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  • Shettima unveils ambitious plan to move Nigeria from cocoa production to processing

    Shettima unveils ambitious plan to move Nigeria from cocoa production to processing

    …as Nigeria Seeks $25bn Investment for Undersea Gas Pipeline to Europe

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday declared that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to reviving Nigeria’s cocoa industry, with a strategic shift from raw cocoa production to large-scale processing aimed at boosting value addition and creating jobs for the nation’s growing youthful population.

    The Vice President made this known while receiving a delegation from the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), led by its President, Mr. Chris Vincent, at the State House, Abuja.

    The Vice President, however, said the administration is putting everything in place to ensure that Nigeria moves from mere producer of cocoa to a processor of cocoa by promoting sustainable cocoa farming and forest preservation.

    The high-level meeting comes at a time of surging global cocoa prices and increasing demand for sustainably sourced products.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that it is in a bid to return to the drawing board in respect of revamping the nation’s cocoa industry that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the establishment of a National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB).

    “Let’s walk the talk. We used to be one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, but because of the advent of oil, we have been relegated to the background now.

    “But we can reclaim that lost glory, and the President is fully committed to revitalising not only the cocoa industry but all agricultural value chains.”

    Senator Shettima pointed out that the price of cocoa has skyrocketed globally, assuring that “with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Nigeria is poised to go “back to the drawing board.

    Read Also: Shettima: Two years in the saddle with a visionary, historical reformer

    “At our last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the government approved the establishment of the National Cocoa Management Board geared towards revitalising the cocoa industry and the whole cocoa value chain,” he added.

    The Vice President stressed the need for Nigeria to start processing cocoa products, just as he told the WCF delegation that the nation has the manpower, with capable young Nigerians who are willing to take advantage of the job opportunities in the agricultural sector.

    He said, “We don’t want to be producers of cocoa; we want to be processors of cocoa because a tonne of cocoa will fetch you $9,000 now, but processed cocoa will get you $30,000. If you turn them into chocolate bars, that might fetch you $50,000.

    “So, we have the manpower, the average age of the nation is 17. We have very virile young men who are willing to work if they have the opportunity. So, I’m speaking from the heart; we are willing to partner with your organisation.”

    VP Shettima also disclosed that he was already working on building a cocoa farm to lead by example, saying the passion is not driven by profit making, but by the desire to contribute to the social welfare of the country.

    “I want to walk the talk. It is not even about the profit criteria; no. It’s about the social welfare criteria – employing people. Look, let me take you to my farm and you’ll be convinced that the new Nigerian leadership is actively involved and is itching to drive the process.”

    The Vice President pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with WCF, assuring that he would personally engage the governor of Taraba State to secure the 10,000 hectares in Kurmi local government area of the state for the WCF and other partners to expand their investments in the nation’s cocoa industry.

    Earlier, the Vice President of the WCF, Mr Vincent, declared the Foundation’s readiness to work with the Nigerian government to revitalise the cocoa sector in Nigeria in line with the European Union’s sustainable regulations.

    He said, “We are in the middle of a global cocoa supply shortage, and the prices have risen four times over the last three years. We are looking for new supplies of cocoa, sustainable cocoa in particular,” he stated, noting that the WCF represents the whole global cocoa supply chain, which includes the very biggest manufacturers of both chocolate and cocoa.

    “The key thing here is that we have a clear alignment with industries which need to grow in supply sustainably, and I’m aware of the Nigerian State’s ambition to grow cocoa as a crop, and I know the opportunity is now. Because we are in a supply deficit, the next two to three years are an opportunity for growth,” he added.

    Nigeria seeks $25bn investment for undersea gas pipeline to Europe

    Meanwhile, Nigeria is actively pursuing a massive $25 billion undersea gas pipeline project to supply gas to Europe.

    This is just as Vice President Shettima has said, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms have positioned Nigeria as a prime investment destination, especially in the energy sector.

    Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Vitol Group, the world’s largest independent commodity trader, at the Presidential Villa, the Vice President said Nigeria’s leadership transformation under President Tinubu represents an unprecedented opportunity for international investors.

    He said, “Most importantly is the leadership. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu grew up in that ecosystem- energy and finance.

    “In the past 25 years, we have not had a leader who has the courage to take far-reaching decisions as he has taken- the removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the multiple exchange rates, and the tax reforms.”

    The Vice President made a direct appeal to global investors, stating that “he (the President) is putting Nigeria on a new trajectory. This is where the action is, invest in Nigeria.”

    VP Shettima described Nigeria’s gas sector as a beacon of stability and transparency amid global uncertainty. “The world is changing, and ours is actually a gas and not an oil economy. We have the eighth largest gas reserve in the world,” he said.

    The Vice President urged Vitol to bring its considerable technical expertise and global influence to bear in advancing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and exports.

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has been largely insulated from government interference. What we are getting from the NLNG is so predictable. We want to harness the potential in the gas sector fundamentally because of the stability and transparency in that arena,” VP Shettima said.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Chief Financial Officer of Vitol Group, Jeffrey Dellapina, said that Vitol has a long-term commitment to Nigeria.

    “This has been an incredibly close and important country for Vitol for a very long time. We have participated in a lot of things from the downstream, financing, trading and government support when needed.”

    “We do want to maintain an understanding that Vitol is committed, and we are always available to deploy capital when needed. We want to say that Vitol is committed to this country, and we want to stay in this country and evolve with you.”

    Also, Vitol Group’s Head of Public Affairs, Murtala Baloni, noted that the company is currently enjoying a favourable business relationship with Nigerian companies and the government.

    “We support the business of the government in ways that we can in the deployment of capital. We were one of the major funders of Project Gazelle, a crude oil-backed forward-sale finance facility by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), where we put in $300 million during the COVID-19 period,” he stated.

    Also present at the meeting was Nigeria Country Manager for Vitol Group, Thomas de Montulé.

  • Shettima: Two years in the saddle with a visionary, historical reformer

    Shettima: Two years in the saddle with a visionary, historical reformer

    By Stanley Nkwocha

    The trademark of governance in a democracy is its regular consolidation. This has been the challenge with Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999. Yearly, at individual and corporate governance levels, aspirations are set out to be pursued – objectives to be achieved and missions to which unflinching commitment is required. Where the vision is strong, the pursuit is fierce.

    The slogan of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency on assumption of office on May 29, 2023 was, and remains, a significant cut-down on insecurity, poverty, enhanced transparency in the conduct of government affairs and management of the nation’s commonwealth, increased provision of infrastructures as well as enhancing economic condition of Nigerians.

    In this pursuit, President Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, set out to pursue economic transformation with all the vigour available to them. They spent the first few months criss-crossing the length and breadth of the global investment space, all in a bid to explain to the world the ease of doing business in Nigeria and why the country should be the investor’s delight.

    Undoubtedly, the last two years of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have unveiled what is possible where a president is engrossed in selfless service to his nation, and his deputy is devoted to his boss’s policies, principles and ideals. Senator Shettima has consistently declared that he will remain loyal to his principal, President Tinubu, whom he has described as a reformer, builder and visionary leader. At various fora, he has constantly assured Nigerians that the President is fully committed to his campaign promises encapsulated in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Two years down the line, it is evident that the administration’s multi-pronged approach is working. The economy has witnessed positive growth in the last two years and is progressing strongly. Just like the President has maintained that he will not have respite until Nigeria’s reputation as a $1trillion economy and investment destination is restored, his deputy, Senator Shettima has sustained the tempo in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), with meaningful government interventions, programmes and initiatives being spearheaded in the office of the Vice President.

    Below are some of the key accomplishments of the Tinubu administration initiated and overseen by the office of the Vice President in the last two years:

    AGRICULTURE

    It has been manifestly clear from the beginning in 2025, when President Tinubu was seeking the position of the president of the country, that agriculture was going to be the major thrust of his administration. It is not surprising to see the President living up to that promise. The administration set out a regime of incentives to make farming more attractive once again, as it was in the 60s when Nigeria had groundnut pyramids in the North, cocoa in the West and palm oil in the East. Then Nigeria had enough to feed its population and an excess for export.

    To this effect, Vice President Shettima embarked on international diplomacy to attract agricultural investments. As chairman of the NEC, he has been overseeing several agricultural initiatives. At the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in China in November 2023, he promoted Nigeria as a safe investment destination for the agricultural sector. During his visit to the United States for the African Development Bank (AfDB) World Food Prize-facilitated Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, he sought investors’ commitments towards Nigeria’s agro-food sector development.

    The Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere. The partnership aims to establish a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria to boost agricultural mechanisation and food production. Under the agreement, John Deere is to supply about 2,000 tractors annually to Nigeria over the next five years. The Vice President played a key role in initiating this partnership during his visit to the United States, where he met with John Deere officials.

    Also, the international engagement tripled the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) agricultural interventions in Nigeria from $500 million to over $1 billion. The cumulative effects of the commitment from AfDB include the groundbreaking for the federal government’s Specialised Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) recently performed in Kaduna and Cross River State to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reduce food import dependence. SAPZs are designed to industrialise rural economies by adding value to agricultural products, attracting investment, and reducing youth unemployment. Others are improved fertiliser availability for farmers, the establishment of Agro-Rangers to address farm security issues, and the implementation of modern agricultural practices.

    In a bid to advance the Green Imperative Agricultural Project, the Vice President presided over the commercial signing of the $1.1 billion Nigeria-Brazil Green Imperative Project at the Presidential Villa. This initiative seeks to modernise Nigeria’s agriculture sector by supporting smallholder farmers and integrating them into global value chains. A government-catalysed, private-sector-driven agricultural industrialisation programme in Nigeria, VP Shettima is championing the Green Imperative Programme as an important component of the government’s broader strategy to boost agricultural productivity, increase crop yields, and make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production.

    And to lead by example, Vice President Shettima launched the Kashim Shettima Foundation’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme in 2024. This personal initiative includes the distribution of essential farming inputs such as tractors, seeds, fertilizers, and herbicides to beneficiary farmers for the 2024 farming season; financial support of N100,000 per month to 50 beneficiaries for 4 months during the planting period, and the provision of startup funds up to N30 million for farmer cooperatives to establish commercial farms.

    FOOD SECURITY

    Throughout the history of humanity, agriculture has always played a pivotal role in social and economic development. Firstly, robust agriculture engagement ensures food security, which is the fundamental and best form of security because a nation that cannot feed its population is vulnerable, and in fact is sitting on a time bomb. When President Tinubu came to power in 2023, the first appeal he made was for Nigerians to return to the land, for therein lies true prosperity.

    Read Also: May 29: Ex-Minister greets Tinubu, urges Nigerians to key into Renewed Hope Agenda

    Acting on the President’s directive, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), an initiative of the administration to tackle hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria. The PFSCU is tasked with harnessing resources and ideas from stakeholders, including state governors, to modernise farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer. If a person is food secure, it typically means that sufficient quality food is available, they have enough resources to buy food for a nutritious diet, and they have stable access to adequate food at all times.

    NCP AND ECONOMIC REFORMS

    In 2023, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) committee to drive the economic reforms of the Renewed Hope administration. The Council has remained a key institution in Nigeria’s journey toward a market-driven economy, balancing the challenges of reforms with the need for sustainable development. In late 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired a meeting of the National NCP focused on the recapitalisation and restructuring of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). This initiative has helped greatly in revitalising the bank and making it more effective in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The Vice President has been actively involved in efforts to transform the BOA into a more robust financial institution capable of providing enhanced support to farmers and agribusinesses across Nigeria. Under Shettima’s supervision, there have been discussions about increasing the BOA’s capital base to strengthen its capacity to provide loans and other financial services to the agricultural sector. The Office of the Vice President has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other relevant stakeholders to streamline the operations of the BOA and make it more accessible to smallholder farmers. There have been plans to leverage technology to improve the BOA’s reach and efficiency, including the possible introduction of digital banking services tailored for farmers. This is as the Vice President has been advocating for partnerships between the BOA and international development finance institutions to increase the pool of funds available for agricultural lending.

    NUTRITION

    Under the administration, the Vice President, who is the chairman of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), has emphasised the importance of reinforcement in agriculture to combat malnutrition. Accordingly, he approved a 5-year National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition. Senator Shettima went on to push for the Nutrition 774 Initiative at the National Economic Council, an initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition by providing life-saving nutritional support across all local government areas. It focuses on community-based impact, particularly for mothers and children. A significant landmark within the initiative is the establishment of a House Committee on Food and Nutrition, the first of its kind, at both federal and state legislatures. The functions of the House committee include maintaining political commitment, pushing for legislative support, as well as ensuring that nutrition remains a priority in national policies and budgets.

    HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT (HCD)

    As part of its resolve to position the nation among top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by building a healthier, better-educated, and empowered Nigeria, the Tinubu administration stepped up government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) initiative aimed at improving education, healthcare, and skills training across the country to boost economic growth and create a more productive workforce. Under the chairmanship of Vice President Shettima, NEC took the initiative to its second phase (HCD 2.0), which focuses on areas like gender equality, climate change, digital economy, financial inclusion, and food and nutrition. It also aims to address unemployment, the informal sector, and low labour force participation. About 24 million Nigerians are set to benefit from the federal government’s Human Capital Development initiative, which aims to improve education, healthcare, and skills training across the nation. During the HCD Steering Committee meeting, VP Shettima insisted on swift, data-driven implementation of education, health, and workforce programmes across states. To this end, he launched the HCD Dashboard to monitor progress on key indicators like youth unemployment and learning poverty.

    MSMEs

    The Expanded National MSME Clinics is another initiative launched by the Tinubu administration to support and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria, including in the agricultural sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima has played a central role in championing and overseeing the MSME Clinics programme, launching editions in states Benue, Ogun, Enugu, Jigawa, and Ekiti States, with federal government grants for business owners. The MSME Clinics aim to boost economic empowerment and support small-scale enterprises, including agricultural businesses, by facilitating access to finance, markets, skills, and regulatory compliance. The MSME Clinics have led to the launch of major ultramodern fashion hubs in these states. The fashion hubs are expected to create millions of jobs.

    ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

    In April 2025, Vice President Shettima inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to address national grid reliability. Also, VP Shettima, in meetings with the World Economic Forum President and other global stakeholders, championed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and Lake Chad recharge. These projects aim to address energy shortages in West Africa, strengthen Nigeria’s export footprint, and boost agricultural resilience in the Sahel.

    REVITALISATION OF THE NIGERIA-BRAZIL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

    In March, VP Shettima coordinated preparations for the revival of Nigeria-Brazil bilateral ties, which had stalled for over a decade. Discussions are now set to enhance cooperation in agriculture, health, military technology, and tourism, anchored on the upcoming Brazil-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.

    RSPIC

    The Tinubu administration launched the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC), a national initiative aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by internal displacements across Nigeria. The project, which is in its pilot phase, focuses on 7 states disproportionately affected by farmer-herder conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna. Last year, Vice President Shettima, representing President Tinubu, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the RSPIC project in Kaduna State. Earlier, VP Shettima had inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the RSPIC initiative, fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of Nigerians affected by conflict.

    While the primary focus of the RSPIC is on providing relief and rehabilitation for conflict-affected communities, it is also linked to the administration’s efforts to address food insecurity in Nigeria. The areas targeted by the RSPIC have been significantly impacted by farmer-herder conflicts, which have disrupted agricultural production and food supply. By resettling and rehabilitating these conflict-affected communities, the RSPIC aims to restore their livelihoods and access to food, thereby contributing to the broader goal of improving food security in Nigeria.

    FINANCIAL INCLUSION

    Vice President Shettima has played an important role in advancing financial and economic inclusion as a foundation stone of the administration’s development agenda. In April 2024, he led the signing of the landmark Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, uniting federal and state actors, financial institutions, and development partners around a shared commitment to integrate over 30 million unbanked Nigerians into the formal economy. He followed this with the launch of a national operating model aimed at transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through improved access to credit, digital payments, and financial literacy. And to promote economic growth and financial inclusion, the Vice President, in February 2025, inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI). The financial inclusion efforts of the administration have been serving as a vehicle that helps Nigeria to bring life to dead capital.

    Indeed, while the first half of President Tinubu’s first term in office can best be described as a remarkable and impactful success story, the unalloyed belief in his economic policies, institutional reforms and developmental ideas, especially by his lieutenants led by VP Shettima, is as inspirational as it is legendary.

    As the administration steps into mid term of its first term in office, there is no doubt that President Tinubu foresight’s, vision, reforms, well thought-out policies and programmes will impact tremendously on the lives of Nigerians. His absolute trust in the capacity of the Vice President and all others in the cabinet to plan and execute the programmes and interventions of the Renewed Hope Agenda will motivate them to ramp up the business of governance for the overall benefit of the people.

  • Institutional reforms will resolve 80% of bureaucratic challenges-Shettima

    Institutional reforms will resolve 80% of bureaucratic challenges-Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that 80 percent of Nigeria’s bureaucratic and policy challenges can be resolved through strong institutional reforms.

    Speaking on Monday at the official presentation of the draft National Public Policy Development and Management Framework, Shettima called for a national reset in the conception, communication and execution of government policies.

    The event, at the State House, featured a presentation by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman.

    “If we get our institutional frameworks right, we will solve 80% of our public policy challenges,” Shettima said, describing the new draft policy framework as a “long overdue” intervention in Nigeria’s governance landscape.

    The Vice President lamented past inconsistencies in public policy formulation and called for clear rules of engagement across all levels of government.

    According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the proposed reforms signal the dawn of a new era under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, rooted in economic discipline, clarity of purpose, and measurable outcomes.

    “For the first time, we have a leader who understands the dynamics and speaks the language of economics,” the Vice President said, praising President Tinubu’s unique blend of public and private sector experience and courage in implementing far-reaching reforms.

    Shettima also stressed that accountability must accompany reform, warning that implementation without consequence is “another word for lunacy.”

    “There must be targets and deliverables; if people fail to perform, they should be made to pay the price,” he declared.

    The Vice President further underscored the need to digitalise policy management, insisting that e-governance, data-driven execution, and real-time monitoring are central to delivering results.

    Read Also: NAFDAC warns against incitement by social media influencer VDM

    He noted that these elements are embedded in the draft framework to ensure efficiency and coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    In a remark referencing former US President Barack Obama, Shettima added: “What nations need is not strong men, but strong institutions guided by laws that are fair and acceptable.”

    In her presentation, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman noted that the absence of a central guiding document for policy development had led to a fragmented government ecosystem where MDAs operated in silos.

    This, she said, had resulted in overlapping policies, duplication of effort, and erosion of public confidence in government actions.

    “At the beginning of this administration, it was quite baffling to discover that the federal government did not have a document specifying the process by which policies should be conceptualised,” she stated.

    She explained that the new framework is the result of wide-ranging collaboration involving the Office of the Vice President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the National Economic Summit Group, and other international partners.

    According to her, the framework offers a structural foundation to ensure policy coherence, reduce redundancy, and provide transparency and direction to government action.

    “This framework is designed to address deep-rooted challenges in policy management. With it, policies will be developed with clear intent, stakeholder involvement, and measurable outcomes,” she assured.

    Usman expressed confidence that with the input and leadership of the Vice President, the document will be finalized to serve as a binding compass for all arms of the federal administration.

  • FG committed to expanding ENT healthcare access, tackling brain drain – Shettima

    FG committed to expanding ENT healthcare access, tackling brain drain – Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing access to quality ear, nose, and throat (ENT) healthcare services in Nigeria, pledging comprehensive support for training, equipment, and infrastructure development in the sector.

     The Vice President made the declaration on Thursday evening while receiving a delegation from the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), led by its President, Prof. Aliyu Mohammed Kodiya, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     Addressing the delegation, VP Shettima acknowledged the growing burden of hearing loss across the country and underscored the urgent need to improve ENT care, including efforts to curb the ongoing brain drain among medical professionals.

     According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “a huge chunk of our population suffers from hearing ailments, but due to social stigmatisation, many are reluctant to come forward for treatment. The challenges you are highlighting are real, and the government is committed to going beyond cosmetic interventions,” he said. 

    Read Also: Shettima mourns with Sule Garo’s family over death of elder brother

    Senator Shettima acknowledged the critical shortage of ENT specialists nationwide, saying there may not be up to 500 ENT surgeons in this country if immediate action is not taken. 

    “That is the reality we face today. Even our young doctors are migrating to Europe and other regions, but we are working to create an enabling environment for them here.”

    He emphasised that government support will not only focus on acquiring equipment but will also prioritise the training, welfare, and retention of medical professionals in the field.

    “The problem goes beyond equipment. Procuring medical devices without the manpower to operate them would amount to nothing,” VP Shettima added, urging ORLSON to continue investing in the training of new specialists.

    In recognition of his support for the sector, the Vice President was conferred with the honourary title of “Ambassador of the Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria” by Prof. Kodiya.

    Earlier, Prof. Kodiya drew attention to the alarming global and national statistics on hearing loss, describing it as a growing public health crisis. 

    He cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people globally will experience some degree of hearing loss, with over 700 million requiring rehabilitation.

     “This condition imposes an estimated global financial burden of over $1 trillion annually due to lost productivity, healthcare costs, and social exclusion,” he said.

    Prof. Kodiya also noted that Nigeria’s National Policy and Strategic Plan for Ear and Hearing Care, launched in 2019, expired in 2023 without full implementation, calling it a missed opportunity to develop a sustainable hearing health framework.

    He reiterated ORLSON’s readiness to partner with the government, private sector, and international organisations to reduce the burden of hearing loss and improve access to quality ENT services in the country.

  • Shettima mourns with Sule Garo’s family over death of elder brother

    Shettima mourns with Sule Garo’s family over death of elder brother

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Sule Galadima Garo, following the passing of their elder brother, Alhaji Abubakar Sule Garo, fondly known as Babangida.

    In a condolence message delivered on Thursday, the Vice President sympathised with Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 Kano State election, and the entire Garo family, describing the late Abubakar Garo as a deeply respected and devoted community leader.

    The deceased was a former Managing Director of the Abubakar Rimi Market Management Board in Kano State, where he was known for his administrative skills and commitment to public service.

    Read Also: Shettima urges EU-Africa synergy for transformative growth

    In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “his demise has left me, as well as many others, saddened. He was a proud and dedicated citizen who loved working for the common people.

    “He was a most committed advocate of his community who endeared himself to many with his politeness, kindness, and commitment to the well-being of his people”, the Vice President said in his message.

    Shettima noted that the late Abubakar Sule Garo’s life was marked by quiet service, humility, and a deep connection with the grassroots.

    He also commended the deceased’s efforts in promoting peace and development within his community.

    Praying for the peaceful repose of the departed soul, Shettima said, “In this time of grief, I express my condolences to the family and comfort all those he left behind. I pray Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the departed and receive his soul into eternal peace.”

  • Shettima urges EU-Africa synergy for transformative growth

    Shettima urges EU-Africa synergy for transformative growth

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the European Union (EU) and African nations to deepen collaboration and fully harness their shared potential for transformative development, describing the EU as Nigeria’s “natural partner” in reform and growth.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, Shettima commended the EU’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda and urged both parties to move beyond aid and into mutual, productive partnership.

    He pledged Nigeria’s readiness to continue to leverage Global Gateway, a strategic initiative of the EU to invest in smart, clean, and secure infrastructure as well as connectivity across the world, including Nigeria, by accelerating key projects like the high-speed rail links, improved ports and airports, renewable power plants, and vocational training centers.

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima urged the continent and the regional body to maximise their potential, he said, “The EU are our natural allies and natural partners. I am guided by logic, rationality and not by sentiments.  We see our relationship with the EU as a long-term goal because we have come a long way, and there is room for improvement.

    Read Also: Shettima, Omisore task mechanical engineers on budgeting, national development

    “Our expectations as Nigerians and as Africans are clear. We want this partnership to graduate from well-meaning commitments to transformative outcomes. We want more joint ventures, deeper trade facilitation under the AfCFTA, unchangeable investments in energy, education and digital inclusion.”

    Maintaining that a stronger relationship with the EU is sacrosanct, the VP noted that Nigeria shares many things in common with the EU, including commitment to democracy, freedom of worship, inclusivity and gender empowerment, even as he said it is time to build a future where multilateralism reflects true mutuality globally.

    He continued: “We hope to see the EU move from being a donor to being a co-creator of African prosperity. We really want to be partners with the European Union, not as recipients of aid but as co-creators of prosperity and wealth.

    “And we have some commonalities that we share – our commitment to democracy, freedom of worship, inclusivity and gender empowerment, green technology initiative and climate adaptability. We are literally on the same page with the EU on so many issues.”

    On the efforts of the current leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, VP Shettima said it has brought a renewed commitment and clarity to the vision of the AU.

    “I believe they are poised to reposition Africa not just as a subject of global discussion but as a co-author of the world’s next chapter,” he added.

     EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the strength and longevity of the relationship between the two continents, which is celebrating 25 years.

    Mignot said, “The EU is Africa’s first partner—its 

    Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima has said Nigeria and the Republic of Zambia share a longstanding fraternal brotherhood, and the administration of President Tinubu is committed to sustaining the relationship.

    The Vice President stated this on Thursday when he received President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia’s Special Envoy, Dr Samuel Miambo, who was at the Presidential Villa to deliver President Hichilema’s message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Shettima said Nigeria was proud of its shared heritage with Zambia, especially the country’s contributions to civil liberties liberation during the apartheid era, and its strong democratic heritage and stability since independence.

    He assured the envoy of Nigeria’s continued support for the government and people of Zambia, particularly in the pursuit of programmes and policies that target the improvement of lives and livelihoods of the people of both countries.

    Miambo, who conveyed President Hichilema’s message and special greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, solicited Nigeria’s support for his quest for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

    He said as a big brother in the continent, Nigeria’s support will be crucial for the success of any presidency of the AfDB and highlighted his vision for the development of the continent anchored on energy security, infrastructure and the construction of an African Centre of Excellence for Energy in Nigeria.

    Accompanying the Special Envoy on the visit to the Vice President were the Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. George Imbuwa; Advisers to the Zambian President – Mr Manfred Ndonuie and Mrs Elita Mwambazi.

  • Shettima, Omisore task mechanical engineers on budgeting, national development

    Shettima, Omisore task mechanical engineers on budgeting, national development

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged engineers to play a more prominent role in shaping national planning and budgeting.

    He said the precision, structure, and alignment fundamental to engineering are equally indispensable in governance.

    Shettima spoke at this year’s Mechanical Engineering distinguished lecture, the 15th edition, yesterday in Abuja.

    The Vice President stressed that national budgets must be designed with the same disciplined logic that governs engineering practice.

    “Our national challenges are not due to lack of knowledge but from the failure to apply these principles with discipline and clarity.

    “The true measure of any thriving civilisation lies in its respect for numbers, for data, for geometry, and for the guiding principles of mathematics,” he said.

    Shettima said budgeting should be seen as an engineering exercise where every figure must make sense and every decision must serve a strategic purpose.

    READ ALSO: Tribute to Omololu Olunloyo

    The event attracted a high-profile audience, including the Ministers of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako; Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; former Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Idris Wada (Kogi), as well as industry leaders, traditional rulers, and leaders of engineering bodies.

    Shettima praised the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIME) for choosing a timely theme: The Imperative of Engineering Strategies for the Planning of National Budget, for the event.

    “In the public policy space, we see firsthand how the strategies used by engineers to produce precise outcomes can be applied to governance…

    “A nation that hopes to rise must learn to plan like an engineer. That is how we build the Nigeria of our dreams,” he added.

    Delivering the 15th distinguished lecture, a former Osun State deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, urged engineers to participate actively in transforming this year’s budget from vision to tangible results.

    “The budget is like a vehicle with a powerful engine but no wheels. We simply won’t go anywhere unless we develop innovative implementation strategies rooted in engineering solutions,” Omisore warned.

    The former deputy governor noted that despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy, over half the population lives on less than N1,500 a day while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has lagged behind its true potential.

    “We need to examine what role mechanical engineers can play in enhancing industrial productivity and supporting government efforts to expand economic opportunities,” he said.

    Omisore identified youth unemployment, underemployment, and poor infrastructure as pressing challenges facing the country.

    He urged engineers to support micro, small, and medium enterprises and adopt solutions in renewable energy, robotics, automation, and local manufacturing.

  • Shettima, Omisore task mechanical engineers on budgeting, national development

    Shettima, Omisore task mechanical engineers on budgeting, national development

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian engineers to play a more prominent role in shaping national planning and budgeting, insisting that the precision, structure, and alignment fundamental to engineering are equally indispensable in governance.

    Speaking at the 2025 Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima emphasised that national budgets must be designed with the same disciplined logic that governs engineering practice.

    “Our national challenges are not due to a lack of knowledge, but from the failure to apply these principles with discipline and clarity.

    “The true measure of any thriving civilisation lies in its respect for numbers, for data, for geometry, and for the guiding principles of mathematics.”

    He added that budgeting should be seen as an engineering exercise where every figure must make sense and every decision must serve a strategic purpose.

    The event attracted a high-profile audience, including the Ministers of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako; Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; former governors Olusegun Mimiko and Idris Wada; industry leaders; traditional rulers; and leaders of engineering bodies.

    Shettima praised the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers for choosing a timely theme: ‘The Imperative of Engineering Strategies for the Planning of National Budget’.

    “In the public policy space, we see firsthand how the strategies used by engineers to produce precise outcomes can be applied to governance.

    “Where we invest thoughtlessly, the consequences are felt across generations. But where we apply intelligence and strategy, the benefits multiply.”

    He urged greater collaboration between engineers and policymakers to ensure that government investments align with measurable, long-term national objectives.

    “A nation that hopes to rise must learn to plan like an engineer. That is how we build the Nigeria of our dreams,” he added.

    Delivering the 15th Distinguished Lecture, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, urged engineers to become active participants in transforming the 2025 budget from vision to tangible results.

    “The budget is like a vehicle with a powerful engine but no wheels. We simply won’t go anywhere unless we develop innovative implementation strategies rooted in engineering solutions,” Omisore warned.

    He stressed that despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy, over half the population lives on less than N1,500 a day, and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has lagged behind its true potential.

    “We need to examine what role mechanical engineers can play in enhancing industrial productivity and supporting government efforts to expand economic opportunities,” he said.

    Omisore identified youth unemployment, underemployment, and poor infrastructure as pressing challenges, calling on engineers to support micro, small, and medium enterprises and adopt solutions in renewable energy, robotics, automation, and local manufacturing.

    He underscored the need for energy diversification, urging engineers to drive solar and gas-based power systems, improve transportation infrastructure, and produce essential spare parts locally.

    He also called for local innovation in healthcare technology and a renewed focus on human capital development.

    Referring to the 2025 budget’s reliance on oil, non-oil taxes, and external loans, he said, “The mechanical engineer must develop strategies to transform these resources into productive assets.

    “Nigeria has the potential for sustainable development, but we must rise to meet our responsibilities.”

    He also urged the government to return the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to its original mandate of fund distribution rather than project execution, stating that its current direction was “detrimental to the growth of the engineering sector.”

    Former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in a goodwill message, backed the call for greater local participation in national development.

    Arguing that the time had come to reverse the trend of awarding over 90 percent of the nation’s infrastructure projects to foreign firms, Mimiko described engineering as “The very soul of education and the heartbeat of national development.”

    “I see very little evidence of Nigerian engineering involvement in these critical projects, even though we’ve been producing engineers in this country for over five decades.

    Read Also: Shettima to IsDB: best time to invest in Nigeria is now

    “This is why the launch of the ‘Nigeria First’ project by the Federal government is so significant. For the first time, it places road construction squarely in the hands of Nigerians. And that, to me, is a powerful statement.”

    Mimiko praised the new policy initiative as a remarkable development, describing it as a “Profound ideological shift, carefully conceived, thoughtfully articulated, and, hopefully, sincerely committed to.”

    Other speakers at the event also called on mechanical engineers to take a more active role in the government’s budgeting process, emphasizing the need to bring their technical expertise and problem-solving experience to bear in shaping national development priorities.

    The highlight of the event was the conferment of honours on Vice President Shettima, Senator Omisore, and former Osun State Governor and APC founding chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, in recognition of their contributions to national development.

  • Nigeria ripe for investments – Shettima

    Nigeria ripe for investments – Shettima

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima says, with critical reforms in key sectors of the economy, Nigeria is ripe for investments.

    Shettima stated this on Tuesday when he hosted a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation was led by the Head of bank Regional Hub, Mr Hammad Hundal.

    Shettima said President Bola Tinubu’s  administration has addressed most of the grey areas that hitherto served as disincentives to investors.

    “It is an exciting opportunity to invest in Nigeria. The administration of President Tinubu has created the enabling environment.

    ” The administration is still doing so by addressing most of the grey areas that hitherto served as a disincentive.

    “So, this is a great time to invest in Nigeria,” he said.

    Shettima said the administration is  implementing well-thought-out interventions in human capital development, nutrition, agriculture, health, education and promotion of digital trade,

    “This administration is poised to address the challenges that we have in key areas of human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure and nutrition.

    Read Also: Shettima to IsDB: best time to invest in Nigeria is now

    ” In fact, we have no option but to address most of these issues, and we will continue to act in the right direction,” he stressed.

    The Vice-President applauded Nigeria’s partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, noting that both entities are based primarily on the country’s national interest.

    He urged IsDB to continue on the path already laid through its support for key government programmes like Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, the i-DICE project and other initiatives.

    ” Let us cross-pollinate ideas and come up with a design for your Country Engagement Framework (CEF).

    ” I want you to record in your Country Engagement Framework, the development of a Halal economy, promotion of digital trade, financial inclusion and other areas.

    ” I urge closer collaboration to enable us to address some of these challenges,” he said.

    Shettima further noted that the bank’s programmes in Nigeria aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu across different sectors.

    He called for improved support from the bank in areas of agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, investment in education and health infrastructure, and nutrition.

    Earlier, Mr Hundal, said the bank was committed to scaling up its intervention through a holistic review of its Country Engagement Framework (CEF) in Nigeria.

    He assured that the bank would  prioritise key aspects of the agenda of President Tinubu.

    Hundal identified key areas of its intervention in the country, including economic infrastructure, support for the private sector, energy security, and the i-DICE programme.

    The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the bank’s Country Engagement Framework (CEF) to the Vice-President by its Country Economist, Dr Obioma Asuzu.

    The CEF highlights key broad strategic objectives of boosting recovery, tackling poverty and building resilience, and driving green economic growth.

    Asuzu said the IsDB CEF for Nigeria is driven by the country’s national priorities, partnerships with critical stakeholders, and resource mobilisation.

    (NAN)

  • Shettima to IsDB: best time to invest in Nigeria is now

    Shettima to IsDB: best time to invest in Nigeria is now

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria is ripe for investment, citing the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as a major boost to investor confidence and the national business climate.

    Shettima made the remarks yesterday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), led by the Head of its Regional Hub in Abuja, Mr. Hammad Hundal, at the State House, Abuja.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “It is an exciting opportunity to invest in Nigeria.

    “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created the enabling environment and is still doing so by addressing most of the grey areas that hitherto served as a disincentive. So, this is a great time to invest in Nigeria.”

    Senator Shettima pointed out that with well-thought-out interventions in human capital development, nutrition, agriculture, health, education and promotion of digital trade, the administration has demonstrated commitment in addressing challenges in the critical sectors.

    “This administration is poised to address the challenges that we have in key areas of human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure and nutrition. In fact, we have no option but to address most of these issues, and we will continue to act in the right direction,” he maintained.

    The Vice President applauded Nigeria’s partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, noting that both entities are based primarily on the country’s national interest.

    Read Also: How we are scaling MSMEs for African markets, by Shettima

    He urged IsDB to continue on the path already laid through its support for key government programmes such as the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, the i-DICE project and other initiatives, including the development of a Halal economy in the country.

    He said: “Let us cross-pollinate ideas and come up with a design for your Country Engagement Framework (CEF). I want you to record in your Country Engagement Framework, the development of a Halal economy, promotion of digital trade, financial inclusion and other areas. I urge closer collaboration to enable us to address some of these challenges.”

    Senator Shettima further noted that the bank’s programmes in Nigeria aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu across different sectors.

    He called for improved support from the bank in areas of agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, investment in education and health infrastructure, and nutrition.

    Earlier in his remarks, the IsDB’s head of regional hub in Abuja, Mr Hundal, said the bank was committed to scaling up its intervention through a holistic review of its Country Engagement Framework (CEF) in Nigeria to prioritise key aspects of the agenda of President Tinubu.

    He identified key areas of its intervention in the country, including economic infrastructure, support for the private sector, energy security, and the i-DICE programme.

    The highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the bank’s Country Engagement Framework (CEF) to the Vice President by its Country Economist, Dr Obioma Asuzu.

    The CEF highlights key broad strategic objectives of boosting recovery, tackling poverty and building resilience, and driving green economic growth.

    She said the IsDB CEF for Nigeria is driven by the country’s national priorities, partnerships with critical stakeholders, and resource mobilisation.