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How Inflated Primary Figures Could Lay Groundwork for Election Manipulation

by Editor
written by Editor

The declaration by ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured nearly 10.9 million votes in the party’s presidential primary has sparked intense debate about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral culture and the implications such figures may have for future general elections.

For many observers, the controversy is not merely about internal party politics; it is about the dangerous precedent inflated political numbers could establish ahead of the next nationwide polls. Critics argue that when questionable figures are normalised during party primaries, they may later be weaponised to justify suspicious outcomes during the general election.

The APC’s massive vote tally has raised eyebrows because party primaries are traditionally limited to accredited delegates or registered party members, depending on the adopted mode of voting. Skeptics have therefore questioned the plausibility of the figures announced, especially amid widespread allegations on social media that the counting process lacked transparency and that numbers may have been artificially inflated.

If such figures go unchallenged, analysts warn, they could gradually shape a political narrative that the ruling party already possesses an overwhelming electoral base capable of reproducing similar numbers in the national election. In effect, the primary result may become a psychological tool to condition public perception ahead of the polls.

The danger in this scenario lies in the possibility of creating what political scientists describe as “manufactured inevitability” — the idea that a particular electoral outcome appears predetermined because enormous support figures have already been repeatedly projected into public consciousness.

In democracies where electoral institutions are still battling public distrust, such perceptions can weaken voter confidence and reduce public willingness to challenge irregularities. Citizens may begin to assume that inflated outcomes are politically untouchable, thereby eroding democratic accountability.

Nigeria’s electoral history already contains painful memories of disputed figures, allegations of manipulation, and institutional failures. Consequently, many Nigerians believe that every stage of the electoral process, including party primaries,  should be subjected to scrutiny, transparency, and independent verification.

Social media platforms have since been flooded with videos, commentaries, and citizen reports questioning the credibility of the APC primary numbers. While not all online claims can be independently verified, the scale of public skepticism itself points to a deeper crisis of trust between political actors and the electorate.

This is why civil society organisations, opposition parties, election observers, and ordinary citizens are being urged to remain vigilant as the next general election approaches. Democracy functions best when voters actively defend the sanctity of the ballot and insist that every vote cast must genuinely count.

Attention is also turning toward the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose credibility suffered significant criticism following previous electoral exercises. Many Nigerians believe the electoral umpire now faces a defining moment to restore public confidence through strict neutrality, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.

For INEC, redeeming its image will require more than assurances. It will depend on demonstrable actions: transparent collation processes, timely transmission of results, impartial conduct by officials, and firm resistance to political pressure from any quarter.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the APC primary vote figures highlights a broader national concern: whether Nigeria’s democracy will continue to be shaped by questionable statistics and political dominance, or by credible elections rooted in transparency and the genuine will of the people.

As the country moves closer to another electoral cycle, Nigerians are being reminded that democracy cannot survive on apathy. Vigilance, accountability, and public participation remain the strongest safeguards against electoral manipulation and the erosion of democratic legitimacy.

 

Comrade Chibuike Nwabuko  – a political analyst, research economist and astute banker writes in from Abuja and can be reached at [email protected].

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From assassination to regional war: How Iran crisis could reshape global order

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

U.S. President Donald Trump

By Emmanuel Yashim

The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28, 2026 in a joint strike attributed to the United States and Israel has rapidly evolved from a controversial military operation into a widening regional war with potentially far-reaching global consequences.

What initially appeared to be a targeted decapitation strike against Iran’s leadership has now triggered a cascade of retaliation, drawing multiple states into the confrontation and threatening one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

In the days following the assassination, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel and several U.S. military facilities across Gulf states, including U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran also moved to block maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

The escalation has transformed what began as a geopolitical shock into a full regional crisis with implications stretching far beyond the Middle East.

The assassination of Khamenei marked a dramatic escalation in modern statecraft. Rarely in contemporary international politics has a sitting leader been directly targeted by another state outside a declared war.

For Washington and Tel Aviv, the strike was framed as a decisive move to neutralise what they described as a central architect of regional militancy.

Critics, however, argue that the operation risks dismantling longstanding international norms.

According to Mary Ellen O’Connell, the killing of a head of state outside a battlefield “pushes the boundaries of international law and could set a dangerous precedent if normalised.”

The late Iran Supreme Leader Ayotallah Ali Khamenei

Similarly, Middle East scholar Fawaz Gerges warns that leadership decapitation rarely produces the political transformation its architects hope for.

Removing an individual, he argues, does not necessarily dismantle the system that produced them, noting that revolutionary regimes often become more resilient when confronted with external threats.

Iran’s retaliation has been swift and multi-layered.

Missile strikes against Israel and U.S. installations across the Persian Gulf signal Tehran’s determination to demonstrate that the assassination would not go unanswered.

More significantly, Iran’s decision to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has injected the global economy directly into the conflict.

Energy analyst Daniel Yergin notes that even temporary instability in the Strait of Hormuz can send shockwaves through global oil markets.

Oil prices surged almost immediately as markets reacted to fears of prolonged disruption.

The Gulf region houses some of the world’s most important energy infrastructure, and any sustained conflict could draw neighbouring states deeper into the confrontation.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates now face the difficult task of balancing their strategic partnerships with Washington against the risk of becoming direct targets in a broader war.

Although the conflict is centred in the Middle East, its economic consequences are already reverberating across Africa.

For oil-producing countries such as Nigeria, the surge in global crude prices presents a paradox.

Higher oil prices could temporarily boost government revenues, yet Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products means domestic consumers often feel the pain of price spikes more immediately than the state enjoys fiscal gains.

In cities such as Abuja and Lagos, fuel prices began climbing within days of the escalation, intensifying pressure on households already grappling with inflation.

Economist Kingsley Moghalu explains that geopolitical crises in the Middle East tend to have complex effects on Nigeria.

Higher crude prices may improve government earnings, he says, but the inflationary impact on transport, food and energy costs can quickly erode those gains for ordinary citizens.

Shipping disruptions, according to him, could also increase insurance premiums and freight costs for African imports, potentially driving up the price of essential goods across the continent.

For fragile economies already battling debt pressures and currency volatility, a prolonged conflict could deepen economic stress.

For Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Country Director, Global Peace Foundation, “We all need peace in the world and every leader must strive for peace not war since the death of innocent citizens is a loss to the nation.

“We should not teach the young generation that we can only resolve our differences by war.”

Hayab who is the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association formerly known as  Northern CAN,  added: “This will not be profitable to them. And those who view the war from the lens of religion should shine their eyes or have a rethink.

“Victims of this war are from every faith. Some may have been hiding under religion to commit atrocities against fellow citizens but it is not enough to view the war from a religious perspective.

“Therefore, people of faith must all come together to denounce every bad governance and in unity call for respect for others and peace in the country.”

Supporters of the strike argue that removing Khamenei could weaken the ideological core of the Iranian system and create conditions for political transformation.

However, many analysts caution that the assumption of regime collapse may be overly optimistic.

Iran’s political structure is deeply institutionalised, with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps maintaining extensive influence across the economy, military and intelligence services.

Foreign policy analyst Trita Parsi argues that history offers cautionary lessons.

He draws attention to the fact that  attempts to reshape governments through military intervention in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya produced prolonged instability rather than swift democratic transformation.

External pressure, he notes, can actually consolidate hardline factions within a regime. If that pattern repeats in Iran, the assassination could strengthen rather than weaken the forces most hostile to the West.

The crisis has also exposed deep fractures in the international system.

Russia and China have condemned the assassination and warned that targeting foreign leaders could erode the norms governing international relations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strike as a violation of sovereignty, while officials in China warned that such actions undermine the foundations of the post-1945 global order.

Yet the inability of the United Nations Security Council to produce a unified response illustrates the growing paralysis of global institutions in managing great-power disputes.

Foreign affairs analysts are of the opinion that if geopolitical blocs harden further, the conflict could accelerate the fragmentation of the international system into rival spheres of influence.

According to them, the trajectory of the conflict now depends on whether escalation continues or diplomatic channels succeed in containing it.

They argue that a prolonged war could trigger multiple cascading effects like the disruption of global energy supplies, renewed arms races in the Middle East, and deeper geopolitical rivalries among major powers.

For countries far removed from the battlefield, including Nigeria and much of Africa, the consequences would still be profound.

Higher energy costs, disrupted trade flows and financial market volatility could strain economies already grappling with debt and inflation.

What began as a single strike has now evolved into a widening regional war with global consequences.

Whether it weakens Iran’s regime, reshapes the Middle East or accelerates the fragmentation of the international system remains uncertain.

What is already clear is that the geopolitical shockwaves will extend far beyond Tehran, touching economies, alliances, and societies across the world.

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Can AfCFTA unlock West Africa’s economic potential?

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stands at a defining economic crossroads.

With a combined market potential estimated at $3.4 trillion, the region has long aspired to transform itself from a loose trading bloc into a fully integrated economic powerhouse.

Now, the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has placed that ambition within reach; offering what many describe as the most consequential opportunity for economic transformation since independence.

For ECOWAS, founded 50 years ago to promote economic integration and development through free movement, trade liberalisation and collective prosperity, AfCFTA represents more than a continental treaty.

It is, in effect, a litmus test of whether decades of regional integration efforts can finally translate into industrial growth, job creation and global competitiveness.

Signed by 54 African Union member states and covering a market of roughly 1.4 billion people, AfCFTA is widely regarded as the largest free trade area in the world by number of participating countries.

Yet, as policymakers and experts caution, ambition alone will not deliver transformation.

The true measure of success lies in implementation; in harmonised customs systems, efficient transport corridors, digital trade infrastructure and inclusive policies that leave no trader behind.

Since its inception, ECOWAS has tested the boundaries of economic cooperation.

The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Common External Tariff (CET) were designed to facilitate intra-regional commerce, while protocols on free movement sought to ease cross-border mobility.

Progress has been uneven, but notable.

Nevertheless, intra-African trade remains comparatively low when measured against Europe or Asia.

Fragmented markets, inconsistent regulations and infrastructural deficits have continued to limit the bloc’s full economic potential.

AfCFTA, therefore, presents an opportunity to consolidate regional frameworks within a broader continental architecture.

At a recent ECOWAS Parliament seminar in Abuja themed “Deepening Regional Integration through AfCFTA: Opportunities and Challenges for Expanding Intra-Community Trade,”stakeholders examined precisely how this consolidation might occur.

In her address, ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Mémounatou Ibrahima, described the agreement as transformative.

“The AfCFTA represents a historic opportunity to make our region an integrated, prosperous, and resilient economic power,” she declared.

“However, it will only succeed if embraced by all; governments, private sector, civil society, women, youth, and technical partners”.

Her intervention underscored a central reality that AfCFTA cannot be driven by governments alone.

Its success depends upon inclusive participation and sustained political will.

Similarly, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, stressed that West Africa must translate potential into power.

“West Africa is today one of the continent’s most dynamic economic hubs, thanks to the vitality of its agriculture, agro-processing industries, and regional trade,” he observed.

“However, to convert this potential into power, we must build a single African market, an integrated space, where goods, services, capital, and people move freely”.

In essence, AfCFTA offers the architecture; ECOWAS must supply the discipline of implementation.

However, as discussions at the seminar revealed, ambition must confront reality.

Infrastructure deficits remain profound.

Roads, railways, ports, power supply and digital connectivity; the indispensable arteries of commerce, are often inadequate or poorly synchronised.

The Lagos–Abidjan Highway Corridor, frequently described as the economic vein of ECOWAS, symbolises both promise and delay.

While envisioned as a transformative trade artery linking major commercial hubs, its incomplete sections and inconsistent border systems continue to constrain efficiency.

Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and ECOWAS parliamentarian, articulated the frustration succinctly.

“Currently, it is not just the potholes that cost us; it is the administrative friction,” he remarked.

“We can build a six-lane highway, but if a truck spends 14 hours at a border due to red tape, that highway is just an expensive parking lot”.

His words reflect a broader consensus that integration falters less from vision than from bureaucratic inertia.

Prof. Uche Uwaleke, Director of the Institute of Capital Market Studies at Nasarawa State University, reinforced this structural imperative.

“For Africa to trade efficiently within itself, goods must move seamlessly across borders, power must be reliable, broadband must be accessible.

“Logistics must be efficient, the infrastructure we build must not only meet present demands but anticipate future scale,” he said.

Thus, while AfCFTA harmonises policy frameworks, it cannot substitute for physical and digital infrastructure.

Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emphasised the urgency of translating commitments into action.

“This calls for the practical implementation of AfCFTA commitments, including harmonised standards, efficient ports, transparent customs systems, and digital trade infrastructure to reduce costs and empower entrepreneurs,” he stated.

He also cautioned that economic cooperation and political stability are interdependent.

“Insecurity and political instability remain major obstacles to integration, as economic cooperation and political stability are mutually reinforcing pillars that must be strengthened simultaneously”.

His warning resonates across a region grappling with security challenges and political headwinds.

Without stability, integration remains fragile.

Beyond roads and ports, attention is increasingly turning to digital systems.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) has emerged as a pragmatic instrument to facilitate cross-border payments in local currencies.

By reducing reliance on intermediary currencies, notably the U.S. dollar, proponents argue that the continent could save billions annually in transaction costs.

Furthermore, AfCFTA’s digital trade protocols seek to harmonise e-commerce regulations, cross-border data flows and electronic contracts.

Given West Africa’s robust fintech ecosystems, especially in Nigeria and Ghana, the region is well positioned to leverage this digital momentum.

Nevertheless, experts insist that digitalisation must be accompanied by regulatory coherence and enforcement capacity.

Another dimension of integration concerns human mobility.

Albert Siaw-Boateng, ECOWAS Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, warned that weak and poorly coordinated migration data systems could undermine AfCFTA’s ambitions.

“Without reliable data, stronger labour governance, and consistent enforcement across member states, the economic gains expected from cross-border mobility may be significantly constrained,” he cautioned.

He added: “Human mobility remains a powerful engine for regional economic integration, but its full benefits can only be realised through stronger governance frameworks”.

Consequently, trade liberalisation must be accompanied by effective migration management and labour governance.

Perhaps the most compelling intervention came from Christopher Mensah-Yawson, ECOWAS Programme Officer for Trade Development, who placed inclusion at the heart of integration.

“Women account for about 74 per cent of informal cross-border trade operators in West Africa, while young people under 25 rely heavily on informal trade for livelihoods,” he said.

He outlined the persistent barriers confronting these traders.

“Women and youth face multiple obstacles, including cumbersome customs procedures, limited access to finance and storage facilities, gender-insensitive border infrastructure, harassment, extortion and security risks”.

Accordingly, he urged decisive policy reform.

“Member States and lawmakers must, therefore, intensify reforms to formalise informal trade, protect vulnerable traders, and dismantle barriers to formal markets”.

These statistics are not merely social indicators; they reveal the human engine of West African commerce.

Any integration framework that marginalises these actors risks undermining its own economic logic.

Taken together, the deliberations signal that AfCFTA represents both an extraordinary opportunity and a demanding test.

ECOWAS can either leverage the continental framework to consolidate its trade schemes, modernise infrastructure and empower SMEs, women and youth, or allow fragmentation, administrative inertia and instability to dilute its impact.

Ultimately, AfCFTA offers West Africa a rare strategic opening to transition from raw commodity dependence to value addition and industrial resilience.

Yet, as the voices at the seminar repeatedly emphasised, integration will not materialise through aspiration alone.

It will require disciplined implementation, institutional coherence and inclusive governance.

The question, therefore, is not whether AfCFTA can transform ECOWAS, but whether ECOWAS is prepared to transform itself.  (NANFeatures)

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Cross River residents left helpless as fire safety fails

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

The pain felt by traders at the Akim Timber Market in Calabar on March 28, 2025, remains vivid, following a fire incident that caught many unawares and left devastating losses in its wake.

The fire, which began at the close of trading, consumed more than physical structures; it eroded the traders’ peace of mind and sense of stability.

Indeed, it was not just wood and metal that went up in flames, but livelihoods, dreams and years of hard work painstakingly built over time.

By the time the inferno was brought under control, the once-bustling market had been reduced to ruins, with twisted zinc sheets and charred planks symbolising shattered hopes.

Worse still, the fire raged for several hours without any meaningful intervention from emergency responders, leaving traders to watch helplessly as their means of livelihood disappeared.

Similarly, the Akim incident mirrors the March 21, 2025 fire outbreak in Edibe Edibe area, where more than 60 residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while attempting to contain the blaze themselves in the absence of fire service support.

These incidents, among others, underscore a troubling pattern in Cross River, where fire outbreaks have continued to inflict pain and despair on residents.

Available data indicate that no fewer than 60 fire incidents have occurred across the state in the past two years, affecting all 18 local government areas.

Notably, Calabar South Local Government Area accounts for over 50 per cent of these incidents, while communities in the central and northern senatorial districts face even greater neglect in terms of emergency response and infrastructure.

Observers attribute the devastating impact of these fires largely to the absence of a functional fire service in the state.

Historically, fire outbreaks remain a persistent and deadly challenge across Nigeria, with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) recording 1,866 incidents in 2025.

These fires led to 114 deaths, while 198 civilians and five firefighters were injured.

In the same period, the FFS managed to save 2,106 lives and protect N934.7 billion worth of property, demonstrating both the scale of the threat and the importance of effective emergency response.

Residential areas accounted for the highest number of fires, with 693 incidents, followed by public and government buildings (444 cases), markets and trading centres (190 cases), and vehicles (177 cases).

Markets in particular proved especially vulnerable, with fire outbreaks causing 39 deaths and property losses estimated at N22.27 billion, revealing the significant economic and human impact of fires in crowded commercial spaces.

The leading causes of fire incidents are largely preventable, with electrical faults such as power surges, overloads, and faulty wiring responsible for nearly 70  per cent of all fires recorded in 2025.

Albeit these clear patterns, state and local fire services often remain under-resourced, contributing to delayed or inadequate responses in critical situations.

Historical data from 2024 show similar trends, with property losses exceeding N67 billion and more than 100 lives lost nationwide.

State-level variations also underline disparities in fire safety infrastructure.

For example, Lagos State recorded 1,685 fires in 2025 with 133 fatalities, while Kaduna State recorded 323 incidents and 11 deaths in 2024.

These figures demonstrate that, even in states with active fire services, communities remain vulnerable, reinforcing the urgent need for fully functional fire services across Nigeria, including in areas like Cross River where infrastructure is minimal or non-existent.

In spite of a population of over 4.4 million and a vast landmass, Cross River has no functional fire service stations.

Residents are left dependent on limited support from agencies such as the Federal Fire Service (FFS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the University of Calabar (UniCal), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

However, these facilities are grossly inadequate.

For instance, the Federal Fire Service’s only functional truck in the state is currently grounded following vandalisation during an operation, while the University of Calabar operates just one small truck.

In the same vein, the Nigerian Ports Authority’s fire service is restricted to port operations, and available equipment is largely concentrated in Calabar, leaving other districts without coverage.

Given the state’s difficult terrain, where travel between Calabar and other districts can take between four and seven hours, communities in places such as Ikom and Ogoja are often left at the mercy of raging fires.

A visit to the state fire service headquarters revealed that a renovation project initiated over two years ago has been abandoned, while inactive fire trucks remain parked with outdated hoses.

The Director of the State Fire Service, Mr Emmanuel Ajom, acknowledged the challenges, noting that although personnel are well trained, they lack the equipment required to function effectively.

“One thing is that men of the Cross River State Fire Service are well trained and capable of putting out these fires, but we lack the necessary equipment to combat them.

“You cannot put out a raging flame with bare hands. The Cross River State Fire Service needs functional fire trucks, water hoses, and other equipment to combat fires.

“We need functional vehicles, water hoses, and other items used in modern firefighting. We are capable and ready to do the job we were trained and employed to do,” he said.

Ajom further stressed the need to safeguard lives and investments.

“Losing lives and investments worth millions of naira to fire is heartbreaking. This is what the victims have worked so hard to build, and we must save them from the hazard of fire.

“We appeal to government to give more attention to the safety and protection of lives and property,” he said.

Nonetheless, investigations revealed that the state fire service has three trucks, all of which are non-functional, with outdated hoses.

Sources alleged that a contract awarded for their refurbishment was poorly executed and subsequently abandoned.

“They awarded a contract for the refurbishing of the three trucks, and the contractor, who is very close to power, did a shoddy job and smiled to the bank.

“I doubt if the current administration is committed to equipping the emergency department.

“So whenever there is a fire outbreak or emergency and we are called, we simply cannot respond because we are not equipped to carry out our work,” a source said.

Also speaking, the State Commanding Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Mrs Olumayowa Olomola, attributed the agency’s inability to respond effectively to damaged equipment.

“Not only was our truck vandalised, some of our fire officers were inflicted with injuries during the operation.

“This state government is fully aware of this and had promised to fix the truck and treat the injured officers.

“But as we speak, we have made several follow-up and they have not responded several months later,” she said.

Meanwhile, residents have continued to express concern over the situation, calling for urgent government intervention.

Mr Lyord Ndoma said the absence of functional fire service stations had left communities vulnerable.

“Cases of fire outbreaks in Cross River which always leave a lot of destruction in its wake, both in human lives and property abound in recent time.

“So, we are concerned about the absence of functional fire service stations across the state,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Abel Agim described the situation as abnormal, urging the government to take decisive action.

“Occasionally coming out to commiserate with the victims and promise of support is not the main issue here; the solution is to provide means of emergency response to reduce the impact of the incidents,” he said.

Stakeholders say addressing the situation requires a comprehensive approach, including provision of modern firefighting equipment, rehabilitation of infrastructure and improved funding.

It would be recalled that the Cross River State House of Assembly passed the State Fire Service Bill in May 2024, aimed at repositioning the service to meet expected standards.

However, months after its passage, residents say there are no visible signs of implementation.

Analysts warn that without urgent investment in firefighting infrastructure and effective implementation of policies, residents may continue to suffer avoidable losses.

They stress that beyond policy pronouncements, deliberate and sustained action is required to protect lives and property across the state. (NANFeatures)

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A new dawn in Nigerian Technical Aid Corps

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

Dr Yusuf Yakub, Director-General of NTAC at the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development Goals in Madrid, Spain

By Maureen Okon

Established in 1987, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) serves as a key foreign policy tool under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was designed to provide technical assistance to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries as a strategic alternative to direct monetary aid.

Foreign affairs analysts say the scheme has creditably acquitted itself ever since, fostering bilateral and triangular relations and understanding between Nigeria and ACP countries.

NTAC sends professionals such as doctors, engineers, teachers to ACP countries.

A critical part of NTAC’s mandate is the deployment of skilled volunteers to ACP countries for the South-South cooperation in strengthening ties through the deployment exercise.

The Technical Aid Corps (TAC) is used to bridge both the educational and professional gaps of these countries and their people.

The corps focuses on capacity building, human resources development as well as filling critical manpower gaps in the health and education sectors which directly support the sustainable development through the partnership with these countries.

Since inception, NTAC had deployed more than 10, 000 volunteers to ACP countries.

In 2025, NTAC deployed TAC volunteers to 12 ACP countries: Jamaica, Republic of Benin, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Zanzibar, Grenada,

The Gambia, Liberia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Seychelles and St. Kitts and Nevis; the corps also opened up new relations with Equatorial Guinea, Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis last year.

Also in 2025,  NTAC recorded a significant milestone and met targets in spite of challenges.

Observers say that NTAC, under the leadership of Director-General Dr Yusuf Yakub, is experiencing a new dawn.

On Strategic Alignment, NTAC has been repositioned to align with the 4D Foreign Policy–Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora to bolster Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy and international influence.

The corps has strengthened ties with countries such as Jamaica, Republic of Benin, Rwanda and others through capacity building and human resources development.

Foreign affairs analysts say the corps’ efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on democracy, development, and diaspora engagement.

It is worth noting that NTAC has received accolades from some countries that were impacted through its interventions.

The Gambian Government recently applauded Nigeria’s educational interventions in the country.

Prof. Pierre Gomez, the Minister of Higher Education praised the impact of Nigerian professors on their educational sector.

Gomez said the Gambian President was pleased with the impact of Nigeria professors from NTAC at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET).

Also, Yakub’s courtesy visit to Ms Eléonore Yayi Ladekan, the Beninese Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, elicited applause NTAC).

The visit was to bridge the communication gap, strengthen diplomatic ties and to facilitate trade between Nigeria and Benin.

Yakub said that the visit was aimed at mitigating the barriers of communication in order to enhance trade development and other bilateral ties between both countries.

On her part, Ladekan extended her country’s gratitude to President Tinubu for his continuous dedication and commitment to the development of ACP countries through NTAC.

She expressed the country’s desire to partner with NTAC to explore more opportunities, and also affirmed the Benin’s commitment to sustaining and expending cooperation with Nigeria for mutual benefits.

In addition, NTAC opened new relations with Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis, and is set to deploy more volunteers to address manpower gaps in health and education sectors.

In April 2025, the corps sent 35 medical professionals to Zanzibar, Tanzania, comprising nurses and doctors to enhance the Nigeria foreign policy to bridge the gaps in countries that are in need of professionals.

Providing further insights, Yakub said the Jamaican Government sought for 400 workers from Nigeria from Nigeria, and they were ready to pay 100 per cent salary to bridge the manpower gap in the North American country.

He said that the Jamaican deployment was done to fulfill Nigerian “big brother’’ role to the ACP countries and strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties.

According to him, it is in tandem with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which hinges on the core pillars of democracy, development, demographic and diaspora engagement.

Analysts say under the leadership Yakub, NTAC has strengthened ties with countries like Jamaica, Republic of Benin, Rwanda, and others through capacity building and human resources development.

“Some notable achievements includes: New Partnerships formed which made NTAC to opened new relations with Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Volunteer deployments, 35 medical professionals were sent to Zanzibar, Tanzania, and 16 TAC volunteers were deployed to Jamaica,’’ a foreign affairs analyst said.

More recently, NTAC received one of its deployed volunteers from the Republic of Uganda at the expiration of his two years stay in the country.

The returning volunteer, Professor Joseph Tanko Apagu, was received at the NTAC Complex by the Director (Programmes), Ambassador Zakari Usman, who subsequently presented him to the director-general.

In his remarks, Yakub expressed appreciation for Apagu’s dedication and exemplary service while on assignment in Uganda.

The director-general commended him for representing Nigeria positively and contributing meaningfully to development efforts in the host country, in line with the objectives of the TAC scheme.

He urged the returnee to sustain the values of professionalism, discipline, and patriotism which the corps upheld, and to continue serving as a worthy ambassador of Nigeria in all future endeavours.

In an increasingly polarised world, foreign affairs commentators say the ongoing repositioning of NTAC operations should be sustained.

In spite of  challenges, stakeholders say they are upbeat about Yakub’s ability to continue leveraging ICT in enhancing strategic partnerships, as well as updating the legal framework to boost Nigeria’s soft power and development leadership in the Global South.(NAN)

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2025: Analysing ECOWAS’ year of milestones, turbulence

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), founded on May 28, 1975, clocked 50 in May, 2025.

It was a milestone deserving of popping the champagne and rolling out the drums in celebration.

Once hailed as a model sub-regional organisation and a beacon of African integration, its 50 years milestone coincided with its worse epoch of existential threat.

As it marked the 50th anniversary amid prevailing challenges and the existential threats, the regional bloc found itself at a historic crossroads.

The number of surviving member states had dropped from the original 16 that had formed it during the famous Lagos Treaty in 1975, to 12.

Mauritania had pulled out from the bloc in December 2000, leaving it with 15 member states.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (the Sahel States) officially followed suit in January 2025, further reducing its membership to 12.

This elicited fears of more to follow and perhaps, its eventual disintegration.

The anniversary was a defining moment for ECOWAS, which had been navigating deep internal turbulence, while pursuing regional integration for the past five decades.

The year started on both a sour note and a grim reality – with the three Sahel States officially quitting the bloc on Jan. 29, 2025, against all odds and expectations.

In spite of various entreaties by regional leaders and stakeholders for the three states to rescind their decision, the moves fell on deaf ears.

Even the plea by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving ECOWAS founding Head of State, to the young military leaders to reconsider their decision was not heeded.

The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government also despatched Togolese President and his Senegalese counterpart on shuttle diplomacy overtures to persuade them, without success.

About 12 months to their formal exit, they had statutorily notified ECOWAS of their intention to pull out.

The departing states later formed a parallel bloc – the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – in 2024, and severed ties with ECOWAS.

This was a fallout of the sanctions and internal disagreements between them and ECOWAS leaders over the military coups in their countries amid security concerns.

By December 2025, months after its 50th anniversary milestone, ECOWAS was indeed facing a state of emergency due to severe security threats and political instability in the sub-region.

The security situation was sequel to escalating terrorist attacks, banditry, and military coups, which demanded immediate and intensified regional security responses.

The Sahel States’ departure culminated in regional instability as it created an opportunity for marauding terrorists to terrorise the sub-region’s large ungoverned spaces.

This development also contributed to a dip in the region’s economic growth forecast from 5.1 per cent to 5.0 per cent in 2025. 

In spite of the Sahel States’ exit, ECOWAS kept its doors open for them, and is still actively re-engaging them, especially on joint security issues.

Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, says the aim is to “maintain dialogue and minimise the negative impacts of the split.”

The Sahel impasse was, however, just one in a myriad of challenges faced by ECOWAS in 2025.

The sub-region was also hit by a series of governance instability situations, which significantly challenged democratic governance across West Africa.

The political space in some member states, such as Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, shrank, raising concerns that warranted the intervention of regional stakeholders and leaders.

ECOWAS also encountered democratic backsliding late in 2025 following the military takeover of power in Guinea-Bissau, and an attempted coup in the Republic of Benin.

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, in a speech  at the Golden Jubilee celebration, said ECOWAS was worth celebrating, considering its 50 years of achievements amid formidable challenges.

He said that the anniversary was a moment for reflection, resilience, and recommitment to the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers, and urged its current leaders to ensure that the bloc remained intact and indivisible.

The commission’s president stressed that ECOWAS’s 50 years existence was a milestone, and called for a sobering assessment of the “crisis of democracy and security”  facing West Africa.

“We are living through a moment of intense global disruption.

“This is not a time to retreat. This is a time to rise, just as we have done before,” he said.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, the then ECOWAS Chairman, decried the political turbulence in the region, and urged member states to remain united and avoid divisions that could “erode 50 years of progress.”

He highlighted the achievements of ECOWAS, and listed what he considered to be the bloc’s greatest “milestones” over the last five decades.

These, he said, included the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, the Trade Liberalisation Scheme, Peacekeeping Operations, and Healthcare provision.

One of ECOWAS’ milestone achievements in 2025 was in the area of infrastructure.

ECOWAS approved a dedicated Project Company and the expansion of international financial backing for its ambitious 25 billion dollars West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP) and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP) merger.

The project, which was approved by ECOWAS in 2022, stretches nearly 6,000 km across West Africa.

It is designed to enhance regional energy access across the region and provide a secure link for Nigerian gas to reach Europe.

The project aims to extend the existing 678-km West African Gas Pipeline (running from Nigeria to Ghana) eventually reaching Morocco and Spain, passing through 13 countries to provide energy to over 400 million people.

Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, describes the project as a pivotal step in ECOWAS’ energy and economic integration ambitions.

“This project is of vital importance for our region as it will create access to natural gas across West Africa, oil industries, agriculture, and power generation, and drive economic growth.

“The gas pipeline project supports both regional development and global climate goals by advancing clean energy initiatives, from mobility solutions to clean cooking options,” he said.

In December 2025, the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at its 68th Ordinary Session held in Abuja declared a renewed focused on strengthening democracy and tackling terrorism through a reinvigorated, unified approach.

Julius Bio, Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the decision marked a defining moment for West Africa.

“West Africa faces some complex and evolving threats in its history, and instability in one nation is instability for all. No border can insulate us from violence or fragmentation.

“We must therefore strengthen collective action, integrated intelligence systems, coordinated border operations, and the operationalisation of ECOWAS as a standby force for counter-terrorism,” he said.

In 2025, ECOWAS also made continued efforts to promote trade, focusing on strengthening the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

West African leaders announced their declaration of a “united front” for economic diversification toward reducing the sub-region’s dependence on external trade.

ECOWAS also made some headway toward the actualisation of its single currency, the “Eco.” by making efforts to resolve the stumbling blocks of its the implementation. 

Also, in 2025, ECOWAS leaders, in a landmark decision, adopted a policy to abolish all air transport taxes and slash passenger/security charges by 25 per cent across the sub-region to make air travel more affordable.

They said that West Africa was the most expensive region in the world for air travel, with taxes and charges accounting for up to 50 per cent, and in some cases, 70 per cent of the total ticket price. 

ECOWAS noted that the high air fares  were hindering the achievement of its Free Movement Protocol, the Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and also suffocating operating regional airlines.

The reforms, effective Jan. 1, 2026, are expected to engender positive economic impact, drop airfares by at least 40 per cent, and boost passenger traffic by about 30 per cent across the sub-region.

Analysts say that in spite of the turbulence, 2025 was a year of critical reflection on ECOWAS’ strength, resilience, and power over the past 50 years, as well as reform efforts going forward.

ECOWAS must, however, step up its war against insecurity, violent extremism and terrorism with all that it takes, including the deployment modern technology.

It must, like never before, also ensure reforms that would restore institutional integrity, rebuild citizen trust to become the ECOWAS of People of its dream.

There is, for instance, the urgent need to address its existential threat, which is posed by violent extremism and terrorism, incessant unconstitutional changes of government and the spate of member states’ exit. 

Going forward, ECOWAS must come to terms with the fact that it is currently at a critical turning point, and must confront the reality of its chequered history and fractured union, headlong. (NANFeatures)

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When the Moral Compass Falters: Soyinka, Silence, and the Burden of Elder Statesmanship

by Editor
written by Editor

By Dr. Dagogo Jack

There was a time, before 2023, when the mere hint of a political crisis anywhere in Nigeria would have summoned an unmistakable voice – Wole Soyinka’s. Unvarnished. Unafraid. Unsparing. He called a spade a spade, regardless of whose ox was gored, and his interventions carried the weight of a man who had seen power up close, resisted it when it turned tyrannical, and paid personal costs for speaking truth to authority.
In those years, a crisis like the one unfolding in Rivers State would not have escaped his scalpel. Soyinka @wolesoyinkaat90  would have dissected the actors, the institutions, the moral failings, and the dangers to democracy with the clarity of a writer who understood that silence, in the face of wrongdoing, is itself a political act.
Yet, since the inception of the Tinubu administration, many Nigerians have noticed an unsettling quiet. The once-fierce public intellectual appears reluctant to interrogate governance, politics, the economy, insecurity, corruption, or the perennial failure of electoral reform. To critics, it feels as though evil has become invisible, or at least unmentionable.
This perceived silence raises a deeper question about the purpose of elder statesmanship.
Why does providence spare the lives of such figures if not for moments like these? Nations do not merely honor their elders for longevity or past glories. They look to them as moral compasses, custodians of hard-earned truth who, having seen it all, should have nothing left to lose. Elder statesmen are meant to stand above the fray, immune to inducement, unafraid of access politics, and resistant to the small gifts and privileges that too often purchase big silences.
But today, the lament is widespread: elders are taking sides. Some, it is said, trade moral clarity for proximity to power. Others turn blind eyes to wrongdoing in the name of loyalty, ethnic solidarity, or political convenience. The cost of this compromise is not abstract. It is paid by society at large, as injustice hardens into normalcy and wrongdoing finds cover under respected names.
Evil thrives not only because of the audacity of those who perpetrate it, but because of the retreat of those who should confront it. When statesmen are compromised, wrongdoing gains confidence. The public square grows quieter, accountability weakens, and citizens are left without trusted voices to articulate their outrage and fears.
There is an old saying: he who sees evil and remains silent is aiding and abetting that evil. Another goes further, that anyone who picks stones for a madman is as guilty as the one throwing them. Silence, selective outrage, and strategic muteness are not neutral positions; they shape outcomes.
This is why the disappointment cuts deep. Wole Soyinka’s legacy was built on the refusal to be domesticated by power. His moral authority came not from perfection, but from consistency—an insistence that no government, no leader, no ethnic bloc, and no party was above scrutiny. When such a voice appears muted, the void is felt across the nation.
Ultimately, this moment is not about one man alone. It is about all who wear the title of elder statesman. History is relentless in its judgments, and it asks a simple, unforgiving question: What should I be remembered for?
For speaking truth when it was inconvenient or for finding reasons to look away?

 

Dr Dagogo Jack,  a Political Analyst and Good Governance Crusader, writes in from Port Harcourt

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NNPC spearheading Africa’s global energy integration through gas pipeline projects

by Administrator
written by Administrator

ABUJA – Deep beneath Nigerian soil lies a dormant giant of natural gas with  huge potential to transform into kinetic force,  bridging the gap between gas fields and industrial heartlands.

In the quest to leverage this huge gas reserves for regional energy security and global markets, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) spearheads Africa’s energy integration through the development of transcontinental gas pipeline projects to connect West African economies and link the continent to global energy markets.

The NNPC Ltd.’s current strategy centres on enhancing the sustainability of upstream production, expanding natural gas processing and transportation infrastructure and upgrading refining assets to support chemical production and premium hydrocarbon outputs.

NNPC’s major gas pipeline ventures focus on boosting domestic supply and connecting Africa to Europe.

This is primarily through the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline for internal use, and ambitious international projects like the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP), spanning 13 West African nations and the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP)

 

This ensures the continuous supply of high quality energy products and services, evolving into an integrated energy company with strategic investments in gas and power, aiming to harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources and deepen its footprint both locally and abroad.

 

The 2.8 billion dollars AKK pipeline is a 614 km line set to boost Northern Nigeria’s economy by supplying gas to power plants and industries, and with milestones such as the River Niger crossing (technically challenging segments) completed in 2025, it is expected to be activated for export in early 2026.

 

Another key project is the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, which connects eastern gas fields to western networks, facilitating nationwide supply and linking to the AKK gas pipeline.

 

These projects are crucial for Nigeria’s gas-to-power goals, economic growth, and industrial revival, reducing reliance on diesel and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, a proposed nearly 6,000-kilometer project to transport natural gas from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco, and then to Europe was proposed in a December 2016 agreement between the NNPC Ltd. and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM).

In August 2017, NNPC Ltd. and ONHYM began a feasibility study for the pipeline, which is estimated to cost 25 billion dollars, and would be completed in stages over 25 years.

Morocco is reportedly in talks with Nigeria to pursue this gas pipeline which is progressive.

The AKK project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic energy network, while the Nigeria-Morocco project seeks to expand the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to connect countries along the Atlantic coast and potentially extend to Europe.

Speaking at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate, Mr Bashir Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd. focused on deepening infrastructural development.

 

Under the theme, Energy. Intelligence. Impact., ADIPEC hosted an extraordinary programme of dialogue and collaboration, uniting global leaders to build resilient systems, deploy intelligent solutions and deliver the energy the world needs.

 

Ojulari said the flagship Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline Project was central to NNPC’s continental expansion strategy, designed to connect African nations through energy infrastructure and drive industrial growth.

 

“The project is one of our expansion priorities. It will run from Lagos in Nigeria all the way to Morocco around the perimeter of Africa, connecting countries along the route.

 

“It will enable cross-border supply and off-take, supporting industrial growth along its corridor,” he said.

 

He assured that the gas pipeline would build on the existing WAGP network, which already linked Nigeria to Ghana,  extending it first to Côte d’Ivoire and then progressively northward through other coastal nations to Morocco.

 

Ojulari said the infrastructure would allow each country along the corridor to feed in gas from local fields and also off-take gas to power industries and communities, creating a mutually beneficial regional gas market.

 

“It provides opportunities to connect all those economies. From Morocco, the system will eventually connect to Europe, opening a new energy corridor from Africa to global markets,” he added.

 

“The project will help monetise Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, estimated at more than 600 trillion cubic feet, while enabling other African countries with smaller reserves to participate in shared infrastructure that promotes regional development,” he said.

 

He said NNPC Ltd. was simultaneously advancing domestic gas initiatives including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transportation and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for households to deepen gas utilisation and reduce dependence on biomass.

 

“Natural gas is now a big deal in Nigeria. Our retail trucks are being converted to run on compressed natural gas. We are also expanding LPG networks across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to phase out wood and charcoal use,” Ojulari said.

 

He emphasised that gas development remained central to Africa’s industrial future, describing it as the continent’s “pathway to full industrialisation.”

 

“Gas provides revenue, creates jobs through industrial parks, and connects new businesses. For Nigeria and West Africa, it is the foundation for sustainable economic growth,” he said.

 

Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to partnerships with African and global energy stakeholders to accelerate infrastructure that will make Africa a significant player in the global gas value chain.

 

According to him, the NNPC Ltd. is charting a sustainable course for Africa’s energy future through technology deployment, business integration and strategic partnerships.

 

After a recent inspection on the AKK project, Ojulari said the NNPC had completed welding of the pipeline’s main line, including the River Niger crossing, a long-standing technical challenge that had delayed progress on the project.

He said the achievement had paved the way for connecting the pipeline early next year.

“We have been able to complete the welding of the main line of the AKK pipeline. In summer, we were able to cross the River Niger, which was a struggle for many years. With its completion, we can start making all the connections early next year,” he said.

According to Ojulari, once activated, the pipeline will deliver gas across northern Nigeria, supporting industrial and economic activities.

“This is not just about energy,” he said. “It’s about industrialization, fertiliser plants, power generation, and gas-based industries in Kaduna, Kano, Abuja and Ajaokuta. We expect to see industrial parks spring up.”

He attributed NNPC’s improved operational outlook to reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act, which, he said, had repositioned the company as a commercially driven entity operating without reliance on federal allocations.

He said the completion of the AKK pipeline network would expand economic opportunities, enhance power supply and support national industrialisation efforts, contributing to improved energy and economic security.

The AKK pipeline, first conceived in 2008, is a key component of Nigeria’s strategy to harness its gas resources to drive economic growth.

The project is expected to significantly improve energy access in northern Nigeria, where persistent power shortages and weak infrastructure have constrained industrial development for decades.

On upstream investment, Mr Udy Ntia, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd., also listed major gas pipeline projects, including the Nigeria-Morocco project and links to demand centres in western and northern Nigeria; Refinery optimisation and development of hybrid partnerships for co-investment in upstream projects.

 

“Co-investment is the new round of financing. We are stepping in as co-investors to ensure projects are bankable and decisions are made quickly in a rapidly changing environment,” he said.

 

He emphasised a shift toward partnership-driven growth between National Oil Companies (NOCs) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), calling for collaboration over competition.

 

“IOCs are not grabbers; they are partners. We all share the same goal, which is profitability, sustainability and growth. The real question is how we can increase the size of the pie so that everyone wins,” he said.

 

Ntia reaffirmed that Nigeria’s upstream strategy balances energy security, profitability, and climate responsibility, ensuring the nation’s resources remain relevant in the global energy transition. (NAN)

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AFCON 2025: Focused Eagles face Algerian redemption test in Marrakech

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Victor Okoye

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take centre stage on Saturday in Marrakech, chasing a semi-final place as AFCON 2025 intensifies with a heavyweight quarter-final clash.

Three-time champions Nigeria meet 2019 winners Algeria at the 45,000-capacity Grand Stade de Marrakech, with pride, history and momentum at stake.

Both teams advanced from the group stage with perfect records, the only sides to do so, but knockout football leaves no room for past achievements.

Nigeria arrived as the tournament favourites after scoring 12 goals and conceding four, including a commanding 4-0 Round of 16 win over Mozambique.

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has played down expectations, insisting focus must remain firmly on the immediate challenge.

He said, “I only think about Marrakech,” Chelle said. “There is a game to play. After that, we can think about the next step.

“The story starts in Marrakech,” he added. “Training, focus and the next game – that is all that matters now.”

In spite of reports of unpaid bonuses and minor on-field disagreements, players insisted that unity within the Nigerian camp remained intact.

On the pitch, Nigeria looked revitalised, combining pace, power and purpose under Chelle’s pragmatic leadership.

Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria’s standout performer, recording three goals and five assists to emerge as the tournament’s most productive player.

Victor Osimhen has also scored three goals, moving within three of Nigeria’s all-time AFCON scoring record of 37 goals.

Akor Adams added fresh impetus with his first AFCON goal against Mozambique, further strengthening Nigeria’s attacking options.

However, defensive lapses remained a concern, with Nigeria conceding four goals in four matches ahead of their sternest test yet.

Midfield anchors Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi have driven Nigeria’s intensity, though Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey are on suspension alert.

History provides mixed comfort. Nigeria and Algeria have met 21 times, with Nigeria winning nine, Algeria seven, and five encounters drawn.

Algeria famously eliminated Nigeria 2-1 in the 2019 AFCON semi-final, sealed by Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage-time free-kick.

The Desert Warriors arrive seeking redemption after group-stage exits at the last two AFCON tournaments.

Coach Vladimir Petković sees reaching the quarter-finals as merely the foundation of a rebuilding journey.

“Qualifying was important, but it is the minimum,” Petković said. “Now our focus is Nigeria. Rebuilding means responsibility, courage and unity.”

Under Petković, Algeria had recorded 19 wins in 24 matches, signalling steady recovery since their 2019 triumph.

He said, “I never promise trophies,” he added. “What I promise is pride, courage and unity. Without unity, success is impossible.”

Algeria edged DR Congo 1-0 after extra time in the Round of 16, Adil Boulbina striking decisively in the 119th minute.

Defensive discipline underpins their campaign, conceding just one goal in four matches, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane in fine form.

Zinedine Zidane had watched every Algeria match from the stands, lending symbolic weight to their quiet resurgence.

Captain Riyad Mahrez, 34, remains influential, scoring three goals and guiding a squad blending experience with youth.

Baghdad Bounedjah, Ismaël Bennacer and Ramy Bensebaini bring winning pedigree, while Fares Chaibi adds youthful drive.

Mahrez expects another tight encounter. “Nigeria? We know them well. The match won’t be easy. Anything is possible,” he said.

Nigeria had reached the AFCON semi-finals a joint-record 16 times, often thriving when the pressure is highest.

Should the Super Eagles advance, they will face either hosts Morocco or Cameroon, reviving memories of the historic 1988 AFCON.

Thirty-eight years ago in Rabat, Nigeria edged Algeria on penalties before losing a controversial final to Cameroon.

On Saturday, history, ambition and belief collide again in Marrakech, as Nigeria seek progress and Algeria chase redemption. (NANFeatures)

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Power Without Contentment: The Unfinished Ambition of Nyesom Wike

by Editor
written by Editor

By Dagogo  Jack

By any conventional political metric, Nyesom Wike has climbed higher than most of his contemporaries could ever dream. From chairman of one of the largest local government councils in Rivers State, to two-term governor of one of Nigeria’s most strategic and economically vital states, to Minister of State for Education, and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike’s résumé reads like the summit of political achievement.
Yet, for all these towering milestones, a persistent question trails his public life: why does fulfillment still appear elusive?
Unlike several former governors of Rivers State who, after serving their constitutionally allotted terms, retreated into quieter national relevance or elder statesmanship, Wike’s political gaze seems perpetually fixed on Rivers State. Even after leaving office, his actions and utterances suggest an enduring desire not just to influence, but to tightly control the political direction of the state—by proxy if necessary.
To critics, this posture reflects more than mere political interest. It suggests an insatiable quest for power, one that refuses to recognize natural endpoints. Power, in this sense, becomes not a tool for service but an addiction—never enough, never complete. The implication is troubling: if eight years as governor, combined with influential federal appointments, cannot bring a sense of political closure, then what will?
Some observers interpret this fixation as political greed; others see it as envy-driven—a discomfort with watching successors exercise authority independently. Either way, the optics are damaging. Democracy thrives on institutional strength, not on the perpetual dominance of one individual. When former leaders refuse to let go, they risk reducing public office to personal property rather than a temporary trust.
Wike’s story is especially striking because his rise was not a solo journey. Like all politicians, he ascended through alliances, party structures, and the collective efforts of supporters who believed in him. Power was lent, not inherited. That is why the continued insistence on control appears less like leadership and more like entitlement.
It is difficult to comprehend how a single soul can rise through the help of others, complete two full terms in office, attain repeated national prominence, and still lay claim—directly or indirectly—to public authority as though it were a family estate. Public office is not ancestral land. It is borrowed power, meant to be exercised, respected, and ultimately relinquished.

This pattern is not without precedent in Wike’s recent political conduct. Observers recall how, after failing to secure the PDP presidential ticket, he appeared hell-bent on weakening the very party that had nurtured his rise. Rather than submit to party consensus or play the role of a unifier, he chose open rebellion—deploying influence, resources, and rhetoric that many believe contributed significantly to the party’s internal fracture and eventual electoral misfortune. To his critics, that episode revealed a recurring trait: when personal ambition is thwarted, institutions become expendable.
The same script, many argue, is now playing out in Rivers State. Just as he could not forgive the PDP for denying him its presidential flag, Wike is perceived to have vowed not to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara the space to govern freely unless control of the state remains firmly in his hands. Governance, under such conditions, becomes secondary to dominance. Development stalls, institutions are strained, and the will of the electorate is overshadowed by the ego of one man determined to remain politically relevant at all costs. In the end, Rivers State risks being reduced to a battlefield for personal supremacy rather than a platform for public service.

True legacy is not measured by how long one holds on, but by how well one knows when to let go.

 

Dr Dagoga Jackson is a Political Analyst and Good Governance Crusader, writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He can be reached @ dagogojackson@ yahoo.com.

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From Congestion to Global Influence: Inside NPA’s Historic 2025 Maritime Transformation

by Editor
written by Editor

By Our Reporter

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is currently riding a wave of unprecedented growth, making 2025 as a year of transformation for the country’s maritime sector.

Since his appointment in July 2024, the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has revitalized the agency, turning Nigeria’s ports into models or hubs of efficiency that bolster the national economy.

The numbers reflect this success: under Dr. Dantsoho’s stewardship, sustained port efficiencies helped propel Nigeria’s international trade to ₦5.81 trillion in the third quarter of 2024.

His impact extends to national fiscal policy, where he successfully implemented the presidential mandate to trade petroleum in Naira, reducing the strain on the country’s forex reserves.

By integrating Nigeria into the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA) which is a precorsor to the National Single Window project being championed by the Federal Government he has ushered in a new era of transparency. His visionary leadership was recently honored with the Award of Excellence for his role in modernizing maritime infrastructure.

The NPA’s achievements in 2025 are a clear indication to its focus on excellence and innovation.

From berthing its first wholly Nigerian-owned container vessel to posting impressive performance metrics, NPA is solidifying its role in shaping Nigeria’s maritime future.

Nigeria’s re-election to the IMO Council after 14 years hiatus marked a significant milestone, reflecting the country’s growing influence in global maritime affairs.

“This development reflects the international community’s confidence in the nation’s commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, and rules-based maritime operations,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Impressed with the development, the President applauded the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the diplomatic team for their dedication and strategic engagement.

Tinubu expressed gratitude to member states for their support, stating, “Nigeria will justify the trust reposed in it through sustained leadership and active contribution to the advancement of international maritime objectives.”

This election marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s maritime history, with the country joining 19 other nations in Category C, reserved for countries with special interests in maritime transport and navigation.

Minister Oyetola hailed the win as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.”

Dr. Dantsoho also congratulated the Minister and Nigeria on this outstanding milestone, stating, “Nigeria has spoken boldly on the global stage, and today, the world is listening.”

In July 2025, the berthing of MV Ocean Dragon, a 349 TEU container vessel, equally marked a breakthrough in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“We are fascinated that MV Ocean Dragon is wholly Nigerian, aligning with President Tinubu’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy and NPA’s focus on Nigerian content development,” said Dr. Dantsoho.

The vessel will boost regional trade and reduce logistics costs.

The vessel owned by Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, has a capacity of 349 Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units (TEUs) and is set to operate across West Africa and beyond, servicing ports in several countries including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, and South Africa.

The MV Ocean Dragon is expected to give a boost to concerted investment drive geared towards reaping the cost and time-saving benefits of short-sea shipping.

By offering an efficient alternative to road transport, the vessel will help reduce logistics costs and increase revenue for the country.

According to Bernadine Eloka, Vice President of Clarion Shipping West Africa Limited, the acquisition of the vessel is a bold solution to the high-risk, road-dominated movement of cargoes within Nigeria and a strategic move to deepen regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A fresh $60 million investment in green port initiatives is set to transform the NPA’s operations, driving a renewed focus on local content development.

These sustainability efforts are backed by record-breaking performance metrics.

In the third quarter of 2025 alone, the Authority saw export-laden container volumes skyrocket by 1,085%, while total cargo throughput climbed by 16.2%, marking a stellar period of maritime growth.

Container operations were a key driver of this growth, with total container traffic rising by 18.9% to 546,931 TEUs.

Import-laden containers also witnessed an increase by 33.1% to 268,713 TEUs, while export-laden containers jumped to 69,039 TEUs from 5,812 TEUs in Q3 2024.

“The sharp rise in export containers also led to a 21.5% reduction in empty container traffic, signalling improved balance between imports and exports and stronger non-oil export activity,” according to operational data released by NPA in December.

Ship traffic also saw significant growth, with vessel calls up by 8.4% to 1,074 ships and total Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) rising by 18% to 42.64 million.

Lekki Deep Seaport emerged as the dominant growth driver, handling 46.8% of total cargo, followed by Onne Port with 17%. In terms of vessel size, Lekki Port received the largest ships, with an average GRT of 57,244.

Attributing the strong performance to the Federal Government’s export-driven economic reforms and growing investor confidence, Dantsoho said: “The figures reflect improved operational efficiency across all pilotage districts.”

He highlighted ongoing port modernisation efforts and digital platform expansions.

Another significant milestone in Nigeria’s maritime history was recorded with Dr. Dantsoho’s election as the IAPH Vice-President for Africa.

This achievement, confirmed by NPA spokesperson Ikechukwu Onyemekara following the August election in Tokyo, underscores the Authority’s rising influence on the global stage.

Welcoming the appointment, IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi expressed his enthusiasm for their future collaboration.

This international role follows another historic first: Dr. Dantsoho became the first Nigerian since 1972 to lead the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), further cementing his role in restoring Nigeria’s leadership in global maritime affairs.

IAPH is a non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. In November 1955, some 100 world port leaders gathered in Los Angeles to announce the creation of IAPH.

Over the past six decades, IAPH has developed into a global alliance of ports, representing today some 190 ports and 167 port-related businesses in 89 countries as of 6 December 2024.

The member ports together handle well over 60% of the world’s sea-borne trade and over 60% of the world container traffic.

NPA capped off 2025 with a notable achievement in Q3, launching the Electronic Call-Up System at Onne Port in Rivers State.

This move aims to tackle persistent traffic congestion, boosting efficiency and streamlining operations at the port.

The system, which has been delayed, had led to significant financial losses for truck park investors and encouraged unregulated activities.

“The commencement of the Call-Up system will restore order, enhance port efficiency, and safeguard investments,” said Mr. Godwin Ololuke, Chairman of the Nigerian Port Consultative Council (NPCC), Onne Chapter, after meetings with NPA management.

Final preparations are now complete for the rollout of an electronic truck-call-up system designed to streamline traffic movement and enhance port safety.

Truck driver Johnbull Igbikiowubo praised the initiative, emphasizing that the cooperation of all maritime stakeholders will be the defining factor in its success.

“The cooperation of all stakeholders is essential for the benefit of everyone involved and the nation’s economy,” he said.

The e-call-up system is expected to curb extortion by non-state actors, who reportedly collect N1,000 per truck, and also improve overall port operations.

NPA is poised for a landmark transformation in 2026, driven by a strategic blend of investment, innovation, and infrastructure expansion.

During a Citizens’ Engagement Meeting held this December in Abuja, Dr Dantsoho and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Gboyega Oyetola, outlined a visionary roadmap for Nigeria’s blue economy.

At the heart of this strategy is a $1 billion port rehabilitation and modernization project.

This initiative involves the wholesale reconstruction of key ports and the implementation of a Port Community System (PCS) and initiative of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), slated for a 2026 launch.

While the PCS concept originated in Europe during the 1970s to digitize maritime hubs like Rotterdam and Hamburg, its adoption in Nigeria is specifically tailored to the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

By automating cargo handling and simplifying administrative processes, the PCS will act as a digital bridge to the National Single Window (NSW), eventually integrating aviation and rail logistics into a unified trade ecosystem.

The economic implications are profound – the system is expected to save millions of dollars annually by reducing vessel turnaround times and demurrage.

Furthermore, by ensuring data integrity and automating transactions, the PCS will plug revenue leakages and provide the reliable trade data necessary for long-term national planning.

Building on the remarkable achievements of 2025 and the upcoming launch of the $1 billion port rehabilitation and modernization project, the NPA is positioned for even greater heights.

As 2026 approaches, the Authority is primed to deliver a landmark performance that will redefine Nigeria’s maritime landscape.

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RESILAC: Turning the tide against poverty in Borno

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Abdullahi Mohammed

A recent study shows that of the 1.1 billion people living in multidimensional poverty, almost half a billion live in countries exposed to violent conflict.

The research, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said it had become imperative to accelerate action to support such people.

“We need resources and access for specialised development and early recovery interventions to help break the cycle of poverty and crisis,” the UNDP report said.

In Nigeria, the European Union (EU) and French Development Agency (FDA’s) co-funded project, “Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery around Lake Chad (RESILAC) 2”, is breaking waves in the fight against poverty in Borno.

In the RESILAC 2 National Steering Committee 2nd meeting in Borno on Nov. 14, stakeholders highlighted how the intervention projects being executed by Action Against Hunger and CARE International, among other civil society organisations, had effectively waged the war against poverty.

The stakeholders expressed delight over the progress so far achieved in the implementation process.

The meeting also underlined the progress made by Borno in the implementation of the respective action plans at the inaugural of the project in April.

Dr Sampson Ebimaro, the RESILAC’s National Steering Committee Chairman, thanked stakeholders for their active participation in the field visit earlier before the commencement of the meeting, which he said had offered them a first-hand view of the progress made in the implementation of the project.

Ebimaro, also an acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, pointed out that the visit had further provided valuable insight into how the intervention was shaping lives, fostering economic opportunities and rebuilding hope among conflict affected communities.

The chairman commended RESILAC’s of steady progress in strengthening local governance structure and supporting youth and women enterprises toward promoting inclusive recovery and environmental resilience.

He described the aforesaid as a reflection of the stakeholders’ shared determination.

“This tangible result lesson underscored effectiveness of collaboration among government, donors, implementing partners and the enduring resilience of the propl4e of the Lake Chad region.”

Ebimaro, who was represented by Mr Abdullahi Yakubu, Deputy Director and Head of Bilateral Cooperation at the Ministry, provided further insights.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, remain fully committed to sustaining and strengthening this partnership.

“Our collective objective is to align humanitarian and development effort with national priorities, particularly in areas of livelihood, recovery, social cohesion and peace building.

“The ministry will continue to promote a comprehensive approach to resilience building, ensuring that the gains made through the resilience cycle are integrated with broader national frameworks and inclusive growth and sustainable development,” he said.

The EU’s representative at the meeting, De Luca Maassimo, also expressed happiness over the progress made.

“I am very excited about the development so far and quite optimistic about the further off-take of the project in the coming months.

“I am aware of the challenges, but still comforted by the quality of the work carried out by our implementing partners and I think the situation is always evolving.

“I think that this is an element of this project that I would like to emphasise, meaning the assessment of the situation in the field, especially for most vulnerable people in,” he said.

For Sally Ibrahim, the representative of AFD, the stakeholders’ meeting “is an important step for the programme and for the impact that the programme is hoping to achieve by the end of its implementation period.”

In his submission, Mr Thierno Diallo, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger, Nigeria (ACF), said that the project was timely and capable of reducing poverty in Nigeria if sustained.

He insisted that RESILAC was specially designed as a regional programme to address the root cause of poverty in conflict affected communities.

Diallo said that was why the five year project was co-designed by the communities, the local authorities, the state authorities and chaired the implementation by the federal ministry of budget and economic planning.

The country director said the meeting was part of the process for its implementation so that the stakeholders could come and see the progress of the project as it were.

Mr Isa Haladu, the Borno Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, advocated a stronger cooperation among the stakeholders for better results.

Halidu, who was represented by Habu Yajiwa, the Borno Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, urged the implementing partners to remain focused in order to achieve the objectives of the programme.

The project, which targeted 36,000 Nigerians, mostly in Borno, was later expanded to Yobe.

Zainab Abubakar, one of the beneficiaries, who was financially empowered via RESILAC to start-up poultry with 100 birds after undergoing special training, shared her success story on how she built a house from her savings in the business.

Abubakar, a widow, expressed her gratitude to the co- founders, implementing partners and the Nigerian Government for giving her the opportunity to become self-reliant.

According to her, she is happily feeding and supporting her children’s education without tears.

By many accounts, thousands of vulnerable Nigerians are gradually gaining their financial and economic freedom via the RESILAC project within a short time of its start-up. (NANFeatures)

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Echoes from Anambra: Tackling scourge of vote buying in Nigeria

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Francis Onyeukwu

By most accounts, voter-inducement and vote buying were rife at the Nov. 8 Anambra governorship election.

Election monitors reported incidents of vote buying in many polling centres during the exercise—a recurring menace in Nigeria’s electoral system.

More so, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said three suspects were arrested for vote buying in various parts of the state.

Political analysts believe that vote buying is central to the problems currently plaguing Nigeria’s democracy.

They say that vote buying is the key reason why political office holders do not render quality service after winning positions, as many resort to recouping their investments instead of providing infrastructure and other dividends of democracy.

The Anambra governorship election was contested by 16 political parties and almost all the candidates spoke to the media complaining of vote buying.

The incumbent Governor, Prof. Chukuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who was declared winner of the contest by INEC after polling a total of 422,664 votes, was among the first to raise the alarm.

Soludo decried the incidents of vote buying reported in some polling units in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

He made this known after he voted at Polling Unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Umueze, Isuofia Ward 13, Aguata Local Government Area, at exactly 1:20 p.m. on Saturday.

“I have been getting numerous calls from across the state. I think it is been relatively peaceful and going smoothly.

“Though there are some glitches at polling units in Olumbanasa in Anambra West, where the BVAS reportedly did not work as expected, on the average, the election is going well.

“The only concern we have received is in one or two places in Nnewi South where we understand that there has been massive vote buying. Some voters are being paid as much as N15,000,” he said.

The Labour Party’s candidate, Dr George Moghalu, also alleged vote buying and frowned at the danger it portended to the electoral process.

Moghalu, who spoke shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi, urged INEC to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.

He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.

“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now.

“As we go along to monitor the process, we will confirm. In terms of voting, there is improvement against previous elections.

“I cannot say it is free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty; what is free about it?

“There is no doubt there is low voter turnout and that has been the trend,” he said.

On his part, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Anambra, Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, alleged widespread vote buying at the election.

Ukachukwu made the allegation shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 012, Umudimala Amaihe Hall, Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

The APC candidate specifically accused the ruling APGA of vote buying across all polling units.

“From what I have been hearing, there has been reports of hitches and security challenges but largely, there have been vote buying.

“That has become the biggest menace that will witch hunt this country to a standstill. It will come to a point where leaders, who have the opportunity to be in power, will not be able to do anything,” he said.

The Deputy Governorship Candidate of APC, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, also added her voice in condemning what she termed widespread vote buying during the exercise.

Ekwunife said that in spite repeated warnings by the INEC and security agencies against electoral malpractices, vote buying still took place on a large scale.

She described the development as a dangerous setback for Nigeria’s democratic process and a betrayal of the people’s will.

“Many voters in the state were pressured through financial inducements into voting against their conscience.

“It is disheartening that instead of allowing the people to freely choose their leaders, some political actors have chosen to corrupt the process with money.

“This kind of monetisation of democracy must stop if we truly want progress in Anambra and Nigeria at large,” she said.

Mr John Nwosu, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also condemned the alleged vote buying and selling during the exercise.

Nwosu expressed concern over what he called the ‘increasing incidence of vote trading, describing it as a ‘grave threat’ to democracy and the will of the people.

He alleged that huge sums of money were deployed to polling units in Nnewi to undermine his chances in the election.

“I had rather stand by integrity and lose honourably than buy votes to win,” he said.

Former Gov. of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, attributed the widespread vote buying and selling reported in the state election to bad governance.

Obi made the remarks at Polling Unit 019, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area after casting his vote at the ongoing Anambra governorship election.

He expressed concern over the scale of vote buying, which he said ranged between N15,000 and N30,000.

“It is sad that bad governance is fueling vote buying and selling.

“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for N30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?

“By selling your vote, you are selling no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future; this is worrisome,” Obi said.

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that monitored the election including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) and Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room corroborated the views of the candidates that vote buying and apathy were rampant during the exercise.

Prof. Ernest Aniche, at Election Analysis Centre, CDD-West Africa, spoke during the preliminary report on the election after monitoring the process in the 21 Local Government Area.

Aniche said that the election raised concerns about voter apathy, low electoral competitiveness and the fragility of key electoral institutions.

He blamed the apathy on public distrust in INEC post-2023, fears of violence or manipulation and intra-party divisions.

“Party agents offered voters N10, 000 and N5, 000, depending on the location; for example, in Achina and in Aguata LGA, agents distributed N5, 000 and N2, 000 payments to voters.

“In Anambra South, similar patterns were recorded; at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA, and Achina in Aguata LGA, with agents distributing cash payments ranging from N2,000 to N5,000 in rooms,’’ he said.

In addition, Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II and other partner organisations, equally raised concerns over voter turnout and vote buying.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, and Ms Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre, identified vote buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed during the election.

Mr Paulchuks Umenduka, Director, Woman and Family Advancement Initiative (WAFAI), Anambra, an NGO, warned that vote buying would expose the country to grievous dangers.

“In Anmabra, there are people called conversers they embark on house-to-house visits to bargain with voters before the day of election.

“The converser will tell the voter to use smarter phone and snap the ballot paper as evidence to enable him be paid after voting their candidate.

“This development had resulted to the desperation both young and old exhibit during elections lately,’’ Umenduka said.

He cited the case of a 96-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Onike, who was reported weeping because she was denied voting right at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 8, Anaocha Local Government Area.

“At polling unit 005 Enugwu-Ukwu Community in Njikoka area of Anambra, confusion that ensued as a result of struggle to vote caused the fainting of the INEC presiding official, Miss Blessing Egoigwe and her subsequently rushed to hospital.

“I can tell you that all these acts of desperation were not for patriotic desire for people to perform their civic duties, but due to the pecuniary interest,’’ he said.

He said if Nigerians must enjoy the full gains of democracy, in which elected officials perform their duties and corruption eliminated, vote buying and other electoral frauds must be tackled headlong.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, adjudged the election to be peaceful and without tangible hitches after she monitored the exercise in some polling units in Uruagu Ward 2 in Nnewi area.

Worthy of note, the Anambra governorship election was adjudged very peaceful as there were no reports of violence across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Ultimately, it is the view of critical stakeholders that concerted and conscious efforts should be made towards stamping out vote buying from Nigeria’s electoral system.(NANFeatures)

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FG Impoverishing Nigerians With Vicious Policies: From Electricity to Fuel,  Masses Are Bleeding

by Editor
written by Editor

By Chibuike Nwabuko

The Nigerian government has declared war not on corruption, not on insecurity, not on mismanagement, but on the very people it swore to protect. From one poorly thought-out policy to another, the Federal Government (FG) has chosen to tighten the noose around the necks of ordinary Nigerians, particularly in essential sectors like electricity, fuel, kerosene, and diesel. Instead of governance, what we have is a systematic, deliberate impoverishment of the masses.

Let’s start with electricity—a lifeline for households and small businesses. In a disturbing development on Kubwa, Abuja, a disturbing anomaly occurred recently that lays bare the silent extortion Nigerians are being subjected to. In September, ₦8,000 could fetch about 143.7kwh of electricity. Today, that same amount fetches just 93.7kwh—a staggering 50kwh reduction and no one informed the people, no notice was given, no justification offered. This isn’t just an anomaly; it’s a blatant slap in the face of citizens struggling to survive. This is just one example and a tip of the iceberg in a sea of opaque and punishing energy policies designed to drain the people, not empower them.

Meanwhile, fuel prices have skyrocketed following the removal of subsidies. The FG insists it’s saving money, but where is the money going? The life of the citizenry is not improving, healthcare remains a mess, education is gasping for air, and food inflation has reached unbearable levels. Instead of relief, what Nigerians are witnessing is a government on a borrowing spree; approaching every willing loaning institution or nation while offering no transparent investment or long-term plan in return. It’s a vicious cycle: we suffer the consequences, they spend in silence.

If this isn’t a betrayal of public trust, what is?

While the masses bleed at the pumps and electricity meters, the very people in power, the elite government officials and ministers are caught in one scandal after another. Funds are looted, contracts are padded, and resources meant for public good are diverted into private accounts. Yet, no one is sacked. No one is probed. No meaningful anti-corruption campaign has surfaced. These people, many of whom have built mansions across Nigeria; properties that remain unoccupied face no consequences. The idea of a property tax on these underutilized, suspiciously acquired assets is non-existent in the government’s agenda. Instead, they focus on draining every last kobo from the sweat of the poor.

Even kerosene and diesel, once considered alternatives for the average Nigerian, have become luxuries. Prices are beyond the reach of the common man. Small businesses are shutting down. Families are reverting to firewood in urban centres. What decade are we living in?

This government keeps repeating the tired excuse of “subsidy removal is for long-term gain,” but the truth remains that the suffering is here and now, and no one is seeing or feeling the benefits. Instead of cutting the cost of governance, filled with bloated allowances, convoys, foreign trips, and luxury lifestyles, they have chosen to cut the lifeline of the Nigerian people.

The real tragedy is that many Nigerians have become numb to this suffering. But we must not stay silent. The government must be called out for what it is doing, which is weaponizing poverty through reckless economic decisions, indifference to accountability, and the total absence of empathy.

This is not governance. This is punishment.

Enough is enough. The Federal Government must stop impoverishing Nigerians and start doing the job it was elected to do: protect, provide, and prosper the people, not punish them.

Mr. Chibuike Nwabuko – an Economist, Political Analyst and Good Governance Crusader writes in from Abuja. He can be reached on [email protected].

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Is poverty fueling mental health breakdowns?

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Abiemwense Moru

Poverty is a global menace distressing millions of people, depriving them the essentials of living and increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts.

It is not merely a lack of income; it is a deep, suffocating force affecting mental health, dignity, and life itself.

For millions, it creates a silent path towards despair.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government, among other measures, recently unveiled a programme to directly support a minimum of 1,000 economically active people in each ward across Nigeria in order to reduce poverty at the grassroots level.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, provided some insights.

“Having stabilised the macro-economy, the next step is to drill development down to the lowest levels so that, in all 8,809 wards, we can stimulate economic activity that will generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection,” Bagudu said.

Nonetheless, Andrew Mamedu, Country Director at ActionAid Nigeria, said poverty stretched beyond empty wallets.

“It affects access to health, education, and mental well-being, leaving people emotionally and physically drained in ways that are not always visible.”

As of 2023, the World Bank reported nearly 104 million Nigerians living in poverty—that is almost half of the population, up from 40 per cent in 2018, an alarming 24 million increase.

Urban poverty rose from 13 to 20 million people, while rural poverty surged from 67 million to 84 million.

But income tells only part of the story; UNICEF’s 2023 report revealed that 18 per cent of Nigerians live in severe poverty, while 33 per cent are multidimensionally poor, facing multiple deprivations like housing, healthcare, and education.

“Poverty in Nigeria is thus about more than money, it is about opportunity, dignity, and the mental scars left on those with limited options.

“These are the realities ActionAid sees daily.”

In Aug. 2024, ActionAid Nigeria unveiled a 10-year strategy: “Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice.”

It targets structural inequality and aims to empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

More so, ActionAid leads the End Austerity Campaign, bringing together youth, civil society, and rights groups to resist economic policies that cripple essential public services and deepen mental and financial hardship.

“These efforts are crucial, because behind the numbers is a worsening crisis.

“We are seeing the emotional toll of poverty become a public health issue, especially with rising suicide rates.”

Nigeria faces rising suicide numbers, with the WHO estimating that around 15,000 people die by suicide every year; this is likely an underestimate due to stigma and poor reporting mechanisms.

Conversations about mental health remain taboo in many communities.

As a result, many Nigerians, especially young people, suffer in silence and isolation, unable to find outlets for their distress.

A 2021 study found those aged 25 to 34 were the largest group of reported suicides; their struggles were both financial and emotional, rooted in hopelessness, pressure, and unmet societal expectations.

Common triggers for suicidal thoughts include unemployment, debt, and the inability to meet family needs.

For many, the mental burden of survival in today’s Nigeria is relentless and crushing.

Mental health professionals report that more people now express despair linked to finances; many admit they feel life is not worth living, as economic instability suffocates their ambitions and confidence.

Reports show that only 10 per cent of Nigerians who need mental health care can access it.

Nigeria has one of the lowest levels of mental health coverage globally, leaving millions without the support they urgently need.

Smaller African nations like Lesotho allocate more to mental health; Lesotho dedicates about five per cent of its health budget to mental health services.

Nigeria, in spite of being Africa’s largest economy, spends far less.

“This is not just about money, it is about value; if we continue to sideline mental health, we are telling Nigerians their lives don’t matter; that has to change.”

Experts say for some young people, suicide becomes a tragic response to economic suffering.

Poverty, in this sense, is not just a condition; it becomes a mental and emotional death sentence carried quietly by millions.

Mamedu said that ActionAid worked in marginalised communities where exclusion was greatest.

“We see the human face of poverty, families with no support, youths with no prospects; yet, we also see incredible resilience.

“By working directly with such communities, we make sure that the national conversation on poverty is grounded in real-life struggles, not just in boardroom statistics.”

To tackle this crisis, Mamedu believes Nigeria must adopt a two-pronged approach.

“We need inclusive economic policies and investment in mental health. It’s the only way forward, Mamedu said.”

Ephraim Audu, a development economist, cannot agree more.

“Between 20 to 30 per cent of Nigerians now face mental health challenges linked to economic hardship.

“This is a national emergency.”

According to a 2025 World Bank report, more than 106 million Nigerians now live below the extreme poverty line.

Afrobarometer also found that 79 per cent of Nigerians experienced high levels of lived poverty in 2024.

“Inflation, weak currency, low wages, and joblessness have eroded household stability. Many people can no longer meet basic needs, and that takes a huge psychological toll.

“This is not just financial strain, it is emotional warfare.

“People are being crushed under the weight of unmet needs and mounting obligations they cannot fulfill.’’

Economically, Audu said individuals were rational agents trying to maximise well-being.

“But when income collapses, stress and despair take over; people begin to feel worthless and stuck.

“Poverty erodes more than income, it destroys dignity.

“Business failure, job loss, and mounting debt produce a dual burden, economic stress and mental trauma.”

Audu also highlighted what economists call the frustrated expectations gap.

“Young people are told education and hard work pay off; but the system is broken, so they feel betrayed and lost.

“Many youths seek escape through migration, popularly known as ‘Japa’; however, high visa costs and bureaucratic blocks create new frustration, deepening their sense of helplessness and failure.

“Suicide becomes, for some, a perceived way out; we see this globally, suicide rates tend to rise during economic downturns, and Nigeria is no exception.”

Audu called for integrated policy action.

“We need economic stabilisation, job creation, and robust mental health systems. Piecemeal solutions won’t work in this kind of multidimensional crisis.”

Specific steps Audu recommends include: Macroeconomic Stabilisation: Tackle inflation, stabilise the naira, and create decent jobs to reduce household financial pressure and restore confidence in the economy.

“Social Protection–Expand welfare programmes, including targeted food subsidies and unemployment benefits, to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable.

“Mental Health Integration–we must embed mental health services in primary healthcare and train frontline workers to spot distress early.

“Youth Employment–Public-private partnerships can help create digital and vocational opportunities to keep youths engaged and hopeful,” Audu said.

Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, Chief Clinical Psychologist at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, said suicide had become a major public health concern.

“We are seeing the consequences of ignoring mental health.”

According to WHO, Nigeria’s suicide rate stands at 17.3 per 100,000 people.

“That is one of the highest rates in Africa; the numbers are alarming.”

Ajiboye said that studies showed 21.6 per cent of undergraduates in Lagos had suicidal thoughts.

“Among those diagnosed with depression, over half reported contemplating suicide; that is terrifying.”

In another study in Southwest Nigeria, Ajiboye found 20 per cent of youths had suicidal ideation, and about 12 per cent had attempted suicide in the previous year.

“The trends are consistent and very worrying.”

“The more severe the depressive symptoms, the more likely suicidal thoughts become.

“Among those with severe depression, the rate of suicidal ideation jumps to 83.3 per cent.”

Ajiboye cited multiple risk factors: “Low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, drug abuse, poor academic performance, and of course financial pressure–these are all red flags we see every day.”

He said that hanging and poisoning accounted for more than 80 per cent of suicide methods in Nigeria.

“These deaths are preventable. But only if people have access to help, and feel safe seeking it.”

Ajiboye is also the founder of the Hope Initiative for Mental Wellness and Anti-Drug Society, an NGO focusing on awareness.

He said mental health education must start from schools and communities.

“Awareness is key; we must reduce stigma and normalise conversations about mental illness; people must know it is okay to ask for help,” Ajiboye said.

As Mamedu, Audu, and Ajiboye all stressed, poverty damages both body and mind, often with irreversible consequences.

Experts say only a holistic approach, economic stabilisation, social protection, and mental health investment, can bring meaningful change.(NANFeatures)

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Israeli strike on Doha, Gaza crisis: Nigeria as voice of peace

by Content Admin
written by Content Admin

By Emmanuel Yashim

Israel’s strike on Doha, Qatar, that killed senior Hamas negotiators, including Khalil al-Hayya, has shaken Middle East diplomacy and raised questions about Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza war.

The attack, confirmed by Israeli officials, occurred as Hamas leaders were reportedly reviewing fresh U.S. proposals for a ceasefire and hostage release.

For years, Qatar has positioned itself as a safe venue for adversaries to hold peace talks.

It hosted U.S.-Taliban negotiations and, more recently, indirect talks between Israel, Hamas, and Western intermediaries.

Doha’s neutrality was central to ceasefire diplomacy after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel.

By striking in Doha, Israel undermined that assumption.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned the strike as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

He emphasised that the attack jeopardised ongoing hostage negotiations and vowed to continue Qatar’s mediation efforts in spite of  the setback.

“By hitting in Qatar, Israel has punctured the idea that Doha was a protected space for dialogue,” a Western diplomat said.

The Gulf state, which hosts a major U.S. base and invests heavily in Western economies, now faces pressure over whether it can continue as mediator, proponents of international affairs, say.

Amidst all of this, Nigeria has emerged as a strong advocate for peace and diplomacy.

The Nigerian Government, in statement from the Foreign Affairs ministry, strongly condemned the strike, describing it as a violation of international law.

Nigeria, therefore, called on Israel to respect Qatar’s sovereignty and international law.

Nigeria added that the attack poses grave concerns for regional stability in the Middle East.

Amb. Suleiman Dahiru, a veteran career diplomat who served Nigeria as ambassador to Sudan Permanent Representative to the United Nations, described the attack as “criminal” and a deliberate disruption of peace efforts.

“America confirmed that it had been alerted by Israel of the attack, but it didn’t prevent Israel from carrying it out,’’ he said.

He said it was disappointing that the Arab world had failed to stand firmly with Palestine.

Nigerian foreign affairs experts emphasise that targeting mediators risks prolonging the Gaza conflict and worsening civilian suffering.

Nigeria’s position reflects its long-standing commitment to mediation and conflict resolution in Africa and beyond.

Through its condemnation and engagement, Nigeria positions itself as a crucial mediator and advocate for stability – championing diplomacy, humanitarian relief, and conflict resolution at a global level.

Analysts highlight that as a trusted voice in international forums, Nigeria can influence efforts to revive ceasefire talks and advocate for humanitarian access in Gaza.

Observers believe that the timing of the strike further complicates diplomacy.

That is more so as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, appointed by President Donald Trump, had been struggling to revive talks.

Al-Hayya was Hamas’s lead negotiator and his death leaves a gap in the process. Speculation on social media suggested that the U.S. proposals may have been used to draw leaders into one place, though no evidence has been presented.

Western officials privately acknowledge that the talks are now “in ruins.” Without a credible mediator, the prospects of a truce or hostage deal appear remote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented the Doha strike as part of Israel’s campaign to ensure Hamas leaders “never sleep easy.”

He urged Palestinians to embrace Trump’s plan and reject Hamas.

Yet in Gaza, where more than 60,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced, such appeals carry little weight.

Israel’s military ordered the evacuation of Gaza City just hours before the Doha operation, a move affecting up to a million people.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that the forced displacement will deepen famine conditions and civilian suffering.

More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released in August.

This situation pushed the FAO, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO to jointly release a statement, reiterating the call for immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to curb deaths from hunger and malnutrition

Nigerian experts stress that without renewed diplomatic engagement, civilian suffering will escalate and prospects for compromise will diminish further.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces international legal scrutiny: the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes, and the International Court of Justice is reviewing genocide allegations.

However, his right-wing coalition is pushing in the opposite direction, calling for annexation of occupied West Bank territory as recognition of Palestinian statehood gathers support abroad.

The strike marks Israel’s second high-profile assassination outside Gaza in under a year, following the July 2024 killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Unlike Iran, however, Qatar is a close U.S. ally.

The White House issued a rare public rebuke, calling Qatar “a valued partner.”

Analysts say Washington wants to preserve its strategic relationship with Doha but is unlikely to apply strong pressure on Netanyahu.

The Israeli leader appears to be calculating that U.S. backing, particularly from Trump, will shield him from significant fallout.

Beyond Gaza, the Doha strike raises concerns about the erosion of diplomatic sanctuaries.

If Hamas negotiators are unsafe in Qatar, other mediation venues may face similar risks.

“This makes diplomacy far harder anywhere in the region,” said one analyst.

The timing also intersects with a looming diplomatic showdown at the United Nations, where countries including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia plan to recognise Palestinian independence later this month.

Israeli nationalists are urging Netanyahu to counter the planned recognition of Palestinian independence by annexing more West Bank land.

The future appears to be uncertain as the Doha operation signals that Israel intends to press its campaign across multiple fronts, regardless of the diplomatic costs.

For Palestinians, the humanitarian crisis has deepened, while for Qatar, its carefully cultivated neutrality is under strain, and without doubt, for international diplomacy, the strike casts doubt on whether safe spaces for negotiation still exist.

Foreign affairs pundits, including Nigerian experts, say that with ceasefire talks frozen, civilian suffering escalating, and regional tensions mounting, the Gaza conflict appears set to intensify, leaving few avenues for compromise.

They urge coordinated international action to safeguard mediators, protect civilians, and restore trust in diplomacy – viewing Nigeria’s stance as a crucial African perspective on the escalating crisis. (NANFeatures)

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