Tag: tinubu

By 2031, Nigeria will have achieved full literacy nationwide, according to Lagos lawmaker Hon. Temitope Adedeji Adewale.

Adewale, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the statement on Saturday after inspecting a screening exercise for the distribution of his free GCE forms to prospective candidates.

He praised the Federal Government for its initiatives aimed at taking youths off the streets and engaging them in productive ventures, particularly through education.

The lawmaker highlighted the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that it has spurred more Nigerians to seek admission into tertiary institutions.

“You see, Mr. President is doing everything possible to boost the literacy level in the country. And given the way the government is going, by the end of President Tinubu’s second term in 2031, Nigeria will be boasting a 100 percent literacy rate and this would include resolving the issue of out-of-school kids,” Adewale said.

As at April, 2025, NELFUND said over 500,000 students had applied for loans across Nigeria.

The lawmaker described the figure as encouraging adding that it would help the government with future projections.

“It also gladens the heart that the state governments continue to support the Federal Government with various initiatives. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attended the graduation ceremony of 5,300 residents from the Lagos Skill Acquisition Programmes. This means 5,300 residents are off the labour market.

“We are giving out 400 forms this year. We also give out JAMB forms because we know that education remains the strongest tool we can use to change lives and shape the future.

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“This programme is part of my promise to ensure no student misses an opportunity because of financial constraints. Our goal remains to make Ifako-Ijaiye the most educated local government in Nigeria by 2031,” he said.

He said that through the Adewale Temitope Educational Initiatives (ATA-EI), he has given out over 8000 free GCE and JAMB forms so far with at least 120 students on scholarships in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“This says a lot about the government’s interest in the youth and, given another term with President Tinubu and our party in power, Nigerians will look back sometime in the future and thank God that we had this chance,” he added.

By Tunde Rahman

Two years in the saddle, has President Bola Tinubu undercut the Northern region in the management of the country’s affairs and distribution of political appointments and development projects? Has he reneged on the promise made to the Northern elites three years ago in Kaduna that he would run an all-inclusive government, protect the national interest and be fair to every part of the country and the North in particular?

It was in a bid to answer these important questions that governors, ministers and other top government functionaries from the Northern region converged on Arewa House, Kaduna on July 29 and 30, 2025, under the auspices of the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, to present their scorecards and tell the region what they had all done to advance the interest of the region since May 2023.

At the end, the intervention by the governors and government functionaries yielded an overwhelming approval rating and an outright rejection of politically motivated allegations of marginalization. They reeled out impressive strides recorded by the administration in infrastructure, social investment programmes, and security. 

According to them, President Tinubu has done a lot for the North. Whatever under-development that may exist in the region should not be attributed to him, but to Northern leaders, for the many years they had neglected the region.

However, it was apparent that the motive behind the frenzied conversation about the Tinubu administration’s achievements is not so much what the President has done – or not done – for the North in terms of distribution of national offices and infrastructure. 

It was propelled, essentially, by the self-serving interests of some Northern elites angling to shape political decisions and the politics of 2027. As my friend, the Publisher of The Cable and former Editor of Thisday, Simon Kolawole, would say, “it’s all politics”, and this time, it is all about the politics of 2027.

It’s a page from an old politics playbook: couching the views, political agenda, opinions, and interests of the elites as those of the larger society where they operate. To achieve their aim, they deploy all kinds of subterfuge, including ethnicity or tribalism. Richard Sklar hints at this when he states that, “tribalism is an instrument in the hands of political elites.”

This is quite evident in the outburst of the New Nigeria Peoples Party leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who recently accused President Tinubu of marginalising the North in infrastructure development. However, available evidence points to the contrary. 

According to the Director-General, Budget Office, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, who should know, more than half of the capital budgets for 2024 and 2025, were allocated to projects and programs in Northern Nigeria. “Contrary to politically-motivated narratives, Northern Nigeria is not on the margins; it is at the heart of federal investment priorities. Over 50% of the capital budget for 2024 and 2025 is traceable to projects and programs in the North when major national trunk infrastructure and water basin investments are properly accounted for,” he declared

Tanimu outlined flagship projects and interventions that serve as evidence of the administration’s commitment to developing the North. These include the Abuja–Kano Expressway dualization, ₦12.1 trillion Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the most ambitious cross-regional road project in decades, spanning 1,068 km, costing ₦3.63 trillion, with 30% of it already approved by President Tinubu for the project’s initial rollout in Sokoto and Kebbi; Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway, a Sahel trade corridor enabler; Zungeru–Kano Power Transmission Line, boosting industrial power supply; Funtua and Bauchi Inland Dry Ports for agro-export and logistics; and Expansion of Airport Runways in Katsina, Maiduguri and Kaduna.

But firstly, there is a need for recourse to the promise Tinubu made to the North before he was elected president. On October 17, 2022, Tinubu came before the Northern leaders to present his agenda for the region and solicit their votes. This was in the run-up to an election where former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the poll, had fouled the air, fanning the embers of ethnicity, telling the North he belonged to it and was the best candidate to protect the Northern interest. There was tension in the land. The nation’s fault lines were being toyed with. Atiku’s erstwhile presidential running mate in the 2019 election, who by then had become the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was also unrelenting, ratcheting up ethnic and religious sentiments for his candidacy.

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It was against this backdrop that Tinubu mounted the podium at the Arewa House. Both Tinubu and Atiku were leading other candidates in the North at the time. Thus, the North had become divided and the atmosphere at the venue of the talks was charged. In a measured but purposeful tone, Tinubu told the gathering that as president, he would consolidate on the investments of the late President Buhari administration in all sectors to build on the gains recorded. 

He spoke of his plans to ensure that insecurity was nipped in the bud in the North and across the country, harness the resources that abound in every part of the nation for greater economic development, and utilize the vast natural resources of the country through strategic investment in infrastructure. 

Speaking specifically and cautiously on his plans for the North, he said, among other things, that the region has a comparative advantage in agriculture and mining, and that under his presidency, the North would emerge as the hub of agribusiness in Africa through huge investment in the sector in collaboration with the private sector. 

“Agriculture is of special interest to me. It is both an economic and existential issue for every country. Experience in the last seven years has shown the potential of agriculture in solving the problem of unemployment and boosting our GDP,” he said.

On his plans for education and reducing out-of-school children in the North, he said working with both states and local governments to reform and retool the system, he would provide the required leadership and mobilize investment for the development of the sector. These reforms, according to him, will give special attention to the welfare and training of teachers and lecturers as necessary catalyst for the better system the North desires.

He identified some priority roads and hydropower projects in the North which had either not been followed through, and new ones he would introduce to aid the development of the region.

His lucid presentation and the way and manner he calmly but firmly responded to the questions thrown at him were quite impressive. I know this as a fact because I was there. With that event, the North and Tinubu apparently entered into a pact. And following the results of the 2023 presidential election, the North voted well for Tinubu, giving him about 60% of the votes that brought him to power.

Are there gaps in what he promised the North and what he delivered to them? Has President Tinubu treated the North unfairly two years down the road? I do not think so! I think the President has kept faith with his promise. 

However, there is room for improvement. Ongoing critical projects in the North like the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano reconstruction work, Mambilla Hydroelectric Dam, Baro Inland Port, and Ajaokuta Steel Mill should be pursued vigorously.

The views expressed at the Kaduna two-day summit titled “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens’ Engagement for National Unity” were nonetheless interesting, though admittedly mixed. 

The Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, alleged that the Tinubu government had neglected the region, especially in its budget allocations and infrastructural development. 

“Two years into President Tinubu’s four-year tenure, the feeling among the people of the North is, to put it mildly, completely mixed,” he said, citing certain federal budget figures to underscore the alleged neglect.

Such grim prognosis was offset by some contrasting submissions. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State said the President is committed to fulfilling his promises to the North, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume affirmed that President Tinubu’s administration would leave no region behind. 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Aliyu Moddibo, his Special Adviser on General Duties, noted that the current administration’s inclusive reforms were in line with the economic reality of Nigerians.

Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu stated that the administration is implementing policies aimed at transforming Nigeria’s economy and fulfilling the promises made to Nigerians. 

“The President has complete faith in Nigeria. He does not make decisions based on ethnicity or region. His government is rooted in fairness and inclusivity,” he said.

On the fight against banditry and terrorism, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu said the Tinubu administration had made giant strides in protecting lives and properties. Ribadu said Nigerian security forces had subdued and neutralized some of the terrorist leaders, who had unleashed terror along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, making it safer for travellers. 

The NSA noted that the once-troubled highways from Zamfara to Katsina, Kaduna-Abuja and Kaduna to Birnin Gwari that were a nightmare for travellers, can now be safely used at night due to improvement in security. “Politics will not allow people to give us credit for all of that,” he added.

In the final analysis, the Kaduna Governor gave the Northern leaders some food for thought when he declared that the northern woes should not be blamed on President Tinubu. “Yes, President Tinubu made promises. But let’s be honest with ourselves: he has kept faith with the North in many critical areas – security, agriculture, education, and economic inclusion. The real question is, have we kept faith with our people as Northern leaders?”

-Rahman is Senior Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties.

A series aimed at projecting the transformative impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is due for launch on August 12.

 Anchored by Lead Projects Africa (LPA), a member of the Bullion Projects Group, the series known as A New Nigeria is Here Season 2 (ANNIH S2), aims ultimately to propel the nation’s rebirth

 The project, described by LPA in a statement as “Nigeria’s biggest renaissance unicorn documentary series”, is due for its debut on Tuesday.

 “This isn’t just a documentary series; it is a cinematic journey, a weekly exploration into the heart of Nigeria’s transformative odyssey and economic drivers under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope,” LPA said.

 It added that “with the endorsement of the Presidency, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and executive oversight from the Office of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, this landmark project is poised to amplify Nigeria’s powerful emergence as Africa’s undeniable innovation and economic powerhouse.”

 The statement added: “ANNIH S2 is more than a documentary series; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven from public and private sector triumphs, blending exclusive, candid interviews with grassroots storytelling and profound policy insights.

 “Each compelling 30-minute episode promises to captivate an estimated 300 million viewers globally: airing on CHANNELS NETWORK, NEWS CENTRAL Africa with a review on CNN and special Unicorn editions on CNBC Africa, AIT NETWORK, TVC and ARISE NEWS, and reaching every corner of the globe through the YouTube Channels, Africa Got Stories.”

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The Season 2, it says, will delve deep into the key pillars defining Nigeria’s ‘Fennaissance’ (Financial + Renaissance): economic renaissance unpacking the bold reforms in fiscal policy, the relentless drive in infrastructure development, and the explosive growth in digital innovation that are propelling Nigeria towards its ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy.

 It will also feature the rise of Nigeria’s industrial hubs from Lagos to Aba to Nnewi and the policies unlocking private-sector growth.

  The spotlight, it says, will also be beamed on the dynamic young entrepreneurs, the burgeoning tech unicorns and the resilient SMEs who are courageously reshaping industries from the fintech revolution (Flutterwave, Interswitch) to agricultural revitalization (NALDA) and the promise of clean energy.

 “Public-Private Synergy Documenting the high-impact collaborations forging a new path for progress, showcasing the seamless dance between vital institutions (NDIC, FIRS, BOI) and private giants (Innoson Group, BUA Group)  collaborating to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape.

 “Global repositioning directly countering outdated stereotypes by powerfully showcasing Nigeria’s investment-ready sectors, debunking myths and showcasing Nigeria as the premier investment destination in Africa, with insights on dollar liquidity reforms, tax incentives, and sectoral opportunities, beckoning both the Diaspora and international investors to join in this monumental growth story.”

 Among the major partners expected to drive the Season2 of A New Nigeria is Here unicorn documentary series are: Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Motors; Bank of Industry (BOI); Ministry of Finance; FIRS; Alami Capital; National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the Sahara Group.

 LPA listed key members of the strategic Inter-ministerial committee that has worked assiduously on the success of ANNIH to include Mrs Sayande Okoli (Special Adviser to the President on Finance&Economy); Mrs Kike Longe (Special Adviser for Stakeholders Engagement), Dr. Ogho Okiti (Special Adviser Media) and Hajia A. Nana Ibrahim (Special Adviser Economic Coordination), all Special Advisers to the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

Aviation industry stakeholders have hailed efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in fixing decades –  old airport infrastructure challenges describing the ambitious plan to improve passenger experience as a strategic move to unlock new revenue streams for airline.

They said Nigeria’s aviation sector is poised for a major turnaround as the President Tinubu administration consolidates interventions through facility upgrade at airports.

Speaking at the 29th League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference in Lagos, Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema who led other speakers described inadequate airport infrastructure as one of the most pressing barriers to the growth and profitability of Nigerian airlines. He noted that the absence of proper transit facilities at key airports has long hindered the country’s ability to function as a true regional hub, costing airlines both passengers and revenue.

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Airlines operating in West and Central Africa, he explained, lose a competitive edge when connecting passengers must clear immigration, undergo customs checks, and recheck their baggage simply to transit through Nigeria, a process that often drives them to other African airports.

The lack of seamless connectivity, he emphasised has particularly affected the ability of domestic carriers to integrate regional routes into global connections.

Onyema welcomed the government’s recent interventions, including the plan to rebuild the Lagos airport facilities to accommodate modern transit operations.

He expressed confidence in the administration’s commitment, noting that with sustained focus, the country could, within two years, possess the infrastructure needed to compete with Africa’s leading aviation hubs.

He emphasised that such infrastructure upgrades act as a form of indirect financing for airlines by reducing operational inefficiencies, cutting avoidable costs, and creating conditions for sustainable expansion.

With the right facilities in place, Nigerian carriers, he maintained, could match the success of leading African airlines within the next decade.

Also speaking, former spokesperson of defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, Mr Chris Aligbe advised the government to deepen its intervention for the growth of the aviation industry.

Aligbe said:” In every sub-sector is closely linked with each other and so for us today, we are in a vicious circle. Whether you are talking about airlines, if the airlines are not doing well, the airport is not going to do well, the same with grand handling companies and aviation. So we are in a vicious circle.

“The critical point for us today, how do we break this vicious circle? For me, the airlines should be the breaking point.  Thank God we are modernizing our airports.”