Africa. But without sustainable power and a committed workforce, the dream could falter. “The reforms are not merely cosmetic,” the CMD stressed. “They are foundational. If we sustain them, LUTH will not only serve Nigeria—it will serve the world.”

  • Repositioning Nigeria as industrial hub for local paper production

    Repositioning Nigeria as industrial hub for local paper production

    Tucked away in the heart of Nigeria’s industrial sector, lies an often-overlooked opportunity — the local paper manufacturing industry. It’s not as glamorous as oil or as headline-grabbing as fintech, but it holds the potential to transform the Nigerian economy, ALAO ABIODUN and DAVID BOLARINWA write.

    The paper sector, once considered a robust component of Nigeria’s industrial base, is now characterised by low capacity utilisation, rising production costs, and limited support from the government.

    However, stakeholders believe the paper industry especially the moribund paper mill sector can work, it can thrive, and it can rescue Nigeria from both unemployment and a high-spending import system — if only the government and the people would believe in it.

    Over the years, Nigeria, one of the largest consumers of paper in Africa, has continued to pour billions of dollars into importing nearly 90–95 percent of its demand for white-grade paper, while local producers struggle to keep afloat.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders in the manufacturing industry believe the paper industry could find hope in the Nigeria First Policy of President Bola Tinubu’s recent initiative to prioritise locally made goods in public procurement.

    The Nigeria First Policy, signed by President Tinubu and designed to prioritise locally made goods and services in public procurement, has been hailed as a bold step towards reducing import dependence and promoting job creation.

    The Policy mandates that all ministries, departments, and agencies prioritise locally made goods, with any procurement of foreign products requiring a formal waiver certifying the non-availability of local alternatives. But industry leaders argue this requirement is not being applied in the printing and publishing sectors.

    These stakeholders urged the Federal Government to implement bold policies that will reposition the nation as West Africa’s industrial hub for paper production, warning that the dominance of cheap imported paper continues to destabilize local pricing, distort competition, and weaken Nigeria’s paper value chain.

    A Local Industry with Global Cost

     According to a report from Nairametrics, In 2021, Nigeria imported over $600 million worth of paper and paper-related products. That’s $600 million in foreign exchange leaving the country annually for a product that Nigeria can mostly produce locally.

    Similarly, paper prices in Nigeria in the last five years have surged by over 300 per cent, driven by foreign exchange crisis, transport bottlenecks and rising production costs. As a result, many local printers, despite having invested in high-capacity equipment, are battling low patronage.

    Some key stakeholders argued that Nigeria’s local mills are already producing international-grade 50gsm and 60gsm paper, suitable for exercise books, publishing, and commercial printing.

    However, unless the government increases import tariffs on finished paper and supports local procurement, the sector’s growth will be stifled.

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    A stakeholder in the paper production industry, Williams Sun who spoke with The Nation said: “We are building something great in Nigeria, but we are also facing an uneven playing field. The influx of underpriced and often inferior foreign paper is sabotaging local industry confidence.

    “We’re not asking for a blanket ban, but for fair policy that encourages Nigerian content. If we import everything, we export jobs and import poverty.

    Sun praised recent investments that have stabilized paper pricing and expanded job creation, particularly in the education sector.

    According to him, the consistent local supply of writing paper has already led to more affordable exercise books and improved access for low-income students.

    Looking at the broader socio-economic value of the industry, the local paper production is reviving communities, promoting technical skill development, and contributing to Nigeria’s climate goals through wastepaper recycling and sustainable forestry practices.

    From Cassava to Printing Press

     One might not expect to find cassava farmers and timber contractors playing a vital role in paper production, but in Nigeria, they do. “Cassava starch, when processed, becomes a type of gum we use in making paper,” Sun explained. “It’s one of our most important materials. The value chain involves thousands — farmers, transporters, machine operators, wood contractors — everyone benefits.”

     In many rural areas, people are now beginning to understand the economic value of trees beyond furniture or firewood. “Now they know their tree roots can produce paper,” Sun added. “Even in rainy seasons, they keep working because they earn, that’s the impact.”

     This transformation of local raw materials into industrial input is what industrialization looks like at the grassroots. It’s not just about factories and machines; it’s about people, families, and communities woven into a fabric of productivity.

    Nigeria can shift away from import dependency and focus toward localized, inclusive industrial growth driven by investment, policy, and innovation.

    The revitalization of the local paper manufacturing is crucial for economic diversification, job creation and the preservation of foreign exchange so as to foster a self-reliant and robust domestic industry.

     The Bureaucracy of progress

     Despite the human capital and natural resources at play, stakeholders lamented about the frustrating system, highlighting the issue of slow policy processes, difficult engagements with customs, and loopholes that benefit importers at the expense of local manufacturers.

     Also, there are the essential inputs — materials like long-fiber pulp, peroxide, and caustic soda that are not produced locally due to climatic or industrial limitations. 

    The environmental benefits of investing in the paper industry are equally compelling. For years, Lagos streets were littered with plastic and paper waste, contributing to pollution and clogged drainages. But in recent times, there’s been a visible reduction in this trend — thanks to the rise in recycling efforts.

    Yet, the problem isn’t just about paper — it’s about mindset, policy, and a system that inadvertently punishes local efforts while rewarding foreign imports.

    Another stakeholder, Rajeev Kumar, warned that the unchecked dominance of imports would strangle local investment. He said many entrepreneurs who invested heavily in local production are unable to recover their investments.

    Way forward

    To recalibrate the progress in local paper industry, the government can consider tax incentives for local manufacturers, access to forex for equipment upgrades, access to BOI (Bank of Industry) loans at a cheaper interest rate and the classification of paper manufacturing as a priority sector within Nigeria’s industrial policy.

    Most importantly, the establishment of a Paper Industry Council to serve as a liaison between government, industry, and investors, enabling real-time policy feedback and technical collaboration on sustainability and innovation can help reposition the country’s status.

    The sector currently supports more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs across three regions and could double that figure by 2026 with the right policy framework.

    A Call to Action

     Beyond the bureaucratic challenges and unfair competition from cheap imports, the local paper mill sector needs validation — from government and the Nigerian public. Publishers, educational institutions, and printers have been called upon to use Nigerian-made paper.

     This repositioning vision isn’t far-fetched. In a country where paper is still essential — from education and publishing to packaging and branding — building a thriving paper industry isn’t just industrial policy; it’s economic survival.

  • Bauchi, Gombe mothers strike home-grown solutions to child malnutrition

    Bauchi, Gombe mothers strike home-grown solutions to child malnutrition

    • Millet, sorghum, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes to the rescue

    When funding for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) began to dry up in Bauchi and Gombe, leaving malnourished children stranded, mothers turned to their farmlands for answers. In Kaltungo (Gombe) and Toro (Bauchi) local government areas where nearly every household now cultivates orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, women are planting hope alongside food—deploying homegrown solutions to prevent stunting and wasting among their children, DAVID ADENUGA reports.

    Malnutrition is still a major crisis in Nigeria’s North-East, with Bauchi and Gombe states among the worst affected. Thousands of children under five continue to suffer from stunting, wasting and being underweight, leaving health experts alarmed.

    According to the 2021 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Bauchi ranked as one of the states with the highest stunting rate, with over 50 per cent of children under five affected.

    Gombe also has similar figures, with more than half of its children chronically malnourished, according to NDHS and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).

    Also, Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres are still struggling with frequent stockouts of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) that have  left many children untreated.

    Under CMAM, children aged six months to five years with acute malnutrition are placed on RUTF for about two months until recovery.

    The programme was introduced in Nigeria in 2009 by the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) in 12 northern states, with governments expected to provide counterpart funding. But despite allocations in state governments’ budget, only little money is released, leaving centres unable to buy the needed supplies.

    A visit to five centres in Bauchi  — Baima PHC (Warji), Miri PHC (Bauchi), Bununu (Tafawa Balewa), Madara PHC (Katagum), and Gamawa Township Maternity — confirmed that RUTF has been out of stock for weeks.

    At Miri Health Centre, a worker revealed that supplies had not arrived for almost a month. “We contacted the state nutrition officer who said a memo was written for UNICEF to send more, but nothing has come. We now teach mothers how to prepare local substitutes like *tamowa*, made from groundnut and other foods,” he explained.

    According to a report by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), 23,000 cases of severe malnutrition were recorded in Bauchi between January and June 2024 — a 120 per cent increase from the same period in 2023.

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    It also noted that malnutrition across Nigeria rose by 40 per cent. “Poverty is a factor, but not the only reason numbers are rising,” MSF’s medical coordinator, Thierry Boyom, said.

    MSF, which has supported Bauchi since 2022, admitted its centres are overstretched.

    Additionally, UNICEF data shows Nigeria has the second highest burden of stunted children in the world, with malnutrition linked to nearly half of deaths of children under five.

    In Gombe, UNICEF raised the alarm over worsening state of malnourished children.

    At a recent advocacy workshop in Jos in April 2025,  its Bauchi Field Office Chief, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, said more than 50 per cent of children in the state are stunted, while many also suffer wasting and micronutrient deficiencies such as iron and vitamin A. Exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low, further compounding the crisis.

    Dr. Rafique urged stronger commitments at the local government level. She highlighted the importance of investing in exclusive breastfeeding, improved feeding practices, and use of diverse, locally available foods. She also commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for contributing to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), which matches state funding with donor support.

    Yet, despite this progress, UNICEF said a ₦4 billion funding gap remains in Gombe, leaving over 54,000 malnourished children at risk without treatment.

    Community women in Bauchi and Gombe step up to fight malnutrition

    Local women’s  groups and health volunteers in both states are now stepping up with simple, community-driven solutions to tackle the crisis.

    They rely on local foods and basic nutrition education to help mothers improve their children’s health.

    The effort is led by local women’s groups with support from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) like Action Against Hunger and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    They work with state health agencies and traditional leaders. Female volunteers go door to door, helping mothers spot signs of malnutrition and teaching them how to prepare healthy meals from local foods.

    Mothers are also trained to use a simple tool, the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), which are available through UNICEF Supply Division.

    MUAC tapes are used to measure the upper arm circumference of children and also that of pregnant women, helping identify malnutrition.

    Mothers are turning to local foods such as millet, sorghum and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes to fight child malnutrition, with support from UNICEF.

    Residents say the intervention has improved children’s health, boosted energy levels and even reduced cases of cataracts.

    A visit to Kalorgu Primary Health Care centre in Kaltungo Local Government Area showed that more women are adopting preventive practices, planting potatoes in household farms and sharing knowledge with neighbours.

    In the Kaltungo community,  the fight against child malnutrition is yielding results — thanks to a blend of local food solutions, exclusive breastfeeding campaigns, and the use of simple diagnostic tools like MUAC tapes.

    According to Talatu Fadafeso, officer in charge of the Kalorgu health facility, over 600 children were admitted for malnutrition in July alone. “Out of the 627 children, the number has drastically reduced to 300,” she said.

    She explained that this is due to regular weight checks and MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) measurements and introduction of local nutrition methods.

    Talatu said the introduction of local nutrition methods, such as food demonstrations using corn, millet, groundnut and soya beans, has made a visible impact.

    “We tell mothers not to depend only on government support but to prepare their own packs at home. The results have been very encouraging,” she added.

    Talatu is among the Health volunteers trained by UNICEF who go from door-to-door and even testing children during community gatherings.

    “Our main work is outreach. They meet households, administer MUAC tests, and guide mothers on feeding practices. They also hold weekly meetings with women,” Talatu said.

    Before UNICEF’s intervention, Aisha Muhammed Aiyu, in an interview with our reporter, had said she mainly relied on corn for her children’s meals. “I used to pre-grind the corn before cooking, but UNICEF taught us that it should only be freshly ground.

    “They also introduced us to orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. We use the leaves for soup, dry them, and mix them with corn to make swallows for the children. Since then, I’ve seen real improvements,” she explained.

    According to her, the change in her children’s health has been remarkable. “Their energy levels are better, their brains are sharper, and even eye problems like cataracts have reduced after adding the potatoes to their meals.”

    Though some neighbours initially doubted the method, Aisha said she used her own children as proof.

    “At first, people said it would not work. But when they saw the difference in my family, they accepted it. Now, I even share potato seeds with them so they can grow their own.”

    Her motivation, she noted, comes from wanting to help other women. “Many mothers don’t know about these foods that can improve their children’s health. That is why I joined the fight against malnutrition — to show them where to get support, how to feed their children better, and even take them to the hospital when needed.”

    Aisha also uses the MUAC tape to detect malnutrition. “If a child is weak, has yellowish hair and no energy, we check with the tape. If the reading is 6 or 7, it is red and shows danger. A healthy child should measure 12 or 13.”

    At home, she prepares meals with millet, sorghum, corn, rice, and potatoes. “I harvest the potatoes, peel, wash, dry, and grind them. I use them for swallow and pap,” she said.

    For Aisha, the knowledge she gained from UNICEF is not just for her family but for the entire community. “They taught me how to improve our food and identify malnourished children. I feel very happy sharing this knowledge with other women, and when they learn, they also teach others.

    “This way, we can all grow our food and feed our families without depending on the market.”

    However, she said, despite progress, mothers still face the challenge of water supply, climate change and inadequate support from government.

    For Hannatu Dodo, a mother from Kaltungo, the solution lies in combining traditional meals with new nutrition practices. “Before, we relied on Tom Brown made from soya beans or millet, but now we add orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. The difference is clear — the children are healthier, more active, and playful,” she said.

    Motivated by her love for children, Hannatu teaches other mothers how to prepare Tom Brown and incorporate potato flour. “Sometimes, I even make it for them and show them how to cook it. The husbands are supportive; some even send their wives to buy millet or corn,” she explained.

    She added that cases of malnutrition in her area have dropped significantly. “The rate is going down, and we are happy with the progress,” she said.

    Hannatu said they had received little or no support from the government, adding that poor water supply and climate change are making farming harder for families.

    She said sometimes heavy downpours even wash away farmlands, but orange-fleshed sweet potato has become an important option because it grows well even in harsh conditions.

    “It needs less water than many other crops, matures quickly, and provides essential nutrients like vitamin A.

    “For many households, planting sweet potatoes has become a practical way to cope with changing weather while fighting child malnutrition,” she said.

    The model has also brought economic benefits. Hannatu  noted that many mothers have turned homestead farming into small businesses.

    “We sell vines, make drinks, process the powder, and even bake cakes by mixing sweet potatoes with soybeans,” she said.

    What started in three LGAs has now spread to six — Balanga, Billiri, and Shongom among them. Men are also joining, planting sweet potatoes to boost food security in their homes.

    In Toro Local Government Area, women are also  stepping forward to lead the battle against malnutrition, relying on local foods and simple tools to protect children’s health.

    Halimatu Abdullahi, chairperson of the Toro women volunteers, said she organises meetings every two weeks to educate mothers on nutrition and health.

    “We cannot wait for our husbands, the government, or other organisations ttodo everything for us. We farm, raise livestock, and must support our families ourselves,” she explained.

    For Halimatu, her motivation comes from personal experience. “I once had an eye problem that made it difficult to read without glasses. But when I started using sweet potato in my meals, my sight improved. Now I can read without glasses,” she said, adding that the crop is now part of nearly every meal in her home.

    Armed with MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) tapes, Halimatu and her team move from house to house, checking children for signs of malnutrition. “At first, many children tested yellow, showing danger signs. But now, after mothers adjusted their diets, we hardly see that anymore,” she said.

    She explained that families are also adapting their traditional meals such as danwake (made from millet, beans, and cassava flour) by adding potato starch and vegetables like baobab leaves and spinach.

    “This way, mothers don’t need expensive food to keep their families healthy,” she added.

    Fathers in Toro, Kaltingo LGs embrace sweet potato to tackle malnutrition

    Findings made by our reporter revealed that the fight against child malnutrition in Toro Local Government Area of BBauchi State and Kaltungo LGA in Gombe is no longer driven by mothers alone. Fathers are stepping up, learning new feeding practices and embracing the cultivation of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes to protect their children’s health.

    For Umar Isah, the shift began with new knowledge. “Before, we thought malnutrition was just fever or diarrhea. But we later learned it comes from food and our environment,” he admitted.

    Today, his family meals are fortified with sweet potatoes and traditional vegetables like rama. He explained that potato flour is now added to local dishes such as gwate and pap made from kamu, making them richer and healthier for children.

    He acknowledged that while farming sweet potatoes was initially a challenge, the community has embraced it fully. “At first, we didn’t know how to grow it. But once it was explained to us, we took it seriously. Now we evensensitise women on its benefits,” he said.

    Another father, Yau Muhammad Mukhtar, said his motivation to grow sweet potatoes is both personal and communal.

    “I saw how it makes children healthier and smarter, so I’m not playing with the seeds. In two or three months, I will harvest and share with others,” he explained.

    Yau said he can easily identify malnutrition by observing children’s behaviour. “You see it in their voices, their faces, and their eyes,” he said.

    His advice to mothers is simple: “Always give children nutritious food. This potato has helped us a lot. It even improves breast milk for mothers and makes children stronger. Women should eat food that builds the body.”

    Malam Muhammadu, a traditional ruler in Toro Local Government Area, said he regularly advises women to practice what they have been taught by health workers and volunteers.

    “If you are taught something and you do not continue to practise it, you can forget it. That is why I remind mothers daily to hold on to the lessons they’ve received,” he said.

    He stressed that while communities are cooperating, more government support is needed. “What we want is for the government to help us with a hospital and a facility that will provide nutritious food,” he said, pledging to continue sensitising his people on the dangers of malnutrition.

    Another community member, Nuhu Zaki, said his contribution has been through farming sweet potatoes, one of the crops introduced by UNICEF and health partners to improve household nutrition.

    “We harrow the land, cut the seed into pieces, and after three months, we harvest.

    “My children said they had never seen this type of potato before. When my wife fried it, it was very delicious, soft, and sweet,” he recalled.

    He added that he has continued to cultivate and even purchase sweet potatoes from the market when his supply runs out, with support from neighbours who also produce the crop.

    How UNICEF Introduced sweet potato model to tackle malnutrition in Bauchi, Gombe

    UNICEF is stepping up action to fight malnutrition in Bauchi and Gombe states, using a community-based approach that relies on local foods like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. The programme is helping mothers improve their children’s diets and prevent stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five.

    Philomena Irene, UNICEF’s nutrition specialist of the Bauchi Chief Field Office, which also covers Gombe State, said the move followed worrying data from the two states.

    Philomena  revealed that a total of 16,862 caregivers were reached with Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding (MIYCF) counselling across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) — three in Gombe State and one in Bauchi State.

    She further noted that 9,580 children were admitted for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) within the intervention period.

    Providing state-specific indicators, she explained that orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamin A and other nutrients, have been widely accepted by mothers. Women are learning to grow them in their backyards, cook them in different recipes, and even use the leaves for soups and porridge.

    “The women have noticed great improvements in their children’s health, especially their skin and eyes. Sweet potato is already a common food here, so it was easily accepted,” Irene said.

    The state governments, she added, have supported the project by contributing over ₦175 million to the Child Nutrition Fund and providing agricultural extension workers to train women and monitor backyard farms. These workers also teach households how to improve the cultivation of vegetables such as tomatoes, okra and pepper.

    Irene stressed that prevention is cheaper and more effective than treatment.

    “We have twice as many children moderately malnourished compared to those severely malnourished.

    “Preventing malnutrition is nine times cheaper than treating it. It costs ₦21,000 to prevent malnutrition in a child, but ₦190,000 to treat one child with severe malnutrition,” she explained.

    She added that prevention allows UNICEF and partners to reach more children and stop them from becoming severely malnourished.

    “It is cost-effective, locally available, and sustainable. With simple local foods, families can protect their children before the problem gets worse,” she said.

    The UNICEF official believes the sweet potato model is a lasting solution, not only to fight food poverty but also to empower households.

    The combination of prevention, backyard farming, and small-scale businesses is also helping families to feed their children better and secure healthier futures.

    RUTF is unsustainable

    The Chairman, BSPHDA, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed, said the procurement of RUTF was not sustainable.

    Speaking in an interview with our reporter, he said the government was looking at preventive measures in tackling acute malnutrition rather than being reactive since it has not been able to meet up with its counterpart financial obligation to UNICEF.

    One of the measures, he said, is providing mothers with weaning foods which they can give their children to augment breastfeeding.

    ”We only have 21 C-MAN centres in just 9 out of 20 local government areas. We are only managing because RUTF is too expensive.

    “To get the money to buy it is another problem. It’s actually supplied by UNICEF but it has not been forthcoming because we have not been able to meet up with counterpart funding,” Mohammed said

    This story was supported by Nigeria Health Watch and the Solutions Journalism Network.

  • Expanding e-payment efficiency with PoS policy for cardholders, merchants

    Expanding e-payment efficiency with PoS policy for cardholders, merchants

    Merchants and cardholders stand to benefit immensely from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new Point of Sale (PoS) policy unveiled last week. Beyond boosting convenience and security in transactions, the policy strengthens confidence in the e-payment space and underscores regulatory commitment to deepening financial inclusion. It also enhances access to credit, improves transaction monitoring, and reinforces consumer protection, writes Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy, reinforced by the rapid adoption of mobile banking, created the fertile ground for Point of Sale (PoS) services to thrive. Today, PoS terminals dot both urban centres and remote villages, offering the banked, unbanked, and underbanked unprecedented access to financial services. Millions of agents now serve as critical bridges, enabling cash withdrawals, deposits, fund transfers, and bill payments daily.

    This grassroots penetration reflects CBN’s broader vision of reducing reliance on cash while deepening digital payments that bring financial services closer to the people. To strengthen this ecosystem, the apex bank recently unveiled new e-payment guidelines: “Migration to ISO 20022 Standard for Payment Messaging and Mandatory Geo-Tagging of Payment Terminals.”

    The reform, Governor Olayemi Cardoso explained, not only enhances transparency, compliance and security but also reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in digital payments—a system often ahead of many advanced economies, though under-recognised. “Many innovations that other countries are only now experiencing have been part of our system for years. We must celebrate these successes, as they contribute to building our global reputation. Nigeria’s dynamic fintech ecosystem has driven financial inclusion and positioned the country as a hub of innovation in Africa,” he said.

    Cardoso explained that despite a challenging external environment, Nigerian fintechs continue to shine, attracting significant foreign investment and several have achieved global unicorn status this year. Their innovations, alongside other financial service providers, have fuelled growth in transactions and made financial services more affordable and accessible for many more Nigerians. “We must continue to leverage this channel to enhance access to finance and credit, particularly for under-served populations. However, I urge fintech companies and banks to ensure their platforms are not exploited for fraudulent activities. Strengthening the KYC onboarding process is essential to prevent malicious actors from exploiting our financial system.

    “Additionally, these institutions must prioritise improving transaction monitoring and bolstering consumer protection measures to ensure that digital channels remain safe, especially for the most vulnerable segments of our population,” Cardoso said.

    The CBN boss added that while the apex bank continues to lay the foundation for price stability and foster a conducive policy environment, the role of banks in this journey remains crucial. “At the Central Bank, we have intensified surveillance of market activities to ensure compliance. Together, we must build a market based on strong governance and transparency. As regulators, we will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to compliance violations,” he said.

    X-ray of e-payment rules for PoS operators

    The new circular-“Migration to ISO 20022 Standard for Payment Messaging and Mandatory Geo-Tagging of Payment Terminals,” signed by CBN Director of the Payments System Supervision Department, Rakiya Yusuf, directed banks, fintech companies and other licensed payment operators to install Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking on all Point of Sale (PoS) terminals.

    The move aligns with the apex bank’s bid to tighten oversight of electronic payment transactions in the country. By this policy, all PoS devices must have “native geo-location services enabled, with Double-Frequency GPS receivers for reliable geo-location service.” The operators are also required to register each terminal with a payment terminal service aggregator and provide accurate coordinates of the merchant or agent’s business location.

    It further requires that every PoS machine must capture and transmit its location data at the start of a transaction. Activity outside a 10-metre radius of the registered business or service point will be flagged, while terminals that are not geo-tagged will be barred from processing payments.

    The regulator said existing machines must be tagged within 60 days, and new devices must be tagged before certification and activation. “Geo-location data must be captured at transaction initiation and included in the message payload as a mandatory reporting field: Terminals not directly routed to a PTSA are not permitted to transact.

    “All existing terminals and newly registered terminals must ensure strict adherence always to approved MSC code per sector: All existing terminals must be geo-tagged within 60 days of this circular; new terminals going forward must be geo-tagged before certification and activation,” it said.

    The measures come amid a surge in the use of PoS machines across Nigeria. Once considered an alternative, PoS agents have become a central part of the country’s cash economy, handling millions of payments daily as banks cut branch networks and ATMs often run dry. But rise in PoS usage also raised the risks associated with the business, including rising fraud complaints involving PoS agents. The CBN also directed payment companies to adopt a new global standard for transaction messages, known as ISO 20022, by 31 October.

    The ISO 20022 was designed to create a single global language for transactions, and aligns Nigeria with SWIFT’s migration timeline. However, the biggest move from the regulator is geotagging, which means that every PoS device will now be tied to exact GPS coordinates. The standard, developed by SWIFT, is expected to improve the quality of transaction data and make both domestic and cross-border payments more secure and efficient.

    All PoS devices must run on Android version 10 or higher to integrate with the National Central Switch, which will host the software kit for geolocation monitoring and geo-fencing. “All payment transaction messages exchanged domestically or internationally must be formatted in ISO 20022 in line with CBN and SWIFT specifications. All Institutions shall ensure complete and accurate population of mandatory data elements, including payer/payee identifiers, merchant/agent identifiers, and transaction metadata. All in-scope institutions must complete migration activities and be fully compliant not later than October 31, 2025,” it said.

    Speaking during CBN Fair in Lagos, CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, explained that as a means of protecting banks’ customers and ensuring that they are not short-changed, the CBN launched the Unified Complaints Tracking System (UCTS), aimed at streamlining and improving the management of consumer complaints against financial institutions. The system, alongside a USSD code (*959#) for verifying licensed institutions, enhances transparency and consumer protection in the Nigerian financial sector. “The core objective of this engagement, therefore, is to sensitize members of the public on how the bank’s policies and innovations can enhance their lives and livelihood and contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” she said.

    Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos, Sunday Daibo, said the apex bank is taking steps to ensure more people are brought into the digital payment network. He said: “In a world where technology is reshaping economies and redefining how people interact with financial services, alternate financial services have emerged not as an option, but as a necessity. They are the bridges connecting the underserved populations to the formal financial system,” he said.

    Industry statistics

    According to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) data, since their 2013 introduction, PoS terminals have become the go-to for cash for many Nigerians, with about 1,600 PoS operators per square kilometre. There were 8.36 million registered PoS terminals, with 5.90 million active/deployed as of March 2025. Transactions hit N10.51 trillion in Q1 2025, a 301.67 per cent increase from Q1 2024. In 2024, that the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) had been mandated to develop a geo-fencing plan to prevent terminals from being used outside their deployment addresses. Under this latest directive, NIBSS will disable a terminal that has been moved beyond its certified location.

    To ensure compliance, the CBN has ordered all payment terminals to be registered with a Payment Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA) —NIBSS or Unified Payment Services Limited — with accurate latitude/longitude coordinates indicating the merchant/agent place of business/service and status. Terminals not directly routed to a PTSA are not permitted to transact, and all operators must ensure that their PoS terminals and applications are certified by the National Central Switch (NCS).

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    Understanding PoS operations

    Presently, the PoS terminal operators and kiosks managers are taking over the market, stepping in to make cash available to customers at premium prices. Daily earnings from a PoS business vary depending on the location, the number of customers, and the services provided. Potential earnings range from N5, 000 to N50, 000 or more, depending on one’s business strategy and execution. With a well-planned and executed business model, the PoS operator can achieve significant daily earnings.

    Tinuke Adebola, a PoS Aggregator based in Lagos, said: “PoS terminals are taking over the financial landscape. Banks are not ready to absorb rising costs of maintaining ATM terminals that require power, security, cash movement; cash handling charges and so on. Banking is profit-driven and ATM terminals are no longer meeting the profit needs of banks.”

    Another PoS Aggregator, based in Central Lagos, Oloye Adigun, said that network quality, availability of PoS machines and cost of the machines are crucial in the business. He disclosed that: “Outright PoS machine (smart version) purchase costs N110,000 while the button version costs N65,000; lease costs N45,000 for smart version, while the button brand costs N25,000.” He said bills payment, bank to bank transfer, cash receipts and payment to third parties, among others are key transactions carried out with PoS machines.

    President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Uju Ogubunka, said banking is fast becoming what one does and not where one goes to “Brick/mortar banking, is giving way to digital banking where transactions are completed in seconds, saving costs and providing convenience to bank customers. Consumers are looking for simple technology-driven solutions customised to meet their everyday needs,” he said.

    Regulatory position

    For the CBN, digital innovations ranging from self-service technologies like cell phones, online and mobile banking, Artificial Intelligence, big data, blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, among others, have greatly challenged orthodox systems and helped improve the operational efficiency of financial institutions as they respond to customer demands for more innovative services.

    Recognising the growing importance of consumer protection in an increasingly digital financial landscape, Cardoso embarked on a comprehensive review of consumer protection regulations. This review sought to upgrade the regulatory framework to address emerging risks posed by the rapid growth of Fintech and digital banking solutions. The goal was to enhance customer service standards and increasing engagement with formal financial institutions, ensuring that consumers have access to reliable, efficient, and secure financial services.

    Cardoso further explained that financial inclusion offers equity and opportunity for all Nigerians.  “Our goal is to ensure that 80 per cent of adults are financially included by 2026. Through partnerships with banks, fintechs, agent banking, and targeted support for women and rural communities, we will create a financial ecosystem that leaves no one behind.

    “Our journey ahead demands trust, and trust is built on transparency and accountability. As regulators, we will continue to engage openly with stakeholders, providing regular updates on policy outcomes and adjusting our strategies based on empirical evidence.”

  • ‘Naira set for sustained stability as FX inflows surge’

    ‘Naira set for sustained stability as FX inflows surge’

    The naira is expected to remain stable, supported by improved foreign exchange (FX) liquidity and a more efficient FX market. Analysts anticipate continued inflows from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), driven by growing market confidence. In addition, rising non-oil exports and limited opportunities for naira speculation are likely to sustain steady domestic inflows, reports Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    The long-term stability of the naira is increasingly being projected, supported by rising foreign capital inflows and a significant boost in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves. Over the past week alone, the naira appreciated by 1.1 per cent to N1,520.00/$, driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention of $50 million and heightened interest from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) following a successful Open Market Operation (OMO) auction.

    Dr. Aminu Gwadabe, President of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), emphasized that with consistent foreign exchange inflows, the naira’s long-term stability appears increasingly assured. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that capital inflows reached $5.6 billion in Q1 2025, a clear indication of renewed investor confidence. The banking sector attracted $3.1 billion—representing 55.44 per cent of total inflows—highlighting the positive impact of reforms implemented by the CBN to attract both local and foreign investors.

    Analysts at Cordros Securities echoed this optimism, pointing out that Nigeria’s gross external reserves have now climbed to their highest level since December 2021. Reserves increased by $353.47 million in one week to reach $41.08 billion on August 21, and further edged up to $41.10 billion by August 22. Earlier in the month, reserves stood at $40.72 billion as of August 13, largely fueled by rising FX inflows and a modest uptick in crude oil production.

    CBN data also showed a consistent upward trend in reserve levels: from a daily average of $39.3 billion on August 1, to $39.5 billion by August 6, and then $40.2 billion on August 8. These gains have coincided with positive macroeconomic indicators. Inflation has continued to decline, closing July at 21.88 per cent, while global commodity prices are moderating. The ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms—led by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso—are credited with driving FX market liberalization, improving transparency, and boosting local production.

    Dr. Gwadabe noted that the CBN has been diversifying FX sources to increase dollar supply and improve access for both manufacturers and retail users. The outlook remains optimistic, with expectations that the apex bank will maintain its reform momentum while fiscal authorities deepen efforts to boost FX earnings from oil, gas, and non-oil exports. “From moves to improve diaspora remittances through new product development, the granting licenses to new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), implementing a willing buyer-willing seller FX model, and enabling timely access to naira liquidity for IMTOs, the apex bank has simplified dollar-inflow channels for authorized dealers and other players in the value chain,” he said.

    How it started

     The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso, has implemented a series of bold reforms aimed at attracting foreign capital, stabilizing prices, and strengthening the naira. These reforms, in coordination with broader fiscal measures by the federal government, have marked a significant turning point for Nigeria’s economic trajectory.

    In 2023, the new administration initiated sweeping changes to reposition the economy. These included the liberalization of the foreign exchange market, the discontinuation of CBN financing of the fiscal deficit, and the full deregulation of fuel subsidies. At the same time, the government undertook measures to strengthen revenue mobilization and tackle the rising inflation rate through targeted fiscal discipline.

    Since the rollout of these reforms, Nigeria’s international reserves have witnessed a notable increase, and access to foreign exchange through the official market has significantly improved. For the first time in years, both individuals and businesses can access forex transparently, without depending solely on parallel market channels.

    These efforts have restored investor confidence. Nigeria successfully returned to the international capital markets in December 2024 and has since received credit rating upgrades from major global agencies. A major milestone in this economic reset is the launch of a large-scale domestic private refinery, which is expected to move Nigeria higher up the oil and gas value chain and enhance self-sufficiency in a deregulated market.

    CBN’s currency and forex reforms have also triggered renewed foreign investment inflows, while reducing the need for constant interventions in the forex market. The unification of multiple exchange rates and the clearance of the over $7 billion backlog of unmet forex obligations have been described by multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, as bold and necessary steps toward long-term economic sustainability.

    These interventions have positively impacted Nigeria’s global risk profile. The country’s sovereign risk spread has dropped to its lowest point since January 2020, effectively erasing much of the premium built up during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic disruptions.

    Altogether, these deliberate reforms by both the CBN and the federal government are part of a larger strategy to stabilize the macroeconomic environment, restore investor confidence, and ensure steady capital inflows essential for long-term growth and resilience.

    More foreign capitals flow in

     According to the latest “Nigeria Capital Importation Q1 2025” report released represents 10.86 per cent surge from the $5.1 billion reported in fourth quarter of 2024. “In Q1 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at US$5642.07 million, higher than $3.37 billion recorded in Q1 2024, indicating an increase of 67.12  per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 10.86 per cent from $5.08 billion in Q4 2024,” the report stated.

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    The NBS also stated that portfolio investment ranked top with $5.2 billion, accounting for 92.25 per cent, followed by other investment with $311.17 million, accounting for 5.52 per cent. The report indicated that, “Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $126.29 million accounting for 2.24 per cent of total capital importation in Q1 2025.”

    According to the NBS, the banking sector took the lead with the highest inflows in Q1 2025. The report stated, “The Banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $3.1 billion, representing 55.44 per cent of total capital imported in Q1 2025, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $2.09 billion (37.18 per cent), and Production/Manufacturing sector with $129.92 million (2.30 per cent).”

    The report further noted that capital importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $3681.96 million, showing 65.26 per cent of the total capital imported. In emailed note to investors, Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Ike Chioke, explained that Portfolio Investment (92.2 per cent of total capital) dominated flows, rising by 30.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter,  and 150.8 per cent year-on-year to $5.2 billion. The bulk of the FPI flows was to Money market instruments (up 162.2 per cent year-on-year to $4.2 billion), while Bonds (up 108.5 per cent) and Equities (up 137.7 per cent) attracted $877.4 million and $117.3 million respectively.

    Opportunities in GDP numbers

     Nigeria’s hope of achieving $1 trillion economy by 2030 will gain significant support from the banking sector. Nigeria’s statistician-general, Adeyemi Adeniran, had explained how the economy fared in the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report. He said: “In nominal terms, the rebased GDP for 2019 stood at N205.09 trillion N213.63 trillion in 2020, N243.30 trillion in 2021, N274.23 trillion in 2022, N314.02 trillion in 2023, and N372.82 trillion in 2024”.

    The NBS noted that in 2019, the rebased nominal GDP at basic prices represented an increase of 41.7 per cent over the nominal GDP of 2019 of the old base year (2010), 39 per cent in 2020, 38.7 per cent in 2021, 36.1 per cent in 2022, 34.6 per cent in 2023 and 35.4 per cent in 2024.

    “The results show that the structure of the Nigerian economy has changed significantly with a rise in the share of agriculture and services sectors and a fall in the share of the industries sector in nominal terms, indicating a shift in the structure of the Nigerian economy than earlier reported,” the NBS said.

    Adeniran further explained that the rebasing allows the country to better reflect the realities of the economy. “It’s not just about a bigger number but about accurate, timely data that supports smarter policy and economic planning,” he said.

    How the banks stand

     A well-recapitalised banking sector is undeniably crucial for the growth of the domestic economy. Hence, Olayemi Cardoso, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, advised banks to prepare for a new round of recapitalisation to ensure they have the necessary capital to support the Federal Government’s plan to achieve $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  target by 2030.

    He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic plan aims to reach a $1tr GDP by 2030, emphasising that the current bank capitalisation is insufficient to support such a large economic scale. Cardoso asked: “Will Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the financial system’s needs in servicing a $1tr economy in the near future? In my opinion, the answer is “No!” unless we take action. That action was the ongoing recapitalisation of banks, meant to prepare them for expansion and attract big ticket transactions to support economic growth.”

    The Policy Advisory Council report on the national economy, had set an ambitious goal of achieving a GDP of $1 trillion, with clearly defined priority areas and strategies. Adeniran revealed that incorporated new and emerging sectors, consumption baskets update, and data collection refining methods helped produce a more complete picture of national output.

    Aliyu Ilias, developmental economist, noted that several sectors have previously remained uncaptured in official data, particularly entertainment. “By rebasing our GDP now, included those areas properly. This new visibility will make Nigeria appear much stronger to foreign investors, which will naturally help us attract more capital,” he said.

    He explained that the exercise will also reveal untapped economic potential and guide government resource allocation. “It will show where we are strongest structurally, such as in mining or other emerging sectors. That insight will help the government focus its efforts more strategically.”

    “Finally,” he added, “it will support economic policy formulation, helping us align our strategy with the reality on the ground. We will know exactly where to put more effort.”

    More so,  while the US President Donald Trump’s widening trade war has taken emerging markets on a wild ride, Nigeria has quietly held its own, attracting foreign capital reassured by currency reforms and other measures designed to revive the economy of Africa’s most-populous nation. “Nigeria appears to be back in business as long-awaited economic reforms take shape,” said Emre Akcakmak, portfolio manager at East Capital. Key measures include improved currency liquidity, leeway for investors to repatriate their profit, and the stable naira.

    “We feel the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to stem any sharp appreciation of the naira to limit profit taking from the fast money community,” Akcakmak said.

    “Portfolio inflows have likely been supported by improved confidence amid key structural reforms, better FX market functioning and moderating dollar-naira volatility, as well as the still-robust nominal yield buffer,” said Samir Gadio, head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Plc told Bloomberg.

    “Besides, Nigeria’s local market is seen as less correlated with global risk conditions than more liquid EM peers,” he said.

    Going forward, the CBN anticipates a steady uptick in reserves, underpinned by improved oil production levels, and a more supporting export growth environment expected to boost non-oil FX earnings and diversify external inflows. The CBN remains committed to prudent reserve management, transparent reporting, and macroeconomic policies that support a stable exchange rate, attract investment, and build long-term resilience.

  • How STEP technology is boosting learning in Edo, Delta

    How STEP technology is boosting learning in Edo, Delta

    In an age where technology is reshaping every aspect of life, education must keep pace. The Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) responds to this challenge by equipping Nigerian teachers with digital tools, leadership training, and modern pedagogy. Focused on impact and scale, STEP reimagines professional development—not as a one-off workshop, but as a sustained, systemic investment in teachers who will power the classrooms of tomorrow, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

    The benefits of integrating technology into everyday learning are well-established and far-reaching. It opens doors to vast resources, encourages independent inquiry, fosters collaboration, and enables personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs. This is why, from urban classrooms to rural schoolhouses, a common question echoes: How do we prepare young people for a world that is evolving faster than curricula can be rewritten?

    More and more, education reformers point to teachers—not just for what they know, but for how they lead, connect and innovate using the tools available to them. The Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) is one such initiative in Nigeria that sees teacher upskilling not as an isolated intervention, but as a systemic solution. Its approach integrates technology, embeds leadership training, and strengthens professional identity, providing teachers with the tools and ongoing support they need to reimagine classrooms for the 21st century.

    The story of STEP’s 2025 cohort is compelling in both scale and strategy. From a pool of 4,666 applicants, 650 teachers and Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) were selected—325 each from Edo and Delta States—and on-boarded in mid-2025. These participants join a growing alumni network: since STEP’s inception in 2020, 1,334 educators across the two states have received training (based on official programme data shared with me).

    What sets the 2025 cohort apart is not just its size but its design. This year’s programme introduces a more integrated model—pairing tablets and a dedicated mobile learning platform with leadership development, STEAM-focused pedagogy, and sustained virtual mentorship. The experience culminates in Microsoft certification, providing global validation of skills gained. The headline here is powerful because it brings together three essential imperatives: technology, pedagogy, and leadership. Each is important on its own—but together, they form a foundation for lasting transformation in education.

    Tablets as portable classrooms

    At onboarding, every STEP participant received an Android tablet preloaded with the STEP app and a suite of learning modules, along with mobile data to ensure uninterrupted access during the virtual learning stage. In Nigeria—where digital access is steadily improving but remains inconsistent, particularly in rural areas—this approach represents a pragmatic and significant leap forward. The tablet is not just a device; it becomes a portable science lab, an on-demand library, and a collaborative workspace. For teachers in under-resourced schools, it is often the bridge between traditional, static teaching methods and a more engaging, inquiry-rich, and multimedia-based classroom experience.

    The STEP app itself is far more than a content repository. It enables moderated peer forums for professional exchange, schedules both synchronous and asynchronous coursework, supports formative assessments, and offers ready-to-use project templates. Importantly, it also collects real-time data—such as module completion, time-on-task, and participation rates—allowing programme mentors to intervene early when engagement dips or assessments flag concerns. This data-driven feedback loop shifts training from one-off workshops to a model of continuous improvement and support.

    Crucially, STEP does not treat technology in isolation. It embeds it within a broader learning framework that includes STEAM pedagogy, emotional intelligence, and leadership development. At the Benin onboarding, for example, participants studied the “7 Cs” of effective communication and worked through real-world leadership scenarios that reframed their roles—as not just curriculum implementers but as proactive, community-focused change agents. This blend of technical tools, pedagogical innovation, and self-leadership equips teachers to thrive in modern classrooms and model the problem-solving skills they aim to instill in students.

    A replicable, mirrored design

    A key strength of STEP is its deliberate, mirrored implementation across Edo and Delta States. These are not experimental pilots or region-specific adaptations—they are exact replications. Each state received the same training modules, hardware, mentorship structure, and evaluation framework. This controlled duplication offers two strategic advantages. First, it generates comparable data that enables real-time content refinement: what succeeds in Edo can be adapted and retested in Delta, and vice versa. Second, it lays the groundwork for cost-effective scaling—a consistent, proven module set can be deployed in new states with minimal customization and more predictable results. For private-sector initiatives seeking to influence public systems, having a replicable playbook is essential.

    Read Also: How a Nigerian Entrepreneur Built a $200K Warehouse in the U.S, Then Made It Free for African Exporters

    STEP’s architecture integrates measurement at every stage. Teachers begin by mapping baseline classroom practices and student performance. As the four-month mentorship unfolds, progress is tracked through formative assessments and school-based project outcomes, allowing for course corrections along the way. The programme does not reward mere attendance—it rewards demonstrable improvement: lesson plans that reflect active inquiry, student-led projects grounded in STEAM, and stronger classroom engagement.

    Why this matters now

    Nigeria’s education system faces urgent, systemic challenges: learning losses accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, deep inequalities between urban and rural schools, and long-standing deficits in numeracy and science achievement. National statistics frequently cited in education policy highlight that a large proportion of primary and junior-secondary students still struggle to reach foundational learning levels.

    Simultaneously, global trends paint a more pressing picture. UNESCO and other international bodies warn of an impending teacher shortage, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the demand for qualified educators is expected to rise sharply by 2030. In this context, STEP offers a dual-response: elevate the quality of today’s teachers quickly, and cultivate a digitally literate, professionally confident cohort equipped to support broader teacher development efforts nationwide.

    Alignment and accountability

    A core strength of STEP is its intentional alignment with state institutions. From the outset, education ministries in Edo and Delta States were engaged—not just as observers, but as active partners. Ministry officials attended onboarding events and signaled readiness to cross-verify course completion lists, a seemingly small but significant step toward embedding STEP within existing state systems. Such collaboration is essential. While private-sector programmes can deliver high-quality pilots, sustainable scale requires integration with public training frameworks, such as formal Continuous Professional Development (CPD) credit systems. Ongoing discussions with teacher training institutions suggest that STEP is positioning itself for a transition—from a CSR-funded initiative to a more institutionally adopted model.

    That said, STEP must also confront a familiar risk: the digital replication of existing inequities. While providing tablets and mobile data reduces barriers, teachers in very remote or underserved areas still face real challenges—intermittent electricity, poor connectivity, and demanding workloads that limit time for online learning. Moreover, the risk of selection bias persists: highly motivated or already-resourced teachers may be more likely to apply and complete the programme, leaving behind those in the most disadvantaged schools. STEP’s current strategy—combining hardware, data stipends, local peer support, and school-based projects—mitigates some of these risks. However, achieving true inclusivity at scale will require deeper investments: in local learning hubs, solar charging solutions, and state or donor co-funding to expand reach to the most isolated schools.

    From toolkit to systems change

    Ultimately, STEP’s promise lies not in improving a few hundred classrooms, but in catalyzing systemic change—transforming how teacher professional development is designed, delivered, and sustained. If STEP’s app and content library become part of state-recognized CPD systems, if alumni serve as official mentors, and if state education offices adopt its assessment rubrics, then STEP ceases to be a standalone pilot. It becomes an embedded, structural feature of Nigeria’s teacher development landscape.

    For policymakers, three steps can accelerate this transition. First, formalize public–private pathways to integrate proven private content into CPD frameworks. Second, invest in infrastructure—charging stations, network boosters, and school-based devices—to ensure inclusive access. Third, support independent, longitudinal evaluations to measure impact and cost-effectiveness. Only then can successful pilots like STEP credibly inform and influence national education strategy.

    A quiet revolution

    The teachers trained through STEP are not overnight experts—but they leave the programme with a different toolkit. They now have devices, access to a peer learning community, and a leadership mindset that fosters initiative. In classrooms where lessons once followed a rigid, teacher-centered script, STEP encourages a shift toward inquiry-based learning, team projects, and networks that persist long after the formal training ends. This transformation doesn’t happen all at once. But if even a fraction of these teachers go on to mentor colleagues, share lessons through open repositories, or advocate for practical improvements in their schools, the cumulative effect becomes significant—moving from individual anecdotes to measurable impact.

    STEP’s 2025 cohort is, in many ways, a proving ground: can a private-sector-led initiative integrate technology, pedagogy, and leadership in a model that is measurable, replicable, and portable across policy frameworks? Early signals are encouraging. The deliberate blend of tablets and analytics, hands-on pedagogy and leadership development, plus mirrored deployment in Edo and Delta States, lays the foundation for scalable change—provided government alignment is maintained, access barriers are addressed, and independent evaluation continues.

    In a country where the future depends on building a problem-solving generation, not one reliant on rote memorisation, programmes like STEP are vital. They treat teachers as professionals—equipped, networked, and accountable. STEP is no silver bullet, but it is a credible proof of concept: a model that shows how a rewired teacher toolkit can power the classroom of tomorrow—starting today.

    Keeping performance positive

    Seplat Energy Plc reported strong financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, marking a significant leap in both revenue and production. The company recorded revenue of N1.228 trillion, up sharply from N268.6 billion in Q1 2024. Gross profit rose to N535.4 billion, compared to N63.8 billion year-on-year, while profit before tax (PBT) climbed to N314.6 billion from N103.5 billion in the same period last year. Cash generated from operations soared to N464.9 billion, a substantial increase from N25.2 billion in Q1 2024. The strong cash position enabled early repayment of $250 million on the company’s Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), reducing the balance to $100 million. In line with its robust performance, Seplat increased its quarterly dividend to US 4.6 cents per share.

    Operationally, Seplat averaged 131,561 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in Q1 2025—an impressive 167% increase over Q1 2024 and above the midpoint of its full-year guidance range (120–140 kboepd). Safety performance remained outstanding, with over 7.3 million man-hours recorded without a Lost Time Injury (LTI). This includes 2.5 million hours from Seplat’s onshore-operated assets and 4.8 million hours from Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), formerly known as Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU). Together, these results demonstrate Seplat’s capacity to deliver consistent production growth, disciplined cost management, and shareholder value—cementing its position as a leading force in Nigeria’s energy sector.

    Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy, Roger Brown, said: “2025 started positively for Seplat. As we deliver the business at a significantly enhanced scale, our focus is on the successful integration of the combined companies, and I am pleased to report that we are making good progress. It is clear that we can benefit greatly from the combined expertise of our onshore and offshore workforce.

    He said, “Production has been strong, showing the benefit of the continuous drilling programme, investment in asset integrity and the availability of multiple evacuation routes. Financial performance was also strong, allowing us to be pro-active in materially reducing gross debt, maintaining low balance sheet leverage, and further strengthening our company as the near term global economic outlook becomes less predictable.”

  • CBN leverages Customers’ Bill of Rights to improve banking service quality

    CBN leverages Customers’ Bill of Rights to improve banking service quality

    In a renewed effort to strengthen consumer protection and promote transparency in the financial sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled the Bank Customers’ Bill of Rights. The document, presented during the recent “CBN Fair” held in Lagos, outlines the fundamental rights and responsibilities of bank customers across the country. These rights include the right to information, choice, safety, privacy and confidentiality, and access to quality service. Under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso, the apex bank also detailed the obligations expected of customers, aiming to foster a more balanced and mutually respectful relationship between banks and their clients. The initiative forms part of the CBN’s broader agenda to prioritize customer protection as a cornerstone of financial system stability, reports Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    As a financial sector regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has a duty of care, ensuring that it provides excellent guidance that ensures that bank customers get the best services for their patronage. The regulator has also gone a step further by providing guidance to bank customers on what their obligations to the lender are.

    According to CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, while the apex bank continues to lay the foundation for price stability and foster a conducive policy environment, the role of banks in this journey remains crucial. “At the Central Bank, we have intensified surveillance of market activities to ensure compliance. Together, we must build a market based on strong governance and transparency. As regulators, we will maintain a zero-tolerance approach to compliance violations,” he said.

    Hence, the Bank Customers’ Bill of Rights recently released during “CBN Fair” held in Lagos, with theme: “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development” highlights the rights of customers and their obligations to the banks. The Bill of Rights insisted that a bank customer has a right to be informed, right to choose, right to safety, right to privacy and confidentiality, and the right to redress. Others include right to good service, right to equality and right to free monthly statement of account. On the other hand, the report listed certain obligations that a customer owes to his or her bank. They include duty to financial obligations, duty to protect instruments and information, duty to provide factual information and not to mislead the bank, duty to report suspected fraud or error and duty of personal safety and safety of assets. 

    Speaking during the event, the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, said the Management of the CBN, under the leadership of Cardoso, is committed to stimulating productivity and financial inclusiveness as well as delivering on its core mandate of monetary and price stability. This has resulted in significant increase of inflow in foreign investments, positive trade balances and quantum leap in financial inclusion rate in recent times.

    She said: “Over the past 22 months, the CBN has, among others, rolled out exchange rate unification policy to minimize arbitrage opportunities and reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market and cleared over $7 billion of verified backlog of FX forwards.”

    She explained that the launch of Nigeria Foreign Exchange (FX) Code has improved governance in the forex market management, adding that the ongoing recapitalisation of banks will strengthen the resilience and global competitiveness of the banking sector, positioning it to support the $1 trillion dollar economy. Ali said the core objective of this engagement, therefore, is to sensitize members of the public on how the bank’s policies and innovations can enhance their lives and livelihood and contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. She explained that as a means of protecting banks’ customers and ensuring that they are not short-changed, the CBN launched the Unified Complaints Tracking System (UCTS), aimed at streamlining and improving the management of consumer complaints against financial institutions. The system, alongside a USSD code (*959#) for verifying licensed institutions, enhances transparency and consumer protection in the Nigerian financial sector.

    “The core objective of this engagement, therefore, is to sensitize members of the public on how the Bank’s policies and innovations can enhance their lives and livelihood and contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” she said. She added that the CBN will continue to ensure availability of clean currency. “We, however, urge you to see the Naira as our critical symbol of national identity. Respect and keep it clean. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the Naira,” she advised.

    Other stakeholders insisted that at the heart of the CBN strategy is its commitment to maintaining economic stability.

    “Administration prioritized an inflation targeting framework, which has been pivotal in controlling inflation and stabilizing the naira through careful adjustments in the monetary policy, rate and other instruments. The CBN has kept the economy on a steady course despite global economic headwinds. This year has been marked by innovative reforms and realignments, significant upgrades were made to digital platforms, automating financial processes and implementing stringent cyber security measures to protect assets and data,” they said.

    The participants’ concerns around banking system stability, customer services and complaints were addressed by CBN team from the Other Financial Institutions Department, Payments System Policy Department, Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department, Currency Operations and Branch Management Department, and Financial Markets Department.

    Understanding the Bill of Rights

    The bill of rights, described the customer as the most important person in the economy and every business succeeds only when the customer is happy.

    Describing the customer as a king, it said: “As a king, the customer has many rights. But a king also has duties which he owes himself and the society. In Nigeria, customers of banks have certain rights and duties guaranteed by law, regulation and conventions”.

    The report disclosed that a bank customer, has a right to disclosure of information from his/her bank on products and services the bank offers. “The information provided must be complete, relevant and truthful. Your bank must explain to your understanding all contractual terms and charges prior to the consummation of any agreement or contract. This right enables you to have relevant information in order to make rational choices. It amounts to a breach of right if your bank fails to provide this information or deliberately misleads you in anyway,” it said.

    According to the apex bank, bank customers also have a right to select from the range of products and services made available by your bank at competitive prices. “This means that as a customer, you can, at all times, decide on the product or service to accept/purchase and the ones to decline. It is wrong for a bank to restrict your choices or compel you to accept/purchase products or services that are ill-suited for your needs. Where you are not satisfied with your bank’s service delivery on any product or service, you have the right to end the contract or even the banking relationship provided you settle all outstanding commitments,” it said.

    Read Also: CBN releases bank customers’ bill of rights, obligations

    The CBN explained that the right to safety requires a bank to guarantee all its customers a secure and conducive banking environment devoid of threats to their safety and health. “You have the right to be reasonably protected from accidents while on the premises of your bank. You also have the right to be protected from negative effects of pollution of any kind whether arising from your bank’s operations or from other sources. It is necessary to stress that your bank is obligated to adhere strictly to applicable safety and directives to ensure that your safety and wellbeing are adequately guaranteed while you are on the premises of your bank,” it said.

    Continuing, the apex bank also highlighted the customers’ right to privacy and confidentiality. It explained that as a bank customer, one has the right to freedom from disclosure of your account details by your bank as intrusion into your account by third party. In other words, a bank is not to divulge your account information to a third party; a bank must also protect customers’ information from unauthorized access by a third party.

    It, however, stated that there are, expectations to this right where a bank is required by law to make disclosure; and where a customer consents to the disclosure. “A bank must provide its customers a redress mechanism to express their displeasure or grievance. The mechanism must be free, accessible, transparent, timely and convenient. You have a right to efficient complaints management system through which you can lodge complaints against your bank. You also have the right to be kept abreast of resolution process (acknowledgment, feedback, updates, and explanation) and ultimately, basis of decision. Where you are not satisfied with the decision of your bank, you have the right of review either by your bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the court,” it stated.

    The CBN however, stated that all customers have a right to value for their money which involves the right to be treated with respect and dignity by banks and their representatives. “The hallmark of banking is customer satisfaction and as such your bank would have failed if it was unable to offer quality and value-adding banking services to you as a customer. Part of this right is that your bank must provide appropriate response to your needs and complaints,” it said.

    Bank customers also have the right to equality. Here, the  right requires that a customer is treated equally as other customers regardless of differences in financial standing/deposit balance, physical ability, age, gender , ethnicity, or creed. It is wrong for a bank to offer preferential treatment to some customers at the expense of other similar kind of customers. However, banks may decide to differentiate customers on account of the nature of products customers purchase or subscribe to.

    The report also highlighted customers’ obligations to their banks. “This represents the cornerstone of your duties as a bank customer and involves the search for relevant knowledge that should lead you to make informed decisions and enhance your benefits. Without adequate knowledge, customers are bound to make ill-informed decisions which may precipitate an avalanche of complaints from customers against their banks. It is generally agreed that sophistication in the banking industry has tasked the understanding of even people that are financially literate; it is, therefore, your responsibility to “shine your eyes” when dealing with your bank,” it said.

    Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos, Sunday Daibo, said the apex bank is taking steps to ensure more people are brought into the digital payment network. He said: “In a world where technology is reshaping economies and redefining how people interact with financial services, alternate financial services have emerged not as an option, but as a necessity.  They are the bridges connecting the underserved populations to the formal financial system,” he said.

    “Today’s gathering brings together policy makers, financial institutions, FinTech innovators, merchants and the public, all stakeholders in a single mission to make financial access to the person and to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location or status, can participate in and benefit from our nation’s economic project progress. He described the programme as a celebration of Nigeria’s collective commitment to economic stability, financial inclusion and national development. Other stakeholders insisted that at the heart of the CBN strategy is its commitment to maintaining economic stability.

  • How states brace for battle against floods

    How states brace for battle against floods

    At least 21 states across Nigeria have already been battered by devastating floods this year, leaving a grim trail of destruction and despair. Latest figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reveal that 140,228 people have been affected, with 49,205 displaced from their homes. Among the victims are 62,393 children, 43,531 women, 28,505 men, 5,799 elderly persons, and 1,887 people with disabilities. The floods have also ravaged 10,663 houses and 9,454 farmlands, underscoring the magnitude of a disaster that is fast becoming one of the country’s most pressing humanitarian emergencies.

    Nigeria’s worst flooding in recent memory struck in 2012, beginning in July and leaving a trail of destruction nationwide. By the time the waters receded, 363 lives had been lost and more than 2.1 million people displaced. Thirty of the country’s 36 states were affected, with Kogi and Benue bearing the heaviest toll, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    Thirteen years on, the story of devastation continues to repeat itself. NEMA’s latest situation report shows that in 2025 alone, floods have already affected 140,228 people across 21 states, displacing 49,205 from their homes. Tragically, 191 deaths have been confirmed, 239 people injured, and 94 remain unaccounted for. Niger State recorded the highest fatalities with 162 deaths, followed by Adamawa with 26 and Borno with one.

    The agency’s updated flood dashboard also reveals that 52 local government areas have so far been hit. Children remain the most vulnerable: of the total affected, 62,393 are children, alongside 43,531 women, 28,505 men, 5,799 elderly persons, and 1,887 people living with disabilities. The grim statistics reinforce a troubling reality—flooding is no longer an isolated disaster but a recurring national emergency demanding urgent, long-term resilience measures.

    A total of 10,663 houses and 9,454 farmlands have been affected by the floods across the country. Imo State recorded the highest impact, with 28,030 people affected and 15,107 displaced. Other heavily affected states include Rivers, Adamawa, Abia, Delta, Borno, and Kaduna. In all, 21 states have been hit by the disaster: Abia, FCT, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Rivers, and Sokoto.

    Plateau urges vigilance 

    The Plateau State Government has called on residents of flood-prone communities, especially those in Mangu Local Government Area, to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property following a five-day flood alert issued by the Federal Government. The appeal follows last week’s devastating flood in Shimankar, Shendam Local Government Area, which destroyed more than 50 homes, farmlands, schools, and livelihoods.

    In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, sympathised with the affected residents and assured them of continued government support through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). “Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and community leaders to intensify public sensitisation and work closely with emergency response agencies to prevent avoidable loss of life and property,” the statement noted. While reaffirming that adequate measures are in place to respond swiftly to emergencies, the government stressed the importance of individual responsibility for safety during this period of heightened risk.

    Adamawa constructs storm water drains 

    The Adamawa State Government has intensified measures to curb flooding by desilting rivers to restore their natural capacity and constructing modern storm water drainage systems in vulnerable communities across the state. The initiative, carried out under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, is designed to hold greater volumes of water and channel excess safely away from residential areas.

    In addition, the government has embarked on massive investments in drainage infrastructure, including the construction of new storm water drains and expansion of existing ones. A flagship multi-billion naira project in Saminaka Satellite Town, Yola South Local Government Area, has been extended to the flood-prone Jambutu axis in Yola North, a development credited with reducing the impact of flooding in large parts of the Yola metropolis.

    To strengthen relief and mitigation efforts, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri inaugurated a 21-member committee chaired by his deputy, Kaletapwa Farauta, to oversee the distribution of relief materials to flood victims and investigate factors behind the recent flooding for lasting solutions. Commissioner for Environment, Mohammed Sadiq, identified human activities such as building on waterways and indiscriminate waste disposal as major contributors to the flooding challenge. He said the government was reclaiming critical drainage paths and enforcing stiffer penalties against encroachment and illegal dumping. Governor Fintiri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable solutions that would mitigate future floods and safeguard lives and property.

    Ekiti ramps up efforts against flood

    The Ekiti State Government has intensified efforts to mitigate flooding threats anticipated during the current rainy season. Speaking with our reporter, the General Manager of the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), Mr. Oludare Asaolu, said the government had taken proactive steps to prevent disasters, particularly flooding.

    According to him, the measures include dredging waterways, desilting and expanding drainage systems, enforcing building control regulations, removing illegal structures along river channels, and improving waste management strategies. He noted that beyond infrastructure interventions, the government had embarked on advocacy and sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on safety measures during the rainy season. Asaolu added that EKSEMA had established an Early Warning and Early Response System to ensure swift action during emergencies caused by natural or human-induced disasters. He further disclosed that the state had partnered with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to strengthen its disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity.

    Read Also: NEMA urges immediate evacuation as floods threaten lives in Imo local govt 

     Our control strategy has paid off, says KASEMA

    The Katsina State Government says its ongoing efforts to curb flooding are yielding results. Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Environmental Protection Agency (KASEMA), Hajiya Binta Dangani, disclosed this in an interview with The Nation. She explained that the government has rolled out a series of control measures, including the construction of 13 culvert projects across seven flood-prone local government areas. The projects, she said, were designed to improve drainage systems and mitigate water overflow during the rainy season.

    Her remarks follow recent alerts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which warned of possible flooding and severe weather conditions in several states, including Katsina.

    Delta/DESOPADEC embark on canal-clearing drive

    In response to NiMET’s flood warnings, the Delta State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment, has launched a large-scale canal desilting and drainage-clearing exercise. Flagged off in Warri on July 25, the intervention targets waterways in Effurun, Sapele, Jesse, Ughelli, Otu-Jeremi, Kwale, Ashaka, Aboh, Ozoro, and Oleh. At the Ajamimogha Link Road and Lower Erejuwa canal in Warri, amphibious excavators were deployed to clear hyacinths and remove silt, reopening the natural channel that drains into the Warri River.

    Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, said the move was in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s directive to prepare high-risk zones for predicted flooding. He cautioned residents against indiscriminate waste dumping and construction on waterways, stressing that such practices worsen perennial flooding. Executive Director of Projects, Olorogun Ebenezer Okorodudu, added that local councils must step up enforcement to sustain the gains of the exercise. He assured that the desilting will continue in other communities in the coming days as part of the government’s proactive response to NiMET’s flood risk alerts.

    NSEMA tours flood-prone communities

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has begun sensitisation tours of flood-prone communities following early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Director-General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said officials were engaging residents of vulnerable areas and advising them to relocate to higher grounds for safety. Communities already visited include Lapai, Suleja, and Shiroro. According to Arah, the agency is prioritising prevention and preparedness by encouraging residents to take proactive steps before the floods strike.

    NEMA places South-South communities on alert

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has placed communities in the South-South region on red alert in readiness for anticipated floods. South-South Coordinator of NEMA, Eric Ebohdaghe, said response agencies at community, state, and local government levels had been mobilised to monitor early warning signs and take immediate action. He disclosed that high grounds had been identified and prepared as temporary shelters through community collaboration, while essential relief items—including medicaments, food, and non-food supplies—had been pre-positioned.

    Ebohdaghe explained that NEMA had interfaced with state and local leaders, particularly in Rivers State, to highlight steps required to mitigate the disaster. “From the release of the predictions, we have conducted a National Response Campaign across flood-threatened areas. We have positioned items required for those shelters such as medicament, food, and non-food items. We have been doing a lot of early warnings,” he said. He added that NEMA had developed a comprehensive action plan covering the pre-flood, flood, and post-flood phases, stressing that engagement with state governments in the region would continue to ensure effective response and recovery.

    Southeast ready for this year’s floods

    With predictions and warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) already manifesting in parts of the country, states in the Southeast are stepping up preparations to mitigate the impact of flooding. In Anambra State, although no deaths have been recorded, floods have submerged farmlands and homes in several areas. Ogbaru community is reported to be the worst hit, while other vulnerable areas such as Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, and Onitsha South remain on high alert.

    Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odumegwu, said Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration had set up a high-powered committee headed by Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim to manage the situation. Members of the committee include commissioners for Information and Environment as well as local government chairmen. Despite the rising waters, the state government insists there is no cause for alarm, assuring residents of adequate preparedness.

    NEMA, SEMA collaborate in Imo

    In Imo State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have commenced inspection of camps in flood-prone areas to ensure readiness for possible displacement of residents. Head of Operations, NEMA Owerri Office, Igwe Nnamdi Chukwudi, said the collaboration was aimed at ensuring that camps meet minimum standards for accommodating displaced persons. “We don’t want to be caught unprepared. So, NEMA is working in synergy with SEMA to ensure that all the mandatory camps in the flood-prone areas are habitable for displaced people,” he said. Chukwudi also urged the state government to inaugurate emergency committees at the local government level to strengthen grassroots preparedness and response to disasters.

    Ebonyi government warns

    The Ebonyi State Government has issued a fresh warning to residents as massive flooding continues to devastate farmlands across several local government areas. Ebonyi, which was listed by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as a high-risk flood zone, is already witnessing heavy rains submerging communities, particularly in Izi, Abakaliki, and Ikwo LGAs. Farmers are counting huge losses, with large swathes of rice, yam, and cassava fields now underwater. One affected resident in Abakaliki, Felix Ezeaka, appealed to the government for urgent relief and support.

    Commissioner for Environment, Victor Chukwu, attributed the worsening situation partly to an incomplete drainage project under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP). He added that the state government had intensified public awareness campaigns and town hall meetings to educate residents on preventive measures and flood safety.

    Enugu on alert

    Although Enugu State is not listed among the states at imminent risk in the latest national flood alert, the government has said it will not drop its guard. Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Samuel Ugwu, told The Nation that forecasts from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and NiMet for 2025 identified several high-risk states, but excluded Enugu. He, however, stressed that this was “not a licence for complacency.”

    According to him, monitoring teams have been placed on standby while sensitisation campaigns are ongoing in communities considered flood-prone. Ugwu urged residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, stop erecting structures on waterways, and promptly report any signs of flooding to authorities. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Operations Office, has continued its flood-preparedness awareness campaign in identified flood-prone LGAs as part of its nationwide drive to reduce the impact of flooding.

    Abia begins clearing of drainage

    The Abia State Government has commenced a large-scale desilting of drainage channels across the state as part of its proactive flood control measures. Although the Commissioner for Environment could not be reached, a senior ministry official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the exercise. The official said the effort was aimed at reducing the impact of flooding during the peak of the rainy season.

    Meanwhile, the Abia State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akinsola Aderemi, has urged residents in flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas. Speaking in Umuahia, Aderemi said the warning became necessary following predictions by the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified Abia as one of the states at risk of flooding in the coming weeks.

    ‘Benue, Taraba, Adamawa prone to flooding’

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has raised fresh concerns about possible flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states due to persistent rainfall. The agency also listed Bauchi and Kebbi among states likely to experience flooding in the days ahead. In its latest weather outlook, NiMet projected morning thunderstorms with moderate rains across parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba. It added that heavier rains are expected later in the day across Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and other northern states.

    The report highlighted Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue as high-risk areas due to sustained rainfall patterns. For the central region, NiMet predicted light morning showers over Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, the FCT, and Benue, followed by heavier rainfall later in the day across Kwara, Kogi, and surrounding states. The agency further advised farmers to avoid applying fertilisers and pesticides immediately before rainfall to reduce losses.

    Osun demolishes 30 illegal structures 

    The Osun State Government has demolished about 30 illegal structures built on waterways across the state, as part of measures to prevent flooding in the wake of alerts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, confirmed the exercise in an interview with The Nation. He disclosed that 15 structures were pulled down in Osogbo, six in Ile-Ife, six in Ilesa, and others in different towns.

    According to him, the state government is adopting a proactive approach to mitigate flood risks and safeguard residents. “We have dredged waterways and cleared refuse that could block drainage. Where we find illegal structures, we serve notices and, if they are ignored, we carry out demolitions. This process started last December,” he explained. Adejoorin added that Governor Ademola Adeleke has consistently supported the ministry’s efforts, prioritising the safety of citizens over illegal developments. “Our aim is to ensure Osun does not experience flooding that could displace residents,” he said, stressing that the preventive measures already put in place would help the state avert disaster.

    We’re intentional in preventing emergencies, disasters, flooding in Ondo — Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preventing emergencies and disasters, particularly flooding, across the state. Speaking on Sunday in Akure while receiving a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the World Bank Group, Aiyedatiwa said proactive measures remain central to safeguarding lives and property.

    He noted that Ondo was among the seven states selected for the Federal Government’s Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) project, describing the inclusion as a privilege earned through the state’s proactive stance rather than a reflection of high disaster risk. “We are intentional and deliberate about preventing emergencies, especially in flood control. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure are working together to deploy our swamp buggy machine for extensive channelisation before the rains start.

    However, he lamented the perennial sea incursion in Aiyetoro community, Ilaje Local Government Area, which has displaced residents and disrupted livelihoods. “The Aiyetoro case is a major problem that requires careful design. Nothing concrete had been done before now, but with the current approach, I believe we will finally provide a lasting solution for Aiyetoro and other affected communities,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa urged residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and from erecting structures that obstruct waterways, stressing that community support is critical in preventing floods. Speaking at the flag-off, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr. Badele Onimode, said the EPR project, supported by the World Bank, would help Ondo develop a robust emergency response plan through hazard mapping, community sensitisation, data analysis, and disaster-response training.

    He commended Ondo’s commitment to preparedness, urging the government to integrate the project into its long-term development plans to ensure sustainability. World Bank representative, Mr. Francis Nkoka, said the institution’s support would go beyond financing to include technical expertise aimed at strengthening the state’s preparedness and response capacity.

    Oyo activates early warning systems, sensitises residents to flooding                                                                             

    The Oyo State Government has activated an Early Warning System (EWS) and intensified sensitisation campaigns across flood-prone local government areas as part of efforts to prevent flooding during the rainy season. Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, said the move was aimed at informing residents in vulnerable communities of impending heavy or moderate rainfall and guiding them on best practices during flood situations.

    She explained that the sensitisation exercises were carried out in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and targeted at local governments listed by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as high-risk zones. The latest sensitisation, held at Egbeda Local Government Area, brought together stakeholders from across all flood-prone LGAs in the state, where they were equipped with proactive measures and response strategies.

  • Ensuring child security in the age of Artificial Intelligence

    Ensuring child security in the age of Artificial Intelligence

    The 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm, Norway, highlighted urgent and complex discussions surrounding the safety of children and teenagers in the digital realm, particularly with the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. JUSTINA ASISHANA writes on how experts, policymakers, industry leaders and even young voices converged to tackle what is now recognised not merely as an emerging risk, but a moral imperative: ensuring child security in the age of algorithms.

    In South Korea, last year, a chilling revelation shook the country: over 100 secret chat rooms on Telegram were discovered, sharing deep fake videos of elementary, middle and high school students. These aren’t just manipulated images; they are non-consensual intimate images, often created by classmates using the real faces of others.

    In recent times, the faces of children, which were posted online either by their parents or the children themselves, have been collected and manipulated into deep fake intimate videos without their consent or the consent of their parents. When asked about Artificial Intelligence (AI), most children are often excited that AI is intelligent and useful; while some feel it knows a lot about them.

    Digital devices are nowadays one of the leading causes of family disputes. Google’s Head of Families recently said that parents are spending upwards of four to 12 hours a week trying to manage their children’s online usage.

    Several children in a research conducted during an interactive workshop in The Hague about generative AI said they learnt about Generative AI from friends, Tiktok and siblings while a lot are still battling with the bias in AI models and their outputs.

    Presentations made at various sessions during the Internet Governance Forum held in Lillestrøm in Norway indicated that half of the children surveyed said they feel addicted to the internet, nearly two-thirds say they often or sometimes feel unsafe online, while more than three-quarters say they encounter content they find disturbing, sexual content, violence and hate. A quarter to a third is bullied online. Half experience sexual harms and a quarter experience sextortion. And now, the acceleration of AI is supercharging these risks and harms.

    The sessions focused on this topic include building a child right respecting and inclusive digital future; combating sexual deep fakes: safeguarding teens’ globally; beyond devices-securing students’ future in a complex and digital sphere; elevating children’s voices in AI design; developing a secure, rights respecting digital future; ensuring the personal integrity of minors online; protecting children from online sexual exploitation including live stream spaces and a high level session on securing child safety in the age of the algorithms.

    The rate of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, eating disorders, child sexual abuse and suicide is going through the roof as the acceleration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now set to supercharge these risks and harms. Children’s digital experience is not a result of the technology itself, but it does reflect the priorities of those who own, build and deploy it, including AI.

    In one of the sessions on “Combating Sexual Deep Fakes-Safeguarding Teens Globally,” one of the participants highlighted that when students see these deep fakes, they feel shocked or scared and frustrated, while the victims themselves endure anxious and unsafe feelings, alongside the crushing weight of social stigma. The fear can be so profound that students lose trust in their fellow students, feeling helpless.

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    Discussants recognised that safeguarding childhood in the algorithmic age is no longer an emerging risk, but a moral imperative.

    How algorithms shape young lives

    Algorithms, far from being neutral tools, are “very active architects of children’s digital experiences,” profoundly influencing what they consume, how long they stay online and even their emotional states, according to Shivani Thabo-Bosniad, a senior journalist.

    It was underscored that algorithms are not passive tools, but very active architects of children’s digital experiences, influencing what they see, how long they engage, and even how they feel. The concerns raised span from widespread online harms to the specific, amplifying dangers of generative AI.

    Norway’s Minister of Digitisation and Public Governance, Karianne Tung said that algorithms have become powerful tools for personalisation and engagement for children and this also exposes children to harmful content, bias and manipulation.

    “They can shape behaviour, they can influence choices and they cause serious damages when it comes to mental and body issues. Let’s be clear on one thing, protecting children online is not about limiting their freedom. It is about empowering them to navigate the digital world safely, confidently and with dignity. It is about ensuring that technology serves their personal growth and not the other way around. So, in my opinion, the platforms need to take more responsibility for taking down content that is damaging and prohibited,” she said.

    For developing countries, especially those in Africa, these algorithms trained on datasets that do not reflect the diversity of the African societies has the potential to lead to culture erasure and the adoption of cultures from elsewhere. According to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salamah Bah, these algorithms have begun to impact the region and the conversations of the children and teenagers.

    A growing crisis of online harms

    Mental health impact: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) research, cited by Child Rights and Business Specialist, Josianne Galea, underscores the severe psychological toll of children who experience online abuse, bullying or exploitation exhibit higher levels of anxiety, increased suicidal thoughts and are more prone to self-harm.

    Digital addiction and loss of control: Leander Barrington-Leach, Executive Director of the Five Rights Foundation, painted a grim picture that reveals that roughly half of the surveyed children feel addicted to the Internet. Nearly two-thirds often feel unsafe online, and alarmingly, children are losing their control, their sleep, their ability to make connections, to pay attention, and to think critically. They are losing their health, sometimes even their lives.

    Exposure to harmful content: More than 75 per cent of children encounter disturbing, sexual, violent or hateful content online. Five Rights’ Pathways research revealed that social media accounts registered as children were exposed to messaging from strangers and illegal or harmful content within hours of creation. Algorithms were found to recommend harmful content, including sexualised or pro-suicide material, weighting negative or extreme content five times higher than neutral or positive content.

    Corporate priorities vs. child well-being: A critical concern highlighted is that many services children frequent are designed primarily for revenue generation, focusing on maximising time spent, reach and activity through features such as push notifications, infinite scrolls and random rewards (features that maximise engagement over child well-being). Whistleblower reports indicate that tech companies are often aware of the harm caused to children but choose to prioritise these revenue-driven designs.

    Reports indicate that over 35,000 such images were available for download from just one generative AI platform.

    Reports also showed that deep fake tools can easily be accessed and used online, opening up children to make deep fakes without restrictions.

    Kenneth Leung of the Civil Society, Asia-Pacific group highlighted the alarming gap in safeguards, which primarily target adults, leaving teenagers in a vulnerable in-between stage. Disturbingly, many of those producing deep fakes are themselves teenagers, who often dismiss their actions as just funny, oblivious to the profound pain they inflict.

    Despite changes in laws, it remains unclear whether the new laws are strong enough to stop these crimes. Social media companies face criticism for their slow response in removing illegal content, allowing it to spread widely. Juliana Cunha, from Safer Net, reported that 90 per cent of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) reports in 2023 and 2024 related to messaging apps, predominantly Telegram, which showed limited cooperation and reported that out of 20 million reports, none were from Telegram. Janice Richardson, an educator, pointed out that many existing laws are not equipped to handle electronic proof, necessitating legal amendments in some countries.

    Recommendations for a safer digital future

    The Internet Governance Forum sessions converged on several critical recommendations to construct a child-safe and rights-respecting digital future. Several speakers called for the prioritisation of safety by design and age assurance. The Head of Norad’s Department for Welfare and Human Rights, Lisa Sivertsen, emphasised a safety by design approach, where preventative and detection technologies are embedded in service design. There were also recommendations around empowering youth and responsible parenting, as Josianne Galea from UNICEF advocated for empowering children as activists, participants, and pioneers of the digital world, as opposed to protecting them from the digital world. The online safety regulator in South Africa stressed the vital role of educating parents, recognising that children have a right to responsible parenting and privacy.

    Recommendations around robust regulatory frameworks and enforcement saw Zhao Hui from the China Association of Social Societies highlighting China’s efforts in online minor protection through laws such as the 2021 Personal Protection Law and the 2024 regulation on minor protection in cyberspace. These regulations, she said, address cyberbullying, data breaches and internet addiction, with specific rules for generative AI services. South Africa’s online safety regulator stated that they issue take-down notices for prohibited content and collaborate closely with law enforcement on child sexual abuse material cases, pointing out that other countries need to have regulators who do the same.

    There is also a massive need for industry accountability and self-discipline, as Caroline Eriksen of Norges Bank Investment Management, Europe, warned that failure to respect children’s rights could be a material risk to companies’ operational licenses. UNICEF said that it has developed guidance to encourage companies to address child rights impacts meaningfully, while internet service providers were called on to be proactive in blocking, monitoring, and preventing content before it spreads.

    The majority of the speakers harped on comprehensive digital literacy and education as schools were urged to educate students about deep fakes, their dangers, and consequences, fostering better digital literacy to understand what is real or fake. Janice highlighted the need for teacher training and for educational projects to instil human dignity from a young age. Yi Teng Au from the technical community Asia-Pacific group noted South Korea’s Ministry of Education’s awareness campaign following deep fake incidents, guiding students on how to respond as victims or witnesses.

    The issue of harmful content platform hopping necessitates enhanced cross-platform collaboration and global cooperation. Deepening international cooperation is vital for building an inclusive digital future that respects children’s rights, as emphasised by Zhao Hui.

    Juliana underscored that the misuse of AI to create sexualised images is not merely a technical or legal issue, but a reflection of a broader system of gender inequality, demanding cultural and long-term school interventions. Comprehensive support and therapies for victims were also highlighted to be crucial.

    Citing the need for ethical AI design for children, an AI expert at the UNCRI Centre for AI and Robotics, Maria Eira, declared that the goal cannot be profits. It must be the people urging companies to prioritise children when developing AI tools. A Digital Ethics Leader, Alex stressed the importance of ensuring children come to no harm, especially in digital marketing, where images and media content should portray children respectfully.

    The discussions at the IGF culminated in a resounding call for collective action and underscored a shared responsibility to protect children in the digital age. Digital safety for children is no longer an emerging risk, it is now too urgent, too complex and too personal to everyone and protecting children in this digital age and in the age of algorithms is more than a technical challenge.

  • Banking sector reforms boost FDI surge, investor confidence

    Banking sector reforms boost FDI surge, investor confidence

    Capital inflows into the Nigerian economy reached $5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The increase reflects the impact of key reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at attracting both local and foreign investment. Notably, $3.1 billion—representing 55.44% of the total—was directed into the banking sector. Stakeholders say this indicates that growing stability in the financial sector is boosting investor confidence, writes Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    Investor interest in Nigerian assets—both domestic and international—is on the rise, as reflected in recent capital inflows into the country. This growing confidence is largely attributed to crucial reforms implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

    Since October 2023, the CBN has prioritised rebuilding Nigeria’s economic buffers and enhancing resilience. Key policy measures—most notably currency reforms and reduced intervention in the foreign exchange (FX) market—have significantly boosted investor confidence. These steps have attracted foreign investment and fostered greater transparency in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. One of the most impactful changes has been the unification of exchange rates and the successful clearance of over $7 billion in FX backlog. These actions have positively shifted Nigeria’s investment outlook, with multilateral institutions such as the World Bank commending the moves as bold and necessary for long-term economic sustainability.

    In addition, Nigeria’s sovereign risk spread has dropped to its lowest level since January 2020, reversing the risk premiums built up during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic pressures. Together, these reforms signal deliberate efforts by the CBN to attract and retain capital inflows, positioning Nigeria as a more stable and appealing investment destination.

    Assessing reforms impact on FX inflows

     These reforms have led to a surge in capital inflows into the Nigerian economy. According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflows rose to $5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025 — a 67.12% increase from the $3.4 billion recorded during the same period last year. The latest Nigeria Capital Importation Q1 2025 report also shows a 10.86% rise from the $5.1 billion reported in the fourth quarter of 2024. “In Q1 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at US$5642.07 million, higher than $3.37 billion recorded in Q1 2024, indicating an increase of 67.12  per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 10.86 per cent from $5.08 billion in Q4 2024,” the report stated.

    The NBS also stated that portfolio investment ranked top with $5.2 billion, accounting for 92.25 per cent, followed by other investment with $311.17 million, accounting for 5.52 per cent. The report indicated that, “Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $126.29 million accounting for 2.24 per cent of total capital importation in Q1 2025.”

    According to the NBS, the banking sector took the lead with the highest inflows in Q1 2025. The report stated, “The Banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $3.1 billion, representing 55.44 per cent of total capital imported in Q1 2025, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $2.09 billion (37.18 per cent), and Production/Manufacturing sector with $129.92 million (2.30 per cent).”  The report further noted that capital importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $3681.96 million, showing 65.26 per cent of the total capital imported.

    In emailed note to investors, Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Ike Chioke, explained that Portfolio Investment (92.2 per cent of total capital) dominated flows, rising by 30.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter, and 150.8 per cent year-on-year to $5.2 billion. The bulk of the FPI flows was to Money market instruments (up 162.2 per cent year-on-year to $4.2 billion), while Bonds (up 108.5 per cent) and Equities (up 137.7 per cent) attracted $877.4 million and $117.3 million respectively.

    Rebased GDP presents new opportunities

    Nigeria’s hope of achieving $1 trillion economy by 2030 will gain significant support from the banking sector. Nigeria’s Statistician-General, Adeyemi Adeniran, had explained how the economy fared in the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report. He said: “In nominal terms, the rebased GDP for 2019 stood at N205.09 trillion N213.63 trillion in 2020, N243.30 trillion in 2021, N274.23 trillion in 2022, N314.02 trillion in 2023, and N372.82 trillion in 2024.”

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    The NBS noted that in 2019, the rebased nominal GDP at basic prices represented an increase of 41.7 per cent over the nominal GDP of 2019 of the old base year (2010), 39 per cent in 2020, 38.7 per cent in 2021, 36.1 per cent in 2022, 34.6 per cent in 2023 and 35.4 per cent in 2024. “The results show that the structure of the Nigerian economy has changed significantly with a rise in the share of agriculture and services sectors and a fall in the share of the industries sector in nominal terms, indicating a shift in the structure of the Nigerian economy than earlier reported,” the NBS said. Adeniran further explained that the rebasing allows the country to better reflect the realities of the economy. “It’s not just about a bigger number but about accurate, timely data that supports smarter policy and economic planning,” he said.

    Banking sector to the rescue

    A well-recapitalised banking sector is undeniably crucial for the growth of the domestic economy. Hence, the CBN governor advised banks to prepare for a new round of recapitalisation to ensure they have the necessary capital to support the Federal Government’s plan to achieve $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target by 2030. He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic plan aims to reach a $1 trillion GDP by 2030, emphasising that the current bank capitalisation is insufficient to support such a large economic scale. Cardoso asked: “Will Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the financial system’s needs in servicing a $1 trillion economy in the near future? In my opinion, the answer is “No!” unless we take action. That action was the ongoing recapitalisation of banks, meant to prepare them for expansion and attract big ticket transactions to support economic growth”.

    The Policy Advisory Council’s report on the national economy set an ambitious target of achieving a $1 trillion GDP, outlining clearly defined priority areas and strategies. According to the head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the inclusion of new and emerging sectors, updates to consumption baskets, and refined data collection methods have contributed to a more comprehensive picture of national output. Development economist Aliyu Ilias noted that several sectors—particularly entertainment—had previously gone unrecorded in official data.  “By rebasing our GDP now, included those areas properly. This new visibility will make Nigeria appear much stronger to foreign investors, which will naturally help us attract more capital,” he said.

    He explained that the exercise will also reveal untapped economic potential and guide government resource allocation. “It will show where we are strongest structurally, such as in mining or other emerging sectors. That insight will help the government focus its efforts more strategically.” “Finally,” he added, “it will support economic policy formulation, helping us align our strategy with the reality on the ground. We will know exactly where to put more effort.”

    Ilias explained that while this statistical adjustment does not instantly generate new revenue, it creates a more reliable framework for fiscal planning, investment strategies, and development interventions. For him, by aligning economic data with current realities, the government and private sector can more effectively target policies that stimulate job creation, improve productivity, and sustain long-term growth.

    Seun Onigbinde, director of Civic Technology Group BudgIT, said the previous rebasing underscored the substantial impact of policy changes in the services and ICT sectors, such as telecommunications deregulation and banking sector recapitalisation. “Rebasing of the GDP must reflect changes in the economy, which are a product of public policies over time,” he added. Rebasing is also critical for domestic policy. It allows the government to better assess tax collection efficiency, measure sectoral contributions, and design social programmes that are data-driven and results-oriented.

    Gabriel Okeowo, country director for BudgIT, said, “Rebasing allows planners to be more intentional about solving Nigeria’s biggest problems: poverty, infrastructure gaps, and job creation.”

    Lagos-based economist, Nelson Adedeji, explained that despite the bump in GDP size, the rebasing was never a silver bullet.  “We must acknowledge that genuine economic growth extends beyond statistical adjustments. For ordinary Nigerians to experience meaningful improvement in living standards, the President Bola Tinubu administration must complement GDP rebasing with substantive policies addressing infrastructure deficits, security challenges, agricultural productivity, manufacturing capacity, and the overall ease of doing business,” he stated.

    Views from stakeholders

    While US President Donald Trump’s widening trade war has taken emerging markets on a wild ride, Nigeria has quietly held its own, attracting foreign capital reassured by currency reforms and other measures designed to revive the economy of Africa’s most-populous nation. “Nigeria appears to be back in business as long-awaited economic reforms take shape,” said Emre Akcakmak, portfolio manager at East Capital. Key measures include improved currency liquidity, leeway for investors to repatriate their profit, and the stable naira. “We feel the Central Bank of Nigeria will continue to stem any sharp appreciation of the naira to limit profit taking from the fast money community,” Akcakmak said.

    “Portfolio inflows have likely been supported by improved confidence amid key structural reforms, better FX market functioning and moderating dollar-naira volatility, as well as the still-robust nominal yield buffer,” said Samir Gadio, head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Plc, told Bloomberg. “Besides, Nigeria’s local market is seen as less correlated with global risk conditions than more liquid EM peers,” he said.

    Nigeria’s economy and businesses have many reasons to be optimistic in 2025, as the impact of recent economic reforms—particularly in the foreign exchange (FX) market, exchange rate system, and large budgetary outlays—begins to yield tangible benefits. According to Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, the country is already emerging from the most painful phase of its reform adjustment process.

    Rewane predicted that the economy would start to recover from the toughest stage of reforms this year, emphasizing the importance of strategic policy implementation and institutional reform. He noted that while the fundamentals of Nigeria’s exchange rate suggest that the naira should be stronger, true stability hinges on the efficiency and effective management of the FX system.

    He stressed that the main challenge lies not in the reforms themselves, but in how they are managed. Poorly sequenced policy shifts and a lack of structural reforms have significantly hindered progress, he said. Rewane also highlighted the crucial role of investment in driving economic growth. “Revenue alone is not enough,” he stated. “Investment is key, but it will be influenced by confidence, transparency, and the right policies.”

    He further pointed out persistent challenges such as power supply inefficiencies and a lack of transparency in the oil and gas sector, both of which demand urgent structural reforms. Looking ahead, Rewane concluded that 2025 will be “less hard, less painful, and less difficult” than the previous year. He emphasised that the severity of the challenges faced in 2024 does not mean they will persist in the same way this year.