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Ope George, Lagos Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, has said that Nigeria requires coordinated policies and sustained collaboration to transform its food ecosystem beyond production to processing, storage, transportation and sustainable consumption.

‘Food systems transformation is a critical development priority, with far-reaching implications for food security, nutrition, employment, economic growth and household welfare,’ he said at the recent South-West bi-annual food systems transformation strategy review and validation of the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The Commissioner said that the effectiveness of any strategy was measured by its implementation and impact, adding that the bi-annual review provides an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps, address emerging challenges and agree on practical measures to accelerate results.

He said that as a major centre of consumption, commerce and distribution, Lagos has strong food supply linkages with other parts of Nigeria, including the Northern states. ‘This interdependence underscores the importance of collaboration between food-producing and food-consuming regions to address challenges such as post-harvest losses, transportation costs, storage limitations and market inefficiencies.’

He added that the collective goal must be to strengthen food value chains, improve market access for producers, enhance food availability and build a more resilient and sustainable national food system.

Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, identified human capital development, infrastructure, technology and financing, and risk management as critical pillars for achieving sustainable agriculture and food security in the South-West, Nigeria.

‘We see human capital development as a key level that cannot be toyed with. We see infrastructure as being very critical. We see utilisation of technology as almost impossible to ignore,’ she said.

Olusanya explained that Lagos, though the smallest state by landmass and largely covered by water, remains Nigeria’s most densely populated and largest market city-state in sub-Saharan Africa. With high disposable income despite the high cost of living, any product brought to Lagos will sell, making market organisation imperative.

‘We are the largest market city-state. When we know we cannot feed ourselves, we must play on our strength to demystify our weakness. A lot of food comes into Lagos, but how is this food organised? How do we attest to quality, price and origin?’

Clementina Ebere Okoro, national convener, Food Systems Transformation, said the bi-annual review assesses implementation of the 78 priority actions adopted since 2021, including school farms for home-grown school feeding and homestead gardens agreed in March 2024.

She stressed the need for convergence of food, health, and transport systems, food-based dietary guidelines and nutrition labelling to ensure food and nutrition security.

ýMore than 860 traffic incidents and 17 deaths were recorded on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road between January and October this year, while the Otedola Bridge corridor logged 365 incidents and 15 fatalities over the same period, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), disclosed.

ýOlalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of the authority, disclosed the figures on Thursday during a media briefing organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation in Lagos, raising fresh concerns over road safety along major transport arteries facing heavy vehicular pressure.

ýBakare-Oki said that the high casualty figures reinforced the urgent need for stronger safety advocacy, improved emergency response, and more effective traffic management across the state.

ýHe explained that the agency had expanded its operational focus beyond conventional traffic control to encompass public engagement and rapid incident response on state roads.

ý’Over the years, LASTMA has been able to evolve from a mere traffic control organisation into a sophisticated institution that has focused on road safety, citizens’ engagement, and quick response to traffic incidents on Lagos roads,’ Bakare-Oki said.

ýHe noted that Lagos faced persistent mobility challenges due to its compact landmass and intense vehicular concentration, which placed immense strain on existing transport infrastructure.

ýLagos occupies approximately 0.4 percent of Nigeria’s total landmass but accounts for one of the highest concentrations of vehicles in West Africa, creating a persistent imbalance between available road capacity and traffic volume.

ý’Our core responsibility is to ensure seamless mobility despite this limitation. Our concentration has been on the major crossing points, especially to reduce the damage on these roads,’ Bakare-Oki said.

ýHe revealed that the agency was collaborating with federal authorities to investigate the underlying causes of road deterioration and traffic accidents along the Otedola Bridge-Kara axis. A joint inspection team led by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos and the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation recently examined the corridor to evaluate structural and operational vulnerabilities.

ýBakare-Oki added that technical assessments would extend beyond Otedola Bridge to encompass other high-density transport links requiring targeted interventions.

ýMeanwhile, LASTMA is expanding operational readiness ahead of the December festive period, during which heightened commercial activity, leisure travel, and tourism historically increase gridlock across the metropolis.

ýBakare-Oki said the agency would deploy more than 2,000 personnel to high-density hubs, including Victoria Island, Lekki-Ajah, Surulere, and Ikeja, to maintain traffic flow and curb congestion. Heavy-duty recovery vehicles will also be pre-positioned at strategic locations to expedite the clearance of broken-down vehicles and reduce crash response times.

ýThe agency will also introduce a 24-hour operational shift system, deploying personnel on overnight duties from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to manage late-night traffic.

ý’For Detty December proper, LASTMA has put in place robust traffic management. We have done it before; it is not new to us. But what we are bringing in this time is to step up our traffic management,’ Bakare-Oki said.

As Nigerians seek opportunities to overcome the economic challenges in the country, Real Estate Cashback Housing Cooperative Society has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to real estate investment and long-term wealth creation for its members.

According to the organisation, it will continue to pursue its vision of making real estate investment more accessible, enabling members to participate in property-backed opportunities while working towards their individual financial goals.

Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Oluwatosin Olatujoye, President of the Cooperative, said the organisation was established on the belief that real estate wealth creation should be accessible to more people through collective participation.

Olatujoye said that the Real Estate Cashback Housing Cooperative was established on a fundamental belief: that the opportunity to build wealth through real estate should not be limited to a select few.

He said that by bringing people together through collective ownership and participation, RECB is creating opportunities for more individuals to take meaningful steps towards financial security and lasting wealth.

Olatujoye added that the cooperative’s growth came with a responsibility to remain accountable to its members and focused on sustainable value creation. ‘Every investment, every development, and every milestone reinforces our responsibility to remain focused on our mission and be accountable to the people who make this cooperative what it is.

‘As we look to the future, our focus remains on strengthening our investment portfolio, expanding opportunities for our members, upholding responsible investment practices, and building a cooperative that continues to create value for generations to come,’ he stated.

Presenting the cooperative’s milestones over the past year, the Treasurer, Prosper Emapkor, outlined its investment activities and the breadth of its property portfolio, operating under the philosophy of ‘Building Wealth, Empowering Members, Creating Legacies

He said that RECB has developed a portfolio spanning residential estates, commercial developments and other real estate assets through its partnership with Zylus Homes. Projects highlighted at the meeting included Arizon Estate, Tiwa Commercial Hub, Tiwa Gardens, Tiwa Gardens II, Lekki Pride II, Lekki Pride III, Zylus Court and its extensions, and Lekki Avana.

Collectively valued at over ?115 billion, the portfolio reflects the scale of the cooperative’s real estate interests and its focus on property-backed investment opportunities. The presentation allowed members to review the cooperative’s investment footprint and consider how its portfolio supports its broader mission of creating opportunities for collective participation in real estate.

Beyond the figures and portfolio updates, member testimonials provided a personal dimension to the 2026 AGM, allowing participants to share their experiences and perspectives on their journeys with RECB. The testimonials highlighted members’ motivations for joining the cooperative, their aspirations for property ownership and wealth creation, and their experiences participating in a community built around collective real estate investment.

Bukola Olatujoye, Chief Executive Officer of Zylus Homes, in her closing remarks emphasised the relationship between effective real estate development, member confidence and the delivery of long-term value.

She highlighted that the role of a development partner extends beyond providing investment opportunities to delivering projects, supporting sustainable communities and maintaining the standards required to serve the interests of property investors.

The 2026 AGM marked another milestone in RECB’s ongoing effort to strengthen its investment community, review its progress and reaffirm its commitment to accessible real estate participation. With a growing international membership and a substantial property portfolio, the cooperative’s next phase will continue to centre on member engagement, responsible investment practices and opportunities for long-term wealth creation.

The meeting brought together members and stakeholders to review the cooperative’s progress, examine its real estate portfolio, and reflect on the opportunities and responsibilities of building wealth through collective participation.

MGE Realty Limited has successfully delivered its first real estate development in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.The project known as Esther’s Court, was developed in partnership with Grandbricks Engineering Limited who doubles as the project contractor.

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Nestled in the heart of Lugbe in the FCT, Esther’s Court comprises 18 units of exquisite 3-Bedroom Terraced apartments.The development which commenced earlier in 2024 covers a vast land area of approximately 3460 square metres, backed with good title. It is strategically located off Airport in Sabon Lugbe, a district that has become a sought-after destination for shopping and leisure facilities.

Its endowed position along Abuja Airport Road ensures quick access to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport within 15 minutes and the inner districts of Abuja within 20-25 minutes which highlights Lugbe’s centrality in the city’s landscape.

Esther’s Court is thoughtfully conceived with serenity in every detail. It harmonises modern living with peaceful nature, boasting abundant green spaces,ample on site parking, reliable power supply and efficient sewage system for tranquil living. What is more,its carefully designed access roads ensure seamless connectivity, complemented with top notch security architecture.

Each terrace is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship, providing an ideal place that meets urban lifestyle.With all rooms ensuite, Esther’s Court is a perfect blend of contemporary architecture and functionality.

The unit price varies from N60.5m for full payment made within 2 months to N61m for full payment made within 4 months.However,each corner piece unit attracts a further N5m payment.

Other payments include N3m infrastructure fee and N2m legal fee.

MGE Realty Limited has established itself as a prominent player in Nigeria’s real estate market, consistently delivering exceptional residential, commercial and leisure properties.

With an extensive portfolio that spans various locations,MGE Realty has achieved aclaim by delivering a myriad of homes with many more at various planning and progress stages of development.

Notably, the company has also forged strategic partnerships with prominent contractors and architects,ensuring the highest standards of construction and design excellence.

Nigeria’s content creative industry is fast becoming an economic driver as creatives develop content that combines business objectives with authentic audience engagement.

To strengthen this shift, Insight Redefini, in partnership with Woof Studios Africa, hosted YouTube PluggedIN 2026, a platform where brands and creators shared insights on exploring opportunities for more meaningful collaboration through brand-funded content on YouTube.

The event, with the theme ‘Beyond the Placement: Rethinking How Brands Work with Creators,’ examined how brands, agencies and creators can move beyond conventional advertising placements to develop content that combines business objectives with authentic audience engagement.

Speaking at the event, Babatunde Olaifa, Group CEO of Insight Redefini, said that the growth of the creator economy depends on meaningful collaboration among brands and creators.

Olaifa said that no single stakeholder could build the ecosystem alone, highlighting the importance of combining their respective strengths to transform creative ideas into valuable content.

Building on a 2025 pilot, this year’s edition expanded the conversation to more brands, with a focus on small-group discussions and one-to-one engagements designed to connect brands with creators and move promising ideas towards campaign briefs, partnerships and funded content.

Adetutu Laditan, founder and Creative Director of Woof Studios Africa, said the growing ambitions of Nigerian creators and the need to address the business and production complexities involved in turning creative ideas into content that can be funded, produced and distributed to wider audiences.

Discussions throughout the event centred on three priorities: involving creators earlier in the creative process, ensuring brand-funded content remains relevant and authentic to audiences, and translating conversations into tangible partnerships, content opportunities and measurable outcomes.

A key highlight was a brand panel moderated by Esosa Osagiede, Group Creative Director at Insight Redefini, which explored what brands look for when selecting creators for partnerships.

Panellists, including brand managers from established Nigerian brands, identified brand fit and genuine audience influence as critical considerations. They stressed that follower counts and views alone do not necessarily reflect a creator’s ability to connect with audiences or influence their perceptions and behaviour.

One of the panellists, Media and Consumer Experience Manager of Mondelez International, Bolaji Popoola, noted that a shared understanding of objectives, audiences and creative direction is essential to building effective partnerships.

Prominent Nigerian creators, including Kiekie, Taoma, Aproko Doctor and Ify’s Kitchen, also shared perspectives on collaborating with brands through content that reflects their creative identities while meeting commercial objectives.

Babatunde Shobanjo, Chief Operating Officer of Insight Redefini, described the initiative as a positive development for the media and marketing communications industry, pointing to the value of creating platforms where brands and creators can explore new ways of working together.

Their emphasis on collaboration reflects Insight Redefini’s integrated approach to marketing communications. Earlier in 2026, agencies within its ecosystem, working with global partners, won a Gold Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the Creator Collaboration category for Vaseline’s The Real Nigerian Prince campaign.

The event comes amid growing interest in digital video and creator-led content as platforms for brands to connect with audiences. YouTube previously reported that watch time in Nigeria grew by more than 50 per cent year on year in 2025, with the platform reaching more than 30 million adults in the country each month.