₦airaland Forum

Regarded as a remarkable milestone in the history of the 53-year old scheme (since 1973), the newly approved NYSC reforms by the Federal Government of Nigeria, is aimed at bringing the needed transformation to the scheme, which will enable it becomes a skills-driven, productivity-focused youth empowerment institution aligned with its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy. This was against the backdrop for serious calls and public outcry by concerned Nigerians and advocacy groups, demanding a total scrap or structural reforms, because the scheme was no longer serving it's original purpose, or has outlived its usefulness.

Below is the 11 specialized streams of the new NYSC reforms approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria:

1. Agric Corps
2. Medical Corps
3. Education Corps
4. Tech and Digital Corps
5. Legal Corps
6. Public Service Corps
7. infrastructure Corps
8. Green Corps
9. Enterprise Corps
10. Creative Economy Corps
11. Paramilitary and Security Corps

The beauty of this aspect of the reforms, is that it starts before call up and commencement of camping programme, i.e. at the point of registration, which clearly can be endorsed as a well thought out and intentional innovation aimed at creating the needed sense of focus, building capacity and providing support in fine-tuning career path, before eventually making journey into the labour market. It is well structured in a way that captures, connects or dove-tails every field of study with the broader or umbrella sectors of the Nigerian society, making it easier for prospective corps members to make choices, based on academic background, interest or skills profile. Unequivocally, it is the hallmark of the reforms, in the midst of intense criticism and ambivalence over some aspects such as the leadership change and the uniform change, being critical subjects of debate in the court of public opinion.

In the past, the scheme grew to become a frustrating institution for so many fresh graduates and Nigerian youth, instead of helping to build their capacity, bring transmission to their lives, as well as helping the country achieve national integration. Among the major areas the reforms have affected, as stated previously, which include: change in leadership, change in uniform, extension of orientation programme, etc, the introduction of the specialized streams stands out as the hallmark. This will bring to an end the random and insensitive placement or deployment of corps members, which hitherto did not pay attention to or consider their academic background, skills profile and interest. The resultant effect of this act was the usual frustration witnessed by corps members, in terms of achieving the original purpose of the scheme for corps members and low productivity to the country's economy. Now, a positive change will occur in this regard, when the necessary legal processes shall have been completed for effective implementation.

The salient question which seriously begs for answer is, how would one reconcile the encounter I had in 2016, where a fellow a corps member, specifically a graduate of accepting, was seriously shivering, agitating and fidgeting about facing the class for the first, asking while sweating profusely, how fellow corps members cope in class. I guess in her wildest imagination, such was indeed a rocket science, as she was repeatedly and surprisingly expressing how she never bargain for such, whereas it was a duty others accepted with pride, because it brought them pleasure and fulfilment (this is the reason people should not be forced to take up career path: this aspect of the reforms is such a great stride which will enable corps members have a well defined aand successful career). Similarly, in the same year and batch, another corps member, who was in all honesty, a square peg in a round hole was identified. A graduate of music teaching senior secondary school students Government, who made a serious and damaging blunder while teaching ''organization and structures of government in Nigeria', referred to the Lower or the Green chamber of the National Assembly as "the Federal House of Assembly". These and many other ugly cases, made the reforms long overdue, justifiable, and specifically, the creation of the 11 specialized streams as its Hallmark.

In conclusion, by way of making meaningful suggestion, the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certificate (EIBIC) programme, introduced in March 2026, by the Federal Government of Nigeria, for federal tertiary institutions, as a mandatory skill certificate programme for undergraduates, designed to be implemented side by side with the conventional degree programme. While the students have the opportunity of bagging double certificates at graduation (degree and skill certificates); it demands students to make selection on their choice of skill based on interest and academic background, which can be dove-tailed with the 11 specialized streams of the NYSC for corps members, to serve as a transition and consolidation programme, carried forward from school. This will mean aligning or harmonizing what was selected at undergraduate level with the NYSC level, to enhance continuity, efficacy and sustainability, while avoiding policy isolationism (i.e. the isolation of policy formulation from existing related policies, which have the property to enhance or guarantee policy continuity and sustainability), a bad omen which commonly characterizes and considerably contributing to policy gaps in Nigeria. Same suggestion is made in a related post titled "MARRYING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EDUCATION TO COMBAT UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGER". Source:https://dommnotepad..com/2026/07/the-2026-nysc-reforms-11-specialized.html

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is about to witness a major and unprecedented reforms, since its inception in 1973. It is the first holistic and comprehensive review of the 53-year old scheme in Nigeria, which the Federal Government disclosed it is aimed at transforming it into a skills-driven, productivity-focused youth empowerment institution, aligned with its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy. The reforms were necessitated by serious dissatisfaction, agitation and advocacy by Nigerians in various quarters, for the scheme to be scrapped or reformed, over its inability to serve the purpose it was created.

LEADERSHIP CHANGE
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who is pivotal to this reforms provided a justification which I think is lame, inadequate and unacceptable. The statement below credited to the Minister, clearly expresses unsupported proof in validating the leadership aspect of the NYSC reforms: "We are not taking the military out of NYSC... Military is not taken away, there is no how you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” (Punch newspaper, July 6, 2026).
Taking a critical look at the leadership organization of NYSC, one will not hesitate to object the Minister's statement, because outside the Director General (DG), who is a senior military officer and an appointee of the president, other management staff are civilians. Then, why will he now talk about moving away from military mobilization to civilian mobilization? Such statement is absolutely uncalled for and not good enough as justification for NYSC leadership change.

That so called military NYSC leadership outlook which the reforms have affected remains the best, since no one can tell what a full or complete civilian NYSC leadership outlook will be like. Moreover, the military remains one of the few organizations in Nigeria and the world at large, which continue to maintain high and unparalleled discipline, moral standard, integrity, and well respected, naturally it beshould be a veritable structure for grooming the youth (corps members), in an extremely corrupt country. Therefore, it is highly necessary for the effective function of re-orientating the corps members.

The critical questions that beg for answers are: why should such a statement be made, when NYSC top echelon are guided by relevant extant laws such as the constitution of Nigeria, NYSC Act, and other policy frameworks by government, in a democratic system? And what is the essence of the military diligently studying 'MILITARY-CIVILIAN RELATIONSHIP, if not for opportunity like this to test its hypotheses? This aspect of the reforms seriously needs to be looked at again, for a possible reversal, in the interest of the scheme and the country.

UNIFORM CHANGE
The reason for change of uniform provided by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, is to enhance local and indigenous manufacturing, in order to support the economy. It's quite unfortunate and shameful the reform has made a significant revealation (especially to those who are not active participants) about the production incapacitation of textile industry in Nigeria, regarding such massive project (NYSC uniform production). Designing the idea of local and indigenous production of uniform, is a welcome development, at any time, for reasonable Nigerians with fair knowledge of the country's deplorable economy. However, what cannot be taken hook, line and sinker, because it is not adequately justified, is the change of the uniform. Does it mean the same pattern of existing uniform (khaki), cannot be produced in Nigeria, at a reasonable cost, if economy is the reason being cited for the change?, frantic and diligent efforts can be made to this effect, based on the Ministers remark below? "It's Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let's put our money back into the country" (Punch newspaper July 6, 2026).

THE HALLMARK OF THE REFORMS
It is certainly the creation of the 11 specialized streams, to crown it all, a well thought out procedure for making selection, which happens at the registration point, for enrollment into the scheme. It will afford prospective corps members the opportunity to carefully make choices based on their academic background, skills profile and interest, which ordinarily before, the system/scheme would have made the choice for them, like the deployment or posting of corps members to place of primary assignment (PPA), not carried out sometimes, to reflect or consider academic background, area of interest and strength, being the leading reason for frustration, poor performance and low productivity, by corps members.

WHAT NYSC SHOULD MAINSTREAM
Order than national integration which the changing social reality: insecurity in the country has deeply bedeviled the national fabrics. It makes the mantra and the main objective of the scheme fast fading away, witnessing a scheme which its policies are no longer pursuing and representing national outlook and semblance, in terms of posting and deployment of corps members. Undoubtedly, this conspicuously promotes regionalism (i.e. the adoption of reformed deployment strategy for addressing insecurity, involving zonal or regional posting, for the sake of familiarity with the environment corps members are deployed to). This is why national integration should no longer be the main and foremost objective of NYSC, rather, it should be tailored towards youth development, capacity building and hand-on experience acquisition, for fresh graduates.Source:https://dommnotepad..com/2026/07/the-2026-nysc-reforms.html

It is never in doubt that when a Medical Doctor makes a mistake, one head may likely roll, but when policy makers make a mistake, numerous heads may likely roll. Such heavily disastrous implication emphasizes the pivotal, prevalent and far reaching nature of public policy in the society. It credits the view of Robert Dahl about politics: explaining its far reaching consequences, which he described as "inescapable and unavoidable". Since public policy is a by-product of politics, its far reaching and widespread authoritative and binding consequences in the society underlines the need for critical and in-depth study, before being formulated, to avoid unlawful policy loop and policy isolationism - (policy isolationism in this context means, the isolation and alienation of imminent policy from the previously related policies, which usually leads to non-alignment, inconsistency, contradiction, gaps and inadequacies in policy formulation).

In other words, public policy naturally, should be formulated in a manner which takes into consideration in-depth and profound knowledge and understanding of its environment, which are the influencing factors. As such, efforts should diligently be made to achieve near precision and accuracy in projection, by having foresight and know-how in explaining and deternining the degree of impact on citizens before implementation, to avoid disaster as the one at hand, which is not yielding desired result, rather the public has become so afraid contemplating if it contributes in fuelling insecurity in the country, which has assumed a more complex and intractable dimension.

In view of the above, this action of government leads to waste of resources:
Considering the amount of time wasted and huge fund being sunk into the programme, one can imagine the resultant effects of the policy error - which the fear of continuous snowballing may have triggered a rethink on the ill-conceived policy, leading to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (The National Assembly) passing a resolution for immediate suspension of the Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme for repentant Boko Haram terrorists, by the presidency (executive arm). According to the resolution, the insistence on terrorists being arrested and prosecuted instead of being reintegrated to the society, was the position advanced by the Red Chamber. Look at the worrisome and gruesome spate of kidnapping, banditry, and killing which sometimes occur after ransoms were paid on the kidnapped victims - this is a new dimension to the insecurity problem in Nigeria. One would have expected to witness the AMNESTY PROGRAMME kind of situation declared for NIGER DELTA MILITANTS, which brought accelerated result, seeing to abrupt end of that agitation and restoration of peace and tranquility in the region.

The Boko Haram Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme is a policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria modelled after the AMNESTY PROGRAMME declared for agitating Niger Delta militants, which did not go down well with the majority of the members of the public, based on sampling and the result obtained from the court of public opinion. During the process of adopting the said policy, question such as knowing what the terrorist groups are fighting for and what they really want, like the Niger Delta militants who were fighting against marginalization, deprivation, as well as agitation for resource control (crude oil), was asked. Knowing what the Boko Haram terrorists really want could have been a useful pointer to have a preview about the inefficacy of the policy, during consideration. Now, the move for suspension is certainly nothing more than a damage control measure by government, which could have been avoided if attention was paid to voice of reasoning

THE WAY FORWARD
It was insensitive, poorly thought out and ill-conceived for the AMNESTY programme model of the Niger Delta militants to be superimposed on the Boko Haram terrorists, because of variation in the course of pursuit. It clearly proves why terrorism, instead of reducing, has become increasingly accentuated. This explains why AMNESTY for repentant Boko Haram members is certainly exercise in futility, else more would have been persuaded by the magnanimity of the Nigerian state in surrendering and submitting to the authorities willingly. Besides, one cannot stop expressing the underlying fear behind the strategic intention of the few who have come forward, to accept the AMNESTY for rehabilitation and reintegration to the society. The government should admit this reality by immediately repealing the policy, while the mechanisms and institutions for formulating public policy in Nigeria should be well strengthened going forward, to avoid issues as this, since the said policy looks like one which was covertly influenced to serve or assuage the interest of anonymous powerful group in the Source:https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/07/trial-and-error-style-of-public-policy.html

The 2027 general elections in Nigeria is drawing near, the expectations are quite high, in terms of making the right choice on who will steer the ship of the country. Did you know before reading this piece, why you vote in elections, order than choosing elected public officers?

DYDOMM:
In the context of government, election is defined or regarded as an act or a process of formal procedures for selection of public officers or public officials, to assume leadership responsibilities or suprintend over the affairs of the people, in a given geographical territory. Order than leadership recruitment or leadership selection, which is the primary and paramount function of election, there are lots of other reasons citizens vote in an election, which is the main concern of this piece.

WHY CITIZENS VOTE IN ELECTIONS
1. For Political Communication
Election is used as a tool for political communication; it encourages discussion and debate on public issues by various candidates, especially around their manifestoes and blueprints during campaign, heading to election. Also, the choices and decisions citizens make during election, is a form of political communication. In most cases, it is an indication or an expression of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, disapproval, rejection or acceptance, hope, confidence, trust or distrust, fear, etc, away from the traditional function of recruiting leaders into various public offices. Furthermore, voting patterns can be a bold statement about certain local or national issues of concern that require government's attention.

2. Election Is Used For Decision Making
Government uses election result or outcome for allocation of resources. How does it happen? When manifesto or blueprint of a certain candidate dovetails the decision of the majority expressed during election, it becomes an expression of the citizens' acceptance of his or her manifesto, which the candidate in question, will implement on assumption of office. It is a true reflection of government's response to the people's will, because it is during election period political actors (candidates) get closer to the citizens most. So, as they seek for the citizens support and votes, the citizens in turn, make their plights known to them for necessary action, when they assume office.

3. For Exercising Universal Adult Suffrage (Franchise)
Expression of choice or decision during election, in recruitment of leaders, is the right of every adult citizens. In most countries of the world, adulthood is pegged at eighteen (18) years and above. They are within the age bracket of countries' population spelt out by construction to exercise their franchise (the right to vote and be voted for). Without conducting election, citizens cannot exercise such right.

4. It Measures Citizens' Degree of Political Participation
Election exposes citizens' level of political participation, which is a significant indicator for determining the growth and development in the political system. Meanwhile, the degree of political participation, especially in election, is a true reflection of a country's political culture. In developed or strong political culture, active or high political participation is recorded, while in weak or low political culture, political apathy is usually the case.

5. For Recruitment Of Leaders In Positions Of Authority.
Leadership succession cannot take place if a smooth and seamless recruitment process is not conducted - this is what election does in a country or in any formal organizations. In fact, this is one of the functions of the political system, ensuring it happens in line with existing laid down procedures (institution).

6. For Leadership Succession
Smooth and seamless electoral process makes transitioning of power or office from one administration to another possible. Election is a political exercise or an act which facilities continuity in leadership and government, it ensures that elected public officers are succeeded after completion of their terms of office.

7. For Political Stability And Integration
Election offers a fresh opportunity to re-write the wrong, to change unfortunate narratives, and make amend on certain events not in tandem with expectation, in leadership of a country. This exists in relation to citizens and eligible voters' right and power to make choices in leadership of their country. It guarantees stability and integration when it happens in a smooth and seamless process, devoid of antagonism and violence.

Moreover, any country that is able to conduct smooth transition of leadership succession will definitely achieve political stability and integration. Continuity in governance (government is continum) is a significant factor and remarkable recipe for political stability, while absence of political instability is an expression or a proof of political integration. The two concepts are extremely necessary for achieving a developed political system. Therefore, citizens' exercise of their voting right in an election certainly leads to the existence of the above.

8. For Legitimacy
The widespread acceptability of elected public officers who will exercise authority is assured, because their emergence is based on unanimous or majority decision. As the result of that acceptability, the authoritative allocation of values will certainly have impactful consequences, since the citizens have satisfaction, and are ready to embrace the outcome of government, which came forth as a result of their general will. Government that lacks legitimacy (i.e. widespread acceptability and support) will not succeed. It may likely witness instability, manifesting in social unrest such as revolt or protest, crisis and war. Notably, no meaningful development can take place in a country marred by insecurity. Hence, the need for instituting the political process - election.

9. It Measures The Worth, Capacity And Dignity of Candidates
It is a way of gauging the social value and relevance of political actors, to determine the degree of social influence and popularity, which is a true reflection of their level of acceptability vis-a-vis valuable or meaningful contributions made towards social development. Also, it is an avenue or a platform political actors' (candidates) capacity on the position being vied for, is made known, it is done as a way of selling their qualities to the citizens, and specifically, eligible voters, to enable them make informed decisions (choices during voting). This action in return, earn them public respect and widespread acceptability, especially when their capacity and worth are unquestionable, highly esteemed and appreciated.

10. It Exposes Candidates' Records
The records of candidates including assets, achievements, scandalous, etc. which ordinarily would have been private, are made public for the sake of transparency and accountability, which are part of the qualities leaders should possess. For example, in some countries, there is a bureau responsible for the gazette of assets declarations from elected public officers, during declaration of interest/intention. While the media is not lagging behind in this regard, because of their status as public figures, their personal records may not hidden. Source: https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/06/why-citizens-vote-in-elections.html

So, how do you feel as a Nigerian witnessing such?

helinues:
Real case study of Nigeria politics

Graduates are category of people who have passed through either college, mono -tecnique, polytechnic or university known as higher institutions. Put differently, they are set of people who have received higher education which make them part of skilled labour or skilled work force, which emphatically portrays their usefulness in the society. Because of huge complexities and myriad of challenges defining the country, Nigerian graduates have been greatly affected, and are faced with serious numerous plights which are desperately beaconing for redress. It is aimed at avoiding the purpose of acquiring higher education being defeated; considering the prevailing situation of education in the country - low quality and standard - as a result of misplaced priority, because it is not given adequate attention by relevant stakeholders in the country, including the misconception and poor attitude Nigerians have towards the phenomenon.

These plights will clearly be discussed in two parts, namely cultural expectations and social changes which involve predominant challenges or conditions, as well as highlighting the main mitigating factors for remedying the worrisome situation.

1. CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS

This is mostly concerned with what the society accept and believe to be their way of life. In this context, it means what the Nigerian society generally accept and believe (social norms) and what they hold in high esteem (social values). These include but not limited to the following:

i. Employment:

Nigeria's society believe that immediately one becomes a graduate, job should be made ready, specifically, white collar job (office, secretariat or salary job). If it fails to happen that way, such graduate is regarded as a failure, forgetting that modern society is very complex, dynamic, and always in the state of flux. Notably, attention has been shifted from that colonial heritage (attitude towards employment handed down from the colonial era), based on present prevailing circumstances, i.e. from 'white collar jobs' to 'other colored collar jobs', expressing a paradigm shift in the long standing and deeply rooted attitude and practice of gaining office, secretariat and salary employment after graduation. This was a colonial roadmap to have highly skilled work force in the civil service in order to help further their colonial perpetuation. In light of the above, it should be well instituted and well publicized that white collar job is no longer fashionable. People no longer go to school in order to have paid employment. That old fashion attitude should be completely dismantled in the country.

ii. Rich And Wealthy Attitude:

The Nigeria's society believe that the sole aim of going to higher institution is to come out and become rich and lives in affluence (this is the poor and misconstrued attitude of Nigerians that should be re-orientated). Education or being a graduate does not make someone rich and wealthy - it is a misconception and erroneous belief which has been dominant and widespread for many decades in the country. In order to arrest this wrong belief, the country should design and implement an effective attitudinal re-orientation programme, to educate and create awareness, that will help disabuse the minds and belief system of Nigerians.Basically and traditionally, the main aim of gaining higher education is to have developed knowledge capacity and skills necessary for solving personal and social problems, and if the knowledge is properly or legitimately managed and channeled, can certainly fetch one riches and wealth, which is the accompanying effects.

iii. Change In Social Status

The Nigeria's society believe that gaining higher education elevates one's social status and fixes one in a highly esteemed class. People troop to higher institutions to become graduates, yet many are not educated, creating another layer of social problem which continues to haunt the country and stalls it's development process. It can lead to attendant issue such as unemployability of graduates as well as under-employment.

iv Family Expectations

Many are graduates because of family expectations such as pride, status and feud prosecution and pursuit. Families or communities that indulge in age long feud could send their children to study courses such as law, in order to help them prosecute cases passionately, honestly and confidently, based on the commitment and pursuit of family or community course. This mainly happen for the purpose of maintaining pride and class of age-long rivalry. Many Families usually see such achievement as enviable feat and a wonderful reference point, to have members who are graduates from institution of higher learning (a source of pride to flaunt around). This is one deeply rooted cultural problem that should be tackled in Nigeria - the attitude of having many graduates who are not necessarily educated.

2. SOCIAL CHANGES

These are predominant and prevailing conditions common in the Nigerian society, as a result of it's dynamic nature, clearly expressing the fact that things have changed, since every society is always in the state of flux. Some of the highlighted aspects of change constituting plights for Nigerian graduates include:

i Unemployment

Gone are the days jobs were waiting, hunting or chasing graduates, during and immediately after graduation. The reverse is the case now, as graduates are the ones seriously in stiff competition, hunting and chasing for few available jobs in the country. The unfortunate limited opportunities, resulting in unemployment, is a serious social manace currently facing Nigerian graduates and the Nigerian state. It can be addressed largely by the government, being the primary agent of social change, by creating and supporting enabling environment for entrepreneurship development, towards job creation and self-employment in Nigeria.

ii. Low Quality And Standard Education

The intention of going to school is to acquire education for capacity development and relevant skills from the trainings one will pass through. However, with low quality education, Nigerian graduates are not well trained and skilled, having serious negative effects on their employability, which most often leads to unemployment and under-employment. At the larger scale, it causes low national productivity and depletion in productive forces (PF) of Nigeria. Lack or inadequate skilled labour or man power is the product of low quality and standard education. This can create a situation of available employment opportunities, with graduates lacking eligibility requirements because the quality of education is incapable of producing highly trained and skilled graduates. This definitely contributes to the plights of Nigerian graduates.

iii. Half-baked Graduates

Nowadays, too much emphasis on certificates (paper qualifications) rather than competence, has largely contributed to Nigerian graduates being tagged or labelled as half-baked, unskilled, incompetent and mediocres, because acquiring ideal education is no longer a top priority for most students. That is why the rate of examination malpractice is alarming in the country, because students go extra miles or out of the way, to acquire certificates which they cannot defend. The consequences of this phenomenon are grave and enormous, first, to the graduates who will be under-employed and unemployed, and second, to the Nigerian state, that will witness decrease, incapacitation and incompetence in national work force - the resultant effects are inadequate productive forces and low national productivity.

THE WAY FORWARD

First and foremost, education across all levels should be prioritized, in terms of funding, curriculum design (being in tune with present realities) and effective monitoring, while adequate attention should be paid to quality and standard, to increase skills, capacity, competence and employability of graduates. More importantly, from all segments of the Nigerian society, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills should be advocated, promoted and advanced, for job creation and self employment. In view of the above, Nigerian educational system should be designed and tailored towards the advancement of this lofty idea, if the pursuit of sustainable development will see the light of day. And, this will definitely eradicate or alleviate the plights Nigerian graduates are facing.
Source:https://dommnotepad..com/2026/03/the-plights-of-nigerian-graduates.html

INTRODUCTION
Political culture may be defined as the belief, attitude, sentiment, orientation, perception, judgement, etc. which the citizens of a particular country or geographical territory exhibit or express towards politics. It can also be viewed as the totality of the political way of life of a people, or the way of life of a people in relation to politics. It is also concerned with the way or manner a people see, regard and play politics. Political culture in Nigeria is abysmally poor and weak to the point that its manifestations in the Nigerian political system have brought untold devastations with numerous resultant effects, including sustainable development which has continued to elude the country for so long. See a related post titled "POLITICAL CULTURE IN NIGERIA" It affirms the fact that, if a political system or polity lacks stability, which could be instigated by disorderliness and insecurity or political crises/unrest, resulting in lack of continuity or presence of pitfalls and bottlenecks in government, development will be a far cry. To this end, it becomes necessary to x-ray the various ways the weak and inchoate political culture is manifesting in Nigeria.

WAYS WEAK POLITICAL CULTURE IS MANIFESTING IN NIGERIA
1. Defection/Cross Carpeting From One Political Party To Another.
The political phenomenon, defection, is now a recurring decimal, especially during election cycle in Nigeria. It has been in existence since pre-independence era, where politicians aligned and re-aligned with the political platforms which best suit their interest, based on political calculation and permutation. It became heightened in the Fourth Republic (from 1999 upward), specifically in the 2007 General Elections cycle. In recent time, the phenomenon has been greatly abused such that, there is hardly any election cycle some political actors do not defect or move to another political party en mass - a trend that should be totally discouraged because it is unhealthy to the country's political culture. It is a clear proof of absent of principles and civility exhibited by the political actors in the political scene, and non-existence of political ideology, which is supposed to be a life time guiding principle and project for the political actors within the various political parties. Recently, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) introduced the 'Anti-Defection and Loyalty Oath', as part of measures to curb defection or cross-carpeting to another party, for only candidates of the party, although it's presidential and vice Presidential candidates for the 2027 General Elections, Peter Gregory Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were excluded from the exercise, it is a development which has sparked serious debate in the public domain over the conspicuous inequality and preferential treatment. A related post titled "THE NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS' ANTI-DEFECTION AND LOYALTY OATH: AN ANALYSIS", to gain more understanding on the subject of discourse.

2. Sham Political Parties' Election (Primary).
Political party election which is known as party primary, is a pre-election conducted by political parties for the selection or nomination of candidates who will represent them in the main or general election, for choosing elected public officers, to occupy public offices. Political parties have been really found wanting in this regard in Nigeria, instead of seizing such opportunity to build strong institution, resort to weakening same by inventing unlawful approaches for candidate's' emergence such as:
automatic waiver/free ticket - granted to candidates who are highly favoured by party hierarchy, usually regarded as 'annointed' candidates', without standing primary election. It is an internal arrangement not in agreement with party constitution, which usually does not go down well with some members of the party. It is a political event which is commonly and massively a contributing factor to myriad of pre-election matters in courts in the Fourth Republic, as well as defection/cross carpeting, it is also the current prevailing situation in the build up to the 2027 General Elections in the country.
Unoppose candidate - is astatus of candidate who does not have rival or opponent in the party primary, which most often than not, is the prevailing arrangement of the party's top echelon, made up of few individuals, forcing other aspiring members to step aside. Why it is not in tandem with the party's constitution and the general will of the entire party members, is because it is an arrangement other political actors who would have contested unwillingly shove their interest as a result of internal pressure.
Right of first refusal - is a situation members of a political party interested in becoming the party's candidate in an election are persuaded to shove their interest, if a particular member who is seen as the party's favourite, by whatever yardstick, accepts the nomination, endorsement or proposal of becoming its sole candidate for an election, without conducting party primary. The arrangement is usually based on the top echelon of the party's prevailing decision, which may not really go down well with some section of the party members. The People's Democratic Party (PDP), in late 2014, made this proposal to former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Johnathan, to contest the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria. It is undemocratic like other forms of choosing candidates without following parties' constitution, but adopt some kind of prefential modality to validate the emergence of their pre-conceived candidate. It usually leads to some section of the party members becoming aggrieved and dissasfied - the resultant effects of the action of PDP were exodus of members to other political parties and the subsequent lost in the presidential polls.

The most recent method adopted by political parties in the conduct of sham primary election, is the struggle for total control of party's delegates, by aspirants who are seeking party's nomination. As reported by national dailies, they could go to the extent of locking the party delegates in hotel rooms, seize their hand sets, for the purpose of obtaining their unweavery support and votes, through intimidation, financial inducement, promises of compensation which often come in form of political appointments, etc. Nigerians have witnessed lots of parallel party primaries, by aggrieved and disgruntled candidates, who perhaps were not favoured or who have been outsmarted by opponents, the resultant effect is the entertainment of myriad of law suits over pre-election matters in court. The issue which is unhealthy to Nigeria's political culture, is currently the headache of judges in the various courts in Nigeria, in the build up to the 2027 General Elections.

3. Burning Of Candidates' Posters And Destruction Of Political Parties' Properties.
Burning of Candidate's posters and the destruction of party's properties is immature attitude exhibited by citizens in the political system. It happens alot in Nigeria, a bad omen in the political system which expresses weak, and immature/inchoate political culture. Recently, in the build up to the 2927 General Elections, burning of Obi-Kwankwaso's posters in Kano State by some Kano residents - was reported by a X- handler, Seyi Afolayan, obtained from social forum, Nairaland.com, (June 2, 2026). Also, in the build up to the 2011 General Elections, precisely the electioneering in Akwa Ibom State, hundreds of vehicles at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, which were designated for donation to members of the public, were completely burnt by angry rioters, during one of the incessant political riots and unrest in the state. Similarly, other public properties across the state, in the same season, were destroyed, including political parties' secretariats and campaigns grounds (from an eye-witness report, and also widely reported in the media across the country and beyond). This has been a recurring decimal in most developing countries like Nigeria, with weak political culture, especially during election period. Interestingly, such will be regarded as a taboo in developed countries, with strong and mature political culture. Can such incidences within the context of education, happen in the United States, France, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, etc. Or, do they not also conduct elections regularly? Such happening in the countries mentioned above, is definitely next to impossible.

4. Hate Speeches/Inciting Statements.
Many political crises and unrests which have taken place in the country, started from hate speeches and inciting statements, perhaps about political actors in connection with tribe, religion, or individual character (defamation and character assassination). The intention of hate speeches and inciting statements is to cause disaffection, which in turn, will lead to instability in the political system. Some political actors and groups, out of selfish interest, particularly when events are out of their control or not in their favour, deploy this tool to instigate violence. The post election violence of 2011 General Elections in some states in the country, which became heightened mmediately after INEC had announced the winner of the presidential election, is a good example. It was a clear cut case of weak and undeveloped political culture in Nigeria, involving gruesome murder especially the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were part of officiating the election. To get more insight on the subject of discourse, visit a related post titled "WEAK POLITICAL CULTURE IN NIGERIA: 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN FOCUS". In strong and developed political culture, there is total absent of hate speeches and inciting statements, efforts are channelled towards discussion of critical issues affecting them, and how to seek redress. Politics to them, is viewed or regarded as a game, governed by rules, which the players should strictly followed, otherwise get punished by the referee (in the Nigerian context, INEC which is the electoral umpire).

5. Late Or Untimely Electoral Act Amendment.
It is so unfortunate that Electoral Act in Nigeria is regulaly amended (every election cycle), usually at the eleventh hour (very close to the main election period which is quite unhealthy to the Nigerian political system). Unlike what is happening in developed political system, which Electoral Act will take a long lifespan before being amended, depicting a high level of precision and accuracy, great foresight and projection, in tackling or addressing unforseen problems which may arise in the future. It also depicts the state of having service delivery-minded politicians, who are not dishonest and selfish, in a way that personal interest and sentiment becloud or override sense of judgement and affects their attitude towards commitment to delivering service to the public. A related post titled: "TYPES OF POLITICIANS WE HAVE" will provide detailed explanation on the subject. The political culture of Nigeria cannot develop when politicians or political actors factor in their selfish interest by over-politizising electoral act amendment, due to inordinate desire or quest for power.

6. Weak And Ineffective Electoral Umpire - INEC.
The electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is supposed to be independent as the name implies and according to the delivery of its statutory responsibility, is Ineffective. As such, having a smooth and seamless electoral process will continue to remain a far cry. Factually, inability to effect electronic transmission of results in the 2023 General Elections dealt a big blow on the image of the electoral umpire, and the credibility of the election. While its inability to combat and curb electoral frauds and other related forms of illegally during and after elections, seriously questions the capacity and efficacy of INEC in discharging its statutory responsibilities. These loopholes considerably contribute to the weakened political culture in Nigeria (a match with an incompetent and incapacitated referee and other officials usually ends in controversy).

7. Inordinate Desire Or Excessive Quest For Power By Political Actors.
As a result of the inordinate desire and quiest for power, political actors in Nigeria often engaged in unlawful activities which contribute in undermining the political culture. Pre-election processes which is guided by various political parties' consitutions, are usually marred by manipulations and illegalities - changing of goal post by factions in vantage positions to suit their inordinate quest for power, is what is in vogue. That is why courts usually become inundated with pre-election matters, which is an unhealthy situation in the political system, and a serious threat to political culture in Nigeria. These political actors also succeeded in inventing new and threatening electoral fraud known as vote buying, which is becoming widespread and gradually penetrating the psyche of eligible voters in the country. Source: https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/06/manifestations-of-weak-political.html

Lots of development Programmes have been designed and implemented in Nigeria, with very little success recorded. Most often than not, they usually lack sustainability plans, owing to factors such as political instability, change of government or administration, which is the most prominent currently, as a result of the culture of discontinuation or lack of continuity in public policy by successive government, mismanagement of resources, limited or inadequate resources, etc.
In view of the above, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), is a Federal Government's initiative designed out of the Students Loan Act of 2024, to provide loan to students of tertiary institutions from poor home who cannot afford tertiary education.

The repayment plans as explicitly stated in the NELFUND portal can be accessed through the link below:

1. REPAYMENT PLAY ANALYSIS

I. EMPLOYED BENEFICIARIES
The two (2) years interval after the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) is soothing and convenient, creating the needed allowance before the 10% remission or deduction from the salary of employed beneficiaries kick-starts. This is the only set or category of graduate beneficiaries NELFUND will not face difficulty with in repaying the loan. Therefore, to enhance continuity and sustainability of the programs, the Federal Government should strategize means of ensuring they gain employment before the two (2) years interval.

ii. SELF-EMPLOYED BENEFICIARIES
The plan is unable to specify how the 10% profit of a self-employed beneficiaries will be remitted. This is not the story about it pays to be honest. This identified loophole will certainly be capitalized upon by many beneficiaries, the poor attitude of Nigerians towards government's programmes will certainly play out. So, to ensure efficient sustainability, a more better, effective and workable plan should be designed and effected. In all honesty, determining 10% profit of self-employed beneficiaries and getting them to be regularly committed in remitting same, is unrealistic and a tall dream for NELFUND. If this aspect is not redesigned and the highlighted grey issues clearly ironed out, the sustainability plans as well as the entire Programme may fail woefully.

iii. UNEMPLOYED BENEFICIARIES
No beneficiary should be expected to be unemployed after two (2) years of completing or exempted from the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), else it becomes another avenue for exploiting the system, regardless of the quarterly report or update about their employment status. With the introduction of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certificate Programme (EIBIC), across the tertiary institutions in Nigeria, if it is strictly implemented according to the existing blueprint, it should be made totally unacceptable for graduates and specifically, NELFUND beneficiaries to remain unemployed after two (2) years of completion or exemption form NYSC. The poor perception of Nigerians towards employment should be re-orientated - Nigerians think that it is only people who are salary earners, perhaps working for government or organized private sector, are those who are not unemployed. The issue is also a factor responsible for the problem of data in Nigeria. To remedy the situation, adequate sensitization and attitudinal re-orientation is seriously need to effect a paradigm shift or new way of thinking in the country.

iv. JOB LOSS OR DEAD
Job loss is occurrence of certainty in the labour market, as well as death of beneficiaries, being an unavoidable natural occurrence. However, the fear which may become a reality, in view of the NELFUND sustainability plan, is the poor attitude of Nigerians towards public policy (government's programmes), citizens taking undue advantage of or capitalizing on the loopholes of systems, because they feel it is no man's business or owns by no man. It usually triggers or prompts the action of dragging or striving to share what should ordinarily be a long term programme designed to benefit the highest number of the public over time - such requires the public protection for sustainability, instead of expressing the usual 'i-don't-care-attitude' or 'attitude of exploiting and taking from government because it is owned by no man'. To cure this ignorance, Nigerians must know that government is owned by the people (public). Fine-tuning and redesigning of the payment plan in tandem with the existing reality of citizens exploiting the loopholes surrounding job loss and death is extremely needful, based on the foreseeable occurrences.

STRENGTHENING THE INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION FOR NELFUND SUSTAINABILITY

a. ALL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS'
The bedrock of NELFUND programme implementation, school fees of beneficiaries are paid directly to the various schools. The collaboration should go beyond what is stated above, to include regular provision of academic records of beneficiaries, to appraise their performances, as well as their conduct, this may also add to the success of both repayment and sustainability plans of the NELFUND programme. Unserious beneficiaries who may end up not graduating or graduated with poor academic performance, with low aptitude and skills, who may not have appreciable or high value in the labour market, which will pose a serious challenge to repayment plan, should be well checked to avoid waste.

b. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC)
The next interfacing platform which is quite essential, especially regarding the newly introduced Federal Government policy, the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank (NERD) which is a digital platform designed for the purpose of aggregating, preserving and verifying academic records and publications across Nigeria's education tiers - is also tied to NYSC programme enrollment. The new NYSC policy mandates all prospective corps members to own NERD account and have the national student number (NSN) assigned to them from the digital portal before being considered for NYSC programme. NELFUND collaboration with NYSC which is a transition platform for new graduate beneficiaries, can help in tracking them towards ensuring strict adherence to repayment plan. Now, without NERD registration, no NYSC and without NYSC, no exemption or discharge certificate. Knowing full well that In Nigeria today, no graduate can gain meaningful employment in a formal organization without having the NYSC exemption or discharge certificate, except for graduates of college of education. It is one effective monitoring and control measure that will assist NELFUND in tracking beneficiaries for prompt repayment.

c. ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION AND BUSINESS INCUBATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME (EIBIC)
The EIBIC Programme is designed for the purpose of solving unemployment challenge among graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. That is why attention will be focusing on hand-on-experience activities and establishment of enterprises or ventures by students before graduation. Strong collaboration between NELFUND and the EIBIC Programme's administrators should be fostered, to enable access to NELFUND beneficiaries' records of EIBIC Programme for smooth and seamless performance appraisal, and successful completion in order to increase employability of beneficiaries graduates or raise employment opportunities, for seamless repayment of the loan.

d. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
It becomes strategic and indispensable partner with NELFUND because of Bank Verification Number (BVN). The apex bank's policy is paying off a great deal in combating financial crimes in the financial sector. BVN is an effective measure or control that can be deployed in redressing some loopholes or deficiencies in the labour market.

e. NATIONAL IDENTITY MANAGEMENT COMMISSION (NIMC)
Without having clear-cut identity of beneficiaries, repayment plan may be very difficult to achieve, so, collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), will add to repayment success as well as sustainability of NELFUND programme. Beneficiaries who intend to beat the system or cut corners, may easily be identified, identity crises and identity theft issues will be considerably curtailed.

2. ASSESSMENT OF ELIGIBILITY OF PROSPECTIVE BENEFICIARIES OR APPLICANTS.
I. Appraisal of beneficiaries' aptitude.
ii. Appraisal of beneficiaries' school performance.
iii. Government or NELFUND administrators should make the EIBIC Programme a priority for all beneficiaries, in order to make loan repayment easier.

MARRYING EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO COMBAT UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA.
The current efforts by various governments in Nigeria in combating unemployment, is a welcome development. For efficacious and sustainable intervention, the need arose, to not only focusing on education to stem the tide of unemployment, but combining it with entrepreneurship - the new way of thinking. It involves incorporation of entrepreneurial skills and projects that will train and groom students to become self-employed, before or after leaving school, into the school curriculum, for the purpose of tackling or reducing the surging unemployment rate in Nigeria.

The Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certificate Programme (EIBIC) of the Federal Government, which has commenced in earnest, in 14 Federal universities in the country, with intention to expand it to all the Federal Universities in 2027 i.e. next year, and across all tertiary institutions in 2028, is a suitable case in point. Another Programme worth mentioning is the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) as stated on its portal, "is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative designed to support full-time undergraduate innovations in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences) with up to N50 million in equity-free funding." The aim of the programme is to ensure transitioning of students innovations from the idea level to sociable commercialized businesses.

These and many other programmes introduced by governments, specifically the Federal Government which initiated the spotlighted pones above, is an expression of a strong commitment towards combating unemployment in the country, especially among graduate population. Dove-tailing or marrying education and entrepreneurship is an explanation of great insight exhibited by governments, regarding the existing economic reality and a reflection of the shift in socio-economic setting or structure. The new way of thinking is building graduates towards becoming self-employed before graduation, in order to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country. That is the way forward. The various governments should do more to interprete and reflect this visin effectively, while the citizens should be well re-orientated for attitudinal change and adaptation. The main concern which should be a headache to all and sundry, is the sustainability of the programs being tailored towards the present socio-economic reality - self-employment and a shift from over-dependent on employment from government and the private sector (salary or paid employment). Source:
https://dommnotepad..com/2026/06/nelfund-sustainability-plans-repayment.html

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in the continent of North America, commenced amidst lingering tension and strategic diplomatic engagement over the Middle East War, involving the US, Israel and Iran. The FIFA World Cup kick-started on June 11, 2026 and will be rounded off on July 19, 2026, on the grounds of three major and most strategic North America's countries of Canada, Mexico and the US, co-hosting the tournament. It is usually a season of celebration, enjoyment, and global unity, which clearly marks football as a unifying factor, having people across the world converged in a particular spot or location, while some also gluing to their television sets, to follow the exciting actions-packed of participating countries' national football teams locking horns, in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere, to truly express the ideal essence of the world mundial, it became absolutely uncalled for, to witness it in the midst of war. Incidentally, two of the three main actors in the Middle East War, the US and Iran, have their football teams secured qualification to the tournament, while Israel was unlucky to scale through the qualification rounds. As the US is placed in group D, Iran is placed in group G of the tournament's fixture, and so far, after the conclusion of the first leg encounters, both national teams have put up impressive performance, with the US taking all three points from opponent, and Iran sharing the spoils, i e. one point a piece, indicating the match ended in a draw. This clearly express the true nature of the world's mundial as a unifying factor, being a force behind the not too timely strategic peace deal.

REASON FOR THE UNITED STATES' INTENSED PUSH FOR PEACE DEAL WITH IRAN
It would have been disastrous and gruesome for the world mundial (FIFA World Cup) to have taken place amidst atmosphere of global tension, exchange of fire arms, missiles, and bombings, with serious humanitarian consequences across all divides. Coincidentally, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted on the soil of one of the three main actors in the Middle East War - the United States. The essence of hosting the FIFA World Cup on North America's soil would have been completely defeated, had the deal not been struck (although time will reveal if it was well struck - with a follow up on the 14-Point Agreements of the peace deal, made known to the world by president Donald Trump). Imagine the Middle East War continuing side by side with the football tournament? What kind of message will it have depicted to the world? This forms the basis and rationale behind the not too timely peace deal, it ought to have happened before the tournament commenced.

THE US-IRAN PEACE DEAL AS A FIFA WORD CUP PRESENT TO THE WORLD
Although it came a little bit behind time, 8 days after commencement, because it ought to have happened before the commencement of the tournament, to truly depict or reveal the effort of a well intentional strategic move by the US. Nonetheless, the essence of the frantic efforts is paid off, since it could have been shameful and strategically ill-conceived to host such a world mundial amidst fierce tension and war. Beside the direct involvement of one of the co-host in the Middle East War, which the territorial distance is far apart, the continent of North America and the Middle East of Asia, the blockade or obstruction of the oil-rich Strait of Hormuz, being a strategic economic region in the global geo-politics, is a factor which may likely draw the parties or actors in the war to the negotiation table, sooner or later. The main resultant effect of the action, which has lingered for a long time, has been the rise or upsurge in the price of crude oil, with myriad of negative economic reverberating effects, including the high cost of transportation, which would have had untold economic consequences, especially on the movement of football fans across the world.

Now the attention of the entire world is completely turned to North America, thanks to the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, time will definitely tell about the sustainability or compliance with the recently struck US-Iran peace deal which accommodates the 14-point agreements president Donald Trump made known to the world, given the manifestation of complexity of surrounding other factors, which may not have been factored in, specifically, Israeli's perceived covertly unease posture and disposition, which may likely redefine the basis for the peace deal, going forward. Source: https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/06/the-us-iran-peace-deal-north-americas.html

It has become a hallmark in the political culture of Nigeria, for political actors to jump from one political party to another, during the build up to election cycle. It is a phenomenon which does not reflect or express maturity, while it is not also a good omen for the development of the country's political culture, because the effect of weak and inchoate political culture could multiplyand lead to political instability; what Nigeria should critically address to enable significant development.

Recently, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) made it mandatory, according to Article 16 of the party's constitution, for its candidates to sign a sworn affidavit and indemnity agreement, described as Anti-Defection and Loyalty Oath', before contesting under the party's banner, signifying the process of institutionalizing the illegality of elected public officers defecting or cross-carpeting to another political party, after winning election. This has been incessant and long drawn contentious issue in the Nigerian political domain, leading to strong legal battles and in some cases, dichotomy and strong disapproval of legal interpretations by court judges. As part of efforts to build strong institutions and strengthen inchoate political culture, the political parties in the country must rise up to stem this tide that is antithetical to the political development, by inventing effective measures that will discourage political actors from regularly jumping one political party to another. It is virtually basical within their exclusive reserve to get this national assignment done for the good of the country. The issue clearly justifies the unprecedented step NDC has taken in this regard, although it has sparked a serious debate on the position of the legal framework of the party within the constitution of the country, specifically section 40: right to peaceful assembly and association.

THE NEED FOR STRENGTHENING WEAK AND INCHOATE POLITICAL CULTURE IN NIGERIA
It is basically associated with the building of strong institutions in Nigeria, which political parties are included. A related post titled "THE NEED FOR BUILDING STRONG INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA" elaborately provided explanation on this issue. It is a well known fact, based on occurrences within the political system, that Nigeria has a very weak political culture, this perhaps could explain why the country is classified as developing, unlike the developed countries, characterized by strong and mature political culture.
It is a clear proof of the absent of principles and civility exhibited by the political actors in the political scene, and non-existence of political ideology by political parties, which is supposed to be a life time guiding principle and project. The build up to the 2027 General Elections in Nigeria conspicuously revealed myriad of untoward political phenomena which Nigeria should outgrow in order to record positive charge in the political system, which in turn, will affect the entire social system, including the political culture of the country (the totality of the way of political life of the citizens or the citizens's way of life regarding politics in their country). These untoward political phenomena include:

1. Defection/cross carpeting from one political party to another.
2. Conducting sham political parties' election.
3. Burning of Candidates' posters and destruction of parties' properties.
4. Hate speeches/inciting statements.
5. Untimely electoral act amendment.
6. Weak and ineffective electoral umpire - INEC.

WEAKNESSES AND THE WAY FORWARD ON NDC ANTI-DEFECTION AND LOYALTY OATH
Aside from the political actors capitalizing on the Anti-Defection and Loyalty Oath policy', by heavily relying on section 40 of the Nigerian constitution, it is a commendable attempt at strengthening or building weak institutions in Nigeria, which the resultant effect will be the achievement of strong and developed political culture in the country. What is most condemnable is the discriminatory tendency of the political party, specifically exempting its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, from taking the oath. For whatever reason put up as justification, it will never be adequate considering how the implication of such action may play out on their chances at the polls. As prospective leaders in the country, they should have shown examplary role, which would have amounted to scoring strong political point, while the exercise is generally regarded as a strong statement towards significant change in the country's political system. Fom all intent and purposes, therefore, political parties in Nigeria have what it takes to end incessant defection or cross-carpeting in Nigeria.

Concerning the way forward, order than the loyalty oath taking, the policy should be extended beyond only candidates of the party, to cover entire members regardless of status. Other measures which should be put in place include:
1. Institution of stiffer measures to prevent proliferation of political parties, by political jobbers and profiteers.
2. Restriction of inducted party members defecting from other parties, from seeking to become party candidates, for at least two election cycles.
3. Political Parties must have well defined, well dove-tailed, people-centred, socially/culturally-driven ideologies guiding their conduct.
In re-affirmation of already established assumption, it is the political parties that have the keys or what it takes to bring to an end, incessant defection or cross-carpeting from one party to another in Nigeria. Source:https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/07/assessment-of-nigeria-democratic.html

In the context of government, election is defined or regarded as an act or a process of formal procedures for selection of public officers or public officials, to assume leadership responsibilities or suprintend over the affairs of the people, in a given geographical territory. Order than leadership recruitment or leadership selection, which is the primary and paramount function of election, there are lots of other reasons citizens vote in an election, which is the main concern of this piece.

WHY CITIZENS VOTE IN ELECTIONS
1. For Political Communication
Election is used as a tool for political communication; it encourages discussion and debate on public issues by various candidates, especially around their manifestoes and blueprints during campaign, heading to election. Also, the choices and decisions citizens make during election, is a form of political communication. In most cases, it is an indication or an expression of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, disapproval, rejection or acceptance, hope, confidence, trust or distrust, fear, etc, away from the traditional function of recruiting leaders into various public offices. Furthermore, voting patterns can be a bold statement about certain local or national issues of concern that require government's attention.

2. Election Is Used For Decision Making
Government uses election result or outcome for allocation of resources. How does it happen? When manifesto or blueprint of a certain candidate dovetails the decision of the majority expressed during election, it becomes an expression of the citizens' acceptance of his or her manifesto, which the candidate in question, will implement on assumption of office. It is a true reflection of government's response to the people's will, because it is during election period political actors (candidates) get closer to the citizens most. So, as they seek for the citizens support and votes, the citizens in turn, make their plights known to them for necessary action, when they assume office.

3. For Exercising Universal Adult Suffrage (Franchise)
Expression of choice or decision during election, in recruitment of leaders, is the right of every adult citizens. In most countries of the world, adulthood is pegged at eighteen (18) years and above. They are within the age bracket of countries' population spelt out by construction to exercise their franchise (the right to vote and be voted for). Without conducting election, citizens cannot exercise such right.

4. It Measures Citizens' Degree of Political Participation
Election exposes citizens' level of political participation, which is a significant indicator for determining the growth and development in the political system. Meanwhile, the degree of political participation, especially in election, is a true reflection of a country's political culture. In developed or strong political culture, active or high political participation is recorded, while in weak or low political culture, political apathy is usually the case.

5. For Recruitment Of Leaders In Positions Of Authority.
Leadership succession cannot take place if a smooth and seamless recruitment process is not conducted - this is what election does in a country or in any formal organizations. In fact, this is one of the functions of the political system, ensuring it happens in line with existing laid down procedures (institution).

6. For Leadership Succession
Smooth and seamless electoral process makes transitioning of power or office from one administration to another possible. Election is a political exercise or an act which facilities continuity in leadership and government, it ensures that elected public officers are succeeded after completion of their terms of office.

7. For Political Stability And Integration
Election offers a fresh opportunity to re-write the wrong, to change unfortunate narratives, and make amend on certain events not in tandem with expectation, in leadership of a country. This exists in relation to citizens and eligible voters' right and power to make choices in leadership of their country. It guarantees stability and integration when it happens in a smooth and seamless process, devoid of antagonism and violence.

Moreover, any country that is able to conduct smooth transition of leadership succession will definitely achieve political stability and integration. Continuity in governance (government is continum) is a significant factor and remarkable recipe for political stability, while absence of political instability is an expression or a proof of political integration. The two concepts are extremely necessary for achieving a developed political system. Therefore, citizens' exercise of their voting right in an election certainly leads to the existence of the above.

8. For Legitimacy
The widespread acceptability of elected public officers who will exercise authority is assured, because their emergence is based on unanimous or majority decision. As the result of that acceptability, the authoritative allocation of values will certainly have impactful consequences, since the citizens have satisfaction, and are ready to embrace the outcome of government, which came forth as a result of their general will. Government that lacks legitimacy (i.e. widespread acceptability and support) will not succeed. It may likely witness instability, manifesting in social unrest such as revolt or protest, crisis and war. Notably, no meaningful development can take place in a country marred by insecurity. Hence, the need for instituting the political process - election.

9. It Measures The Worth, Capacity And Dignity of Candidates
It is a way of gauging the social value and relevance of political actors, to determine the degree of social influence and popularity, which is a true reflection of their level of acceptability vis-a-vis valuable or meaningful contributions made towards social development. Also, it is an avenue or a platform political actors' (candidates) capacity on the position being vied for, is made known, it is done as a way of selling their qualities to the citizens, and specifically, eligible voters, to enable them make informed decisions (choices during voting). This action in return, earn them public respect and widespread acceptability, especially when their capacity and worth are unquestionable, highly esteemed and appreciated.

10. It Exposes Candidates' Records
The records of candidates including assets, achievements, scandalous, etc. which ordinarily would have been private, are made public for the sake of transparency and accountability, which are part of the qualities leaders should possess. For example, in some countries, there is a bureau responsible for the gazette of assets declarations from elected public officers, during declaration of interest/intention. While the media is not lagging behind in this regard, because of their status as public figures, their personal records may not hidden. Source: https://domsimonnotebook..com/2026/06/why-citizens-vote-in-elections.html

On May 1, 2026, the China-Nigeria cooperation and the China-Nigeria bilateral trade relations, will assume a different dimension, following the signing of the framework agreement on economic partnership for shared development on March 28, 2026, for the implementation of the zero tariff trade agreement on Nigeria's export goods to China.

The landmark project on the banners of China Investment, China Construction and China Assistance, aimed at deepening economic and trade ties, is set to happen at a time Africa have become China's strategic economic partner. The Chinese foreign policy of helping developing nations enhance their industrialization and modernization, informed the zero tariff trade agreement.

In view of the above, the trade agreement and the planned implementation effective from May 1, have given birth to the following pertinent questions below:

I. What do you think should be the best strategy or approach Nigeria or Nigerians, as the case may be, should adopt to maximize benefits from the signed trade agreement?

ii. What are the products or commodities in hot demand in China which are adequately available for export in Nigeria?

iii. What do you think could be the likely set-back or challenges the trade agreement might face?

These and many more would help guide Nigeria to achieve effective implementation, in terms of the benefits it will derive from the trade agreement.

It's wonderful development. A big congratulation on your academic feat. A wonderful testimony about NELFUND initiative by the Federal Government.

Now, our biggest concern is the pay back plans, because it's what will guarantee the sustainability of the programme.

Now you've graduated, what's next?

How do you intend to pay back the loan? Have NELFUND officials intimated you on this?

Please I'll appreciate your kind response.

Congrats once again!

“The world is changing rapidly. Technology is reshaping industries, and many traditional jobs are disappearing. Even as new opportunities emerge, if we do not prepare our young people adequately, we risk widening the gap between education and employability,” How best can you interpret the above statement of the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, in relation to the launch of the mandatory Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certificates (EIBIC) in federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria? Also, what better suggestions could be added to the existing ones in order to make the programme more beneficial and sustainable; don't forget the introduction of entrepreneurship course has not yielded more result than students reading the course contents to pass examination as well as adding to their CGPA.
In view of the above, what do you think would be the weaknesses and challenges of the programme?