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FG Needs Political Will to Free LGs from Stranglehold of Governors, Say CSOs

FG Needs Political Will to Free LGs from Stranglehold of Governors, Say CSOs

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The federal government has been urged to muster the political will to free the third tier of government from the vice grips of state governors for democracy to thrive at the grassroots.

The call was made by civil society organisations (CSOs) and participants in a workshop held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, to strengthen the capacity of LG workers to operate efficient and transparent grassroots administration.

Even with the Supreme Court judgement which declared governors’ confiscation of council funds illegal, the state chief executives have shown no sign of relaxing their stranglehold of their respective LGs.

“Beyond executive orders and court pronouncements, the federal government must demonstrate political will to fully restore LG autonomy,” the CSOs said in a communique issued at the end of the October 1, 2025 workshop.

The participants faulted the provision for the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) in the 1999 Constitution, saying that it was “enabling state-level hijack of funds” thereby crippling the LGs.

According to the CSOs, the federal government could engender full autonomy of LGs by pushing for “speedy and singular amendment of 1999 Constitution to abolish JAAC and empowering INEC (instead of State Electoral Commissions) to conduct LGA elections.”

“Restoring LGAs as a functional third tier will strengthen accountability, local development, and democracy,” the participants stated in their communique.

Though the implementation of full autonomy of the local government system appears to be dragging on, the CSOs expressed optimism that it would eventually happen sooner than expected following the ongoing constitutional amendments.

It was in preparation for the full political and economic autonomy of the 774 LGs that the training programme was organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situationroom) in partnership with Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR). The funding support was provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) UK.

Themed ‘Economic Literacy and Budget Accountability: A Prelude to Local Government Political and Financial Autonomy’, the training programme brought together over 40 participants including planning and accounts staff of Abìa LGs, and members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

Other participants included Civil Society Organisations, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Community Leaders, National Youth Council, National Council for Women Societies, women groups, religious groups, and the media.

The communique endorsed by nine signatories representing the various CSOs, noted that LG is “the closest tier of governance to citizens” hence “its neglect directly undermines citizens’ perception of democracy.”

They commended Abia Governor, Alex Otti, for acknowledging that “without a functional and empowered LGAs the good works (being done by his administration) might not be sustained after his tenure or replicated in the 17 LGAs.”

But the participants tasked Otti to “take the lead in implementing LG autonomy even before constitutional amendments are finalised”, adding that it “will help replicate his works at the Local government levels and sustain local development.”

Abia was urged to ensure budget transparency and participation with all LG budgets made “publicly available and developed through inclusive community processes starting with budget call circulars from the LGAs.”

On spending of federal allocations, the participants stated that such funds to all the LGAs in Abia and the South-east in general “must be spent exclusively within the concerned LGA, with citizens empowered to track utilisation.”

They urged Abia State and other 35 state governments to start sharing internally generated revenue with the LGs, just as the federal government shares its revenue with states and LGs, noting that such sharing arrangements would boost local economy.

On public disclosure of LG finances, the participants emphasised that “annual financial and audit reports of all 17 LGAs in Abia, and across the South-east, must be published in line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.”

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Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The federal government has been urged to muster the political will to free the third tier of government from the vice grips of state governors for democracy

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Diri, Ibori, Others Pay Tribute to Alamieyeseigha at 10th Memorial

Diri, Ibori, Others Pay Tribute to Alamieyeseigha at 10th Memorial

Prominent Niger Delta leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, have hailed the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as a timeless symbol of justice, true federalism, and the struggle for resource control.

They said Chief Alamieyeseigha, who was the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, represented the voice of the Niger Delta people and that his legacies would continually inspire generations in the quest for justice, fairness and development.

They spoke yesterday, at the 10th memorial anniversary in honour of Alamieyeseigha in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Speaking at the event, which had as its theme: “The Niger Delta Voice Through Nigeria’s Soul: Federalism, Resource Control and The Contemporary Nigerian State in The DSP Alamieyeseigha Legacies,” Diri said for Nigeria to make progress, it should practice a federal system of government where the sub-national units enjoy relative autonomy guaranteed by its Constitution.

He described as an aberration the situation where Nigeria, which ought to be operating federalism, controlled the resources of the sub-nationals thereby shortchanging them of their God-given wealth.

Diri averred that if Nigeria operated a federalist structure, agitations from minority ethnic nationalities would largely be reduced.

“If we want this country to move forward, the sub-national governments should not be controlled from the centre. If we want this country to develop, you cannot use the resources from one region to create more local government areas in another region in order to feed that region and then starve the area where these resources are coming from. That is not federalism.

“The Niger Delta people have been robbed through the Land Use Act and we stand against it anywhere and anytime. Nigeria needs to correct these anomalies,” a statement quoted him to have added.

According to the Bayelsa Governor, Alamieyeseigha’s advocacy for resource control, justice and environmental rights was not only for the Niger Delta people but for the progress of the country.

He urged the Niger Delta people to be united and build a common front in the  fight for resource control and not allow party politics and personal interests  get in the way of their collective struggle.

Diri emphasised the need to utilise  intellectual and diplomatic means in their quest to achieve justice, fairness and bring about the much needed development of the region.

“We have elevated party politics above our unity. That is part of the politics of oil and gas, which is meant to keep us divided.”

Similarly, Ibori, who described Alamieyeseigha as his bosom friend while they were colleague-governors, said the late Ijaw Governor-General was never scared in the defense of his people.

Ibori claimed that, like Martin Luther King, the ‘bullet’ that took Alamieyeseigha was fabricated, encouraged, and delivered by the Nigerian State.

He, however, expressed satisfaction that what his departed comrade stood and advocated for has continued to live on and would not die.

Ibori, appreciated Diri for strengthening Alamieyeseigha’s legacies and the Ijaw struggle through the annual memorial anniversary by the state government.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Ibaba S. Ibaba, said Alamieyeseigha’s emergence as Bayelsa Governor marked a defining moment in the Ijaw and Niger Deta struggle for equity and justice.

Ibaba, described the Niger Delta as an embodiment of Nigeria’s paradox of wealth amid pervasive poverty and underdevelopment, which he noted led to the famous Kaiama Declaration and the Ogoni Bill of Rights.

He stressed that the late hero, in his speeches and actions, took the Niger Delta agitation into the heart of the national debate, placing Bayelsa and the region firmly on Nigeria’s national map of political reckoning.

According to the erudite political scholar, federalism for Alamieyeseigha and people of the Niger Delta was meaningful only if it guaranteed control over resources for development, dignity, and survival.

The event, which featured a panel of discussants anchored by broadcast journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, had environmental rights activist, Annkio Briggs, foremost Ijaw activist, Elder Timi Ogoriba, and a former House of Reps member and former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Steve Azaiki.

Dignitaries present included the Bayelsa deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), wife of the late governor, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, National Chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Amb. Boladei Igali, and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

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Prominent Niger Delta leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, have hailed the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as a timeless symbol of justice,

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Jonathan Has Agreed to Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention, Says Sowore

Jonathan Has Agreed to Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention, Says Sowore

Sunday Ehigiator

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, yesterday, disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore who disclosed this in a post on his X handle after a meeting with Jonathan in Abuja, said they discussed the urgent and compelling need to resolve Kanu’s case.

The activist wrote: “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan (Goodluck Jonathan) to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu.”

Sowore said Jonathan welcomed the need to address Kanu’s case in the interest of justice and national unity.

He added, “President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognising the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.

“Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet @officialabat (President Bola Tinubu) to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”

Sowore further stated that Jonathan’s intervention adds to the growing voices calling for Kanu’s release.

“A list that already includes ex-Vice President @atiku, Femi Falana SAN, Senator @ShehuSani, and many others across political and regional divides,” he said.

He added that the IPOB leader “remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria.”

He also called on key political, cultural, and religious figures such as Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s John Mbata to lend their voices to the demand for Kanu’s release.

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Sunday Ehigiator Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, yesterday, disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to meet with President Bola Tinubu

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Akpabio Tasks South-South Development Commission on Project Devt, Economic Renewal

Akpabio Tasks South-South Development Commission on Project Devt, Economic Renewal

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the newly inaugurated board and management of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to pursue projects and programmes that would meaningfully transform the lives of people in the region and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Akpabio gave the charge yesterday when the board of the Commission, led by its Chairman, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly, Abuja.

He said the SSDC carries a huge responsibility to drive economic growth and sustainable development across the six states of the South-south, stressing that its establishment represents a fresh opportunity to correct past mistakes and deliver real value to the people.

The Senate President said, “The ball is now in your court to add value to the South-south region through this development commission.

“You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the region. I want you to know that it is not a bonanza. 

“It is a call to service, a call to put on your thinking cap to add value to the economy of the nation and to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President who set up this Commission.”

The Senate President commended President Tinubu for creating the SSDC, describing it as a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to the equitable development of all regions. 

He also thanked members of the National Assembly for passing the bill establishing the Commission despite initial hesitation due to the existence of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

According to him, the SSDC has a broader mandate beyond oil-producing communities, as it covers every part of the South-south region and is expected to complement other interventionist agencies in addressing development gaps.

He said, “I congratulate the President and thank him for finding it necessary to give us the South-South Development Commission. The Niger Delta has been good to Nigeria. 

“We have kept the economy of the nation going, and so, giving us this opportunity to further develop other resources in the region shows that Nigeria also cares about us,” Akpabio said.

He assured the board that the National Assembly would ensure adequate budgetary provisions for the new Commission and other regional development agencies across the country.

He said, “We shall continue to support you to fully take off and execute big projects that we shall come and commission.

 “You can count on me, my office, and my colleagues. We will support you to make sure you are adequately funded and positioned to succeed.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Commission, Prince Nwuche, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio, and the National Assembly for their collective efforts in establishing the SSDC, describing the process as an act of visionary leadership.

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Sunday Aborisade in Abuja President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the newly inaugurated board and management of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to pursue projects and programmes that would

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Osun LG Crisis: Council Funds Intact with Us, UBA Tells Court

Osun LG Crisis: Council Funds Intact with Us, UBA Tells Court

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday fixed Tuesday for ruling on applications filed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and other defendants in the suit instituted by the Attorney General of Osun State and one other person as claimants.

The applications before the court include one filed by UBA seeking an adjournment sine die (indefinitely) and another challenging the court’s jurisdiction, filed by counsel to the sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also filed applications seeking to be joined in the suit.

The UBA through its counsel, Mr. Mutalib Adebayo Ojo, while asking for the case to be adjourned indefinitely pending the judgement of the Supreme Court on a related case, told the court that the local government funds in contention were still in its safe custody and untouched by any party.

He noted that the substantive dispute had already been heard by the Supreme Court, which has reserved judgement, adding that any ruling by the lower court might conflict with the apex court’s eventual decision.

According to him, “If this High Court proceeds to hear the suit, there is a 50-50 chance that whatever decision it makes may conflict with the outcome of the Supreme Court. The issue here concerns the hierarchy of courts. Proceeding further may amount to a waste of judicial time since the Supreme Court’s decision will ultimately prevail.”

However, counsel to the sacked APC chairmen, Mr. Gbadamosi, SAN, opposed the application, urging the court not to grant it until the issue of jurisdiction had been addressed while describing the bank’s application as “an anomaly” that should not be entertained.

He argued, “From the defendants’ originating summons, it is clear that there is a pending suit before the Supreme Court upon which this current case and its reliefs are predicated. This present suit was filed subsequently after the Supreme Court case was instituted. That in itself constitutes an abuse of court process which this court must not condone.”

In his response, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, countered the submissions, explaining that his clients approached the court only after discovering that federal agencies, including the CBN and the Accountant General of the Federation, had transferred the disputed funds to UBA despite the pending case at the Supreme Court.

“If the money had not been moved from the CBN, we would not have come before this court. The Supreme Court does not have original jurisdiction over UBA, but this High Court does, hence our action,” he stated.

He added that the suit could not be deemed an abuse of process since it arose from new facts, specifically, the unlawful movement of funds to UBA by federal agencies.

After hearing extensive arguments and counterarguments from all counsel, Justice Akintola retired briefly to his chambers before adjourning the matter for ruling on Tuesday next week, stating that the adjournment will allow sufficient time for a well-considered ruling on the various applications.

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Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan  An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday fixed Tuesday for ruling on applications filed by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and other defendants

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Vatsas’ Pardon: Our Greatest Moment Of Joy, He Was Framed Up, Says Family

Vatsas’ Pardon: Our Greatest Moment Of Joy, He Was Framed Up, Says Family

.Fubara lauds Tinubu for pardon, national honours for Ogoni 13

.Saro-Wiwa, 8 others didn’t commit any crime, says Falana 

Laleye Dipo in Minna, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

The family of late General Mamman Vatsa granted presidential pardon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday has described the action “as our greatest moment of joy since the late Vatsa was executed 39 years ago,” insisting he was framed up.

This was as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his decision to pardon the Ogoni 9, and the prestigious national honours awards on the Ogoni four.

But human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has stated that late environmental rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other sons of Ogoniland executed by the military regime of General Sani Abacha in 1995, did not commit the crime for which they were accused, convicted and murdered. He urged the federal government to exonerate and tender an apology.

General Vatsa was executed along with nine others in 1986 when a military tribunal found them guilty of coup plot.

The family in a statement made available to journalists in Minna, Niger State capital, yesterday and signed by a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said “President Tinubu has wiped away the tears of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness.

“After several appeals to successive administrations, God has finally used President Tinubu to console our family, the Gulu Vatsa community, Lapai local government and the entire Niger State.

“Today (Friday) is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle.

“Though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Vatsa further said, “Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed, the family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be a happy person today in his grave by this singular act of compassion by President Tinubu,” adding that, “This goes to show that truth doesn’t expire.”

He said the family continues to hold strongly that late General Vatsa was not involved in the coup plot and was “framed up” and “the trial, a stage managed one just to eliminate the late Vatsa out of envy and hatred for a man who has a root and identity.”

The conviction of the family, according to Vatsa, was also reinforced when “a highly respected Military General, late Domkat Bali once said in an interview that the evidence against General Vatsa was weak and that he doesn’t know whether he was supposed to have been killed.

“That is why the family still maintains that the late Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we still thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon.”

The statement said President Tinubu by the action “has written his name in gold and history will forever remember him.” 

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara said the said presidential pardon and national honours awards will promote genuine reconciliation, guarantee enduring peace and unity within the Ogoni communities, and also help accelerate sustainable development in the State. 

The Ogoni 9: Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gboko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine were granted posthumous pardon for their “exemplary service to Nigeria and in particular to promote reconciliation within the Ogoni community.”

In the same token, the Ogoni 4: Chiefs Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage were awarded national honours for their patriotism to Nigeria and in particular to promote reconciliation within the Ogoni community.

While reassuring President Tinubu of the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the total reconciliation of all Ogoni people, Fubara who spoke in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, expressed optimism that the government’s action will bring renewed hope and restore confidence in the Ogoni communities.

He appealed to the people of the state, particularly the Ogoni people to see the federal government’s decision as a significant step towards addressing age-long demands of the communities, emphasising that the government’s investment in the area is a testament to the commitment to the well-being of the people and development of Ogoniland. 

He further encouraged the people to key into the policies and programmes of government at all levels to achieve the purpose of governance in the State, and Nigeria.

In another development, human rights lawyer, Falana, who spoke as keynote lecturer at the Ken Saro-Wiwa 30th Memorial Lecture held at the Banquet Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, yesterday, explained that the Nigerian State, under General Abacha, in its desperation to incriminate Saro-Wiwa and permanently silence him and his group, used its head of task force, Paul Okutimo, to murder four Ogoni chiefs and falsely accused Ken and his men of committing the crime.

Falana, who spoke on the theme, ‘Ken Saro-Wiwa -The Man, His Legacies, Struggles and Challenges’, reflected on the crisis that erupted in Ogoniland in the 1990s over environmental devastations allegedly caused by the oil exploration activities of Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC).

“Ken and his comrades did not commit murder, please take it from me. What happened was that the Nigerian State decided, ‘we’re going to deal with MOSOP led by Ken’ and the only way to do it is to allow Shell to continue to exploit your resources, no reaction, no objection, and to charge your leaders for murder. The Abacha murderous junta had one Paul Okutimo, the head of task force. Then the Nigerian State got quandary instigated by them, paid by them to kill the four leaders, Kobani and others. It was the Nigerian State that killed them. 

“Before any commencement of investigation, Paul Komo, the then military governor, said publicly: ‘We’re going to hold Ken and other MOSOP leaders for the murder that took place in Yogbo. They (Ken and his men) were not there. Their (federal government’s) own boys killed the four leaders. But the governor announced: ‘We’re going to hold (MOSOP) leaders vicariously liable.’ There’s no vicarious liability in criminal offence. If you commit a crime, if you commit an offence, you’re dealt with. You cannot hold me responsible for the alleged offence of my son; that’s not enough but that’s what happened in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s case,” Falana explained.

The legal luminary further revealed that efforts by Saro-Wiwa’s defence team to present a recorded tape of the incident to the court to prove that the accused MOSOP leaders were innocent of the murder charge and victims of a pre-meditated trial were quashed by the court, as part of the Nigerian State’s conspiracy.

“For the tape at the trial, we were going to tender it, to say, ‘this case, you want to kill these people in a premeditated manner.’ So we applied to tender the tape. This was a defining moment for the tribunal. When we offered to tender the tape, the tribunal rose to consider and to consult. And they were told, ‘If you allow the tape to go in, that is the end of our case.”

Falana said it was at this stage that the tribunal, led by Justice Auta, ruled against the presentation and playing of the tape, and went ahead to hurriedly convict and execute Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other eight Ogoni environmental activists.

Commending the organisers of the 30th anniversary Ken Saro-Wiwa lecture, Falana, said the only way to honour the late environmental activist was for Ogoni people to unite and collectively sustain the struggle until justice was achieved.

In her brief speech earlier, Caroline Nagbo, an Ogoni activist, said the killing of Saro-Wiwa and the other MOSOP leaders was a political decision by the Nigerian State, even under the military.

“If Nigeria knew that the killing of Ken (Saro-Wiwa) will lead to the death of Shell, they would have thought better,” she said, regretting, however, that the marginalisation of the Ogoni people had continued till date.

The event featured goodwill messages from prominent Ogoni citizens, activists, traditional rulers, academics and stakeholders.

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.Fubara lauds Tinubu for pardon, national honours for Ogoni 13 .Saro-Wiwa, 8 others didn’t commit any crime, says Falana  Laleye Dipo in Minna, Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt  The family of late General Mamman Vatsa granted presidential pardon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on

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Makinde Weigh in On Coastal Highway Cost Controversy

Makinde Weigh in On Coastal Highway Cost Controversy

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, weighed in on the cost of the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project that was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Makinde, who spoke at an event in a viral video, said there was no need for the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to be “dancing around the cost” of the project.

He was reacting to a heated exchange that unfolded live on television between Umahi and Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni on Tuesday.

Oseni had requested Umahi to analyse the cost of the project, kilometre by kilometre.

However, the request did not sit well with the minister, who declared himself “professor” of practice in engineering while elaborating that the costs of the road in kilometres are not the same and would be too complicated for the journalist to understand.

He said, “These are elementary questions. And it makes no sense (sic). A process is ongoing, payment has been made, and you are saying, ‘how has this money been utilised? The money is meant for the project, and it will be paid according to the work done.

“When a certificate is generated, and it is approved through a process in the Ministry of Works, it will then be given to the funders, who will, in turn, check if the works were done. How can you be asking for cost of kilometre? The prices are different. The next kilometre is different from the next kilometre.

“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything. I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you ask. You have no knowledge of what you’re asking.”

Oseni, who also refused to back down, responded, “Minister, it’s alright, keep dignifying yourself, and let the world know who you truly are.”

Makinde while however, justifying the question of Oseni to Umahi, said, “They asked a minister how much is the coastal road is, and then you (Umahi) are dancing around and going to say that no, the next kilometre is different from the next kilometres. Then what is the average cost?

“When we did the Oyo to Iseyin Road then, it was about N9.99 billion, almost N10 billion. About 34 or 35 kilometres, average cost is about N238 million per kilometre.

“But when we did Iseyin to Ogbomoso, that was 76 kilometres, it was about N43 billion, average cost is about N500 million per kilometre. And we had two bridges, one over the Ogun River and then one at Ogbomoso end.”

It would be recalled that the administration of President Bola Tinubu through Umahi had last year announced the commencement of construction work on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which spans nine states and includes two spurs leading to the northern states.

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Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, weighed in on the cost of the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project that was approved by President Bola Tinubu. Makinde, who

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NEITI: Weak Monitoring Institutions Cost Nigeria 13.5bn Barrels of Oil, $3.3bn in 2022 

NEITI: Weak Monitoring Institutions Cost Nigeria 13.5bn Barrels of Oil, $3.3bn in 2022 

.Reduction of signature bonus to $10m has restored investors’ confidence, says Komolafe 

Peter Uzoho 

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has lamented the loss of a whopping 13.5 billion barrels of oil valued at $3.3 billion in 2022 alone, blaming that on institutional weaknesses and lack of accountability.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Otji Ogbonnaya Orji, stated this in Lagos in his presentation at the NAEC Energy Conference organised by the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria, with the theme, ‘Nigeria’s Energy Future: Optimising Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth’.

Orji, whose presentation centred on ‘Transparency as the Foundation of a Sustainable Energy Future’, also revealed that NEITI’s findings also exposed the cost of accountability in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“Our findings also exposed the devastating cost of poor accountability. In 2022 alone, Nigeria lost 13.5 million barrels of crude oil valued at $3.3 billion to theft and sabotage. That is revenue that could have financed a full year of the federal health budget or provided energy access to millions of households.

“These losses are not just economic — they represent broken trust, institutional weaknesses, and missed opportunities for national progress. This is precisely why transparency and accountability are not optional. They are existential,” Orji stated.

He said Nigeria’s energy future will not be defined by the size of the reserves or production capacity, but by how transparently and prudently the country manages the natural resource wealth, including the revenues, data, contracts, and decisions that shape the national destiny.

He maintained that the era of secrecy in resource governance was over, pointing bout that the global energy transition towards cleaner fuels, gas optimisation, and renewable energy requires openness, responsibility, and innovation at every stage of the value chain.

At NEITI, Orji said their philosophy was clear and uncompromising, adding that data builds trust, and trust drives investment.

According to him, transparency is not a bureaucratic exercise but an economic imperative that attracts capital, technology, and partnerships, noting that that was made evident in the latest NEITI industry reports.

He said, “The NEITI 2021–2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports revealed that Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector. However, we also identified outstanding remittances of N1.5 trillion owed to the Federation by some companies and government agencies — funds that could significantly support energy infrastructure, education, and healthcare if recovered.”

In his regulatory address at the conference. Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, represented by the Director of NUPRC Lagos Office, Mr. Paul Osu, said the slash of signature bonus for oil blocks in 2024, from a high of over $100 million to about $10 million has led to the return of investment in the industry.

Komolafe explained that this single decision has strengthened investor confidence, encouraged early production of oil and gas and reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as an open and competitive upstream jurisdiction.

More so, he said the commission also prioritised production optimisation and recovery enhancement, stressing that by reviewing field development plans, supporting brownfield optimization and enabling the re-entry of shut-in wells, the NUPRC has facilitated renewed activity across mature assets.

Komolafe stated, “The commission introduced a fully digitalised and transparent licensing process. During the 2024 mini-bid round, human interface was minimised and transparency maximised. 

“Working with the President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, signature bonuses were reviewed downward from about $100 million to $10 million, allowing investors to commit more resources to field development. 

“This single decision has strengthened investor confidence, encouraged early production and reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as an open and competitive upstream jurisdiction.” 

He added that these interventions were projected to deliver incremental volumes exceeding one million barrels of oil per day, a key milestone toward achieving the national production target of 2.5 million BOPD by 2027.

According to him, a sustainable rebound also demands secure infrastructure and credible measurement systems, saying the commission has collaborated with security agencies, private contractors and community stakeholders in implementing the Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation.

The result, he said, was a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in crude oil theft from over 102,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day as of September 2025.

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.Reduction of signature bonus to $10m has restored investors’ confidence, says Komolafe  Peter Uzoho  The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has lamented the loss of a whopping 13.5 billion barrels