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  • How Nigeria can build unity against security challenges

    How Nigeria can build unity against security challenges

    By Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN)

    Nigeria’s security crisis has spiraled into a nation wide emergency, affecting every citizen irrespective of religion, ethnicity or status. From Boko Haram and ISWAP terror attacks in the North East to rampant banditry and kidnappings in the North West and Central Belt, and herder farmer clashes across the Middle Belt, the violence cuts across all regions. It is crucial to state that, despite the disproportionate impact on certain communities, these events do not constitute a Christian genocide; the violence is indiscriminate and affects all Nigerians.

    Recent weeks have witnessed harrowing attacks—mass abductions of schoolchildren, brutal killings of civilians, and even claims of military personnel being executed—painting a grim picture of a country grappling with multidimensional insecurity.

    Key incidents highlighted by recent reports

    Kebbi school abduction

      Gunmen stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State on  November 17,  2025, killing vice principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku and seizing 25 female students. Police say the attackers arrived on motorcycles around 4 a.m., exchanged fire with guards, then fled with the girls. Two girls managed to escape later. 

    Zamfara mass kidnapping

     A separate gang abducted 64 people, including women and children, in Zamfara State the same day.

    ISWAP execution claim

     ISWAP claimed it captured and executed a senior Nigerian army officer (a brigade commander) after an ambush in Borno State. The army dismissed the claim as “fake news”. 

    Local newspaper coverage

    • Punch Newspapers ran a headline on the Kebbi attack, noting the “vice principal shot dead” and that security forces deployed tactical units and vigilantes to comb the forests. 

    •Reuters (local edition) quoted police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, saying the attackers used “sophisticated weapons” and that additional troops were sent to track them. 

    •Independent Newspaper Nigeria highlighted the broader security crisis, citing civil society groups who warned that “insecurity in Nigeria is not about any religion but a national challenge.” 

    What the data shows

    – Over 52,915 civilians killed since 2009; both Christian and Muslim victims. 

    – Between January–March, 2025, 586 reported abductions across 29 states. 

    – Nigeria Risk Index recorded multiple incidents in the week of 15 18 November, 2025 (Benue, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara). 

    Summary of Government Efforts to Curb Insecurity

    Effort Description

    Recent actions / outcomes

    Military Operations Large scale offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups in North East, North West and Central Belt.

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    Operation Hadarin Daji (2024 2025) cleared several forest bases; Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed in Kebbi and Zamfara after the school attack.

    Security

    Reinforcement Deployment of additional troops, tactical units, and air support to high risk states.

    Army units and vigilante groups mobilised in Kebbi, Zamfara, and Benue following the November incidents.

    Intelligence Sharing & Coordination Collaboration between NIA, NSCDC, and regional bodies (Multinational Joint Task Force).

    Establishment of a 24-hour-crisis cell after the Kebbi abduction to improve real time response.

    Community Engagement Dialogue with traditional leaders, youth groups, and civil society to reduce communal clashes. Peace summits in Kaduna (October 2025) and Niger State (November 2025) promoted inter communal cooperation.

    Humanitarian and Victim Support

    Provision of relief, medical aid, counseling, and safe shelters for displaced persons. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dispatched aid to Kebbi and Zamfara victims.

    Legal and Policy

     Measures strengthening anti-terror laws, prosecuting kidnappers, and blacklisting financiers.

    Passage of the Anti Banditry Act (2025) expanding powers of arrest and seizure.

    International Cooperation Partnership with U.S., EU, and neighbouring countries for intelligence and funding.

    U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (November 2025) spurred diplomatic pressure for reforms.

    These combined measures reflect a multi pronged approach—military, diplomatic, community based, and humanitarian—aimed at breaking the cycle of violence and restoring safety for all Nigerians.

    Conclusion

    While the recent wave of violence has understandably sparked fears of a targeted campaign, *there is no credible proof that these incidents constitute a Christian genocide*. Data from neutral monitors (ACLED, CFR) show victims from both Muslim and Christian communities, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the insecurity.

    It is equally vital to *halt the narrative that a Christian genocide is underway in Nigeria*. Allowing such a framing to persist risks deepening sectarian divisions, eroding trust in state institutions, and providing a propaganda tool for extremist elements on all sides. The danger lies not only in inflaming communal hatred but also in diverting attention and resources away from holistic security solutions toward polarizing rhetoric that serves narrow political or ideological agendas.

    Worryingly, this wrong narrative of a Christian genocide informed former President Trump’s decision to push for military action in Nigeria, a move that many Nigerians view with alarm due to its potential long term effects on Nigeria’s sovereignty. External military intervention, driven by misinformation, could exacerbate instability, empower insurgent groups, and undermine the nation’s autonomy.

    Therefore, stakeholders—government, civil society, media, and international partners—must emphasize factual, de escalatory reporting, promote interfaith dialogue, and focus on evidence based policies that address the root causes of banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes. Only by rejecting divisive narratives can Nigeria build the unity needed to confront the security crisis comprehensively and sustainably.

  • Nigeria, Brazil’s EMS sign MoU on local drug manufacturing, to create 1,200 jobs

    Nigeria, Brazil’s EMS sign MoU on local drug manufacturing, to create 1,200 jobs

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has witnessed the signing of a major Memorandum of Understanding between the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Brazil’s largest pharmaceutical group EMS S/A, and Oaks Medical Limited.

    The agreement establishes a framework for “Project Oaks,” a WHO GMP-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and life sciences innovation hub in Nigeria.

    The signing follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil and advanced discussions held with President Lula on strengthening collaboration in pharmaceuticals.

    The MoU sets the stage for improved local drug production, reduced import dependence, and a more resilient national pharmaceutical supply chain.

    When fully operational, the facility is expected to deliver affordable, high-quality medicines for more than 30 million Nigerians while significantly reducing shortages that have long challenged the health sector. It also aims to position Nigeria as a competitive player in regional pharmaceutical exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    A key purpose of the partnership is to unlock technology transfer, build local capacity, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base in the health sector.

    The project is projected to create over 1,200 skilled jobs, train young Nigerians, and expand local expertise through advanced manufacturing and innovation.

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    Nigeria, Brazil’s EMS sign MoU on local drug manufacturing, to create 1,200 jobs

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has witnessed the signing of a major Memorandum of Understanding between the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Brazil’s largest pharmaceutical group EMS S/A, and Oaks Medical Limited.

    The agreement establishes a framework for “Project Oaks,” a WHO GMP-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and life sciences innovation hub in Nigeria.

    The signing follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Brazil and advanced discussions held with President Lula on strengthening collaboration in pharmaceuticals.

    The MoU sets the stage for improved local drug production, reduced import dependence, and a more resilient national pharmaceutical supply chain. When fully operational, the facility is expected to deliver affordable, high-quality medicines for more than 30 million Nigerians while significantly reducing shortages that have long challenged the health sector. It also aims to position Nigeria as a competitive player in regional pharmaceutical exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    A key purpose of the partnership is to unlock technology transfer, build local capacity, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base in the health sector. The project is projected to create over 1,200 skilled jobs, train young Nigerians, and expand local expertise through advanced manufacturing and innovation. By bringing global experience and modern production capability into the country, the initiative supports Nigeria’s long-term goal of medical industrialization and improved self-sufficiency.

    Prof. Pate reaffirmed the Federal Government’s strong support for the initiative, noting ongoing reforms to create a condusive business environment for pharmaceutical investors.

    He highlighted the government’s efforts to simplify regulations, strengthen the national drug regulator, provide incentives for raw materials, and drive policies that balance public interest with private sector growth.

    He added that Nigeria’s participation in the African Medicines Agency would further expand market access for manufacturers operating in the country.

    By bringing global experience and modern production capability into the country, the initiative supports Nigeria’s long-term goal of medical industrialization and improved self-sufficiency.

    Prof. Pate reaffirmed the Federal Government’s strong support for the initiative, noting ongoing reforms to create a condusive business environment for pharmaceutical investors.

    He highlighted the government’s efforts to simplify regulations, strengthen the national drug regulator, provide incentives for raw materials, and drive policies that balance public interest with private sector growth.

    He added that Nigeria’s participation in the African Medicines Agency would further expand market access for manufacturers operating in the country.

  • Nigeria, U.S. agree on new cooperation framework

    Nigeria, U.S. agree on new cooperation framework

    • Fed Govt strengthening intelligence to tackle threats, says Badaru

    The Federal Government yesterday said it is intensifying the integration of intelligence capabilities across the security architecture to confront rapidly changing threats.

    A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Nigerian delegation held extensive engagements with the U.S. Congress, State Department, National Security Council, White House Faith Office and the U.S. Department of War.

    The talks focused on boosting joint operations against terrorism, violent extremism and cross-border criminal networks.

    Nigeria used the meetings to firmly reject allegations of genocide against Christians in parts of the country.

    It insisted that the violence in affected communities is neither one-sided nor targeted at any ethnic or religious group.

    The delegation warned that mischaracterising the security situation could inflame tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.

    At the end of the engagements, the U.S. Government pledged to expand cooperation in intelligence sharing, expedite Nigeria’s requests for defence equipment and consider supplying excess defence articles, subject to availability.

    Washington also expressed readiness to increase humanitarian support to communities in the Middle Belt and assist with strengthening Nigeria’s early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.

    Both countries agreed to activate a non-binding cooperation framework and set up a Joint Working Group to implement agreed priorities.

    Nigeria, in return, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and vulnerable communities in conflict-prone areas.

    Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru stated this in Abuja at the opening of the 2025 Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) Annual Conference.

    He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a modern, technology-driven national security system capable of anticipating and neutralising emerging dangers.

    The conference, with the theme: “Multi-source intelligence innovation in a challenging national security ecosystem,” brought together senior defence intelligence officers, Nigeria’s Defence Attachés and Advisers posted to missions across the world, regional directors and state intelligence coordinators.

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    It coincided with the return of a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from Washington, D.C., with fresh commitments from senior U.S. government officials to deepen counterterrorism cooperation.

    Tinubu prioritising security for economic growth, says Badaru

    Speaking at the DIA conference, Badaru said President Tinubu sees security as the foundation upon which national prosperity must be built.

    This, he said, explains the administration’s heavy investments in interagency cooperation, modern equipment, improved welfare for personnel and enhanced intelligence structures.

    Badaru noted that Nigeria’s security challenges have evolved beyond traditional warfare into a complex network of threats driven by technology, cross-border alliances and manipulation of digital spaces.

    “We no longer confront one predictable enemy. Our adversaries exploit technology, hide within civilian populations, manipulate communication networks and operate across physical and digital spaces at unprecedented speed,” he said.

    He identified terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, violent extremism and disinformation campaigns as the most active and multidimensional challenges confronting Nigeria.

    To stay ahead, he said, the intelligence community must adopt innovation, speed and strategic integration.

    “In line with the President’s vision, the Ministry of Defence and Defence Headquarters have prioritised a seamless intelligence-operations integration framework that ensures real-time data flow between the DIA, the Service Headquarters and operational theatres,” he added.

    The Minister commended the DIA for implementing the Joint Intelligence Mission Data and Analytics System (JIMDAS), integrating cognitive analytics into its workflow and boosting cyber-monitoring capabilities, reforms he described as “true force multipliers.”

    ‘Technology at heart of intelligence work’

    Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt-Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, said the Defence Intelligence Agency is deliberately investing in advanced technologies, human intelligence and interagency collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s national security outcomes.

    He described Nigeria’s security environment as “dynamic and complex,” with insurgency, terrorism, banditry and organised crime stretching across multiple theatres.

    This reality, he said, requires an intelligence system that is agile, multidimensional and capable of integrating data from diverse sources.

    “Multi-source intelligence lies at the heart of our ability to anticipate, dictate and neutralise emerging threats,” the CDI said.

    “By leveraging innovations in data analytics, artificial intelligence and interagency information-sharing, we can build a unified national intelligence framework for strategic and operational decision-making.”

    He said the DIA has operationalised the Defence Intelligence Agency Technology Centre (DIATC), set up last year to drive innovation in five core areas: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and data analytics.

    “These technologies are transforming intelligence work globally because the sheer volume of information generated daily exceeds manual processing capacity.

    “The DIA is committed to embedding these innovations across its operations to achieve decisive advantage in both peace and conflict,” he said.

    He added that the agency is also strengthening partnerships with allied nations, noting that Nigeria’s defence attachés play a critical role in intelligence diplomacy, joint training and active information exchange.

    Akpabio unveils Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan

    Also yesterday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio unveiled Nigeria’s Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030.

    It was designed by the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the NSA.

    The Senate President noted that every generation faced a question that history demanded it must answer.

    He said: “For ours, the question is clear: how do we secure our nation, safeguard our people and set Nigeria irreversibly on the path of peace, growth and stability?

    “The Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030 answers this question with vision, discipline and ambition.

    “It offers a framework for transforming our institutions, modernising our security architecture, strengthening national resilience and expanding partnerships across government, industry, civil society and the international community.

    “As President of the Senate, I have seen how insecurity weakens the foundations of development.

    “Investors withdraw, schools close, farmers abandon their fields, and hope retreats from the hearts of our young people.

    “That is why a pragmatic, forward-looking and implementation-driven plan such as this is timely, necessary and welcome.

    “While security is a constitutional responsibility shared by all arms of government, the legislature has a unique obligation – to provide the legal, oversight and budgetary backbone upon which security institutions stand and thrive.

    “The 10th National Assembly has taken this duty seriously. We have enacted far-reaching laws in defence, policing, intelligence coordination, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.

    “We have strengthened agency mandates, promoted inter-agency synergy and championed better welfare for those who risk their lives daily so that Nigeria and Nigerians could be secure in their homes, hopeful in their communities, and proud to raise children in a country where safety is not a privilege, but a guarantee.

    “But legislation alone cannot secure our country. We must invest in people, technology, training and strategic partnerships.

    “We must replace short-term firefighting with long-term planning. That is why this Strategic Plan matters; it translates intent into action and action into measurable results.”

    Ribadu, represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, said the Strategic Plan was a product of extensive research, inter-agency collaboration and consultations across government ministries, security institutions, academia, civil societies and international partners.

    He said the vision is to establish the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence in countering terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

  • A new way

    A new way

    •We have to rethink how we approach bandits

    The task to secure Nigeria has come into bold relief more than any time in our history. It was even given more impetus by the gratuitous benevolence of an American president who has threatened our sovereignty by designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and with the potential threat to send its military to wipe out those who have precipitated what some have described, often without evidence, a Christian genocide.

    As if a fatal response to President Donald Trump’s threat, we have experienced a series of untoward acts of brigandage and terror. One was the incident in Kebbi State where 25 students were whisked away by a band of bandits who stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area. That incident dazed citizens across the country and even internationally. It led a United States lawmaker to claim the students were Christians in his attempt to cement the prejudice of a pre-conceived notion of Christian genocide. 

    We had not absorbed that tragedy as a people when in Kwara State, a sleepy town known as Eruku grabbed headlines: bandits thundered into a church and killed some worshippers. They took away 38 others who were rescued by state actors.

    From Kwara State, attention swivelled to Niger State, where a Catholic School, St. Mary’s School in Papiri community, was targeted by another storm of bandits. They abducted about 265 students, 50 of whom escaped.

    There have been stories of sabotage and even foul intentions to reinforce the American president’s allegations as though, within us, are quislings who want a self-fulfilling prophecy to encourage the violation of our sovereignty. Whatever the case, it is obvious that the country’s present way of securing our people needs special attention.

    One of the major problems is the number of security personnel. Nigeria is the 26th largest country in geographic size with 923,768 square kilometres. This is a massive size. Yet we have less than 250,000 soldiers and about 400,000 police. Our population is over 230 million citizens.

    It is clear we do not have the personnel numbers to keep us safe. In his lecture recently at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna State, asserted that one could travel for over three or four kilometres in this country and not catch a sight of a uniformed officer or security personnel.

    What this means is that the nation has been, for long, relying on a number of factors to make us safe. One, that local institutions for conflict resolutions will do without recourse to a police officer. Two, the fear and mystery of local lores, laws and traditions spell punishment for wrongdoing and wrongdoers. It is often said in traditional philosophy that a witch cried last night and a child died this morning, and who does not know the connection? It is accepted that such trepidation of traditional and mystical justice restrained people from disturbing the peace. Three, the belief that our people will not do anything as wayward as to turn their villages and towns into warzones or dereliction. In the north, the relationship between settlers and indigenes used to be one of mutual respect and even affection until recently. This applies to areas like Plateau State, Benue State and southern Kaduna.  Four, no conflict was so intense that it could not wait for a police officer to be deployed even if it took days for the law enforcement officer to arrive. Five, access to high-powered rifles or guns was far-fetched and even unthinkable at a time. 

    We must note, however, the invasion of our communities, especially in the north by marauders and herders from outside, and they have found kindred spirits in our communities. Also, Islamic ideologues have exploited a facile society to plant subversion in the hearts of the young.

    All of those factors have been turned on their heads by the realities of today. Their glorious institutions of self-help or autonomy of state, local government and federal authorities have since been replaced by a wave of local impunity. This has been worsened by perennial disconnect between welfare and governance; and individuals, especially the young, have decided to take laws into their own hands.

    The realities of those multiple factors in many communities have meant one point: the security architecture of today has become effete. We can no longer depend on less than 700,000 men to secure 230 million people. The recent report that, of the almost 2000 entry points into the country, only 84 are manned by security officers has opened up dialogue over our old sense of security. We could abide such lapses 20 years ago. Bad people did not flood this country from then. Today, they do. And they succeed because they secure local accomplices who do so in deference to failure of governance.

    We are seeing today that a lot of resources will be needed to fill the gap. It means we need to study how many police officers we need. The deployment of soldiers indicates an emergency because soldiers are supposed to secure the borders and fight wars, not maintain civil peace. The new Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, made this point at his Senate confirmation hearing. He affirmed that the police should be strengthened to maintain peace within our borders.

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    This brings into focus the call for state police. With the flurry of bloodbaths, few now argue against its necessity. So, we have to accelerate the move to make it a reality. It will be the task of states to provide the huge shortfall in police personnel to secure their domains. But even in the interim, the state governors have a crucial role to play. One of the essential necessities is finance. In the past couple of years, the state governments have received an unprecedented amount of money in monthly allocations. This should help them. For that same reason, Lagos State blazed the trail over a decade ago and was able to quell its restive streets.

    But we have an example in Kaduna State, where violence was the breath of life. It is like an oasis in the north. If one state can do it, others can. Why they have not when one state can has remained a conundrum. It is either they are not competent, or find the violence useful. In Plateau State, the former governor, Simon Lalong, kept a sense of quiet for long stretches because of local arrangement and understanding. Under the present dispensation, violence and fear have prevailed. The state schools have been shut down in fear of attacks.

    Other than deploying enough personnel and state police, we need the marvel of technology. Gizmos exist today to track every inch of the Nigeria territory. This is today’s intelligence machine. If we had such in Nigeria, we could have tracked the bandits in Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states.

    It is expensive but this is inevitable. The lawmakers, state governments and the office of the National Security Adviser ought to come up with wide-ranging solutions to enrich the police with far more men, and defence chiefs with technology solutions. Banditry is costing us. So, we need to pay the price in imagination and money, not in blood and loss. Governor Sani described “cooperative federalism,” as his strategy: working with the centre for the periphery.

    The ultimate solution lies in the hands of the state chief executives, and the Federal Government can provide the cover. Governors know their home states.

  • Benefits of Recreation in Mental and Physical Wellbeing in Nigeria

    Benefits of Recreation in Mental and Physical Wellbeing in Nigeria

    In Nigeria, recreation engagements positively impact health, society development, and life satisfaction. As our cities develop and our lifestyles become more fast-paced, the need to take time out for leisure recreational engagements becomes all the more necessary. Beyond the physical and mental recuperation, recreation fosters the cohesion and development of families and communities and supports the broader social and economic development of the country. Join us with 1xbet and explore more the benefits of recreation in Nigeria!

    Enhance Mental and Physical Wellbeing

    Participating in recreational engagements impacts an individual both positively and profoundly. From the stress and anxiety associated with work to the sedentary work style, recreation becomes a necessary means to counter it all. In Nigeria, the value of recreation is on the rise and more and more people are choosing to combine work and other leisure engagements.

    Recreation’s Impact on Mental Health

    Some recreational engagements like dancing, swimming, and hiking help in mental stress relief. All those engagements discharge euphoria inducing chemicals in the brain, so people feel happier and gain a sense of fulfillment in mood improving engagements. Many people in urban centers like Abuja and Lagos and managing their depression and anxiety with the help of fitness parks and recreational clubs. 

    Many people feel alone and isolated. Participating in group recreational engagements like community dances or sports alleviates this feeling and fosters social interaction. Recreation is a powerful means of establishing relationships, collaboration, and providing the mental support necessary to achieve emotional stability.

    Physical Benefits of Regular Recreation

    Exercise strengthens muscles, improves circulatory health, and adds flexibility to the body. Recreational exercise helps stave off diabetes and hypertension, which are on the rise in Nigeria. Jogging, cycling, fooball, and even traditional dancing helps burns calories and improves stamina.

    In addition to these health advantages, outdoor engagements offer sunlight which helps the body produce vitamin D for stronger bones. Regular exercise helps lower the risk of chronic diseases and boosts fitness.

    Build Strong Families and Communities

    The positive impact of recreation engagements goes beyond the individual. From a family point of view, recreation engagements sharpen the family unit for overall unity and cohesion within society members.

    Strengthening Family Bonds via Recreation

    Families that enjoy recreational engagements together sharpen their bonds. Weekend outings, family picnics, or even just a simple game at the park helps family members communicate better and more openly, enriching the parent-child relationship. Family outings and engagements help foster emotional closeness, sharpen relationships, and create lasting memories.

    In many Nigerian households, recreation is an opportunity for families to teach their children discipline, collaboration, and consideration for others. Playing neighborhood football and attending cultural festivals is recreation that reinforces family values and increases happiness in households.

    Community Engagement through Recreational Activities

    People are able to connect and collaborate during recreational events and engagements, including local sports tournaments, dance competitions, and society clean-up drives. Such events foster society participation, cultural exchange, and collaboration.

    Recreational activities decrease crime rates and improve youth engagement in communities. When communities offer safe and structured engagements, young people are able to develop leadership skills and belonging. This unity promotes and supports a positive social environment.

    Promote Health and Social Benefits

    While people mainly focus on recreation to have fun, it is also important for public health and social wellbeing. When people incorporate physical activity into their daily routines, it helps prevent health problems and strengthens social relationships. Recreational engagements can help improve emotional balance and reduce stress levels, which are vital for maintaining overall health.

    Recreation as Preventative Health Care

    Sports, walking, and yoga are engagements that lower health risks, including obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Health professionals often recommend people include recreational activities in their daily routines for a healthy lifestyle. By staying physically active, individuals build resilience and prevent long-term diseases.

    Consider the lack of healthcare facilities in rural Nigeria when implementing preventive health measures. Recreation provides people with affordable ways to stay healthy and protect their wellbeing. Health risks and injuries can be avoided with properly scheduled recreation programs that include outdoor recreation such as walking on a trail, fishing, or kayaking in natural environments. Schools and workplaces have health break programs and activities to encourage employees to stay active, improve focus, and boost productivity. These initiatives also contribute to the reduction of stress and fatigue at work.

    Reducing Healthcare and Social Service Costs

    Providing funded investments in recreation could cut Nigeria’s healthcare costs. Regularly active people incur lower healthcare costs because they have fewer contacts with the health system for conditions that could be prevented with healthy active living. Health care costs are not the only expenses that active recreation programs reduce. Active recreation communities also lower the costs associated with social problems like youth delinquency and substance abuse.

    Communities that host society events and engagements bring people together, fostering cooperation and society connections. These programs help reduce anti-social behavior and teach young people social skills, collaboration, and self-esteem development. Such recreational engagements can help shape a healthier and more stable society over the long-term.

    Parks and Recreational Spaces in Nigeria

    Accessible parks and green spaces improve the quality of life for communities. Major cities in Nigeria are improving and developing these areas for the society to exercise, meet new people, and stimulate outdoor participation. Outdoor recreation in these spaces offers a wide range of benefits that promote wellness and social balance.

    Importance of Parks for Ecological and Social Health

    Parks enhance the social health of the society. They also enhance the ecological health of the society by providing green spaces that improve air quality, diminish the heat of urban centers, and conserve the biodiversity of the region. Parks further provide spaces for the society to rest and meditate in natural environments, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

    Socially, parks provide places for people to gather as families and friends and build social networks. They promote cooperation through shared events and recreational participation. Parks are vital for children to play, for senior citizens to relax, and for the youth to carry out fitness and artistic engagements. These shared experiences encourage unity and foster growth and development across different generations.

    Economic Benefits of Parks and Recreation

    Recreational spaces can also boost the local economy by attracting tourism, hosting events, and promoting the development of small businesses. Parks bring in vendors, sports leagues, and cultural events which also generate revenue.

    Recreational investment also provides jobs for people in facility management, coaching, event planning, tourism, and many other services. As odinwest icty in Nigeria g expands its urban infrastructure, the opportunity for economic development through recreation also increased.

    Participate and Enhance Quality of Life

    Recreational engagements offer the opportunity for personal development and integration into the society. Individuals are able to learn new interests, acquire new skills, and build confidence.

    Skill Development and Personal Growth

    Recreation teaches important life skills in Nigerians such as teamwork, leadership, time management, and problem solving. Sports, arts, and volunteer engagements can provide life-enhancing experiences, and  improve a person’s social and professional competence.

    Youth programs that incorporate recreational engagements have a positive impact on academic performance, and promote responsible behavior. Being an adult also has its benefits through learning skills such as swimming, gardening, and creative arts. All of which contribute to a person’s life and well-being.

    Recreation for Families and Diverse Communities

    Recreation is for all people, regardless of age, ability, or background. Inclusive recreation helps make sure that children, youth, and adults with disabilities and all abilities can join in and have fun. In Nigeria’s multicultural space, recreation events can also be used for cultural exchange. Communities can share their customs, foods, and arts, helping people celebrate diversity and fostering national unity.

    Conclusion: Embracing Recreation for a Balanced Life

    For social and health development, recreation helps Nigeria sustain and grow. It also aids in maintaining family integration, economically developing a nation, and improving one’s physical and mental health. Creating more accessible space and programs designed for recreation would leave Nigeria with happier, healthier, and more connected communities. Advocating for people to actively participate in these engagements will make sure all people will lead a more balanced life.

    FAQs

    What types of recreational activities are most popular in Nigeria?

    Some of the recreational things people do are football, swimming, jogging, dancing, and hiking. Cultural festivals and indoor games also provide recreation. People living in Nigeria also participate in society picnics and events, which are held in parks.

    How does recreation improve mental health?

    Recreation helps people feel more relaxed and happier. It helps people with their stress, anxiety, and depression. It helps people relax and feel wonderful.

    How can communities get involved in creating more recreational opportunities?

    Communities can develop local sports clubs, organize fitness programs, or collaborate with local governments to build parks and playgrounds. Volunteering and engaging youth in these initiatives helps sustain recreational programs and benefits the society as a whole.

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  • Nigeria’s position at G20 driven by national priorities – Tuggar

    Nigeria’s position at G20 driven by national priorities – Tuggar

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Monday said that Nigeria’s position at the G20 Summit in South Africa was driven by its national priorities and its vision for a fairer global economic order.

     Tuggar disclosed this in a statement issued by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

    President Tinubu, in his message to the summit, called on world leaders to place debt sustainability and responsible mineral governance at the centre of global discussions, insisting that these issues are essential to building a global economy that “uplifts rather than excludes.”

    Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved if nations remain trapped in cycles of debt distress or if mineral exploitation continues to replicate historical patterns of inequality.

    The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed that Africa must no longer be viewed as a mere supplier of raw materials, but as a continent positioned for value addition, industrial transformation, and innovation.

    This shift, they argued, is key to achieving shared prosperity and breaking long-standing structural barriers across the continent.

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    Addressing the summit’s theme  “A fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence” Vice President Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s investments in technology, skills development, and youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope AgendaHe stressed that as global transitions accelerate, they must remain human-centred: “Decent work is the anchor that makes these transitions fair, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

    Tuggar further stated that Nigeria also urged G20 leaders to support a global framework of fairness in the extraction and trade of critical minerals, insisting that resource-rich African communities must benefit from the industries built around their land.

    President Tinubu’s message made clear that these minerals should drive Africa’s industrialization and development rather than entrench historical inequities.

    He also congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of South Africa for the historic hosting of the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, describing it as a landmark moment that affirms Africa’s rightful place in global governance.

  • Illusion of Russian mercenaries-Lessons for Nigeria and Africa

    Illusion of Russian mercenaries-Lessons for Nigeria and Africa

    • By Oumarou Sanou

    Bamako is burning—again, and the African Union, the regional body tasked with promoting peace and security, is panicking. The capital of Mali, once a proud symbol of West African resilience, now teeters on the brink of collapse, not from foreign invasion but from jihadists who have outlasted coups, crushed alliances, and exposed the hollowness of the “sovereign security” promised by military juntas and their Russian backers. What began as a bold pledge to “restore stability and reclaim dignity” has descended into chaos, bloodshed, racism, and betrayal—the tragic proof that mercenaries cannot buy peace and juntas cannot govern by force. The Sahel’s descent is not just Mali’s tragedy—it is a warning to Nigeria and the entire region.

    When Mali’s coup leaders expelled French and UN forces and turned to Russia’s Wagner Group in 2021, they sold their citizens a dangerous illusion: that imported soldiers of fortune would succeed where legitimate institutions had failed. Three years later, the results are catastrophic. Jihadist groups are advancing toward Bamako, civilians are dying in record numbers, and the mercenaries once paraded as “liberators” have turned Mali’s soil into a graveyard of false hope.

    According to conflict monitors, nearly 3,000 civilians have been killed since Wagner’s arrival—many at the hands of their supposed protectors. Entire communities have been wiped out, markets torched, and villages erased under the pretext of “counterterrorism operations.”

    The recently leaked documentary March on Azawad—a chilling self-portrait of Russian mercenaries—reveals the futility and racism embedded in their operations. Wagner veterans, now safely back in Russia, describe Malian soldiers as “cowards” and “thieves,” mocking the very people they were paid to defend. Their disdain echoes the systemic racism of Russian society, where ethnic minorities are treated as expendable cannon fodder. These mercenaries, steeped in bigotry and violence, brought to Africa not solidarity, but supremacy — the same dehumanising ideology that drives their atrocities in Ukraine, Libya, and now the Sahel.

    The brutality Wagner displays toward African civilians is not aberrational—it is a feature, not a bug. These mercenaries carry to Africa the same racism they practice at home against ethnic minorities in Russia’s own territories. In Chechnya, Dagestan, and other non-Russian regions, minorities face systemic discrimination, violence, and marginalisation. When these fighters arrive in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, they bring that contempt with them.

    Their crimes are well-documented. In Moura, central Mali, at least 500 civilians were massacred in a single operation in March 2022. Men were executed, women assaulted, and children mutilated—atrocities gleefully shared in private Wagner Telegram channels like “White Uncles in Africa +18”, where mercenaries celebrated their brutality with the depraved language of white supremacy. To them, African civilians and terrorists were indistinguishable—both expendable, both “sand people.” This is not counterterrorism. It is a campaign of dehumanisation.

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    Behind Wagner’s bloody record lies a simple motive: profit. The mercenaries did not come for Pan-African solidarity; they came for gold. Mali pays Wagner not only in cash but in mineral concessions—trading sovereignty for survival. One mercenary admits in the documentary that recovering and seizing gold mines was part of their operational “successes.” They looted everything: motorcycles, trucks, excavation equipment. Mali’s resources now flow to Moscow, while its people bleed in silence.

    What began as a “security partnership” quickly degenerated into an extractive occupation. Wagner’s recklessness and racial contempt alienated communities, fractured the Malian army, and emboldened jihadists. The July 2024 defeat at Tinzawaten, where 84 Russian mercenaries died alongside dozens of Malian troops, was not an exception—it was the predictable outcome of arrogance and incompetence. The withdrawal of Wagner and its rebranding as “Africa Corps” in 2025 has done little to stem the tide. Today, Bamako stands at the edge of jihadist capture.

    The implications for West Africa—and especially Nigeria—are profound. Insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger does not remain contained; it metastasises. Jihadist groups like JNIM and ISGS have expanded their operations southward, exploiting porous borders, ungoverned spaces, and weak regional coordination. Refugees fleeing the Sahel are already straining Nigeria’s northern communities, while arms trafficking and extremist propaganda infiltrate the hinterland and towns. The possible fall of Bamako would open another corridor of terror stretching from the Maghreb to the Gulf of Guinea—an arc of instability that could engulf the entire sub region. This underscores the need for robust international collaboration in addressing the crisis.

    Nigeria must heed this warning with urgency and clarity.

    Unlike Mali’s junta, Nigeria has—so far—resisted the temptation of outsourcing its sovereignty to foreign mercenaries. This path has been slow, imperfect, and riddled with challenges, but it is fundamentally different. They have so far relied on their national forces, accountable—however imperfectly—to the constitution, and also engage regional structures such as ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force, a collaborative security initiative involving several African countries. Nigeria collaborate internationally while preserving national agency. This is the only sustainable route to lasting peace.

    But Nigeria must not grow complacent. Their military architecture still faces serious weaknesses—underfunding, corruption, rights abuses, and inadequate intelligence coordination. Reform is not optional; it is urgent. The country needs a people-centred security strategy built on trust, legitimacy, and professionalism. That means investing in their troops, strengthening community-based intelligence, enhancing regional cooperation, and tackling the root causes that jihadists exploit: poverty, exclusion, and bad governance.

    For the rest of Africa, the lesson from the Sahel is brutally clear: mercenaries do not save nations—they strip them bare. Authoritarian juntas that cloak repression in “sovereignty” only invite further collapse. Imported guns or imperial contracts cannot secure Africa’s stability. It must be built through accountable institutions, regional solidarity, and the courage to confront our internal failings head-on.

    Mali’s tragedy is a mirror. It shows what happens when desperation replaces strategy, and when sovereignty becomes a slogan for repression. The fall of Bamako—if it happens—will not just be Mali’s failure; it will be a continental warning. Nigeria must learn, act, and lead—because in today’s Sahel, those who chase shortcuts to security end up losing both peace and power.

    •Sanou is a social critic, Pan-African observer and researcher focusing on governance, security, and political transitions in the Sahel. He writes via sanououmarou386@gmail.com

  • Nigeria won’t disintegrate, First Lady assures citizens

    Nigeria won’t disintegrate, First Lady assures citizens

    • We should partner with other nations to tackle insecurity, say Deputy Speaker Kalu, cleric

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said Nigeria will not disintegrate but remain one and indivisible entity to overcome its challenges.

    Mrs. Tinubu spoke yesterday at the thanksgiving service for the investiture and presentation of Most Rev. Sunday Onuoha as Archbishop on Special Duties.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the event held at Methodist Unity Cathedral, Abuja, the First Lady was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite.

    Mrs. Tinubu, who noted that the nation’s hope lies in the hands of God, urged fellow Nigerians to continue praying for the country, the Church, and God’s guidance.

    The First Lady stressed that while Nigeria welcomes help from other countries, it would never be intimidated or become a disgraceful nation.

    “Nigeria will not disintegrate. Nigeria will remain one indivisible entity. God will be with Nigeria.

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    “We shall celebrate the coming Christmas in peace and in joy, and it shall be well with Nigeria.

    “I wish the Archbishop well in his new role,” she said.

    Also, House of Representatives Deputy Spealer Benjamin Kalu said Nigeria needed foreign partnership to tackle its security challenges.

    The lawmaker expressed support for foreign partnerships in addressing insecurity in the country

    According to him, the government can work with international allies to tackle security challenges without compromising the nation’s sovereignty.

    “The President is a democrat and is open to partnerships that will benefit the country,” he said.

    Kalu also emphasised the importance of stakeholders’ engagement in addressing the country’s challenges.

    The Deputy Speaker noted that the Church plays a vital role in promoting peace, unity, and progress.

    He highlighted the need for collaboration between the government and faith-based organisations in building a more secured nation.

    “We cannot build a nation without having stakeholders on the table.

    “The Church must bring messages of hope, peace, and unity to inspire progress and nation-building,” Kalu said.

    The Deputy Speaker praised Archbishop Onuoha for his commitment to peacebuilding and ability to bridge the gap between the state and faith communities.

    “The man who was decorated as Archbishop today has shown that being in the church does not mean turning your back to the states. He has been the man anchoring such conversation,”

    Addressing reporters after the thanksgiving, Archbishop Onuoha said Nigeria needs assistance from all quarters to overcome its challenges, particularly insecurity.

    The cleric said the country’s situation is dire, adding that it requires collective efforts to address the issues.

    Onuoha added that Nigerians should not live in denial about the country’s challenges, particularly insecurity.

    “We need help. If somebody thinks we don’t need help, that person is in denial.

    “Seeking help in security matters is no different from seeking financial assistance or other forms of support,” he said.

    The Archbishop called for an end to the blame game and demonisation of others.

    The cleric stressed that the loss of a human life is a tragedy that transcends religious and ethnic divides.

    He promised to work with the Church and other stakeholders to promote peace and unity across Nigeria.

  • Culture must unite, not divide Nigeria

    Culture must unite, not divide Nigeria

    Culture has long stood as one of Nigeria’s most enduring assets, the glue that binds communities, shapes identity and projects the nation’s creative influence onto the global stage. Yet, in recent weeks, conversations around cultural institutions have become unusually heated, politicised and, in some cases, more dramatic than a Nollywood season finale.

    In moments like this, it is vital to return to a simple truth: culture is a bridge, not a battleground.

    Beyond the noise, Nigeria faces weighty questions that demand sober reflection. How do we safeguard our heritage responsibly? How do we train the technical experts who will preserve cultural treasures for generations? How do we turn culture into an engine for youth employment and national prosperity? And, perhaps the most delicate of all, how do we assert global leadership without eroding local sovereignty?

    These are not academic puzzles. They are defining issues for the next century of Nigeria’s cultural development.

    Institutions such as the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) were established precisely to tackle these concerns, through conservation science, education, skills development, international collaboration, community engagement and cultural enterprise.

    Nigeria, it must be said, needs many cultural institutions, not one monolith. Museums serve varied purposes: some anchor royal legacies, some focus on archaeology, some nurture contemporary art, others drive research, conservation or training. A strong cultural ecosystem thrives on diversity, not uniformity.

    MOWAA’s mandate, by design, complements rather than competes with existing institutions.

    Recent controversies, however, have shown just how quickly culture can be weaponised for political theatre. History reminds us that when文化 becomes a battlefield, it is the nation — not individuals or institutions, that ultimately pays the price.

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    And the stakes are high. The world is watching Nigeria’s handling of repatriated artefacts, the growth of its creative industries, the responsibilities of cultural leadership and the delicate balance between tradition, the state and modern expression.

    This moment calls for calm, clarity and cooperation, not cultural crossfire.

    The appointment of a Presidential Committee offers a welcome opportunity to reset the national narrative. It signals a commitment to constitutional order, respect for traditional institutions, transparent governance, federal–state cooperation and responsible international engagement. In short, it is an effort to remind everyone that nation-building is a team sport, not a solo performance.

    Meanwhile, away from the public drama, MOWAA continues investing in those who will truly shape Nigeria’s cultural future — young conservators, researchers, curators, artisans, cultural entrepreneurs and technical specialists. These are the quiet builders of tomorrow’s heritage landscape.

    Nigeria does not need cultural conflict; it needs cultural infrastructure. It needs institutions capable of training, conserving, interpreting and celebrating the breadth of narratives that define the nation.

    MOWAA is one part of that ecosystem, an important part, but not the only one. The task before Nigeria is straightforward enough: let culture be the thread that weaves the nation together, not the tear that pulls it apart.

  • ’30 million pupils benefit from Jolly Phonics Project in Nigeria’

    ’30 million pupils benefit from Jolly Phonics Project in Nigeria’

    Country Director, Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) Patrick Uzu, said over 30 million pupils have benefitted from the Jolly Phonics Project while 241,227 primary school teachers were trained since the last 19 years when the programme birthed in Nigeria.

    Uzu said the successes of Jolly Phonics in Nigeria was built on solid collaboration between Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and Universal Learning Solutions, with support from the Federal Ministry of Education.

    He spoke at an event after the release of the 2025 Phonics Screening Exercise results by Universal Learning Solutions Initiative under the UBEC 2023/2024 TPD programme, which assessed 72,127 pupils across 33 states.

    Uzu stated that findings showed that pupils taught using the Jolly Phonics method consistently outperformed their peers in reading and writing skills, with steady improvements recorded in every round of assessment since 2019.

    According to him, “In a context where many education projects have failed to show measurable impact, Jolly Phonics has delivered consistent, evidence-based results. With greater investment and support, its reach and impact could be even stronger.

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    “UBEC has been a key partner in ensuring this isn’t just another short-term project but a national literacy strategy.

    “SUBEBs across the country have shown real ownership, ensuring teachers are supported and data is collected to sustain impact. Nigeria should be prolud of what it has achieved through this collaboration.

    Chief Executive Officer, ULS, Gary Foxcroft, said it was incredible to think that Jolly Phonics started in a single school in Akwa Ibom State 19 years ago and was now active across every state in the country. 

    “We are proud of the strong teams — from teachers to state coordinators, SUBEBs, and UBEC — delivering evidence-based literacy interventions that are changing children’s lives. Nigeria is now leading the way in showing how a consistent phonics-based approach can transform reading outcomes.”

    Chairman Kano SUBEB, Alhaji Yusuf Kabir, said the programme has transformed how children learn to read in the state.

    Alhaji Kabir said Kano State has witnessed remarkable improvements in pupils’ reading and writing skills as well as increased teachers’ motivation.

    “Jolly Phonics has laid a strong foundation for literacy in Kano State. Our goal is for every child in Kano State, and across Nigeria, to read confidently by the end of Primary 2. Jolly Phonics gives us the proven tools to make that goal a reality.”