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SAN: Idheze Integrity Forum Felicitates Delta Solicitor General

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Some sons and daughters Isoko Nation, who are members of Idheze Integrity Forum (IIF), have felicitated the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Omamuzo Erebe, who was recently elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The legal practitioner with a history of practice in Alternative Dispute Resolution, (negotiation, mediation, arbitration), w as among many others who were recently elevated by the apex court of the country.

And in a letter signed by the President of IIF, Elder Ogaga Nathaniel, the group said Erebe’s elevation is testament to the his unwavering dedication, intellectual rigour, professionalism, and remarkable contributions to the Nigerian legal system.

Nathaniel said: “IIF extends congratulations to you, on your well-deserved elevation to the esteemed rank of SAN.

Your achievement is a shining example of hard work, dedication, and intellectual rigour. As a proud son of the Isoko Nation, your success brings immense pride to your family, colleagues, and the entire Isoko Nation. You inspire the younger generation with your perseverance, discipline, and devotion to duty and excellence.

We celebrate this historic moment with you and your family. We are confident that you will continue to uphold the finest traditions of the legal profession, providing leadership, wisdom, and courage that will shape the course of justice universally.”

Erebe has a history of practice in Alternative Dispute Resolution, (negotiation, mediation, arbitration), skilled in Legal Drafting and Criminal Law. He graduated from the University of Benin and the Nigeria Law School, Lagos.

The SAN title is the highest honour conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria, reserved for lawyers who have attained exceptional distinction in the legal profession, either as advocates in the courtroom or as academics.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri Some sons and daughters Isoko Nation, who are members of Idheze Integrity Forum (IIF), have felicitated the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Delta State

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Ten Years of Progressive Governance in Nigeria: From Reform to Renewal

By Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu

During the public presentation of the book “Ten Years of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,” authored by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma, I reflected on Nigeria’s decade-long journey under successive progressive administrations as Chief Presenter. Though time did not allow me to deliver my written remarks, the message remains vital to our national conversation on leadership, governance, and reform.

There are moments for politics and moments for governance. Once elections are over, governance must take precedence. Our duty as citizens is to move beyond division and measure progress not by sentiment but by delivery, performance, and impact.

Over the past ten years, Nigeria’s story has been one of courage and continuity, of institutions learning discipline, and of leaders willing to face hard truths about our economy. President Muhammadu Buhari laid the foundation of fiscal prudence, agricultural revival, and infrastructure renewal. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advanced that legacy through decisive structural reforms such as removing the fuel subsidy, unifying exchange rates, modernising tax policy, and restoring credibility to public finance. These choices were not easy, but they were necessary. They broke habits that had become too costly to sustain and redirected public wealth toward productivity.

Since May 2023, government non-oil revenue has grown by more than 400 percent. This is not coincidence. It is the outcome of intentional policy and technological transparency. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee has simplified compliance, eliminated duplication, and placed technology at the centre of revenue collection. Revenue agencies that once competed now cooperate. Multiple taxation is being dismantled. Incentives for businesses are transparent and available online without intermediaries or privileged access. Every entrepreneur, large or small, can now apply for fiscal waivers or export credits within minutes. Fairness by design and technology is replacing favour by connection.

Energy stability has returned as proof that reform, though painful, delivers results. The queues that once defined our petrol stations are gone. Deregulation has reopened the downstream market and restored investor confidence in oil and gas, bringing new capital into deep-water, midstream, and modular-refinery projects. Parallel reforms in the Presidential CNG Initiative are changing urban mobility by replacing petrol fleets with cleaner and cheaper gas vehicles. At the same time, a nationwide solar-power rollout is providing electricity to schools, clinics, and small industries. Together, these initiatives reflect a balanced energy future built on efficiency, competition, and sustainability.

Security remains the foundation of every reform. In 2024, N3.85 trillion, about 13 percent of the national budget, was allocated to defence and internal security. For 2025, that figure rose to N6.57 trillion, with significant investment in equipment, intelligence, and personnel welfare. The Nigerian Air Force is modernising with 24 M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 helicopters. The Navy has commissioned new patrol ships and maritime helicopters to strengthen coastal and energy-asset protection. Across all theatres, joint operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces and intelligence agencies have neutralised tens of thousands of terrorists, insurgents and criminal elements, arrested many more, and rescued tens of thousands of hostages and displaced persons. The tempo has changed. Our armed forces now take the initiative rather than wait for it.

Infrastructure remains the bridge between ambition and opportunity. Across the country, more than 260 major projects in roads, bridges, ports, and pipelines are under construction or near completion. The Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto to Badagry Super Highway are redefining commerce and mobility. The national Bridge Fibre Project is expanding digital connectivity across cities and rural areas, strengthening the country’s broadband backbone and opening new corridors for education, innovation, and enterprise.

Digital governance reform is also deepening national capacity. The ongoing overhaul of the National Identity Management Commission has expanded NIN registration to tens of millions of citizens, creating a reliable digital backbone for planning, financial inclusion, and social protection. For the first time, national data is being harmonised across agencies, improving service delivery, strengthening security coordination, and helping the country plan development with precision.

Work along the River Niger corridor from Lokoja to Baro Port is progressing to enable future inland-waterway operations that can reduce transport costs and improve market access across regions. These projects reflect a deliberate effort to balance regional growth, from the Niger Delta cleanup and gas expansion in the South to new exploration in the North and industrial corridors across the Middle Belt.

Reform without human investment is reform without soul. The $2.2 billion Health Sector Renewal Programme is upgrading 17,000 primary health centres and training 120,000 health workers, while free caesarean care and subsidised dialysis are easing the burden on families. In education, student-loan schemes, digital-skills initiatives, and new STEM and AI curricula are preparing our young people for a digital economy. Through the Student Loan Fund, access to higher education is becoming a right, not a privilege. Its synergy with new financing institutions such as CREDICORP and the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company ensures that young Nigerians can pursue knowledge with the same confidence that entrepreneurs pursue capital. Free technical and vocational training at the tertiary level will supply the technicians and artisans required for industrial growth.

Agriculture and food security have become the centre of national resilience. Beyond grains, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is unlocking a trillion-naira value chain in meat, dairy, and leather. Expanded fertiliser blending, mechanisation, irrigation, and storage are supporting millions of smallholders. With increased investment in rice, cassava, and cash-crop processing, Nigeria is moving toward genuine food sovereignty. Food security is not an aspiration but a necessity for economic stability.

The government’s economic renewal is also anchored on access to finance, enterprise, and inclusion. The establishment of CREDICORP, the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company, and the Student Loan Fund has strengthened the foundation for a credit-based economy as well as human capital and domestic productivity. Together, these institutions expand access to credit for small businesses, farmers, civil servants, individuals, and students while derisking lending and empowering citizens to build their future without political connections. In promoting local production over import dependence, the Nigeria First Policy is not only conserving foreign exchange but also creating pathways for skilled youth employment and industrial apprenticeship across states.

I say this not out of any search for appointment or reward, but from a place of patriotism and perspective. From where I stand, and for every Nigerian, the true beauty of the Nigeria First Policy is that it invites us all to become participants in our country’s renewal. We can each now go into productive enterprise and live the Nigerian dream, so long as we care enough to believe in this nation and invest in our people, resources, and future.

In the midst of reform, President Tinubu’s words have been both compass and caution: “As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.” That statement captures the essence of progressive governance which I define as courage guided by compassion. Under this directive, Nigeria’s social-protection system has been rebuilt on transparency and technology. The Conditional Cash Transfer programme now reaches more than 15 million households on a verified digital register, each linked to a NIN-validated wallet or bank account for direct payment. No intermediaries and no leakages. In addition, N344 billion has been disbursed in three tranches to the 36 states and the FCT to support local welfare and enterprise programmes. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which will operate across 8,809 wards, will economically engage over 10 million Nigerians and ensure that national policy translates into local opportunity.

The humanitarian principle of progressivism is simple. Reform must lift, not leave behind. Fiscal discipline restores credibility. Social investment restores trust. When citizens see roads being built, hospitals working, and social payments arriving on time, faith in reform deepens and the social contract is strengthened. Special attention is also being given to women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities through targeted enterprise and skills-support initiatives under the Renewed Hope framework.

The numbers also tell their own story of impact and renewed hope in Nigeria. Non-oil revenues continue to rise. Exports are diversifying. Nigeria has recorded its first trade and balance-of-payments surplus in years, a sign of growing production and renewed confidence in the naira. Oil output is improving, new investments are flowing into the upstream and midstream segments, and our current account is gaining strength as reforms take hold. President Bola Tinubu and his government recognise that inflation and living costs remain a strain on households, but the fiscal discipline now taking root is designed to restore purchasing power in a sustainable way. President Tinubu has also acknowledged that meaningful reform takes time. While citizens are beginning to see the first trickles of progress, the greater task is to ensure that these trickles flow downward to communities, markets, classrooms, and farms where growth becomes tangible and human.

The task ahead is to sustain this momentum but it won’t be easy. Every child must be in school. NIWA must be further strengthened to expand partnerships for safer and cleaner waterways. NDLEA must receive greater support to combat the rising threat of drug trafficking and addiction, and NAFDAC must be empowered with stronger laboratories and technology to protect the public from counterfeit medicines and unsafe food. These are not peripheral agencies. They are frontline guardians of national wellbeing, and their effectiveness determines the credibility of our progress.

Communities themselves must also understand that with all the support given to our security agencies and the military, their partnership is vital. Cooperation between citizens, traditional institutions, and security operatives will solidify these gains, strengthen intelligence at the grassroots, and prevent a return to disorder. National security is not the burden of the state alone. It is the shared duty of all Nigerians determined to protect their future.

The state governors of Nigeria, under this Renewed Hope and progressive compact, also have a historic role to play. We have faith that with President Tinubu’s commitment, they can write their names in gold, but that gold must first be mined in proper service of the people.

The progress of any nation is not measured only by its wealth, but by the collective will of its people to do right, even when it is hard. That is the essence of progressive governance and the covenant that must bind us for the next decade.

I imagine a Nigeria where every child learns, every farmer prospers, every hospital has power, and every young person earns a dignified living. That is the spirit of renewal behind this progressive decade. It is the belief that courage and compassion are not opposites but partners in building a fair and prosperous country. Tomorrow’s Nigeria is not waiting to be discovered. It is waiting to be delivered with courage, competence, and care. I am Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu and I endorse the publication of this message.

God bless our President.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

•Alhaji Rabiu Isiyaku Rabiu is a business entrepreneur who advocates private-sector innovation that strengthens reform and institutional growth. Drawing from experience across critical sectors, his reflections on governance, accountability, and shared prosperity are grounded in both enterprise and national purpose.

By Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu During the public presentation of the book “Ten Years of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,” authored by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Executive

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A Bold Step into the Future: Olubunmi Fayokun and the Evolution of Nigeria’s Legal Profession

Aderibigbe Benedicta

In a profession steeped in tradition, the appointment of Olubunmi Fayokun as Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode and Head of its Corporate & Commercial Practice marks a bold step into the future.

Elevating her to this role is more than the placement of a capable leader at the helm, it is an acknowledgement of the power of persistence, precision, and long-term vision.

Fayokun is a strategic force who has spent decades working at the intersection of law and finance, leading firms and shaping Nigeria’s legal and economic landscape.

Since its founding in 1993, Aluko & Oyebode has been instrumental in shaping the legal frameworks of modern Nigeria. From its role in privatisation efforts, to banking sector reforms, and the structuring of power, oil, and infrastructure projects, the firm has been at the centre of transactions that underpin the Nigerian economy.

With a client base that includes multinationals, investors, and regulators, Aluko & Oyebode has earned credibility that extends far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

This leadership transition reflects a culture of succession that is deliberately embedded in the firm’s identity. Fayokun’s appointment is both proof and product of that strategy.

Over the past three decades, Fayokun’s influence on Nigeria’s legal and economic architecture has been substantial. She has led major transactions in banking, aviation, and power infrastructure, represented multinational clients in oil, mining, and agriculture, and served as company secretary and legal adviser of one of Nigeria’s leading investment banking firms.

Her imprint is clearly visible on Nigeria’s capital markets, where she has played a pivotal role in refining their structures.

Her career demonstrates that lawyers can and should be more than facilitators of deals. They must be guardians of the rules that hold the economy together. As Chair of the Capital Market Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law, she worked with the SEC to reform and expand Nigeria’s stock market. That work may lack glamour, but without such frameworks, markets collapse.

It is no coincidence that her work has earned international recognition. Citations in Chambers Global, IFLR1000, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal (Lexology Index) are not just accolades; they are evidence that Nigerian professionals can meet the highest global standards. Her induction into the IFLR1000 Women Dealmakers Hall of Fame further affirmsher consistency in a market where inconsistency too often prevails.

As a woman leading one of Nigeria’s largest law firms where men dominate at senior levels, Fayokun’s appointment is not just a personal achievement but challenges entrenched norms within the profession. Aluko & Oyebode’s decision to elevate her underscores its pioneering spirit: not only in the practice of law, but in promoting from within and empowering the most competent—regardless of gender—to lead.

It is a reminder that excellence is not determined by gender, and that the barriers women face in Nigerian law must neither be normalised nor accepted.

Her career also carries lessons for the wider legal profession. Too many Nigerian law firms are personality-driven, built around the founding partners. When those figures fade, the firms often fade with them, leaving fragility where resilience should be.

In contrast, Aluko & Oyebode’s institutional approach—prioritising continuity and succession—has preserved its credibility with clients at home and abroadthrough the adoption of a legal culture rooted in persistence and long-term vision.

Fayokun also represents a different kind of leadership.

Her approach is unostentatious, steady, and consistent. Paradoxically, this approach has made her, and Aluko & Oyebode, stronger.

Of course, no leader is immune to market realities. Law firms are businesses, subject to competition, macroeconomicvariables, and global pressures. Leadership is never uncomplicated. That is what makes Fayokun’s appointment so significant: she takes charge of a firm with deep roots in Nigeria’s legal landscape, and her objective will be not only to preserve its standing but to extend it in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Her experience makes her uniquely suited for this role. Having led the firm’s Capital Markets and M&A practices, and having worked closely with the SEC, she understands both the technical demands of complex transactions and the policy frameworks that shape them.

In her new role, she has the opportunity to unite these perspectives, pushing the firm into new terrains while helping to shape the broader economic frameworks that Nigeria will rely on in the years to come.

Her appointment is a reminder that continuity is what sustains institutions. Fayokun’s task is not simply to preserve the firm’s standing, but to elevate it. In doing so, she offers a model not only for the legal profession but for leaders in general: progress is best achieved through steady, enduring and effective authority.

*Aderibigbe Benedicta wrote in from Lagos

Aderibigbe Benedicta In a profession steeped in tradition, the appointment of Olubunmi Fayokun as Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode and Head of its Corporate & Commercial Practice marks a bold step into

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Super Eagles Miss Intercontinental Playoffs Route to 2026 World Cup

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Only one route is now left for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after teams in the race have already secured the slots reserved for the four best runners up in the African qualifying series to go for the intercontinental playoffs.

As at yesterday, the first of the Match-day 9 fixtures ensured that Gabon (19 points; Madagascar (19 points); Burkina Faso (18 points); and Cameroon (18 points) have all surpassed the maximum points that the Super Eagles can achieve even if they win their two remaining matches against Lesotho on Friday and Benin Republic on Tuesday to finish on 17 points!

It therefore means that the only way left for Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup will be to win Group C despite leaders Benin and South Africa three points clear of them.

With the Group C ticket now in the views of Benin Republic and South Africa both on 14 points before their next two matches, Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup appears over. Only miracle can now make either South Africa or Benin to drop points in their next two games for Nigeria to profit. The coast is even clearer for the Bafana Bafana who are playing their next two games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda at home. They are to play Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday before wrapping up with Rwanda at the same venue on Tuesday to end up with possible 20 points if Bafana Bafana win both games.

Benin’s Cheetahs are not sure of what will happen in Uyo on Tuesday.

Despite this glaring second back-to-back World Cup miss staring the players in the faces, team handler, Eric Chelle, continued to tinker with the team’s preparations to play Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa yesterday.

A total of 20 Super Eagles’ players took part in the second training session on Wednesday in Polokwane, ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifying match against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams joined the other 18 players in the team’s The Ranch Hotel base on Tuesday night to bring the squad to 20.

United States of America-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is expected to land in South Africa today to bring the list to 21 for the fixture against Lesotho.

Chelle has had to tinker the team following injuries to defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forward Cyriel Dessers, bringing in Sanusi and Crystal Palace of England’s Christantus Uche. Injury to wing-back Felix Agu had cut the squad from 23 to 22.

Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun is yet to be issued with an entry visa into South Africa, meaning Nigeria could probably prosecute the encounter with 21 players.

All the 2nd Placed Teams

Team. P. GD. PTS. W

1.Gabon. 8. 10. 19. 6

2.Madagascar 9. 8. 19. 6

3.Burkina Faso. 9. 13. 18. 5

4.Cameroon. 9. 12. 18. 5

5. Congo DR. 8. 7. 16. 5

6.Namibia. 8. 8. 15. 4

7.Uganda. 8. 5. 15. 5

8.South Africa. 8. 3. 14. 4

9.Tanzania. 8. 0. 11. 3

Duro Ikhazuagbe Only one route is now left for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after teams in the race have already secured the slots reserved

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WAEC’S NEW SUBJECT COMBINATION

The new subject combination is uncoordinated and senseless, contends

ELVIS EROMOSELE

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has once again stirred public outcry, this time over its newly released subject combinations for the 2026 examination. In what appears to be a hurried and poorly thought-out reform, WAEC has reordered subjects in a manner that defies logic, stifles student choice, and risks undermining years of learning.

At first glance, the new structure appears harmless, perhaps an attempt to align subjects more neatly by discipline. But a closer look reveals an alarming lack of coordination. Under the new arrangement, science students can no longer take Economics, a subject that has traditionally bridged the gap between science and the social sciences. Even more baffling, students in the Humanities are also excluded from offering Economics.

According to the new subject list, only students in the Business department are allowed to take Economics.

The biggest question is, why now? Why force Nigerian students, many of whom are already preparing for their final year, to adjust to such a radical change in less than a year? The 2026 WAEC exam is barely months away, yet the Council expects students to abandon subjects they have studied since SS1. How does that support learning, fairness, or excellence?

Education reforms, by their nature, should be gradual, well-communicated, and rooted in consultation. This one feels like the exact opposite: hasty, disorderly, and devoid of empathy. No public engagement. No clear transition plan. No explanation of the rationale. Instead, students, parents, and teachers are left scrambling for answers.

Take, for instance, the case of a science student who has taken Economics since SS1, a student who dreams of studying Agricultural Economics or Environmental Management at the university. Under this new arrangement, the student can no longer sit for Economics in WAEC, despite two full years of preparation. How do you explain to such a student that their effort no longer counts?

Likewise, students in the Humanities, those in Literature, Government, or History, are also barred from taking Economics. In a world where interdisciplinarity is increasingly valued, WAEC seems to be doing the opposite: erecting walls between knowledge areas instead of building bridges.

The question must be asked: Whose interest is WAEC serving with this sudden change? It certainly doesn’t appear to serve the interests of Nigerian students. Nor does it seem aligned with the goals of educational development. On the contrary, it looks like another top-down directive, conceived without sufficient input from the real stakeholders, teachers, students, parents, or curriculum experts.

Education should open doors, not close them. It should encourage curiosity, not conformity. Yet, this new subject combination does exactly the opposite; it limits opportunity. By narrowing who can take certain subjects, WAEC is effectively dictating career paths for young people before they’ve even had the chance to decide for themselves. This is completely unacceptable.

WAEC’s mandate is to assess learning, not to restrict it. Its role is to measure what students have been taught, not to alter the structure of learning midway. When an examination body starts dictating what subjects belong to which departments, and does so without adequate preparation or consultation, it crosses into policymaking territory best left to curriculum development agencies and ministries of education. The Minister of Education must step up to the plate and intervene. He can’t allow WAEC to usurp the role of his ministry.

Furthermore, such abrupt changes can have serious implications for university admissions. Many Nigerian universities require Economics as a prerequisite for a wide range of disciplines beyond Business, including Geography, Sociology, Political Science, and several hybrid courses. The new WAEC arrangement could inadvertently disqualify deserving candidates from pursuing these courses.

There’s no denying that reform is necessary. Nigeria’s education system needs periodic review to reflect evolving realities. But reform must make sense. It must be student-centred, data-driven, and inclusive. It must prioritise learners’ needs and ensure that every student, regardless of department, has access to subjects that support their dreams and potential.

The new WAEC subject combination fails all these tests. It is, at best, an administrative experiment carried out without foresight. At worst, it is an educational injustice that undermines the principles of fairness and equity.

WAEC must go back to the drawing board. It must engage teachers, parents, and education policymakers across the member countries. It must publish clear justifications for any change and provide enough time for schools and students to adjust. Most importantly, it must restore flexibility, allowing students to select subjects across disciplines in line with their aspirations.

Any reform of this magnitude should involve proper alignment with the National Universities Commission (NUC), especially as it directly affects university admission requirements and subject combinations. I doubt this is the case here.

Nigerian students deserve better. They deserve a system that empowers, not limits them. Education is the bridge to opportunity; WAEC should not be the one tearing it down.

Until WAEC makes this make sense, this reform remains what it is, a hasty, uncoordinated, and disserviceable disruption to the nation’s educational fabric. For now, the implementation must stop!

Eromosele, a corporate communications expert and sustainability activist, authored this through elviseroms@gmail.com.

The new subject combination is uncoordinated and senseless, contends ELVIS EROMOSELE The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has once again stirred public outcry, this time over its newly released subject combinations

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UCHE NNAJI AND THE BURDEN OF FORGERY

It was only a matter of time. Everyone paying close attention knew that Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, could not survive the certificate forgery storm. The handwriting was on the wall, and two days ago, it finally happened. Nnaji bowed out.

The truth is simple and damning: Nnaji himself admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate. So the million-naira question is, where did the one he brandished come from?

UNN has washed its hands off the matter. The institution categorically stated that Nnaji never completed his studies and was never awarded a degree. In short, the certificate he paraded is fake.

And that’s not all. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also distanced itself from Nnaji’s so-called NYSC certificate, describing it as“strange.” A Premium Times investigation revealed yet another oddity, Nnaji’s NYSC record shows that he supposedly served for 13 months. Thirteen months! Even the NYSC found that hard to explain.

Of course, Nnaji claims that political enemies are behind his ordeal. But he knows the truth, no opponent can forge a certificate on your behalf. He laid the trap himself and walked right into it.

Let’s remember the facts. Nnaji was admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry and was expected to graduate in 1985. But he reportedly failed some courses and never graduated. That means for over 40 years , Uche Nnaji neither regularized his academic records nor obtained a valid certificate , yet he rose through political ranks, occupying sensitive positions and waving fake credentials. Nnaji was careless, so to speak

Forty years of deception finally caught up with him. And this time, not even political connections could save him.

But beyond Nnaji’s personal fall lies a bigger question, how many more “Nnajis” are out there, quietly occupying sensitive positions in government, hiding behind forged papers and political influence? Some commentators are beginning to say that Nnaji’s case might just be the tip of the iceberg.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

It was only a matter of time. Everyone paying close attention knew that Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, could not survive the certificate forgery storm.

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KADUNA AND GENDER EQUALITY

Kaduna State is committed to the upliftment of women, reckons JAMIL ATANDA

Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani has emerged as a national exemplar in championing women’s empowerment and family welfare. This is progressive leadership in action. A resounding affirmation of this achievement came at the 9th Voice of Women (VOW) Conference and Awards in Abuja, where it clinched the coveted “Best Government Supporting Women and Their Families Award.”

This accolade underscores Governor Sani’s unwavering commitment to institutionalizing gender-responsive governance, transforming abstract ideals of inclusivity into tangible policies that uplift women and strengthen communities. Governor Sani’s administration has not only prioritized women’s economic participation but has woven gender equity into the fabric of state operations, setting a benchmark that resonates far beyond Kaduna’s borders.

The VOW recognition highlights pioneering reforms that address systemic barriers faced by women in Nigeria, where gender disparities in economic access, education, and security persist. Dr. Nita Byack George, a prominent advocate for women’s health and leadership, praised Governor Uba Sani’s approach during the event, declaring that, “As someone who has dedicated years to advocating for women’s health, empowerment, and leadership inclusion at both national and international levels, I am heartened to see the real impact of deliberate, gender-responsive governance. These initiatives show that Kaduna is not just talking about inclusivity—it is institutionalizing it. The Uba Sani administration is setting a model for others across Nigeria to emulate.” Her words echo the sentiment that deliberate policy-driven action can orchestrate profound social change.

As Nigeria grapples with challenges like poverty and inequality, Kaduna’s model in this regard offers hope, demonstrating how targeted interventions can empower half the population to drive sustainable development. Governor Sani’s gender-responsive policies and broader initiatives, include the highly acclaimed Gender-Responsive Procurement Policy, a groundbreaking reform that has redefined public contracting to favor women’s inclusion. Signed into law by Governor Sani in August 2024, this policy mandates that 5-20% of public contracts be awarded to women-owned and women-led businesses, addressing the historical under-representation where women secure less than 15% of such opportunities despite comprising nearly half of Nigeria’s population.

Public procurement accounts for up to 15% of Nigeria’s GDP, making this sector a powerful lever for economic empowerment. To ease entry barriers, the policy waives registration fees for fully women-owned enterprises, slashes tender fees by 50% for women entrepreneurs, and requires female representation on procurement boards. These measures tackle issues like limited capital access and complex bidding processes that have long sidelined women.

Implemented through the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), the policy includes the establishment of a dedicated Gender-Responsive Department and a Gender Desk to enforce inclusivity across all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). This institutional framework ensures consistent application, turning policy into practice.

Developed in collaboration with UN Women and funded by initiatives like the African Development Bank’s AFAWA and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), it forms part of a regional Affirmative Action Procurement Reform Initiative spanning Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. The results are impressive: 659 women-led businesses have secured new contracts, over 1,700 women entrepreneurs have received training in bid preparation, digital marketing, and financial management, and 245 businesses are now registered on international platforms like the UN Global Marketplace. Governor Uba Sani’s vision here is clear: economic inclusion isn’t charity but smart governance that unlocks potential.

Beyond procurement, the Uba Sani administration has launched a multifaceted array of gender-friendly initiatives, anchored in the comprehensive Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy unveiled in January 2025. This policy, developed through an inclusive eight-month consultative process involving stakeholders from civil society, traditional leaders, and women’s groups, sets ambitious targets: boosting women’s labor force participation to 75% by 2028, increasing female agricultural participation to 80%, and raising women landowners from 4.7% to 15%. Structured around five pillars—agriculture, entrepreneurship, traditional labor market, emerging industries, and education—the WEE Policy addresses holistic empowerment.

In agriculture, which contributes 42.81% to Kaduna’s GDP, initiatives provide women smallholder farmers with climate-resistant inputs, financing, and market access, while reforming land tenure to enhance ownership. Entrepreneurship efforts include revamping skills acquisition centers, business management training, and the Mother-to-Daughter model to mentor young women. The policy promotes technology adoption, such as mobile apps for market linkages, to boost efficiency.

For emerging industries, Governor Sani has prioritized women’s entry into ICT and STEM. The Women in Tech Skills Training Program trained 5,000 women in 2024, while partnerships with Google and Huawei offer scholarships and digital skills training.

The Kaduna Startup Act of 2023, signed by the governor, positions the state as a digital hub, with the KADA ICT Hub training over 15,000 residents, including women. Creative sectors benefit from events like the Kaduna Books and Art Festival, thus fostering women in literature and arts.

Education initiatives have dramatically reduced out-of-school children from 680,000 to 300,000 in one year, through building 62 secondary schools and 2,347 primary classrooms, and a UNICEF partnership to reintegrate 200,000 children. Scholarships for female STEM students and technical vocational training in fields like tailoring and welding promote financial independence.

In addition, the introduction of cross-cutting efforts enhance financial inclusion, targeting 60% bank account ownership for women by 2028, and digital literacy to 60% access.

Then there is the uncompromising move against Gender-based violence (GBV) which is being tackled through reinforced and strengthened laws, four Sexual Assault Referral Centres, family courts, and shelters for women and boys. There is also the UN Women collaborations which extend to peace and security via the Peace-building Fund project, capacity building, and political participation programs. And such compassion driven initiatives like free pads distribution and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) with the World Bank support girl-child opportunities are rapidly changing the narrative in Kaduna State in favour of women.

The impacts of these initiatives are transformative. Women reinvest up to 90% of their income into families and communities, compared to 30-40% for men, fostering job creation and welfare. In Kaduna state today, female-led businesses report 88.6% growth despite economic challenges, and multidimensional poverty among women (63.5%) is being addressed. And GBV cases, put at 3,168 in 2024, are targeted for a 21% reduction by 2028.

Economically, these efforts could contribute to Nigeria’s GDP growth by billions, as empowered women drive innovation and stability. The truth is Governor Uba Sani’s holistic approach has not only elevated women’s status but fortified family units, promoting social cohesion in a diverse state like Kaduna.

Given the visible success that is ongoing in Kaduna State, it will not be out of place to suggest that other states should follow suit. The adoption of inclusive policy development is key—engaging diverse stakeholders to craft culturally resonant frameworks. They should be able to prioritize cross-cutting issues like financial and digital inclusion, integrating them into economic plans to holistically tackle barriers. Leverage technology for market access and implement gender-responsive budgeting from the outset, as Kaduna plans for 2025, to ensure equitable funding.

Apart from the above, they should be able to strengthen partnerships with CSOs, private sectors, and international bodies like UN.

Governor Uba Sani’s achievements so far in Kaduna has proved that gender-responsive governance yields dividends for all. By institutionalizing equity, the state has illuminated a path forward. As Dr. George aptly noted, this is a model worth emulating. The clarion call here is that more states in Nigeria should follow suit for a more progressive, developed, prosperous and above all gender inclusive future for our dear country Nigeria.

Atanda, a Women, Gender and Equal Rights advocate, writes from Abuja

Kaduna State is committed to the upliftment of women, reckons JAMIL ATANDA Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani has emerged as a national exemplar in championing women’s empowerment and family welfare.

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FG Inaugurates $400m Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the $400million Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal, in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The terminal, being the first indigenous one, came five decades after the previous ones.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Tinubu said that with the resolution of the issues, especially that of Ogoni, the Otakikpo terminal will evacuate the crude oil produced from their land.

He said, “I need to state that in the commitment of the government that is already talking with the Ogoni people to resolve the Ogoni problem. And once the Ogoni problem is resolved, this will be the best terminal that will evacuate the crude oil we produce from Ogoni”.

The President, who sought the cooperation of Ogoni leaders for the production of the crude oil in their land, noted that the resource would never be beneficial to either the indigenes or the government when it lies idle.

Tinubu said, “And that is why we are calling, talking with Ogoni people, Ogoni leaders, to say let’s revert back. If these things are buried there forever, Ogoni will never get any value from those resources. Nigeria will never get any value from those resources.”

He said the era of battling with a lack of finance is over as the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) is about to commence operations.

According to him, the worst challenge in the upstream operation is access to finance, and the promoters of AEB have met all its obligations for the operations.

“Let me also, assure Green Energy that the era of perhaps looking elsewhere for finance will soon be over.

“We have discovered that the biggest challenge we have in Africa is access to, you know, finance. And that was why we’ve come up with the African Energy Bank, which is ready to go. Nigeria, as the host country, has met its obligations.

“We have met all our obligations, legal, financial. We have met all our obligations. We are waiting, you know, for the bank to take off, which I think will take off, you know, any moment from now.”

He commended the management of GEIL, recalling that the indigenous firm started from a marginal field the same time as other awardees who spent their finances on private jets, while GEIL decided to build an export terminal to create value in the industry.

He assured the company and other operators that are keeping to the terms of their licenses of total support and collaboration.

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, said the terminal is historic on two levels.

According to him, it expands Nigeria’s crude export infrastructure at a critical time and demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian operators to deliver world-class projects once thought possible only for international major players.

He further noted that the Otakikpo terminal is significant to the present national crude oil production, that is, about 1.8million barrels, because the efficiency of evacuation and export is critical.

Komolafe also said that by creating an alternative export hub in Rivers State, the Otakikpo terminal reduces over-reliance on existing terminals, many of which are operating at near capacity and are exposed to security and pipeline challenges.

He stressed that the industry’s indigenous operators have evolved to the stage of accounting for 30% of the national production.

Meanwhile, the GEIL Chief Executive Officer, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, revealed that the storage capacity of the terminal is 750,000 barrels, which is expandable to 3 million barrels.

He also said it has a pumping capacity of 360,000bpd. The CEO added that since June 2025, the company has already completed four export operations, totaling one million barrels of crude oil.

He said beyond the numbers, the terminal is a catalyst for national renewal as it opens the door for more than 40 stranded fields in the region, with over 3 million barrels of reserves, long held back by a lack of export infrastructure.

According to him, the fields alone could contribute more than 200,000 barrels per day to the country’s production. “With this terminal, their potential can finally be unlocked.”

In his speech, CEO of Lekoil, Lekan Akinyanmi said the inauguration of the export channel, through which Lekoil evacuates crude oil from the Otakikpo field, is in line with ongoing reforms to expand Nigeria’s production capacity towards Nigeria’s economic development.

Akinyanmi stated that, “the Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal is not just infrastructure; it is a symbol of progress, credibility, and the determination of indigenous producers to deliver value on a global stage.”

He however, praised President Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for creating an enabling environment, saying that the terminal represents a validation of the company’s commitment to consistency and building lasting value.

“The commissioning of the Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal is a proud moment for Lekoil. It validates our commitment to building lasting value as an indigenous producer, delivering our crude to the market reliably while supporting our host communities and Nigeria’s broader energy ambitions. This milestone is a clear indication that Lekoil represents resilience, responsibility, and results,” Akinyanmi stated.

Lekoil, along with Green Energy International Limited, her joint venture partner on the Otakikpo field (PML 11), has consistently demonstrated that indigenous oil and gas companies can operate at world-class standards, unlock resources, advance community development, and contribute to national production growth.

According to Akinyanmi, with the unveiling of the terminal, Lekoil can now maximise the potential of Otakikpo, widely regarded as a prolific area for oil and gas nestled in the southeastern part of the Niger Delta basin, and ensure secure, efficient evacuation and re-enforce its reputation as a reliable supplier of Nigerian crude.

“This achievement underscores Lekoil’s place as a trusted and responsible operator with a long-term commitment to Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth and its vision: to be the world’s leading exploration and production company focused on Africa”, Akinyanmi added.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the $400million Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal, in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers

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$1trn Economy: BPE Positioned as Knowledge Hub for Investors Seeking Opportunities in Nigeria, Says DG

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi has stated that the agency has positioned itself into a trusted knowledge hub for investors seeking opportunities in a bid to transition the economy towards a $1 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) as envisioned by President Bola AhmedTinubu.
Gbeleyi spoke in Abuja, Wednesday at the BPE Servicom day symposium, with the theme, “Reforming Responsibly through Effective Service Delivery.”
According to him, stakeholders, and indeed all Nigerians, look up to the Bureau to lead the economic reforms embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
To deliver on this responsibility, he explained that the BPE has consistently engaged development partners, the National Assembly , Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the media as well as local and foreign investors in a bid to grow the nation’s economy towards $1 trillion GDP.
In a bid to meet the target, he said the BPE had positioned itself as a trusted knowledge hub for investors desirous of investment opportunities in the country.
Gbeleye stated that the theme of this year’s symposium emphasised the broader impact of service delivery, adding that it seeks to reinforce awareness of the pivotal role that customer service plays in the fulfilment of BPE’s mandate while also promoting the ease of doing business in the country.
He highlighted some of the deliberate measures undertaken by the BPE’s SERVICOM Unit, which was established on May 13, 2008 to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
They include, among others, conduct of regular surveys to gauge customer satisfaction with services rendered by the BPE, and continuous scrutiny and review of internal processes to identify and address areas requiring improvement.
The DG noted that such initiatives reflect BPE’s unwavering commitment to upholding its core values, which are fully aligned with the mandate of SERVICOM, and to ensuring that its service delivery remains efficient, transparent and citizen-focused.
The keynote speaker and a member of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Dr. Sam Ikoku wondered if the MDAs had made the desired impact to reflect the ideals of Servicom 21 years after it was launched.
He asked rhetorically if the various sectors of the nation– the aviation sector and justice system, among others have witnessed the finer ideals of Servicom.
Ikoku lamented that one of the reasons why new agencies keeping springing up was due to the failure of the existing ones in service delivery.
He noted that a country like Singapore transformed from a developing country to the elite league of nations due to top-notch service delivery.
Back home in Africa, he cited Rwanda and Ghana as two nations on the continent that are doing well in service delivery.
He recommended that Nigeria’s public service should clearly map out job description for workers to ensure optimum service delivery.
While applauding the BPE for its commendable service delivery which had made it win several laurels, he called for greater team work to help the DG achieve the Bureau’s missions.
He also solicited for greater resilience and commitment of the management.

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi has stated that the agency has positioned itself into a trusted knowledge hub for

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Niger SIEC Set for LG Election

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger state Independent Electoral Commission NSIEC says it is set for local government election in the state billed for November 1, across the 25 local governments areas of the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Jibrin Imam, told newsmen in Minna: “I can assure you that preparation for the election is almost complete, it is 95 to 96% complete.”

Imam added that “All our materials for the election are in place the list of personnel for the election have been compiled, training of the personnel will take place on the 17th of this month.”

He disclosed that the election would be conducted in 4,950 polling units with a minimum of 400 voters for each of the polling unit. He pointed out that the election would be conducted “manually”, thereby ruling out the use of the BVAs machines.

He also said ballot boxes belonging to INEC would not be deployed for the polls.

The Chairman disclosed that adhoc staff to be used during the election were already being screened and would write proficiency examinations to ensure their competences are not be in doubt.

Imam said the Commission was however collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the police and some civil society groups to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

On insecurity in some areas of the state Imam revealed that “we have perfected how to conduct election in all polling units notwithstanding the security situation”.

ThISDAY learnt that 10 political parties, including the PDP, SDP Accord would take part in the election.

Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger state Independent Electoral Commission NSIEC says it is set for local government election in the state billed for November 1, across the 25 local