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FORMER President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged African countries to move beyond supplying labour to ageing economies and invest in skills, technology and enterprise to make their workforce more competitive globally.

Adesina said Africa’s growing population could become a major economic asset if governments equipped young people with the knowledge and capabilities needed to drive productivity, innovation and industrial development.

He made the call at the inaugural Seyi Tinubu Colloquium, held recently in Lagos, where he delivered an address titled: ‘Africa Next: Building the Demographic Asset Class.

‘Africa, therefore, should not aspire merely to supply labour to an ageing world. We should aspire to supply capability to a changing world,’ he said.

He stated that Africa’s demographic advantage would depend not simply on the number of people available to work, but on the quality of education, skills and employment opportunities available to them.

He said governments should strengthen education and vocational training, align learning with labour-market needs and expand opportunities for workers to acquire skills relevant to emerging industries.

Adesina described education as an investment in national productive capacity, warning that unemployment, underemployment and skills mismatches could undermine the continent’s development prospects.

‘Our young people are not the liability. Wasted potential is the liability,’ he said.

He argued that the failure to translate young people’s potential into productive employment often reflected weaknesses in the systems meant to prepare and support them, including inadequate education, healthcare, infrastructure and access to finance.

The former AfDB president also urged African countries to prepare workers for changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI), insisting that the continent must do more than consume technologies developed elsewhere.

‘We must become a creator, an adapter and a shaper of AI,’ he said.

He called for technologies that respond to African languages, businesses, markets and development needs, alongside investments that enable workers to adapt to changing workplace demands.

Adesina further emphasised the need to connect skills with capital, technology and markets, saying young people require access to finance and business support to turn their ideas into enterprises capable of creating jobs.

He cited the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme, which received $178 million in AfDB financing towards its $618 million funding package, as well as the bank’s $100 million commitment to support a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank model.

He said Africa’s ability to develop a competitive workforce would depend on whether its economies could productively deploy the skills young people acquire.

Adesina’s message was that the continent must move beyond providing workers to the global economy and build the capabilities to compete in higher-value activities, create businesses and drive innovation.

He maintained that investing in people would be critical to turning Africa’s demographic growth into economic prosperity.

Nigerian politicians have commenced their political campaigns across the 36 states, travelling with their supporters to solicit votes from the electorate.

The recent ambush and killing of political supporters by hoodlums in Oyo and Enugu states is deeply tragic and unacceptable.

This violence demands the Presidency’s urgent intervention. The Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu must issue a stern warming to political leaders to prioritize peace and guarantee a violence – free campaign season.

Nigerian politicians should share their agenda with the public instead of blaming previous administration.

We need peace in Nigeria. We don’t want to lose any single soul of Nigerian citizen during this ongoing political campaigns.

Descendants of Alaafin Oranmiyan from Ipokia, Ogun State, have explained that their visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, was to honour their royal ancestry and congratulate him on his emergence as the paramount ruler of the historic Oyo Kingdom.

Speaking at the Alaafin’s Palace, on Sunday, Head of the family, Alhaji Abdulatif Kolawole Adeowo, said the visit was a demonstration of their respect for their royal progenitor and a reaffirmation of their ancestral ties to the kingdom.

Adeowo explained that their mother, Princess Onisile, was a great-great-granddaughter of Alaafin Oranmiyan, whom tradition associates with the founding of Old Oyo, also known as Oyo-Ile or Oyo Igboho.

He said the family regarded its royal lineage as an important part of its identity and history, adding that the visit was intended to strengthen its relationship with the palace and preserve the cultural heritage of their forebears.

He added that the emergence of Oba Owoade offered a fresh opportunity to promote peace, unity and development in the Oyo Kingdom.

‘My message is to congratulate you, Your Majesty,’ Adeowo said, praying for a successful and peaceful reign for the monarch.

He also noted that relations between the people of Oyo and the palace remained cordial, and expressed hope that the new reign would further strengthen the bond between the monarch and his people.

In his response, Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to the chiefs, elders, sons and daughters of Oyo, who travelled from Ipokia to congratulate him on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.

The Alaafin said he was delighted by the show of love, solidarity and support he had received from Oyo indigenes, including those living outside the kingdom.

He appreciated the visitors for their prayers and goodwill, asking God to continue to bless and protect them.

‘I thank you all for coming. Olódùmarè will bless you all. Oyo will know peace in our time,’ the monarch said.

Oba Owoade called on Oyo indigenes at home and in the diaspora to join hands with him in building a greater kingdom founded on peace, unity and development.

The monarch also invited the indigenes of Oyo across the world to participate in the maiden Oyo Empire Day Celebration, tagged ‘M? Mi Kí N M? ?’ – A Homecoming.

The event is scheduled for December 17 to 19, at the Alaafin’s Palace, in Oyo town.

The celebration aims to reconnect descendants of the historic Oyo Empire with their ancestral roots while promoting cultural heritage, unity and a shared sense of identity among the people.

INDIGENES of Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti State have appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in the suspension of the selection process for a new Alara, urging Governor Biodun Oyebanji to allow the kingmakers to conclude the exercise.

The appeal followed a six-month delay in the process, which the Alara-in-Council said had left the traditional stool vacant and disrupted cultural activities in the community.

In a statement by the Asao of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Julius Oladiran Adebayo (head of kingmakers) and the Sajowa of Aramoko-Ekiti, High Chief Kolade Oyebade (secretary), the kingmakers said the community had written to the state government over the matter, but had yet to receive a response.

They urged the Ooni, whom they described as the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, to appeal to the governor to grant the kingmakers’ permission to reconvene and complete the selection process.

According to the kingmakers, the process began in April 2026, in accordance with the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

They explained that three princes were shortlisted, following an Ifa consultation conducted through Baba Araba Elebuibon, while voting by the 12 kingmakers ended in a tie, with six votes each.

They added that a second round of voting was expected to resolve the deadlock, but was postponed by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, leaving the process suspended.

The kingmakers said the prolonged vacancy had affected the community’s traditional institutions, adding that youths were becoming restive and some festivals and traditional rites could not be held.

They stressed that Aramoko-Ekiti shared historical and cultural ties with Ile-Ife as a town founded by descendants of Oduduwa, as the selection of a new Alara was significant to the preservation of its customs and tradition.

The kingmakers expressed confidence that the Ooni’s intervention would help resolve the matter peacefully and strengthen the cultural relationship between Aramoko-Ekiti and Ile-Ife.

They also expressed confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s respect for the law and traditional institutions, urging the state government to permit the completion of the selection process.

Experts in physical planning and urban development have canvassed for stronger cooperation among South-West states to coordinate infrastructure development, tackle urban congestion and flooding, improve housing delivery and attract investments across the region.

They spoke at a two-day Lagos Physical Planning Summit 2.0, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where stakeholders sought an integrated regional development framework to address urban challenges that transcend state boundaries.

The experts argued that effective physical planning among Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states would improve transportation networks, strengthen economic corridors and promote sustainable urban growth.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, proposed a Lagos-to-South-West Spatial Development and Investment Compact, to foster collaboration among the six states on cross-border infrastructure, environmental resilience, regional economic development and investment opportunities.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Diagnosis to Delivery: Positioning Lagos for Regional Strategic Development and Priority Investment Agenda,’ Bamidele said the future of Lagos and its neighbouring states depended not only on the quality of their development plans, but also on their commitment to finance, coordinate and implement them.

He proposed that the framework should bring together state governments, relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector organisations and development partners to identify common priorities and develop practical implementation plans.

He said, regional transportation and logistics, industrial development, power infrastructure, housing, environmental management and investment mobilisation require greater cooperation among the states.

He also called for improved land administration, digital innovation, transparent development regulations and effective public-private partnerships, stressing that regional projects must have clear funding arrangements, defined responsibilities and measurable performance targets.

Bamidele said coordinated development could reduce congestion, improve the movement of goods and people, attract investments and create employment opportunities across the South-West.

He added that effective physical planning should translate into accessible housing, shorter commuting times, reduced flood risks and a more productive business environment.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also advocated stronger regional cooperation, noting that transportation, housing, economic activities and environmental challenges frequently extend beyond administrative boundaries.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, said the rapid growth of Lagos’s population, expanding economic activities and limited land resources made proper planning essential to sustainable development.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond preparing development plans to ensuring their effective implementation through clear priorities, adequate funding and measurable results.

The governor stressed that decisions on land use, housing, transportation, drainage and infrastructure must be properly coordinated to prevent congestion, flooding and overcrowded settlements.

He also called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, consistent enforcement of planning regulations and transparent development approval processes.

Sanwo-Olu identified reliable data, clear implementation timelines and accountable institutions as critical to translating development plans into tangible improvements in residents’ living conditions while providing greater certainty for investors.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the summit provided an opportunity for policymakers, professionals, investors, developers and academics to develop practical solutions to Lagos’s urban development challenges.

He said master plans and model city plans must guide infrastructure provision, housing, transportation, environmental management and investment decisions rather than remain documents without effective implementation

Olumide also highlighted regional collaboration, improved planning administration and technology as essential tools for modern urban management.

He disclosed that the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System, introduced on April 1, 2026, was designed to enable applicants to process planning permit applications remotely, reduce unnecessary human interference and improve efficiency without compromising planning standards or public safety.

The commissioner called for innovative infrastructure financing, stronger institutional coordination and sustained investment in the capacity of planning officers and allied professionals.

He urged participants to ensure that the summit’s recommendations were practical, measurable and supported by clear responsibilities, timelines and credible funding arrangements.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, commended the state government for its commitment to physical planning and sustainable development through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge shared and recommendations generated at the summit would strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions for sustainable urban development in Lagos and the wider region.

For decades, oil dominated Nigeria’s economy. In 2026, a quiet revolution is happening in warehouses, markets, and farms across the country – agro-commodities are becoming the new oil.

From maize and soybeans in Kwara to sesame seeds in Jigawa and ginger in Kaduna, agro-commodity trading is creating a new generation of millionaires, not just among farmers, but among aggregators, processors, and storage operators.

Kwara as the Next Agro-Hub

Kwara State is strategically positioned between Northern producing states and Southern consuming markets. Towns like Afon, Bode-Saadu, and Share are emerging as aggregation hubs for maize, soybeans, and cashew.

The Kwara State Government’s renewed push for industrial parks and improved road access has made the Ilorin-Afon corridor attractive for investors looking to build mid-size warehouses.

For export crops like sesame, ginger, and hibiscus, the difference is even greater. Export-grade sesame is currently earning 2 to 3 times the price of local-market grade.

The Challenges That Remain

Despite the boom, challenges persist. Access to affordable finance, high cost of transportation, inconsistent quality standards, and lack of real-time market information still limit many small aggregators.

Stakeholders are calling for more support from the Bank of Industry (BOI), the Nigerian Exchange’s Growth Board for raising capital, and private warehouse developers offering lease-to-own models.

What Comes Next

As Nigeria pushes for food security agro-commodities are expected to remain one of the most profitable and resilient sectors.

For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: The future is not just in planting, but in aggregating, storing, grading, and connecting Nigerian farms to both local factories and the global market.