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Tag: West Africa

  • Press freedom, intelligence power, and Nigeria’s democratic signal to West Africa

    Press freedom, intelligence power, and Nigeria’s democratic signal to West Africa

    By Ademola Oshodi

    West Africa’s democratic breakdowns have increasingly followed a predictable sequence. Civic space narrows, dissent is reframed as a security problem, and coercive institutions begin to set the boundaries of permissible speech long before constitutions are suspended. 

    In that context, the decision by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute to confer a Press Freedom Commendation Award on the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, deserves attention beyond the familiar cycle of praise. 

    The award provides a lens for assessing how Nigeria is governing the relationship between intelligence power and democratic accountability, and what that posture signals about Nigeria’s leadership and soft power diplomacy in West Africa.

    The International Press Institute, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Vienna, operates as a global network of editors, media executives, and senior journalists focused on press freedom and the rule of law. Its national committees, including Nigeria’s, are designed to scrutinise state conduct where security power intersects with civic space.

    When such a body recognises the head of a domestic intelligence service, the recognition functions as a public judgement about institutional behaviour. It is an assessment that an institution traditionally associated with secrecy and coercive authority has exercised restraint, legality, and dialogue in its engagement with the press.

    This framing matter because West Africa’s democratic stress has increasingly been shaped by the securitisation of governance. For instance, in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger, intelligence and military establishments became arbiters of political order long before coups were announced. Civic space narrowed early, and the press faced pressure as a precursor to broader democratic reversal. The erosion of press freedom in these contexts accompanied the securitisation of governance and the narrowing of civic space under the pretext of national survival.

    Against this backdrop, the leadership approach adopted by the Department of State Services under Mr. Ajayi represents a deliberate departure from a regional pattern that treats the media as an adversary to be contained. Since his appointment in August 2024, the DSS has recalibrated its engagement with journalists and media organisations, emphasising dialogue over intimidation and lawful process over discretionary force. The IPI’s citation explicitly notes this shift, describing an “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.” Such language is not casually deployed by an organisation whose legitimacy rests on scepticism toward state power.

    The significance of this recognition extends beyond domestic governance. Nigeria’s foreign policy posture in West Africa has historically relied on normative leadership as much as strategic capacity. Whether mediating political crises, enforcing regional protocols, or advocating constitutional order within ECOWAS, Nigeria’s influence depends on credibility. That credibility weakens when internal security institutions are perceived as instruments of repression or political management. When intelligence authority is aligned with constitutional limits and civic rights, Nigeria’s position strengthens in regional diplomacy because credibility becomes easier to defend.

    From the perspective of international diplomacy, intelligence governance has become a determinant of trust. This is where soft power diplomacy enters the analysis. Soft power depends on perceived legitimacy, institutional discipline, and the coherence between domestic practice and external advocacy. Foreign governments, multilateral institutions, and international media organisations assess how Nigeria’s security agencies interact with civil society and the press, because those interactions reveal the operational meaning of democratic commitments. An international press freedom commendation directed at an intelligence leader therefore affects Nigeria’s reputation in a measurable way: it provides an external reference point that can be cited in diplomatic engagement, cooperation frameworks, and narrative competition across the region.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s public endorsement of the award reinforces this link between institutional conduct and democratic identity. By encouraging other security agencies to emulate the DSS approach under Mr. Ajayi, the Presidency situates press freedom within a wider governance agenda, with consequences for Nigeria’s external posture. Nigeria’s regional advocacy for constitutional order requires internal consistency, because West African audiences evaluate Nigeria’s arguments through Nigeria’s behaviour. Nigeria cannot plausibly argue for the restoration of constitutional order in neighbouring states while tolerating practices at home that mirror the very abuses it condemns.

    There is also an operational logic that connects press freedom to intelligence effectiveness. Open media ecosystems surface grievances, corruption risks, social fractures, and local conflict dynamics that formal reporting channels often miss. When journalism is suppressed, state agencies lose information density and reduce their capacity for anticipatory analysis. When journalism is respected within the law, intelligence assessment gains an additional layer of societal visibility. Press freedom therefore supports democratic accountability and improves situational awareness for security planning.

    Read through this lens, the IPI commendation of the Director-General of the DSS is evidence of an institutional posture that understands security as a protector of democratic order. In a West African environment where security institutions increasingly claim political guardianship, such an example carries regional relevance. It offers a counter-model to the securitised governance frameworks that have normalised coups and civic repression under the banner of stability.

    The future of democracy in West Africa will be shaped by how intelligence power is exercised, restrained, and held accountable. Nigeria’s ability to project influence, mediate crises, and sustain diplomatic authority depends on this balance. This award matters because the conduct it highlights has consequences that extend beyond one office and one event. It is a statement about institutional choice, democratic intent, and the kind of leadership Nigeria seeks to project in a region searching for democratic bearings.

    -Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Affairs

  • Nigerian doctors perform W/Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery

    Nigerian doctors perform W/Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery

    Nigeria has recorded a historic breakthrough in advanced medical care with the successful performance of West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery, a feat that places the country firmly on the map of high-precision, minimally invasive medicine and signals a transformative moment for women’s healthcare in the sub-region.

    The landmark procedure was carried out on Sunday at The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Lagos, by a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian-based and international specialists. Medical experts describe the achievement as both a clinical triumph and a strategic leap—one that extends cutting-edge surgical innovation beyond its earlier focus on male urological conditions to address the long-neglected complexities of women’s reproductive health.

    At the centre of the breakthrough is Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Medical Director of TPC, whose facility introduced West Africa’s first surgical robot last year. Speaking after the procedure, Ekwueme said the decision to expand robotic surgery to gynaecology was deliberate and overdue. 

    “Following our tradition of leading innovation in Nigeria and West Africa, we introduced the first surgical robot in the sub-region last year,” he said. “After focusing on men’s health and male-specific conditions, we are now transitioning fully into women’s surgeries. Today, we are proud to say that we have performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa.”

    The patient, a young woman diagnosed with a painful ovarian tumour, had endured months of discomfort that disrupted her daily life and productivity. Using robotic-assisted technology, the surgical team successfully removed two large tumours with exceptional precision. 

    “This young woman has an ovarian tumour that caused pain, discomfort, and inability to live a normal life,” Ekwueme explained. “With robotic surgery, we removed the tumours. She will go home today and return to work tomorrow.”

    Robotic gynaecological surgery represents a radical departure from traditional open procedures that have long defined surgical care in Nigeria. Open surgery typically involves large incisions, significant blood loss, prolonged hospitalisation, and extended recovery periods that may keep patients away from work and family responsibilities for weeks or even months. 

    By contrast, robotic surgery allows surgeons to operate through tiny incisions using robotic arms controlled from a console that provides magnified, three-dimensional visualisation and unmatched dexterity. The result is greater surgical accuracy, minimal trauma to surrounding tissues, and significantly faster recovery. 

    “What people are used to is open surgery, where a patient may stay in hospital before surgery, spend five to seven days after surgery, and then require weeks of recovery at home,” Ekwueme said. “With robotic surgery, once vital signs are stable, within six hours the patient can eat and go home. Within 24 hours, she can return to normal daily activities.” He described the procedure as a “game-changer” for women suffering from gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, uterine cancer, and selected cases of ectopic pregnancy.

    Ekwueme stressed that the true value of robotic surgery cannot be measured solely in financial terms. While the technology is capital-intensive, he argued that the broader economic and social benefits far outweigh the costs. “Our people tend to quantify cost only in naira and kobo,” he said. “But the unquantified cost of illness is much more complex. If a woman undergoes open surgery and is away from work for six months, that is six months of lost productivity. With robotic surgery, she can return to work almost immediately. In real terms, society gains months of productivity for a fraction of the cost.” 

    He disclosed that the surgery was performed at no cost to the patient as part of TPC’s corporate social responsibility initiative, noting that prolonged illness and loss of productivity impose a far heavier burden on families, employers, and the economy than the price of advanced surgical care.

    A key member of the surgical team, Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, Consultant Gynaecologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said the patient was carefully assessed and found suitable for robotic-assisted surgery. “She is a 30-year-old woman who still intends to have children,” Oshodi said. “The tumour is benign, and the precision of robotic surgery allows us to remove only the affected tissue without compromising her fertility or damaging adjacent structures.”

    According to Oshodi, this level of precision is critical in gynaecological surgery, where damage to surrounding organs can have lifelong consequences. “Many Nigerian women suffer silently from fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding,” he said. “Fibroids are particularly common—affecting up to 70 per cent of women in some communities—although only about 10 to 20 per cent develop significant symptoms.”

    He noted that delayed presentation often leads to complications such as severe anaemia, which can impair heart function and overall health. “Robotic and minimally invasive surgery offers us the opportunity to intervene early, treat precisely, preserve reproductive capacity, and allow women to return quickly to their normal lives,” he added.

    Read Also: ‘New technique has changed face of gynaecological surgery’

    Another member of the team, Olaolu Aladade, a UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist with expertise in oncology and minimally invasive surgery, said the benefits of robotic surgery over open procedures are overwhelming. “With open surgery, you have more complications, longer recovery times, and potential reproductive issues,” he said. “With robotic surgery, patients recover faster, spend fewer days in hospital, return to work sooner, and experience better psychological outcomes. In advanced health systems, this is already standard practice. Seeing it firmly established in Nigeria is deeply encouraging.”

    Beyond the immediate clinical success, the breakthrough carries wider implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system. Ekwueme disclosed that TPC has partnered with the Imo State Government to establish Nigeria’s first dedicated robotic surgery centre, currently under construction. 

    The initiative, he said, is designed to drive innovation, research, and training, while reducing the country’s heavy reliance on overseas medical care. “This revolution has just started,” Ekwueme said. “When governments have the vision and will to form these kinds of partnerships, citizens benefit. It will drive innovation, create research opportunities, and help stem brain drain.” 

    He urged Nigerian women to take symptoms seriously and seek early medical attention. “If you have persistent pain or abnormal bleeding, don’t ignore it. A simple examination or ultrasound can save your life. Early detection allows us to treat problems before they become dangerous.”

    Health analysts say the successful robotic gynaecological surgery is both a clinical milestone and a powerful statement of possibility. It affirms the competence of Nigerian doctors, validates years of training and investment, and challenges the assumption that world-class care must be sought abroad. For women across Nigeria and the wider sub-region, West Africa’s first robotic gynaecological surgery represents a glimpse of a future in which advanced care is accessible at home, delivered by Nigerian hands, and defined by dignity, precision and hope.

  • Summit to focus on manufacturing growth

    Summit to focus on manufacturing growth

    West Africa’s growing intra-African trade and renewed push for industrial expansion will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition (West Africa IMT 2026), scheduled for March 3 to 5, 2026, in Lagos.

    The summit comes amid signs that regional trade integration is beginning to reshape the sub-region’s industrial outlook. Recent data from the Nigeria Customs Service shows that Nigeria’s exports to African markets rose by 14 per cent to N4.82 trillion, with more than 60 per cent destined for West Africa. In Ghana, early gains from the government’s 24-hour economy policy have been recorded in pilot industrial zones, including the Tema light-manufacturing belt, where output and night-shift employment have increased.

    Organisers say these developments underscore both the opportunities and the pressure facing West Africa to convert rising trade flows into sustained industrial capacity, jobs and investment. West Africa IMT 2026, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and organised by dmg Nigeria events, is positioned as a platform to address how policy alignment can translate into tangible manufacturing growth.

    Speaking on the significance of the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said industrialisation remained central to Nigeria’s economic future and regional prosperity.

     “Industrial growth is not just an economic imperative; it is the foundation for job creation, skills development and sustainable prosperity,” he said, adding that the summit aligns with Nigeria’s industrial agenda and the broader objective of strengthening regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Read Also: Tinubu boldly steering Nigeria toward sustainable future — Okowa

    The three-day gathering is expected to draw policymakers, manufacturers, investors and infrastructure providers from across West Africa and beyond. Discussions will focus on expanding industrial capacity, improving trade facilitation, delivering critical infrastructure and mobilising long-term financing needed to support value-added production.

    According to the portfolio director for Africa at dmg Events, Wemimo Oyelana, the summit is designed to prioritise execution over rhetoric. “This is not a forum for conversations without consequence,” she said. “The goal is to align policy, private sector capability and capital in ways that deliver real industrial capacity, stronger value chains and measurable economic impact for West Africa.”

    As West African countries seek to shift away from dependence on raw material exports, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, logistics bottlenecks, evolving tariff regimes and global competition for manufacturing investment remain significant. Organisers say West Africa IMT 2026 aims to confront these issues by bringing decision-makers together around practical, project-focused solutions.

    With regional trade gaining momentum and AfCFTA implementation gathering pace, the summit is expected to test how far West Africa can move from policy ambition to industrial delivery, at a time many see as pivotal for the region’s economic transformation.

  • Those coups in West Africa

    Those coups in West Africa

    “If people cannot trust their Government to do the job for which it exists – to protect them and promote their welfare – all else is lost” … Barrack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America.

    Six days ago on the 6th of December, 2025, Africans woke up to a development in Cotonou , the capital of the Republic of Benin in the West African subregion, when some dissident soldiers, attempted to overthrow the government of President Patrice Talon. The move was swiftly countered by the loyal armed forces of the Republic of Benin, with the support, and intervention of the military from the neighboring Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The coup was effectively quelled, and the catastrophe of military interregnum was averted. Peace is maintained and sustained in the Republic of Benin .

    I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift action he took to avert the coup in the Republic of Benin which could potentially have negative political and socio-economic impacts on Nigeria and West Africa. I am able to say like every other well-meaning citizens in Nigeria and across the world, that military regimes are not the solution to bad governance or to change the leadership of a Country or States. I believe, like many others, that the best way to bring positive change in a democratic setting is through the ballot box, or through effective and legitimate process  and the power of the people. Therefore, I am very happy that the attempted Coups failed in Benin Republic.

    However, the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin and the drama that happened in Guinea-Bissau about two weeks ago, whereby what I call an “arrangee” coup was undertaken in the the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, has raised or amplified some key questions with regard to the trend of military coups  and attempted coups sweeping across  the West Africa subregion. Rather than for that trend to be stopped, it appears to be increasing and taking new dimensions where political leaders appear to be arranging with the Armed forces to overthrow them, as a gambit to block their political opponents from legitimately winning elections and taking over power from them. Therefore, while we are pushing back against military coups and juntas, it is important for us to interrogate the reasons why the coups and attempted coups are becoming prevalent, and address those issues so as  to ensure that the trend of military coups is stopped.  The Countries and peoples of Africa must move towards solutions rather than going backwards and deeper into complications of such nature as military interventions.

    The real tenets of Democracy and Good Governance are Critical:

    We may recall that the military coups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali were and are still actually supported and accepted by the majority of citizens of those countries. This is a reflection of the failure of the political class across Africa to deliver good governance, and ensure the credibility and sustainability of democracy. A key point to be noted,  especially by the political leaders, is that unless and until political leaders focus on and deliver the mandates given to them by the citizens; unless they are sensitive to the concerns of the citizens of their country, those political leaders will continue to create or open  for the military or the non-state actors and agents of doom to continue attempting to take over power in that country by whatever means.

    In my opinion, as it is the opinion of many other thought leaders and many other citizens across Africa, the failure to comply with the tenets of democracy, the lack of good governance, and the impunity of the political class are contributing factors that will continue to create opportunities for power grabs and what I call “institutional coups”, which are taking place across Africa, unhindered and supported, either deliberately or inadvertently by the other Presidents across Africa. Today in Africa, we have the sit tight leaders who have been in power for decades, who have refused to give way to proper democratic processes and they are members of the African Union and other subregional bodies like ECOWAS, etc. Meanwhile, the political consciousness of the people is changing. Yes, we are all rising against military interregnums. But also, yes, people are conscious of their powers, and when push comes to shove, as we have seen in the Republics of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mail, the citizens may not necessarily support the politicians in power or the democratically elected governments, when they are not delivering credible democracy and good governance, especially when they demonstrate dictatorial tendencies..

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    Over 60 years or less since independence, majority of African Countries are still grappling with the provision of basic amenities like clean drinking water, steady electricity, education, security, free, fair, and credible elections, etc. Therefore, it is important for us to note that the foundations and building blocks of our Countries and Continent are fundamental to the success of the Africa.. indeed the  entrenchment of the tenets of democracy is crucial.

    leaders across Africa to smell the coffee and face those realities. The enemies within will continue to rise so long as we keep on giving them the opportunities by failing to live up to expectations of your peoples.

    Furthermore, the fact that mlitary coups are becoming fashionable in Africa, is a  reflection of  what I call, “the illusion of democracy, that African politicians give their citizens. This is because most times, the political class hide under the cloak of democracy, to perpetuate more evil than the military.

    If you take Nigeria, for example, back in the days, the political class have been part and parcel of coups and countercoups. What is happening in Guinea-Bissau is like a smaller, and more rough version of what happened in other countries, like Uganda, Cameroun, Cote De Voice, etc. Oher “democratically elected” Presidents and AU and regional bodies, do not call out or sanction democratically elected Presidents  demonstrate undemocratic tendencies or act undemocratically. They only  call out the military when they take over. Hence, the leaders of West Africa are opening up the windows to military interregnums that they are not able to control or de-legitimize. And that is why the Sahel region is  becoming more militarized. It is all about leadership, because if the AU, ECOWAS, and other countries are demonstrating leadership in terms of institutionalizing democracy military coups will away.

    As for ECOWAS, I ask for some introspection, going forward, with regard how things have been evolving in the sub-region, and to a larger extent in the continent of Africa. It is not enough for you to come and start blowing the whistle of war, or blowing the horn of war, when you know that you have not delivered good governance. Because what is true and what is real is, there is a phenomenon sweeping over Africa, triggered by the Arab Spring, and consolidated by the Sudan meltdown of Omar al-Bashir, you know, which was actually triggered by the people, not by the junta.

    As a Hausa proverb says, “unless the world cracks, the lizard will not find a way to go through”.. So, going forward, I just hope and pray that the ECOWAS will look at the core tenets of ECOWAS, and that is the improvement of the economy of the sub-region. That should be the focal point. The moment they are able to deliver those provisions of the treaty I revised in 1991, I think that would further dissuade military takeovers or totally eliminate them. And also, to continue focussing on Africa, on we, the Africans, and delivering value for us, rather than leaning towards the Western powers that use them, you know, for their proxy wars, and to continue to plunder our resources. So, however we look at it, the key role of dissuading and eliminating military takeovers still falls within the ECOWAS in terms of the various leadership of the countries in the sub-region.

    There must be Peace for Development to happen

    There must be peace before growth and development can happen. There must be stability in terms of democracy and the socio-economic well-being of our citizens across the countries in the continent for us to achieve the national, regional and continental growth and development. Look at what is happening in The Sahel region,  Sudan, South Sudan, and DRC, for example, and other parts of Africa.

    It is important to note that in Africa, we must recognize that the lingering and growing crises across Africa will ultimately hamstring the growth of the continent because we are all connected. Invariably if one regional bloc sneezes the other part of the Continent ultimately catches the cold with the effects that follow. Therefore, United we stand, and divided we will continue to wallow in the abyss of backwardness.

  • Nigeria emerges West Africa’s climate leader, eyes investment gains at COP30

    Nigeria emerges West Africa’s climate leader, eyes investment gains at COP30

    Nigeria has taken the lead in West Africa’s climate action drive with the submission of its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), positioning the country for fresh global partnerships and investments at the ongoing COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to unveil Nigeria’s green transition roadmap before world leaders, articulating the country’s strategy to convert climate commitments into actionable projects that attract financing and technology.

    Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, announced Nigeria’s milestone in an interview with journalists ahead of the COP30 opening session. 

    She noted that Nigeria’s early submission of its NDC 3.0 makes it the first West African nation to do so and “a continental frontrunner in climate ambition and readiness.”

    According to a statement on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Majekodunmi said “this is the implementation COP we’ve all been waiting for. For Nigeria, the submission of our NDC 3.0 marks a turning point. It’s time to move from paper to projects”.

    She disclosed that the Federal Government’s recent approval of a National Carbon Market Framework and operationalisation of the National Climate Change Fund would further boost investor confidence, signalling that “Nigeria is open for high-integrity carbon investments delivering real mitigation and community benefits.”

    According to her, the Belem summit provides a unique “global matchmaking platform” for Nigeria to showcase its readiness for sustainable climate financing. 

    She also revealed that Nigeria will use COP30 to strengthen South–South cooperation on climate matters, particularly through collaboration among the Amazon, Congo, and Guinea forest regions.

    In her words: “Being in the Amazon for this summit represents a symbolic convergence of forest regions. The dialogue between Brazil, the Congo Basin, and West Africa is critical to advancing global forest protection and the Belem agenda.”

    Read Also: Discussions from COP30 can turn emission cuts into tangible value – Netzence

    Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, said Nigeria’s participation at COP30 underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action.

    “For Nigeria, it’s not just about attendance; it’s about demonstrating leadership and implementing Article 13 of the Paris Accord on transparency and climate responsibility,” Nkwocha stated, adding that Nigeria remains firmly committed to achieving a 32 per cent reduction in emissions by 2035.

    Vice President Shettima will join global leaders, development partners, and investors in high-level sessions on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans” and will deliver Nigeria’s national climate action address at the leaders’ plenary later this week.

  • Why violent-extremism persists in West Africa, Sahel – UN

    Why violent-extremism persists in West Africa, Sahel – UN

    The United Nations (UN) Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, said the absence of dialogue and interaction among communities has been the fertile ground for radicalisation of youth, who are then used to engage in violent extremism.

    Chambas said this at the ongoing Maiden West Africa Islamic Conference on Security and Governance, in Abuja, with the theme: “The Role of Islamic Organisations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.”

    He defined radicalisation as the act of brainwashing someone with the view to render the person intolerant of other experiences and views.

    According to Chambas, the world is experiencing unprecedented violence and conflicts, driven by interstate conflicts, civil wars, systematic abuses of power, unconstitutional changes of government, interfaith and intra-religious tensions, ethno-tribal communal disputes, and sheer acts of terrorism and banditry, with many countries and peoples being subjected to untold suffering and insecurity.

    He said: “The unwillingness to appreciate the existence of the other among communities across the world has bred gross intolerance, extremism, violent agitations, conflicts and oppression. These have been the key drivers of insecurity and lack of positive peace across the globe today.”

    Chambas, who is also the African Union (AU) High Representative for “Silencing the Guns”, a flagship initiative of the AU Agenda 2063 designed to end wars and violent conflicts across the continent, quoted the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, saying the Sahel accounted for 19 percent of all terrorist attacks worldwide and 51 percent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024.

    “Our West Africa subregion has been under fire due to lack of effective interaction and dialogue among the diverse ethnic and religious communities,” Chambas said. 

    “The lack of engagement among members of the same ethnic or religious persuasions has bred unnecessary tensions, which in some cases has resulted in violent extremism leading to loss of lives and properties. 

    “It is therefore fitting that communities and community stakeholders, such as religious leaders, traditional leaders, among others, are put at the centre of the resilience push so as to fashion out a bottom-up approach to fighting this menace.

    “We therefore need deliberate, practical peace education and awareness that engenders good relationships within and without communities to lay the foundation for sustainable development.”

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    The UN official emphasized that religious leaders, imams, scholars, and traditional authorities are uniquely positioned to provide this moral compass, guiding communities towards peace and countering extremist ideologies.

    “Good communal practises and sharing of experiences in the management of territories and vulnerabilities of communities among and within the communities is a crucial tool to becoming resilient against these incessant attacks.

    “Through the Silencing the Guns Initiative, the African Union underscores that peace cannot be achieved by force, but by peaceful means. It requires moral authority, spiritual guidance, and inclusive engagement,” he said.

    ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, urged that Islamic organisations and Islamic leaders in West Africa and the Sahel to focus on educating the youths against extremism by inculcating the culture of peace through their schools and learning institutions across the region, “to imbue in them the love for each other, for their neighbour, through peace education, and to make sure that we keep enhancing social cohesion across our region.”

  • Nigeria leads West Africa’s push at MIHAS 2025

    Nigeria leads West Africa’s push at MIHAS 2025

    Nigeria is taking the lead in West Africa’s growing presence in the global halal economy with a strong showing at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.

    The Nigerian delegation, made up of eight buyers, joined counterparts from Senegal, Mali, and Ghana to form a 21-member West African contingent at the exhibition.

    The participants, drawn from both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large retail chains, are seeking to deepen trade and position Nigeria as the region’s halal hub.

    Nigerian buyers showed keen interest in a wide range of products and services—from ready-to-eat meals, toiletries, packaging, and surgical gloves to training, education, and digital solutions such as software, e-commerce, and logistics.

    The move reflects the expanding consumer and business demand for halal-certified goods and services across West Africa.

    Organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), MIHAS 2025 is taking place from September 17 to 20 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

    The exhibition has attracted buyers from 50 countries and features over 600 Malaysian exporters across halal food, pharmaceuticals, fashion, personal care, and tourism.

    Ahead of the exhibition, an International Sourcing Programme (INSP) facilitated more than 4,000 one-on-one meetings between 300 international buyers and Malaysian exporters, generating an estimated RM2.5 billion (USD585.6 million) in sales.

    Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Aiyub Omar, described Nigeria’s participation as “a deeper strategic alignment” in the halal sector, revealing that talks are ongoing with the Nigerian government following the drafting of the country’s halal roadmap.

    Jude Bryan, First Secretary (Trade) at the Malaysian High Commission in Lagos, added that the level of interest from Nigerian businesses and institutions has been overwhelming.

    He said that while the physical sourcing programme has ended, the virtual edition will run until November 5, creating more opportunities for Nigerian buyers.

    Trade between Nigeria and Malaysia has been on the rise. In 2024, bilateral trade surged by nearly 59 percent to USD1.52 billion, with Nigerian exports more than doubling. From January to August 2025, trade stood at USD883.8 million, with Malaysia’s exports to Nigeria growing by almost 20 percent.

    Since its debut in 2004, MIHAS has become a premier global halal trade platform. Last year, it recorded RM4.3 billion in sales. The 21st edition, themed “Pinnacle of Halal Excellence”, focuses on innovation and sustainability as the drivers of growth in the global halal economy.

  • West Africa Deaf FootbalI, Athletics competition begin in Abuja

    West Africa Deaf FootbalI, Athletics competition begin in Abuja

    All is now set for the 13th West Africa Deaf Football Tournament (WADFT) and 3rd West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship kicking off today in Abuja.

     The event is slated to hold between August 18 and 30 at the Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    The President of the West Africa Deaf Sports Union (WADSU), Amuda Yusuf Ibrahim, revealed that the 2025 edition of the championship was in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) and the continuous empowerment of deaf athletes in the sub-region. He   further informed that a total of ten  participating countries including Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau,  Liberia, Mali, Niger Republic and the hosts, Nigeria, will feature in the two-week exercise.

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    The programme is serving as qualifiers for the African Deaf football tournament, the African Deaf Athletics championship and the Deaflympics Games among others. Nigeria is the defending champion of both events.

    Meanwhile, the Vice  President of the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF ), Comrade Ige-Jenyo Olawale, who is also the technical committee chairman, promised that the championship be will be hitch free as everything is already in place in terms of logistics.

    He hinted that team Nigeria athletes resumed close camping ahead of the competition hence are expected to come out tops knowing fully well that all eyes are on them to perform.

  • ‘How ETO could power West Africa’s trade future’

    ‘How ETO could power West Africa’s trade future’

    The country’s electronic truck call-up system (ETO), is being reimagined as a regional trade infrastructure that could streamline cargo movement across West Africa and cut delivery times by up to 40 per cent.

    The ETO was an initiative designed and deployed to assist in decongesting the Lagos ports at the peak of traffic congestion.

    Managing Director, Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP), Jama Onwubuariri, operators of the ETO platform, said the system’s capabilities go far beyond traffic control. With the right political will and cross-border integration, he argued, ETO could become a backbone for coordinated trucking, customs inspection, and port operations across ECOWAS.

    “ETO can manage unlimited truck traffic, operate in multiple currencies, and communicate in English, French, Twi, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. It was built for the region, not just for Nigeria. All that’s left is API integration with other port, customs and transport systems in the region,” Onwubuariri said.

    Launched in February 2021 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), ETO replaced chaotic, corruption-prone manual port entry with a digital booking system for trucks.

    According to Onwubuariri, the collaboration between the NPA, Lagos State Government, and TTP has “cleared the years-long endemic traffic along the port corridor,” reduced cargo evacuation times, lowered transportation costs, and improved environmental conditions in Apapa and Tin Can.

    Read Also: Nigeria poised to become West Africa’s hub for refined petroleum products – Lokpobiri

    “We have also improved the digital integration of our maritime industry, better than where it was in 2019–2020. Since trucks are no longer static along the bridges, the environment is cleaner, the air quality has improved, and drivers’ quality of life has improved,” Onwubuariri said.

    However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including resistance from stakeholders “stuck in manual mode” and those who “thrive in chaos” to exploit inefficiencies. To address these, TTP has trialed an electronic truck tag system that assigns a secure digital identity to each vehicle, eliminating the use of fake or duplicate number plates. The trial was “very successful” and is awaiting NPA approval for full rollout.

    Onwubuariri also flagged the absence of a central national vehicle database as a regulatory gap, urging integration between the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, and NPA for unified vehicle identification.

    “It is going to make sure that the issue of racketeering of plate numbers would stop,” he said.

    But behind the operational gains lies a bigger opportunity. According to TTP’s recent 6,000-kilometre survey of trade corridors in seven ECOWAS countries, poor road infrastructure, port congestion, and inconsistent customs processes are costing regional economies days in delivery delays and millions in added logistics costs. Onwubuariri identified similar congestion and inefficiencies at major West African ports — Tema, Abidjan, and Monrovia, largely due to poor parking infrastructure and lack of digital truck scheduling.

    Under TTP’s proposed model, ETO’s real-time scheduling and tracking could be scaled for cross-border cargo. A truck departing Lagos for Tema, for example, would have its entire journey digitally mapped, with planned rest stops, mechanical checks, and pre-arranged port entry at its destination.

    “Instead of a driver spending a week to reach Abidjan from Sokoto, the trip could be done in four days. That’s the power of a harmonised digital system for parking, customs, and terminal scheduling,” Onwubuariri said.

    He explained that while the country’s traffic management now outperforms several West African peers, terminal efficiency remains a weak point. In Lome and Abidjan, he noted trucks are processed in 40 to 45 minutes; in Nigeria, it takes between one and two hours.

    “The difference is in the business model. In Nigeria, terminals earn more from storage fees, so delays are profitable. Elsewhere, revenue is driven by throughput — how fast cargo is processed,” he explained.

    For Nigeria, exporting ETO as a service, could be as much a geopolitical play as a commercial one, according to the operators. By embedding its logistics technology in neighbouring ports, the country, Onwubuariri noted, would help shape ECOWAS-wide standards for cargo movement, indirectly boosting its own exporters’ competitiveness under AfCFTA.

    It could also create a shared regional database of registered trucks. However to get there, Onwubuariri stressed political will is as crucial as technical readiness.

    “If West Africa must unlock its trade potential, digital integration is not optional, it’s the only way forward,” he added.

    With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme promising free movement of goods, stakeholders say adopting a harmonised, tech-driven logistics model could be a gamechanger for West Africa’s maritime competitiveness.

  • West African bodies to sign harmonised refinery regulatory agreements in Q4 2025

    West African bodies to sign harmonised refinery regulatory agreements in Q4 2025

    The West African region yesterday unveiled the timeline for accomplishing its refinery hub goals, noting the West African countries are to sign harmonized refinery regulatory agreements in the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025).

    The timeline was part of the highlights from the two-day Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)/ S&P Global Commodity Insights Conference on West African Refined Fuel Market in Abuja.

    Presenting the outcome of the conference, NMDPRA Executive Director in charge of Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning, Professor Zainab Gobir, said the essence of the timeline and agreements was to ensure all operational refineries steadily operate at optimal output to fulfil West Africa’s demand for refined products.

    According to her, all member states are expected to abide by the agreements. 

    She explained that the harmonised regional market framework, regulatory policy, and incentives are expected to attract investment in greenfield refinery products.

    On the timeline and agreements, Gobir said, “And what is our timeline? Short to medium term. Secondly, a harmonised regional market framework, regulatory policy, and incentives that will attract investment in greenfield refinery products.

    “What is the action base? Regional regulatory bodies working closely together. Timeline: Fourth quarter 2025.”

    She said the conference was able to come up with a roadmap for 2025 to 2030.

    She said in order to ensure all performing licenced refineries deliver and commit to obligations, they are to be licenced to construct or impose stiff penalties for non-performance in all countries of the West African sub-region.

    Raising the question of how to deliver, she said, “Who is to do this? Operating refinery member states. And that’s expected monthly. So chart, track the production levels and what the outputs are every month and have a report.”

    She said the conference also sought measures to protect domestic refineries from unfair international competition and destruction structures and systems.

    Gobir further noted that some of the highlights of the conference were that the West Africa petroleum product market has evolved in refining capacity and availability of storage infrastructure. 

    She added that it was resolved that the need for a valuable reference trading hub and price for West Africa is contingent upon coordination across four key independent pillars.

    She said the conference resolved that there should be building and maintaining of refinery capacity and supply capabilities.

    Gobir added that it was also observed there should be logistics networks and operational excellence.

    According to her, there was a unanimous call for regulatory alignment.

    The fourth point, according to her, was 

    the call for the adoption of a harmonised, transparent and robust refining product market pricing. 

    She described the Dangote Refinery as a game changer in the market where other 

    functional upcoming refiners in West Africa are also changing the dynamics of defining product markets in the region.

    The conference, she said, decided there should be regional refinery collaborations among the existing plants.

    “Regional refinery collaborations, strong ones. Four. Such refineries that we have in existence right now are Ghana, Thames, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and of course, Nigeria,” she said.

    Gobir said it was also resolved that the financial institutions in the region including development finance institutions, African Finance Corporation, AfriExim Bank, the African Energy Bank and private investors should be encouraged to create the structure, innovation and financial instrument to finance infrastructural gaps short term, annually.

    She said for S&P Global, it was resolved for the organization to include an update on the West Africa infrastructure development in its West African market status and development updates.

    According to her, the inclusion will bring additional transparency on the refined product storage levels at the main trading and storage locations in the region. 

    Speaking, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed there are currently three hubs with pricing benchmarking potential.

    According to him, there are the U.S. Gulf Coast, the Northwest Europe, the Arabian Gulf, as well as the Mediterranean and Singapore.

    He said meanwhile West Africa has five locations, noting the S&P has accepted to help create a hub in Nigeria.

     “I didn’t call any location Africa. So for S&P, Community Global Insights, who agreed to work with us to create a hub in Nigeria, it’s a major, major milestone,” he said. 

    On the benefits, Ahmed said in 2025 the trading activities of only gasoline in the West African zone did about 2 million metric tonnes of trading activities, plus those in gas oil and jets but they were benchmarked in other locations whereas trade activities are also happening within West African coast.

    Insisting on a pricing benchmark in West Africa, he said, “Whether you talk about offshore labels, leaky, or stumbling, Lome or going to Senegal, or Ghana, it’s all within the West African zone. 

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    Why can’t we have it in our own locations? So they have a pricing benchmarking here. So that is the essence of this collaboration with SFB Global Insights.”

    He said the trade hub will address the issue of energy security indirectly because of the business activities in the shores. 

    Ahmed lamented that presently all the traders that are in Europe, or in the Far East, or Middle East, or East Europe, but are now all trading hubs in Nigeria.

    He said other factors are the hidden benefits from bunkering activities.

    His words: “So ladies and gentlemen, another factor that we don’t see is the bunker activities. When we’re talking about gasoline price, or talking about fuelling our cars, bunkering is fuelling ships.

    “So when we have these shipping activities, and coastal activities, you see a lot of bunkering business booming within West Africa.”