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 Jonathan: I Thought Buhari Would End Boko Haram Since They Once Chose Him as Negotiator

 Jonathan: I Thought Buhari Would End Boko Haram Since They Once Chose Him as Negotiator

*Reveals Chibok girls’ abduction permanent scar on his administration

*Shehu Garba faults former president, declares terrorist group never nominated Buhari as mediator
 *Tells Jonathan to look for a better story to tell Nigerians in his bid to return as president in 2027
 *Tinubu reiterates commitment to tackle insecurity

Deji Elumoye, Alex Enumah, Linus Aleke, Boluwatife Enome and Nancy Mbamalu

Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed surprise that his successor, late former President Muhammadu Buhari, was unable to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end, recalling that at the height of the conflict, the extremist group once nominated the deceased to negotiate on their behalf, a development Jonathan said had raised hopes that he would be able to resolve the crisis quickly when he assumed office.

Jonathan also admitted that the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014 remains a permanent scar on his administration.

But in a swift reaction, former spokesperson to late Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu, faulted the submission by Buhari’s predecessor that the deceased was nominated by Boko Haram insurgents to negotiate peace with his government.

Shehu, in a statement yesterday, described as false the position of ex-President Jonathan on his former principal, saying at no time did Boko Haram nominate Buhari as their mediator in their meeting with the federal government then

Jonathan, who made these remarks at the unveiling of the book, “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), in Abuja, a ceremony which turned out to be another command theater, seeking solution to the perennial insecurity that has engulfed the nation in the last 16 years.

At the event, Bola Tinubu restated that his administration would not rest until insecurity was defeated.

 Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno and others regretted that the Boko Haram menace seems to have defied all solutions of four administrations.

 Speaking at the occasion, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, called for a whole-of-society approach to tackling Boko Haram insurgency, warning that Boko Haram cannot be defeated by military might alone.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, weighing in on the security situation in the country urged Nigerians to live in peace, respect one another, and correct misconceptions about Islam and jihad, stressing that the term does not mean killing non-Muslims but striving to be the best in all endeavours.

Speaking further, Jonathan stressed that the late Buhari was the preferred choice of Boko Haram terrorists to negotiate with the government during his tenure as Nigeria’s President. He also noted that the issue of Boko Haram was far more complex than often presented.

He recalled that his administration established several committees to explore peaceful solutions to the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I felt it would have been easier for him, when he became President, to negotiate with them to surrender — but they persisted,” he said.

He continued: “During one of the committee sessions, Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team in negotiations with the government. So I thought, if they had nominated him, then when he took over as President, it could have provided an easier path to engage them and get them to lay down their arms. But the insurgency persisted.”

Jonathan said Buhari’s inability to end the insurgency once in office demonstrated that the situation was more complicated than widely believed.

 According to him, “If you conduct research and interview people, you’ll only get part of the story — not the full story of Boko Haram. I was there. Boko Haram started in 2009 when I was Vice President. I became President in 2010 and spent five years battling the insurgency until I left office. I thought that after I left, within a reasonable time, General Buhari would wipe them out. But even today, Boko Haram is still there. The issue is far more complex than it is often presented.”

 Reflecting on his presidency, Jonathan said the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls remains a permanent scar on his administration.

He expressed hope that, in the future, some leaders of the insurgent group might document their experiences — much like key figures from the Nigerian Civil War — to provide a clearer understanding of their motivations.

 Jonathan explained, “One of the major scars on my government — and it will remain with me, as Bishop Kukah said, no plastic or cosmetic surgeon can remove it — is the issue of the Chibok girls. It is a scar I will die with. But perhaps, later, more details may emerge — and that too relates to Boko Haram. What did they really want? Our chairman once raised the issue when he interviewed some of them, and they offered certain perspectives. I pray that one day, some of the Boko Haram leaders may become literate enough to document what they have done, so people can truly understand their objectives. It’s similar to how participants in the Nigerian Civil War later wrote about their roles.”

 He stressed the need for a different, less conventional approach to tackling the insurgency.

 “It’s not a matter of a single story. As a nation, we must approach the Boko Haram problem differently. I believe one day we’ll overcome it. I want to thank General Irabor for documenting these events — I always appreciate those who write clearly about national issues.

“That way, when we write our own accounts, we can draw from such documentation. I also believe that all military officers involved in the Boko Haram crisis should share what the group truly stood for,” he said. 

 Jonathan also emphasised that the insurgency could not be solely attributed to poverty or hunger, pointing out that his administration had tried various strategies that failed to yield results.

 He said, “If it were only about hunger — because we tried different approaches — I don’t want to sound like I’m defending my administration. History will judge that when we document our own accounts. But I believe we did our best. We set up committees and explored multiple options during the five years I was in office. I believe the late President Buhari also did his best. Now, with the Defence Minister here and the service chiefs represented, I believe the government must adopt a slightly different approach. God willing, we will be able to resolve this crisis.”

 Jonathan urged the current administration to consider adopting a carrot-and-stick approach to tackle the insurgency that has lasted for over a decade.

 He added, “The issue of the carrot and the stick may need to be adopted. Yes, there may be unmet needs, but if you look at the weapons they use—and assess their value—you will realise that these are not hungry people.

“Soldiers who sometimes recover these weapons can see for themselves: the insurgents often have more ammunition than our troops. So, where are these sophisticated weapons coming from? You begin to see that external hands are also involved—especially during my time as President.”

Tinubu Restates Commitment to Ending Insecurity

For his part, President Tinubu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the book launch, told the gathering that, “we will not rest until we defeat insecurity”.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the president however stressed that it would require a collective effort to root out insecurity from the country.

 He commended Irabor for the quality of the book, which he said is not only historical but serves as a guide in tackling the issue of insecurity both in the present and future.

Shehu Garba Faults Jonathan

However, Garba Shehu, in a detailed response to Jonathan, stated: “We are compelled to make a response to a terrible statement made on the late president Muhammadu Buhari by his predecessor in office, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to the effect that Boko Haram had nominated him to represent them in a dialogue with government.

“If this is  a campaign statement towards his bid for the presidency in 2027, we want  to say to him that “Mr. Jonathan, you are making a false start.”

“Muhammed Yusuf or Abubakar Shekau, the deceased leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, never nominated Muhammadu Buhari for any such role. In fact, Shekau routinely denounced and threatened Buhari, and their ideologies were in direct opposition.

“In 2014, Muhammadu Buhari escaped a bomb attack on his life by Boko Haram in Kaduna, in which his personal staff suffered various degrees of injury.

“Buhari’s campaigns focused on fighting Boko Haram and restoring security to Nigeria whenever he became president, putting him in direct opposition to the terrorist group’s leader.

“Contrary to the news making the rounds in those years that the radical Islamist extremist –Boko Haram had  nominated General Muhammadu Buhari as the mediator between them and the Federal Government of Nigeria in the proposed peace talk, the retired Military General denied knowledge of his nomination.

“In a statement issued by the then National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Engr Buba Galadima, Buhari, the national leader of the CPC said he not aware of the appointment: “As at 10pm yesterday (Thursday) when I spoke with him, he said he has not even heard about it,” Galadima said.

“Continuing, the party secretary told reporters the “he (Buhari) said the whole thing to him, is just speculation. And since nobody has contacted him as a person for him to even know who is behind what, and what the motives of the whole exercise are, he would not speak to the press.” He revealed that Buhari, the 2011 presidential candidate of the CPC, further told him that as an elder statesman and a patriotic Nigerian, he will continue to pray until peace and tranquillity return to Nigeria.

“What led to the misleading information was that a faction of the terrorist group, possibly sponsored by Buhari’s opponents, staged a press conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, through a certain Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be the Boko Haram commander in charge of Southern and Northern Borno, saying that the sect would prefer the former military leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Yobe State governor and the then Senator, now late Bukar Abba Ibrahim, first Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Shettima Ali Monguno, also late, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Insecurity in the North-East, Ambassador Gaji Gatimari, and other prominent members of the Borno Emirate to mediate between them and the federal government.

“Abdulaziz was roundly condemned by the leaders of Boko Haram who claimed that he had “no mandate of their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau.”

“Speaking on to the issue , the then CPC national publicity secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashekun, now late, lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for latching on Buhari’s alleged nomination for political reasons.

“Fashekun described Buhari’s purported nomination as “the latest gambit in the desire of this organically corrupt PDP-led Federal Government in diverting the attention of the unsuspecting Nigerian public from the on-going massive looting of their common patrimony.”

“Fashekun also said: “Without any scintilla of equivocation, General Muhammadu Buhari has never been directly or remotely connected with any insurrection or insurgency against the Nigerian nation and her people. He remains the quintessential patriot that continues to magnetise the very best across the ethno-religious boundaries within the Nigerian nation-space.” The party chieftain accused the PDP of being responsible for the growing insecurity in the country, insisting:

“As we have stated in an earlier communication, the (PDP), as a corporate entity, is the harbinger of the insecurity travails of the Nigerian people for the sole reason of ensuring perpetuity in governance.” Fashekun listed the three categories of Boko Haram and alleged that the PDP-led government is sponsoring one of them. “From recollection of events of the last two years, there are three variants of the Boko Haram: the original Boko Haram that is at daggers drawn with the Nigerian authority for the extra-judicial killing of their leader; the criminal Boko Haram that is involved in all criminality for economic reasons and of course, the most lethal of all, the Political Boko Haram, which this PDP-led Federal Government represents.

“The President, Dr, Good-luck Jonathan, had once alerted the nation of the ubiquitous presence of Boko Haram in his government, a fact aptly amplified by his erstwhile National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi.” He further drew instances from the revelations made by State Security Service. “Undoubtedly, the latest revelations by the State Security Services (SSS) on the complicity of the top echelon of the PDP leadership in Boko Haram activities aptly bear testimony of the noxious subterfuge to extirpate the essence of our nationhood.”

“To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians.”

CDS: To Defeat Boko Haram, Nigeria Needs Whole-of-society Approach

 Speaking at the launch, Musa praised Irabor’s service and described the occasion as “significant,” coinciding with the retired general’s 60th birthday.

The CDS stressed that defeating Boko Haram required unity and deliberate national effort beyond the military.

“Boko Haram can be defeated. It is a whole-of-society approach to the solution, it is not a one-off thing. It must be deliberate. As long as we don’t love and look at ourselves as our brothers’ keepers, this cannot end. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters and it is not magic. It must be deliberate,” he declared.

 He paid tribute to his predecessor’s service and legacy. “I stand here today not only as his successor but also as one who has benefited immensely from his towering example, steady mentorship, and inspiring leadership. His footprint across our nation’s military history remains indelible, particularly in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.”

 The CDS described Irabor as a “soldier’s soldier” whose courage, discipline, intellect and integrity left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s armed forces, especially in the fight against terrorism. He said, “General Lucky Irabor, our immediate past chief of defence staff, today is significant as it also marks the celebration of his 60th birthday, a milestone that not only reflects the grace of God but a lifetime of service, sacrifice and enduring patriotism. He is a soldier’s soldier, who resonates with courage, discipline, intellect and integrity.”

 Musa also outlined broader security reforms, calling for stronger institutions and community participation.

“We also need to strengthen our institutions such as the judiciary to speed up bringing culprits to the book. Furthermore, the capacity of all security agents must be enhanced to ensure they play their roles professionally and diligently. The family institution is also critical, national security starts with the family as it is the unit of every society,” he explained.

He concluded by urging Nigeria to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. “Community engagement with the local community to build trust and help gather necessary intelligence is very necessary. Everyone has a role to play. Regional cooperation and collaboration. Lastly, we must address the root causes such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment, and ensure citizens have a voice,” he added.

Obasanjo: After 15 Years, Boko Haram Becoming Part of Our Life

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo regretted that the Boko Haram insurgency was gradually becoming part of the daily lives and entrenched in Nigeria, warning that the country must ask itself hard questions about how it has handled the crisis over the past 15 years.

“In short, they were looking for a better life. And any other thing attached to that is a better life for them. Have we understood that? If we have, have we taken the steps that we should take?

“If we have, why we, are after 15 years, Boko Haram is now virtually becoming part of our life. Should we accept that? If we should not accept it, what should we do? How much do we know — even from the other side, and from this side?

“Have we been active enough? Have we been proactive enough? I think we have to ask ourselves the necessary questions to be able to deal with this thing that is now becoming a monster within our country,” he said.

 The former President explained that his decision to write the foreword to the book was motivated by his anxiety about the insurgency and its long-term consequences for Nigeria.

Sultan of Sokoto Calls for Peaceful Co-existence

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, used the occasion to urge Nigerians to live in peace, respect one another, and correct misconceptions about Islam and jihad, stressing that the term does not mean killing non-Muslims but striving to be the best in all endeavours.

 Speaking at the launch of the book the Sultan said: “I am very happy to be represented by the Minister of Defence, the chief celebrant whom we are all here for, and his very strong wife, the best part of him. The attendance here really shows how serious we are in overcoming the insecurity problem in this country by honouring this important book launch. I have seen so many service chiefs retired and serving, and so many others I know, all honouring the invitation. General Irabor, you are very lucky to bring this kind of crowd together.”

He explained that the presence of the military and dignitaries underscored the significance of the book and its contribution to the ongoing national discourse on peace and security.

Turning to the subject of extremism and the misuse of religion, the Sultan said there was a need to correct wrong narratives.

He stressed that extremist groups often misrepresent their ideology.

 “I know they never claimed that ‘Boko is haram’. If you listen to some of their audios, which I had the privilege of hearing, they never said Western education is forbidden. Many of them went to school themselves. What they are saying is that those who have gone to school and are educated are leading bad governments. What they are really protesting is bad governance.”

The Sultan also cautioned against misconceptions about “Islamism,” noting that it is about good governance rather than seizing power.

“Islamism is not about seizing power. It is about governance. It is about what a Muslim leader should do and what he should not do. We must learn to respect one another, live with one another, and help one another. We must be our brothers’ keepers. When we understand each other, we are better equipped to live peacefully in this country,” he said.

For former NSA, Monguno, the book was very apt and should be placed in the book shelves of all institutions.

 According to Monguno Nigeria has had only four years of peace and progress between 1975-1979, when the then government made conscious efforts at re-engineering the country through agriculture and other developmental projects.

 He suggested that for Nigeria to regain her pride of place among the comity of nations, there was need to interrogate certain issues underpinning the foundation of the country.

 The book reviewer, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Kukah, however, pointed out that Nigeria was not working today simply because of the 1966 military coup.

 “Nigeria has refused to return to the crime scene, and when they do, they are always hesitant”, Kukah pointed out while commending Irabor for the courage in writing the book, because it dealt with issues of security, national reconciliation, political orientation, patriotism, judicial reforms, social reforms and good governance,” he added.

Kukah added that Nigeria could be at peace with one another through good governance.

 The cleric faulted politicians, especially in the north, who use religion as a tool for politics.

 “Nigeria is in a democracy, and there is a way that good Muslims can participate in democracy and good Christians can participate in democracy, but the idea that we want to use religion to enforce power is what Islamism is. It has become destructive to the religion itself”, he said.

 The author of the book, General Irabor, stated that the book was aimed at focusing attention on credible solutions to the nation’s challenges. 

 “In writing it, I sought to investigate the phenomenon, to examine its roots and complexities, and to contribute my own way to find a lasting solution to this international crisis,” he added.

Irabor also urged Nigerians to recommit to building a nation anchored on justice, equity, and peace. 

 “For me, this book is not just a narrative. It is a call for sustainability and optimism. In the words of Nelson Mandela, I do not lose, I either win or I learn. Therefore, our national expression should be seen as wins and lessons”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has said one of the most critical shortcomings in Nigeria’s approach to violent extremism was the over-reliance on militarised responses, often at the expense of addressing the deeper structural drivers of radicalisation and conflict.

He also expressed concern that, despite being the first line of defence and the most credible source of early warning systems, communities are often treated as passive recipients of security interventions rather than active partners in peacebuilding.

This disconnect, Ochogwu said, undermines the effectiveness, legitimacy, and sustainability of national and regional counter-extremism strategies.

Ochogwu, faulted this approach at the maiden National Summit on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), organised by the Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH), Development and Management Team of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network, in Abuja.

Presenting the lead paper titled “Violent Extremism as a Pan-Nigeria Threat: The Urgency of a Pan-Nigerian Approach”, Dr Ochogwu stressed that one of the most persistent challenges undermining the effectiveness of Nigeria’s response to violent extremism is the lack of strategic coordination among federal, state, and local actors.

According to him: “While each level of government plays a critical role in security and peacebuilding, their efforts are often disconnected, duplicative, or misaligned — resulting in fragmented interventions and missed opportunities for synergy.

Nigeria has witnessed a growth in the number of both statutory and non-statutory security agencies across all levels of government. Regarding statutory security agencies, overlapping responsibilities among various bodies often lead to role conflict at best, and inter-agency rivalry or clashes at worst (Ogide, 2024).

At the federal level, for instance, agencies such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) develop national frameworks for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), while the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) conducts research, produces policy briefs, and develops national peace policies — all geared towards PCVE. However, these policies frequently lack clear implementation pathways at the sub-national level, leaving states and local governments without adequate guidance or resources to operationalise them.

One of the most critical shortcomings in Nigeria’s approach to violent extremism is the over-reliance on militarised responses, often at the expense of addressing the deeper structural drivers of radicalisation and conflict.”

He stated that while military operations — such as Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, Operation Fasan Yamma and Thunder Strike in the North-West, Operation Udoka in the South-East, Operation Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven in the North-Central, and Operation Awatse in the South-West — have played a vital role in degrading the operational capacity of extremist groups, their dominance in national security strategy has led to a reactive, short-term focus.

This approach, he added, fails to prevent the emergence or resurgence of violent ideologies and does not adequately address the underlying grievances that fuel extremism — such as poverty and youth unemployment, political exclusion and marginalisation, weak governance and lack of public trust, human rights abuses and impunity, as well as ethno-religious tensions and identity-based discrimination.

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*Reveals Chibok girls’ abduction permanent scar on his administration *Shehu Garba faults former president, declares terrorist group never nominated Buhari as mediator *Tells Jonathan to look for a better story to

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Concerns Mount over Rising Diabetes Cases Amid Hike in Drug Prices

Concerns Mount over Rising Diabetes Cases Amid Hike in Drug Prices

Sunday Ehigiator

Health experts in Nigeria have expressed concern over the surging cases of diabetes in the country, warning that soaring drug prices are putting life-saving treatment out of reach for millions of patients.
Their concerns came as a World Health Organisation (WHO) report had shown that the number of adults living with diabetes has quadrupled over the past three decades, with nearly half unable to access the medicines they need.

Once regarded as a condition of the affluent, diabetes is now increasingly common among both the rich and poor, in rural and urban areas alike, and among younger age groups.
According to Professor Zubairu Ilyasu of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, “more than 11 million Nigerians are living with diabetes, many of them undiagnosed.”
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) puts prevalence at nearly six per cent of the adult population, but doctors warn the true figure is higher because of weak surveillance.
“The numbers we are seeing are alarming,” said Dr Olufemi Fasanmade, professor of medicine and consultant endocrinologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

“We now diagnose patients in their thirties and forties with complications that used to appear only later in life. It reflects how lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and poor diets are fueling this epidemic.”
The WHO’s 2024 Global Diabetes Report noted that cases have quadrupled worldwide since 1990, rising from about seven per cent of adults to nearly 14 per cent in 2022.
That translates to more than 800 million people living with the condition, of whom almost 450 million remain untreated.

Nigeria, according to the WHO, is among the most vulnerable countries, with millions going without essential medicines despite rising diagnosis rates.
“Diabetes has become one of the defining health challenges of our time,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
 “We cannot stand by while life-saving medicines remain out of reach for millions. The time for governments to act decisively is now.”

In Nigeria, however, even as awareness of the disease grows, treatment remains out of reach for many families because of the soaring cost of drugs.
Insulin, discovered more than a century ago but still the backbone of diabetes care, is priced well beyond what most households can afford. A vial costs between N7,000 and N12,000 depending on the brand and location, and many patients require two or three vials each month.

This means that a patient may need N30,000 to N35,000 monthly just to survive, in a country where the minimum wage is barely enough to feed the stomach against hunger in a month.
The newer GLP-1 receptor agonists, which regulate blood sugar and reduce complications, cost upwards of N80,000 a month, making them accessible only to the wealthy.
Speaking with THISDAY, a Lagos-based Diabetologist, Dr. Aisha Kareem, noted that, “I have patients who choose between feeding their families and buying insulin.

“Some stretch one vial for two months, taking half doses. Others simply stop treatment. By the time they come back to the clinic, they are in diabetic coma or with kidney failure. It is heartbreaking.

“Aside from the fact that major drug manufacturing companies have left the country, the mechanics of drug pricing in Nigeria exacerbate the problem. Since the country imports most of its medicines, the depreciation of the naira has pushed costs to record levels.
“Additional tariffs, logistics expenses, and pharmacy markups mean that by the time insulin reaches patients, its price is several times the original landed cost.

“Even when medicines are available in central stores, the final retail prices are often inflated by tariffs, import duties, and markups at multiple levels.”
Patients themselves describe the crisis in painful terms. A patient by the name, Chidinma Okeke, said, “I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 19. My parents sell foodstuffs, and we cannot afford to buy my insulin regularly.

“Sometimes I borrow money from friends. Other times, I just pray and hope my sugar won’t go too high. It feels like my life depends on money we don’t have,” she added.
Similarly, a civil servant, James, added: “I spend more than a quarter of my salary on diabetes drugs. There are months when I skip doses because school fees and rent come first. My doctor warns me, but what choice do I have?”
Doctors warn that, beyond the high drug costs, systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s health sector are worsening the situation.

According to the former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Francis Faduyile, “WHO’s warning should be a wake-up call for Nigeria. We are dealing with a crisis that is under-recognised. If nothing is done, diabetes will overtake infectious diseases as a leading cause of death in this country.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has also criticised the disparity between production costs and retail prices for diabetes medicines.

 The humanitarian group says some newer GLP-1 drugs are being sold at up to 400 times their estimated manufacturing cost.

“These medicines are absolute game-changers, but they are being kept out of the hands of hundreds of millions of people in low- and middle-income countries who need them,” MSF warned in a statement.

In South Africa, MSF advocacy officer Candice Sehoma urged governments to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable. “The WHO and governments must demand that pharmaceutical corporations open their books,” she said.

“It is unacceptable that insulin, discovered more than a century ago, remains inaccessible to half the people who need it. We cannot allow monopoly pricing to dictate who lives and who dies.”

Her concerns resonate in Nigeria, where pharmacies in major cities frequently charge double the wholesale price. Doctors argue that regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and the Federal Ministry of Health must strengthen oversight to prevent profiteering.

They argue that the government must introduce targeted subsidies for insulin and essential diabetes drugs, similar to its vaccine programs.

According to Kareem, “No patient should die because of the cost of a drug discovered 100 years ago. Producing insulin locally could cut costs by 40 per cent or more.

“Relying on imports exposes us to foreign exchange shocks and high tariffs. The government must incentivise local pharmaceutical companies to produce biosimilar insulins.

“Health insurance also remains a weak link. Most Nigerians are not enrolled in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and even those who are find that their packages rarely cover the full cost of insulin.

“NHIA must prioritise chronic diseases. Otherwise, health insurance will remain irrelevant to millions of diabetic Nigerians.”

Kareem warns that the cost of inaction will be catastrophic. “Diabetes is already one of the leading causes of kidney failure in Nigeria, with thousands requiring dialysis each year at crippling costs.

“Amputations from poorly managed diabetes are becoming more common, and cases of blindness linked to the disease are rising. Every untreated patient is a future case of stroke, heart disease, or kidney failure.

“The economic loss to Nigeria will be staggering if we do not confront this now. And the best solution remains that, insulin and other necessary drugs needed for the care of diabetics must be manufactured locally, while also improving the health insurance net, especially for the rural dwellers.”

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Sunday Ehigiator Health experts in Nigeria have expressed concern over the surging cases of diabetes in the country, warning that soaring drug prices are putting life-saving treatment out of reach

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Cardoso: Reforms Have Sparked Global Investors’ Renewed Appetite for Nigeria

Cardoso: Reforms Have Sparked Global Investors’ Renewed Appetite for Nigeria

*Adebayo Ogunlesi: Nigeria now exciting to investors 

*Indicates interest in gas, aviation, renewable energy, maritime sectors

*Analysts back CBN’s assumption fixed income market control, say reform to reinforce transparency, policy credibility

Nume Ekeghe and Dike Onwuamaeze

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday, said Nigeria’s consistent policy stance and transparency reforms in the foreign exchange (FX) market have strengthened investor confidence, spurred renewed interest from global players, and supported the accretion of the country’s external reserves.
 He said this yesterday at the inaugural edition of the CBN Governor’s Lecture held at the Lagos Business School, where he challenged young Nigerians to see themselves not merely as spectators in the economic debate but as the very subjects upon which the country’s future stability and prosperity depend.

This comes as renowned global investor and Chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Adebayo Ogunlesi, described Nigeria as an increasingly attractive destination for international investment, citing recent economic reforms and government-backed initiatives that have reshaped the business climate.
Also yesterday, the CBN’s decision to assume full control of the Nigerian Fixed Income Market from November 2025, received support from analysts who spoke with THISDAY. The financial market analysts held the view that the move would strengthen transparency, restore regulatory clarity, and sharpen the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission.

Speaking on the theme “Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy & Nation Building,” the lecture to mark the launch of what the CBN described as its Knowledge Acceleration and Thought Leadership Series, a platform to bridge policy and practice while cultivating values-driven leadership.
Turning to reforms under his administration, the CBN Governor noted that clearing the inherited forex backlog was a decisive move that restored credibility and signalled to markets that the Bank was serious about reforms. According to him, trust in Nigeria’s financial system has grown stronger because promises were kept.
“If we expect people to continue to trust and invest in our economy, you’ve got to keep your promises. That particular action contributed in no small way to the rise in foreign exchange reserves we have been able to accomplish,” he added.

On the forex market, Cardoso highlighted the adoption of a B-Matching electronic trading system, which he described as a game-changer. The platform, he said, has ensured greater transparency by allowing all participants to view and transact at the same market-determined rates, reducing information asymmetry that previously created distortions.
“In the past, some had access to certain information while others didn’t. Now, with the B-Matching system, that gap has been significantly reduced. The market has almost become a perfect market, and this openness builds the trust investors require when coming into our economy,” he said.

Reflecting on progress since his assumption of office, Cardoso stressed that consistent policies and firm commitment to the CBN’s mandate have placed Nigeria on a stronger footing.
“Two years later, consistent messaging, consistent policies, doing all the right things, not compromising in your mandate, has taken us to a good place,” he said.

According to him, the evidence of renewed confidence is clear in reports by international rating agencies, multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, and feedback from global banks. He pointed out that top investment firms which had previously stayed on the sidelines, are now revisiting Nigeria with keen interest.
“We have seen an incredible increase in appetite for Nigeria. BlackRock, among others, is showing interest. Many who were watching from the sidelines are now saying, This is the time to get in.’ In one word, the future for Nigeria is bright,” he declared.

Furthermore, Cardoso underscored the CBN’s long-term commitment to discipline, innovation and inclusiveness, stressing that sustainable prosperity would depend on leadership rooted in credibility and accountability.
 He added:  “For our part, rest assured that at the Central Bank we will not be deterred in building an institution you can trust, one that is disciplined, innovative, and steadfast in its commitment to Nigeria’s future.
Stability is not an end in itself, but the foundation on which we must build growth, inclusion, and renewal. The journey ahead demands credibility emanating from discipline, because credibility once lost is hard to regain; innovation, because tomorrow’s problems cannot be solved with yesterday’s tools; and inclusiveness, because policy means little if it does not improve the lives of ordinary people. This is what next-generation leadership requires: leadership that is data-driven yet people-centred, courageous yet humble, visionary yet accountable, determined to build not just for today but for generations unborn.

In the meantime, Adebayo Ogunlesi, who spoke during a recent interview after visiting President Bola Tinubu, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in areas such as subsidy removal, tax reform, refinery operations, and road ownership unification. According to him, these reforms signal a fundamental transformation in Nigeria’s economy and create fresh opportunities for global investors.

“Nigeria is now a place that is exciting to invest in, and that’s what we talked to Mr. President about. And of course, as you would expect, he was very encouraging of international investments in Nigeria,” Ogunlesi said.

Ogunlesi, whose company invests heavily in energy, ports, and aviation globally, noted that Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, growing aviation sector, and potential for renewable energy projects offer strong investment opportunities.

Acknowledging his firm’s operations in neighbouring ports in Cotonou and Lomé, he admitted to the President that Nigeria had so far been overlooked in that area.

Tinubu, he said, encouraged him to redirect such investments home, and the company is now considering Nigerian port infrastructure as a priority.

He said, “The aviation sector is also an area of interest to us. I confessed to Mr. President that one of our companies has ports in Cotonou, and it has a port in Lome, none in Nigeria. So I asked for his forgiveness and understanding, and being the gentleman that he was, he forgave me, but said you have to bring port investment to Nigeria. So that’s another area we’re looking at. Renewables, that’s another area. So lots of investment opportunities in Nigeria. You just have to be serious about making the right moves.”

“People describe me as the guy who bought Gatwick Airport. I did not personally buy the airport,” he explained.

Speaking in the same vein, another International Investor, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, said it would be a great signal for the international community to invest in Nigeria when Nigerians, both in the country and in diaspora, start investing in the country.  

“We thanked President Tinubu for his policies that have made Nigeria investible and we give him every assurance to the president and Nigerian people that we will do our very best in creating a fast growing Nigeria, which will achieve its objectives,” Bello-Osagie said.

The Executive President, National Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, noted that President Tinubu has done fundamental reform, which has invited all these is encouraging people to invest in the country.

He said: “We have done the fundamental and the next thing for us is to realise export led economy, which is why you have seen these great Nigerian (Ogunlesi) who is committed and Mr. President has given the go ahead.

“So, the only thing I can say is that hope is on the rise.”

Meanwhile, the CBN’s decision to assume full control of the Nigerian Fixed Income Market from November 2025 has been welcomed by analysts, who argue that the policy will strengthen transparency, restore regulatory clarity, and sharpen the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission.

The move, announced in a circular signed by Okey Umeano, Acting Director of the Financial Markets Department, represents the first phase of a phased reform strategy that would see the apex bank directly oversee both the trading platform and settlement of fixed income transactions.

According to the CBN, the objective was to “strengthen market integrity, streamline operations, and establish a unified regulatory framework that ensures end-to-end visibility and oversight of fixed income transactions.”

Analysts note that the reforms were expected to curtail the autonomy of private platforms such as FMDQ, whose role in the trading and settlement of sovereign debt instruments has often raised questions about transparency and price discovery.

Head of Consulting at Agusto Consulting Limited, Jimi Ogbobine, said: “ With the new policy by the CBN, the FMDQ will now have to focus entirely on non-sovereign debt instruments. This could become a pivotal moment for the Nigerian debt market as it will lead FMDQ to focus more on market development activities and galvanise stakeholders across board in growing other instruments such as green bonds. It could also propel FMDQ into driving initiatives that will deepen market activities in debt market instruments like sub national bonds, corporate bonds, commercial papers and even attracting listings of corporate bonds from other African companies.”

Chief Executive Officer of CFG Advisory, Mr. Tilewa Adebanjo, noted that by consolidating oversight of sovereign debt instruments under the CBN, the apex bank would be better positioned to align fixed income operations with broader macroeconomic objectives, particularly price stability and liquidity management.

He said: “A move in the right direction to ensure monetary policy effectiveness and transparency in the management of money supply.”

A senior dealer at a Tier-1 bank, who requested anonymity, said the reform was inevitable, given the CBN’s responsibility to ensure monetary stability.

“This transition will alter the operating landscape for FMDQ,” the dealer remarked. The central bank’s jurisdiction rightly extends to money market instruments such as Treasury Bills, FX derivatives, and commercial papers. FMDQ will still have scope to operate in non-sovereign instruments like corporate bonds and sub-national debt under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). But in sovereign debt, regulatory clarity was always going to prevail.” He added.

Another market source stressed that the handling of naira forwards in recent years exposed gaps that underscored the need for tighter oversight. “What we are seeing is the CBN correcting a structural misalignment. The FMDA had historically worked closely with the central bank before the shift in autonomy under FMDQ. That autonomy created space for inefficiencies that are now being closed.”

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*Adebayo Ogunlesi: Nigeria now exciting to investors  *Indicates interest in gas, aviation, renewable energy, maritime sectors *Analysts back CBN’s assumption fixed income market control, say reform to reinforce transparency, policy

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Court Extends Account Freezing Order Over Osun LG Funds

Court Extends Account Freezing Order Over Osun LG Funds

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, yesterday extended an interim injunction restraining the United Bank for Africa (UBA) from allowing withdrawals from 30 bank accounts into which withheld allocations for Osun State local governments were lodged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, said he renewed the order to ensure that all parties in the case, Suit No. 1/1149/2025 between the Attorney General of Osun State, the Osun State Local Government Service Commission and United Bank for Africa Plc, are granted a fair hearing.

While UBA’s counsel was not in court, but Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), appearing for the dismissed APC council chairmen, was present after filing an application for joinder.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), opposed the move, noting that he had only just received two fresh applications from the ex-chairmen’s legal team, one seeking joinder and another challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction, filed on Thursday and Friday.

He stressed that he needed time to examine the documents, arguing that the former APC chairmen lacked locus standi until their joinder was formally granted.

“Their application has not been decided upon; they remain outsiders to this case,” he said.

Adetunmbi also pressed the need to extend the interim order, stating, “I received the two applications yesterday and today. I must be given time to study them and file my responses in law.”

However, Gbadamosi rejected the suggestion that his clients were “strangers”, contending that they were directly affected by the Interim Injunction of 26 September 2025 and had a right to be heard.

The Senior Advocate in an application dated October 2, 2025, not only sought to join the suit but also challenged the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court, citing several cases to argue that a court cannot extend the life of an order once its jurisdiction is in dispute.

Further evidence was provided to the court through a supplementary affidavit sworn by Mrs. Rachael Abidemi Aluko, Head of Local Government Administration in Boluwaduro Local Government.

She alleged that some individuals were attempting to misappropriate local government funds despite the court’s subsisting order.

She referred to a letter, undated, sent to UBA by Mr. Adebayo Oyekanmi and Mr. Lasisi Gbadebo Oyebode, who styled themselves as Chairman and Treasurer of Boluwaduro Local Government.

In the letter, they instructed the bank to deduct 15 per cent of statutory allocations and remit the sum into the account of a private law firm.

Mrs. Aluko dismissed the letter as illegitimate, pointing out that neither individual was entitled to issue such directives.

She clarified that Mr. Oyebode was not an employee of Boluwaduro Local Government and that the role of Treasurer does not exist in Osun’s local government framework.

She added that under the 2025 Guidelines for Local Government Administration in Osun State, only the Director of Finance and the Director of Administration and General Services are recognised as authorised signatories to local government accounts.

Aluko identified the current officers holding those positions and submitted exhibits confirming their legitimacy.

The plaintiffs reiterated that the substantive question of who the authentic local government chairmen are is already before the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/773/2025.

They cautioned that any premature disbursement of the funds would frustrate the course of justice.

After the proceedings, Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel to the Osun Attorney-General, briefed journalists.

He revealed that a related case concerning the disputed allocations is fixed for hearing before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 7 October, explaining that “the essence of today’s ruling is to secure the funds until the Supreme Court gives its verdict next Tuesday.”

“Those who effected the payments knew the case was pending at the Supreme Court; they should have respected the apex court by holding back.

“Let the Supreme Court deliver its decision, and everyone will abide by it. But to disburse in the meantime is unacceptable. As I earlier pointed out in court, there is a letter instructing that 15 per cent of the withheld allocations from March to September, amounting to billions of naira, be paid as legal fees to a private individual.

“By what authority? By what process? Without the preservation order, the remainder of the funds would already have disappeared.”

On the new applications, he said, “They were filed only yesterday and today. I must have sufficient time to respond. The court has rightly extended the interim order to preserve the funds in contention.”

On the issue of joinder, he stated, “We shall oppose it. These individuals have no business in this matter.”

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Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, yesterday extended an interim injunction restraining the United Bank for Africa (UBA) from allowing withdrawals from 30 bank accounts

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In First Private Investor JV, Dangote Begins $2.5bn Urea Fertiliser Manufacturing Plant in Ethiopia

In First Private Investor JV, Dangote Begins $2.5bn Urea Fertiliser Manufacturing Plant in Ethiopia

*Says in 5 years, 3 million metric tons per annum facility to make country biggest agric nation in Africa

*Oshiomhole: I prefer Dangote Refinery’s monopoly to petrol importation

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

In a record-breaking joint venture partnership between an indigenous African private investor and a government, the  Dangote Group has taken its investment on the continent to a greater level with the commencement of a $2.5 billion joint urea fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia, with a capacity to produce three million metric tons of the product per annum (mtpa).

This emerged as Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, yesterday, declared his support for Dangote Refinery in the heat of its disagreement with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Africa’s richest man and President/Group Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote disclosed the latest investment in Ethiopia during his speech at the   groundbreaking ceremony of the project in the country.

Dangote said the project, which is a partnership between the Dangote Group and the Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia, would make the country the biggest agricultural nation on the African continent.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to this historic groundbreaking ceremony of the $2.5 Billion, 3 Million Metric Tonne Urea Fertiliser Production Complex here, in Gode, Ethiopia. This new plant is a partnership between the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia”, he said.

“It is a new dawn, marking the first time, a private investor from Africa is entering into a partnership with an African country to build an industrial complex”  Dangote stressed.
He stated that the partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings represents a pivotal moment in their shared vision to industrialize Africa and achieve food security across the continent.
According to Dangote, the strategic location of Gode, combined with Ethiopia’s abundant natural gas resources from the Hilal and Calub reserves, makes this an ideal location for what will become one of the world’s largest fertilizer complexes.

He said Dangote Group was committed to bringing its decades of experience in large-scale industrial projects to ensure that the venture becomes a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation and a catalyst for agricultural productivity throughout the region.

“We recognise the country’s plan to expand cultivated land, and this project will aid agricultural transformation in Ethiopia and neighboring countries.

“I want to state at this juncture that this project is just the beginning as we intend to invest in the production of other types of fertilizers including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK and calcium ammonium nitrate, to support this aspiration.

“This will further cement Ethiopia’s position as a regional fertilizer production hub. With this and other investments, Ethiopia will be on track to reach its fertilizer application target of 80kg per hectare. Your Excellency, it is my firm belief that with this project, within five years, Ethiopia will become the biggest agricultural nation on the African continent”, the billionaire investor stated.

He noted that the latest investment in urea fertiliser project was the group’s second industrial investment in Ethiopia, adding that their subsidiary, Dangote Cement, has been active in Ethiopia for over a decade with a 2.5Mta cement plant in Mugher.

“We have announced a $400 million investment plan for a second production line at the cement plant, a move that would double the facility’s annual output”, he said.

He said Dangote Group’s investments across Africa were driven by the firm belief that only Africans can develop Africa because of their understanding of the terrain; the challenges, culture, as well as common language.

He maintained that his group was deeply committed to driving Africa’s economic surge from a continent heavily reliant on imports to one that is ultimately self-sufficient in producing finished goods.

He said the Dangote Groyp believes that manufacturing is crucial to Africa’s economic future and transformation.

As Africa’s leading indigenous industrial conglomerate, Dangote said the group’s cement business – Dangote Cement, has a total installed capacity of 55Mta and currently operates in 11 African countries.

Dangote specially thanked their Chief Host and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, and his cabinet for creating an investment-friendly environment amongst other enablers, which he said, now draws investments from across the world into the country.

According to him, Ethiopia today is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa, as a result of the reforms and liberalisation of its economy.

Through these far-reaching reforms, Dangote said Ethiopia has opened up key sectors to private investments, thereby creating opportunities that now attract global investors.

“No nation can advance industrially without having a secure energy base. Congratulations on this landmark achievement. All these have transformed Ethiopia to a gateway for regional and global trade/investment on the continent. I never get tired of visiting this beautiful country and seeing its transformation with each visit. I must congratulate His Excellency and his cabinet for his commitment, energy and vision for his people and nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, speaking in an interview on ARISE News, Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), hailed the Dangote Refinery, stressing that the priority should be creating jobs locally rather than depending on foreign imports.

The former Edo State Governor also described the refinery’s challenges and the labour dispute as “a very complex issue on a good day.”

Commenting on unionisation of workers, Oshiomhole said, “I believe that it is not even a constitutional right. It is a God-given right for human beings to associate in pursuance of their common interests as defined by them. These are hard core values I subscribe to and they also were guaranteed to the Nigeria constitution under section 40.”

He maintained that the escalation of the strike by PENGASSAN was uncalled for, stressing that it risked harming other workers and the wider economy.

“What I’m not sure is right is the ease with which PENGASSAN resorted to escalating the matter to a secondary level, what you call the secondary solidarity, to a point of shutting down the oil sector. I think that it is to protect a particular set of workers you do not then risk the job of several other workers.

“For example, those people selling tomatoes who can’t get for it to buy because there’s a quarrel between one Dangote refinery as a company and one union called PENGASSAN. Those are things I thought that PENGASSAN ought to take into account and pursue this principle.”

On Dangote’s refinery operations, Oshiomhole noted that the company was still in a delicate growth stage and should be given all the support, instead being disrupted.

“I know that Dangote was commissioned just before President Buhari left office, but it commenced production several months after. So basically about a year, a year and a half. Given the size of the business and all the controversies and issues arising from where you get your crude, whether NNPC sells to you, whether ROC can sell the crude overseas, you pay a premium before you can get it. All of those issues are still there. I thought that PENGASSAN should recognise that an employer has to resist, mature, be strong enough to guarantee good pay and jobs,” he added.

On the broader debate about Dangote’s role in the market, Oshiomhole was unequivocal: “I really think that Dangote Refinery has faced too many pressure points that we begin to wonder. I mean, when people say Dangote Refinery is a monopoly, I’m like, would you prefer a monopoly that creates jobs in Nigeria than an import monopoly, which is the PPPRA?”

He added, “What I know everywhere in the world is that unions support industrial policies that encourage local investment. Where they have located here, and they have started producing, we can go and organise their workers.”

On strengthening unions, Oshiomhole pointed to lapses in government oversight. “There’s is missing the role of the government, of the Ministry of Labor. You know, if you look at the labor laws, there is enough room for the Ministry of Labor to ensure that the process and procedures are observed before you invoke that weapon. But oftentimes this is lost.”

He also raised concerns about labour practices in Nigeria’s private sector, particularly in banks. “It shocks me that as we speak, about 60% or more of bank employees are contract staff. What it means is that these employees who dress well as if they are bankers, when they are thrown out, they have no gratuity. They are contract staff. They are not employees of the bank. Those for me are practices that must be stopped.”

Oshiomhole accused some unions of being compromised. “What I found out later is that they just pay what I call protection fee. Every month, they issue a check to the unions. But the union don’t really exist. They don’t have negotiating rights. Because if they do exist, they could not allow 80 percent, 70 percent of their employees to be contract staff.”

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*Says in 5 years, 3 million metric tons per annum facility to make country biggest agric nation in Africa *Oshiomhole: I prefer Dangote Refinery’s monopoly to petrol importation Chuks Okocha in

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AGF Fagbemi: Technology in Justice Not Luxury, But Necessity

AGF Fagbemi: Technology in Justice Not Luxury, But Necessity

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has underscored the transformative role of technology in the legal system, describing it as a necessity for ensuring swift, accurate, and accessible justice.

He made the remarks at the Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the University of Jos, delivered by him, titled ‘The Nigerian Justice System in a Digital Age: Opportunities, Challenges and the Road Ahead’.

At the Lecture, which attracted a cross-section of eminent personalities from the legal and academic communities, Fagbemi recalled that the turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Chief Justice of Nigeria introduced practice directions for virtual hearings.

He said that since then some state judiciaries have adopted innovations such as e-filing and digital cause lists, while others still rely on traditional paper processes.

According to him, the legal profession is gradually embracing a hybrid model where physical and virtual processes complement each other.

“The lesson is clear: technology in justice is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s interconnected world. However, its adoption must be deliberate, inclusive, and rooted in the core values of justice. Nigeria must not copy blindly, but adopt wisely,” the Attorney General emphasised.

In his remarks at the event, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, called on the people of the state to come out en masse and give a rousing welcome to President Bola Tinubu, who will be visiting the state on Saturday (today) for the burial ceremony of the late mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

The governor stressed the importance of unity, peace, and harmony in advancing the development of the state and Nigeria.

He said, “Tomorrow, we will be receiving Mr. President in Jos, Plateau State, as he comes to honour our late mother, the mother of my dear brother, the National Chairman of the APC. I am confident that Plateau people will give Mr. President a warm and rousing welcome. I believe that his visit will afford him a deeper appreciation of Plateau and its people.”

He reiterated his conviction that Plateau State remains one of the best places to live in Nigeria, endowed with rich human and natural resources yet to be fully harnessed.

“We cannot realise our full potential if we continue to pull one another down. We must remain our brothers’ keepers and work collectively to bring Plateau to the place of honour that God has destined for us,” he remarked.

Mutfwang also commended Fagbemi for delivering a thought-provoking lecture, describing him as a “fountain of knowledge.”

He noted that the lecture, presented with a blend of practical experience and deep reflection, offered valuable insights into how technology is shaping justice delivery in Nigeria.

He appealed to the Attorney General to support the advancement of competent and patriotic alumni of the University of Jos into leadership positions at the national level, while urging the university to extend a hand of mentorship to Plateau State University, Bokkos, where he serves as visitor.

Also speaking, Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Bako Lalong, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed appreciation to the Attorney General for honouring the institution with his lecture, describing him as an accomplished legal practitioner whose purposeful service has shaped governance in Nigeria and beyond.

Lalong assured that the Senate is very concerned about the impact of the digital age on the Justice system and will continue to make laws that will enable the nation to harness the opportunities and respond to the challenges that come with it for the good of all.

The Vice Chancellor said that the University of Jos is proud of Chief Lateef Fagbemi not only as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, but for his impact and achievements in the legal profession where he became the first product of the University law graduate who attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

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Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has underscored the transformative role of technology in the legal system, describing it