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Tag: Nigeria

Aviation: Nigeria, Canada sign code sharing agreement

The Federal Government and the Canadian authority have signed a code sharing agreement to boost efficiency and improve service delivery in the aviation industry.

Code sharing is a practice in the airline industry where two or more airlines share the same flight.

The agreement signed would allow two or more airlines either from Canada or Nigeria to sell seats on each other’s flights.

The agreement would also enable airlines to offer more destinations and flights to their customers without having to operate them themselves.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, during the signing of the agreement, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo said the agreement would advance the relationship between both countries.

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On the importance of the agreement, Keyamo said: “Today, we advance our relationship one step further as we sign a very important agreement. It is not a full Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), but one that has to do with codesharing and subsequently, we are going to designate airlines on both sides to move this forward.

“An agreement has come into force today and we will have to communicate with our local operators on both sides. Many of them have been actually lining up for this initiative. We have actually granted a few operators approval to run that route already and it is just for them to take advantage of this code sharing agreement to begin operations.”

The Minister further explained that the agreement was entered to ignite aeronautical relationship between both countries.

The High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio who represented the Canadian authority said the agreement indicates the people-to-people ties and the growing bilateral and commercial relations between both countries.

He said: “Code sharing is important because it allows for an airline to place their designator codes on a flight operated by another airline and then to sell tickets on that flight, offering passengers a seamless journey on one ticket.

“So, this is one step in making it a more seamless process for the operators and for the passengers.”

March 22, 2025
BREAKING: Super Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0, revive World Cup hopes

The Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda on Friday to boost their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute and doubled the lead just before halftime, giving Nigeria a comfortable advantage at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Read Also: Boniface tips Super Eagles to bounce in 2026 Mundial race

The match marked the first game under new head coach Éric Chelle, the Franco-Malian tactician tasked with guiding the Super Eagles back to the global stage.

Details shortly…

March 21, 2025
Nigeria calls for ethical health workforce migration, stronger UK partnership

The federal government has emphasized the need for ethical and mutually beneficial health workforce migration while calling for stronger collaboration with the United Kingdom to enhance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen its healthcare system.

Speaking at the UK-Africa Health Summit in London, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako highlighted the importance of a structured approach to migration.

He stressed that while the movement of healthcare professionals fosters knowledge exchange and addresses workforce shortages, unregulated migration negatively impacts source countries like Nigeria.

“Between 2020 and 2022, the number of Nigerian doctors, nurses, midwives, and laboratory scientists seeking migration documents increased dramatically.

“The UK received 68% of these doctors and 52% of nurses and midwives, making it the primary destination,” Salako said.

He called for legally binding bilateral agreements, investment in training programs, and enhanced capacity building to ensure migration benefits both sending and receiving countries.

Salako also addressed Nigeria’s broader commitment to universal health coverage, stating that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is implementing the National Health Act of 2014.

This policy mandates that at least 1% of the consolidated revenue, alongside contributions from sub-national governments and international donors, be allocated to strengthen primary healthcare, expand social health insurance, and improve emergency medical services.

The Minister acknowledged Nigeria’s long-standing partnership with the UK in health, education, business, and humanitarian efforts.

He commended the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for its continued engagement in Nigeria’s development and stressed the need for deeper collaboration, particularly in healthcare financing and workforce retention.

Noting that one of the key concerns raised was the decline in international aid for health programs, Salako pointed out that aid freezes by countries such as the US, UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands present a challenge to achieving universal health coverage.

“This is a wake-up call for African nations to take greater ownership of their healthcare systems by mobilizing domestic resources and ensuring efficient utilization,” he said.

While advocating for a phased approach to reducing aid dependence, he urged donor countries to reconsider cuts that impact low-income populations.

Salako praised Nigerian healthcare professionals in the UK for their role in promoting partnerships, skills transfer, and resource mobilization.

Read Also: Nigeria secures $14b investment from India, signs MoUs with 10 countries – Tuggar

He cited the Strengthening Collaboration and Advancing Clinical Excellence (SCALE) program, led by the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG), as an example of effective collaboration between the UK and Nigerian medical institutions.

He also commended the efforts of the Global Health Partnership and the UK Department of Health and Social Care for their contributions to Nigeria’s health system, including capacity building, skills exchange, and antimicrobial stewardship.

He, however, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to mobilizing domestic resources to sustain these initiatives while underscoring the necessity of global cooperation in health

“Our world today cannot operate within borders when it comes to healthcare.

“We must continue to collaborate and build mutually rewarding partnerships to protect humanity from public health threats and future pandemics while ensuring a resilient global health system for economic stability and the well-being of all,” he said.

March 20, 2025
Genesis and development of universities in Nigeria

I am writing this piece to educate people who do not know the genesis and development of universities in Nigeria.

During the war years in 1943 the British set up the Elliot commission to report specifically on the organization and facilities of existing centres for higher education in British West Africa. At the same time there was another commission called the Asquith commission that had a broader mandate covering the British Colonial African territories including West Africa. The Asquith commission was particularly asked to look into the relationship between colonial university colleges and the University of London. It was a result of the recommendations of these commissions that university colleges were established in 1948 in Ibadan and Legon in the Gold Coast and a medical school for the whole of West Africa was located in the University of Ibadan. The Fourah Bay College established in Freetown Sierra Leone in (1827) and its special relationship with Durham University was left untouched while the new university colleges were to have special relationship with the University of London from where its students were to continue to earn degrees until 1961.

In 1959, on the eve of independence in Nigeria, the Ashby Commission was set up to investigate into Nigeria’s needs in the field of higher education over the next 20 years. This was largely informed by the manpower that would be needed in an independent Nigeria to replace the British expatriate officials who will be leaving the country. The commission reported in September 1960. The recommendation formed the basis of the establishment of a new federal university of Lagos and subsequent establishment of regional universities in Ile Ife, Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

The significance of all these commissions and their reports is that hitherto universities were established in Nigeria after detailed reports were commissioned about funding, location, staffing and needs of the country and nothing was done arbitrarily at the whim of the authorities. In those days there was a manpower board which attempted to find out national and state needs in various aspects of the national and state economy and administration particularly in teaching, the bureaucracy, transportation, police and security, the military, customs and immigration and the general economy as much as could be surmised. In other words, institutions were not just decreed into existence without linking them with the needs and employment. Critics have said this was a-narrow way of looking into the future but the attempt was to avoid graduate unemployment and the incendiary possibilities of that kind of situation. Whatever the case may be, the planned commissions avoided the possibility of the consequences of unplanned development.

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The immediate situation after independence was that there were massive job opportunities in teaching and by the time of the Israeli-Arab war of 1973-1974 and the Arab oil embargo on the USA and the West, and consequent rise in oil revenues for Nigeria, the Nigerian economy opened up phenomenally in construction, commerce, transportation and educational expansion creating needs in many areas which made it much easier for the graduates of Nigerian universities to find employment. The so-called oil boom was ephemeral and by the 1980s, it had petered out and it led to a lot of soul-searching even in the northern parts of Nigeria where for the first time, graduates unemployment began to manifest. People began to ask for the purpose of the nation’s massive investment in higher education and university expansion from the traditional comprehensive universities of Ibadan, Benin, Lagos, Ile -Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello to building of new ones in Akure, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Jos, Bayero (Kano), Maiduguri, Sokoto, Abeokuta, Makurdi, Yola and Bauchi. The last four on this list were supposed to be specialized universities of technology and agriculture but in their development, the local university authorities injected politics into their development and they have mostly ended as comprehensive universities and some like Bauchi now have a college of medicine. I was involved in their planning and execution and they were not supposed to have been so developed.

The NUC sent me and three academics to open offices in London, Cairo, Washington DC and Ottawa for the purpose of assisting the universities in staff recruitment, training, library and equipment acquisition just to show that the establishment of the new universities was well prepared. However when the economy in the 1980 hit some doldrums, the University of Yola was merged as a college with the University of Maiduguri temporarily before it reverted to status quo ante. Questions then began to be asked as to whether we were training the kind of graduates needed for the future. We knew agriculture was very important in the future of Nigeria but what kind of graduates in agriculture were we producing? We were also turning out thousands of graduates in science and engineering yet our roads and water projects were being built by imported engineers and scientists and there were very few indigenous builders. Our university intakes were lopsidedly in favour of liberal arts, education and social sciences.

The whole question of over specialization at the undergraduate level of education was being asked. Our faculties of education turning out graduates in such narrow areas as careers guidance and counselling, educational psychology and planning and administration came up for discussion and suggestions about making such educational areas of study, important as they are, into postgraduate studies were made and graduates in social sciences one without solid grounding in the history and anthropology of the country was challenged. The proliferation of faculties of social sciences turning out people in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, seemed to have been ahead of our time. These questions were not comfortable so they were ignored and kicked forward for the future generations. Now it seems as if the chickens have come home to roost and the country is now faced with much more difficult problems of unplanned development of the present.

Nigeria went through a period of military rule that with some interregnum went from 1966 to 1999. During this period, the country fought a civil war from 1967 to 1970 and was till 1979 under military rule until through international pressure the military government gave up power to a civilian democratic government which spent most of the time in corruption and economic mismanagement until it was overthrown in 1983. The military remained in power until 1999.

Most of the development in higher education after independence took place under military rule. There was therefore not much democratic discussion about the future and most decisions were taken with bureaucratic and military fiat. Some of the decisions were excellent particularly the expansion of higher education to most parts of the country like the minority areas of the Middle Belt and the South-south but this was done without proper study of the absorptive capacity of the areas thus leading to mass migration of young people from their areas to urban centres of the country like Lagos where 60% of new graduates annually migrate to seek non-existing employment.

Unplanned universities expansion

What we have witnessed is the open sesame to private ownership of universities beginning with Obasanjo and his deputy Abubakar Atiku owning respectively private universities in Bells University in Otta and so-called American University in Yola. Obasanjo’s successor Goodluck Jonathan during a one night after-dinner speech in 2013 announced the opening of 11 federal universities, in one fell swoop, in states that did not have federal universities already and announced the vice chancellors of these universities and handed over to them N1 billion each for their initial take off. There were no plans, no governing councils that were to guide the orderly development of these universities and some of the vice chancellors had never done this kind of jobs before or been in any university senate or council of a university as some were recruited from abroad. Most of the money was spent on renting whatever hotel accommodation that was available in some of the inaccessible towns and villages where these new federal universities were located as “dividends of democracy“.

The Pandora box of universities approval was opened and the National Universities Commission (NUC) whose remit was to advice government about the feasibility of these new universities seemed to have slept from 1999 to the present day and the results of which is the ballooning increase of universities in Nigeria to 270 federal universities, state universities, uniformed institutions (belonging to the, Air Force,

Navy, Police, Army, Defence Academy) 148 of which belong to private institutions and the rest to states and the federal government. The situation is still fluid but I believe water will eventually find its own level with some of the private universities folding up and some of the state universities being merged or folding up and the category of the so-called uniformed universities rationalised in the face of reduced national revenue largely derived from hydrocarbons which are increasingly challenged as sources of energy in a world concerned about global pollution and climatic and environmental degradation.

March 20, 2025
France is committed to Nigeria’s security on mutual respect, says envoy

French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Marc Fonbaustier, yesterday said the country’s commitment to Nigeria’s security would continue to be built on mutual respect and cooperation.

Fonbaustier, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said France respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, as well as other African countries, adding that the country’s presence in other countries was at the request of the host nations.

According to him, France had been actively engaged in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism since 2014, when Boko Haram posed threat in the Northwest and some parts of the country.

“France participated in the coalition to combat Boko Haram and has continued to support Nigeria’s security efforts through such cooperation.

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“This is in terms of training and joint security exercises enhancing the capabilities of Nigerian security forces, equipment supply.

“Also in providing necessary equipment to support Nigeria’s military operation, intelligence-sharing and collaborating on intelligence-gathering towards combating terrorism.”

Fonbaustier said that, on the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS, he stated that France has maintained respects for the sovereignty of the three nations, particularly in their decision-making processes.

“France supports ECOWAS as a regional organisation that promotes African solutions to African challenges.

“Lastly, France has taken an initiative in governing artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring it remains a public good that is regulated and accessible to all.

March 19, 2025
Taking Nigeria for granted
- By Bishir Dauda Sabuwar
Sir: Many of us are taking our country, Nigeria for granted.

The daily news, analyses by spin doctors, reports by activists and “experts” shape our mind-sets on how we see our country. Thus, we think that we are not benefiting anything from our country, and Nigeria is a hell-spot on earth.

Thus, we continue to ridicule our country, describing it in despicable terms. Our attitude towards our country influence how outside world perceive us, and treat us. Unwisely, we tend to underrate the fact that in every negative thing we call our country, we are just undermining ourselves. Some people wrongly believe that by condemning the political leaders, they have earned themselves the toga of being “patriots”. So the simple way to become patriotic citizens in this country is to become incurably pessimistic about every situation about the country; a blind critic who is guided by emotions and prejudices. This is cheap. And it hasn’t addressed any problem for us since 1960.

While in the history of great nations, every citizen thinks of what he can do in his own capacity to contribute to the development of his country, here people expect things to happen magically and dramatically like in a dream. Even the most mundane things people are not ready to do. Yet they want to Nigeria to be like Sweden or Canada.

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Nations are built through years of hard work from the ordinary and extra-ordinary citizens. Citizens make sacrifices; some even paid the supreme price. People in great nations don’t flee from problems. They stay back home, face and fight the hydra-headed monsters until they defeat them.

Mere rhetoric and lamentations hardly yield any enduring results. Because everyone, including madmen, can talk. Talk is very cheap but it doesn’t address anything.

Some people with their cheap talk, good grammar, jumping from political platform to another, delude themselves that what they are doing is in the national interest. But we see them for what they are: opportunists. We read the history of great men and women who built great countries. Most of them were not even rich materially. They were motivated not by desire to rule or amass wealth or massage their ego, but to liberate their people. And they did it earnestly and sincerely.

•Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,

Unguwa Katsina.
March 19, 2025
China’s 2025 two sessions: Key takeaways for Nigeria

The 2025 “two sessions” in China, a gathering of the country’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hold significant global policy importance, which, if properly understood, can unlock key opportunities for nations like Nigeria. These annual sessions, typically lasting for about ten days, bring together lawmakers and political advisors to discuss the country’s socio-economic priorities for the coming year.

In March 2025, the focus of China’s two sessions was clear: economic growth, technological innovation, and global diplomatic engagement. This year’s meetings were especially poignant for African nations, given the increasing strategic importance of China on the continent. On March 14, at the Lagos Forum Think Tank and Media Dialogue, a gathering hosted by the Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Ms. Yan ‘Uche’ Yuqing, analysts, economists, policymakers and media professionals came together to unpack and dissect the outcomes of China’s two sessions. The focus of the meeting was not just on the internal policy shifts in China but also on the broader ramifications for countries like Nigeria. As one of China’s most important trade partners in Africa, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to benefit from China’s long-term policy directions, especially given the country’s increasing role as a global economic leader.

This year’s discussions emphasised China’s commitment to global economic stability, technological innovation, and the expansion of international trade—goals that resonate deeply with Nigeria’s own socio-economic aspirations. The two sessions outlined China’s vision for 2025, including ambitious targets for GDP growth, technological advancements, and strategic industries, all of which are set to reshape the global economic order. For Nigeria, these changes hold significant implications.

The central highlight of the 2025 two sessions was the announcement of China’s GDP growth target for the year, set at “around 5 percent.” At a glance, this may appear modest given China’s immense scale as the world’s second-largest economy. However, the target represents a careful balancing act between global uncertainties and China’s domestic realities, reflecting a pragmatic approach to economic management. This growth target is seen as essential not only for stabilising employment but also for improving livelihoods and enhancing China’s global competitiveness.

Shen Danyang, the head of the group responsible for drafting the work report, explained that the target was based on a comprehensive understanding of “China’s actual conditions and the laws governing economic development.” He stressed that the goal was designed to strike a balance between pursuing robust growth and addressing the challenges posed by global economic volatility. The country’s GDP surpassed 130 trillion Yuan in 2024, contributing approximately 30 per cent to global economic growth. This foundational strength, bolstered by a “supersized market, complete industrial system, and abundant human resources,” provides China with the resilience needed to navigate ongoing challenges.

For Nigeria, the 5 per cent growth target is a reminder that steady, sustainable economic growth—rather than rapid, unsustainable booms—is the path toward long-term prosperity. Analysts believe Nigeria, with its history of fluctuating growth rates, could learn from China’s methodical approach. In particular, the emphasis on improving employment levels, curbing economic risks, and raising incomes provides a clear blueprint for Nigeria to follow. Unlike the Chinese model, Nigeria has struggled to institutionalise long-term, data-driven policy planning. This lesson from China’s pragmatic approach to growth—built around long-term stability and not short-term gains—should be a key takeaway for Nigerian policymakers. The targeted GDP growth rate is also significant because it aligns with China’s broader goals of increasing international competitiveness while managing internal socio-economic pressures. For Nigeria, strengthening its economic foundations through diversification and industrial upgrading could serve as a path to avoid the resource-driven stagnation that has historically plagued its growth trajectory.

Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of the 2025 two sessions was China’s ambitious vision for technological development. Premier Li Qiang’s government work report detailed China’s commitment to leading the world in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and green technologies. Specifically, the government aims to integrate AI into its industrial framework through the “AI Plus” initiative, which will promote the large-scale application of AI models in manufacturing, transportation, and even public services.

According to the government’s report, China will also focus on fostering industries of the future, including bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, and 6G networks. These technologies are expected to form the backbone of China’s industrial innovation and long-term economic growth. As noted by China’s technology experts, the country is already making significant strides in high-tech manufacturing, with sectors such as new energy vehicles and quantum computing showing rapid growth. China’s focus on innovation is not merely about improving existing industries. It is about setting the stage for the next wave of technological revolutions that will shape the global economy for decades to come.

For Nigeria, these advancements present both opportunities and challenges. The nation’s growing digital economy and investment in tech start-ups are promising, but Nigeria lags behind China in terms of technological infrastructure and investment in emerging sectors like AI and quantum computing. Nigerian policymakers and business leaders should take note of China’s emphasis on integrating digital technologies into every aspect of the economy. Building up Nigeria’s technological base—especially in AI, blockchain and new energy sectors—will be crucial for its future competitiveness. One clear lesson is the importance of aligning technological advancement with industrial policy. Nigeria must develop a national framework that encourages innovation while simultaneously investing in the infrastructure and human capital required to support such breakthroughs. Collaborative efforts with countries like China in areas such as AI and green energy can offer a model for how Nigeria might fast-track its digital transformation, creating an innovation-driven economy in the long run.

Another key theme emerging from China’s two sessions is the nation’s evolving diplomatic strategy. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s address during the forum reinforced China’s commitment to global leadership and multilateralism. Wang emphasised China’s role in fostering a more equitable global order, particularly in light of the growing insularity in countries like the United States. He said, “China will provide certainty to this uncertain world,” positioning China as a leader in promoting peace, stability, and global governance. This assertion is especially important in the context of Nigeria’s foreign policy. Nigeria, as a leading power in Africa, must navigate the delicate balance between its historical relationships with Western powers and its growing ties with China. The Chinese Foreign Minister’s rhetoric on multilateralism is a reminder that the global order is shifting, and Nigeria must adjust its diplomatic priorities accordingly.

For Nigeria, aligning itself with China’s multilateral approach could mean greater influence on the global stage. As a nation that is still navigating its place within the global geopolitical landscape, Nigeria has much to gain from China’s emphasis on cooperative international frameworks. Leveraging its strategic relationship with China could offer Nigeria the opportunity to secure a greater voice in global governance, particularly within international organizations such as the United Nations. Furthermore, China’s growing presence in Africa and its assertion that “Africa is a fertile land of hope” could provide Nigeria with new avenues for economic collaboration and investment. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to improve global infrastructure, could be a key tool for Nigeria’s development if properly leveraged.

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Perhaps the most critical takeaway from the two sessions for Nigeria is the emphasis China places on structured, time-bound policy planning. As Professor Efem Ubi from the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) rightly pointed out, China’s development plans—especially its five-year plans—are strategic, clear, and focused on tangible, measurable outcomes. Ubi observed that Nigeria’s past development plans have often faltered because they lacked clear, realistic targets and the necessary institutional frameworks to ensure successful implementation. For Nigeria to achieve sustained economic growth and development, it must learn from China’s structured approach to policy planning. This includes setting realistic targets, periodically assessing progress, and adjusting strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. A more disciplined approach to economic planning—similar to China’s—would allow Nigeria to manage its vast resources more efficiently and steer the country toward diversification, infrastructure development, and technological advancement.

Ms. Yan Yuqing, China’s Consul General in Lagos, echoed the sentiment of deeper bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and China. The two nations have long enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, with China being Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Africa. Yan Yuqing emphasized that as China moves toward “high-quality development,” it will continue to support Nigeria’s growth through strategic partnerships and investments. China’s investment in infrastructure projects, particularly in transportation and energy, has already had a significant impact on Nigeria. However, the partnership must evolve beyond infrastructure and trade into areas such as technology transfer, education, and industrial collaboration. By focusing on these areas, Nigeria can ensure that it maximizes the benefits of its relationship with China.

As China continues to assert itself as a global economic and political powerhouse, the implications for Nigeria are profound. The 2025 two sessions revealed China’s ongoing commitment to economic growth, technological innovation, and multilateral diplomacy—all of which have significant consequences for Nigeria’s own development trajectory. For Nigeria, the lessons from China’s methodical economic planning, technological foresight, and diplomatic strategies provide valuable insights into how it might accelerate its own growth and influence in the global economy. Ultimately, the future of China-Nigeria relations hinges on Nigeria’s ability to adapt to changing global dynamics, learn from China’s successes, and develop its own strategy for modernisation. By aligning its goals with China’s long-term vision, Nigeria can transform its socio-economic landscape and ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for its citizens.

March 18, 2025
Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1b green project deal to boost agric

Six years after its initial agreement, Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the deal at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to economic growth, policy continuity, and private-sector-driven agricultural development.

GIP, the largest agricultural project in Africa which priotises the development of sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, aims to develop structural conditions to boost food production in Nigeria in an efficient and competitive manner.

The deal for the $1.1 billion GIP 1 was signed in 2018, while the $4.3 billion phase 2 of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS were signed in Brazil during President Tinubu’s visit to that country last year.

Sen Shettima has described the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 as part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Tinubu to enhance food security in the country.

He said: “As this administration addresses the food security challenges we are facing and dovetails the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is imperative for us to synergise and use existing initiatives such as the GIP for the purpose of policy continuity, for the purpose of utilising or leveraging on strategic opportunities to drive our economic growth and also to enhance investor confidence.”

According to a statement, Shettima noted that while the GIP aligned with all the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, it will link small-scale farmers with all the agricultural value chains in the country.

He said: “We have been battling with low agricultural productivity for decades, and as I have always said, entrepreneurial capitalism is embedded in the very psyche of the average Nigerian, but what our people are lacking is the wherewithal to be placed on the first ladder of development.

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“This GIP is a wonderful opportunity because it seamlessly aligns with all the policies and programmes of this government. It’s a private sector driven initiative that targets the small-scale farmer and links him up with all the agricultural value chains.

“Today, to me, is a highpoint of our leadership in this country. Yes, we have started seven years behind but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. 2025 as rightly captured by His Excellency, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, is a milestone year in our journey towards food security and diversification of our nation’s economy.”

The Vice President gave credit to the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Foreign Affairs Minister, among others for the success of the project.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete said it is a great honour for Brazil to associate with the GIP, saying “over the past seven years, there has been negotiation with the Nigerian government with a view to obtaining the necessary funds from private and regional development banks to finance this ambitious project, which is worth approximately $1.1billion.”

He noted that the project will allow for the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, spare parts and assembling of machines will be done in Nigeria with the Nigerian labour, stressing that “in the event of breakdown of any tractor, it will be possible to carry out any repairs here in Nigeria by the personnel who will be trained by GIP.”

On behalf of the Brazilian government, Mr. Garcete thanked President Tinubu for bringing the long negotiation to a fruitful conclusion.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, expressed delight over the signing of the agreement noting that “for us at the sub-national level, it is a very important day for us because agriculture plays an important role in the economy of the country.”

He said the signing of the agreement underscored the high level commitment of the Tinubu administration in improving and transforming agriculture in Nigeria.

“This commitment which is demonstrated from the highest level from the President to the Vice President, I think those of us at the subnational have nothing to do except to toe the line because this is our project,” he stated.

Also in his remarks, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, said Benue State, being the food basket of the nation, is the happiest state among the sub-nationals to witness the signing of the agreement.

Assuring that the government of the state will give full support to the success of the project, he said, “Benue State does not only hold the basket but the food and its surpluses for the nation.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar, who also witnessed the signing of the agreement, said the exercise is a good example of the South-South Cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil, adding that “the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs was in Nigeria last week where he had bilateral meeting with the Nigerian President.”

He said both countries are very passionate about the project, having seen what Brazil has achieved and how it turned a barren savannah into one of the most prolific agriculture sites in the world today.

Also, Attorney General of the Federation Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, thanked the Vice President and all the stakeholders who made the event successful.

March 18, 2025
Nigeria, Brazil seal $1.1bn Green imperative project to boost agriculture

Six years after its initial agreement, Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the signing ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasised the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to economic growth, policy continuity, and private-sector-driven agricultural development.

GIP, the largest agricultural project in Africa which prioritises the development of sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, aims to develop structural conditions to boost food production in Nigeria in an efficient and competitive manner.

The MoU for the $1.1 billion GIP 1 was signed in 2018 while the $4.3 billion phase 2 of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS were signed in Brazil during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to that country last year.

Shettima described the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 as part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Tinubu to enhance food security in the country.

He said: “As this administration addresses the food security challenges we are facing and dovetails the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is imperative for us to synergise and use existing initiatives such as the GIP for the purpose of policy continuity, for the purpose of utilising or leveraging on strategic opportunities to drive our economic growth and also to enhance investor confidence.”

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted while the GIP aligns with all the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, it will link small-scale farmers with all the agricultural value chains in the country.

He noted: “We have been battling with low agricultural productivity for decades, and as I have always said, entrepreneurial capitalism is embedded in the very psyche of the average Nigerian, but what our people are lacking is the wherewithal to be placed on the first ladder of development.

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“This GIP is a wonderful opportunity because it seamlessly aligns with all the policies and programmes of this government. It’s a private sector driven initiative that targets the small-scale farmer and links him up with all the agricultural value chains.

“Today, to me, is a highpoint of our leadership in this country. Yes, we have started seven years behind but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. 2025 as rightly captured by His Excellency, the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, is a milestone year in our journey towards food security and diversification of our nation’s economy.”

The Vice President gave credit to the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Foreign Affairs Minister, among others for the success of the project.

Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete said it is a great honour for Brazil to associate with the Green Imperative Project (GIP), saying “over the past seven years, there has been negotiation with the Nigerian government with a view to obtaining the necessary funds from private and regional development banks to finance this ambitious project, which is worth approximately $1.1billion dollars.”

He noted that the project will allow for the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, spare parts and assembling of machines will be done in Nigeria with the Nigerian labour, stressing that “in the event of breakdown of any tractor, it will be possible to carry out any repairs here in Nigeria by the personnel who will be trained by GIP.”

On behalf the Brazilian government, Mr. Garcete thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing the long negotiation to a fruitful conclusion.

March 17, 2025
Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU to improve bilateral relations

Nigeria and Cuba have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in trade, medicine, and science and technology.

The agreement was signed on Monday in Abuja by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his visiting Cuban counterpart, Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, following closed-door discussions.

Tuggar emphasised that the MoU aims to deepen cooperation between both nations across key sectors, fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties.

He said: “We just signed an agreement, an MOU, to further strengthen our political relationship and to further strengthen our collaboration bilaterally as well as multilaterally. And of course, during the course of our bilateral meeting, we discussed several areas to do with enhancing trade, investment, and collaboration with regards to the medical sector, with regards to research, with regards to science, with regards to technology. And this is something that Nigeria is keenly looking forward to working together with Cuba towards actualising.

“So for us, we consider Cuba as part of Nigeria’s diaspora. And this visit provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen existing ties and agreements and memoranda of understanding that are already in place. And also, just as you witnessed, for us to sign new ones.”

Tuggar stressed that the relationship between both countries dates back to the era of the fight for the emancipation of Africa.

He noted that Cuba and Nigeria also share common culture and traditions

He said: “Cuba is a country with a special place in Nigeria, going back into history. What we share in terms of experience, in terms of culture and tradition, is something that we hold dear to our hearts.

“And even before the existence of both countries in the shape and form that we know them today, perhaps there were people from this part of the world, or this location even, that featured prominently in the formation of what was to become Cuba, because we learn from history that Diego Velazquez supposedly conquered Cuba in 1511, and we know from history that when that event took place, there were black people in his company, even though you find that in contemporary written history, some of these facts are not recognised, but there were nonetheless black people that were there, that were part of that, albeit maybe under certain circumstances that were not their choice.

“So that history goes, and of course, Cuba is a country that played a very prominent role in the liberation of the African continent, countries that were under the yoke of racist regimes in the 60s and the 70s, all the way to the 80s and perhaps I would say early 90s. As did, of course, Nigeria, because it was back then Nigeria and the front line states.

“So we share that common affinity, apart from the culture, the Yoruba culture in particular, and even the Shakiri and other cultures here in Nigeria still feature prominently in Cuba, from music to cuisine, and so forth.”

Rodriguez Parrilla, who visited Nigeria for the second time, said Cuba is ready to explore the potentials for both countries to enhance bilateral relations.

He therefore pledged his country’s full commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria.

He said, “We confirm that there is a very positive potential in order to enhance our cooperation, trade, investment, economic, cultural, academic, scientific relations. And we have been exchanging views on this matter in order to explore some new interests and consolidate the current ones.

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“We enjoyed an excellent level of bilateral relationship in many different areas, having a very proactive exchange and commonalities in our international agendas, a very proactive level of bilateral cooperation and consultation in bilateral ways and also in multilateral foreign and international organisations.”

He also added, “I’m sure that this visit is a positive step and an excellent base for continuing having positive exchange, exploring additional interests for the sake of the Nigerian and the Cuban people. We Cubans consider ourselves of a Latin American-African people, African descent, and most importantly, Nigerian descent. Nigeria, modern Nigeria, is in our blood, in our culture, in our religions, in our traditions.”

The visiting minister also pointed out that he is in Abuja firstly to express his country’s “profound appreciation and gratitude to the contribution by Nigeria to our culture and our country, and because of the stand taken by your country on the issue of the embargo on Cuba.”

“We feel very proud of ourselves as Latin American, African people, and we’ll always be loyal to this special history in commonality with Africa, but especially with the federal republic of Nigeria.”

March 17, 2025