₦airaland Forum

LEAGUE OF CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BACKS NNRA MANAGEMENT, SAYS PROMOTIONS MUST FOLLOW CIVIL SERVICE RULES

Abuja – The League of Civil Society Groups has expressed confidence in the management of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), describing the agency as one of the few federal institutions that has continued to uphold due process, staff welfare, and the provisions of the Federal Civil Service Rules in handling personnel matters.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition in Abuja, Comrade Basah Mohammed, President of the League of Civil Society Groups, cautioned against attempts to personalize administrative decisions or create the impression that promotions and career progression within the NNRA are determined solely by the Director-General.

According to him, promotions in the Federal Public Service are governed by established regulations, organizational structures, availability of vacancies, and prescribed procedures, rather than the discretion of any individual.
"We have carefully followed recent developments surrounding the NNRA and have come to the conclusion that the management of the Authority has demonstrated considerable restraint and respect for due process in handling staff-related matters. It is unfair and misleading to suggest that the Director-General can simply promote or appoint anyone outside the provisions of the Public Service Rules," Basah said.

He noted that the NNRA operates within a structured civil service framework where appointments and promotions are tied to approved establishment positions, vacancies, qualification requirements, and recommendations from the appropriate administrative bodies.

Basah said the League's findings showed that the Authority had consistently given members of staff the opportunity to exercise their rights through established administrative channels, including performance evaluation processes, responses to petitions, and compliance with directives from relevant government institutions.

"An institution that allows staff to ventilate their grievances through lawful channels, implements directives from oversight bodies where appropriate, and continues to engage employees despite disagreements cannot be accused of victimizing its workforce. That is evidence of an administration that believes in fairness," he stated.

The civil society leader further commended the management of the NNRA under the leadership of Dr. Ya'u Usman Idris, saying the Authority had continued to strengthen Nigeria's nuclear safety and radiation protection framework while maintaining professionalism in its internal administration.
He observed that regulating nuclear safety demands discipline, competence, and adherence to globally accepted standards, adding that personnel decisions within such a sensitive institution must always be guided by law rather than emotion or external pressure.

"The NNRA is not just another government agency. It is responsible for protecting Nigerians from the dangers associated with ionising radiation and ensuring that nuclear technology is deployed safely across the health, industrial, agricultural, research, and energy sectors. Such an institution cannot afford to compromise established procedures in its human resource management," Basah said.
He also urged employees of public institutions to utilize internal grievance mechanisms and statutory dispute resolution channels instead of resorting to media campaigns capable of eroding public confidence in critical national institutions.

According to him, disagreements between employers and employees are not unusual in any organization, but they should be resolved through dialogue and the mechanisms provided by law.
"Strong institutions are built on the rule of law, fairness, transparency, and accountability. The moment personnel matters become subjects of media trials instead of administrative review, everyone loses. We encourage all parties to respect due process and allow institutions to function as intended," he added.

The League reaffirmed its support for the continued strengthening of the NNRA, describing the Authority as a strategic institution whose effectiveness is essential to Nigeria's public safety, environmental protection, and compliance with international nuclear safety obligations. It called on all stakeholders to support reforms that promote professionalism, institutional stability, and the long-term development of the country's nuclear regulatory system.

Intelligence firm CellHub scores President Tinubu's economic reforms 8.3 out of 10, citing record reserves, a steadier naira and renewed investor confidence. But official data show poverty and hunger still rising, leaving a wide gap between the headline recovery and daily life.


NIGERIA'S sweeping economic reforms have earned a strong endorsement from one intelligence firm, even as official figures show the recovery has yet to reach most households.
In an assessment published this week, CellHub scored President Bola Tinubu's reform programme at 8.3 out of 10, a rating it described as “Strong and On Track.” The verdict rests on a run of improving macroeconomic indicators since 2023. It lands, however, against a backdrop of rising poverty that independent bodies say has not yet turned.

THE REFORMS
On taking office in 2023, Mr Tinubu removed a long-standing fuel subsidy and floated the naira, ending years of currency controls. The measures were intended to repair the public finances and draw in investment. They also pushed prices up sharply and squeezed household incomes, drawing early and sustained criticism.

MARKET RESPONSE
The external indicators have since strengthened. Foreign reserves reached 51.45 billion dollars at the end of June 2026, up from 37.21 billion dollars a year earlier, according to central bank figures. The naira has settled in a range near 1,375 to 1,380 to the dollar after its initial fall.
Nigeria secured rating upgrades from all three major agencies, Fitch, Moody's and S&P Global, and a November 2025 Eurobond drew orders above 13 billion dollars, the Debt Management Office said. The main stock index passed 250,000 points for the first time in May 2026. The economy grew 3.92 per cent in 2025, its strongest year since 2021, CELLHUB data show.

THE DATA AT A GLANCE
The gains, and the strains, side by side
$51.45bn foreign reserves, June 2026, up about 38% on the year (CBN)
3.92% economic growth in 2025, the strongest since 2021( CELLHUB)
Triple sovereign rating upgrades: Fitch, Moody's, S&P
8.3 / 10 CellHub reform score, rated “Strong and On Track”
63% Nigerians in poverty in 2025, about 140 million (World Bank)
27m people facing food insecurity in late 2025 (IMF)
15.93% inflation in May 2026, up for three months running (NBS)


CellHub, which prepared the assessment, said the turnaround in the headline numbers was well established.
“The evidence points one way on the macro picture: the reforms have worked. Nigeria has restored stability, rebuilt its buffers and won back the markets. The task now is to convert that into growth households can feel.”

MARTIN ITUA, Chief Economist at CellHub

WELFARE LAGS BEHIND
Independent data complicate the picture. The World Bank estimated poverty at 63 per cent in 2025, about 140 million people, up from 56 per cent in 2023, and said it did not expect the rate to fall before 2028. Household incomes, it noted, had not kept pace with inflation.

The International Monetary Fund put the number facing food insecurity at 27 million in late 2025 and said conditions for many Nigerians remained difficult, even as it welcomed the reforms.

QUESTIONS OVER THE DATA
Some of the headline improvements are harder to read than they first appear. Inflation fell from a peak of 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to about 15 per cent by late 2025, but part of that decline followed a rebasing of the consumer price index in early 2025 that mechanically lowered the reported rate. Inflation has since risen again, climbing for three consecutive months to 15.93 per cent in May 2026, the statistics office reported.
Assessments of the public finances also diverge. The government has said debt-servicing has fallen below half of revenue; the IMF put interest payments at 53 per cent of federal revenue in 2025 and estimated a wider budget deficit than official figures suggest.

INDEPENDENT VERDICTS
The reforms have nonetheless drawn measured approval from outside Nigeria. The IMF said in its 2026 Article IV review that the changes had “yielded improved macroeconomic outcomes and built resilience,” while the rating agencies cited exchange-rate liberalisation and stronger external buffers in their upgrades. CellHub said the convergence of these judgements underpinned its score.

WHAT COMES NEXT
With a presidential election due in 2027, attention is turning to whether the gains reach ordinary Nigerians. CellHub's report set out priorities including durable disinflation, broader growth beyond oil, and wider social support for the households hit hardest by the reforms.
“The foundations are laid. The country now has to build on them, and the test of the next phase is whether the recovery becomes one that families can feel.”

MARTIN ITUA, Chief Economist at CellHub
Whether the macroeconomic recovery translates into visible relief for households, analysts say, is likely to shape the political contest ahead.

The West Africa Coordinator of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) and Deputy President (North) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb. Akoshile Mukhtar, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving far-reaching reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing the decision as a bold investment in the future of Nigerian youth and a demonstration of the administration's commitment to building a modern, productive, and globally competitive generation.

Reacting to the Federal Executive Council's approval of the reforms, Amb. Mukhtar said the President had once again shown that youth development remains a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the reforms represent one of the most significant transformations of the NYSC since its establishment over five decades ago and are well aligned with the realities of today's labour market, technological advancement, entrepreneurship, and national development priorities.

"The approval of these reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a strategic intervention that reflects visionary leadership and a deep understanding of the changing aspirations of Nigerian youth. It is reassuring to see an administration that is not only listening to young people but is also taking practical steps to reposition one of Nigeria's most important youth institutions for greater relevance and impact," he said.

Mukhtar also applauded the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, for what he described as his unwavering commitment to youth-centred governance and his persistent advocacy for reforms that directly improve the lives and prospects of young Nigerians.

He noted that since assuming office, the Minister has continued to champion policies and programmes that place young people at the heart of national development, adding that the NYSC reforms further reinforce the Ministry's commitment to preparing Nigerian graduates for leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and productive service.

"The Honourable Minister has demonstrated exceptional leadership in translating the President's vision into practical outcomes. His dedication to engaging stakeholders, driving policy reforms, and ensuring that youth issues receive the highest level of government attention deserves commendation. These reforms are another testament to his commitment to giving practical meaning to youth development," Mukhtar stated.

The youth leader particularly welcomed the planned introduction of technology-driven call-up processes, describing it as a major step toward improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the administration of the Scheme.

He also praised the proposed redesign of the orientation programme to incorporate entrepreneurship, digital innovation, leadership development, vocational training, and specialised career skills, noting that such initiatives would equip corps members with practical competencies required to succeed in today's economy.

According to him, aligning primary assignments with graduates' academic backgrounds and career aspirations will significantly improve productivity, enhance workplace experience, and better prepare participants for life after national service.

Mukhtar further described the proposed upgrading of orientation camps, introduction of a formal graduation ceremony, and redesign of the NYSC uniform as reforms that will restore pride, professionalism, and a renewed sense of purpose among corps members.

"As a youth leader with responsibilities extending beyond Nigeria through the Afro-Arab Youth Council, I believe these reforms position the NYSC as a model that can inspire similar youth service initiatives across Africa. Nigeria is demonstrating that national service can evolve beyond tradition into a platform for innovation, skills development, nation-building, and economic empowerment," he added.

The AAYC West Africa Coordinator called on the National Assembly to expedite legislative amendments required to support the implementation of the reforms and urged all relevant stakeholders—including educational institutions, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations, and Nigerian youth—to support the successful implementation of the new initiatives.

He reaffirmed the commitment of both the National Youth Council of Nigeria and the Afro-Arab Youth Council to partner with the Federal Government in promoting policies and programmes that expand opportunities for young people, strengthen national development, and position Nigerian youth to compete favourably on the global stage.

A new forecast from the data firm CellHub puts Bola Tinubu ahead of any single rival for 2027, judging that a divided opposition has weakened the challenge to the President while a shift in how voters read his economic reforms is steadying his support.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu enters the 2027 race as the clear frontrunner. A new forecast from CellHub, a data analysis and political consulting firm, has the President favoured to win a second term, citing two factors: an opposition split across three tickets that has divided the vote against him, and a gradual shift in how voters weigh his economic reforms that is firming his base. The pattern echoes 2023, when a divided field returned him on a plurality.
CellHub’s base case is not a judgement on the President’s record. It is a reading of how the vote divides. The vote opposed to the President is splitting across three separate platforms, while the vote behind him holds with one. Under a system that awards victory to the leading share rather than to an outright majority, that imbalance is, on the firm’s analysis, the decisive structural fact of the election.
The 2023 figures show the mechanism. Tinubu won with 36.61 per cent. Atiku Abubakar recorded 29.07 per cent, Peter Obi 25.40 per cent and Rabiu Kwankwaso 6.23 per cent. More than 60 per cent of valid votes went to candidates other than the winner, yet the nearest rival trailed by more than seven points, because the opposition vote divided three ways. Consolidated behind one candidate, the same bloc would have produced a different result.
The electoral rules favour that division. A presidential winner must take the largest share of the vote and, separately, at least 25 per cent in no fewer than 24 of the 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory. No fixed national threshold applies. A larger field lowers the share required to lead, while the spread rule blocks a candidate whose support sits in a single region. In 2023 Tinubu cleared the 25 per cent mark in 30 states.
“In a crowded field, the leader needs far less than half. The opposition’s problem is that it keeps building crowded fields.”
By mid-2026 the division has re-formed. Atiku Abubakar runs on the African Democratic Congress ticket with Rotimi Amaechi. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were ratified on the Nigeria Democratic Congress ticket on 30 May. A Peoples Democratic Party faction has advanced Goodluck Jonathan, a nomination still disputed within the party. Three candidates now compete for the same anti-incumbent vote.
The President’s position, by contrast, is consolidated. After a series of defections the APC held 31 of the 36 states, commands a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, and confirmed Tinubu as its candidate at its primary on 23 May. The historical record reinforces the point. Of all elected Nigerian presidents, only Goodluck Jonathan has lost a re-election bid, in 2015, and he lost to a single opposition party formed by merger, the step the 2027 opposition has not taken.
The forecast does not depend on the President being popular. Independent tracking this year puts his approval in the low thirties, and a majority of respondents report being worse off than in 2023. Against a single opponent, the firm concedes, that reading would threaten him. In a field of three or more, it does not, which is why the structure of the contest carries more weight in the model than the approval figure.
“Our modelling is not a statement about who deserves to win, or about how people feel, both of which point in a hard direction for the incumbent,” said Mohammed Aliyu, Managing Partner and Lead Data Scientist at CellHub. “It is a statement about distribution. A unified bloc beats a divided one almost regardless of mood. Right now the opposition is divided and the governing party is not.”
The firm also challenges a common reading of Obi’s support: that his lead online converts directly into votes. His digital following is the largest in the field, and CellHub accepts that he holds real support on the ground. Its point is that the online sample is not the electorate. Social platforms skew young, urban and connected and under-represent the rural North, where turnout has historically been highest, so digital reach overstates national vote share. CellHub measures stated voting intention and turnout probability by zone rather than online activity, and on that basis it puts the distance between Obi’s visibility and his projected vote among the widest in the field.
“The loudest challenger on the timeline is not automatically the strongest at the ballot box. A loud timeline is not a national vote spread.”
A second factor works in the President’s favour. The administration has maintained that it inherited a weak fiscal position, and that removing the fuel subsidy and floating the naira, however costly, prevented a sharper collapse. The macro data is mixed: growth, external reserves and headline inflation have improved, while household income and the poverty rate have deteriorated. CellHub’s reading is that a growing share of voters now accepts the first explanation, which stabilises the President’s base even where approval stays low.
Geographically, the contest is decided in the North Central and the wider Middle Belt, the religiously mixed band that runs from southern Kaduna through Plateau, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory down to Taraba and Adamawa. These are the states that carried Obi beyond his South-Eastern base in 2023. He took Plateau, Nasarawa and the FCT, helped by Christian voters across the belt who reacted against the religious composition of the APC ticket. CellHub rates the zone the closest in the country, held firmly by neither side, and the single bloc that decides the presidency. On the firm’s analysis, the result turns on whether the President can recover that Christian Middle Belt vote in 2027, and it is the region CellHub tracks most intensively.
“The South-West is largely decided, and the South-East in the other direction,” said Efemena Peter, Senior Political Risk Analyst at CellHub. “The result is set in the North Central and the FCT. Those states moved against the President in 2023, and they are the states we watch most closely for 2027. Whoever carries the Middle Belt carries the election.”
One condition could change the forecast. A merger of the Atiku and Obi tickets into one, combining the northern and South-Eastern vote, would convert the race into a direct two-way contest on the President’s record. Without it, the structural arithmetic favours the incumbent. CellHub states that it will revise the base case the moment any consolidation occurs, and will publish updated scenarios each quarter to the vote.
Nigerians vote on 16 January 2027. On the data available, the result depends less on the President’s own standing than on whether the opposition consolidates behind a single candidate before polling day.

FCT CITY BOYS MOVEMENT CONGRATULATES NEWLY INAUGURATED AREA COUNCIL CHAIRMEN IN THE FCT

The Director of the City Boys Movement, Hon. Bitrus Lawrence Garki has extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected and inaugurated Area Council Chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking with members of the press, on behalf of the movement, Deputy Director Comrade Akoshile described their inauguration as a significant milestone in grassroots governance and democratic consolidation. He urged the chairmen to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate through transparent, accountable, and people-oriented leadership.

According to him, the expectations of the people are high, and the newly inaugurated council leaders must remain committed to delivering impactful projects and policies that will improve the welfare of residents across their respective councils.

The FCT City boys movement also commended the efforts of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the remarkable infrastructural transformation and developmental strides being witnessed across the Federal Capital Territory. He noted that the Minister's commitment to service continues to complement the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

Furthermore, he expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts geared towards national development under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while reaffirming the support of the City Boys Movement for initiatives aimed at advancing good governance, economic growth, and sustainable development.

He wished the newly inaugurated chairmen a successful tenure and prayed for wisdom, strength, and guidance as they assume the responsibilities of office.

When Reform Invites Resistance: How the BPP Director-General is Redefining Public Procurement in Nigeria

By Oluwatobi Johnson

In every generation of public service, there comes a moment when institutions are compelled to choose between preserving the comfort of old practices and embracing the rigours of reform. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Nigeria's apex procurement regulatory agency, appears to have reached such a defining moment under its current Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.

In barely fifteen months in office, Adebowale Adedokun, has not only redefined leadership, he has embarked on what many public policy experts describe as one of the most ambitious reform programmes in the history of Nigeria's procurement system. His leadership has not only modernized procurement processes but has also unsettled entrenched interests accustomed to exploiting loopholes in public contracting.

Expectedly, resistance has followed.

The attacks on his integrity, coming from both internal and external quarters, are hardly surprising. Across the world, genuine reformers who challenge vested interests often become targets of orchestrated campaigns aimed at undermining their credibility. Yet, beyond the noise and allegations lies a compelling record of achievements that Nigerians must carefully examine.

The true measure of leadership is not in the absence of opposition but in the courage to pursue reform despite it.

One of the most consequential decisions of the present BPP leadership was the review of procurement thresholds and guidelines. For years, stakeholders complained about outdated thresholds that slowed project execution and created bureaucratic bottlenecks. The revised framework has modernized procurement processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), significantly improving efficiency while strengthening oversight.

Equally transformative is the introduction of revised Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs). Procurement experts have long argued that ambiguous bidding documents often create loopholes for manipulation and litigation. By deploying clear and standardized documents nationwide, the Bureau has promoted fairness, enhanced competition and reduced opportunities for abuse.

Perhaps one of the most patriotic initiatives of the Director-General is the operationalization of the Nigeria First Policy. This policy seeks to prioritize local content, support domestic manufacturers, empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and create opportunities for women-owned businesses. Beyond procurement, this initiative aligns perfectly with Nigeria's quest for industrialization, job creation and economic diversification.

At a time when the nation seeks to strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imports, procurement has become a strategic economic tool rather than merely an administrative process.

The fight against corruption has also assumed a more institutional character under the current leadership. For the first time in Nigeria's procurement history, the Bureau has established a National Debarment Policy, creating an enforceable sanctions regime against fraudulent and non-performing contractors.

This innovation is revolutionary.

Contractors who fail to deliver projects or who engage in fraudulent practices can now be publicly debarred, protecting taxpayers' money and sending a strong signal that impunity is no longer acceptable in public procurement.

Closely related to this is the establishment of a robust Price Intelligence and Benchmarking System. The Bureau has created a digital framework that provides real-time price verification and benchmarking for goods, works and services.

The result has been astounding.

According to official figures, the initiative has already generated savings estimated at over N1.1 trillion by eliminating inflated quotations and ensuring value for money in government spending. In an era where prudent management of public resources is critical, such savings represent a significant contribution to national development.

Digital transformation has equally become a hallmark of the Director-General's administration.

Today, submissions to the Bureau are conducted electronically through the E-Submission platform, reducing paperwork, increasing transparency and accelerating processing time. The Classification of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers System has also been developed as a national database for the registration and categorization of vendors.

This innovation ensures that only qualified and competent service providers participate in federal procurement processes while improving transparency and competition.

Another landmark achievement is the successful deployment of the National Procurement Officers Management System (NAPOMS), which facilitated the first service-wide posting of procurement officers in Nigeria.

This development followed the restoration of the administrative mobility function of procurement officers to the Bureau, thereby strengthening professionalism, independence and career progression within the procurement cadre.

The Bureau has also taken bold steps to regulate contract variations, an area notorious for abuse in Nigeria's public sector. Under the new policy, all contract variations require the approval of the Bureau, effectively curbing arbitrary cost escalations and protecting public funds.

Capacity building has not been neglected.

Through collaboration with the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Programme supported by the World Bank, the Bureau has trained more than 4,000 procurement officers nationwide.

Furthermore, over 2,700 officers have been certified under the National Procurement Certification Programme (NPCP), thereby strengthening procurement professionalism and deepening expertise in public financial management.

The Bureau is also developing a database system for issuing practice licences and regulating procurement training firms. The objective is clear: to ensure that only qualified institutions train procurement professionals and to entrench global best practices in the sector.

Beyond reforms within government, the Director-General has introduced procurement as a tool for social inclusion.

Through the Affirmative and Community Procurement initiative, the Bureau is expanding opportunities for youths, women, persons with disabilities and community-based enterprises. This approach recognizes that procurement is not merely about contracts but also about creating inclusive economic opportunities.

Sector-specific procurement frameworks covering Information Technology, Roads, Health and other sectors are equally being finalized to address peculiar challenges and eliminate abuse.

In the area of food procurement, the Bureau is developing a comprehensive framework for schools, hospitals and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to standardize processes, reduce leakages and ensure accountability.

The Bureau's global outlook is also evident in its ongoing Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), an internationally recognized framework for evaluating procurement systems.

This historic assessment will benchmark Nigeria's procurement system against global standards, identify gaps and provide a roadmap for continuous improvement.

Perhaps one of the less publicized but significant achievements of the Bureau is its legal victory against European Dynamics, demonstrating the institution's willingness and capacity to defend Nigeria's interests in international disputes.

The ongoing review of the Public Procurement Act 2007 further points to the Director-General's commitment to lasting reforms.

The proposed amendments seek to strengthen sanctions, institutionalize digital procurement and align Nigeria's procurement framework with global best practices.

Naturally, reforms of this magnitude will provoke resistance.

Those who benefitted from opaque procurement systems are unlikely to applaud measures that enhance transparency and accountability. Those whose interests are threatened may resort to misinformation, character assassination or orchestrated attacks on the reformers.

But Nigerians must ask a simple question: who benefits from attempts to discredit a leadership that is strengthening transparency, saving trillions of naira, promoting local businesses and modernizing public procurement?

History teaches that reformers are rarely celebrated in the heat of battle. They are often misunderstood, resisted and vilified. Yet, history also teaches that societies progress when courageous leaders remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

The Dr Adebowale Adedokun's record within his first fifteen months suggests a clear determination to transform procurement into an instrument of national development, transparency and economic inclusion.

This vision aligns squarely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to build stronger institutions, stimulate economic growth and restore public confidence in governance.

As Nigeria navigates difficult economic realities and seeks to maximize every kobo of public expenditure, institutions like the Bureau of Public Procurement must be strengthened rather than weakened.

The reforms may be uncomfortable for some interests, but they are necessary for the nation's future.

And if Nigeria must truly institutionalize transparency and accountability in public spending, then reform-minded leadership at the Bureau deserves not hostility, but the support, vigilance and encouragement of all patriotic citizens.


Oluwatobi Johnson is the Secretary General, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance.
He sent in this Piece from Lagos

“When a child washes his hands clean, he can dine with elders.” — African Proverb

The beautiful and historic city of Asaba, the capital of Delta State in southern Nigeria, came alive on Saturday, May 30, 2026, as the revered Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, honoured three distinguished sons of the kingdom who have been called to serve Nigeria in various strategic national capacities.

The occasion, which formed part of the annual Asaba Day celebrations, was a remarkable display of culture, tradition, pride, and gratitude. It attracted an impressive array of dignitaries from across the country, including political leaders, captains of industry, traditional rulers, public servants, and prominent sons and daughters of Asaba. It was truly a gathering that reflected the influence, prestige, and growing relevance of the ancient kingdom in contemporary Nigeria.

Among those honoured was Dr. John Nwabueze, the pioneer Chief Executive Officer and Tax Ombud of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been widely celebrated as a recognition of competence, integrity, and professional excellence. The honour bestowed on him by the Asagba and the people of Asaba was not merely a celebration of personal achievement; it was a collective expression of appreciation to President Tinubu for finding one of their own worthy of such a significant national responsibility.

It will be recalled that shortly after his appointment, Dr. Nwabueze was received by the Asagba-in-Council, where he was charged to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, and service that have long defined the people of Asaba. The recognition accorded him during the Asaba Day festivities therefore represented the culmination of that earlier royal endorsement and the community’s confidence in his ability to excel in office.

Since assuming office, Dr. Nwabueze has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a clear sense of purpose. Beyond his historic engagement with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, he has moved swiftly to establish the foundational structures required for the effective take-off of the Office of the Tax Ombud. His efforts have included the strategic deployment and secondment of highly skilled public servants, the development of institutional partnerships with international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), benchmarking visits to established tax ombudsman institutions in South Africa, and the unveiling of a modern website and digital case management portal designed to enhance accessibility, transparency, and efficiency.

It was therefore unsurprising that top government officials, including the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, warmly received him in Asaba and pledged the state government’s support towards the successful establishment of the proposed South-South Zonal Office of the Tax Ombud in Delta State.

By recognising Dr. Nwabueze—an esteemed ‘Ogbueshi’ and proud son of the soil—the Asagba has not only honoured an accomplished public servant but has also highlighted the importance of national service, merit, and community representation. Today, Dr. Nwabueze stands as one of the leading ambassadors of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting fairness, accountability, and trust within Nigeria’s tax administration system.

Beyond adjudicating tax disputes, he is helping build bridges between government and citizens, strengthening institutional confidence, fostering peaceful coexistence, and advancing national development. The honour conferred upon him by the Asagba of Asaba is therefore both a celebration of past achievements and a charge to continue serving Nigeria with distinction, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to the public good.

OUTRAGE IN NASARAWA NORTH: AGARA CAMPAIGN CONDEMNS ‘MANUFACTURED’ SENATORIAL PRIMARY RESULTS AFTER FLAGRANT VOTOR FRAUD IN WAKAMA WARD

The campaign organization of former Deputy Governor and frontline senatorial aspirant, Silas Agara, has strongly condemned the alleged manipulation and outright falsification of results in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District primary election, accusing Governor Abdullahi Sule of using state machinery to subvert the will of the people.
The brewing crisis reached a boiling point following the collation of results from Wakama Ward in the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, where actual votes cast at the polling units were allegedly discarded and replaced with fabricated figures to hand an artificial victory to the Governor.
According to certified agents and eyewitnesses on the ground, the internal democratic process was smoothly executed at the ward level, delivering a resounding victory for Silas Agara. However, the final official result sheets reflected a completely inverted reality.
> "The reality on the ground is clear, verifiable, and documented," a spokesperson for the Agara Campaign stated. "In Wakama Ward, after the transparent counting of valid votes, Silas Agara scored over 300 votes, while Governor A.A. Sule managed approximately 150 votes. Yet, in a shocking act of political desperation, the final result sheet allocated a mere 5 votes to Agara. The Governor did not win this election; he simply wrote the results."
>
The Agara Campaign describes this development as a direct assault on democracy, a mockery of the party’s guidelines, and an insult to the people of Nasarawa North who stood in line to vote for leadership change. The campaign alleges that the figures were altered at the collation center under heavy security presence to shield the manipulation from public scrutiny.
The campaign team is calling on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and the Electoral Committee to immediately intervene, review the original duplicate result sheets held by agents, and halt the announcement of any tainted results.
"We are urging our teeming supporters across Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, and Wamba Local Governments to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. We will not allow this brazen day-light robbery to stand. We will use every legal and administrative avenue within our party’s constitution to reclaim the mandate freely given to Silas Agara by the delegates," the statement concluded.

By: Dr. Taiwo Akerele

Wrapping up an intense week in Pretoria focused on public finance and fiscal reform, I leave with mixed emotions—intellectual stimulation on one hand, and deep concern on the other.

This has been a sobering week. Beyond policy conversations, there is a troubling social reality unfolding—one where fellow Africans are increasingly told to “go back to their countries.”
This is not the South Africa I once knew.

Eighteen years ago, as a postgraduate student at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, I experienced a country defined by openness, inclusion, and promise. Today, that memory feels distant.
A convergence of leadership deficits, economic strain, inequality, and migration pressures has created a fragile social fabric—not just here, but across many African states.

When economies fail to deliver opportunity, frustration often turns inward.
But decline is not destiny.
Africa must recommit to democratic accountability and elect leadership that is competent, visionary, and people-centered.

We must build resilient economies, invest in skills, strengthen institutions, and create real opportunities for our youth.
The promise of South Africa can be restored.

Soweto can thrive again as a global cultural destination. Johannesburg can reclaim its cosmopolitan identity. The warmth and openness of Cape Town can be rekindled.

Above all, this is about reclaiming a vision—one championed by Nelson Mandela: an Africa that is united, inclusive, and prosperous.

As I return to Nigeria, I reflect on the immense sacrifices made by many African nations in the struggle against apartheid. That investment was rooted in shared dignity and collective hope.

The question remains: will that sacrifice lead to renewed purpose—or quiet regret?
Africa can—and must—choose wisely.

Dear President William Ruto,
I recently came across a widely circulated video in which you asserted that Kenyans speak better English than Nigerians. For full disclosure, I am Nigerian; however, I will not respond from a purely nationalistic standpoint. Rather, I will frame my reflections along three dimensions—political, economic, and national identity—while maintaining a rhetorical posture.

First, one must ask: how would Africa’s founding fathers—those who fought tirelessly for independence—interpret such a statement? Would they find pride in the fact that, over six decades after liberation from colonial rule, an African leader appears to valorize linguistic proximity to former colonial powers as a marker of distinction? More troubling is the implicit derision of a fellow African nation on the basis of accent. What, then, becomes of the ideological legacies of figures such as Julius Nyerere, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Walter Sisulu, Albert Luthuli, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Kwame Nkrumah, Kenneth Kaunda, and indeed Jomo Kenyatta? These leaders advanced visions of dignity, cultural confidence, and intellectual sovereignty. It is worth reflecting on whether such remarks align with those foundational principles.

Second, from a development policy perspective, proficiency in the English language is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for economic advancement. If it were, non-Anglophone powers would not occupy their current positions in the global economic hierarchy. China—one of Kenya’s largest creditors, with exposure estimated at approximately $6.69 billion—did not attain its economic stature through English linguistic dominance. Similarly, Germany, Europe’s largest economy, operates primarily in its native language. Within Africa, major economies such as Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco—whose combined GDP approaches $785 billion—are not English-speaking nations. Even India, whose professionals are prominent in global technology and medical ecosystems, deploys English largely as a functional working language, while maintaining strong linguistic and cultural identities. Development, therefore, is driven by productivity, institutional capacity, innovation, and human capital—not accent or linguistic mimicry.

Finally, speaking now as a Nigerian, the empirical record does not support any inference of intellectual or professional inferiority. Nigerians have demonstrated global competitiveness across disciplines—medicine, engineering, law, economics, academia, and the creative industries. Figures such as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and literary giant Chinua Achebe underscore Nigeria’s intellectual contributions to global discourse. Likewise, leaders of international standing—including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Akinwumi Adesina, Amina Mohammed, and others—reflect a longstanding tradition of excellence in global governance and development practice.

Beyond individual accomplishments, Nigerian professionals constitute a significant share of the skilled diaspora across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Middle East. Their integration into highly competitive labour markets is not predicated on accent, but on competence, training, and adaptability. It would be reductive to assume that their contributions are mediated by linguistic performance rather than substantive expertise.

In conclusion, Africa’s strategic priorities must transcend superficial comparisons. Our collective focus should be on accelerating technological transformation, addressing poverty and inequality, strengthening trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advancing climate resilience, and investing in human capital development. Kenya’s debt-to-GDP ratio—estimated at 68.9%—raises legitimate concerns about fiscal sustainability, just as similar challenges confront many African economies. These are the issues that warrant the attention of leadership in the 21st century.

It is therefore disheartening that public discourse is diverted toward linguistic competitiveness rather than substantive development challenges. Africa’s progress will not be defined by how closely we approximate colonial languages, but by how effectively we solve our structural economic problems.

Yours sincerely,
Taiwo Akerele Phd, Head, Policy House International
Written on the margins of the Spring Meetings, Washington, DC
Email: taiwo.akerele@policyhouse.org

By Dan D Kunle

As usual, I am an ordinary citizen, and like many Nigerians, I remain naturally optimistic and hopeful about the possibilities of a better tomorrow, even if such hopes are not always realised. Hope is part of our national character. We endure setbacks, yet continue to believe renewal is possible.
But optimism must never become a substitute for reality. It must be tested against evidence, performance and outcomes. It is from that standpoint that I reflect on the future of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and what it means for Nigeria.
Few institutions matter more to the Nigerian state.
Recent developments underscore just how strategic energy institutions can be when they are properly conceived and executed. The emergence of the Dangote Refinery, despite its well‑known challenges and controversies, has already altered Nigeria’s energy calculus. At a time of heightened global supply disruptions, volatile geopolitics and constrained refining capacity across multiple regions, the commissioning of a large, integrated domestic refinery has begun to reduce Nigeria’s exposure to external shocks, ease pressure on foreign exchange and improve fuel availability. Its impact, even at partial operations, illustrates what competent capital mobilisation, clarity of purpose and scale can achieve for national energy security. It also serves as a reminder that institutional performance, not intent, is what ultimately reshapes outcomes.
NNPC Ltd sits at the centre of public finance, foreign exchange earnings, energy security and investor confidence. For decades, petroleum revenues have sustained federal and state budgets, financed imports and provided the fiscal oxygen on which government depends. Agriculture no longer carries the economy as it once did. Manufacturing remains weak. Non‑oil exports are still too small. In practical terms, Nigeria remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbons.
That is why the future of NNPC Ltd is inseparable from the future of Nigeria.
When the current leadership team, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari and the board chaired by Musa Ahmadu‑Kida, assumed office, many expected a decisive break from the past. The hope was that a commercially run company, backed by the Petroleum Industry Act, would finally emerge from the ruins of bureaucracy, opacity and political patronage.
I shared that hope.
After observing developments over the past year, however, I have become less optimistic and more cautious.
The issue is not personalities. It is structural.
Nigeria has attempted to create a modern national energy company while preserving an old political control model. That contradiction lies at the heart of NNPC Ltd’s difficulties.
In theory, NNPC Ltd belongs to Nigerians. In practice, Nigerians can only exercise ownership indirectly through the state. Effective governing authority rests largely with the presidency, which appoints ministers, directors and senior executives. The result is layered ownership, centralised power and diffused accountability.
Such a model rarely produces transformational institutions.
Boards struggle to exercise independent authority when ultimate political power lies elsewhere. Management teams find themselves constrained by political calculations, competing interests and administrative caution. Commercial logic often yields to state expediency. Decisions that should take weeks can take months. Problems that should be solved commercially become prolonged disputes.
No serious company can thrive under those conditions.
This helps explain why many of the operational weaknesses associated with the old NNPC remain visible in the new NNPC Ltd.
Joint ventures remain less effective than they should be. Technical and financial service agreements are not always managed with sufficient urgency. Asset optimisation remains slow. Internal coordination appears weak. Cost discipline is uneven. A culture of delay still competes with the need for delivery.
The greatest tragedy is that Nigeria is not suffering from a lack of resources. It is suffering from underperformance.
Several producing assets continue to illustrate this failure. OML 18, OML 24, OML 42, OML 123 and OML124 are examples often cited in industry discussions as assets whose potential has not been fully realised. Some remain constrained by evacuation challenges, unresolved commercial disputes, infrastructure limitations or management bottlenecks.
These are not geological failures. They are governance failures.
An oil‑producing nation with Nigeria’s reserves should not be struggling to maximise already discovered and producing assets. Such matters ought to be resolved through competent negotiation, decisive leadership and disciplined execution.
Instead, opportunities are delayed while national needs grow.
The economic cost is immense.
Every barrel not produced is lost revenue. Every gas molecule not commercialised is lost industrial power. Every delayed investment decision weakens confidence. Every unresolved dispute signals risk to international capital.
Investors do not wait indefinitely. Capital flows to jurisdictions where rules are clear, governance is predictable and execution is credible.
Nigeria today competes for investment not only with Angola and Guyana, but with the United States shale sector, the Middle East and emerging producers across Africa. Sentiment alone will not attract capital. Performance will.
Without deep reform, external investment will remain cautious. Joint ventures will continue to perform below potential. Oil and gas production will remain under‑optimised. Leakages will persist. Revenue pressures will intensify. And when the country’s most strategic commercial institution underperforms, the wider economy eventually pays the price.
This is why the debate around NNPC Ltd must move beyond personalities.
No chief executive, however competent, can fully succeed inside a structure designed to dilute authority and multiply interference. Likewise, no board can deliver exceptional governance if it lacks the power, autonomy or political backing to enforce standards.
Systems matter more than individuals.
It is against this backdrop that the appointment of Mr Fola Adeola to lead a presidential energy task force must be understood. The very creation of such a body is itself an admission of the depth and persistence of failure across Nigeria’s energy sector. A task force is rarely convened where systems are working; it is convened when normal structures have proven inadequate. Yet the composition of the task force raises difficult questions about continuity of reform thinking. Many of the individuals who played defining roles in Nigeria’s foundational oil and gas reforms of the early 2000s, figures such as Mallam Nasir El‑Rufai, Dr M. M. Ibrahim and Professor Yinka Omorogbe, SAN, are noticeably absent. Institutions do not reform themselves through goodwill alone; they require memory, precedent and hard‑won experience. How this task force will navigate the full breadth of Nigeria’s energy value chain, reconcile competing interests and translate diagnosis into execution remains unclear. For now, it is an experiment that warrants close observation rather than premature judgment.
Another concern is continuity of reform thinking. Many of those associated with earlier oil and gas reform efforts are no longer present in the current architecture. That is not to suggest reform belongs to any one generation, but institutions need memory. They need continuity of purpose, accumulated learning and consistency of execution.
When reform becomes episodic, progress becomes fragile.
Nigeria should by now be targeting materially higher crude production over time, while aggressively expanding gas supply for domestic power, petrochemicals, fertiliser and exports. With one of the world’s largest gas endowments, the country should be building an industrial economy around energy abundance.
Yet ambition without institutional capacity is merely rhetoric.
What then is required?
First, governance must be clarified. Ownership and accountability cannot remain blurred.
Second, the board must have genuine authority to govern, not symbolic responsibility without power.
Third, management must be empowered to act commercially within clear performance targets, insulated as far as possible from routine political intrusion.
Fourth, stranded and underperforming assets must be urgently reviewed, restructured and commercialised.
Fifth, transparency, procurement discipline, digital accountability and cost efficiency must become non‑negotiable.
Above all, national interest must prevail over internal turf battles.
To conclude, I am not an incurable pessimist. Nor am I hostile to the current leadership. I remain hopeful that course correction is still possible. But hope must be earned through measurable outcomes.
From all available records and information within the sector, one year is too short a period to fairly and objectively assess the full performance of Bayo Ojulari and his team. The scale of dysfunction inherited, particularly across the upstream and downstream value chain, means no serious transformation could have been completed within such a short time.
To his credit, there are signs of pragmatism. The willingness to move away from endlessly funding troubled refineries and to confront the burden of stranded downstream assets suggests a more realistic reading of Nigeria’s energy challenges.
Yet realism alone is not enough.
The progress visible so far is insufficient to justify stellar pass marks. But it is also too early to pronounce failure. What is clear is that the harder phase of reform still lies ahead.
My greater concern is whether the approaching political cycle will deny management the policy focus, institutional backing and difficult decisions required to succeed. Reform in Nigeria often slows when politics intensifies.
That must not happen again.
NNPC Ltd remains too important to be trapped between old inefficiencies and new distractions. Its success will strengthen public finance, investor confidence, energy security and national stability. Its failure will deepen pressures already facing the country.
For now, judgment should remain reserved, expectations should remain high, and performance should remain the only true measure.

The future of NNPC Ltd, and in many respects the future of Nigeria, will be decided not by promises, but by what happens next.

Dan D Kunle writes from Abuja.

Coalition condemns call for decentralisation of the pipeline surveillance contract, Passes Vote of Confidence on PINL



The South-South Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has condemned the call for decentralisation of the pipeline surveillance contract.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Emmanuel Abe, Joshua Atani and Princess Ebiwanno Elizabeth, said the pipeline surveillance contract is not a community development intervention fund, nor is it a social welfare platform for political appeasement.

It noted that the contract is a highly technical national security assignment supervised under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and other relevant national security agencies

The Coalition said: "After a careful review of the facts, consultations with stakeholders across the region, and assessment of operational realities on the ground, we hereby state clearly and unequivocally that calls for so-called decentralisation of the pipeline surveillance contract, as presently being canvassed by certain interests, are largely built on ignorance, misinformation, and a poor understanding of the technical, strategic, and security architecture governing crude oil asset protection in Nigeria.

"Let it be clearly stated that the pipeline surveillance contract is not an empowerment programme. It is not an amnesty package for ex-agitators.

"It is not a community development intervention fund, nor is it a social welfare platform for political appeasement.

"This contract is a highly technical national security assignment supervised under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and the relevant national security agencies, including the armed forces and intelligence institutions.

"The contract deals directly with the protection of strategic national economic assets, particularly crude oil pipelines, export lines, and associated infrastructure critical to Nigeria’s survival as an oil-producing nation.

"Such a responsibility cannot and should not be reduced to political patronage or fragmented distribution merely to satisfy sectional demands.

"The present arrangement, involving a limited number of qualified major surveillance contractors, is based on rigorous selection standards, technical competence, financial capacity, field intelligence capability, and operational investments.

"These contractors have committed enormous resources to technology deployment, including surveillance drones, marine security vessels, speed boats, communication systems, operational camps, rapid response platforms, and logistics infrastructure necessary for difficult terrain operations across creeks, swamps, and riverine corridors.

"It is therefore far easier, more efficient, and more accountable to manage three competent lead contractors that have undergone strict vetting than to create a fragmented structure that may weaken command coordination, compromise accountability, and expose critical infrastructure to renewed sabotage.

"We must also correct the false narrative suggesting that the current arrangement constitutes monopoly. The present system is far from a monopoly.

"The lead contractor merely functions as a major project manager within a highly regulated framework. Every subcontractor under the arrangement is approved through processes involving the National Security Adviser, the NNPCL, and Defence Headquarters. Subcontracting is not arbitrary; it is structured, monitored, and regulated by government institutions.

"This means that the pricing, operational responsibilities, payment structures, and deployment terms are all subject to approval by the relevant authorities. There is no room for exploitation, and certainly no room for the kind of misleading claims suggesting that major contractors collect huge sums while subcontractors receive insignificant allocations.

"The figures and rates paid to subcontractors are scrutinized and approved to ensure fairness, transparency, and operational effectiveness.

"Those currently agitating loudly for decentralisation without understanding these mechanisms are, in many cases, already beneficiaries within the subcontracting framework. Many of them are being carried along under the same contract they publicly criticise.

"This is why we strongly submit that much of the agitation is driven not by policy understanding, but by what can best be described as an Oliver Twist mentality, an endless appetite for more without sufficient regard for national interest, technical realities, or security implications."

The Coalition said the current arrangement in the contract is work particularly in the eastern corridor where Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited has demonstrated outstanding results.

"We also urge the Federal Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and all relevant security institutions to remain focused on performance indicators and national interest rather than pressure from sectional agitators who may not fully appreciate the implications of destabilising current gains.

"We also call on stakeholders across the Niger Delta to resist divisive narratives capable of undermining hard-earned progress in oil asset protection.

"The region has suffered too much from crude theft, environmental degradation, and insecurity to return to failed experiments.

"Our position remains firm: Performance must remain the basis for confidence, and on that basis, PINL has earned public endorsement."

INEC Ceases Recognition of David Mark-Led Caretaker Committee, A Case of Political Suicide and “Bad Market”

By: Dumebi Kachikwu

Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), issued a scathing response today following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withdraw recognition from the Senator David Mark-led caretaker committee.

Following a recent court ruling, INEC announced it will no longer recognize any faction within the ADC until all pending legal matters are resolved. Kachikwu described the development as a predictable consequence of "political suicide" by established elites who attempted to hijack the party’s structures.


Kachikwu traced the current crisis back to August 2022, following the expiration of Ralph Nwosu’s tenure as chairman. He alleged that the party was "sold" to political actors—described as "geriatrics"—who had previously exhausted their influence in other platforms and were seeking a vehicle for a "grudge match" against the current administration.

"How did hundreds of so-called political giants get sucked into this quicksand?" Kachikwu questioned. "These men, who have held sway over Nigeria for forty years, jumped from the SDP to the ADC in the middle of the night. They have no ideology, no belief system, and stand for nothing except the notion that power is their birthright."


The statement highlighted a fundamental clash between the party’s original grassroots base and the incoming "political giants." Kachikwu pointed to plans by the now-unrecognized committee to hike party congress forms from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000—a move he claims was designed specifically to disenfranchise the poor.

"They claim to seek office to better the lot of the masses, yet they cannot tolerate being in a party where the masses hold sway," Kachikwu remarked.


Addressing those who joined the ADC under the David Mark-led faction with hopes of contesting the 2027 general elections, Kachikwu was blunt:

He warned that the actions of these "old men" have rendered any political aspiration through this faction a "nonstarter."

With numerous cases headed for the Supreme Court, Kachikwu asserted that the only way for the faction to prevail would be for the court to "change Monday to Saturday."

He rejected the "one-party state" narrative, urging genuine contenders to look to other established parties, such as the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, and others, rather than a hijacked ADC.

Kachikwu concluded by suggesting a deeper, more cynical motive behind the chaos, hinting at a potential conspiracy with the ruling APC to destabilize the opposition.

"I have now accepted that these old men are masters of the game.

To enter the ADC knowing there is no legal pathway suggests a conspiracy to make a fool of us all," Kachikwu stated. "My consolation is that you can fool man, but you can’t fool God. God wins."

By: Olufemi Lawson


For many retired civil servants in Ondo State, the years preceding the current administration were marked by anxiety, prolonged waiting, and painful uncertainty. Pensioners who had devoted the most productive years of their lives to public service often found themselves trapped in endless queues of verification, delayed gratuities, and financial hardship, while many battled age-related health challenges without the comfort of receiving their lawful entitlements.

In several instances, retirees openly lamented that gratuity arrears had become a recurring burden rather than a guaranteed right, with some sadly passing away before receiving what they had earned after decades of service. The backlog of pension obligations accumulated over the years became one of the most sensitive welfare issues confronting successive administrations in the state.

It is against this difficult background that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s recent disbursement of ₦2.466 billion to 733 retirees who left service in 2018 and 2019 stands as more than a fiscal exercise; it represents a deliberate moral intervention aimed at restoring dignity to senior citizens who had waited too long for justice.

At the flag-off ceremony in Akure, the governor made it clear that retirement should never translate into abandonment, but should instead be a period of honour and peace after years of sacrifice. That message resonates deeply because it addresses a long-standing emotional and social wound among pensioners in the state.

What makes this intervention particularly significant is that it is not an isolated gesture. Since assuming office, Governor Aiyedatiwa has steadily built a record of structured gratuity payments. In October 2025, his administration released about ₦2.396 billion to clear gratuity arrears for 2016 and 2017 retirees, an exercise widely acknowledged as one of the largest bulk payments made to state retirees in recent years.

Before that, his government had also sustained monthly releases estimated at ₦180 million specifically targeted at gratuity arrears, while regular pension payments continued at both state and local government levels.

The January 2026 payment of ₦1.013 billion covering gratuities for 2015, 2016 and 2017 Batch B retirees further reinforced that this administration had chosen consistency over rhetoric. That intervention ensured that beneficiaries who had waited for years began to receive long-overdue relief, while confidence gradually returned among retirees that government promises could still be trusted.

Now, with the fresh ₦2.4 billion disbursement covering 2018 and 2019 retirees, Governor Aiyedatiwa has demonstrated a clear sequence: clear one backlog, move deliberately to the next, and maintain transparency in the process.

This continuity explains why the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has repeatedly acknowledged the administration’s responsiveness. Their public commendation is rooted not merely in speeches, but in visible interventions — including the earlier presentation of an 18-seater bus to pensioners and the sustained engagement with retirees’ welfare needs.

Beyond the figures, the governor’s most important political statement may be his insistence that workers’ welfare will not be politicised. In a country where pension payments are sometimes deployed as political bargaining tools, that declaration signals a governance philosophy anchored on obligation rather than convenience.

His assurance that all outstanding arrears will eventually be cleared is therefore significant because it comes with visible evidence of phased implementation already underway.

Of course, challenges remain. Some categories of retirees, including certain institutional pensioners, still await full settlement of older entitlements, and isolated complaints continue to emerge from specific agencies. Yet even within that reality, the broader policy direction under the present administration shows measurable movement compared to the stagnation many pensioners endured in previous years.

The true measure of leadership often lies in how government treats those who no longer occupy productive economic space but whose past labour built the institutions society now depends upon. In this regard, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s approach to gratuity payments has introduced a human face into fiscal administration.

By choosing to honour retirees amid competing financial pressures, his administration is sending a powerful message: service to the state will not be forgotten.

For pensioners across Ondo State, that message is not merely political, it is personal, timely, and deeply reassuring.


Comrade Olufemi Lawson is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Enlightenment.

By Taiwo Akerele PhD

The 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja is a highly significant political event in Nigeria’s democratic calendar, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

With thousands of delegates estimated at over 7,000 from across the federation converging in the Federal Capital Territory, the convention represents not just a routine party gathering but a strategic moment that could shape the political direction of the ruling party and the broader national political landscape.


Importance and Significance

First, the convention is important because it serves as the highest decision-making gathering of the party, where major leadership and structural decisions are taken. At the event, delegates elect or confirm members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)—the body responsible for managing the affairs of the party nationwide. This process helps consolidate internal democracy and determine who will guide the party’s political strategy in the coming years.


Second, the convention is significant because it comes at a time when the ruling party is preparing for the 2027 Nigerian general election, which will determine the presidency, National Assembly, and state governments. As such, the gathering acts as a political rallying point where the party aligns its leadership structure and messaging ahead of a major electoral contest.

Third, the convention is also a test of unity and internal cohesion within the party. What might normally be routine party administration has become a defining moment that could influence the party’s electoral prospects and stability.

Expectations from the Convention


Several expectations surround the convention:
Election or affirmation of party leadership:

Delegates are expected to vote on key national officers who will drive the party toward the next elections.

Strategic political alignment:

Stakeholders—including governors, legislators, and party leaders—are expected to use the convention to consolidate alliances and clarify political directions.

Strengthening party structures:

Outcomes from earlier ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses will be ratified at the convention.

Policy and constitutional review:

The convention may consider amendments to parts of the party’s constitution to align with current political realities.

Key Highpoints of the Convention
Some of the major highlights likely to define the event include:
Large national participation:

Thousands of delegates and party leaders gathering in Abuja demonstrates the APC’s organizational capacity and national reach.

Leadership contests and negotiations:

Positions within the party structure often attract strong political interests from influential stakeholders.

Strategic messaging ahead of 2027:

The convention will likely showcase achievements of the ruling party and set the tone for campaign narratives.

Institutional coordination: Multiple committees have been established to manage logistics, security, and accreditation, reflecting the scale and importance of the event.

Key Issues Likely to Dominate Discussions
A few issues are expected to shape debates and decisions during the convention:
Zoning arrangements and power balance within the party’s leadership positions.

Influence of key political actors, including governors and national leaders, in determining the party’s direction.

Preparation for the 2027 elections, including mobilization, party membership expansion, and campaign planning.

Maintaining unity and managing competing interests among party factions across states.
Overall Outlook
In summary, the APC 2026 National Convention in Abuja is more than a party meeting—it is a strategic political milestone that will shape leadership decisions, strengthen party organization, and set the tone for Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

The scale of participation, the leadership stakes involved, and the political timing make it one of the most consequential events in the ruling party’s internal calendar and in Nigeria’s evolving democratic process.

Ondo AG Fires Back with Measured Fury: Labels Festus Adedayo’s Piece “Intellectual Terrorism” and “Cyberbullying” Laden with “Malicious Lies”


In a rare and forceful public intervention, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, has issued a blistering, intellectually rigorous rebuttal to veteran columnist Festus Adedayo’s opinion article “Aiyedatiwa’s Years of the Locusts,” published February 22, 2026.

The Attorney-General, who has long maintained a posture of restraint befitting his high office, explained that he had previously been constrained by the dignity and impartiality required of his position not to engage in public banter or respond to partisan commentary. However, he stated unequivocally that what he read from Adedayo—whom he described as a writer for whom he harbours “tremendous respect”—was not journalism as he knows it, but rather “intellectual terrorism” “cyberbullying” and “a deliberate cocktail of malicious lies” that carries “precarious liabilities.”

Ajulo declared that the piece had crossed into territory that could no longer be ignored; “When a decorated and senior writer descends into calling a democratically elected leader a ‘vulture with talons soaked in blood and greed,’ fabricates a ‘third-term ambition’ likened to Sani Abacha, and peddles the outrageous falsehood of ‘retarded and arrested development’ despite verifiable, monumental achievements, the line has been crossed from opinion into actionable libel per se. This should not be dignified with silence by every man of conscience.”

Presenting what he termed an “irrefutable dossier of facts and numbers,” the AG dismantled the central claims of the article with forensic precision:

• Infrastructure: Over 190 kilometres of quality roads commissioned and advanced across the three senatorial districts in the first year of the elected mandate (February 2025–February 2026). Key projects include the 6 km Aiyegunle–Iwaro Oka Road (long abandoned by previous administrations), which the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, publicly praised as one “previous administrations failed to accomplish,” stating that “Governor Aiyedatiwa has written his name in the hearts of our people.” Other named roads: 5.5 km Igoba Township Road, Alagbaka Extension, Gbangbalogun–Odole–Odiolowo, Lao–Oke Padre–Odopetu, Ecobank–Oke Arata, Ajegunle, Oja Oshodi, SK Bright Street, Ayeloro Street, and Owo clusters (Falodun, Kajola, Iselu–Isuada spanning 3.5 km).
• Healthcare: 112 primary healthcare centres renovated or newly constructed across all 18 LGAs and now operational; massive expansion of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme; commissioning of the 100,000-litre solar-powered Omi Irorun O’Datiwa Water Project at FUTA Teaching Hospital serving over 6,000 residents; recent commissioning of new centres in Adegbola (Akure) and Surulere (Ondo).

• Education: 280 classrooms constructed or renovated, plus perimeter fencing of numerous schools while over 2000 teachers have been employed.

• Economy: Revalidation of the Ondo Deep Sea Port licence and advancement of refinery and petrochemical projects with strategic partners.

On the tragic APC ward congress violence in Idanre (February 18–19, 2026), Ajulo reiterated that “Governor Aiyedatiwa immediately and publicly condemned it in the strongest terms, distanced his administration completely, directed security agencies to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators without fear or favour (13 suspects already arrested), and has cooperated fully with federal authorities, including a meeting with President Tinubu and various stakeholders; an act of transparent accountability, not orchestration”

He described any imputation of criminal acts by miscreants and political opportunists to the Governor as “only reckless but potentially seditious.”

Ajulo categorically rejected claims of a “third-term ambition,” affirming the Governor’s focus solely on the four-year “OUR EASE” mandate renewed in November 2024. He dismissed allegations of misuse of state funds for personal legal matters as “baseless rumour,” stating: “Under my watch as Attorney-General, not a kobo has been expended on legal matters where Governor Aiyedatiwa is sued privately or personally.”

Invoking Sections 373–381 of the Criminal Code Act and the common-law tort of libel, Ajulo warned that the false imputations of criminality, corruption, and gross incompetence constitute libel per se and carry “precarious liabilities.” He placed Adedayo and any sponsors on formal notice of intent to pursue full legal redress.

In closing, the Attorney-General portrayed Governor Aiyedatiwa as “a tested, compassionate, divinely positioned servant-leader” who has delivered stability, empathy, and accelerated progress while honouring past legacies and adding bold new strides. “The resilient people of Ondo know the truth—they walk the roads, access the healthcare, and see the difference,” Ajulo concluded. “The sun of Ondo State shines brighter than ever. No amount of sponsored vitriol from merchants of falsehood can dim it.”

The statement, personally signed by the AG, on February 23, 2026, has sparked intense discussion across political and media circles in Ondo State and beyond.

Reps Aspirant Igbinovia hails Okpebholo over 54 construction equipment for councils
……Welcomes Wike to Edo

An aspirant for the House of Representatives, Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Felix Osaze Igbinovia, has commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over the acquisition and distribution of 54 road construction equipment to local government councils across the state.

Describing the move as unprecedented, Igbinovia said Governor Okpebholo has set a new benchmark in grassroots infrastructure development by equipping local councils with payloaders, tipping trucks, and other heavy-duty machinery to strengthen road rehabilitation efforts.

In a statement issued in Benin City on Sunday, the aspirant noted that the governor’s decision was commendable and a deliberate commitment to decentralizing development and empowering local governments to directly address infrastructural challenges within their communities.

His words, “The acquisition of 54 construction equipment shows the seriousness Governor Okpebholo attaches to infrastructure development. This intervention will significantly boost road rehabilitation at the grassroots and accelerate economic activities across the state,” he said.

Igbinovia also called on Edo residents to come out en masse to welcome the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, who is expected in the state for the official commissioning and distribution of the equipment to the local government councils.

According to him, once deployed and put into use, the equipment will stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance commerce and trade across all 18 local government areas.

According to him, “With this bold step, Governor Okpebholo is not just paving roads, he is paving solutions. The impact of these construction equipment will be visible in improved road networks, faster project delivery, and measurable development outcomes within a short time,” he added.

He further described the initiative as one of the most strategic infrastructure investments by any state government in recent times, particularly as it directly strengthens local government capacity where development is most urgently needed.

OUR EASE: Celebrating Ondo State’s Bold Judicial Reforms under Ajulo, A Worthy Appointment for the Office of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice


..... by Olufemi Lawson


In a move that clearly defines visionary governance, the Ondo State Governor’s decision to appoint Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, CON, and Mayegun Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, deserves commendation. The governor’s foresight in selecting a custodian of justice with a track record of reform, advocacy, and public service signals a deliberate redefining of the leadership of the Ministry of Justice in Ondo State. Under Dr. Ajulo’s stewardship, the judiciary in Ondo State has witnessed a series of transformative interventions that speak to accountability, accessibility, and the rule of law, hallmarks of a modern, people-centered justice system.


A track record of reform and modernization Ajulo’s tenure is associated with a deliberate program to modernize and digitize justice administration, improve access to justice for all residents, and strengthen the integrity of the system. The governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration is recognized for adopting reforms that align with contemporary best practices in governance, with Ajulo at the helm of the justice ministry as both strategist and implementer. The result, it is argued, is a more responsive, transparent, and efficient ministry that can better serve the needs of Ondo State’s diverse communities.


At the moment, a state-of-the-art aspiration becoming a reality One of the most visible markers of reform of the ministry, under Ajulo is the ongoing construction of a Judiciary Village. This ambitious project is designed to provide a state-of-the-art accommodation and functional hub for the judiciary in Ondo State. The envisioned complex promises modern courtrooms, stable judicial facilities, and integrated spaces for administrative operations, training, and public engagement. When completed, the Judiciary Village will be a tangible symbol of the state’s commitment to delivering timely justice, safeguarding the environments in which judges and court staff operate, and fostering an atmosphere where the public can have confidence in the administration of justice.


Also, is the Ondo State Modern Law Library. It is a known fact, that knowledge as the engine of justice Complementing court infrastructure is the modernization of Ondo State’s law library. The remodeling initiative, paired with the provision of contemporary research materials and an information system, is designed to enhance the capabilities of state law officers. A robust law library serves the backbone of informed judicial decision-making, enabling prosecutors, defense counsel, and judges to access authoritative resources quickly. The modernization project is widely viewed as a critical step toward elevating the quality of legal research, training, and professional development within the Ondo State justice ecosystem.


Another important achievement, is the determinatio of the ministry, in strengthening definitions, deterrence, and punishment for offenders. The Ajulo’s leadership has supported and overseen legal reforms aimed at addressing crime comprehensively. This includes amendments to key anti-crime statutes, anti-kidnapping, anti-cultism, rape, and other serious offenses, to ensure clearer definitions, broader coverage, and more stringent penalties for convicted offenders. These reforms are positioned as essential components of a modern public safety framework, designed to deter criminal activity, protect vulnerable populations, and provide clearer pathways for prosecution and punishment that reflect contemporary societal norms and the gravity of offenses.


In the areas of Community justice reform, the Ondo state Ministry of Justice, is empowering grassroots administration A further pillar of reform under Ajulo is the expansion of community justice through the appointment of additional customary court judges. By strengthening grassroots justice administration, the state seeks quicker access to justice for ordinary citizens and more culturally attuned dispute resolution mechanisms. The initiative is framed as a pragmatic approach to reducing backlogs, delivering timely decisions, and enhancing community trust in the justice system, while maintaining respect for Yoruba cultural institutions and customary law traditions where appropriate.


In the area of Civil society engagement and democratic accountability Dr. Ajulo’s long-standing involvement in Nigeria’s civil society, notably as a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement, is seen as a strength in his current role. There is no doubt, that his background supports a governance model rooted in transparent engagement with civil society, robust monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. Under the incumbent administration of Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State government is framed as maintaining cordial engagement with civil society to ensure governance is properly monitored and held to account. Ajulo’s network and experience are presented as valuable assets in sustaining this dynamic.


Considering the Outlook and expectations under the OUR EASE agenda As the state continues to implement its OUR EASE agenda, the role of Kayode Ajulo, in this administration, is seen as instrumental in repositioning the judiciary to align with the administration’s reform priorities.

That said, Stakeholders expect the Attorney General to advance policy directions that deepen judicial efficiency, empower citizens with greater access to justice, and sustain the momentum of reform across infrastructure, legislative updates, and civil society collaboration.


Even as an insider, I consider this as a call, for continued leadership and accountability. I expectDr. Ajulo to continue leveraging his experience, reformist energy, and legal acumen to push the Ondo state justice ministry toward greater achievements. The practical expectations are clear: complete the Judiciary Village, finalize and equip the modern law library for full operational capacity, implement the anti-crime reforms with robust oversight, and sustain community justice programs that expand access to fair adjudication at the grassroots level. Equally important is sustaining constructive collaboration with civil society to uphold accountability, transparency, and good governance across Ondo State.


Finally, as a recommitment to justice as a public trust In acknowledging Dr. Kayode Ajulo’s appointment, Ondo State signals its commitment to a justice system defined by modern facilities, rigorous legal standards, and accessible justice for all residents. The governor’s choice embodies the aspiration to harmonize reform with tradition, ensuring that the state’s justice administration remains responsive to the needs of a dynamic society while upholding the rule of law. As the OUR EASE agenda moves forward, the onus is on the Attorney General to translate expectation into measurable reform, continuing the positive trajectory and positioning Ondo’s judiciary as a model for robust governance and transparent accountability.


Comrade Olufemi Lawson is the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ondo Stay on Public Enlightenment.

Elites Attempt Hijack, ADC Jigawa Stands Firm for True Party Democracy

By: Dr. Musa Isa Matara

The Jigawa State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious concerns over recent actions by some individuals within the national leadership of the party, describing such actions as unconstitutional, undemocratic and capable of undermining party unity, internal democracy and grassroots confidence in Jigawa State and beyond.

In a media statement released in Dutse, the ADC Jigawa State Secretary, Dr. Musa Isa Matara, said it had become necessary to set the record straight for the benefit of party members, supporters and the general public on the true nature of the crisis affecting the party in Jigawa State.
According to him, the ADC structure in Jigawa State is solid, functional and highly formidable, with duly constituted leadership and membership structures from polling units and wards through local governments, zones and up to the state level. He explained that before the coalition arrangement, ADC Jigawa had already built a strong grassroots base and an internally accepted leadership structure.
Dr. Matara recalled that following the unveiling of the ADC-led coalition, the coalition team from Jigawa State joined the party through a proper, transparent and constitutional process. He noted that a series of meetings were held involving ADC leaders and coalition partners, during which structures were harmonised, responsibilities were shared and leadership roles were distributed in a manner that reflected inclusiveness, balance and mutual respect.
He stressed that from the first day of the coalition to date, there was no crisis in Jigawa State, as both long-standing ADC members and coalition entrants worked together harmoniously. According to him, activities were jointly carried out, decisions were collectively taken and party growth remained steady across the state.
He further explained that this unity was also demonstrated when Jigawa State was allocated national positions within the party. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that Hon. Bashir Adamu Jimbo Matawallen Kazaure should represent the state as National Chancellor of Policy and Special Duties, while Hon. Ali Tukur Gantsa was endorsed as Assistant National Organising Secretary. He described this consensus as a reflection of ADC’s commitment to dialogue and collective decision-making rather than imposition.
Dr. Matara stated that the present crisis only emerged recently following undue interference by some actors at the national level, particularly regarding the Membership Registration, Mobilisation and Revalidation (MRMR) Committee. He explained that Jigawa stakeholders duly submitted a list of ten committee members in line with party procedure, out of which Dr. Yau Balarabe Musa was appointed chairman and AMB Basira Yahaya was appointed secretary.
According to him, this list enjoyed broad acceptance among party leaders, coalition partners and grassroots members across the state.

However, he revealed that pressure was later mounted from certain quarters at the national level to alter the list and impose a different MRMR secretary linked to elite interests and external political camps.
Dr. Matara stated categorically that ADC Jigawa has rejected the imposed MRMR secretary and any form of imposition engineered by elite deal makers within the national leadership. He emphasised that ADC is a grassroots party built on participation, consultation and constitutional order, not secret agreements reached by a few individuals and forced on states without their consent. He warned that Jigawa State will not accept decisions taken over its head by people who neither built the party structure in the state nor invested the time, resources and sacrifices required to sustain it.

Addressing speculations surrounding the possible entry of Sule Lamido into the party, Dr. Matara clarified that ADC Jigawa has no problem with Lamido joining the coalition. He described Lamido as a respected elder statesman and former leader in Jigawa State whose political experience is widely acknowledged. However, he insisted that any such entry must follow due process, beginning with proper membership procedures and engagement with existing party structures, rather than attempts to impose leadership or dismantle established arrangements from the top.

He warned that imposing individuals or structures in Jigawa State under the guise of coalition politics could weaken ADC’s credibility as a national opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Drawing lessons from the internal crises that weakened other major political parties in the past, he cautioned that ignoring internal democracy has historically led to divisions, defections and electoral decline.
Dr. Matara concluded by calling on the ADC national leadership to exercise restraint, respect the autonomy of Jigawa State and immediately reverse all imposed decisions relating to the MRMR committee. He reaffirmed that ADC Jigawa remains loyal to the party and committed to its growth, unity and success, but will firmly resist any attempt to hijack its structure, undermine its dignity or invalidate the collective will of its members.

Ondo State, fondly celebrated as the Sunshine State, will clock 50 years on February 3rd, 2026, with a rich sense of history, pride in collective achievement, and renewed optimism for the future. Created on February 3, 1976, out of the old Western State during the military administration of General Murtala Mohammed, Ondo State was conceived as a home for a people renowned for industry, intellect, cultural depth and an unyielding commitment to progress. Fifty years on, the state stands tall as one of Nigeria’s most culturally endowed and human-capital-rich sub-national entities.

The creation of Ondo State marked a defining moment for its people, bringing governance closer to the grassroots and providing an opportunity for focused development. From its early days, the state leveraged its agricultural potential, vibrant civil service, strong traditional institutions and an educated population to lay the foundations for growth. Towns and communities across the state contributed to building a sense of shared identity anchored on hard work, integrity and communal values.

Over the last five decades, Ondo State has recorded notable milestones in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and human capital development. The state has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s finest professionals, academics, jurists, technocrats, artists, entrepreneurs and public servants, many of whom have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally.

Agriculture has remained a backbone of the state’s economy, with cocoa production placing Ondo State at the forefront nationally, while investments in education have sustained its reputation as a cradle of learning. Despite challenges common to developing societies, the resilience and enterprise of the Ondo State people have continued to drive progress.

The return to democratic governance in 1999 ushered in a new era of participatory development and institutional strengthening. Successive administrations, with varying philosophies and priorities, have contributed to shaping the modern Ondo State. Democracy expanded civic engagement, enhanced accountability, and enabled long-term planning in key sectors such as education, health, road infrastructure and social welfare.

This democratic journey has not been without challenges, but it has reinforced the people’s belief in dialogue, constitutionalism and collective responsibility as pathways to sustainable development.

The commemoration of Ondo State’s Golden Jubilee under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is deeply symbolic. It presents a historic opportunity to reflect on the past, assess the present, and chart a clear, people-centered path for the future.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has articulated the OUR EASE Agenda, a development blueprint focused on Opportunity, Unity, Resilience, Economic growth, Security and Education. As Ondo State marks 50 years, this agenda represents a commitment to inclusive governance, economic revitalization, social stability and improved quality of life for citizens.

The Golden Jubilee is therefore not merely a celebration of age, but a reaffirmation of purpose, a moment to consolidate gains, correct gaps, and mobilize the collective energy of the people towards accelerated development.

At the heart of Ondo State’s success story are its people, those at home and in the diaspora. Ondo indigenes across the world continue to excel in diverse fields, projecting the state’s values of excellence, diligence and integrity. Their remittances, investments, advocacy and expertise remain invaluable to the state’s development journey.

This Golden Jubilee is a tribute to farmers, teachers, artisans, traders, professionals, traditional rulers, youths and women whose daily contributions sustain the state’s progress.

As Ondo State looks beyond 50 years, the road ahead demands unity, shared sacrifice and unwavering support for purposeful leadership. Now more than ever, citizens must rally around the incumbent administration to actualize the OUR EASE Agenda and unlock its expected gains, economic diversification, job creation, improved infrastructure, enhanced security and human capital development.

The next chapter of Ondo State’s story must be written with collective resolve, civic responsibility and a renewed social contract between government and the governed.

Ondo State at 50 is a celebration of heritage, resilience and hope. It is a moment to honor the past, appreciate the present, and boldly embrace the future. With visionary leadership, an engaged citizenry and sustained unity of purpose, the Sunshine State is well-positioned to shine even brighter in the decades ahead.

Happy Golden Jubilee, Ondo State!



Comrade Olufemi Lawson is the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, on Public Enlightenment. He sent in this piece from Akure.

Stakeholders Slam Okpebholo Over "Dehumanizing" Sacking of Party Loyalists in Government



A wave of resentment and "loud grumblings" has gripped the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as party stakeholders, led by the prominent grassroots mobilizer Famous Oboh, have raised an alarm over the incessant and public dismissal of core party members serving in the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.


The group expressed deep concern that the Governor’s penchant for relieving officials of their duties via press statements—often citing corruption and financial negligence without fair hearing—is causing irreversible reputational damage to individuals who sacrificed their resources and safety during the eight years of the previous administration.
A Pattern of Isolation and Betrayal
Speaking on behalf of the concerned stakeholders, Famous Oboh noted that in the last 12 months, no fewer than 10 high-ranking APC members have been unceremoniously sacked. These dismissals, often signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Musa Umaru Ikhilor, are being described as a "set-up" designed to isolate the party rank and file from the government they worked hard to install.

"It is dehumanizing," a recently dropped Commissioner lamented. "You can have dinner with the Governor, and before you even reach your house, a press statement announcing your sack is already viral on social media. We are being denied the basic right to defend ourselves."

The stakeholders highlighted several cases of "political heartlessness," including:

Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon: A PhD holder who was reportedly convinced by the Governor to serve, only to be sacked while sitting at her desk without prior notice.

Barr. Damian Lawani and Alhaji Ahmed Musa: Noted for their roles in wooing delegates during the primaries, yet discarded without a "blink of an eyelid."

Mr. Fred Itua: A renowned journalist and former Chief Press Secretary whose sudden removal and "purported redeployment" sent shockwaves through the media community.

The list of affected officials includes:
Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie PhD – Commissioner for Justice & Attorney General

Alhaji Ahmed Musa – MD, Edo State Erosion Management Agency (NEWMAP)

Barr. Damian Lawani – Executive Director, Local Govt. Service Commission

Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon PhD – Executive Chairman, SSEB

Ms. Tinyan Otuomagbe PhD – MD, Edo Line Limited

Barr. Felix Isere – Special Adviser on Oil and Gas

Tony Ikpasaja PhD – MD, EDO-GIS

Mr. Fred Itua – Former Chief Press Secretary (CPS)

Osayomon Aiguobasinwin – MD, State Signage Agency

Allegations of Sectional Bias
The Oboh-led group further alleged a disturbing trend of "selective justice." They observed that while officials from Edo North and Edo South are publicly disgraced and sacked, officials from Edo Central (the Governor’s home district) facing similar allegations are reportedly given a "pat on the back" and quietly reprimanded behind closed doors.


A former Commissioner and current House of Representatives aspirant from Edo North warned that the uncertainty surrounding tenures has reached a breaking point. "Many serving cabinet members are now considering voluntary resignation to pursue elective positions rather than wait for the 'guillotine' of a midnight press release," he stated.

Famous Oboh and the concerned stakeholders are calling on the national leadership of the APC to intervene before this internal disenchantment destroys the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.

"The credibility of our members is being auctioned for cheap political points," Oboh concluded. "Time shall tell how this ends, but the brewing storm cannot be ignored."

NDPHC’s Engr. Jennifer Adighije Led Management, Exceeds 2025 Goals Beyond Expectations


By Emma Isa
Public Affairs/Policy Analyst
donelliot3@gmail.com


The year 2025 stands out as a defining chapter in the transformation of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). Under the focused and results-driven leadership of Engr. Jennifer Adighije, the management team not only met its operational and financial targets but exceeded expectations in ways that have strengthened Nigeria’s power sector and delivered significant value to government and citizens.


One of the most remarkable achievements of the year was the restoration of about 750 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity across NDPHC’s fleet of gas turbines. This intervention significantly improved the availability of power assets and reinforced NDPHC’s role as a critical stabiliser in the national grid.


In a major demonstration of accountability and asset recovery, the company successfully retrieved 110 containers that had been abandoned at the ports for over a decade, saving the organisation and the Government over ₦20 billion. This bold action underscored the management’s zero tolerance for waste and institutional neglect.


On the human capital front, Engr. Adighije’s leadership prioritised staff welfare and operational efficiency, with the conversion of 180 third-party contract staff to full-time direct hires, the move which boosted morale, enhanced productivity, and ensured better continuity in operations.


Financial recoveries also featured prominently in the 2025 scorecard. NDPHC secured over $10 million in insurance claims from underwriters on long standing pending cases, while also recovering more than $12 million in legacy debts from bilateral customers. Funds that directly improved the company’s liquidity position.


Equally significant was the resolution of a long standing dispute in gas supply agreements, which led to contract amendments that saved the Government millions of dollars and ensured more sustainable gas supply arrangements for power generation.


Operational discipline yielded further dividends, with the company recording an impressive 75% reduction in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs, reflecting improved processes, prudent expenditure, and better asset management.


Perhaps most symbolic of NDPHC’s revival agenda was the commencement of restoration works at the Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State, a 225MW facility that had been dormant for five years. Its revival signals renewed hope for host communities and contributes to the broader goal of expanding reliable power supply.

In Conclusion

These achievements illustrate a management team driven by competence, transparency, and national interest. Engr. Jennifer Adighije’s leadership in 2025 has repositioned NDPHC as a more efficient, financially responsible, and impact oriented institution, setting a strong foundation for sustained improvements in Nigeria’s power sector beyond 2025.

How Not to Defame a Saint: Gbenga Komolafe’s Unblemished Record in the Nigerian Oil Sector


In the age of instant narratives and social media-driven outrage, few things are as dangerous as unverified allegations leveled against competent public servants. Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, former Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has recently been subjected to a torrent of claims alleging corruption, asset manipulation, and revenue concealment. Yet, a careful examination of the facts reveals that these allegations are not only unfounded but also reflect a troubling pattern of targeting individuals who are effective reformers in Nigeria’s critical oil and gas sector.

Komolafe’s tenure at the NUPRC coincided with a transformative period in the Nigerian petroleum industry. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), signed into law in 2021, established a robust legal framework for regulating upstream operations, enhancing transparency, and modernizing revenue management. As CEO, Komolafe applied his extensive knowledge of petroleum law and regulatory best practices to ensure that the agency fulfilled its statutory mandate. His focus on compliance, due process, and legal integrity naturally ruffled the feathers of individuals accustomed to the old ways of doing business, and it is within this context that the recent allegations must be understood.

One of the most striking aspects of the claims against Komolafe is their audacious scope. Petitioners have accused him of controlling dozens of bank accounts, concealing billions in oil and gas revenues, and orchestrating the unlawful reduction of multiple oil mining leases. Verified records, however, demonstrate that Komolafe maintains only two bank accounts. There is no evidence to suggest that these accounts were used for illicit purposes. Such inaccuracies underscore a fundamental flaw in the allegations: they are based on conjecture and selective interpretation rather than documented proof.

It is also important to consider the behavior of the petitioner, who initially approached the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to request an investigation. Once scrutiny began, he went underground, apparently seeking a settlement that never materialized. This pattern strongly suggests that the allegations were motivated more by personal gain or retaliation than by genuine concern for regulatory compliance. Komolafe, on his part, did not kowtow to these pressures, choosing instead to operate transparently and within the bounds of the law.

Throughout his tenure, Komolafe emphasized regulatory integrity, transparency, and accountability. Any suggestion that he could single-handedly manipulate Nigeria’s upstream assets without detection ignores the complex checks and balances embedded in the PIA framework. These include multi-agency oversight, audits by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), monitoring by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and scrutiny by international partners. Claims that billions were “concealed” or that strategic oil and gas assets were mismanaged do not withstand scrutiny when the systemic regulatory and institutional safeguards are considered.

*Facts Over Fiction: Debunking Misleading Claims*

Another central allegation pertains to Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 227 and its supposed conversion to OML 146, allegedly reducing the acreage drastically. Here again, the claims misrepresent both the law and the operational reality. Regulatory approval processes under the PIA require thorough documentation, technical verification, and alignment with existing lease agreements. Any lawful conversion or adjustment is subject to board approval, ministerial ratification, and public disclosure. Komolafe’s involvement in overseeing these processes was purely administrative and statutory, consistent with his legal obligations as the NUPRC chief executive. There is no evidence of personal enrichment or unlawful action.

Similar accusations were made regarding OMLs 33, 46, and 74, purportedly reduced without proper justification. However, independent assessments reveal that all regulatory decisions during Komolafe’s tenure were conducted under the established legal framework. Assertions that portions of these leases were misappropriated or that revenues were diverted are not supported by verifiable documents or audits. They reflect a narrative constructed for maximum sensational impact rather than a factual account.

Equally misleading are claims about the operation of Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) and alleged underreporting of wells. While SEEPCO’s operations are indeed licensed, any discrepancies in reporting fall under the remit of multiple regulatory bodies, and there is no evidence that Komolafe personally facilitated any illicit operations. The insinuation that he orchestrated financial opacity or laundered proceeds through multiple bank accounts is categorically false and inconsistent with both public records and his documented professional conduct.

*Preserving Integrity and Justice*

Komolafe’s career exemplifies the highest standards of public service. His commitment to legal compliance, transparency, and institutional reform was evident in every decision taken at the NUPRC. Allegations rooted in hearsay, unverified documents, or personal vendettas not only threaten his reputation but also undermine broader governance reforms. When reformers are targeted without due process, it signals to the nation’s bureaucracy and private sector that compliance, professionalism, and integrity may be punished rather than rewarded.

It is also essential to consider the principle of proportionality in accountability. Public servants must be evaluated on the basis of evidence, not conjecture or political expediency. Komolafe’s resignation from office should be viewed within the normal course of administrative transition, not as an admission of guilt. He acted within his statutory powers, and there is no credible evidence linking him to corruption or fraudulent manipulation of assets.

Civil society organizations, media professionals, and regulatory stakeholders must recognize the dangers of perpetuating unverified claims. While oversight and accountability are non-negotiable in a democratic system, the deployment of inflammatory allegations without substantiation amounts to character assassination. Nigeria’s petroleum sector, already complex and strategically critical, cannot afford the destabilizing effects of misinformation and false narratives.

In this context, Komolafe’s example is instructive. He navigated an era of major reform, applying his expertise to safeguard national interests while maintaining professional integrity. His conduct demonstrates that effective regulatory leadership is possible without succumbing to personal enrichment, nepotism, or corruption.

The path forward for Nigeria’s extractive industry lies in institutional strengthening, transparency, and evidence-based oversight. Petitions and claims should be rigorously investigated, but the presumption of innocence must be maintained. Komolafe’s record should remind policymakers, journalists, and civic actors alike that constructive reformers are assets to the nation, not targets for defamatory campaigns.

In conclusion, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe’s tenure as NUPRC chief executive reflects dedication, legality, and reformist zeal. To defame a public servant without evidence is not only unfair to the individual but detrimental to national development.

Civil Society Faults Dangote’s Public Claims Against NMDPRA, Calls for Due Process


The League of Civil Society Groups has criticised recent public comments by President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, calling for a probe of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, describing the move as unnecessary and contrary to due process.

Speaking in Abuja, Ambassador Akoshile Mukhtar, President of the League of Civil Society Groups, said while the right to seek accountability is fundamental, raising allegations in the public space without first approaching the appropriate statutory authorities was “rather low” and potentially damaging to institutional stability.

Mukhtar noted that if Dangote or any corporate entity had genuine concerns regarding regulatory conduct, the proper channels were available, including formal petitions to oversight bodies such as the National Assembly, the Code of Conduct Bureau, or other relevant anti-corruption agencies.

“Civil society believes in accountability, but accountability must follow due process. If there are issues, they should be presented to the appropriate authorities with evidence, not turned into public accusations that undermine confidence in national institutions,” Mukhtar said.

The League argued that the NMDPRA, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), has a clear mandate to regulate Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors in a transparent and competitive manner, including issuing import licences when domestic supply is insufficient to meet national demand.

According to Mukhtar, importation of petroleum products remains a legal and necessary stop-gap measure to prevent shortages, noting that no single refinery, including the Dangote Refinery, has yet met Nigeria’s full daily fuel consumption requirements.

The civil society group also questioned public price predictions attributed to Dangote, including claims that petrol prices could drop below ₦740 per litre, describing such projections as speculative and dependent on multiple variables such as foreign exchange rates, crude oil prices, supply volumes, and distribution costs.

Mukhtar further cautioned against what he described as “personal narratives and insinuations” being introduced into public discourse, stressing that allegations touching on personal conduct must be backed by evidence and handled by competent authorities, not tried in the media.

“Civil society stands for transparency, not rumor. Public discourse must be guided by facts and law, not sensationalism,” he added.

The League urged industry players, regulators, and stakeholders to engage constructively, warning that public confrontations between major investors and regulators could unsettle the sector and discourage investment at a time when Nigeria is still stabilising its post-subsidy petroleum market.

It reaffirmed its support for institutional dialogue and evidence-based engagement, calling on all parties to prioritise national interest over corporate or personal disagreements.

Dr. Taiwo Akerele on New Defence Minister: General Musa’s Military Experience Sparks Hope for Nigeria’s Security Turnaround


The recent appointment of General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence has ignited a renewed sense of optimism, with Dr. Taiwo Akerele, Executive Director of Policy House International, asserting that the move signals a crucial shift in Nigeria's defence strategy.
Speaking in a recent podcast, Dr. Akerele highlighted the profound need for change, noting that previous security sector appointments had often fallen short of public expectation. He stressed that General Musa's extensive two-decade-long military background is precisely the seasoned leadership required to effectively combat the rampant insurgency and banditry, particularly in the northern regions.

Dr. Akerele expressed strong confidence that General Moussa possesses the experience to effectively lead the fight, citing his previous commitment and capability as Chief of Defence Staff.

The Minister’s display of expertise during his confirmation hearing was described as crucial for rebuilding the military’s morale and the public’s confidence in the government's capacity to protect its citizens.

Dr. Akerele drew a vital link between improved security and economic growth. Enhanced safety for farmers and businesses is essential to boost agricultural production, reduce food inflation, and facilitate the trade needed to achieve Nigeria's ambitious one trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

Dr. Akerele urged the new leadership to prioritize investment in technology and intelligence-sharing with neighboring countries to modernize military operations and effectively address security challenges.

"The appointment of General Christopher Musa brings with it a wave of optimism," said Dr. Akerele. "The hope is that under his professional military leadership, Nigeria can finally begin to turn the tide against persistent insecurity, allowing for essential economic stability and growth."

The discussion underscores the widespread expectation that General Moussa will work collaboratively to restructure Nigeria's security architecture and implement meaningful change.

The Tinubu Support Group (TSG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hon. (Engr.) Magaji Da’u Aliyu as Deputy Director General (North). This appointment reflects his proven capacity for leadership, his deep grassroots reach, and his long-standing commitment to national development and democratic governance.

A seasoned political figure with decades of experience in public life, Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu has played a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape. Widely respected across party lines, he is known for his strategic leadership, strong administrative skills, and his consistent advocacy for reforms that directly impact citizens’ welfare.

Hon. Aliyu served two consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, representing Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency of Jigawa State. During his time in the legislature, he became one of the most influential voices in the 9th Assembly, driven by his passion for effective governance and national progress.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Power (2019–2023), he provided direction on one of Nigeria’s most sensitive and complex sectors. He championed major oversight activities, convened critical stakeholder engagements, and spearheaded interventions aimed at strengthening electricity generation, transmission, and distribution nationwide. His work earned commendation from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the leadership of the House.

Beyond the power sector, Hon. Aliyu was deeply involved in legislative debates, national policy reviews, constituency development, and political mobilization. He is widely recognized for building consensus among diverse stakeholders and maintaining strong grassroots connections—qualities that elevated his effectiveness as a representative and political leader.

Confirming his appointment, Dr. Umar Tanko Yakasai, the Director General of TSG, said:
“Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu is a man of proven integrity, dedication, and capacity. His political experience, strategic insight, and commitment to national development make him an invaluable addition to our leadership. We are confident that his contributions will further strengthen the Tinubu Support Group, especially across the northern region.”

While Hon. Aliyu’s academic credentials—including a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development and multiple professional qualifications—underscore his intellectual depth, it is his political influence, governance experience, and strategic leadership that uniquely position him for this role.

TSG congratulates Hon. (Engr.) Magaji Da’u Aliyu on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to the vision, energy, and political experience he will bring to the organization.

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASBIFI) is teetering on the brink of an unprecedented internal crisis as furious members have leveled explosive accusations of misconduct and blatant ethnic favoritism against the outgoing executive council.
Confidential sources within the association who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of "victimization" claim that ASBIFI has been systematically corrupted by a long-standing pattern of ethnic engineering, which has allegedly rendered the body’s core values and aims obsolete.


The 30-Year Monopoly Allegation
According to the dissenting members, the association's leadership history paints a damning picture: "Since the history of the association, a certain ethnic group has always produced a successor, disregarding all other qualified members," one source asserted.
This alleged ethnic monopoly, the sources claim, has been interrupted only once in the association's history. The brief, seven-year period between 1998 and 2004 saw the election of Comrade Princewill Ojay, who defied the pattern by winning and serving two consecutive terms.

"The organization has lost its value and aim. It has become a tool for advancing private, ethnic agendas instead of professional excellence," stated a veteran member.


While the focus remains squarely on the ethnic bias in succession planning, the accusations are compounded by general claims of misconduct against the current outgoing executive. Details regarding the specific nature of this misconduct remain vague, but the prevailing sentiment among the aggrieved is that the current leadership has failed to uphold the integrity and purpose of the association.


The developing scandal threatens to engulf ASBIFI at a critical juncture, raising serious questions about the transparency of its electoral processes and the future direction of one of the nation’s prominent industry bodies. ASBIFI’s outgoing executives have yet to issue a public statement addressing the damning allegations.

Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, today fiercely defended Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, calling the public outrage against him "unrighteous righteous indignation" fueled by hatred for the Minister and the government.


In a press briefing held today in Abuja, Kachikwu recounted his own recent interaction with Minister Wike over a "stop work" order on a construction site, which Wike quickly reversed, saying, “I am sorry, but my people gave me a wrong information.” Kachikwu used this incident to illustrate what he sees as a targeted attack on Wike.


Kachikwu strongly condemned the backlash against the Minister regarding the recent confrontation with an FCTA official (Officer Yerima). He argued that the public outcry is driven by "hatred" for Wike, who is "perceived to be a bully and the President’s bulldog," rather than by the facts of the situation.


The former candidate also noted the double standard, pointing out the lack of similar public outrage when police officers are allegedly assaulted by the military.


Kachikwu concluded his address by lamenting the current state of affairs, stating, "I weep for Nigeria because we are becoming a nation of people fuelled by hate," and described the country as "this Animal Farm called Nigeria."

A Year of Progress: Hon. Felix Osazee Igbinovia Praises Governor Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa’s Vision for Edo State

The Member representing Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area on the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), Hon. Felix Osazee Igbinovia, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the occasion of their one-year anniversary in office.
In a statement issued in Benin City on Tuesday, Hon. Igbinovia lauded the administration of Governor Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Idahosa, describing their leadership and administrative style as “a blessing to Edo State.”
Hon. Igbinovia noted that within just one year, the Okpebholo–Idahosa administration has successfully initiated key developmental projects and policy reforms that are already yielding positive impacts—particularly in the oil and gas producing areas of the state. He highlighted the Governor and Deputy Governor’s inclusive approach to governance, which, according to him, has fostered unity, peace, and steady progress across all senatorial districts.
“It is with immense pride that I congratulate His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on this significant milestone,” Hon. Igbinovia stated. “In just one year, they have demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to grassroots development, peace, and infrastructural renewal. Their visionary leadership has laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth, ensuring that the resources of our state are efficiently utilized for the common good.”
The EDSOGPADEC representative further called on the people of Ikpoba Okha and all stakeholders to continue supporting the administration’s vision, reaffirming that the developmental trajectory set by Governor Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Idahosa promises a prosperous future for every citizen of Edo State.

A Year of Progress: Hon. Felix Osazee Igbinovia Praises Governor Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa’s Vision for Edo State

The Member representing Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area on the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), Hon. Felix Osazee Igbinovia, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the occasion of their one-year anniversary in office.
In a statement issued in Benin City on Tuesday, Hon. Igbinovia lauded the administration of Governor Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Idahosa, describing their leadership and administrative style as “a blessing to Edo State.”
Hon. Igbinovia noted that within just one year, the Okpebholo–Idahosa administration has successfully initiated key developmental projects and policy reforms that are already yielding positive impacts—particularly in the oil and gas producing areas of the state. He highlighted the Governor and Deputy Governor’s inclusive approach to governance, which, according to him, has fostered unity, peace, and steady progress across all senatorial districts.
“It is with immense pride that I congratulate His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on this significant milestone,” Hon. Igbinovia stated. “In just one year, they have demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to grassroots development, peace, and infrastructural renewal. Their visionary leadership has laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth, ensuring that the resources of our state are efficiently utilized for the common good.”
The EDSOGPADEC representative further called on the people of Ikpoba Okha and all stakeholders to continue supporting the administration’s vision, reaffirming that the developmental trajectory set by Governor Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Idahosa promises a prosperous future for every citizen of Edo State.

CSNGG URGES FIFA, NFF, AND NSC TO PROTECT NIGERIA’S WORLD CUP AMBITIONS AMID SOUTH AFRICA CONTROVERSY


The Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG) has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take proactive steps in ensuring that FIFA’s decision on the ongoing disciplinary case involving South Africa does not unfairly jeopardize Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign.

In a statement released in Abuja and signed by its National President, Barrister Kamal Adefila, CSNGG described the unfolding developments as a “calculated distraction” engineered by certain disgruntled elements within and outside the football ecosystem, warning that the same pattern of internal sabotage contributed to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

According to Adefila, “At what point did Peter Obi or any of these alarmists approach the NFF to get the real state of affairs of our stadiums or football administration before peddling false narratives? CAF and FIFA are high-standard organizations with world-class auditing and compliance systems. The NFF has consistently earned a clean bill of health from both bodies, so the sudden wave of criticism is not only unfounded but also suspicious.”

The group expressed concern that the FIFA disciplinary ruling involving South Africa’s use of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their March 2025 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, has been politicized and could affect the balance of Group C — where Nigeria, South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe are all vying for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

CSNGG noted with alarm that while Lesotho, whose home stadium failed CAF inspection, was allowed to play its “home” games in South Africa, Benin Republic, facing the same situation, was forced to host theirs in Côte d’Ivoire — even though Nigeria was their closest and most logistically convenient neighbour.

“These inconsistencies raise legitimate questions about fairness and equity,” Adefila said. “Nigeria must not be treated as a bystander in decisions that directly affect its qualification chances. We are all federating units of FIFA, and South Africa cannot be used to determine our football destiny.”

The statement further revealed that CSNGG has credible intelligence indicating that some discredited figures in the football administration space are attempting to weaponize the issue to destabilize the NFF and sow division ahead of the decisive qualifiers in early 2026.

“These are the same self-serving individuals who, like spoilt children, would rather destroy the house than be denied toys. Football administration is a serious business for serious people, not a survival strategy for failed actors,” Adefila added.

He stressed that FIFA’s prolonged silence on the final implications of South Africa’s sanction has created unnecessary uncertainty that could affect preparations and player morale.
“We cannot afford another déjà vu of the 2022 cycle. Then, we had the players, the support, and the potential — but noise and confusion from within became our undoing. This time, everyone must plough in the same direction,” Adefila said.

CSNGG commended the NFF leadership under President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi for “steadying the ship” and building competitive teams across all categories, noting that recent CAF and FIFA audits have recognized Nigeria’s compliance and development strides.

The group also urged the National Sports Commission, recently reinstated by the President, to assert its coordinating role in safeguarding Nigeria’s sports interests at the global level.
“It is imperative for the NSC to step in, engage FIFA diplomatically, and ensure that Nigeria’s rights as a footballing nation are not compromised under any guise,” Adefila said.

The CSNGG president announced that the organization will soon host a civil society policy forum and press conference to mobilize public support for the NFF and raise awareness about the dangers of politicizing football administration.

“Our advocacy will continue until all stakeholders understand that national football development is not an arena for chaos or ego wars but a vehicle for unity, youth empowerment, and global rebranding,” he concluded.