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Tag: Nigeria

  • Navigating Nigeria’s $1 trillion roadmap

    Navigating Nigeria’s $1 trillion roadmap

    • By Nosa Iyamu

    As we navigate the threshold of 2026, the Nigerian economic landscape is finally shedding the “survivalist” skin that defined the previous two years. The data from 2025 paints a compelling picture of a nation pivoting toward stability. Headline inflation, which sat at a staggering 34.8% in December 2024, underwent a significant decline through 2025, cooling to 14.45% by November. This disinflationary trend, paired with economic reforms such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) aggressive reforms and strategic shifts in the oil and gas sector, has effectively reopened the floodgates for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The narrative has shifted from a desperate scramble for survival to a strategic quest for sustainability. Investors who were once hesitant are now looking at Nigeria not as a volatility risk, but as a market undergoing profound structural re-engineering. This transition is marked by a renewed focus on transparency and a commitment to market-driven policies that reward institutional resilience and long-term planning.

    Building on the stability achieved last year, 2026 is projected to be a period of “Growth Consolidation.” With GDP expansion forecast between 4.1% and 4.2% and headline inflation expected to settle into a manageable range of 12.5% to 20%, the mandate for brands should shift. It is no longer about merely surviving the storm of volatility; it is about scaling within high-impact corridors that have been cleared by these macroeconomic reforms.

    Strategic opportunities are ripening in four key sectors: Energy, driven by the Electricity Act 2023 and NERC’s cost-reflective market reforms; Healthcare, anchored by the landmark $5.1B Bilateral MOU between the U.S. and Nigeria; Financial Services, fuelled by post-recapitalization lending power; and the Digital Economy, accelerated by the 5G rollout and the maturity of social commerce. Brands playing in these spaces and other industries must recognize that the consumer of 2026 is more discerning, having been refined by the economic hardships of the past, and will only reward businesses that offer clear value and authentic connection.

    Read Also: FG did not give Makinde N50bn, only N30bn was released – Aide

    Perhaps the most pivotal anchor for 2026 is that $2 billion bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the U.S. and Nigeria. This five-year agreement, which began its full implementation cycle in early 2026, is far more than a healthcare play; it is a massive economic stimulus and a resounding vote of global confidence in Nigeria’s institutional reforms. It signals that Nigeria is ready for high-level international cooperation and that the groundwork for a stable, productive economy is being laid. As we march toward the ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030, visibility is no longer the endgame for any serious brand. To survive and thrive during this transition from subsistence to high productivity, brands must be deeply understood. It is about moving from the “top of mind” awareness to “top of heart” resonance, where the brand’s purpose aligns with the aspirations of a nation on the move.

    In the fast-evolving communications landscape of 2026, visibility has become a cheap commodity, but clarity is a premium asset. The public relations industry has officially entered the era of Narrative Intelligence. Traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is being rapidly superseded by Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). As consumers increasingly rely on AI agents and large language models (LLMs) rather than scrolling through pages of search results, brands must ensure they aren’t just “present” on the web—they must be cited as authoritative, credible voices by AI models. This requires a shift from keyword stuffing to high-context storytelling and data-backed authority. If an AI agent cannot summarize your brand’s value proposition accurately in two sentences, you are effectively invisible to the next generation of digital consumers. Narrative Intelligence is about ensuring your brand’s story is coherent, consistent, and machine-readable across all digital touchpoints.

    However, this AI-driven world brings a darker side – the proliferation of Deepfakes and hyper-realistic misinformation. As the 2027 political cycle begins to warm up in late 2026, the Nigerian digital space could become a minefield of synthetic media designed to manipulate public opinion. For brands, this represents a significant reputational risk. PR professionals must now act as “Narrative Bodyguards,” deploying advanced AI detection tools to monitor, detect, and neutralize synthetic media before it erodes brand equity. Authenticity is no longer a buzzword or a marketing slogan; it is a defensive necessity. Brands must lean into “Responsible Communication,” ensuring that every piece of content is verifiable and that their response mechanisms for crisis management are faster than the speed of a viral deepfake. Trust, once lost in this high-speed environment, is nearly impossible to regain.

    The era of the “Press Release for the sake of it” is officially dead. In 2026, Nigerian boardrooms are demanding a direct, quantifiable line between PR activity and business impact. This marks the definitive death of vanity metrics. Success is no longer measured by the thickness of a press clipping file or the number of generic “likes” on a social media post. Instead, we are seeing a shift from volume to impact, where the primary KPIs are how a campaign drives customer acquisition, increases investor interest, or improves employee retention. Measurement has shifted focus to quality over quantity; it is about the sentiment of the conversation and the conversion rate of the audience. If your PR strategy does not move the needle on the set measurable objectives, it is considered mere noise. PR is now a performance-driven discipline, integrated deeply into the sales and growth funnels of the modern Nigerian enterprise.

    The age of the N100 million celebrity brand ambassador is also rapidly fading. Battle-hardened by years of economic shifts and broken promises, Nigerian consumers are increasingly sceptical of high-gloss, low-substance celebrity endorsements. In 2025, the Creator Economy has professionalized and matured. We will see the ascendancy of Niche Creators—the personal finance expert on TikTok, the sustainable farmer on YouTube, or the tech-policy analyst on Instagram. These voices offer what traditional celebrities cannot: community, deep credibility, and a mastery of their craft. Brands in 2026 will pivot toward long-term “Responsible Communication” partnerships with these creators who speak the hyper-local language of their audience. The “next big creator” is no longer a movie star; they are a subject matter expert with a loyal, high-intent community that values authentic insight over superficial fame.

    While we must continue to support and prioritize independent media platforms to maintain democratic health, the reality is that traditional newsrooms continue to shrink under the weight of digital disruption. In response, savvy brands are increasingly becoming their own media houses. “Owned Media”—newsletters, podcasts, proprietary research reports, and custom-built community platforms—is the new frontier for brand storytelling. By owning the platform, brands can ensure their story is not diluted or lost in the noise of a fragmented media landscape. This allows for Direct Empathy, speaking to the consumer’s daily reality without a third-party filter. It provides Narrative Control, which is essential in an era of deepfakes, and grants Data Ownership, allowing brands to deeply understand who is engaging with their story and why. Owned media is the bridge that moves a brand from being seen to being truly understood and must be a strategy for 2026.

    The 2026 landscape is a high-stakes arena of immense complexity and opportunity. With the active involvement of global powers like China, Russia, and the USA in trade and commerce, and a renewed national commitment to fighting insecurity to protect the $1 trillion goal, Nigeria is a land of profound transformation. But for a brand to capture this opportunity, it must move beyond the surface-level metrics of the past. Brands must empathize through genuine partnerships, drive cross-sector collaboration, and tell stories that resonate with the Nigerian spirit of resilience.

    The verdict for the year is clear: Trust is the new currency. In a world of AI-generated noise and economic restructuring, the brands that win will be those that have spent the time to build a foundation of understanding. The mandate for 2026 is simple: Don’t just show up. Ensure your audience knows exactly who you are, what you stand for, and why you are essential to their future.

    •Iyamu is a public relations executive.

  • Alchemy emerges winner as Nigeria hosts first-ever classical guitar competition

    Alchemy emerges winner as Nigeria hosts first-ever classical guitar competition

    Alchemy Group has emerged overall winner of Nigeria‘s first-ever classical guitar competition for children, as the Chocolate Africa Classical Guitar Society of Nigeria in collaboration with Guitare Classique Afrique in France, a non-profit Association hosted the maiden edition of the contest in Lagos, marking a major milestone in the country’s music education landscape.

    The competition, organised for students of the Chocolate Africa Classical Guitar, CACG, Academy, brought together young guitarists who had undergone nearly one year intensive training in performance, music literacy and sight reading, with Alchemy Group clinching the top prize after a keenly contested outing.

    Speaking at the event, Founder and Executive Chairman, Chocolate Africa Classical Adegoke Taiwo Oluwagbemiga, said the initiative was designed to provide young children with a platform to perform while creating awareness about classical guitar, an instrument he described as uncommon in Africa, particularly West Africa.

    “We organised the competition for young children to give them a platform and create awareness. Classical guitar is not common in Africa, especially among people in West Africa, and very few Africans participate in global Classical guitar competitions,” he said.

    Oluwagbemiga explained that the CACG Academy, a subsidiary of the society, is Nigeria’s first specialised classical guitar school, operating as a non-profit organisation that offers free, quality music education to children from low-income communities, starting from Lagos.

    According to him, about 65 students are currently enrolled in the academy’s tuition-free scholarship programme, with teaching and logistics largely supported through partnerships with Guitare Classique Afrique, a France-based organisation, and individual donations.

    “The students do not pay any tuition. In terms of teaching, we are in partnership with a society in France, Guitare Classique Afrique, which has been sponsoring almost everything we do here,” he said.

    He noted that beyond performance, the competition assessed students on music literacy, sight reading and stage confidence, stressing that regular performance experience is critical to the development of young musicians.

    Oluwagbemiga also disclosed that the society was established to help preserve Nigerian folk music, which he said is gradually facing extinction.

    “In the next 20 to 30 years, some of our music may no longer be heard. As an ethnomusicologist and composer, this is very important to me. We want to document, arrange and preserve these sounds,” he added.

    Also speaking, Co-founder and Director of CACG, Hamilton Olushola Festus, said three groups, Imperial, Delight and Alchemy, performed at the competition, explaining that the groups were formed and named by the students themselves based on age categories.

    “All the performers are students of our academy. This is the first of its kind classical guitar competition, and in due time, we plan to expand it to include students across Nigeria,” Festus said.

    He added that the academy’s curriculum goes beyond performance, as students are also taught reading, writing, music documentation and promotion through sheet music, with some graduates already serving as teaching assistants.

    Parents at the event commended the initiative, describing it as impactful and transformative. Mrs. Umusu Ojevwe, who has two children enrolled at the academy, praised the quality of the performance and the commitment of the tutors.

    Read Also: Nigeria, AU call for respect of sovereignty, unity of Somalia

    “The performance today was quite interesting. The tutors have taken their time over the past months to train these children. It’s fun and brings back memories of our younger days when we prepared for Christmas carols,” she said.

    Another parent, Mrs. Ebere Uche, said her child had shown remarkable growth since joining the academy last year.

    “My child has grown positively, both in interest and academics. The organisers and teachers have been wonderful. This academy is a safe place for children and helps them become smart and creative,” she said.

    One of the jurors and Cooperation Officer at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Ms. Marianne Ournac, commended the quality of the performances, noting that music education plays a key role in building confidence and creativity in children.

    “I was amazed by the quality of the sound, posture and overall performance. The teachers did a really good job. This kind of initiative deserves support,” she said.

    The event climaxed with the presentation of cheques to the winners, as Alchemy Group emerged overall winners of the maiden Classical Guitar Competition, underscoring Nigeria’s growing footprint in classical music education.

  • US airstrike triggers uproar in Nigeria

    US airstrike triggers uproar in Nigeria

    The long-awaited United States-led airstrike on Nigeria finally took place on Thursday night or, as local reports indicate, in the wee hours of Friday. President Donald Trump was characteristically immoderate in his tweet on the strikes which he described as deadly. As he put it, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was…Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper. May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

    Mr Trump was not only highfalutin, he mischaracterised the orders he gave as designed to salve the wounds of Nigerian Christians. Then he ended his triumphalism with morbid humour of wishing the dead terrorists merry Christmas. Worst of all, he gave no indication of the involvement, cooperation or approval of Nigeria in the airstrike. His Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, was less given to histrionics. His statement on the airstrike which involved the firing of about 16 Tomahawk cruise missiles against the Lakurawa terror group fighting under the aegis of the Islamic State (ISIS) was more accurate, more balanced. He said: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come, Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas.” The Secretary of course still played to the Christian gallery, perhaps as sop to his boss, but he at least admitted and applauded the cooperation of Nigeria.

    The Nigerian government has reassuringly been very circumspect about the whole affair, probably because it recognises its position as the underdog in the tragedy. Speaking on television, the Foreign Affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said: “It was Nigeria that provided intelligence for the US strike in Nigeria. I spoke with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, for 19 minutes before the strike, and we agreed to talk to President Tinubu for his go-ahead, and he gave it. After the approval, I spoke again with Marco Rubio five minutes before the strike was launched against the terrorists. Now that the US is cooperating, we would do it jointly, and we would ensure, just as the president emphasised yesterday before he gave the go-ahead, that it must be made clear that it is a joint operation, and it is not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other. We are a multi-religious country, and we are working with partners like the US to fight terrorism and safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.” The official statement from the ministry itself was also balanced and cleverly worded.

    Though a post-strike assessment is yet to be finalised, initial indications are that the strike on the Lakurawa terrorist camp in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State was highly impactful. The US has promised more strikes in the coming days or weeks. The bigger surprise, however, is that the first strike occurred in the Northwest rather than in the Northeast, against bandits instead of against Boko Haram/ISWAP. In time, it may become clear why the first targets were located in the Northwest. Significantly too, Nigeria and the US, minus Mr Trump who has doubled down on his pro-Christian and genocide narratives, have reached an understanding that Nigeria’s security situation is more nuanced than the Americans had at first been fed. The North of Nigeria is predominantly Muslim, and consequently most victims of the terrorist attacks in the region have been Muslims. The objective of the terrorists is the establishment of a caliphate, regardless of whether the goal was the largely Muslim Nigerian North or whether it was Mali, Burkina Faso or Niger Republic. Using the Fulani land grabbing and herdsmen-farmers clashes narratives of the Middle Belt of Nigeria to approximate the insecurity nightmare assailing Nigeria paints only a part of the picture. Mr Trump has, however, chosen a narrative that pleases him, energises his support base, and grabs the attention of a sizable number of Nigerians. He will continue to stick to that narrative, while his aides apprised of the bigger picture will do their best to moderate his overreach and find common ground with Nigerian authorities.

    Last Thursday’s US airstrike has surprisingly not been opposed or denounced as some people expect. Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi, popularly regarded as bandit sympathiser, was among the first to open his mouth and put his foot in it. He decried the Sokoto missile strikes and demanded the cessation of the bombings. Then he followed up by imperiously asking Nigerians to live at peace with herdsmen. No one still regards his choices or statements with any respect. They see him as a loose cannon unworthy of his position as a faith leader or a retired military officer. Those who have been victims of the terrorist violence in the Northwest have in fact welcomed the strike and hoped that civilian casualties would be avoided, and the terrorists bombed flat. But consistent with its hasty and sometimes illogical approach to issues and the practice of opposition politics, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the government for not alerting Nigerians to the strike. They did not say how that could be achieved without tipping off the terrorists.

    Read Also: Nigeria beat Tunisia 3-2 to qualify for AFCON Round of 16

    The Nigerian government had initially worried about being denounced for enabling the US airstrike, and for compromising and denuding the country’s sovereignty, especially in light of Mr Trump’s inconsiderate tweet about saving persecuted Nigerian Christians. Some Nigerians had also worried that US involvement, especially if mistakes occurred, might inflame passion, accentuate religious and possible ethnic divisions, and lead to dangerous escalations. This fear was not unrealistic on account of America’s poor record at foreign military interventions. But so far, the airstrike has achieved some measure of success, has given hope of significant degradation of terrorist forces, and may encourage Nigeria to put boots on the ground in those far-flung and ungovernable places to carry out mop-up operations and reassert state authority.

    While it is not out of place to seek foreign help to help reassert control against rampaging insurgents and caliphate dreamers, there are also arguments as to whether Nigeria, over the past decades, did not by its actions and inactions, some of them leading to the erosion of their own secular constitution by bigoted state laws, attract and encourage terrorism. If the US assistance is sustained and leads to significant degradation of terrorism and insecurity, Nigeria must thereafter do a lot of soul-searching to see whether the right lessons have been learnt. The US is intervening today because (1) Nigerians are not of one mind in opposing and fighting foreign terrorists and insurgents, sometimes because of ethnic or religious affinity with the attackers; (2) poor, incompetent and undisciplined governance and widespread corruption; (3) the country had been rendered vulnerable for far too long as a result of poor investment in security and law enforcement apparatuses; (4) the country is militarily weak to take on the insurgents, let alone stand up to the great powers; and (5) Nigerians have failed to make up their minds whether they want to stay together under a new and restructured mandate or retain the current untenable structure.

    Hopefully, the tempo of the current US intervention, as humiliating as it might seem to the image and sovereignty of Nigeria, will be sustained. It should give Nigeria breathing space and perhaps some elbow room to reexamine its approach to governance and security. Firm lessons must be learnt from an anomalous security situation in which two past administrations allowed a small ulcer to become gangrenous. Nigeria is of course not out of the woods yet, while the situation still calls for deft handling. But overall, the country must rebuild its national esteem, be proactive in handling security and systemic threats, and find ways of averting any future possibility of being picked on by great powers which ram strange elixirs down their reluctant throats.

  • Nigeria, AU call for respect of sovereignty, unity of Somalia 

    Nigeria, AU call for respect of sovereignty, unity of Somalia 

    Nigeria and the African Union have called for respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of Somalia following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

    Israel recently became the first country to recognize Somaliland, the self-declared autonomous region in north-western Somalia that proclaimed independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali state.

    Reacting to the development, Nigeria and the African Union reaffirmed their firm support for the sovereignty, unity, and statehood of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

    In a statement, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Nigeria recognizes the Government of Somalia as the legitimate authority representing the Somali people. She added that Nigeria commends the Somali government’s continued efforts to achieve peace, security, and national reconciliation despite ongoing challenges.

    The statement read, “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of all Member States of the United Nations and the African Union, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

     “In this regard, Nigeria declares its firm and unequivocal support for the sovereignty, unity, and statehood of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

    “Nigeria recognizes the Government of Somalia as the legitimate authority representing the Somali people and commends its continued efforts to achieve peace, security, and national reconciliation amidst significant challenges. Nigeria stands in solidarity with Somalia and strongly condemns any actions or rhetoric that seek to undermine its constitutional order and territorial integrity. The Government of Nigeria calls on all regional and international actors to strictly respect Somalia’s sovereignty and to support its institutions in their vital work of rebuilding a stable, prosperous, and resilient nation.

    “We believe that the stability of Somalia is integral to the peace and security of the entire Horn of Africa region and the African continent at large. Therefore, Nigeria remains committed to supporting Somalia through multilateral frameworks and international cooperation.

    “The government of Nigeria urges international actors to desist from recognising any part of the territory of Somalia as an independent entity. Such actions would only escalate the crisis and should be avoided.”

    The African Union in its reaction criticised Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, reaffirming its long-standing position that the breakaway region remains part of Somalia.

    The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf, in a statement said the bloc had taken note with deep concern of recent developments relating to Somaliland and rejected any attempt to recognise it as an independent state.

    “In this regard, the Chairperson of the Commission unequivocally reaffirms the longstanding and consistent position of the African Union, grounded in the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, in particular the respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence, as affirmed by the 1964 decision of the Organisation of African Unity,” the statement read.

    Youssouf said he firmly rejected any initiative “aimed at recognising Somaliland as an independent entity.

    “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.”

    He added that Somaliland “remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” a position the AU says is shared by its 55 member states.

    Somaliland, which has governed most of the territory it claims for over decades, has enjoyed relative peace and stability compared to much of Somalia. However, it has not received international recognition, despite sustained lobbying by its leaders. President Abdirahman Abdullahi has made international recognition a top priority since taking office last year.

    Somalia’s federal government condemned Israel’s decision, describing it as an “unlawful step,” and insisted that Somaliland is “an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part” of Somalia.

    The move also drew criticism from neighbouring countries. Egypt said its foreign minister had spoken with his counterparts in Somalia, Turkey, and Djibouti, and that “they underscored their complete rejection of any unilateral measures that could undermine Somali sovereignty or erode the foundations of stability in the country.”

    The AU warned that Israel’s decision risked “setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent,” noting that many African countries are grappling with their own secessionist movements.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the agreement, describing it as part of Israel’s broader diplomatic outreach.

    He said the agreement with Somaliland “is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” adding: “The State of Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through extensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economy.”

    Netanyahu also invited Abdullahi to visit his office.

    Reacting to Israel’s decision, Somaliland’s president hailed it as a major breakthrough. Calling it a “historic moment,” Abdullahi said in a post on X that the agreement marked the beginning of a “strategic partnership.”

  • 2027: Why Tinubu deserves southeast, Nigerians’ votes – Group

    2027: Why Tinubu deserves southeast, Nigerians’ votes – Group

    The South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA) has reaffirmed its total support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The group cited Tinubu’s administration’s inclusive governance, developmental strides, and people-oriented policies as reasons Nigerians, particularly those in the Southeast, should renew his mandate.

    The group’s position was made known during the distribution of Christmas food items to residents of Ebonyi State, an event organized by SERHA to spread goodwill during the festive season.

    Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the South East Renewed Hope Agenda, Belusochukwu Enwere, described the exercise as a practical demonstration of compassion and the true spirit of Christmas. 

    He said the initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is focused on inclusiveness, welfare, and restoring hope to Nigerians at the grassroots.

    According to Enwere, Ebonyi State and the entire Southeast have benefited significantly from the Tinubu administration.

    He stressed that the President has consistently shown concern for the wellbeing of the people through empowerment programmes, infrastructure development, and social interventions.

    “Last Christmas, we had a similar distribution. Six months ago, there was empowerment for our people, and today again, we are here to ensure that families have something to eat this festive period,” he said.

    He noted that the President remains committed to seeing Nigerians flourish.

    Also speaking, the Deputy National Coordinator of SERHA, Chukwudi Anyanwu Ocha, said the Renewed Hope Agenda has repositioned the Southeast from the margins to the center of national development. 

    He pointed to the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission and its investment-driven company, describing it as a landmark achievement.

    Ocha further highlighted ongoing and revived infrastructure projects such as the Eastern Rail Line, key federal appointments held by Southeast indigenes, and the student loan scheme, which he said has given thousands of young Nigerians access to education without financial stress.

    “As ambassadors of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is our responsibility to take these achievements to the grassroots,” he said, urging members to actively campaign and mobilize support for the President ahead of 2027.

    He emphasised that the only way to reciprocate the President’s goodwill and developmental efforts is to work tirelessly to ensure his return for a second term.

    The event ended with goodwill messages, as SERHA leaders wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, while reaffirming their commitment to a stronger Southeast and a more prosperous Nigeria under President Tinubu’s leadership.

  • Tinubu assures Nigerians of security gains, backs state policing

    Tinubu assures Nigerians of security gains, backs state policing

    President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the nation’s security architecture would soon yield results capable of restoring public confidence.

    The President gave the assurance on Friday during a meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

    Tinubu said his administration remained committed to security sector reforms, including the establishment of state and community policing to address emerging threats across the country.

    “The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it,” the president said.

    He called on religious leaders to support government efforts through cooperation, vigilance and prayers, noting that some security measures required time to mature.

    “We are very religious. We are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance and cooperation,”

    The president said state and community police would become a reality once the National Assembly completed the required legislative processes.

    “Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs,” he said.

    Tinubu explained that delays in acquiring military hardware were affecting public perception, noting that such equipment was expensive and not readily available.

    “Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf,”

    He disclosed that Nigeria had ordered four attack helicopters from the United States, while also engaging Turkey for additional support.

    “Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance,”

    The president said the government remained resolute despite the guerrilla tactics of bandits and insurgents, stressing that restoring peace remained a top priority.

    On the recent abduction and release of school children in Niger and Kebbi States, Tinubu urged vigilance, saying the safety of the victims was paramount.

    “The rhetoric on how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means,” he said.

    Responding, CAN President, Okoh, assured Tinubu of the Christian community’s support for his administration.

    “You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” Okoh said.

    He commended the administration’s efforts at improving security, noting that the 2025 Christmas season was notably peaceful.

    “This Christmas happened to be the first in many years that we were not woken up by midnight calls reporting attacks on churches,” he said.

    Okoh also praised Tinubu’s engagement with religious bodies, saying it had strengthened trust between the government and the Church.

    “Your commitment has closed the gap between the government and the Church. This has never happened before,” he said.

    The CAN President appealed for sustained engagement through CAN’s structures at the 774 local government areas and requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board.

    Other members of the delegation included Vice President of CAN, Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; and representatives of the Catholic, Methodist and African Instituted Churches.

    (NAN)

  • ‘U.S. afraid of Nigeria’s potential’

    ‘U.S. afraid of Nigeria’s potential’

    A travel and tourism consultant, Dr. Oluwasesan Debo, has said the fear of Nigeria’s dominance of the United State of America’s (USA’s) economic and political scene contributed to the recent ban on Nigeria by U.S.

    Recall that the U.S. government has expanded its restrictions on Nigerians travelling to the country, including suspending legal immigration applications for Nigerians. This means Nigerians can no longer make legal applications for green cards, naturalisation, or any other permanent residency pathways.

    Speaking in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, at the end of the year praise party of his firm, Smile Dove Nigeria Limited, Debo, the managing director and chief executive officer, said Nigerians were not banned because of their atrocities or criminal activities, but because of their potential, if given opportunities in the U.S.

    Read Also: Christmas 2025: Nigerian celebrities share decorated photos 

    He added: “Nigerians excel wherever they go. In many countries, we outshine others and make significant contributions. The U.S. is wary of Nigerians because they know what we can achieve.

    “They fear Nigerians can dominate them economically or politically. So, the ban is not about we lacking capability; it’s about they being concerned about our potential.

    “There are many countries that offer opportunities beyond the U.S.  Nigeria is one of the best countries in the world. Many people believe going to the U.S. is the ultimate. The ban is not because Nigerians are liabilities; it’s because the U.S. sees our potential as a threat.’’

  • First Lady urges Nigerians to uphold shared values of love, compassion at Christmas

    First Lady urges Nigerians to uphold shared values of love, compassion at Christmas

    The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reminded Nigerians that the values of love, compassion, kindness and generosity remain the bonds that unite the nation, urging citizens to uphold them beyond the Christmas season.

    In her Christmas message titled “Hope Beyond the Season,” Senator Tinubu called on Nigerians to use the Yuletide as a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment to one another, noting that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ carries enduring lessons for families and communities.

    She said Christmas offers an opportunity for Nigerians to count their blessings and extend a helping hand to those in need, stressing that empathy and generosity should guide interactions across religious, ethnic and social lines.

    The First Lady also expressed gratitude to God for His faithfulness to the country and offered prayers for peace and security nationwide, emphasising the importance of harmony among Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths.

    She wished Nigerians a peaceful and joyful holiday season, while expressing optimism that the coming year would bring greater unity, renewed hope and shared prosperity for the nation.

    Senator Tinubu concluded by extending warm Christmas and New Year wishes to Nigerians at home and abroad, praying for divine blessings on the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria scores global first as WHO names Emeje co-chair on traditional medicine governance

    Nigeria scores global first as WHO names Emeje co-chair on traditional medicine governance

    Nigeria has reached a significant global milestone in the governance of natural medicine, following the appointment of the Director General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martins Emeje, as Co-Chair of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) newly established Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine.

    The appointment places Emeje at the centre of the WHO’s efforts to strengthen health systems worldwide through evidence-based traditional and integrative medicine, under its Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025.

    Emeje was named Co-Chair alongside Dr Susan Wieland, Director at Cochrane Complementary Medicine, following the formal unveiling of the 19-member advisory group by the WHO. 

    The group is expected to provide high-level technical and strategic guidance on policy frameworks, research priorities, standards, and best practices for the safe and effective integration of traditional medicine into national health systems.

    Announcing the creation of the group, the WHO described it as “a decisive step in applying a scientific response to traditional medicine,” noting that the rapid global expansion of traditional and complementary medicine had outpaced the development of strong evidence, standards, and regulatory systems.

    At the inaugural meeting of the advisory group, held alongside the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit in New Delhi, India, the organisation’s Assistant Director General for Health Systems, Access and Data, Dr Yukiko Nakatani, said the moment marked a turning point for traditional medicine globally.

    “This is a pivotal moment for traditional medicine as it embodies cultural heritage, national health identities, and a vital component of policy healthcare strategies,” Nakatani said.

    She noted that the advisory group would help the WHO and its member states move from fragmented approaches to a more coordinated, science-driven framework that recognises both the cultural relevance and public health potential of traditional medicine.

    The WHO’s Chief Scientist, Dr Sylvie Briand, underscored the urgency of the initiative, warning that the sector’s rapid growth had not been matched by appropriate safeguards.

    “The situation whereby the rapid growth of traditional medicine has not been matched by strong evidence, standards, regulatory frameworks, or sustainable governance underscores the urgency of this initiative,” Briand said.

    Emeje’s appointment is widely seen as a recognition of Nigeria’s expanding role in research, innovation, and regulation of natural medicines. 

    As Director General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, he has led efforts to promote the scientific validation, regulation, and commercialisation of natural medicine products, while pushing for stronger quality assurance and evidence-based practice in the sector.

    His emergence as Co-Chair of the WHO advisory group signals growing confidence in Nigeria’s institutional capacity to contribute meaningfully to global health policy discussions, particularly in areas where traditional knowledge intersects with modern science.

    The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine is expected to advise the WHO on integrating traditional medicine into national health systems without compromising safety, efficacy, and quality. 

    Its work will include guidance on research methodologies, regulatory standards, innovation pathways, and governance models that align traditional practices with contemporary public health goals.

    According to the WHO, the establishment of the group is a core component of its Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025, which seeks to harness the benefits of traditional medicine while addressing long-standing concerns around unverified claims, inconsistent standards, and weak oversight.

    Observers say Emeje’s role as Co-Chair positions Nigeria to influence global conversations on how traditional medicine can be responsibly integrated into healthcare delivery, especially in low and middle-income countries where such practices remain a primary source of care for millions of people.

    The appointment also reinforces calls for African countries to move beyond informal use of traditional medicine towards structured systems backed by research, regulation, and innovation.

    With the advisory group now formally inaugurated, expectations are high that its work will help bridge the gap between cultural heritage and scientific validation, ensuring that traditional medicine contributes meaningfully to universal health coverage and sustainable health systems worldwide.

  • A legacy in motion: The making of Nigeria’s Reformist Interior Minister

    A legacy in motion: The making of Nigeria’s Reformist Interior Minister

    By Capt. Bishop Johnson

    Legacy, in most political literature, is discussed with a sense of finality—as something evaluated after a leader has left office, retired from public life, or transitioned into history. But the story of Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo defies that template entirely. His legacy is not a monument of the past; it is an architecture still being built, brick by brick, reform by reform, decision by decision. It is a river in motion, reshaping its course as it flows, gathering strength with each policy breakthrough and each institution he compels toward modernisation.

    By his early forties, he had already executed reforms that many Nigerians believed were impossible within the constraints of public service. Passport automation, border surveillance restructuring, correctional humanisation, NSCDC revitalisation, fire service modernisation—each milestone fed into a broader national narrative: that Nigeria’s institutions were not irredeemable, they were simply awaiting the right kind of leadership.

    What makes his legacy remarkable is not only the volume of reform, but the velocity at which it happened. He entered office in August 2023 and, within weeks, altered the trajectory of a ministry historically dismissed as “too complex to fix.” Officers across commands—Immigration, Correctional Service, NSCDC, and Fire Service—often remarked privately that his reforms made them feel as though they were working under a completely new government, even though the political leadership remained the same. His presence and method created a paradigm shift: not by slogans, but by the force of performance.

    The beginnings of this legacy can be traced through the individuals whose work he transformed. At the Alausa Passport Office, Assistant Comptroller Oluremi Ojo still recalls the day he walked in unannounced and ordered a structural workflow overhaul that increased daily processing by 230 per cent. At the Correctional Service’s Kaduna training facility, Deputy Controller Pauline Adebayo frequently narrates how his insistence on modern vocational training led to the reopening of workshops that had been shut for nearly a decade. Officers like CAS Adaobi Nwokorie of the NSCDC speak of receiving equipment they had only seen in foreign training manuals. These testimonies are fragments of a legacy that is still expanding, still gaining shape, still redefining public-sector expectations.

    The unfinished nature of his legacy is part of its power. Every reform he implements opens another frontier of possibility. Passport automation raised questions about digitizing other citizen services. Border surveillance improvements ignited conversations about national biometric integration. Correctional reforms triggered public debate on non-custodial sentencing and restorative justice. Each intervention became a catalyst for broader national introspection.

    His legacy is also unfolding in the minds of ordinary Nigerians. Young people from Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Akure, Abuja to Johannesburg, frequently reference him when discussing what governance could be. In online forums, he is cited as evidence that “good government is not a myth.” In diaspora communities, he is mentioned as the reason many no longer view Nigerian public service as hopeless. His leadership style—calm, clinical, and uncompromising—has become a study point in youth political conferences, policy seminars, and governance workshops not because of speeches he has made, but because of systems he has built.

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    Yet, for all the reforms achieved, Tunji-Ojo himself insists that his work is far from done. Internally, he often describes his ministry as “only 30per cent modernised,” a reminder that his standards remain far ahead of the nation’s expectations. He continues to challenge his team with the same question he asked on his first week as minister: “What will this ministry look like in a Nigeria that works?” That question has now become the ideological anchor of his emerging legacy.

    This treatise examines that legacy—not as a finished story, but as a living one. It explores the imprint he has already left on institutions, the expectations he has reset, and the broader cultural impact he continues to exert on Nigeria’s evolving governance psyche. It investigates the reforms still underway, the structural battles he continues to confront, and the national aspirations that now orbit around his name.

    Above all, it considers a profound national possibility: that the legacy of Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo may ultimately be less about the reforms he executed and more about the belief he restored—that Nigeria can be governed differently, efficiently, and honourably. His story is not an epilogue; it is a beginning. The chapters ahead for him, and for the country he serves, are still unwritten.

    The legacy is in motion, and the nation is watching it unfold.

    •Capt. Bishop C. Johnson,  a retired US Army Captain, is a national defence and military strategist and a respected national security commentator.