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2027: Igbo people have unanimously agreed to re-elect Tinubu, says Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said the people of the South-East have unanimously agreed to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

Kalu spoke on Saturday at the flag-off of the APC Women’s Mobilisation Campaign and South-East Women Empowerment Programme by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Enugu.

He said the immediate political mandate of the people of the region was to support Tinubu, whom he described as a leader who had demonstrated his commitment to the Igbo people.

Kalu recalled that Tinubu, during his tenure as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, appointed people of Igbo extraction into his administration.

He said, ‘This man has not hidden his love for Ndi Igbo. During his time as the governor of Lagos State, no Igbo property was taken. Nobody who was a businessman in Lagos was arrested. Mr. Ben Akabueze was an Igbo man that he brought into his cabinet as Governor. It has never happened before. I hope we will reciprocate his kind gestures to Ndi Igbo. We must do so this time’.

The Deputy Speaker, who is also the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council 11 (South), said successive administrations had failed to fulfil the post-civil war promise of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reintegration for the people of the South-East until Tinubu assumed office.

He cited the signing into law of the South-East Development Commission Bill as evidence of the President’s commitment to the region, noting that the bill had remained pending in the National Assembly for several years.

Kalu said, ‘I also need to remind you that after the civil war, we waited for almost 60 years for a promise that was made to the people of Igbo land that was not kept. The 3Rs: Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Reintegration. Was the promise kept or not? It wasn’t kept.

‘Government after government, but they ignored us. Administration after administration, they ignored the Igbo, and we were waiting and asking, when will the messiah come to save the Igbo? Then came a man who loves the Igbo from his heart.

‘South East Development Commission Bill has been in the Parliament from year to year, Assembly to Assembly; they refused to sign it into law. But when President Tinubu came, the South East Development Commission became a commission under the law. Tinubu is a warrior, a great President,’ he said.

He added that the President was constructing roads and bridges and providing scholarships and loans, while the First Lady’s empowerment programme was supporting women in the region.

Kalu urged residents of the South-East to turn out on January 16, 2027, to vote for Tinubu and Shettima, insisting that the region had no alternative candidate.

He said, ‘To this end, I am appealing to Ndi Igbo: come January 16, 2027, we don’t have any other candidate. The Igbo are complete. The governors are complete. Abia is here. Enugu is here. Imo is here. Anambra is here. South East is complete. Ndi Igbo have unanimously agreed that we will return President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in 2027 to continue their good work,’ Kalu declared.

The Deputy Speaker also argued that the South-East should not accept a four-year presidential arrangement when other regions had held the office for eight years.

He said, ‘Others have had it for 8 years and we have waited for too long, almost 60 years. Is it fair for us to do 4 years? Those who want Ndi Igbo to do only 4 years, it will not work. Just like others who did 8 years, when it is our turn, we will also do 8 years because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

‘But for now, our mandate is to support the man that has been supporting us. This man has not hidden his love for Ndi Igbo,’ the Deputy Speaker said.

Bamboo takes center stage in Unesco geopark

Bohol province is embracing bamboo, a traditional material used in construction and handicrafts, as part of efforts to promote sustainable tourism and improve local livelihoods.

In 2023, the island province was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as its first Global Geopark in the Philippines, in recognition of Bohol’s internationally significant geological heritage.

In the southern town of Bilar, a bamboo-themed park that opened in October 2023 offers visitors the chance to stroll along a bamboo walkway, dine at an open-air restaurant built and furnished with bamboo, and sample bamboo shoots served on bamboo plates.

‘When guests come here, they appreciate the food. In terms of the property, they get amazed because of the bamboo structure and the architectural design. And they feel it’s cooler here, because we are surrounded by bamboo,’ said Jocelyn Suarez, general manager of Kinaiyahan Forest Park.

The privately run park, home to 45,000 bamboo plants comprising 40 varieties, also features a House of Art where visitors can watch craftsmen making furniture and other items from bamboo.

Plans are also underway to establish a center to develop bamboo materials for construction and other purposes, Suarez said.

Various uses

To promote bamboo as a sustainable material that can support local livelihoods and help combat climate change, the province has been providing training on its various uses and distributing bamboo seedlings, said Joanne Pinat, Bohol’s chief tourism officer.

Arnold Labunog, 65, a co-owner of the park and an engineer, said he and his family bought a 17-hectare property in 2018 where bamboo was already growing in abundance. They developed it into a bamboo-themed attraction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His brothers, Eduardo and Rodrigo, also helped inspire the concept after separately visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, Japan.

‘Because we grew up in the countryside, we’d like to develop this place just like the one where we used to play before-with many trees and just nature, and with ricefields … We grew up using bamboo,’ Labunog said.

Labunog, who also serves on a public-private council promoting the bamboo industry in cooperation with the provincial and central governments, stressed the advantages of bamboo, which grows quickly and has a wide range of uses.

Zayd Ibn Isah To Speak At 45th Convention Of Nigerian Authors

Columnist and public affairs analyst, Zayd Ibn Isah, is among the literary personalities expected to speak at the 45th International Convention and Conference of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), holding in Abuja.

Ibn Isah is listed as a panelist at the four-day gathering, which commenced on October 29 and ends on November 1, 2026, at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja.

The author has two books to his credit – ‘We Are All Guilty’, a moving drama that captures the intrigues and underlying corruption hindering the development of the most populous African country, and ‘The Nigerian Spirit Is Special’, a compilation of his articles published across Nigerian newspapers in about half a decade.

The foreword of Isah’s second book was written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose popular ‘My Watch’, was reviewed by the young author.

Isah’s works have appeared on Nigerian newspapers such as THISDAY, Guardian, Daily Trust, Vanguard, PREMIUM Times, TheCable, among others.

Daily Trust reports that the theme of this year’s ANA convention is, ‘Literature, National Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World’.

The theme reflects growing conversations about the role of creative expression in addressing societal challenges, promoting national cohesion and shaping Nigeria’s international image.

The event brings together writers, academics and other stakeholders in the literary and creative industries to examine the intersection of literature, security and national development.

Other featured participants include Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Abuja, who is billed to deliver the keynote address.

Also listed as panelists are Squadron Leader Alexander Emmanuel Ochogwu, PhD, and Toyin Adewale-Gabriel, while Odoh Diego Okenyodo will moderate the session.

The convention is hosted by ANA President, Dr Usman Akanbi, with Dr Bukar Usman as chairman of the occasion.

Founded on June 27, 1981, at a conference convened by the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ANA has played a significant role in promoting Nigerian literature and providing a common platform for writers across the country.

Its founding conference attracted prominent Nigerian literary figures, as well as Kenyan writers Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Gacheche Wauringi.

The association’s constitution, aside from promoting literary works, identifies the protection of authors’ professional interests, preservation of oral literature, development of indigenous intellectual talents and promotion of a humane and egalitarian society among its objectives.

The association has also engaged with national security concerns through its 2017 partnership with the STRADA Development Initiative, which established the ANA Programme on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

At the ongoing convention, the connection between literature and security has featured prominently in discussions.

Earlier at the gathering, keynote speaker Prof. Adedimeji argued that national security should extend beyond military protection to include human security, social justice and freedom of thought.

He also described literature as an early-warning mechanism and a form of informal diplomacy, stressing the importance of protecting Nigeria’s national narrative.

The convention features speeches, literary performances, panel discussions, workshops and an awards dinner, among other activities.

Anambra seals orphanage, rescues eight children

The Anambra Government has sealed an orphanage in Nwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, over poor service delivery and unhygienic conditions.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Children Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, disclosed this on Saturday during an inspection of the facility.

The inspection was aimed at assessing the operational standards and welfare conditions of children at the Arrow of God Children’s Home.

Onyekesi said the facility fell below the prescribed standards, while its unhygienic environment raised concerns about the welfare of the children.

‘The Arrow of God Children’s Home, Nwelle Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, is operating below the required standards, with an unhygienic environment posing concerns for the welfare of the children,’ she said.

She added that the inspection team had sealed the facility, owned by retired Lt.-Col. Deborah Ogoo, for failing to meet regulatory requirements.

‘This home is hereby sealed by the inspection team over its failure to meet the prescribed standards,’ she said.

Onyekesi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring that residential care facilities provide safe, clean and conducive environments.

She stressed that no children’s home would be allowed to compromise the safety, dignity and well-being of children under its care.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight children were rescued from the facility.

Dangote, Sanusi urge Lotus Capital to deepen investment in real economy

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi II, have urged Lotus Capital Limited to expand its investments in Nigeria’s real economy as the non-interest finance institution marked its 20th anniversary.

They made the call at the anniversary celebration of Lotus Capital in Lagos on Friday, commending the company’s pioneering role in Nigeria’s non-interest finance sector and urging greater support for productive industries.

Delivering the keynote address, Dangote, who was physically present at the event, described Lotus Capital’s growth from a modest beginning into a successful investment institution as a remarkable achievement, praising its founders, shareholders, board, management and staff for their resilience and commitment to ethical investment.

He said the company’s establishment when conventional banking and capital market instruments dominated the financial system demonstrated foresight in identifying an underserved market and creating professionally managed investment opportunities.

Dangote recalled the challenges of raising capital in Nigeria during the company’s early years, noting that limited banking capacity and high borrowing costs made its achievements particularly commendable.

He said Lotus Capital had helped develop the country’s financial ecosystem through Sharia-compliant investment funds, innovative products, Sukuk transactions and the co-development of the NGX Lotus Islamic Index. The company, he added, had raised more than ?1 trillion to finance over 4,000 businesses and groups.

Citing the growth of global Islamic finance, whose assets reached about $6 trillion in 2024, Dangote said Nigeria could mobilise more long-term capital through Sukuk and other non-interest instruments.

He identified manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, housing and small businesses as sectors requiring diversified financing, adding that asset-backed financing, leasing, equity participation and profit-sharing could help address funding gaps.

Dangote urged Lotus Capital to deepen its investment in productive sectors, strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions and expand technology-driven investment products to promote financial inclusion. He also stressed the importance of corporate governance, transparency, risk management and innovation.

He expressed confidence that the company could become a leading facilitator of non-interest finance across Africa.

Speaking via Zoom, Sanusi commended the courage and vision of Lotus Capital’s founder and leadership, urging the company to expand its market reach and provide more long-term financing for critical sectors.

‘It is time for us to innovate, it’s time for us to deepen the market, it’s time for us to increase our penetration of various sectors of the economy, providing long-term finance for development,’ he said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs Hajara Adeola, said the company would strengthen its support for the real economy through innovative financing for agriculture, manufacturing, real estate and renewable energy.

Adeola said Lotus Capital was established to promote financial inclusion by providing Nigerians with alternative investment opportunities aligned with their values and Sharia principles.

She listed its milestones to include four Securities and Exchange Commission-registered public mutual funds, the development of the NGX Lotus Islamic Index in collaboration with the Nigerian Exchange, and the introduction of innovative investment products.

She also disclosed that the company advised the Federal Government on its first three sovereign Sukuk issuances, which financed more than 4,000 roads and nine bridges. Lotus Capital, she added, played a significant role in establishing Lotus Bank.

Adeola said Nigeria’s non-interest finance industry had grown to include five asset management companies, five Islamic banks, five Takaful insurance companies and more than 20 mutual funds.

Earlier, the Chairman of Lotus Capital Limited, Mr Fola Adeola, recounted the challenges surrounding the company’s establishment, when non-interest finance was largely unfamiliar in Nigeria.

He recalled supporting his wife’s proposal to establish the company despite his limited understanding of the financial model. Its first investment product, the Halal Fund, was oversubscribed after the company sought to raise ?1 billion, signalling strong public interest in Sharia-compliant investments.

Adeola, who expressed delight, said one of the company’s greatest achievements was demonstrating that different financial systems could coexist, allowing investors to choose products aligned with their faith and values.

The event also featured a panel discussion on ‘The Next Frontier: Innovation and Governance in Non-Interest Finance in Nigeria’ and attracted prominent figures from banking, manufacturing, government, diplomacy and business.

Coalition to publish accountability compliance records of five federal MDAs

A coalition of civil society organisations has concluded an evaluation of the financial performance regulatory compliance and mandate execution of five federal agencies and will publish its findings this month.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Accountability Transparency and the Rule of Law said the review covered the 2023-2026 fiscal cycle and examined public expenditure records procurement activities and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The coalition will present the findings to the media according to a statement jointly issued by the Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria through its Executive Director Amb. Splendour Aironmwanbor Agbonkpolor who chairs the coalition.

The agencies covered by the evaluation are the National Youth Service Corps Galaxy Backbone Limited the National Primary Health Care Development Agency the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Federal Cooperative College Ibadan.

The coalition said the assessment was based on public expenditure records treasury datasets and corporate regulatory registries.

It added that the exercise aimed to promote transparency accountability and compliance with public financial management standards across government institutions.

‘Our objective is to encourage robust dialogue transparency and adherence to due process across all public institutions. We invite stakeholders media practitioners and public officers to engage objectively with the findings as we deliberate on strengthening public administration in Nigeria’ the coalition stated.

Thailand, Bhutan sign three deals

Thailand and Bhutan have signed three cooperation agreements covering healthcare, agricultural finance and clean energy as the countries seek to deepen economic ties, expand investment opportunities and promote sustainable development.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also interior minister, witnessed the signing and exchange of the agreements in Thimphu on Saturday during his official visit to the Himalayan kingdom.

Government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said the agreements aim to boost the exchange of knowledge and technology, improve medical services, expand access to finance for farmers and small businesses, and support renewable energy development.

The first memorandum of understanding (MoU), between the Thai and Bhutanese public health ministries, covers universal healthcare, disease prevention and control, medical personnel development and medical research.

It also promotes cooperation in digital healthcare, telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as arrangements for Bhutanese patients to receive treatment at Thai public hospitals.

The second agreement is a renewed MoU between the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Bhutan Development Bank Ltd (BDBL) covering financial cooperation.

Areas of collaboration include green loans for sustainable agriculture, credit risk assessment, cross-border money transfers and trade in agricultural products and community-based goods. The aim is to improve access to finance for farmers and small enterprises in both countries.

The third document, a record of discussions on clean energy cooperation involving Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), Bhutan’s Finance Ministry and Norion Renewable Energy Ltd, provides for technical assistance to review feasibility studies and detailed designs for a proposed 100-megawatt solar-agriculture project in Tareythang, Bhutan.

Mr Ekkapob said the agreements were testament to Thailand’s commitment to translating its longstanding relationship with Bhutan into practical benefits for people in both countries.

The signing followed talks between Mr Anutin and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Thimphu on Oct 30, during which the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, healthcare, education and clean energy.

Both sides welcomed progress on a Thailand-Bhutan free trade agreement (FTA), which they hope will take effect on Jan 1, 2027. The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Obi in Bayelsa, urges Tinubu to return home to rest

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has advised President Bola Tinubu to go return home to rest, saying he lacked the energy to govern

Obi made the call on Friday during the commissioning of the NDC State Secretariat and campaign office in Yenagoa, stressing that Nigeria needs a president and capacity to address the nation’s daunting challenges.

He insisted that Nigeria can no longer afford a leadership that lacked the energy required for effective governance and that Tinubu should abandon his re-election ambition.

The former Anambra State governor criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate electricity supply in the country.

He described the prevailing socio-economic situation as troubling, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their basic needs while access to essential services such as healthcare, education and employment remain major challenges.

‘Today, we have a country that produces the highest number of poor people in the world. Today, we have a country where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from,’ he said.

Obi expressed worry that some Nigerians had resorted to seeking spiritual intervention instead of medical treatment because of inadequate healthcare facilities, adding that the absence of quality schools and employment opportunities had further worsened the situation.

He assured Nigerians that the NDC is offering an alternative political direction anchored on national unity, security, production, accountability and economic opportunities.

‘We are telling you that NDC is coming to build a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. We will start by uniting the country,’ he said.

He pledged that an NDC administration would tackle insecurity, strengthen public institutions and ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical backgrounds, feel a sense of belonging.

Condemned the persistent cases of kidnapping and attacks on communities being witnessed across the nation, he promised a more decisive security response if elected.

Obi also promised to make public education accessible, saying his administration would work with state governments to provide classrooms and ensure free basic education at the primary and secondary levels.

On power supply, he pledged that an NDC government would produce, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity compared to about 4,000 megawatts currently being generated.

He further promised to support industries and small businesses, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and proposed the development of seaports across the South-South region.

According to him, the proposed ports would serve areas including Warri, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Calabar, pledging improved road infrastructure to connect the states and stimulate economic activities.

Obi also took a swipe at the Federal Government over the country’s borrowing, challenging Tinubu to explain how the funds obtained through loans have been utilised.

He raised questions over President Tinubu’s reluctance to visit Bayelsa State for political campaign in spite of the state’s contributions to the country’s oil revenues.

Obi said it was unfair for a president to benefit from the resources generated from the Niger Delta without adequately engaging with the people and addressing their development concerns.

He also criticised Tinubu’s foreign travels, promising that, if elected, his own international engagements would be strictly in Nigeria’s interest and that Nigerians would be kept informed of his whereabouts.

Making a direct appeal for a change of leadership, Obi said: ‘The man is tired. He needs to go home. Tinubu must go and rest. We want him to go and rest.’

He added that Nigeria needs a government that is both accessible and accountable instead of one that is allegedly run around family interests.

Earlier, Henry Seriake Dickson, founder of the NDC and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate, urged Bayelsans to give Obi and all the party’s candidates in the state overwhelming electoral support.

The former governor of Bayelsa State accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises to the people and criticised the ruling party for what he described as the poor political treatment of some individuals who had served in government.

He called on party members and supporters to mobilise across communities in Bayelsa State to secure support for the NDC candidates.

Dickson also cautioned supporters against intimidation and electoral violence, urging them to remain peaceful but resolute in defending their voting rights.

He said elections should be won through votes rather than the deployment of security personnel to intimidate voters.

‘We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote and you declare and you follow up,’ he told supporters.

Dickson said he had worked with Obi for about 25 years, describing their political relationship as one built on longstanding cooperation.

He urged the people to listen to Obi and support the party’s campaign, promising to join the mobilisation efforts across communities in the state.

MTN rewards Ogun school with N1.5m for athletics performance

Ogbogbo Baptist Grammar School in Ogun State has received N1.5 million from MTN Nigeria after finishing second in the fourth season of the MTN Champs athletics competition, as the telecommunications company continues to support grassroots sports development among young people.

Presenting the cheque at the school, Gbenga Olalandu, MTN’s Senior Manager for Sales and Trade Development in Ogun State, said the award recognised the students’ achievement and was intended to encourage them to pursue sports alongside their education.

The company also donated sporting equipment, including javelins and jerseys, to support the school’s extracurricular activities.

‘We are here because we want to celebrate champions. MTN has embarked on an extracurricular sporting activity called MTN Champs, and the students of Baptist Grammar School were winners in that event,’ Olalandu said.

He urged the students to pursue academic excellence while developing their sporting abilities, noting that young people could build successful careers in sports without compromising their education.

‘You can still be Ronaldo or Messi and have a very good education, so we want them to combine both,’ he said.

Olalandu added that sports played an important role in building relationships, strengthening communities and bringing people together.

Oluwafemi Nasirudeen, the school’s coach, commended MTN for investing in grassroots sports, saying the initiative would motivate young athletes to improve their performance.

He also called on secondary schools across Ogun State to give students opportunities to train after school hours, noting that regular practice would help them prepare for future competitions and develop their athletic potential.

Bolanle Shebi-Omo, Vice Principal of Ogbogbo Baptist Grammar School, also thanked MTN for its support and urged the company to sustain its investment in youth development.

She said the sponsorship would encourage students to recognise opportunities for achievement beyond the classroom.

The fourth season of the MTN Champs competition involved four secondary schools across South-West Nigeria, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities and compete for recognition.

How GITEX Lagos is championing Lagos as Africa’s technology hub

Lagos State strengthened its push to position itself as Africa’s leading innovation hub as the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), led by Olatunbosun Alake, its commissioner, took a big role at GITEX Nigeria 2026, using the two-day technology gathering to showcase the state’s growing startup ecosystem, connect innovators with investors and deepen conversations around digital transformation across Nigeria.

Held at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, the Lagos leg of GITEX Nigeria brought together government officials, technology companies, startups, investors and international ecosystem players as the Tech Expo, Future Economy Conference and Startup Festival provided a broad platform for conversations around the continent’s digital future.

The programme followed a Welcome Dinner attended by representatives of several state governments, founders, investors and diplomatic guests.

Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the opening,

Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, described Lagos as a ‘consequential city’, stressing that the decision to bring GITEX to the state reflected its growing importance within Africa’s technology landscape.

He reiterated the administration’s ambition to move Lagos beyond its traditional identity as Nigeria’s commercial capital towards becoming Africa’s innovation capital, pointing to the state’s nearly 1,000 active startups as evidence of the depth of its technology ecosystem.

More than two dozen startups and technology companies, spanning artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, edtech, agritech and logistics, were visible on the exhibition floor.

Among them were Sidebrief, DawnAI, RollaPay, Hyperspace Technologies, Sowota and Climatrix AI, which used the platform to engage investors, government representatives and potential international partners.

A major highlight of Lagos’ participation came on the second day with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Pitch Programme, organised in partnership with TechQuest STEM Academy and MIST. The initiative provided selected founders with an opportunity to present their businesses, solutions and growth plans directly to investors and other ecosystem stakeholders.

Beyond serving as a conventional startup showcase, the pitch programme offered a direct link between Lagos’ innovation pipeline and the capital required to scale it, allowing founders to demonstrate the problems they are solving, their products and the markets they are targeting.

Ganiyu Oseni, MIST’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation, Technology and Broadband Development, who is also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), also used the gathering to make a broader case for Lagos and Nigeria to move from being consumers of imported technologies to becoming producers of solutions capable of competing across Africa and the global market.

According to Oseni, connectivity, power, digital identity and talent remain critical foundations for a functioning digital economy, while infrastructure and policy must be developed together rather than treated as separate issues. He also challenged investors to look beyond Lagos as simply a large market, urging companies to establish operational presence in the state and build, operate and grow from within the ecosystem.

The conversations extended into financial technology through FDX Nigeria by GITEX, which examined digital payments, banking, financial inclusion, digital assets and cross-border finance. The launch of MINT Africa by GITEX, a platform focused on the future of finance on the continent, further aligned with Lagos’ interest in fintech, digital assets, tokenisation and cross-border financial innovation.

Beyond GITEX itself, MIST’s convening role was also evident in the Commissioners’ Roundtable on Digital Transformation and Innovation, which Lagos hosted for the second consecutive time. The closed-door meeting brought together commissioners, directors-general and technology chiefs from Katsina, Ogun, Jigawa, Ondo, Kwara, Delta and Borno states, alongside representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and senior Lagos officials.

The Roundtable focused on the institutional, infrastructural, human-capital and policy conditions required to move digital government beyond isolated pilot projects towards sustainable, citizen-centred systems. Participants identified political will, digital literacy, standardised data, cybersecurity, strategic infrastructure, innovation-to-government pipelines, measurable digital-economy outcomes and stronger inter-state collaboration as key requirements.

For Lagos, Alake highlighted the state’s implementation policy framework, enterprise architecture and IT education, alongside efforts to standardise data, audit systems holding state information, operate an Oracle-based Applicant Resourcing Platform and maintain a fully digital payroll system.

Other states also presented their own digital initiatives and challenges, including Katsina’s Resident ID and iKatsina platform, Delta’s ICT youth training programme and digital agency, and technology delivery challenges in Kwara, while representatives from Jigawa, Ondo, Borno and Ogun outlined their respective infrastructure and digital-government gaps.