The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria

  • Nigeria records over 100% increase in active rigs

    Nigeria records over 100% increase in active rigs

    Active rigs in the oil sector have increased from 11 in 2011 to 30.

      Also, the country recorded capital expenditure (Capex) worth billions of dollars within the last two and a half years on the back of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, said efforts had also led to the restoration of investor confidence and the creation of certainty and predictability in the sector.

    According to him, the NUPRC has been working in ensuring the effective implementation of the statutory mandate of the commission.

    Notably, he said these efforts berthed the introduction of the crude oil measurement regulation, which was the first in Nigeria’s over 70 decades of oil and gas production, would also save the country huge amount.

    “If you listen to feedback from the industry, you’ll recall that as at 2011, we had just about 11 rigs. As of today, we’ve about 30 rigs in the Nigerian upstream. That’s a huge success for us. And you know that rigs measure vibrancy of activities in the industry,” Komolafe said.

    Read Also: Dangote, Soludo, Abiodun, Elumelu, Rewane in Tinubu’s Economic Advisory Team

    He further said since the establishment of the NUPRC under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, the Commission has introduced about 17 regulations, which have been gazetted.

    These regulations, he said, are aimed at providing efficiency, predictability, clarity and effectiveness to the oil and gas industry.

    He stressed that the commission has boosted investor confidence by bringing certainty and predictability into the industry. “We’ve attracted capex running into billions of dollars into the Nigerian upstream. We’re happy that we’ve success story to tell in just about less than two and a half years,” he said.

    Komolafe was credited with pioneering successful implementation of electronic tracking of petroleum products distribution nationwide, a feat which has been hailed as one that has resulted in transparent bridging of petroleum products and price equalisation management that saved the government hundreds of billions of naira through institutional expertise.

  • WTO: Nigeria eyes new trade deals

    WTO: Nigeria eyes new trade deals

    With a commitment to fostering international trade, cooperation, and inclusivity, under the President Bola Tinubu led-administration, Nigeria looks forward to playing a key role in shaping positive outcomes for the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who made this known ahead of the upcoming MC13 scheduled to hold from February 26-29, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), said as MC13 approaches, Nigeria stands poised and  ready to contribute to global dialogue and negotiations.

    The MC13 will convene trade ministers and delegations from around the world to update the WTO’s agreements on trade policy, review the functions of the multilateral trading system (MTS), and define the agenda for the WTO’s future work.

    The Ministerial Conference (MC) of the WTO is an international meeting of the organisation’s 164-member governments, directed to make decisions on the multilateral rules underpinning the international trading system.

    The Ministerial Conference is the highest-level decision-making body of the WTO, and under the Marrakesh Agreement the group is obliged to meet every two years.

    According to the minister, this year’s conference presents a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to participate in negotiations for, among other issues, Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) that developing country members can receive in trade agreements.

    She said notably, the agenda of the ministerial conference includes discussions focused on both the environment and inclusivity in trade policy.

    “The fact that these issues are squarely on the agenda is a positive step in how the multilateral trading system defines its role in the world, and Nigeria is dedicated towards contributing constructively to discussions that will impact the future of global trade,” Dr. Uzoka-Anite said.

     While Nigeria continues to grapple with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks collective solutions for sustainable development, digital trade and food security continue to stand out as top priorities.

    “Our participation at the MC13 paves the way for us to achieve concrete positive outcomes in the WTO agriculture trade reforms negotiations which we believe should be approached from a food security and livelihood perspective,” the Minster stated in a statement over the weekend.

    She called for the continued review of the trading rules for agriculture with a view to achieving equitable rules that enhance food security, by providing the necessary policy space for augmenting production and productivity and protecting livelihoods in developing countries.

    The Minster also called the diversification and stabilization of the global supply of food products by achieving reductions in inequitable trade distorting subsidies.

    “In this regard, the MC 13 work programme must pave the way for the adoption of decisions on critical food security instruments of Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes (PSH), and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) for Developing Countries.

    “In addition, it must foster negotiations on modalities to address trade distorting domestic support especially with regards to leveling of the playing field,” Dr. Uzoka-Anite said.

     Regarding digital trade, the Minister said: “We continue to call for the e-commerce work programme and moratorium to be approached from a development perspective. This will enable us to explore the appropriate policy instruments within the WTO toolbox that could be deployed to foster the development of e-commerce ecosystems in developing countries.

    “On the moratorium, we believe that issues regarding the scope and the definition of the moratorium should be taken up post MC13 and clarified so members can understand the scope of their commitment.”

    With respect to the moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions, the Minister said Nigeria is of the view that it should be extended temporarily.

    As she explained, “Nigeria holds this view for two important reasons. First, the non-renewal of the moratorium would undermine the predictability of the global e-commerce environment, and this would negatively affect businesses and consumers.

    “Next, it will undermine the competitiveness and growth of our Micro, Small; and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who would be unable to access intermediate content at cheaper prices.”

    Moreover, the Minister said another priority for Nigeria at MC13 is finding an amicable solution to matters relating to fisheries subsidies. Her words: “We welcome the increasing number of ratifications of the MC12 Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (FSA) and encourage members who are yet to conclude this process to expedite action.

     “We also welcome the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism and call for it to be made easily accessible for developing countries to invest in their fisheries management systems.

    “We are optimistic that MC13 would deliver an SDG14.6 consistent agreement on the outstanding issues, including overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) that focuses on the most harmful subsidies with effective special and differential treatment for developing countries that are not responsible for OCOF and exemption for small players whose share of global marine capture is below 0.8 per cent.

    “In addition, artisanal and small-scale fishing should be excluded from the scope of application of the discipline.”

    Read Also: Dangote, Soludo, Abiodun, Elumelu, Rewane in Tinubu’s Economic Advisory Team

    According to Dr. Uzoka-Anite, Nigeria seeks a result-oriented MC13 where ongoing reforms within the multilateral trading system will be adapted to avail developing countries the policy space to support sustainable industrialization, economic diversification, and structural transformations, including through enhancing domestic production and value addition.

    “We, therefore, call on members to prioritize reforms that would address simultaneously the longstanding development issues on the negotiating agenda of the WTO, together with issues of commercial significance that foster inclusive growth, create jobs, and widen the circle of prosperity,” she said

    She pointed out that in preparation for MC13, Nigeria has conducted extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including other WTO state members, government agencies, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations.

    These collaborative efforts, she said, aim to ensure that Nigeria’s positions are reflective of diverse perspectives and contribute to the collective goals of the WTO.

    “As the world gathers for MC13, Nigeria looks forward to fostering meaningful discussions, building consensus, and working towards a positive outcome that benefits all members of the global community.

    “We are of the view that MC13 must build on the success of MC12 and deliver outcomes that proffer solutions to the food, livelihood and development challenges of WTO members as well as respond to the challenges of the ever-changing global economic landscape.

    “Consequently, all hands must be on deck in the collective effort to revitalise the WTO and enhance its role in global economic policymaking,” the Minister concluded.

  • Nigeria’s expectations at WTO 13th Ministerial Conference

    Nigeria’s expectations at WTO 13th Ministerial Conference

    • By Doris Uzoka-Anite

    As the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) approaches, Nigeria stands poised and actively ready to contribute to global dialogue and negotiations. With a commitment to fostering international trade, cooperation, and inclusivity, under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration, Nigeria looks forward to playing a key role in shaping positive outcomes for MC13.

    The upcoming MC13 scheduled to hold from February 26-29 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), will convene trade ministers and delegations from around the world, to update the WTO’s agreements on trade policy, review the functions of the multilateral trading system (MTS), and define the agenda for the WTO’s future work.

    The Ministerial Conference (MC) of the WTO is an international meeting of the organization’s 164 member governments, directed to make decisions on the multilateral rules underpinning the international trading system. The Ministerial Conference is the highest-level decision-making body of the WTO, and under the Marrakesh Agreement, the group is obliged to meet every two years.

    This year’s conference presents a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to participate in negotiations for, among other issues, Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) that developing country members can receive in trade agreements. Notably, the agenda of the ministerial conference includes discussions focused on both the environment and inclusivity in trade policy. The fact that these issues are squarely on the agenda is a positive step in how the multilateral trading system defines its role in the world, and Nigeria is dedicated towards contributing constructively to discussions that will impact the future of global trade.

    While Nigeria continues to grapple with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks collective solutions for sustainable development, digital trade and food security continue to stand out as top priorities. Our participation at the MC13 paves the way for us to achieve concrete positive outcomes in the WTO agriculture trade reforms negotiations which we believe should be approached from a food security and livelihood perspective.

    We call for the continued review of the trading rules for agriculture with a view to achieving equitable rules that enhance food security, by providing the necessary policy space for augmenting production and productivity and protecting livelihoods in developing countries, along with diversifying and stabilizing the global supply of food products by achieving reductions in inequitable trade distorting subsidies.

    In this regard, the MC 13 work programme must pave the way for the adoption of decisions on critical food security instruments of Public stockholding for Food Security Purposes (PSH), and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) for developing countries. In addition, it must foster negotiations on modalities to address trade distorting domestic support especially with regards to levelling of the playing field.

    Regarding digital trade, we continue to call for the e-commerce work programme and moratorium to be approached from a development perspective. This will enable us to explore the appropriate policy instruments within the WTO toolbox that could be deployed to foster the development of ecommerce ecosystems in developing countries. On the moratorium, we believe that issues regarding the scope and the definition of the moratorium should be taken up post MC13 and clarified so members can understand the scope of their commitment.

    Furthermore, with respect to the moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions, Nigeria is of the view that it should be extended temporarily. Nigeria holds this view for two important reasons. First, the non-renewal of the moratorium would undermine the predictability of the global e-commerce environment, and this would negatively affect businesses and consumers. Next, it will undermine the competitiveness and growth of our MSMEs who would be unable to access intermediate content at cheaper prices.

    Moreover, another priority for Nigeria at MC13 is finding an amicable solution to matters relating to fisheries subsidies, we welcome the increasing number of ratifications of the MC12 Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (FSA) and encourage members who are yet to conclude this process to expedite action.

    We also welcome the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism and call for it to be made easily accessible for developing countries to invest in their fisheries management systems. We are optimistic that MC13 would deliver an SDG14.6 consistent agreement on the outstanding issues, including overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) that focuses on the most harmful subsidies with effective special and differential treatment for developing countries that are not responsible for OCOF and exemption for small players whose share of global marine capture is below 0.8%. In addition, artisanal and small-scale fishing should be excluded from the scope of application of the discipline.

    Nigeria seeks a result-oriented MC13 where ongoing reforms within the multilateral trading system will be adapted to avail developing countries the policy space to support sustainable industrialization, economic diversification, and structural transformations, including through enhancing domestic production and value addition.

    Read Also: 65 CSOs pull out from planned Labour’s nationwide protest

    We therefore call on Members to prioritize reforms that would address simultaneously the longstanding development issues on the negotiating agenda of the WTO, together with issues of commercial significance that foster inclusive growth, create jobs, and widen the circle of prosperity.

    In preparation for MC13, Nigeria has conducted extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including other WTO state members, government agencies, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations. These collaborative efforts aim to ensure that Nigeria’s positions are reflective of diverse perspectives and contribute to the collective goals of the WTO.

    As the world gathers for MC13, Nigeria looks forward to fostering meaningful discussions, building consensus, and working towards a positive outcome that benefits all members of the global community. We are of the view that MC13 must build on the success of MC12 and deliver outcomes that proffer solutions to the food, livelihood and development challenges of WTO members as well as respond to the challenges of the ever-changing global economic landscape. Consequently, all hands must be on deck in the collective effort to revitalise the WTO and enhance its role in global economic policymaking.

    •Uzoka-Anite, CFA is Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

  • Argentina switch friendly with Nigeria to US

    Argentina switch friendly with Nigeria to US

    Argentina will play two matches in the United States next month after Chinese sporting authorities cancelled friendlies featuring the World Cup champions amid a backlash against Lionel Messi‘s failure to play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong.

    The Argentina’s FA  has now said that  Lionel Scaloni’s side will face El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on March 22 before taking on Nigeria at the Coliseum in Los Angeles on March 26.

    Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou before facing Cote d’Ivoire  in Beijing but Messi’s failure to take the field for Inter Miami in Hong Kong against a local League XI earlier this month caused widespread anger among fans.

    Read Also: NLC, NULGE hail Abiodun for being worker-friendly

    Messi was deemed unfit to play in the friendly, which drew 40,000 fans and saw some spectators paying up to nearly HK$5,000 ($640) for a ticket.

    Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians and fans reacted angrily three days later when the 36-year-old Argentine forward came off the bench to play in a friendly match in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe.

    In a video posted on Weibo, one of China’s largest social media platforms, on Monday, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi said his absence from the match had been caused by an inflamed adductor.

  • ‘Nigeria overdue to have coast guard’

    ‘Nigeria overdue to have coast guard’

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Coast Guard Corps (NCGC), Sea Admiral Idaminabo Abel Idaminabo has said the country is overdue for the establishment a coast guard.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja on the proposal for the establishment of the Corps, he said Nigeria’s extensive coastland inland waterways are vital for the country’s economy, security, and livelihood of millions of Nigerians. 

    He however, these waters are increasingly threatened by piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and environmental degradation.

    According to him, the existing security frame work has been stretched thin in addressing these challenges effectively. 

    He said therefore, the establishment of the NCGC is proposed to provide a specialized focus on maritime security and law enforcement.

    He said NCGC is envisioned to enhance maritime security, enforce maritime laws, and ensure the safety and security of Nigeria’s waterways. 

    He said by integrating with existing Security Agencies, the NCGC will play a pivotal role in combating maritime crimes, safe guarding maritime interests, generating revenue and contributing to national security.

    He said it work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to maritime security.

    He said the Corps will enhance Maritime Security, enforce maritime laws and regulations, including the Suppression of Piracy and Maritime Offences Act, Provide timely and efficient search and rescue services, saving lives and properties as well as Combat marine pollution and participate in disaster management among others.

    His Second in Command, Guard Admiral Mohammed Adara, said a proposal was already before the National Assembly seeking legislative backing for the Corps.

    Director of Operations, Guard Admiral Nze Nze, said a legal backing would be required 

    He stressed the Corps was not coming to overlap the functions of but work in synergy to ensure the safety and security of the country’s maritime space.

    He urged speedy legislation by the National Assembly on the establishment of the Corps.

  • Nigeria’s capital inflows fell 26% in 2023

    Nigeria’s capital inflows fell 26% in 2023

    Nigeria’s capital inflows fell in 2023 as foreign direct investments and inflows from portfolio investors declined, the West African nation’s statistics agency said.

    Inflows fell 26per cent to $3.9 billion in 2023 from $5.3 billion the previous year, the Abuja-based National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement on its website. Portfolio inflows declined by about a half to $1.1 billion, while foreign direct investments were down 19per cent to $377 million, it said.

    In Q4 2023, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $1,088.48 million, slightly higher than $1,060.73 million recorded in Q4 2022, indicating an increase of 2.62per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation rise by 66.27per cent from $654.65 million in Q3 2023.

    Other Investment ranked top accounting for 54.64per cent ($594.74 million) of total capital importation in Q4 2023, followed by Portfolio Investment with 28.46per cent ($309.76 million) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with 16.90per cent ($183.97 million).

    The production/manufacturing sector recorded the highest inflow with $450.11 million, representing 41.35per cent of total capital imported in Q4 2023, followed by the banking sector, valued at $283.30 million (26.03per cent), and financing with $135.59 million (12.46per cent).

    Capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $267.24 million, and recorded 24.55per cent share. This was followed by Mauritius with $226.18 million (20.78per cent) and the Netherlands with $149.93 million (13.77per cent).

    Lagos State, NBS said, remained the top destination in Q4 2023 with $771.68 million, accounting for 65.38per cent of total capital importation, followed by Abuja (FCT) with $370.80 million (34.07per cent) and Rivers state with $6.00 million (0.55per cent).

    • Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received the highest capital importation into Nigeria in Q4 2023 with $499.45 million (45.88per cent), followed by Citibank Nigeria Limited with $229.06 million (21.04per cent) and Rand Merchant Bank Plc with $85.85 (7.89per cent).

    Glo introduces ‘SME In A Box’ for ease of doing business 

    Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has introduced an all-in-one bundle, SME In A Box, to connect, grow and enhance the productivity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

    Glo SME In A Box parades bundled solutions for all the major communication and technology requirements of SMEs in the country. It offers, among other benefits, professional website creation, customized Email setup and business tools (Social Media Integration, free social media advertising) as one bundle to customers. With this, SMEs can avoid engaging multiple partners to meet their needs.

    It is also bundled with voice and data bouquets to enable SMEs conduct their business operations with ease and can be accessed for as low as N20,000 for a yearly package.

    Read Also: Be patient, Tinubu’s policies yielding results, Bagudu begs Nigerians

    In a press release Globacom said the product “is highly customizable and flexible to use because  it avails anyone with basic computer skills to establish online business presence and set up business-support tools within 30 minutes. It helps right from purchasing a domain to professional website creation, accounting payroll, CRM and inventory management.”

    The statement expressed regret that less than five per cent of SMEs currently use Information Communication Technology (ICT) for their business operations or have a visible online presence, adding that due to the low technology knowledge of most SME owners, the SME In A Box would be a great tool to boost productivity.

    With Glo SME In A Box, “customers can bring credibility and expand the reach of their business with the help of established business supporting tools and mediums. Glo SME In A Box is a complete bundle addressing the needs of growing and upcoming entrepreneurs through one single solution,” Globacom affirmed.

    Businesses wishing to enjoy the benefits of the product are required to log on to the dedicated website, https//www.glosmartbiz.com, for more information or call 121 for prepaid lines and 200 for postpaid lines.

  • Nigeria, Brazil to revive economic relations

    Nigeria, Brazil to revive economic relations

    • Tinubu accepts Lula’s invitation

    Nigeria and Brazil – the largest economies in Africa and South America – have agreed to deepen their economic relationship.

    Both countries expressed the intention at a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the sideline of the ongoing African Union (AU) summit in in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    President Lula is a guest of the African leaders at the summit.

    Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, made known the discussion at the bilateral meeting in a statement yesterday.

    President Tinubu emphasized the strength of Nigeria’s economic potential and influence, saying the country is witnessing a leap forward, despite some short-term reform pains, as his administration is removing all encumbrances to business.

    The President further explained that his administration is investing in critical sectors of the economy like healthcare, education, and agriculture to ensure the welfare of all Nigerian citizens and to create sustainable economic prosperity for future generations.

    Read Also; Indigenes inviting herdsmen from Niger Republic to Benue, says Alia

    “We have a very vibrant population of young Nigerians who are trainable, dependable, and should be empowered. The economic potential of Nigeria is enormous. We are ready to break all the walls standing in our way to progress.

    “We are ready to fight corruption from top to bottom. We are ready to invest in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and others. I have one of the most dedicated teams on agriculture,” he said.

    Assessing Nigeria’s natural and human resource wealth akin to Brazil’s, President Lula da Silva said Africa’s largest economy and South America’s largest economy had a long and interesting history together.

    The Brazilian leader said Nigeria and Brazil once had a trade volume of more than $10 billion in the past, which has now plummeted to $1.6 billion, emphasizing that he is determined to strengthen bilateral relations.

    “I am back to try to restore; to reclaim our good relations with Nigeria. I can not imagine that a country of 216 million people and another of 213 million people do not have strong relations.

    “Mr. President, I am 78 years old. You are 71. What keeps me energetic is that I fight for a cause. The cause of my nation and people. A great cause is the elixir of sustained vitality for experienced leaders.

    “Nigeria and Brazil need stronger relations from the academic viewpoint; from the cultural viewpoint; from the commercial viewpoint; from the agricultural viewpoint; from the industrial relations viewpoint, and from trade relations viewpoint.

    “It is meaningless that there are no direct flights from Lagos to Sao Paulo and vice versa. I can not understand that. We have to sit at a table and find a solution for that. In aviation, there are many areas of potential collaboration with our manufacturers who seek to have a greater presence in Africa.

    “I only have three more years left of my term, Your Excellency, to do everything I have not done yet. The time is very short. I am in a hurry to make my contributions to improve these relations with Nigeria. To make this happen, we have to put our ministers to work,” he said.

    President Tinubu said Nigeria is ready to deepen ties with Brazil, noting that it is a “legacy of what can be done together to change the future for countless millions of our citizens”.

    “We are stopping at nothing to remove all encumbrances to business. Red tape is being shredded around us. There is nothing we will not do to manifest the great potential of our nation. We are fighting corruption from the bottom to the top. We will prevent it, and we will remediate.

    “We are very aware of your progressive legacies of social security provision, infrastructure, and reforms in Petrobras. We are in the process of implementing similar reforms in the NNPCL. We are focusing on investment in new production and new energy sources. We are investing in research, and we are removing obstacles to further partnerships in all areas of operation. There is opportunity for both companies in partnership,” the President said.

    While identifying solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education, and healthcare as areas of immediate concern, President Tinubu emphasized that the will of the two leaders to collaborate is firmly established.

    “I agree that our countries must now have direct air links. I will form a committee of cabinet members who will work directly with your cabinet ministers, and they will urgently form a joint plan of action for the benefit of our two great countries. We may have missed opportunities in the past, but we now look ahead.

    “Brazil and Nigeria share similarities. Let us forget old mistakes. The phenomenal growth achieved by Brazil in agriculture is exemplary. We will work with you to mechanize our food production systems to enhance quality and quantity of output. I will work with you to re-energize Nigeria’s relations with Brazil across the board,” the President stated.

    The leaders of the largest democracies in Africa and South America, respectively, agreed to work out the modalities for a state visit to Brazil by President Tinubu after President Lula da Silva extended an invitation, which the Nigerian leader warmly accepted.

  • Nigeria joins calls for enhanced education for girl-child

    Nigeria joins calls for enhanced education for girl-child

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has joined other African First Ladies to affirm that closing the gender gap is not an act of charity but of justice.

    According to a statement issued by her media aide Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady Tinubu explained that without education, girls lack skills to support themselves and access information to guide them in making informed choices about their health and future with school dropouts further fueling the cycle of poverty and gender inequality.

    The theme for this 28th OAFLAD General Assembly: “Educate her and transform Africa: Enhancing access to health and education for the 21st Century African Women and Girls’ is apt and addresses the very essence of our joint mission for a thriving and progressive continent.

    “Across the world, education and health form an inseparable foundation for societal progress. By shaping knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, education empowers individuals and communities, which in turn has direct influence on health outcomes”.

    Read Also; Wike, Akpabio to Nigerians: Tinubu’s policies only way out to address years of economic rot

    Mrs. Tinubu noted that it is really disturbing that embedded social norms like early marriage and childbearing restrict girls’ life choices.

    “Across Nigeria, other obstacles like sexual violence, family health crisis and poverty also force girls out of classrooms”, she said.

    The First Lady informed the gathering that the federal government, through the Ministry of Education, is set to establish nationwide, the Alternative High School for Girls, an initiative she envisioned while she was the First Lady of Lagos State.

    “Identifying this gap, in 2007, while serving as the First Lady of Lagos State, and realising that education is a lifelong process, I envisioned the ‘Alternative High School for Girls’ in collaboration with the State’s Ministry of Education.

    She said: “The concept of alternative education for girls was birthed out of my desire to ensure that young girls who dropped out of school for reasons such as early pregnancies, economic hardship or marginalisation due to cultural bias or social barriers, had a second opportunity to go back to school to complete and advance their educational goals, acquire skills and empowered.”

    The gathering of African First Ladies, development partners, donor agencies and others, were informed Mrs. Tinubu of governments efforts at reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer, as statistics show that a woman dies every 90 seconds from the disease.

    “As part of efforts to promote the general wellbeing of our womenfolk, my office is working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare who has introduced the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) into the National Routine Vaccination Programme to stem cases of cervical cancer amongst others”, the First Lady said.

    Also speaking, the First Lady of Ethiopia noted that the standard of living for majority of Africans is one of the reasons for school dropouts and by entrenching school feeding programs in the education systems of various countries will help stem the tide.

    OAFLAD Vice President and the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo explained the organization is addressing issues pertaining to women in the continent through health, education, economic empowerment, and eradication of gender based violence.

    Other First Ladies spoke about their individual nations experiences and interventions as regards the theme of the 28th General Assembly which is “Educate Her and Transform Africa: Enhancing Access to Health and Education for the 21st Century African Women and Girls.”

  • Strengthening tripartism and social dialogue for sustainable industrial harmony in Nigeria

    Strengthening tripartism and social dialogue for sustainable industrial harmony in Nigeria

    • Tunji Olaopa

    The reality of industrial relations in Nigeria today, for speaking out loud, is that workplace disputes (which is inescapable), hardly play out as positive occurrences. Neither are they ever well-managed, well-timed, and controlled so they could be springboard for win-win resolution in measure that present veritable potentials for enhanced national productivity

    Whereas workplace conflicts are inescapable, as the absence of conflict does not mean that there are no threats to industrial peace.

    However, ability and commitment of the social partners to negotiation and social dialogue in a manner that does not degenerate into militancy-induced irresolvable differences is the key to industrial peace and harmony

    Unfortunately, adversarial industrial relations have been somewhat elevated to a national culture in dispute resolution. This has created disturbing road blocks to consensus building, and the factors at play are and not limited to:

    i)             Lack of respect for terms of collectively bargained agreements because conclusions thereto were reached under duress in manner that usually create industrial peace of the graveyard, in a manner of speaking;

    ii)            Lack of political sophistication to unravel the legal, structural and systemic issues that have hindered unfettered implementation and enforcement of relevant labour laws in Nigeria;

    iii)           Indeed, some of the provisions of the labour laws are perceived to be crafted to favour some parties against the others. While some others are outrightly obsolete and ineffective to address modern workplace disputes;

    iv)           There is also the consequence of the huge knowledge and information gaps on the part of some key actors in the labour movement. This dimension play out, many times, as intellectual emptiness, one that makes meaningful contribution to discourses that are game changing in the dynamics of national change management practically impossible

    v)            A number of these unreflective ideological mental models foreclose seminal engagement and an objective interrogation and therefore understanding of the national binding constraints that must be dismantled by government in order to achieve the national flourishing and sustainable prosperity that will in time translate to life more abundant for the Nigerian workers;

    vi)           Unfortunately, many of the agencies at the heart of regulatory control of the dynamics, like the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and others that exercise jurisdiction over work-related matters, suffer significant capacity deficits, professional creativity, resourcing including funding to carry out their statutory duties in measures that sometimes smack of abdication of responsibility;

    vii)          The most worrisome dimension is the reigning industrial relations culture of impunity in the labour sector with significant elements of indiscipline and dishonesty in industrial dispute practices with such poor corporate governance issues as:

    –              non-remittance of check-up dues

    -sit-tight syndrome

    –              lack of accountability

    -absence of democratic tenets, and

    –              dictatorial tendencies in labour relations

    Need for fundamental shift in praxis

    I have been a strong advocate of a shift from adversarial to a developmental industrial relations practices in Nigeria. I therefore like to restate this conviction by adding that this will only happen with a shift from traditional mediation approaches to transformative mediation as basis for recalibrating social dialogue within framework of tripartism

    Transformative mediation essentially calls for reform to address the undercurrents that cause industrial disputes to degenerate into irreconcilable ideological differences, reminiscent of that carried over from the era of military rule and the old Marxist-Communist revolutionary aluta-type class struggle

    It demands concerted out-of-the-box innovative solution backed with the will power to breakdown and dismantle the mental model that is generating adversarialism. It is only within such patriotic commitment to the common good that the tripartite can reach agreement on a new model of partnership that will crystallize a developmental industrial relations framework for social dialogue and collective bargaining.

    Read Also: Nigeria ready to host African Central Bank, says Tinubu

    This is especially critical in view of the current economic climate and fiscal challenge that the nation is trying to navigate. This especially, as it affects pay and compensation related negotiations, so they can henceforth be done in good faith, and in manner that inexorably install technically-rational model to supplant the subsisting militancy-driven unsustainable approaches to securing wage and welfare concession for the Nigerian workers.

    It requires shared vision, consensus building, regarding praxis, which has the potential for game changing current dynamics and catalytic for realizing the goals of national development objectives that in turn demands a capable developmental state with win-win partnership with the key players that make up the tripartite.

    Unfortunately, due to the reign of adversarial IR, critical issues that should feature in social dialogue like labour skills upgrade through training and re-training, technologies upgrade and conservation of capital from physical and economic destruction, factor reallocation that feature in labour inspection and other regulatory activities, are now subdued in so far as they are not wage or welfare related

    Recommendations

    Going forward, tripartism is in such a precarious state that the government needs to urgently convene a no-holds-barred platform for national conversation where all the parties in industrial relations system could reach agreement on how they could work together to make the Nigerian social model work

    In this regard, the National Assembly should enact as a matter of urgency all pending labour bills that can strengthen the institution of social dialogue and alternative disputes resolution (ADR) mechanism in Nigeria

    The National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) should be strengthened to accommodate larger stakeholders. Indeed, there is urgent need to transform the NLAC into the National Labour Council that will involve diverse stakeholders in the management of labour issues as done by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NDELAC) in South Africa which is deeply involved in all labour and socio-economic policy formulation and implementation in that country

    The present mandate of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) should be expanded to include capacity building of stakeholders and facilitation of research in dispute management and resolution

    ● Olaopa is Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Abuja.

    ●(Being Statement made at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association – NECA- 2nd Annual National Labour Adjudication Forum Held at the Abuja Continental Hotels, Abuja on Tuesday, 13th of February, 2024)

  • Nigeria attracted $30b investment portfolios in nine months – Minister

    Nigeria attracted $30b investment portfolios in nine months – Minister

    • Job centres to be created nationwide

    The Federal Government’s effort to attract investment into the country seems to be yielding fruit.

    The government on Friday said that it has attracted over $30 billion in investment into the country.

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who disclosed this said there are commitments to the said investment.

    The Minister also clarified the reported claims of  Shell Petroleum’s exit, saying that on the contrary, Shell is investing more in the Nigeria economy.

    She also touched on the controversial Memorandum of Understanding the country recently signed with the United Kingdom.

    She spoke at a Ministerial briefing in Abuja, coordinated by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

    She added, “We have received a lot of investments. Over $30 billion commitments and pledges from the oil and gas free zone alone, last week some came in and committed $10 billion

    “We have more investment pledges coming from other interested parties, we are hosting delegations from different countries and as they come they come with investment pledges, none of these investments would come in if President Ahmed Bola Tinubu had not taken away the double subsidies that were bleeding the economy.

     She also revealed that the $14 billion investment commitment from India has come in.

    She said the last tranche of $7 billion came in recently.

    On Shell Petroleum, the Minister said, “I  hosted the Managing Director of Shell who came to see me and explained to me the investment plan of Shell. I can tell you they are not leaving, they are rather expanding and increasing their investment in Nigeria. They are selling their offshore assets and increasing their investment in gas and in onshore assets.”

    The minister further stressed, “We got investment commitment from even existing industries, Coca-Cola pledged, Unilever made a pledge including other industries that have made pledges to stay and to continue to stay in Nigeria by deepening their investment.”

    She went on, “With the increase in investment comes jobs, job growth, job opportunities, economic growth, and this is what we are also experiencing. From the oil and gas and free zone alone we have created at least 5 million jobs.”

    Other initiatives put in place by the ministry, according to the minister include creating the catalytic investment unit to support the investment drive into the country by establishing the diaspora investment initiative.

    She also said that the ministry is “partnering with the Nigeria diaspora commission and multinational institutions like AFREXIM, African Development Bank, Bank of Industry BOI, even Ministry of Finance Incorporation MOFI to find a way to de-risk investments  coming into the real sector of the economy.”

    She also said job centers would be created across the country.

    She said, “We started with the one in Abuja with all the facilities donated by SMEDAN, a full warehouse.

    “We have an agreement with all the manufacturers and the industrialists to list all the opportunities just mentioned so Nigerians can have access to these opportunities.

    “It is the private sector that creates jobs, industrial, economic growth is led by the private sector, for everyone needing a job in the country, we are creating the job centre. It serves as a facility for training and empowering people.”

    She also said that the administration is “committed to removing all bottlenecks hampering the ease of production in industries. If you don’t export you become a warehouse for receiving other people’s input.

    “For Nigeria to be competitive we must deepen our trading, and increase global access to the market.”

    Uzoka-Anite also revealed that going forward earnings by exporting firms must be ascertained before getting letters of credit from the government.

    She said, “Without foreign exchange,  we cannot come out of the current FX challenges that we have. I engaged the oil and gas sector, given the mandate from the President, we issued them an additional requirement to show their export proceeds, export permits, licenses, and are given by the Industry Trade and Industry ministry.

    Read Also: Senate: Some Nigerians in mining sector colluding with foreigners to rip off country

    “We also engage the non-oil and gas exporters to do the same and they are complying. We are going to witness an influx of our export proceeds coming back in. We will ensure that everything being exported is being repatriated back.”

    On the N200 billion support for SMEs, she said verification is ongoing and monies will be released to beneficiaries.

    She said,  “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu made available N200 billion as an intervention to SMEs, the recipients are currently undergoing a verification exercise and  working with SMEDAN and BOI to start releasing that fund to them which is part of increasing access to financing, access to cheaper capital.”

    She added, “We are in the process of signing different MOUs with different countries who are interested in the jobs we have here in Nigeria. “We promise one million jobs in five years, we assure you we will do more than one million, getting one million people in Nigeria is not difficult but we want to make sure they have the right opportunities and will not be taken advantage of when they go abroad.”

     On the MoU with the UK, she said it did not include lawyers from the UK practicing in Nigeria.

     Clarifying the issue, she said, “We recently signed the enhanced trade and investment partnership with the United Kingdom.

    “There is a misconception of UK lawyers coming to Nigeria to practice, there was nothing like that in the agreement, that portion of the agreement under legal service is still being negotiated and the Ministry of Justice is leading the negotiation on it. The Ministry of Justice leads the trade negotiation and they go exchanging ideas.

    “We did not in any way agree that lawyers in Nigeria will practice in the UK or lawyers from the UK will practice in Nigeria, in the issue of practicing you have to go through the law of the country and we have not gotten there yet, we are still at the initial stage of green areas to negotiate.”