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Mahinda Rajapaksa pays final respects to Kapila Chandrasena

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday paid his final respects to former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, whose body has been placed at a private funeral parlour in Borella. Several others also attended to pay their respects.

Speaking to the media during the visit, Rajapaksa also commented on a recent notice issued to him to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Responding to questions on whether he would appear before the Commission, Rajapaksa said: ‘Yes, I will go. We must go, right?’

The final rites of Chandrasena were scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. yesterday at the Borella Public Cemetery.

OIL PRICE WATCH as of May 11, 2026

Diesel prices are expected to post another major rollback this week following easing tensions in the Middle East and softer global oil trading.

Industry estimates showed diesel prices could drop by as much as P7 to P9 per liter on May 12, potentially pulling pump prices in Metro Manila down to as low as P70 per liter for regular diesel products.

Kerosene prices are also expected to decline sharply, while gasoline may register a slight increase.

Communities mourn death of famed tusker ‘Plai Thong Bai’

Thailand is mourning the peaceful passing of ‘Plai Thong Bai’, a celebrated male elephant famed for having the longest tusks in the country, prompting an outpouring of grief among mahouts and local communities in the Northeast.

The tusker died on Sunday evening at Ban Ta Klang in Surin province, where members of the Kui (Guay) elephant-keeping community gathered in sorrow.

Plai Thong Bai was widely admired for his striking appearance and impressive tusks, each about 2.10 metres long. He was one of Surin’s most distinguished elephants, known for his tall, dignified stature and elegant pair of tusks.

Born on Nov 11, 1973 in Bangkok, he was the offspring of Mae Bua Ngern, a female believed to have lived to between 103 and 105 years of age. Over the years, Plai Thong Bai gained national recognition, appearing as the lead figure in a well-known alcoholic beverage advertisement.

In recent years, the elephant had been living under the ‘Return Elephants to Their Homeland to Develop Surin’ initiative and was aged 53 at the time of his death.

Known affectionately as ‘Por Yai Thong Bai’, he was cared for by female mahout Lun Salangam, whose elder brother is the elephant’s legal owner. Funeral arrangements were still being discussed with senior elephant masters and traditional healers to ensure appropriate burial honours.

A prayer ceremony has already been held, attended by relatives and members of the Kui elephant-keeping community, who gathered to pay their final respects to one of Thailand’s most iconic elephants.

MFF, enlargement at Informal Meeting of Ministers for European Affairs in Nicosia

The Multiannual Financial Framework, EU enlargement and information manipulation will be among the issues to be discussed on Monday at the Informal Meeting of Ministers for European Affairs that takes place in Nicosia in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

According to an official press release, during the main part of the Meeting, that begins in the morning, discussions will focus in the first session on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and in the second session on EU enlargement, with the participation of representatives from EU candidate countries and a potential candidate member.

During their working lunch, Ministers will discuss information manipulation and foreign interference and EU-UK cooperation to address the issue, with the participation of a representative of the United Kingdom.

A press conference will be held in the afternoon by Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna and Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin.

Ever Bilena marks first-ever partnership with Miss Universe Philippines 2026

EVER Bilena steps into a meaningful new chapter as it becomes the official color cosmetics sponsor of Miss Universe Philippines 2026 for the first time.

The partnership was introduced through a runway event at Ayala Malls Arca South, drawing an estimated crowd of 30,000. It was more than just a pageant appearance. It felt like a shared moment between the candidates and the women who see themselves in them.

One of the most memorable parts of the afternoon was when the delegates stepped off the stage and into the crowd, personally handing out Ever Bilena beauty kits along with fresh flowers. Each kit featured the brand’s bestselling Serum Tinted Lip Balm. It turned what could have been a typical event into something more personal. A simple but meaningful way to celebrate women, not just those onstage but everyone watching.

The collaboration reflects Ever Bilena’s long-standing belief that beauty goes beyond makeup. It is about confidence, self-expression, and showing up as you are. Partnering with Miss Universe Philippines brings that message to a bigger platform, one that continues to shape how Filipina beauty is seen today.

‘Ever Bilena has always been about empowering women through beauty,’ said Rafeea Custodio, Ever Bilena Brand Manager. As the competition continues, the brand also introduces the Miss Ever Bilena special award. This will be given to a candidate who best represents confidence, authenticity, and a kind of beauty that feels real and relatable.

More than a milestone for the brand, the partnership is a reminder of what Ever Bilena has always stood for. Beauty that includes, uplifts, and celebrates every Filipina.

Global debt hits $353 trillion as economic risks intensify

The global economy is currently navigating a treacherous path, sustained by a fragile illusion that we can indefinitely borrow from the future to finance the present. The latest Global Debt Monitor report from the Institute of International Finance (IIF) serves as a stark awakening, revealing that total global debt has surged to a staggering record of 353 trillion dollars. This figure is not merely a statistical anomaly; it represents a systemic crisis that threatens to mortgage the prosperity of future generations. When we examine the scale of this burden relative to the size of the global economy, the picture becomes even more alarming, with the debt-to-GDP ratio climbing to approximately 305 percent. This means that as a collective global society, we owe three times more than what we produce in an entire year, effectively spending wealth that does not yet exist.

The architects of this mounting debt mountain are predominantly the world’s two largest economic engines, the United States and China. For years, these superpowers have utilized debt as a primary tool to maintain internal stability, finance ambitious geopolitical agendas, and stimulate growth. However, the reliance on “easy money” and digital printing presses is reaching a point of diminishing returns. The world is entering a new era of structural pressures that make deleveraging nearly impossible under current policies. We are witnessing a collision of unavoidable costs: aging populations requiring massive social security and healthcare expenditures, a global rearmament cycle driving defense budgets to Cold War levels, and the astronomical capital requirements of the green energy transition and the artificial intelligence revolution.

For the developed world, particularly nations like the United States or several European powers, this debt load is currently viewed as a manageable, albeit heavy, burden. They possess the institutional depth and currency sovereignty to navigate high debt-to-GDP ratios for extended periods. However, the true tragedy of the 353 trillion-dollar reality is felt most acutely in emerging markets. For nations with limited financial reserves and weaker currencies, the combination of record debt and high global interest rates acts as an economic stranglehold. As central banks in the West maintain higher rates to combat persistent inflation, the cost of servicing debt for developing nations skyrockets. This forces a cruel choice upon their leaders: either default on international obligations or gut essential public services, education, and infrastructure to keep up with interest payments. In this environment, the gap between the global north and south does not just persist; it widens into a chasm.

The geopolitical instability in the Middle East and other regions further exacerbates these tensions by keeping energy and food prices volatile. This volatility forces governments to provide fiscal support to their citizens to prevent social unrest, which in turn leads to wider budget deficits and even more borrowing. We are trapped in a feedback loop where the very tools used to mitigate crises-government spending and debt-become the fuel for the next one. While high inflation can occasionally erode the real value of debt in the short term, its long-term persistence leads to higher borrowing costs that eventually outweigh any temporary relief.

The current trajectory is unsustainable because it relies on the assumption that interest rates will eventually return to near-zero levels and that growth will always outpace the cost of borrowing. But as the IIF report suggests, the structural pressures of the 21st century-from cyber-security investments to the costs of climate change-are permanent, not transitory. We are no longer just borrowing money; we are borrowing time. If global leaders do not shift from a debt-driven growth model to one based on real productivity and fiscal discipline, the inevitable “reset” will not be a managed transition, but a chaotic rupture. The 353 trillion dollars we owe is a testament to a world living beyond its means, treating the earth’s future resources as an infinite credit line. It is time to recognize that wealth cannot be printed into existence, and the longer we dance on this debt-ridden volcano, the more devastating the eventual eruption will be for everyone involved.

Fayemi: Fasoranti is an Awoist to the core

It is with profound gratitude to God and deep admiration that I join family, friends, associates, compatriots, and countless admirers across Nigeria and the world in celebrating the centenary anniversary of our father, my principal, an extraordinary patriot, elder statesman, democracy activist and Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.

Reaching the age of one hundred is itself a rare divine blessing; attaining it with such dignity, and enduring relevance to national life is even more remarkable. Baba’s life represents a century of sacrifice, courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice, good governance, and the advancement of the Yoruba people within a united, democratic Nigeria.

Personally, Baba Fasoranti has been much more than a revered leader of Afenifere. He has been a father figure, teacher, mentor, counselor, and moral compass. Over the years, I have benefitted immensely from his wisdom, encouragement, and steadfast belief in principled leadership. In moments of political uncertainty and national turbulence, Baba remained one of those rare voices whose convictions never shifted with convenience. His guidance has consistently reinforced the values of courage, moderation, discipline, and service to the people.

Chief Fasoranti’s lifelong commitment to education and human development is evidenced in his enduring legacies in education and incredible impact on all of us who were privileged to be his students. He remained a father figure and moral compass to us till date. As a young man, Chief Fasoranti knew early the value of education, he graduated from the then University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan), acquired a post graduate certificate in Education and a Master’s degree in Education Administration and School Management from the University of Hull, United Kingdom and Maguire University, Australia, respectively. As a teacher, administrator, and community leader, he understood early that the future of any society rests on the quality of its education and the moral character of its citizens. His life of simplicity, humility, and service continues to inspire generations of leaders.

Baba was an astute politician, a believer in the vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a frontline figure in the struggle for democracy. He was actively involved in the Action Group in the First Republic and later in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic where he served as an incomparable Commissioner for Finance in the administration of late Chief Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State. Baba Fasoranti stood firmly on the side of justice during some of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s political history.

Through the difficult years of military dictatorship, he remained resolute in defending democratic freedoms, constitutionalism, and the rights of the people. His courage, alongside that of other patriots within Afenifere, helped sustain the democratic spirit that eventually culminated in the rebirth of democratic governance in Nigeria.

Beyond politics, Baba Fasoranti’s contribution to the development of the Yoruba nation is immeasurable. He has been an enduring symbol of unity, cultural pride, communal progress, and intellectual advancement.

Through his leadership in Afenifere, he preserved and strengthened the ideals of fairness, federalism, education, and people-oriented governance that have historically defined Yoruba progressive politics. He has consistently advocated restructuring, equity, and true federalism, not as abstract political slogans, but as necessary foundations for national stability and inclusive development. His interventions on national issues have always reflected uncommon patriotism and a sincere desire for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Nigeria.

At 100years, Baba Fasoranti remains a towering symbol of integrity in public life. In an era where values are increasingly contested, his life remained a testament to the fact that true leadership is measured not by power or position, but by sacrifice, consistency, and fidelity to principle.

As we celebrate this historic milestone, we do not merely honour the longevity of an individual; we celebrate a century of purposeful living and national service. We celebrate a man whose life has enriched Nigeria’s democratic journey and strengthened the voice and aspirations of the Yoruba people.

On behalf of my wife, Bisi, and the rest of our family, I warmly congratulate our father, Chief Reuben Fasoranti on this remarkable centenary celebration. May the Lord continue to grant him peace, strength, and joy. Amen!

CIS strengthens market trust through advocacy ethical enforcement

The outlook for Q2 2026 is cautiously optimistic. We expect a gradual improvement in market activity, driven by macroeconomic stabilisation, policy reforms, and renewed investor interest. However, inflationary pressures and exchange rate volatility remain key risks that could moderate growth.

You will recall that the equities market recorded a 51% gain in 2025, and as of 21 April 2026, the market had gained about 40%. This is significant. From my perspective, the outlook for the second quarter reflects a market that has regained investors’ confidence, owing largely to the priority attached to ethical governance by the SEC, NGX, and other exchanges.

It is also important to note that most of the results released by listed firms showed some level of improvement. In light of this, the market is expected to record further growth. However, there may still be some fluctuations as a result of profit-taking. The performance of the second quarter will also be influenced by the broader macroeconomic environment and geopolitical developments. Overall, I am confident that the market will grow beyond the inflation rate in Q2.

What is your take on the investment landscape in the country?

The investment landscape is evolving, but it is still constrained in several respects. There is growing sophistication among institutional investors, but retail participation remains relatively low. Confidence is improving gradually, especially with ongoing reforms in the financial sector.

How did the Institute contribute to capacity building and professional development during your leadership?

We prioritised human capital development through continuous professional education, examination reforms, and specialised training programmes. The goal was to ensure that our members remain competitive in an evolving market shaped by technology, regulation, and global integration. We also expanded our digital learning platforms to improve accessibility.

What institutional reforms or innovations stood out during your tenure?

We strengthened governance structures, improved internal processes, and embraced digital transformation in our operations. In addition, we focused on enhancing transparency, improving member engagement, and aligning the Institute more closely with global best practices in the securities market.

In specific terms, what other strategic initiatives can you attribute to your administration?

I would like to emphasise that this is the result of a collective effort. We provided responsible leadership by fostering collaboration and teamwork across the Institute, while also strengthening partnerships with other trade groups and professional associations in the financial market. We spearheaded high-level engagements with federal and state governments, as well as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and maintained a strong balance sheet through prudent resource management and well-structured policy initiatives. The Federal Government recognised CIS as a champion of the $1 trillion economy. The number of students sitting for our examinations has increased exponentially, with many non-finance professionals regularising their membership. We also restructured the institute by sustaining a highly skilled and capable workforce.

How has the institute helped to strengthen investor confidence in the capital market?

Through advocacy, ethical enforcement, and collaboration with regulators, the institute has played an important role in reinforcing trust in the market. By promoting professionalism among stockbrokers and improving public education, we have helped to reduce information asymmetry and improve investor awareness.

What were the major challenges that faced the institute?

The key challenges included navigating macroeconomic instability, managing limited resources, adapting to rapid technological changes, and addressing low public awareness of the securities profession. Despite these challenges, we remained focused on strengthening the Institute’s resilience and relevance.

What is your advice to your successor as president of CIS?

My advice to my successor is to build on the foundations already laid by deepening reforms, embracing innovation, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration. It is important to sustain professional standards, expand digital transformation, and continue advocacy for greater retail investor participation. Equally important is maintaining strong relationships with regulators and ensuring that the Institute remains forward-looking in a rapidly changing financial environment.

What legacy would you like your tenure to be remembered for?

I would like my tenure to be remembered for strengthening professionalism within the stock broking community, enhancing institutional credibility, and contributing to a more resilient and trusted capital market. Most importantly, I hope it will be seen as a period that advanced capacity building and positioned the Institute for future growth. I also consider my emphasis on ethical governance to be a key part of that legacy.

What are the challenges faced by investment and stockbroking firms in Nigeria?

Key challenges include macroeconomic instability, low market liquidity, high operating costs, regulatory compliance burdens, and limited retail investor engagement. In addition, gaps in technology adoption and capital constraints also affect competitiveness.

The SEC has shut down over 400 fraudulent schemes. What is CIS doing with regulators to curb Ponzi schemes?

CIS works closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other stakeholders to enhance investor education, professional ethics, and public awareness.

We are also strengthening certification standards and promoting financial literacy campaigns to help investors identify and avoid fraudulent schemes.

What impact has the Securities and Investment Bill had on the capital market?

The passage of the Securities and Investment Bill into law has strengthened regulatory clarity, improved investor protection, and modernised the legal framework of the capital market. It has also enhanced enforcement capacity and aligned the market more closely with global standards.

How is CIS encouraging retail investor participation, especially in mutual funds?

We are working to deepen financial literacy, support product innovation, and encourage asset managers to design retail-friendly mutual funds. We also collaborate with regulators and market operators to improve access and simplify investment processes.

What are the prospects in an emerging economy like Nigeria?

Nigeria retains strong long-term prospects due to its large population, youthful demographics, and expanding digital economy. If structural reforms continue to yield results, the capital market will become an even more important driver of wealth creation and infrastructure financing.

What is your view on the investment climate amidst global tensions such as the US-Israel-Iran conflict?

Geopolitical tensions introduce uncertainty into global markets, often triggering risk aversion and a shift of capital toward safe-haven assets. While economies like Nigeria may not always be at the centre of such conflicts, the indirect effects can be substantial, particularly through oil price volatility, foreign exchange pressures, and shifts in investor sentiment.

What are the lessons for Chief Executive Officers?

For Chief Executive Officers, the key lesson is the importance of building resilient and adaptable business strategies. This includes strengthening risk management frameworks to respond effectively to external shocks, diversifying revenue streams and supply chains to reduce exposure to vulnerable markets, maintaining adequate liquidity buffers and flexible financing options, closely monitoring macroeconomic indicators such as oil prices and exchange rates, and communicating proactively with stakeholders to sustain confidence during periods of uncertainty. Ultimately, CEOs who prepare for geopolitical volatility are better positioned not only to safeguard their organisations, but also to seize emerging opportunities in times of global disruption

Why losing weight becomes a full-time job

Why does it feel like everyone is expected to look perfect all the time? Flat stomach, clear skin, gym routine, glowing life, no off days, no bad angles, no excuses!

Because if you believe social media, becoming healthy is simple: eat less, move more and repeat. In reality, for me and probably half of us, trying to glow up has become a full-time job. And not the kind you can skip without consequences.

If weight loss actually paid, we would all be owning properties around the world, sipping smoothies on yachts and still complaining about burpees.

Social media does not help. Every scroll is filled with people shedding kilogrammes effortlessly, doing routines that look fun and easy, while the rest of us are proud of ourselves for ordering a side salad instead of chips like we won the lottery.

The funny thing is, everyone seems to have it figured out. Your friend posts a 5km run or walk, another shows a perfectly portioned meal, and you are just proud you remembered to drink water. But that is part of the process. Weight loss is not instant; it is messy, unpredictable and occasionally hilarious.

When fitness becomes a second job

But glowing up is more than just losing weight. It is about becoming a healthier and better version of yourself, more fit, more disciplined and mentally stronger. And like any full-time job, it requires consistency. You have to show up even on days you do not feel like it.

Some days I lock in properly. The steps are in, workouts are done and I feel like Captain America has nothing on me.

Other days, I stare at the scale, wonder if it is broken and negotiate with my bed about why I should get up, and the ‘ye nfaki’ kicks in.

Weight loss is not glamorous. It is discipline, small victories such as eating a boiled egg rather than fried and occasional defeats such as giving in to that chapatti, the weapon formed against our flat stomachs.

The emotional war with food and motivation

Losing weight is walking 10,000 steps, then realising your favourite snack is whispering your name. It is the joy of noticing your clothes fit better, mixed with the frustration of stubborn spots that refuse to cooperate, especially the stomach, which refuses to get the memo.

And yes, sometimes it is embarrassing, like when you fail to come up after that squat and hope no one saw.

Like any full-time job, I have had to develop strategies to survive it; showing up consistently, moving, especially when I do not feel like it and balancing discipline with small rewards so I do not lose my mind.

The truth is, this is not something you do for a few weeks and finish. It is a lifestyle. The moment you stop, the weight will come back like it never left, no warning and no apology.

The good days

Some days it feels like hard work with little payoff. Other days, you see progress that makes it all worth it. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and hard work, but every step, every squat and every vegetable adds up.

On good days, everything aligns. You feel strong, committed, almost unstoppable. You start thinking maybe, just maybe, you have figured it out.

The bad days

Then there are the other days, the ones where your bed becomes your strongest opponent. The scale suddenly looks like it is judging you. Motivation disappears without notice. Discipline files for leave.

Those are the days you promise yourself, ‘tomorrow I start properly.’ Confidently. Repeatedly. With no evidence of change.

Food, cravings, and emotional warfare

And then there is food.

Chapati is not just chapati. It is an emotional negotiation. Fries do not ask questions; they just show up like old friends. Cinnamon rolls are the real weapon formed against discipline.

You try to be strong. You really do. But sometimes the cravings are louder than your intentions.

Small wins that actually matter

Still, there are victories. Quiet ones.

Choosing water instead of soda. Eating the boiled egg instead of the fried. Walking when you would rather sit. Finishing a workout you almost cancelled.

And honestly, those small wins deserve applause. No, a standing ovation.

Progress is repetitive

The thing about this journey is that progress is not always visible. It is not always aesthetic. It is repetitive.

You do not always notice it day to day. But it builds in discipline, in energy, in how you carry yourself.

Some days it feels like nothing is happening. But something always is.

The truth about the glow-up journey

So yes, weight loss has become my full-time job, even with cinnamon rolls being the weapon formed against me, and if it actually paid, I would probably be living like a princess. Owning properties and still complaining about burpees. But for now, the rewards come in discipline, growth and the quiet satisfaction of not giving up.

To anyone else on this journey, keep showing up. Even when it is hard, slow or chaotic. Life, sweat, stubborn fat and the occasional KFC craving are funny, frustrating, but worth every step.

Because the glow-up is not a moment; it is work. Full-time work.

Common weight loss mistakes

A common mistake in weight loss is relying only on the scale to measure progress. Body weight can fluctuate daily due to water retention, hormones, and other factors, so it does not always reflect real change. Many people also fall into the trap of over-restricting food in an attempt to see faster results, which often leads to burnout and eventually giving up.

Skipping meals is another frequent approach, but it can slow metabolism, increase cravings, and make it harder to maintain consistency over time. There is also the expectation that visible changes should happen quickly, which can be discouraging when progress feels slow or uneven. In reality, sustainable change takes time and patience.

The new public square: Why Africa’s future needs hubs, not just apps

Growing up in Nigeria three decades ago, the local library wasn’t just a building filled with dusty books; it was a sanctuary of possibilities. It was the only place where a child from a modest background could access the collective knowledge of the world for free.

It was a democratic space where the son of a civil servant and the daughter of a trader sat side-by-side, united by the quiet ambition of self-improvement. But today, the world has moved from the printed page to the digital circuit. For the modern Nigerian youth, a library without a high-speed internet connection and a reliable power source is like a library with no books.

As we navigate the complexities of 2026, the gap between the ‘digital haves’ and ‘have-nots’ has widened into a chasm, and it is going to get worse if state and local governments don’t step up and get serious about democratising opportunity and rethink the concept of public infrastructure.

We need a national rollout of innovation hubs-the 21st-century evolution of the public library, designed specifically to bridge the energy, connectivity, and hardware gaps that stifle our greatest natural resource: human capital.

While the federal government sets broad policies, the real battle for Nigeria’s industrial future is being fought at the state level. The Ilorin Innovation Hub model by the Kwara State Government has emerged as a compelling case study in this regard. By treating innovation not as a luxury but as a vital public utility, the state has moved beyond the ‘tokenism’ of one-off tech festivals.

Kwara’s approach recognises that talent is evenly distributed, but the infrastructure to harness it is not. By investing in centralised innovation centres, the state has effectively created a ‘gravity well’ for genius. These hubs serve as the hardware-focused extension of the traditional library system. In this model, the government isn’t trying to be the entrepreneur; it is being the platform. It is providing the conducive space, high-voltage power, the fibre-optic backbone, and the sophisticated machinery that no individual youth in Ilorin or Offa could afford on their own.

Bridging the ‘Triple Deficit’

To truly move the needle, state-led hubs must address the three ‘critical deficits’ that currently act as a tax on Nigerian ingenuity:

The Energy Gap: The most brilliant AI researcher is useless if they are spending 70% of their income on petrol for an ‘I-pass-my-neighbour’ generator. State-backed hubs, powered by industrial-scale solar or mini-grids, provide the steady ‘heartbeat’ necessary for deep work and long-term experimentation.

The Connectivity Gap: High-speed broadband is currently a luxury good. By aggregating demand in a public hub, local governments can provide fibre-optic speeds that allow youth to participate in the global digital economy, contribute to open-source projects, and collaborate globally in real-time.

The Hardware Gap: A major barrier to assessing opportunity is the lack of access to personal computers. A modern hub must provide the hardware required for assessing digital opportunities. We cannot expect a young person to build the next Terrahaptix, the Nigerian giant now manufacturing autonomous drones, if they have never had access to a computer before.

From consumption to creation

The Ilorin Innovation Hub model is grounded in bridging the gap between the ‘digital haves’ and ‘digital have-nots’ to a creation-based one. For too long, Nigerian tech has been synonymous with ‘the app’-software that facilitates the movement of money or the delivery of food. While vital, software alone cannot build a nation’s industrial base.

By building hardware-ready hubs, state governments lower the ‘cost of failure’ for young inventors. When a local government provides a communal 3D printer, they are essentially giving every youth in that district a miniature factory. This is how we shift the national psyche. We move away from being a nation that merely imports foreign gadgets to one that builds homegrown solutions for precision agriculture, renewable energy, and national security.

Critics often argue that state governments lack the funds for such ‘high-tech’ projects. This is a fallacy of priority. The cost of building and maintaining a network of five innovation hubs is often less than the cost of a few kilometres of urban asphalt, yet the long-term ROI is exponentially higher.

A road facilitates trade, but a hub creates the products being traded. When a venture capital firm sees a concentration of hardware talent in a state-backed hub, they deploy ‘patient capital’ that creates high-paying jobs and increases the local tax base.

We must stop viewing innovation as something that only happens in the posh districts of Lagos. The library of our youth gave us the words to dream; the hubs of our future must give us the tools to build.

By adopting the Kwara model and evolving our defunct libraries into vibrant innovation hubs, we provide our youth with the ‘triple threat’ of power, internet, and tools. We give them a reason to stay in their communities rather than joining the ‘Japa’ exodus. Most importantly, we give them the chance to build the physical machines that will power Africa’s tomorrow. The future isn’t just digital; it is tangible, and it starts at the local hub.