Author: Nouman Ali

Strategic think tanks and the intelligentsia must be more deeply integrated into Nigeria’s defence policymaking process to address the country’s increasingly complex security challenges, said strategic studies expert Esther Terwase Ikomi.

Ikomi said Nigeria’s inability to translate strategic research and knowledge into policy decisions has weakened the country’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats and to build sustainable national development.

She spoke at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, while presenting a paper titled ‘The Role of Strategic Think Tanks in Strengthening Defence Policy and National Development: Building Strategic Advantage for Nigeria in an Era of Complex Security Threats’ to participants of the Leadership and Strategic Studies Course 4/25.

The participants comprised one Brigadier General, 32 Colonels and 11 Lieutenant Colonels.

Ikomi identified the widening gap between research and policymaking, as well as weak coordination among relevant institutions, as major impediments to effective defence policy formulation.

According to her, Nigeria needs to move beyond producing strategic research to creating institutional mechanisms that ensure such knowledge directly informs national security and defence decisions.

Ikomi proposed institutionalising a Formalised National Security Research-Policy Liaison Framework as the most feasible mechanism for closing the gap.

She also recommended establishing regional Strategic Intelligence-Policy Hubs and a National Security Foresight Hub to improve intelligence analysis, anticipate emerging threats, and provide policymakers with timely evidence for decision-making.

To further strengthen the process, she introduced the Defence Knowledge-to-Policy Model, which she described as a practical framework for translating strategic knowledge into actionable defence policies.

The model, she said, would promote evidence-based decision-making, improve institutional coordination and enhance Nigeria’s strategic advantage in an increasingly unpredictable security environment.

She urged stronger collaboration between strategic research institutions and government agencies, arguing that a well-connected knowledge ecosystem would enable Nigeria to anticipate security threats rather than merely react to them.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which coordinated the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has thanked residents of the state for their support that secured the governor’s victory at the polls.

The council, in a statement jointly signed on Friday by its Director-General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao, also appreciated traditional rulers for their prayers and support throughout the election period.

The council said the victory reflected the people’s confidence in what it described as the Imole vision and their desire for continued development and good governance in the state.

It said, ‘We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Osun State for the confidence, support, prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment demonstrated throughout our journey.

‘The victory we celebrate today belongs, first and foremost, to God Almighty and to the good people of Osun State. It is a testament to the strength of your faith in the Imole vision and your determination to see Osun continue on the path of progress, development, and good governance.’

The council also commended traditional rulers for their counsel, prayers and contributions to their communities.

‘To our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers, we salute your wisdom, dignity, and invaluable counsel. Your leadership remains a pillar of our communities, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support,’ it said.

Religious leaders were also recognised for their prayers, guidance and commitment to peace, unity and the wellbeing of Osun State.

The council said the victory belonged to all residents of the state, including those in the diaspora, and urged them to remain united.

‘To every citizen of Osun State-at home and in the diaspora, we see and value you. You will never be taken for granted. This moment belongs to all of us,’ it said.

The council acknowledged that the campaign was not without challenges but said the outcome demonstrated the importance of collective support for a shared vision.

It stressed, however, that the electoral victory should be viewed as a renewed responsibility to serve the people.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, we are conscious that victory itself is not the destination. It is a renewed responsibility to serve, to listen, to unite, and to deliver on the aspirations of the people,’ the council said.

It pledged that the trust placed in the administration would not be taken for granted.

Bravematt Property and Investment Limited has alleged a coordinated attempt to take over its N21.5 billion property at the Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki, Lagos.

It named a senior government official, a foreign national and an army officer among those allegedly involved in the unfolding dispute.

The allegation is contained in an account of the company’s acquisition and subsequent possession of the 13.067-hectare property, comprising Plots 5, 6, 7, and 8, Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II, Ibeju, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The property, which is situated along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, is covered by a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy dated July 15, 1988.

Bravematt called for the resolution of the dispute over the property valued at about N21.5 billion.

The property is covered by a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy dated July 15, 1988.

Bravematt said it acquired the property from Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI) and 4H Nigeria Limited following negotiations that resulted in an Agreement for Sale.

According to court processes filed by the company, the property was initially offered for N22 billion through an appointed agent, but Bravematt made a counter-offer of N21.5 billion in a letter dated June 5, 2025.

The company said the offer was accepted on June 13, 2025, after which the parties proceeded with the transaction.

Bravematt said it paid N10 billion and N2 billion in instalments, followed by a further N7.475 billion, bringing the total amount paid to N21.475 billion.

A disagreement subsequently arose over the transaction, prompting the company to approach the Lagos State High Court for protection of its interest in the property.

On December 10, 2025, Justice R. O. Olukolu of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in the Commercial/Fast-Track Division, made an interim order restraining IGI, 4H, their agents and prospective purchasers from entering into transactions that could lead to the assignment or transfer of interests in the property pending compliance with the applicable pre-action protocol.

The court also restrained dealings with the property that could alter its state and made a related order concerning funds in a 4H bank account.

The order followed an application by Bravematt supported by documentary evidence relating to the transaction.

The company said the parties subsequently continued discussions over the transaction and documentation.

It said a Deed of Assignment was later executed in its favour, while transaction documents were handed over to it. Bravematt also said it was subsequently put in possession of the property.

Following its reported possession, the company erected a signboard, commenced a fresh survey and began perimeter fencing.

The dispute resurfaced in July 2026 when Bravematt said it received information concerning developments involving 4H and the original Certificate of Occupancy.

The company said it sought clarification from the relevant parties but did not receive a response that resolved its concerns.

It subsequently published a caveat in a national newspaper on July 15, 2026, notifying the public of its claimed interest in the property.

A further dispute arose on August 15, 2026, when persons reportedly entered the property amid competing claims concerning the land and the Federal Government’s right of way along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Bravematt said the disagreement involved the interpretation and application of a proposed setback associated with the highway project.

The company maintains that its property, which extends beyond the roadway, is covered by the Lagos State title document and that any competing claim to the land should be determined through the appropriate legal process.

Another issue in contention is the extent of the Federal Government’s interest in land required for the coastal highway and the effect, if any, of the proposed setback on the property.

Bravematt has questioned the administrative basis for treating the disputed area as falling within a Federal Government setback, arguing that questions of ownership and title should be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The company has also raised concerns over the involvement of security personnel in the dispute, maintaining that disagreements over possession and title should not be resolved through physical occupation or eviction.

At the centre of the controversy are the competing claims over the property, the validity and effect of the existing Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy, the status of the subsequent transaction documents, and the extent of land required for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Bravematt said its position is supported by the payment trail, the Agreement for Sale, subsequent transaction documents, the court order and its claimed possession of the property.

The company is therefore seeking a resolution of the dispute through due process, with the parties’ respective interests determined by the appropriate authorities and, where necessary, a court of competent jurisdiction.

Bravematt maintains that any competing claim should be properly documented and determined through lawful procedures rather than by unilateral action.

The company said it remains interested in resolving the matter through the appropriate legal and administrative channels.

Nigerian musician and professional keyboardist Temitope Adeoye, popularly known as Temi Comic, brought Afro-fusion to the Nigerian Cultural Day celebration in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

The event, organised by Toskel Community Heritage and Culture CIC on August 8, 2026, brought together members of the Nigerian community and other participants to celebrate Nigerian music, heritage and cultural identity in the diaspora.

Temi Comic was among the performers at the event, where he shared the stage with veteran Nigerian musician Jesse King ‘Buga’ in a performance that blended contemporary musical expression with traditional African influences.

His performance showcased the keyboard’s versatility beyond conventional harmonic accompaniment, incorporating melodic phrases, rhythmic accents, and harmonic textures.

Playing alongside Buga, whose style draws from contemporary highlife, Afro-jazz, and traditional African influences, Temi Comic adopted a collaborative approach, responding to the music and complementing the vocalist.

‘Playing alongside Buga was a very special experience for me. There is so much history and culture in his music, so as a keyboardist you have to listen carefully and understand where the music wants to go,’ he said.

He described the performance as an opportunity to learn from an established musician while exploring the connection between different generations of African musicians.

‘What I enjoyed most was the musical communication. Sometimes you don’t need many words between musicians. You listen, you respond, and you allow the music to lead you. Playing with Buga reminded me of that,’ he said.

Temi Comic said his approach was centred on supporting the vocalist and other band members rather than dominating the performance.

‘For me, playing with an experienced artist like Buga is about listening. You cannot just play because you know how to play. You have to understand the artist, understand the rhythm and know when your sound should come forward and when it should step back,’ he said.

He described the collaboration as evidence of music’s ability to bridge generational differences and create opportunities for younger musicians to connect with established practitioners.

‘It was rewarding because you realise that music has no generational gap. When the rhythm is right, and everybody understands the language, experience and youth can meet naturally,’ he said.

Reflecting on the performance, Temi Comic said working with Buga reinforced the importance of continuous learning among musicians.

‘I left the performance feeling inspired. Performing with Buga showed me that there is always more to learn, especially when you are working with someone who has carried African music for so many years,’ he said.

The Nigerian Cultural Day also highlighted the role of cultural events in preserving and promoting Nigerian identity among communities in the diaspora.

For Temi Comic, the performance demonstrated how contemporary musicians can engage with African musical traditions while introducing new sounds and approaches, highlighting the ability of Nigerian music to evolve across generations and borders without losing its cultural roots.

The Federal Government has said it is working towards developing a balanced national port system where Lagos and the Eastern ports complement one another in handling Nigeria’s maritime traffic.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this yesterday in Lagos at the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the League of Maritime Editors.

Oyetola, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs Anastasia Ogbonna, said the concentration of cargo and vessel calls at Lagos ports, while Eastern ports remain underutilised, was no longer sustainable.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Lagos / Eastern Ports: How to Reverse Existing Imbalance in Disproportionate Cargo Vessel Calls,’ the minister said the imbalance had implications for national logistics costs, regional economic development, infrastructure utilisation, investment and the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, Lagos ports, particularly Apapa and Tin Can Island, have historically handled the bulk of the country’s seaborne cargo because of their importance and the concentration of commercial activities in Lagos.

He, however, said the resulting pressure had led to congestion, longer cargo dwell and vessel turnaround times, increased demurrage and logistics costs, pressure on road infrastructure and other inefficiencies across the supply chain.

Oyetola said the Eastern ports, including Onne, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, had considerable strategic and economic potential that could be harnessed to serve the South-East, South-South and parts of the North-Central.

He said their proximity to major industrial, agricultural, energy and commercial activities gave them a natural advantage in handling cargo for large portions of the country’s hinterland.

The minister noted that the ports could support regional industrial clusters, facilitate exports, promote agro-allied value chains and stimulate economic activities across the Eastern and Niger Delta regions.

He, however, identified draft limitations, infrastructure deficiencies, navigational constraints, security concerns, poor hinterland connectivity, inadequate equipment, operational costs and unpredictable services as some of the factors affecting the ability of the Eastern ports to attract regular vessel calls.

Oyetola described the need to reverse the imbalance as a national economic imperative rather than a regional demand.

He said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, had adopted a strategic approach to transforming Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and making the sector a stronger driver of economic growth.

He said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies were committed to developing an efficient and interconnected port system in which Lagos and the Eastern ports would complement each other.

‘Modernisation and rehabilitation of the Eastern ports are integral parts of the Federal Government’s port development strategy,’ he said.

According to him, government’s plans include improving channel depths and navigability, rehabilitating critical port infrastructure, enhancing navigational safety, upgrading cargo-handling facilities and strengthening security.

He also cited the reconstruction of breakwaters and channel-management interventions, including works along the Escravos Channel, as part of efforts to improve the nation’s maritime infrastructure.

The minister said government was encouraging greater private-sector participation in port development, noting that the scale of investment required could not be borne by government alone.

He said the objective was to make every viable Nigerian port capable of competing for cargo on the basis of efficiency, reliability, cost and quality of service.

Oyetola also addressed concerns over the Federal Government’s current focus on major physical modernisation activities at the Western ports, particularly Apapa and Tin Can Island.

He said the attention given to Lagos was not based on preferential treatment but on ‘operational urgency, economic necessity, project readiness and responsible sequencing.’

According to him, Lagos remains Nigeria’s principal maritime gateway and handles the largest concentration of import and export cargo.

He said addressing congestion and infrastructure constraints at the busiest ports would provide the quickest opportunity to reduce systemic inefficiencies and deliver immediate economic benefits.

Oyetola said carrying out major reconstruction simultaneously across the Western and Eastern gateways without adequate alternative capacity could disrupt cargo movement and expose the national supply chain to unnecessary risks.

He explained that the Lagos port modernisation programme attained financial and contractual readiness earlier, enabling implementation to begin ahead of some interventions in the Eastern ports.

He stressed that the sequencing should not be interpreted as neglect of the Eastern ports.

‘The long-term objective of the government is not simply to improve the Lagos ports. Our objective is to create a multi-port system in which cargo owners and shipping lines have viable alternatives,’ he said.

The minister added: ‘We are not developing Lagos at the expense of the East. We are strengthening Lagos while building the capacity of the Eastern corridor to assume a greater and more strategic share of national maritime traffic.’

He said improved infrastructure alone would not automatically lead to the redistribution of cargo and vessel calls, noting that shipping lines consider factors including draft, berth availability, cargo volumes, turnaround time, security, tariffs, hinterland connectivity and operational predictability.

To make the Eastern ports more attractive, Oyetola said the ministry was pursuing complementary reforms in maritime security, operational and commercial incentives, digitalisation, hinterland connectivity and public-private partnerships.

He said the government would continue to support measures aimed at improving security along the Eastern maritime corridor and building confidence among shipowners, operators and cargo interests.

On digitalisation, the minister said the National Single Window, Port Community System and other digital initiatives were designed to reduce unnecessary physical interactions, improve information sharing, enhance transparency and make cargo clearance more predictable.

He also stressed the importance of road, rail, inland waterway and barge connectivity to the competitiveness of ports.

‘A port is only as competitive as the logistics network that connects it to its market,’ he said.

Oyetola said stronger multimodal connections to the Eastern ports would be crucial to unlocking their potential and expanding their market reach.

He added that government would continue to create an enabling environment for private investment in port infrastructure, terminal operations, logistics and related services.

The minister also urged maritime journalists and editors to contribute to the transformation of the sector through objective and evidence-based reporting.

He described the media as an important stakeholder capable of shaping public understanding, attracting investment, promoting accountability and drawing attention to challenges requiring government intervention.

Oyetola said the imbalance between Lagos and the Eastern ports was the result of decades of infrastructure, investment, operational and historical factors and could not be corrected overnight.

‘But it can be corrected, and it must be corrected,’ he said.

He said the government’s approach would involve strategic policy, infrastructure investment, private-sector participation, digital transformation, improved security and stronger multimodal connectivity.

Oyetola said the ultimate objective was to build a Nigerian port system in which Lagos would remain a major maritime gateway while Onne, Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar and other viable ports handle a greater and more diversified share of national and regional trade.

‘Our vision is a Nigeria where cargo moves through the gateway that provides the greatest efficiency, reliability and value, irrespective of its geographical location,’ he said.

According to him, achieving the objective would reduce logistics costs, strengthen regional economies, attract investment, create jobs, improve trade competitiveness and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.

If there is one thing Big Brother Naija has mastered over the years, it is the element of surprise. Just when housemates think they have figured out how to navigate the house, Biggie completely shifts the dynamic.

Three weeks into the Show Ya Sef season, the show is proving once again why it remains a massive cultural staple. Rather than relying solely on housemate drama, the franchise keeps finding fresh ways to evolve its own rules, keeping both the contestants and millions of viewers on their toes.

High stakes, new dynamics

Take The Gambit, one of the most talked-about twists this season. By giving Flora and Aikou permanent immunity all the way to the grand finale, the show handed them a major safety net. The catch? They are completely excluded from winning the grand prize money.

They get to stay till the end, but they cannot take home the cash.

That single move changes the social dynamic of the house. How do you form alliances or build trust with housemates who do not have to worry about eviction, but also have no financial skin in the game? It forces everyone to play a completely different kind of strategic game.

Putting a price on performance

Then there is the shift in how weekly accountability works. The N100 million prize money is no longer a guaranteed static figure. Instead, it is directly tied to how well the house performs each week, with N5 million deducted for every failed weekly performance.

This changes the energy during presentations and tasks. Laziness or a lack of effort is no longer just a personal risk for eviction; it directly reduces the final cash prize that everyone is fighting for. When every misstep costs real money, weekly tasks naturally carry a whole new level of focus, teamwork, and prime-time intensity.

Staying ahead of the curve

This constant shift in rules is exactly why the show continues to drive daily conversations across social media. Viewers are not just passively watching people interact; they are actively deciphering the rules and predicting how these twists will play out in real time.

Over eleven seasons, we have seen fake evictions, secret pairings, double houses, and dynamic voting formats. The details always change, but the core strategy remains the same: disrupt the game before it becomes predictable, and give the audience something genuinely exciting to discuss every day.