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Global commodity prices are forecast to fall by seven per cent in both 2025 and 2026, reaching their lowest level in six years as a widening oil glut and sluggish global growth continue to weigh on demand, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook.

The report warned that while falling energy and food prices could help ease inflationary pressures in many developing economies, soaring fertilizer costs may hurt agricultural productivity, a challenge with direct implications for Nigeria’s food security and farmers’ profitability.

The World Bank projects energy prices will decline by 12 per cent in 2025 and 10 per cent in 2026, with Brent crude oil expected to average $68 per barrel next year and fall further to $60 in 2026, the lowest since 2020.

The global oil glut is forecast to expand by 65% above its 2020 peak due to weak demand in China, rising output from OPEC+ members, and the accelerating shift to electric and hybrid vehicles.

For Nigeria, a major crude exporter, this trend poses fiscal challenges.

Lower oil prices could reduce foreign exchange inflows and test the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ability to sustain currency stability, even as declining global energy prices help moderate domestic inflation and fuel import costs.

Indermit Gill, the World Bank’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, said, ‘Commodity markets are helping to stabilise the global economy. Falling energy prices have contributed to lower global inflation. But this respite will not last. Governments should use it to get their fiscal house in order, make economies business-ready, and accelerate trade and investment.’

While food prices are expected to decline moderately, down 6.1 per cent in 2025 and 0.3 per cent in 2026, fertilizer prices are projected to surge 21 per cent next year due to high input costs and trade restrictions before easing five per cent in 2026.

Experts say the price surge could erode farmers’ profit margins and heighten risks for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, already grappling with high logistics costs and limited access to credit.

Fertilizer price spikes could further inflate domestic food prices, offsetting gains from lower international grain prices.

In contrast to the general downturn, precious metals are rallying, and Gold is expected to rise 42 per cent in 2025 and another five per cent in 2026, while silver could gain 34 per cent and eight per cent, respectively, buoyed by central bank purchases and safe-haven demand.

Nigeria, which holds untapped deposits of gold and other minerals, could benefit from increased investor interest in solid minerals as prices surge.

The World Bank report notes that declining oil and food prices are easing global inflation, which could support Nigeria’s monetary policy objectives after months of tight interest rate management by the CBN.

However, policy uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, and climate shocks could still disrupt supply chains, potentially reversing gains from lower energy prices.

The Bank also flagged risks from rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, which could increase global demand for energy and base metals such as aluminum and copper, both critical to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.

According to Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group, the anticipated dip in oil prices offers a rare opportunity for Nigeria and other developing economies to pursue fiscal and subsidy reforms that strengthen resilience.

‘Lower oil prices provide a timely opportunity for developing economies to advance fiscal reforms that promote growth and job creation,’ Kose said.

‘Phasing out costly fuel subsidies can free resources for infrastructure and human capital, areas that strengthen long-term productivity and rebuild fiscal space,’ he added.

The report’s special section on international commodity agreements finds that while past efforts, such as production quotas and trade restrictions, briefly stabilized prices, few achieved lasting success.

It urges commodity-dependent economies like Nigeria to invest in technology, data transparency, and market diversification to build resilience against volatility and external shocks.

The World Bank’s forecast suggests a mixed outlook for Nigeria, relief from energy-driven inflation and import costs, but renewed pressure on fiscal revenues, agriculture, and export earnings.

Experts say the government must balance macroeconomic stability with reforms that stimulate investment and diversify exports beyond crude oil.

The Director of Finance and Accounts, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Olufemi Odukoya, has emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among aviation stakeholders and government agencies to enhance cost recovery and uphold safety standards across the sector.

Speaking at the Civil Aviation Cost Recovery Optimization Stakeholders’ Retreat in Lagos, Odukoya stressed that inter-agency synergy is central to effective regulation, financial transparency, and sustainable growth in the aviation industry. ‘Collaboration is not optional; it is the lifeline of aviation safety and national development,’ he said.

Odukoya noted that the NCAA operates on a cost recovery model supported by the 5 per cent Ticket, Cargo, and Charter Sales Charge (TSC), but delays or incomplete remittances by some operators threaten the Authority’s ability to carry out its safety oversight responsibilities. ‘Aviation safety and efficiency depend on consistent funding. When operators fail to remit funds promptly, the system is strained, oversight weakens, and risks increase,’ he warned.

The NCAA is developing a new remittance framework requiring airlines to obtain Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) from their banks to safeguard against late or non-remittance. Odukoya reaffirmed the NCAA’s zero tolerance for defaults, emphasizing that full debt recovery, preventive measures, and stricter enforcement would define the next phase of financial regulation.

‘Aviation is a key economic driver that contributes about $1.7 billion-or 0.7 percent-to Nigeria’s GDP,’ Odukoya said, lamenting that the sector’s output remains below its potential. He called on stakeholders to maintain open communication, share data, and align objectives in the collective interest of the nation.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has projected a brighter economic landscape for 2026, with expectations of a stronger naira, eased inflationary pressures and improved credit conditions for businesses.

At a news conference in Lagos during the 2025 MAN Think Tank Session, Dr. Oluwasegun Osidipe, MAN’s Director of Research and Economic Policy, said the association’s analysis suggested that ongoing reforms and favourable market dynamics could pave the way for renewed economic growth.

Osidipe stated that the naira is forecast to appreciate to between ?1,300 and ?1,400 per U.S. dollar next year, supported by stronger external reserves, rising global oil prices, increased foreign investment and growth in diaspora remittances.

He also projected a slowdown in inflation to about 14 percent in 2026, driven by expected stability in energy pricing, moderating food costs and the anticipated strengthening of the local currency.

On monetary policy, the MAN economist said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could lower the benchmark interest rate to around 23 per cent to reflect easing inflation while also improving credit access to productive sectors.

‘Reduced lending rates and the conclusion of ongoing bank recapitalisation will boost manufacturers’ access to finance, raise investment levels and enhance capacity utilisation across the sector,’ he said.

With improving macroeconomic conditions, MAN forecasts real manufacturing growth of 3.1 percent in 2026, and an increase in the sector’s share of national output to 10.2 per cent, as policy reforms begin to yield tangible benefits.

Osidipe stressed that delivering these outcomes will require strict execution of industrial and fiscal reform initiatives, including the National Single Window to accelerate trade processes, new tax incentives to spur investments and the Nigeria Industrial Policy anchored on a ‘Nigeria First’ development approach.

The association projects national GDP growth of 4 per cent next year, supported by higher oil output, fiscal stability and increased consumer spending expected during the 2026 election cycle.

He added that sustained momentum in the financial and manufacturing sectors would remain key to unlocking a broader and more inclusive economic recovery.

Also, the Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir noted a modest rise in confidence among over 500 CEOs, from 50.3 in Q2 to 50.7 in Q3, indicating a cautiously improving outlook for the sector.

Ajayi highlighted slight improvements in current business and employment conditions attributed to disinflation and a stable exchange rate, though a decline in production conditions was linked to industrial disputes in the oil and gas sector.

He expressed optimism for future indices, driven by policy adjustments, including a benchmark interest rate cut and tax incentives for local sourcing of raw materials.

Ajayi emphasized that a framework focused on private sector participation could enhance industrial competitiveness and stimulate investment.

He cautioned that the sector still faces challenges from high inflation and interest rates, requiring deliberate interventions to sustain growth.

The Association President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, however, described the 2025 MAN Think Tank and MCCI as crucial platforms for analyzing manufacturing performance and developing a positive roadmap for the industry.

The Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN) has urged the Federal Government to develop a national policy on freedom of religion and belief, ensuring equal protection and opportunity for all faiths to thrive without fear or restriction.

This appeal was made in a communiqué signed by CHAIN’s Chief Executive Officer, Rev. (Dr.) Joseph John Hayab, and Chairman, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu Jnr, after a one-day roundtable conference themed ‘Building Synergy Among Faith-Based NGOs for Freedom of Religion or Belief.’

The meeting brought together faith leaders, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives from across Nigeria to discuss ways to strengthen the nation’s commitment to religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Participants called on government at all levels to uphold neutrality in religious matters and to safeguard citizens’ rights to practice their faith freely. ‘Nigeria’s unity and peace depend on the government’s ability to guarantee equal protection for every religion and belief system. The state must remain neutral to preserve justice and national cohesion,’ the communiqué stated.

CHAIN observed that when the state promotes or enforces a particular religious doctrine, it loses its neutrality and undermines its moral authority to defend citizens’ rights. The group stressed that freedom of religion and belief is both a constitutional duty and a moral necessity for building an inclusive and peaceful society.

The forum expressed concern about the rising number of violations of citizens’ rights and warned that such actions threaten national unity and Nigeria’s international reputation.

Participants also recommended the creation of a Special Council on Freedom of Religion, made up of credible Nigerians, to monitor, investigate, and prosecute cases of religious discrimination or violence. They further called for stronger judicial independence and accountability mechanisms for law enforcement agencies that fail to act against religiously motivated offenses.

The communiqué emphasized that freedom of religion belongs to everyone, including minority faiths and those with no religious affiliation. It also urged interfaith dialogue, public enlightenment, and the inclusion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) education in schools to foster respect and understanding from an early age.

‘Freedom of religion or belief safeguards individuals, not religions,’ CHAIN stated. ‘Our diversity should be a source of strength, not division.’

The roundtable, which featured presentations by Prof. Sam Amadi and Barr. Joseph Danboyi, was attended by several faith-based organizations and policy experts. Participants commended CHAIN’s leadership for providing a platform that promotes unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

The conference ended with a shared commitment to advance tolerance, equity, and respect for human dignity, while encouraging all Nigerians to be ambassadors of peace and defenders of shared humanity.

THE Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYOSACA) is enhancing its cooperation with the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), its implementing partners, and multisectoral organisations to further the state’s HIV response.

Speaking at the LACA-SACA and other stakeholders’ state monthly monitoring and evaluation meeting at the agency, Board Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Gbola Adetunji, said while progress has been made, there are emerging gaps around service integration, sustainability, data quality, community ownership and resource optimisation that require continued attention.

Dr Adetunji said, Oyo State has continued to record notable improvements in HIV testing services, treatment coverage, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), community mobilisation and linkage to care through collective efforts.

He announced Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval for the procurement of HIV test kits and consumables to further strengthen uninterrupted service delivery across the state, a step towards closing existing gaps and ensuring that no client in need of testing or follow-up services is denied care.

Adetunji said the role of LACA managers was strategic for the state’s HIV sustainability plan and urged them to intensify their supportive supervision, strengthen their referral pathways and ensure that their reports reflect actual delivery outcomes.

‘Today’s engagement is therefore focused on deepening partnerships and improving accountability for results. We must continue to work as one unified structure to ensure that our MandE systems remain reliable and that interventions reach those who need them most, especially at the grassroots,’ he said.

In a statement on behalf of the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Serifat Ibikunle, the State’s HIV/AIDS programme coordinator, pledged the ministry’s support for current and upcoming HIV intervention throughout the state in order to meet USAID’s 95-95-95 objectives.

The HIV desk officer Mrs Victoria Popoola, urged that the LACA managers step up efforts to ensure no HIV-positive pregnant woman in their community is stigmatized and to access PMTCT services.

Also, Oyo Strategic Information lead at the APIN Public Health Initiative, Mrs Juliabah Dada, stated that the APIN Health Initiative was testing for HIV across the local governments and supporting 52 facilities for comprehensive HIV care as well as providing support.

Mrs Dada said in its new administrative calendar year, APIN Public Health Initiative intends to also strengthen data collection and MandE activities in its HIV interventions.

Coordinating director of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Dr Wale Falana, told the LACA managers to improve on data gathering and enrolment on Antiretroviral Therapy to prevent the transmission of HIV from a mother to child.

According to him, ‘The major function of the LACA is actually containing HIV. So, we should have enough data to assist us to know the prevalence of HIV in the state. With things that have been put in place by the government, this will assist us to know the exact HIV prevalence.’

No doubt, Nigerian University System has grown in leaps and bounds amid many challenges, what in your view is needed to be done to have a better university system?

This is something we have to dream about and aspire to attain. We need to advocate and negotiate. A better university system presupposes that we place a premium on the pivotal role of universities. Universities bring development and create a generation of highly skilled educated people. There’s hardly any country that can outgrow the level of investment it makes in its educational system. When the UK was exiting Europe, you remember the Brexit? Theresa May said something when she was faced with a lot of steep opposition and resistance from the British. They were ideologically divided and still are. They regret leaving the European Union, but it was at that defining moment that she addressed the nation and said, even if they were going to lose everything as a country, they would fall back on their university system to reinvent the United Kingdom. So, the universities have a role to play.

So, what do we need to do to get it right as a country?

We need to be very deliberate and intentional about investing in education. We cannot treat education with levity or as an afterthought, we cannot afford to. I was privileged to visit the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah; a postgraduate university with only 1,500 students’ population has over 2,000 laboratories. They endowed $10 billion. The late king of Saudi Arabia endowed $10 billion. This is a university founded 10 years ago. It invested the $10 billion in trust, investments overseas, and they are now living on the dividends and the interest accruing from that investment. That’s how serious they have taken their universities. Universities are unique animals because they play unique roles in the life of a country or nation, family and an individual. They must be treated with the seriousness that they deserve. So, we need to invest in infrastructure.

If you go around universities, you will see that the infrastructural deficit is very glaring. Universities, whether public or private, are very capital-intensive. As a deliberate effort, we must ensure that they are well-equipped. The laboratories and library holdings must be current in terms of quantum and quantity. Now, we are talking about ICT penetration. There is no hiding place as to the role of technology in delivering education. We must be part of this global trend; the global storm that has taken the world. We can’t afford to be analogue. We need to change and modernise the art of teaching-pedagogy. We need to infuse modern technology in the art of teaching. We need to improve the capacity of our staff, both teaching and non-teaching alike. We need to constantly reform and update curriculum to bring it up to speed with global best practices. To make sure that curriculum or curricula align with the demands of the workplace, the 21st century workplace demands that. We need to incentivise our teaching and non-teaching staff.

We need to give the university staff a reason to continue to apply themselves fully to the vocation that they settled for when they graduated from university. We need to strengthen our governance system. Poor governance, management and organisational systems are the bane of our university system. We need to reject that; we must reinvent, reorganise and reposition the ecosystem of our governance. The governance is very key as well as collaboration, because the university is an international character. We cannot operate in silos or cocoon. We must expose our universities to some of the best practices, so that we can glean those things that we daily need to improve the system. The National Universities Commission (NUC) needs to be strengthened as a regulatory agency that has been saddled with a vital responsibility to coordinate and regulate university education in the country. See how professional bodies are springing up.

You just spoke about the need to strengthen regulatory framework of NUC, a commission you served for 35 years, can we say that the commission has lived up to expectations of its founding fathers?

I must say that there can be no university system without the NUC. We need to set standards, from the whole evolution of university system in Nigeria, from 1948 when University of Ibadan started as the first premier institution. We need to police, monitor, inspect and guide the system. The NUC is vested with the very strategic responsibility to determine, lay down minimum standards and enforce them through accreditations and resource verification. Just imagine the system without NUC. Even with NUC, it’s still a battle between conformity or otherwise. Image a university with a dream of issuing an honorary doctorate degree on the day of matriculation. I had to call the vice chancellor to order and told him this was an aberration; a taboo that must not happen. What has happened to the long-cherished tradition and best practice? Without the NUC, it would have been a sad story. The commission is still battling to uphold the sanctity of quality, so, NUC has lived up to its expectations but needs to be enhanced. We need the laws of the commission to be strengthened. Some of the laws are a bit moribund. For instance, we can’t just go ahead to shut down any illegal institution, because we do not have the powers to do so. We are not like NAFDAC. NAFDAC can bring petrol and pour on such illegal operation but in the case of the illegal universities, you have to be careful. If you shut them down, what happens to those kids? So, we need to update our laws and strengthen NUC as a regulatory agency. Many professional associations are springing up, wanting to do almost the same accreditation NUC is doing. We need to strengthen the laws so that we don’t work at cross purposes.

To answer the question directly, NUC has seen tertiary education system grow from one university in 1948 to 300 universities, providing guidance, intervening, regulating, suspending, withdrawing licenses and declaring state of emergencies. This is the kind of gaps the NUC has filled over the years. Yes, there is a lot to be done because as the system magnifies, so also will the challenges multiply. We need to strengthen the system as the staff needs to be exposed.

How did you first understand war risk insurance and its implications for Nigeria?

At first, when I was the DG of NIMASA, I didn’t know anything about war risk insurance. And they explained to me that the Joint War-Risk Committee (JWC) in London is charging 0.025 per cent on hull, or whatever the case may be, for every vessel that goes 5 degrees east of the Lagos Harbour. Which means that anything that crosses Lagos slightly, and the moment you enter that area towards the Port Harcourt area, towards Bakassi, there is a fee that is being charged. Interestingly enough, that fee went up to 0.625 per cent. And at that same time, Pakistan, which was under serious attack, was still being charged 0.25 per cent. Now, the reason, quite simple, why that was the case, was that we didn’t have an eye on the ball. So they were charging us all those things, without us in NIMASA really knowing.

So I took it upon myself just now to ask the question on Chat GPT. I asked ChatGPT a very simple question. I said, ‘What is the present rate for war risk premium by the JWC for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea?’ And you know what Chat GPT said? It said ‘I wasn’t able to find any publicly available current percentage rates, EGX or whatever, that the JWC imposes specifically for war risk premium in the case of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea’.

Now, let me just jump down and say this. It now says, ‘instead, premiums are provided on a case-by-case basis upon reporting a voyage to the insurers. Even ChatGPT does not even know what we are being charged as war risk premium.

During your time as DG, what figures were you working with?

As of 2019, when I was DG, we were paying $400 million a year. Now, that basically corroborates the figure, which I heard the DG of NIMASA mention and I’m worried. Why am I worried? You would ask. If you do not know something that is happening in Nigeria, I should tell you now. Nigeria is a center of attraction for the world. Why? Aliko Dangote has built a refinery which is going to produce 650,000 barrels a day. A gentleman called Samad Bua will very soon commission a refinery which is 200,000 barrels a day. I am very aware that another one is coming up again in Ogun state which is 500,000 barrels a day. They are modular refineries which are producing purely for export purposes.

I am aware that just a few days ago, NUPRC just approved a terminal for the export of LPFO, NAFTA, and AGO from modular refineries out of Koko. What does that mean? LNG comes on stream next year. Now, can you just imagine what that makes Nigeria? Because we are only consuming 55 million liters of PMS or whatever per day, that makes Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products. Except they are building airports on the high seas, where they will be carrying these petroleum products out of this country. I believe that the majority of these cargoes will be carried out by sea. Now, that is only one part.

How does the JWC determine its rates in the first place?

When we got that information about the War risk, what did we do? We first of all engaged the JWC. And they were not willing to listen to us. They did not care. They just ignored us totally. But how did they work? How did we get from 0.025 per cent to 0.625 per cent? Every time an activity happens in Nigeria, you are depressed, you have to report it. You report it and then the man in JWC sits down there, sees this report, on his way home reads it on social media or whatever, gets home, his wife makes him dinner, and then he reads the news or sees something on TV saying one ship was attacked. He now calls his colleagues and says ‘hey Mike, you see what happened in Nigeria today? Some vessels were attacked. I think we need to increase the rates in Nigeria’. There is no way they use any analysis. It’s based on them just determining what they want to charge us. That is what we do. We know that.

From your perspective, what’s the way forward for Nigeria on this issue?

Look, the economies of UK, Europe, and America are collapsing. The next frontier is Africa, led by Nigeria. I am totally against going to beg anybody for anything. Let’s create competition. We have it now, let’s create our own. Let’s form our own insurance. Find the people that can do it. I was going to tell you to invite the Nigeria Insurance Association here. Call them here, they will do it. We have the capacity and we have the capability to create our own. I’m not saying they will take us out. Well, first, they will crash the premium. When they see it crash so low and it becomes negligible, I think they will pull us out. Let’s create competition. We should not go and beg anybody for anything. And this is where NIMASA comes in, especially in administrative enforcement. Why can any how vessel be coming in? Under the ISPS Code, a vessel cannot lift anchor from Nigeria to go to America without the Coast Guard clearing that vessel first. That’s the ISPS scope. You do that, you cross America, they blow you out of the water. If that is part of the requirement of the ISPS code, why can we not also impose that? Because some of these vessels that are coming in, even the Master does not even know they’re in Nigeria. So what then happens is that they now get attacked. So how can I protect a thief in my compound? Of course, we know they are coming to carry stolen crude or whatever they are coming to carry. But the moment they get attacked, they go to wherever and make a lot of noise that they’ve been attacked in Nigeria. But if you don’t tell me you are coming to Nigeria, how can I protect you?

We need to see a situation whereby any vessel coming to Nigeria must declare that they are coming and say how long they will be in Nigeria. And it is then the likes of C4i and Falcone Eye can work better because then they can track that vessel from the moment it leaves anchor to come to Nigeria. Nigeria has become a free for all. And we must stop it. Sierra Leone alone was on war risk premium. But they took them out because their money is peanuts.

On the war risk premium discussion, what constructive measures will you propose?

We can create corridors on the ocean. What do I mean by corridors? You can create a 50 by 100 nautical mile corridor. And when those vessels are cutting notice to leave anchor, you give them the coordinates of that corridor. And then we have people like the Navy having their security boat, patrolling that corridor. So as soon as they come into that corridor, they become our responsibility. But that corridor takes you straight. So, we know that. Because we cannot control 91,000 square kilometers of water, we can start small and begin to grow. And then we can have a small fee. Because what happens is that, if you do it by whatever, you can get a small fee, a small security fee. Then we can even have the fishing trawlers become part of it. Because you know what is happening, our trawlers are going to the deep sea, the Chinese are attacking them, and are stealing their catches and beating their crews. That is why our fishing thing is not working. It’s a security issue. That’s what’s going on. We know what is happening out there in the high seas.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday urged a modern, technology-driven system for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events, describing accurate data as the foundation of effective national planning and governance of the country

Speaker Tajudeen made the call while declaring open a public hearing on the bill to repeal and re-enact the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act.

Tajudeen, represented by Rep. Godwin Offiono (Cross River), said the proposed legislation seeks to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration system by introducing an electronic framework for collecting and managing vital statistics.

‘Accurate and timely registration of births, stillbirths, deaths, marriages, and other vital events is essential for national planning, social development, and good governance,’ Tajudeen said.

‘The current Act was made for a different era, one without digital tools or modern data systems.’

He noted that Nigeria’s realities have evolved, with rapid population growth, migration, and increasing demand for data-driven policymaking, necessitating a system aligned with international best practices and UN standards.

‘The electronic registration framework will help eliminate duplication and fraud, enhance identity management, and improve access to certificates across all regions,’ he said.

He added that innovations like the modern, electronic, and efficient Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) framework align with international best practices and the United Nations recommendations.

Tajudeen explained that an electronic civil registration system will ensure accuracy and integrity of vital data, reduce duplication and fraud in identity systems, and improve access to birth and death certificates across all regions.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Population, Rep. Odimayo Okunjimi, said the existing legal framework for civil registration is obsolete and incapable of meeting the demands of a digitally driven society.

‘Without reliable civil registration and vital statistics, the nation cannot effectively plan or deliver social services,’ Okunjimi stated.

‘This Bill will establish a unified, modern system that reflects today’s realities and future needs.’

Okunjimi said that the current Act is not just obsolete but designed for a time when population mobility, digital recordkeeping, and demographic planning were at a very different stage.

According to him, weak data integration between federal and state systems, and an absence of digital infrastructure for secure and accessible recordkeeping.

He pointed out that without reliable civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS), the nation would lack the foundation for effective planning, social services delivery, and population management.

‘This Bill seeks to repeal the existing law and re-enact a modern, comprehensive, and technology-driven framework that reflects present realities and future needs,’ he said.

Okunjimi explained that the bill is tailored to establish a unified national system for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, and other vital events.

‘Clarify institutional responsibilities, ensuring effective coordination between the National Population Commission, state registries, local government councils, and relevant ministries,’ he said.

He said that the reform of Nigeria’s vital registration system is not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a national imperative.

Okunjimi reiterated that the modernisation of this Act would strengthen identity management, improve governance, enhance national security, and build a data-driven foundation for sustainable development.

He added that the bill will also clarify institutional roles, ensuring stronger coordination between the National Population Commission (NPC), state registries, and local government councils.

Also speaking, the federal Commissioner representing Adamawa in the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Clifford Zirra, commended the Committee for the bill.

Zirra said that these proposed amendments were imperative in improving the mandate of the population commission.

‘These amendments could not have come at a better time than now, as the Commission seeks to mainstream technology and digital devices in the provision of its services.

‘Provide interoperable digital platforms that enable collaborations with sister government agencies and partners and bridge gaps observed in the implementation of these legislations in the last three (3) decades,’ he said.

The NPC commissioner said that the Commission is glad to have been working with the Private Consultant (with the support of UNICEF) through the entire process of reviewing the Bill, up to this current stage of public hearing.

He said that the bill will eliminate duplication, ensure clarity, and facilitate effective implementation of the mandate of the Commission.

Zirra, however, expressed confidence that a holistic amendment and consolidation of the National Population Act and the Births, Deaths, (Compulsory Registration) Act will provide a comprehensive framework for civil registration and vital statistics.

Also speaking, Mr Clifford Zirra, the Federal Commissioner representing Adamawa in the NPC, commended the initiative, noting that the amendment comes at a crucial time as the Commission works to mainstream digital technology in its operations.

‘These reforms will ensure interoperability between government platforms and close the gaps that have hindered effective implementation over the past three decades,’ Zirra said.

He confirmed that the NPC, with support from UNICEF and private consultants, has been actively involved in reviewing the bill to ensure a comprehensive, technology-friendly framework that strengthens the Commission’s mandate.

The Committee’s Legal Consultant, Ms Celestial Nwabueze, added that the bill aligns with international best practices and provides a legal foundation for effective civil registration in Nigeria.

If passed, the bill will replace outdated laws, establish a national digital registry, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for data-driven development and security planning.

Truckers at the nation’s ports have blamed the resurgence of the traffic chaos along the Apapa Port access roads, popularly referred to as ‘Apapa gridlock’, on the repair works currently ongoing by the Federal Ministry of Works on the Marine Bridge section of the ports access road.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, the National Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, explained that the repair works, coupled with lack of preparedness by the Pre-Gate Section of the electronic Call-Up system, led to the resurgence of traffic chaos along the Lagos port major access road, the Wharf Road.

According to Ogungbemi, ‘The traffic gridlock that motorists are expiring now along the Apapa Port access road is because of ongoing repair works being carried out on the Marine Bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works.

‘To further compound the traffic situation, the Pre-Gates located at the various port terminals did not put into consideration the impact of the construction works on traffic. This is why we are having the resurgence of traffic snarls along the Apapa port access roads.

‘However, as of Monday evening, the authorities have started addressing the issue. The Port Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called us that he has informed the Pre-Gate not to release too many numbers of trucks due to the ongoing repair works along the Marine Bridge.’

On extortion of truckers, the AMATO Chairman explained that once a system fails, extortion is bound to occur.

‘Extortion is synonymous with the Nigerian system. It occurs when a system fails. Once the system failed and the traffic chaos began to pile up, truckers started offering bribes to the traffic officials on the road in order to have faster access to the port.

‘It is not an uncommon sight in Nigeria. Once there is break down of law and order, everybody starts trying to outwit each other for port access. The few traffic controllers that are on the road starts feasting on the confusion to make quick money.

‘This is why we have been clamouring for electronic Tags for truckers. It is the only solution to the issue of extortion along the port access roads,’ he said.

Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, is set to launch its new Johannesburg-Zanzibar route in June 2026, offering flights to the Tanzanian island famous for its spices, beaches, and historical Stone Town. Tickets are now on sale for the twice-weekly flights, which will operate on Airlink’s state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 flagship aircraft, accommodating up to 136 passengers.

‘Zanzibar’s proximity to Johannesburg, Airlink’s main hub, puts the island within reach of our customers based in Gauteng. The timing of the flights allows for Airlink connecting flights from other destinations we serve across South Africa and the SADC region. Similarly, Airlink will provide convenient connections for customers travelling between Zanzibar and almost anywhere in the world on our world-leading partner airlines,’ said de Villiers Engelbrecht, Airlink CEO.

Zanzibar is an increasingly popular destination for tourists, with its UNESCO-listed historical Stone Town reflecting a fusion of African, Asian, and European influences. The island is also emerging as a magnet for investors and business travelers, with its flourishing economy.

Airlink’s new route is expected to boost tourism and business travel between South Africa and Zanzibar, offering convenient connections for customers traveling between the island and almost anywhere in the world on Airlink’s partner airlines.