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Three United States based scientists have won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for research that helped turn one of science’s most mind-bending theories into practical technology, the kind now powering the next generation of computers.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday awarded the prize to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for their discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.

In simpler terms, their experiments showed that the bizarre rules governing the subatomic world – where particles can appear to pass through barriers and exist in two states at once – also apply to larger, man-made systems like electrical circuits. That realisation, made through painstaking work in the 1980s, laid the foundation for modern quantum technology, from ultra-secure communications to quantum computing.

A theory brought to life

Quantum mechanics explains how the tiniest building blocks of the universe behave, often defying classical logic. It is the reason electrons can jump between energy levels and why light behaves as both a wave and a particle.

For decades, these strange principles seemed confined to the realm of theory and microscopic experiments. But Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis showed they could be observed and controlled in everyday electrical circuits.

Their findings proved that ‘quantum tunnelling’ – the process by which particles slip through barriers that should be impenetrable – could be made visible and measurable on a macroscopic scale. This breakthrough has since become the cornerstone for technologies such as superconducting qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers.

‘This is something that leads to the development of the quantum computer,’ said Professor Clarke, speaking by phone moments after learning of his award. ‘Many people are working on quantum computing – our discovery is in many ways the basis of this.’

From Cambridge to California

Clarke, born in Cambridge, United Kingdom, is now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Devoret, born in Paris, France, teaches at Yale University, while Martinis is a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The trio will share prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (about £872,000). The award will be formally presented by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

‘To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life,’ Clarke told reporters, calling his fellow laureates’ contributions ‘overwhelming.’

To the average person, ‘macroscopic quantum tunnelling’ might sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it has very real-world implications.

‘Even mobile phones, cameras, and fibre-optic cables rely on quantum mechanics,’ noted the Nobel committee in its announcement. ‘There is no advanced technology used today that does not.’

Olle Eriksson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said it was ‘wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises’.

Lesley Cohen, Associate Provost of Physics at Imperial College London, said the recognition was ‘well deserved’.

‘Their work has laid the foundations for superconducting qubits – one of the main hardware technologies for quantum technologies,’ she said.

The Nobel Prize in Physics is widely considered the most prestigious in its field. Its past recipients include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Niels Bohr and Max Planck – names synonymous with the birth of modern physics.

Last year’s physics award went to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for pioneering work that helped fuel today’s artificial intelligence revolution.

The 2025 Nobel season continues this week, with the chemistry prize announced on Wednesday, followed by the literature, peace and economics awards in the coming days.

For Clarke and his colleagues, the recognition caps decades of quiet work that has transformed how humanity understands – and harnesses – the strange rules of the quantum world.

As Clarke put it, still dazed by the news: ‘Exactly where this fits in right now isn’t entirely clear to me. But one of the underlying reasons that cellphones work is because of all this work.’

A new report by SBM Intelligence has exposed how repeated peace agreements between northern state governments and armed bandit groups have consistently broken down, contributing to the escalation of insecurity across the region.

Over the past five years, states including Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna have pursued dialogue and negotiated truces with non-state armed groups.

These efforts, often launched with fanfare, media coverage, and public declarations of amnesty, were intended to reduce violence and reintegrate combatants into society. But in most cases, the agreements collapsed within months, leaving communities more vulnerable than before.

According to SBM Intelligence, while each deal brought a temporary lull in violence, the lack of credible follow-through-such as delayed or failed rehabilitation programmes-fueled disillusionment among both fighters and local communities. In several cases, armed groups used the ceasefires not to disarm, but to regroup and expand their influence.

One of the most striking examples cited in the report occurred in July 2022, when Zamfara State reached what was hailed as a breakthrough peace deal with dozens of armed groups across Tsafe, Shinkafi, and Maru.

The government offered amnesty and assurances of safety in exchange for disarmament. Attacks fell significantly, farmers returned to their land, and markets reopened. But by early 2023, the accord had unraveled. Some factions accused security forces of violating the agreement, while others simply resumed raids and kidnappings, leading to a sharp return of violence.

In September 2022, Zamfara initiated another round of talks, this time involving traditional rulers under the Gusau Emirate. A renewed deal offered ‘safe corridors’ for surrendering fighters. The peace proved short-lived again, as armed groups resumed operations within weeks. Analysts cited in the report argue that many groups never intended to fully disengage and instead viewed these negotiations as opportunities to buy time and rearm.

The cycle repeated in Katsina in March 2023, where the government initiated a peace dialogue along the volatile Birnin Gwari-Faskari corridor. Several commanders initially agreed to lay down arms.

However, the failure to deliver on promised reintegration packages quickly bred frustration. By mid-2025, attacks had resumed in Danmusa and Safana, and yet another round of negotiations was launched-only to end in another collapse.

Kaduna State saw similar efforts in 2026, this time led by local communities and traditional leaders in the southern region. Initial signs were encouraging: attacks along the Kagarko-Kafanchan road declined, and economic activity began to recover.

However, intercommunal violence between herders and farmers flared up again by 2027, reigniting conflict and erasing previous gains.

The report also noted the failure of a federal-led disarmament initiative launched in September 2028. Though framed as a comprehensive push to end rural violence, it quickly lost traction following a wave of kidnappings in Giwa and Birnin Gwari, which exposed the fragility of the initiative.

SBM Intelligence attributes the repeated failures to several underlying factors, including rushed negotiations, inadequate monitoring mechanisms, and the near-total absence of long-term reintegration frameworks.

Many former combatants who surrendered received little to no support to rebuild their lives. In the absence of viable alternatives, some returned to crime or joined more organised criminal networks.

Security analysts say these deals often reflect desperation rather than strategy, especially as local leaders, overwhelmed and under-resourced, agree to truces in the hope of short-term relief for terrorised communities. They argue that without institutional backing, enforcement, or economic support, such efforts are destined to fail.

The consequences are visible across the North-West, with tousands displaced, schools shuttered, farmlands lie fallow, and trade routes, increasingly unsafe.

Billions of naira, the report recalls have been spent on peacebuilding and security operations, yet rural populations continue to live under the shadow of violence.

While the federal government has insisted on a ‘comprehensive approach’ that blends military pressure with dialogue, the report warn that unless the root causes-poverty, youth unemployment, illegal mining, and the unchecked flow of small arms-are addressed, peace will remain a mirage.

As the region heads into another dry season, a period when attacks typically surge, communities across the North-West are growing weary of promises, handshakes, and broken truces, the report emphasized.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State is attending the third high-level ministerial meeting on rice self-sufficiency holding from October 7 to 9, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt.

This is contained in a statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Dutse.

According to the statement, the meeting, themed ‘Towards Rice-Based Agri-Food Systems Transformation and Delivering on Rice Self-Sufficiency through Peer-to-Peer Learning: The Case of the Arab Republic of Egypt,’ is jointly organised by the Egyptian ministry of agriculture and land reclamation, AfricaRice, the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and other key continental partners.

‘This high-level gathering brings together African Ministers of Agriculture, State Governors, and agricultural leaders to share practical experiences on achieving rice self-sufficiency and agricultural transformation.

‘The event will showcase Egypt’s remarkable progress in achieving rice self-sufficiency despite its limited water and land resources, offering valuable lessons adaptable to other African contexts.

‘Governor Namadi is participating alongside top policymakers, agricultural experts, and private sector players from across Africa to discuss innovations, policy reforms, and strategic investments aimed at strengthening food security and transforming the agricultural sector on the continent.

‘Over the three-day programme, delegates will engage in high-level ministerial sessions, technical discussions, and a field visit to Egypt’s renowned Rice Research and Training Centre (RRTC) in Sakha.

‘Jigawa State’s participation in this important forum underscores the state’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food self-sufficiency, and consolidating Jigawa’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading hubs for rice production and agribusiness development.

‘The meeting is expected to conclude with a Ministerial Declaration setting a continental roadmap for achieving rice self-sufficiency through collaborative research, policy coordination, and targeted investment across the rice value chain.

‘Governor Namadi is accompanied by senior officials from the Jigawa State Ministry of Agriculture and related agencies’, the statement read.

A Nigerian passenger, in the early hours of yesterday, died onboard British Airways flight, which departed London Heathrow Airport for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

The passenger, who was identified as a retired Air Vice Marshal, was said to be ill before departing London for Abuja, but died on board less than two hours after departure.

The incident forced the pilot to make an emergency landing at the El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain, at about 1:10 a.m.

The six-hour flight departed from Heathrow London Airport on Sunday at 11:30 pm.

It was learnt that the octogenarian was being brought back to Nigeria for further treatment by his family because of the illness.

The incident caused chaos on the flight and reportedly led to a pregnant woman also falling unwell.

I didn’t get any more information on her condition.

A new flight was scheduled for the remaining passengers who arrived in Nigeria later on Monday evening, and the airline has issued an apology.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, has commissioned a 72-unit housing complex, comprising two and three-bedroom apartments, for teachers in Mafa local government area of the state.

The project is part of efforts by Zulum’s administration to address the critical shortage of teachers’ accommodations and improve welfare in the education sector.

The commissioning ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, was part of the administration’s ongoing efforts towards revitalising education, particularly in rural communities that were affected by over a decade of insurgency.

Zulum, while presenting the keys to the beneficiaries, said the welfare of teachers is paramount to achieving qualitative education.

According to the governor, providing decent and secured housing is one of his administration’s key priorities.

The newly commissioned complex comprises 24 two-bedroom semi-detached units and 48 units of eight blocks, three-storey buildings, three bedrooms, and basic amenities. Each unit was designed to provide a comfortable and dignified living space for teaching staff and their families.

Earlier, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, commissioner for education, science, technology and innovation, explained that the beneficiaries were selected from primary and secondary schools.

Wakilbe commended Governor Zulum for prioritising the welfare of teachers by providing them with a decent accommodation.

Stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have identified agricultural technology (AgriTech) and open data platforms as essential tools for advancing Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly in promoting inclusion and improving rural development.

Speaking at the session titled ‘Design Workshops Building Productive Sectors: Investing in the Digital Economy’ during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja,

Toluwaleke Adenmosun, senior partner at Verraki, said agriculture offers an opportunity for digital transformation.

‘Some groups proposed open data platforms to improve the sourcing of agricultural commodities, while others emphasized the use of AgriTech to simplify and formalize the agricultural value chain,’ she said.

Adenmosun also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in tax and levy structures affecting businesses. She called for digital tools to streamline compliance.

‘Industry players face challenges not only with formal taxes but also with various levies and charges. A simple platform that outlines required payments and confirms when they are made can be implemented quickly and would address this,’ she said.

She added that successful implementation requires clear leadership, whether from the public or private sector.

‘It’s not solely a government responsibility. Someone must take ownership, drive execution, and raise awareness among farmers and stakeholders,’ she said.

Participants also noted the need for awareness campaigns, as many farmers remain unaware of digital tools that can boost productivity and improve market access.

Olabode Ojo, vice president of Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), a subsidiary of IHS Towers Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure in underserved areas.

‘At GICL and IHS, our goal is to provide the infrastructure to support Nigeria’s digital economy,’ said Ojo.

He noted that the company has deployed over 600 rural connectivity sites across 26 states and installed more than 16,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, supporting mobile technologies such as 2G, 3G, and 4G.

‘People in these areas now have access to education, healthcare, and digital financial services,’ he said. ‘This supports broader development.’

Ojo also referenced government plans led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure and establish 7,000 rural telephony sites.

‘These plans are ambitious but achievable,’ he said. ‘We are ready to collaborate with the government to help make them a reality.’

While agriculture is not GICL’s core focus, Ojo acknowledged its role in the digital economy and the importance of infrastructure in enabling farmers’ access to data.

‘These goals are within reach with collaboration from all stakeholders,’ he said. ‘We must stay focused and work together to achieve them.’

With continued investment from both public and private sectors, stakeholders agreed that AgriTech, open data, and rural connectivity are vital to building a more inclusive digital economy in Nigeria.

Ensuring financial leadership in uncertain times is a major role of finance managers that cannot be ignored. If not for anything, it protects a business and accelerate its growth.

When global companies speak about the complexities of doing business in Africa, few challenges loom larger than foreign exchange (FX) volatility, inflationary pressure, and regulatory uncertainty.

Amid these challenges limiting businesses, most finance leaders are weathering the storm and ensuring better returns for stakeholders.

Amongst those that demonstrated how strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and bold financial stewardship cannot only protect a business but also accelerate its growth is John Olajide, who served as Country Finance Manager for Lipton Nigeria.

Olajide was appointed during a period of significant transition for the continent’s most prominent consumer goods companies.

His financial management leadership proved instrumental in transforming the company from a legacy division of a multinational into a high-performing standalone business, achieving record profitability despite one of the most volatile macro-economic climates in decades.

When Lipton Nigeria separated from Unilever, it faced daunting financial headwinds. Currency instability, foreign exchange scarcity, and rising input costs posed existential risks to operations and profitability.

Today, Lipton Nigeria stands as a stronger, more agile, and more profitable business – a testament to the vision, resilience, and strategic brilliance of the finance leader who helped steer it through one of the most challenging periods in its history.

Under Olajide leadership, Lipton Nigeria introduced rigorous financial governance practices, including advanced forecasting models, scenario-planning frameworks, and real-time performance dashboards. These tools empowered leadership teams with better decision-making capabilities, improved working-capital control, and strengthened overall financial resilience.

His focus on aligning operational decisions with financial outcomes fostered a performance-driven culture, allowing the company to respond swiftly to market changes while maintaining strong financial health.

As the company’s first finance head in its new independent structure, Olajide was entrusted with designing the financial foundation that would sustain the business beyond the shadow of its former parent company.

He built this foundation from the ground up – implementing governance frameworks, financial reporting standards, and liquidity strategies tailored to Nigeria’s economic realities. His leadership ensured that the company maintained operational stability during the critical transition period, positioning it for sustained growth.

One of Olajide most impactful contributions was the development of an innovative foreign exchange (FX) sourcing and risk-mitigation strategy that unlocked over $100 million in FX liquidity.

At a time when many manufacturers were forced to scale back operations due to severe foreign currency shortages, Olajide approach ensured uninterrupted access to imported raw materials and equipment.

By cultivating strategic partnerships with major financial institutions and designing robust treasury models, he insulated the business from FX shocks and allowed production to run at full capacity across five world-class factories producing soaps, detergents, savoury foods, tea, and toothpaste.

This strategic foresight was pivotal – it protected the company’s supply chain, safeguarded thousands of local jobs, and strengthened relationships with suppliers and distributors throughout the region.

Beyond managing risk, Olajide spearheaded a comprehensive profitability turnaround. Through a combination of margin optimisation, cost-efficiency programs, supplier renegotiations, and pricing strategy realignment, he increased the company’s gross margin from 28 percent in 2021 to over 40 percent by 2023 – one of the most dramatic improvements in the company’s history.

His financial strategy focused not only on cutting costs but also on unlocking structural value. By improving capital allocation, enhancing cost visibility, and aligning financial metrics with commercial priorities, John turned profitability into a strategic advantage, enabling the business to reinvest in innovation, capacity expansion, and market growth.

In a region where foreign exchange scarcity, inflation, and regulatory complexity often constrain business growth, his work demonstrates that with the right financial strategies, even the most volatile environments can become platforms for profitability and scale.

Olajide achievements in Nigeria represent more than corporate milestones – they reflect the transformative power of strategic finance leadership in emerging markets.

The Federal Government has announced plans to harness the potential of local government wards to drive national development.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit.

According to him, efforts are currently ongoing to review the national development plan, with programs targeted at mapping all 8,809 wards of the local government councils in order to harness the unique potentials in the wards.

‘All we need to do is to understand what you want us to do, and we will be humble to ensure. And we are having this discussion when we are reviewing the national development plan. So we are putting in place the 2026 to 2030 national development.

‘And we are going to do a number of unusual things. We have started, first, we are going to map all the 8,809 wards of the council because they have unique opportunities, unique potentials. That we believe, if understood and encouraged, more value can be generated from what is done in those wards.

‘It has been done elsewhere. Therefore, we have a planning hub. And then we can also unify the government because we assure the local government that understanding your wards is as important as the federal level understanding it,’ he said.

Bagudu speaking further, said that in a bid to boost productivity and economic growth, Nigeria’s federal, state, and local governments are coming together to leverage their constitutional responsibilities.

The minister who called for private sector collaboration to drive productivity in the country, stressed that these wards are centers of prosperity, noting that Nigeria currently have major productivity in a more decentralized manner.

‘We are struggling with getting all the funding we require, but we believe assistance is systemic and already within the mandate areas of many institutions that are represented here, whether universities or research departments or banks or trade associations.

‘So we need support with capacity building, and it can be helpful in improving measurement and understanding. But more importantly, we also recognize the coordinating mechanism of the federation, because Nigeria is a constitutional federation of three levels of government, federal, state, and local government, and each of them have a constitutional responsibility to some of the areas of productivity and growth.

‘There is resources out there belonging to you that we can do it together. We have reached out to, for example, many institutions are providing and supporting us with technical support, you know, that we incorporate part of the changes,’ he said.

Stakeholders at the session stressed on the need for government to boost partnerships with private sector, through incentives.

‘But incentivize the private sector to begin to invest in free education as a social responsibility. Because millions of our kids cannot go to school today.

‘Like the new tax reform starting in January 1st. If you give the private sector enough incentive, they will invest in education. There is need to incentivize the private sector to begin to invest in free education as a social responsibility. Because millions of our kids cannot go to school today,’ a participant told the conference.

In an era of institutional fragility and divided leadership, Prince Blessing Lawal, Founder and President of the Global Socio-Economic and Financial Evolution Network (GSFEN), which includes the GSFEN Business School, the academic arm of GSFEN Worldwide UK, leads a coalition of more than 1,500 Peace Ambassadors from 97 countries.

The organisation works closely with the United Nations to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He has built a network that connects people and systems across continents with one shared purpose, creating a peaceful, inclusive and economically empowered world.

Lawal also serves as Senior Manager of Education for the International Teachers Association (ITA) UK, extending his influence beyond organisational boundaries. His work represents a model where academia, governance, civil society and diplomacy align to produce measurable outcomes that benefit communities and nations alike.

GSFEN operates as an ecosystem that links public policy with local action. It goes beyond advocacy by implementing programmes that improve financial literacy, promote youth development and drive social innovation. Through partnerships with governments, universities, international agencies and non-profit organisations, GSFEN applies the United Nations’ call for ‘global partnerships for sustainable development.’ It builds cooperation between experts and citizens, ensuring that global goals are translated into local realities.

Lawal often says that ‘vision without structure remains a dream, and structure without passion becomes bureaucracy.’ This belief defines GSFEN’s working model, which combines purpose with organisation. Every initiative, from financial education to peace leadership, is designed around sustainability and accountability. This disciplined yet inclusive approach has earned GSFEN recognition as a trusted partner for governments, institutions and development agencies across continents.

At the centre of GSFEN’s activities is the Peace Ambassador Programme, which brings together representatives from over 97 countries. These ambassadors promote peace, leadership and socio-economic development within their communities. Through training, mentorship and cross-cultural dialogue, they advance financial inclusion, civic responsibility and conflict resolution. Each ambassador serves as both a messenger and an implementer, translating international frameworks like the SDGs into practical community action.

Lawal’s leadership is grounded in partnership. He sees institutions as parts of a shared global system rather than separate entities. Under his direction, GSFEN collaborates with universities for research, with governments for policy frameworks, with civil society for implementation and with private enterprises for innovation and funding. This multi-sector collaboration ensures that projects are sustainable and scalable.

He believes that economic empowerment is the foundation of peace. As a Verified Educator with Harvard Business Impact Education, Lawal combines academic knowledge with practical solutions. GSFEN promotes financial literacy, youth innovation and social entrepreneurship, helping individuals and communities participate meaningfully in economic growth. Its approach shifts development thinking from dependency to empowerment and self-sufficiency.

In today’s world, institutional credibility depends on impact, adaptability and alignment with human needs. Under Lawal’s leadership, GSFEN has shown that visionary leadership can turn an idea into an institution and an institution into a global movement. From international conferences to community projects, GSFEN demonstrates that progress happens when vision is matched with structure and purpose.

Lawal’s work stands as an example of how to build systems that endure institutions that translate ideas into impact and hope into tangible results. His leadership continues to remind policymakers, academics and development practitioners that meaningful change begins when institutions think globally, act locally and serve humanity collectively.

The Forum of National Women Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (NWLFPPN), in collaboration with National Youth Leaders have called on the leadership of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to expedite passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before it.

Rising from a strategic meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the women and youth leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing gender inclusion in governance and politics.

In a joint statement signed by Amina Darasimi Bryhm, the president of the Forum, the leaders described the Reserved Seats Bill as a ‘national imperative’ that would address Nigeria’s long-standing gender imbalance in elective offices and strengthen democracy through inclusive representation.

‘Political parties are the gateway to leadership and governance, and as custodians of political participation, we are duty-bound to lead the campaign for equitable representation,’ Bryhm said.

The Forum emphasized that women form the backbone of Nigeria’s democracy and must be accorded proportional representation through constitutional reform. It pledged to intensify advocacy and sensitization across political parties to ensure understanding and support for the Bill.

The statement urged members of the National Assembly to ‘make history’ by giving the Bill speedy passage, stressing that ‘the time for promises is over – the time for action is now.’

It also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Executive Arm of Government to back the proposed law once passed, describing such support as a demonstration of leadership, fairness, and national commitment to inclusion

The Forum said it would continue working with political parties to publicly endorse the Bill and promote internal reforms that advance women’s participation. It also called on civil society groups, traditional rulers, youth organizations, and faith leaders to mobilize in solidarity until the Bill becomes law.

‘This is not a fight against men but a call to partnership. Empowering women empowers families and strengthens communities,’ the statement read.

The women leaders commended development partners for their ongoing support and urged them to sustain collaboration through advocacy, technical assistance, and empowerment initiatives for women in politics.

Reiterating their stance for equity and progress, the Forum declared that the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill must not be delayed.

‘This is not just legislation; it is a rallying point for justice, democracy, and nation-building,’ the statement concluded.

Fielding questions from the media on what women were bringing to the table, the President noted that being on the table would ensure that the interests of women, children and persons with disabilities are protected. She however noted that for that to happen ‘women have to be on the table.’

The women leaders noted that in their efforts to bring women to the table. They were determined to ensure women with capacity and integrity are carefully supported to run in future elections.