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In this piece, we traced the emergence and role of northern elders not out of nostalgia or regional irredentism, but as a reflection on the past with a view to learning from history to address the complex problems of the region in the interest of the country. Conflicts and crises emerge when governments, societies, or systems fail. And in all cases, it is essentially about the human factor. This makes elite consensus imperative in conflict resolution.

From the 1950s to 1998, when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as president, a powerful informal group of elites emerged and reigned in Northern Nigeria. They were feared, respected, and called the Kaduna Mafia because of their influence and capacity, especially in defending the interests of the North without undermining the unity and progress of the country, based on the conviction that the interests of the North and Nigeria are not mutually exclusive.

Three factors account for their emergence: the old boys’ factor, regional and federal civil service, and moral authority based on character and learning. They were looked up to as northern leaders. Now, the question is: with their phasing out by time and circumstances, who are the contemporary northern leaders? The previous northern leaders were powerful even outside public office, and they operated quietly without regional associations, conferences, or press releases. They were essentially interested in making things happen without public knowledge of who did it and how. In fact, they hated publicity. When I asked Meta AI about one of them, this was the response: ‘known for his integrity, humility, and commitment to public service. Despite his influential position, he maintained a low profile and shuns government appointments, except for a part-time assignment.’ They created a mystery and paradox of power that largely defined northern identity in Nigeria, according to Dr Ibrahim Tahir, in a book titled ‘Makers of Northern Nigeria’: ‘Kaduna, the powerhouse of northern politics, is no more. And with it has gone the political estate it represented, the old North. To a foreign journalist, that estate was the bull elephant in the Nigerian jungle. For its sheer size and habits, it alone stood between Nigeria and its unity. Typical of the men down South, their politicians and journalists swallowed this piece of foreign do-gooder mischief without examination; they swallowed it with the added contention that the old North was also conservative, reactionary, feudal, lazy and illiterate. Paradoxically, they also accused it of dominating Nigeria.’ (p99).

In the same book, Malam Sa’adu Zungur expressed their passion for the North: ‘I have tried to put the thoughts of the destiny of northern Nigeria behind me and tend to my own immediate personal affairs. And I cannot. I go to bed with these thoughts; I get up with them.’ (p90). No wonder he composed a Hausa song in 1944, which is still popular in the North, titled: ‘Arewa Jamhuriya ko Mulukiya’ (The North: Republic or Monarchy).

Professor Mahmood Yakubu provides an English translation in his well-researched book, ‘Saadu Zungur’. The opening of the poem prepared the minds of readers for home truth: ‘When you speak, speak the truth. Whatever the consequences, it is worthwhile’. He added: ‘Our responsibility is to inform you. You either adhere or laugh at it. Your laughter turns to sorrow in future’. For long, there was only one public school in Northern Nigeria – Katsina College – whose name and location were changed to Kaduna College and finally Barewa College Zaria. But history and convention seem to have reserved Barewa old boys to students of Kaduna College and Barewa College. Subsequently, Provincial Secondary Schools were established in places like Bida, Katsina Ala, Kano, Katsina, and Okene.The schools – Katsina College and its successors – produced a substantial number of Northern educated elites up to the late 1960s. There was also a deliberate policy by the Northern Region Government not only to unite students from diverse backgrounds but also to integrate them into the emerging social and political culture in the region based on Northern identity and solidarity.In his book titled ‘Selected Speeches and Writings’, Chief Sunday Awoniyi shared his experience:’I attended Barewa College, Zaria, where out of a student population of 360, only 26 of us were Christians. General Yakubu Gowon, a Christian Angas from Plateau Province was a House Captain; I, a Christian Yoruba from Kabba Province, was a House Captain out of a total of six houses. Nobody looked at your religion; nobody looked at your tribe. Ladies and Gentlemen, we ended up accepting, without qualms, One North, One People, One Destiny’ (p74). Katsina College produced politicians and civil servants who took over from British officials after independence. They include the following, with their year of graduation from the school in brackets: Sir Kashim Ibrahim (1925), Malam Yahaya Ilorin (1928), Alhaji Aliyu Makaman Bida (1927), Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua (1930), Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna (1931), and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1933). In addition to producing civil servants and politicians, Kaduna College also produced soldiers, renowned businessmen, and other professionals. They include: Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli (1931), Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki (1940), Malam Aminu Kano (1937), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule and Justice Mamman Nasir (1946), CJF Mohammed Bello 2(1948), Professor Umar Shehu (1947), Malam Liman Ciroma and Alhaji Ahmad Joda (1949), Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1944), Alhaji Ali Akilu (1945), Alhaji Muhammad Bashar and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim (1957), Alhaji Abdurrahman Mora (1950), and Dr. Bukar Shaibu (1948). The soldiers were: Brigadier Zakari Maimalari (1949), Lt. Col. Kur Mohammed (1950), Col. Abogo Largema (1950), and General Hassan Katsina (1951). Barewa College has been producing nation builders in all sectors. They include Mr Joseph Adetoro (1951), Professor Iya Abubakar (1952), Alhaji Musa Bello and Alhaji Umaru Dikko (1954), Malam Adamu Ciroma, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman (1955), Professor Jibril Aminu (1957), Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi (1958) and Alhaji Umar Abdulmutallab (1959). The soldiers include General Yakubu Gowon (1953), General Murtala Mohammed, and Brigadier Abba Kyari (1957).

The Provincial Secondary Schools were created in 1954, and their names were changed to Government Secondary School in 1966 and later Government College. Although they produced eminent civilians like Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Keffi Provincial Secondary School 1969 and also HSC in Barewa 1971), they contributed more in producing soldiers such as General T.Y. Danjuma (Katsina Ala 1958), Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina 1961), General Sani Abacha (Kano 1962), and Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mohammed Magoro, and Mamman Vatsa (Bida 1962).From the students of the three colleges, there were nine heads of government, either as Prime Minister, Head of State, or President. The Heads of State are: Gowon, Murtala, Babangida, Abdulsalami, and Abacha. There was also the only Prime Minister of Nigeria: Tafawa Balewa, and three Presidents – Shagari, Yar’Adua, and Buhari (who was also Head of State). They also produced the only two heads of the Northern Region Government – Sardauna and Hassan Katsina – and many governors, ministers, justices, permanent secretaries, military officers, heads of service, and secretaries of government at both state and federal levels.

History has not been kind to two military officers from Borno State who seem to have been forgotten. First, Lt. Umar Lawan, who was the first Northern officer to be commissioned, even before Maimalari. And as we know, Maimalari taught Generals T.Y. Danjuma, Domkat Bali, Gibson Jalo, Emmanuel Abisoye, Alani Akinrinade, and Joseph Garba. For the record, Lt. Lawan graduated from Kaduna College in 1951 but did not go far in the army as he changed to the civil service. Second, Lt. Col. Abogo Largema was among the four Northern military officers killed in the January 1966 coup. He also graduated from Kaduna College in 1950, was from the Margi ethnic group, and from Damboa area. As the only two people privileged to lead the Northern Region Government -Sardauna as Premier and General Hassan Katsina as Military Governor – they wielded enormous power in the region, which nobody else did. Interestingly, they worked hard to unite Northern elites, especially traditional rulers, civil servants, politicians, soldiers, and business people, based on Northern identity and solidarity. They created and strengthened a relationship of mutual respect based on age, seniority in school and public service. Much is known about the virtues of Sardauna, who was a politician and a District Head – and as such, experienced in traditional and modern administration – but this is what Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who served under the two leaders in the Northern Region Government, stated in the same book, about General Hassan Katsina, who could have been a military dictator if he had chosen to be: ‘General Hassan Katsina was one of the most approachable of men. Well-born, exalted and accomplished as he was, he looked down on no one. He helped anyone who approached him for assistance, irrespective of his place of origin, religion or status. He obeyed the laid-down rules.

If he was told that he could not do certain things because the rules forbade them, he accepted readily even at some personal inconvenience. After leaving office Hassan never looked back or hankered after political office, elective or appointive. He was therefore not in competition with anyone, but became a highly revered reference point for reconciliation in all aspects of our national life. His prestige became a cherished national asset. AFFECTION FOR HIM GREW WITH HIS YEARS OF RETIREMENT’ (emphasis mine p255-7). The claims of Chief Awoniyi can easily be verified. For example, I was part of a Katsina State Government delegation sent to seek support for Hassan Usman Polytechnic – the state polytechnic – from a federal establishment. We met the officer in charge, who was a Christian from Southern Kaduna. When we presented our request, he smiled and said that if he did not help the polytechnic, God would punish him because the man whose name it bears was responsible for what he became in life. According to him, he was advised to meet him at home for assistance to secure a job after graduation, and he got the job for him. My experience with the officer made it easy for me to connect with a story told by Tokunbo Awolowo, daughter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who narrated to Edmond Obiloin an interview that any time they had a family meeting with Chief Awolowo, he never missed the opportunity to advise them to be good to whoever they meet and should not expect any reward from them because their reward is in Australia. Not even in Africa.

However, Sardauna and Hassan Katsina did not attempt to create a homogeneous North because they were conversant with the history of the region, which has been diverse for centuries in religion, ethnicity, and politics. This is why, even in modern Nigeria, Sardauna faced stiff opposition from members of other parties, especially the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). They were concerned about the welfare and progress of the people. Nobody could have asked them the Mamman Shata question: ‘Ka ce Kai babba ne, yaya yayanka ba suttura’ (you said you are a big man, how come your children are in tattered clothes). The last factor, which is equally important, is moral authority based on character and learning. They did not have a bunch of degrees, but they received a functional Islamic and Western education. In all the schools they attended, at home or abroad, they were largely taught by Europeans and Americans who introduced them to the culture of Western liberal education, which revolves around critical thinking, freedom, pluralism, mutual inclusiveness, equality, and work ethics like transparency, rule of law, and commitment to public service. The above orientation explains why, after the phasing out of the past generations, public service started declining to where we are today. Unfortunately, we cannot even maintain the infrastructure constructed by the colonial administration, like the railways. We have normalised the criminal abnormal. Up to about 1985, Northern elites wielded enormous moral authority because they were not driven by ego, material acquisition, or obsession with public office. They valued power largely defined as influence, not necessarily public office. In fact, a number of them resigned from exalted public office on principle. But gradually, moral authority started declining in the region as leaders are largely defined by wealth and public office. Of course, people defined from this perspective are leaders because they have followers. However, their influence may be limited because of limited moral authority. Interestingly, former leaders like Generals Gowon and Hassan Katsina did not make money in government, but they retained their respect and influence even after retirement. Also, many religious leaders are not rich or occupying public office, but they are respected and called leaders because of their moral authority. They have followers who even support them financially. Now you know why, for example, Professor Ali Pantami and Bishop Matthew Kukah are called leaders. I’m not sure they are rich, but I’m certain they are not as rich as Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Quote me anywhere.

Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Niyi Yusuf has stated that despite current economic gains, Nigeria’s foreign direct investment drive remains weak.

Yusuf stated this during his opening statement at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday with the theme: ‘The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030.’

According to him, Nigeria must demonstrate openness, fairness, and predictability to attract sustainable capital inflows.

Yusuf stated that the way Nigeria treats its domestic investors will serve as a signal to foreign investors assessing the credibility and stability of the country’s business environment.

He stressed that policy predictability, investment protection and transparent mechanisms for resolving business disputes are critical to rebuilding trust in the economy.

‘How we treat domestic investors will provide the right signals for foreign investors,’ Yusuf said, urging the government to prioritise clarity and continuity in economic policy.

The NESG chairman noted that while Nigeria’s fiscal condition has improved, the economy continues to face persistent inflationary pressures, high debt-service obligations, and subdued investor sentiment.

‘Our fiscal condition has improved, while expectation pressures persist, and the fiscal debt remains the same, widening to N15.5 trillion in 2024. Debt levels are stable, and the debt-to-GDP ratio of 40.6 per cent remains much the same, with a high debt-to-service ratio. Foreign capital is close to the boundary, yet foreign direct investment remains weak,’ he said.

Yusuf reminded participants that policy credibility, incentives, and social competitiveness are essential to attracting long-term capital from both domestic and foreign investors. He said Nigeria’s economic story is one of transition of undeniable progress amid sustained fragility.

According to him, the NESG’s last three macroeconomic outlook reports have outlined a roadmap for economic transformation built around three key phases: stabilisation, consolidation, and acceleration.

The NESG chairman’s comment is coming few days after the Central Bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso disclosed that Nigeria’s reforms are reigniting investor confidence.

What Cardoso said

Speaking at a lecture in Lagos over the weekend on the theme ‘Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building,’ the CBN Governor noted that clearing the inherited forex backlog was a decisive move that restored credibility and signalled to markets that the Bank was serious about reforms.

According to him, trust in Nigeria’s financial system has grown stronger because promises were kept.

‘If we expect people to continue to trust and invest in our economy, you’ve got to keep your promises. That particular action contributed in no small way to the rise in foreign exchange reserves we have been able to accomplish,’ he added.

Reflecting on progress since his assumption of office, Cardoso stressed that consistent policies and firm commitment to the CBN’s mandate have placed Nigeria on a stronger footing.

‘Two years later, consistent messaging, consistent policies, doing all the right things, not compromising in your mandate, has taken us to a good place,’ he said.

According to him, the evidence of renewed confidence is clear in reports by international rating agencies, multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, and feedback from global banks. He pointed out that top investment firms which had previously stayed on the sidelines, are now revisiting Nigeria with keen interest.

‘We have seen an incredible increase in appetite for Nigeria. BlackRock, among others, is showing interest. Many who were watching from the sidelines are now saying, This is the time to get in.’ In one word, the future for Nigeria is bright,’ he added.

Nigeria must create 27 million new jobs by 2030

Meanwhile the NESG has warned that Nigeria must create at least 27 million new formal jobs by the year 2030-equivalent to 4.5 million jobs annually, to prevent unemployment from worsening as the nation’s working-age population expands to 168 million within the decade.

The Group stated this in a new report titled ‘From Hustle to Decent Work: Unlocking Jobs and Productivity for Economic Transformation in Nigeria,’ launched at the ongoing 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja on Monday.

The report calls for an urgent and coordinated national response to tackle unemployment, raise productivity and drive economic transformation.

It warned that without decisive action, unemployment and underemployment could double by the end of the decade, trapping millions of Nigerians in low-skilled, low-paying, and vulnerable work.

According to the NESG, the future of Nigeria’s workforce depends on how quickly the country can move from a ‘hustle economy’ dominated by informal activities to one that delivers decent and productive employment.

The Report stated that while past policies had concentrated on macroeconomic stabilization, the time has come to translate those efforts into sustained job creation and real improvements in living standards.

Presenting the report, Dr. Wilson Erumebor, Senior Economist at the NESG, said the jobs crisis in Nigeria has gone beyond the question of employment numbers and now represents a fundamental development challenge.

‘This is not just a labour market issue; it is a huge development challenge,’ Erumebor said.

‘Without decisive reforms to create decent and productive jobs, an entire generation risks being trapped in vulnerable work that neither lifts families out of poverty nor moves the nation forward.’

He warned that the structure of Nigeria’s economy has created a situation where the vast majority of citizens depend on informal, insecure work to survive.

‘The weak private sector capacity and reliance on the government for wage employment in some states have left millions of Nigerians with the option of finding work in the informal economy,’ he said.

‘The informal sector has become the default employer, absorbing a significant share of the country’s workforce,’ he added.

Erumebor noted that informal jobs, often characterised by low pay, limited security, and minimal productivity, accounted for 92.2 percent of total employment in 2023 and rose to 93 per cent in the second quarter of 2024.

He described this trend as alarming, adding that it reflects ‘the limited private and public investment in sectors that can deliver quality jobs at scale.’

Citing data from the report, Erumebor revealed that ‘a review of informality across the country shows that in more than 18 Nigerian states, informal employment accounts for over 94 percent of total employment. In states such as Kebbi, Abia, Benue, and Borno, the shares are as high as 98 percent, 97.4 percent, 97.3 percent, and 97.3 percent, respectively.’

According to him, ‘this scale of informality has huge implications. Not only does it limit the country’s productivity growth, but it also undermines revenue mobilisation, particularly taxes.’

He added that workers in the informal economy ‘often lack social protection, healthcare, pensions, and legal rights, leaving them highly vulnerable to economic shocks. For many workers, daily earnings are not stable, and job security is not guaranteed.’

To tackle these challenges, the report introduced the Nigeria Works Framework, a blueprint designed to reposition Nigeria’s economy around productivity, enterprise, and inclusive growth.

The framework lays out a comprehensive Jobs and Productivity Agenda, focusing on the development of skills for productivity, sectoral engines of growth, enterprise-led development (especially for small businesses), upgrading the informal economy, strengthening data and institutional systems, and promoting productivity as the foundation of national prosperity.

According to the report, the framework will serve as a guide for policymakers, the private sector, and development partners to create quality jobs and raise living standards over the next decade.

Erumebor said the NESG envisions ‘a Nigeria where productivity becomes the central metric of national competitiveness-tracked, measured, and elevated as the foundation of shared prosperity.’

The report identified manufacturing, construction, information and communications technology (ICT), and professional services as the sectors with the greatest potential for large-scale job creation and productivity growth.

It stressed that investing in these sectors could accelerate industrialization, drive innovation, and generate millions of decent jobs, particularly for young Nigerians entering the labour market each year.

The NESG urged the Federal Government, state governments, and the private sector to treat job creation and productivity improvement as national priorities, noting that these are the true pillars of economic resilience and social stability.

‘The scale of the challenge demands bold, coordinated action,’ the report stated. ‘Nigeria must adopt a productivity-led growth strategy that expands decent work opportunities and ensures that no citizen is left behind.’

The report also reaffirmed the NESG’s commitment to supporting the implementation of practical policy measures that will strengthen the link between economic growth and employment outcomes.

‘Nigeria’s population will reach 275 million by 2030,’ it stated. ‘To stabilise unemployment at current levels, the country must create 27 million new jobs between 2025 and 2030. Productivity must therefore become the central focus of national planning,’ the report added.

Lawyers in Kebbi State under the umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have boycotted courts in the state over the abduction of one of their members, Isyaku Muhammad-Danjuma, who was kidnapped by gunmen on October 1, along the Ibeto-Birnin Kebbi Road, in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

Chairman of the state’s Branch of NBA, Aminu Hassan, gave the directive in a statement on Sunday, directing the lawyers to stay away from the courts over the abduction of Barrister Danjuma by gunmen who demanded N40m for his release.

Speaking to journalists, the state NBA chairman said ‘the boycott of the courts followed an emergency meeting of the association to deliberate on the abduction of one of its members, Mr Isyaku Muhammad-Danjuma, on Oct. 1, along the Ibeto-Birnin Kebbi route in Magama in Niger State’.

He advised members to avoid nine areas of the state, which include Bagudo, Suru, Kamba in Dandi, Bunza, Kangiwa in Arewa, Dirin Daji in Sakaba, Ribah, Kanya and Augie local government areas of the state, for their safety.

He said the NBA has resolved that all members should boycott court proceedings from Oct. 7 to Oct. 10 in protest against the kidnapping of their colleague and to draw attention to the worsening security situation in the state.

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested nine suspected cattle rustlers in two separate operations, recovering four cows, two goats, and two vehicles.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 45, were arrested on September 30, 2025, by operatives of the Hadejia ‘A’ and Auyo Divisions, acting on credible intelligence.

According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, the suspects were intercepted at an uncompleted building in Kantin Waje Quarters, Hadejia Local Government Area, and at Kogin Dole via Wailari Village, Auyo Local Government Area.

The recovered items include a tinted glass Golf Wagon and a Volkswagen bus with registration number UBJ 835 XX.

One of the recovered cows was identified by its owner, Muhammad Sani, a resident of Harbo Sabuwa Village, Miga Local Government Area, who had previously reported the matter to the police.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, commended the operatives for their swift response and vowed to rid the state of cattle rustlers and other criminal elements.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Kano State, as well as northern Nigeria, will reciprocate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the region in 2027.

Speaking during a visit to the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, on Monday, Barau described the president’s approval to upgrade the institution as a monumental step towards strengthening education in the North, particularly in Kano.

‘I thank Mr President, the leader we are all proud of, who loves Kano, the North, and Nigeria. He graciously approved our long-standing request to upgrade this institution to a university, and for that, we remain deeply grateful,’ he said.

Barau noted that the struggle for the upgrade had lasted nearly a decade, adding that President Tinubu’s swift action reflected his commitment to human capital development.

‘We have never asked the president for anything and been turned down. Why shouldn’t we love him? We must reciprocate-and we will, come 2027,’ he said.

He also praised Tinubu for approving the renaming of the institution after the late Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, a revered Kano elder statesman. ‘When I presented the request, the president immediately approved it. This shows his respect for Kano and our heroes,’ he added.

Barau, who described himself as the ‘father of the university,’ pledged continued support for its growth and announced scholarships for 1,000 students from Kano North, with plans to extend the initiative to other parts of the state.

Two Nigerians are putting Northern Nigeria on a global tech map with an education app designed to simplify learning methods for students and teachers.

For many edtech startups in Nigeria, the typical approach is to build an online platform with pre-recorded courses that users have to pay for, but Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Bilal Abdullah’s Breni are taking a different path.

Just like with food preferences and personality, learning methods differ from one person to another. However, traditional schools and training centres tend to employ a one-size-fits-all teaching method, which has created a gap in the educational system.

For learners and students in Northern Nigeria, this gap is even more pronounced as several of them struggle with language barriers, adopting new technology, and slow assimilation. This gap is what Abubakar Sadiq Umar, Co-founder and CEO of Breni, hopes to solve.

‘There is this educational dilemma that 21st century kids or students are being taught by 20th century teachers using 19th century curriculum on an 18th century calendar,’ Umar tells Techpoint Africa.

With his experience in digital marketing, blockchain, and business analysis, Umar is building a solution for the educational sector.

His platform, Breni is an AI-powered learning app that helps make education more accessible by offering personalised content tailored to different learning styles and languages.

Officially launched in August 2025, it has attracted over 3,000 users from more than 20 countries worldwide, with 90% of them outside Nigeria.

From fintech employees to edtech founders

Umar and his co-founder, Bilal Abdullahi, met while studying computer science at the Yusuf Maitama Sule University in Kano. There, they discovered a shared passion for technology and how it could improve the ecosystem in the North.

This bootstrapped startup has paid out N500m to Nigerian creators in two years

After school, they both worked at Kayi, a Nigerian fintech company, with Umar as a senior business analyst and Abdullahi as a software and AI engineer. In 2024, they both left their jobs to start Breni together.

Although new to the space, the founders saw an untapped potential in edtech, not just in impact but also in market opportunity. Currently, the edtech market in Nigeria is valued at $400 million, a 48% jump from its value in 2024.

How Breni works

Breni’s primary goal is to make learning personalised and easy. With the help of its AI-integrated tools, the app breaks down lessons into short, micro modules for easy understanding.

It also uses gamification: streaks, leaderboards, and quizzes, to make learning competitive, addictive, and fun.

‘The app employs cognitive science and technologies that social media platforms use to keep users engaged. Its spaced repetition revisits concepts at proven intervals for memory so learners don’t forget past learnings,’ Umar says.

Once users sign up, they get content based on the personal information provided. Breni adapts learning to age, level of experience, location, and preferred learning styles.

Instead of creating its own content, Breni employs AI models and Large Language Models (LLMs) that easily generate these courses based on the user’s search. Users can also set reminders and fix classes at their convenience. It also has access to information in over 100 languages worldwide.

‘Users can learn in Hausa, Spanish, French, and more. The app is not limited to traditional subjects and courses alone; users can learn anything from how to cook rice to coding,’ Umar says.

The learning platform operates a freemium model. Its free version contains ads, which provides the company with an income stream. Meanwhile, its subscription model offers access to unlimited courses.

For premium subscribers, it charges based on location, ranging from $1 in Nigeria to $5 in countries outside the continent, adjusted to the different economies. The company has generated N200,000 ($137) in revenue in 37 days.

Although Breni’s revenue stream mirrors similar competitors like Duolingo, which had free user bases before adopting a paying subscription model, its low subscription pricing and heavy reliance on ads make its business model fragile in the short term. Besides, its current user base is far from the millions required for meaningful ad revenue.

‘The truth is, not everybody, especially in Northern Nigeria, has the money to make that purchase, and not many of them actually know the value of these courses to spend such money on them.’

Unlike Southern Nigeria, Northern Nigeria has a smaller startup ecosystem, fewer investors, and less technology adoption.

With less access to tech infrastructure, connectivity, and mentorship, navigating the startup space is harder than in other parts of the country.

‘Building in Africa is already tough, but building in Nigeria is even tougher. And building in Northern Nigeria is ten times harder. There’s a mindset gap when it comes to startups and technology adoption.’

However, the region is slowly seeing more tech breakthroughs as several tech and startup hubs have been launched in several states.

Although the founders are based in Nigeria and built Breni for Nigerians, 90% of Breni’s audience is outside the country.

Nepal currently has the highest number of users, making up over 40% of Breni’s total users, with Russia and Nigeria following. The Breni app has also garnered users across countries like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, South Africa, Canada, the US, and the UK.

While both founders were able to leverage their contacts in some of these countries to get users on the app, its adoption in Asia was mainly driven by referrals from other consumers.

Competitive advantage

Breni is still new in a competitive market. Big players like Coursera and Duolingo dominate, but their models rely on a structured curriculum, video content, or expensive subscriptions.

In Africa, platforms like uLesson and Ubongo Learning are pushing mobile-first education but still lean on traditional teaching formats. Breni’s AI-powered personalised and gamified learning gives it a differentiated play.

Meanwhile, the company’s traction in unexpected geographies suggests positive adoption and could give it an edge in the edtech space.

‘When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.’ – African proverb

A potentially damaging campaign against Nigeria is gaining ground in sensitive and influential circles at the international level, particularly in the United States. Its goals appear to be to isolate and cripple Nigeria’s influence globally, limit its capacity to influence events around Israel and Palestine, and deepen internal religious fault lines in a country where faith is a valuable political currency. Basically, the campaign claims that Nigeria tolerates and encourages systemic religious persecution against Christian citizens in their thousands and demands that the international community sanction the country and protect Christians. While these types of allegations are not new, they are worrisome now because they appear to be contrived entirely from fiction and are intended to achieve maximum impact within the shortest period possible. The goal appears to be to stimulate President Trump’s massive appetite for operating outside established and predictable conduct, to punish Nigeria with labels and isolation, so that a country already weakened by its own leaders will remain on its knees and become even more irrelevant in an intensely competitive world. This will please interests that could be hurt by an assertive and confident Nigeria as the world agonizes over the seeming free fall of global values and the integrity of its institutions.

In March this year, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee acted on the testimony of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi and advised President Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria as a result of widespread persecution of Christians in the country. Since then, a variety of sources have piled on pressure to draw attention to Nigeria as a country hostile to Christians and therefore deserving of sanctions. From popular TV personality Phil Maher, who reeled out incredulous numbers of Christians allegedly killed in Nigeria, to U.S. senators and pressure groups speaking for Christian communities, an effort appears to be gaining momentum to promote the fiction that Nigeria is unsafe for Christians, who are being specifically targeted by ‘Islamist’ groups. This campaign will likely succeed in placing Nigeria under some form of sanction, as it had experienced earlier at the hands of the U.S.

Now, Marco Rubio has stepped up to get Nigeria blacklisted as a country hostile to Christians. If his initiative succeeds, Nigeria could come under sanctions and even hostile action by the United States. More serious is the possibility that Nigeria is the target of assaults from powerful interests in the U.S., in particular, at a time when it has a very weak capacity to protect itself. With a global environment in punishing and unsettling flux, nations – even strong ones with deep links – are unsure where they stand in relation to familiar protocols or standards. Nigeria has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Those who worry over reactions to the genocide in Gaza and the free hand lent to Israel by the U.S. and Europe to complete the weakening of the Arab and Muslim world watch the reactions of Nigerian Muslims very closely.

But Nigerian Muslim leaders and the Nigerian government have remained substantially aligned with the world that has been content with Israel’s outrageous treatment of Palestinians, despite a series of indictments and condemnations by international regulators and monitors who have described Israeli actions as genocide many times over. For a world that had shared Jewish people’s labelling of their experiences during the Second World War as genocide, the term – when applied against any nation – should be an abomination. Yet Israel gets away with its actions with little more than slap-on-the-wrist statements. Many countries believe the world will appreciate the recent raft of decisions to recognise Palestine by many nations as punishment against Israel’s actions toward Palestinians. Those decisions, however, will be engineered by Israel and the U.S. in a manner that dilutes them into belated symbolism until Israel concludes its designs for its version of the future of Palestinians.

Nigeria could – if it were not so poorly led and unaware of its potential – make a stronger case for restraint against Israeli excesses in the Middle East and the U.S.’s domineering role in global affairs. It has the potential to represent Africa and the Black race on the Security Council with veto power, but it lacks the confidence and credibility to lead in that direction. That potential remains a threat, and those who seek to place upon it the same label of genocide which Israel now bears know this. A Nigeria labelled by the U.S. as engaging in genocide will bleed credibility in a world substantially designed by U.S. standards. The term genocide itself would be watered down, so it does not offend in its impact when applied against Israel.

Nigeria’s potential to play a more decisive role in global affairs would be severely damaged. Its internal capacity to rally its two major faiths – a vital requirement to rediscover its mission, rebuild, and assume a place as a united, developed African nation – would also be gravely undermined. The U.S. government has many sources of information that tell it there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. If it acts in reaction to this contrived falsehood, it cannot be because it has evidence that thousands of Christians are being systematically killed for their faith. It would be an action designed to weaken Nigeria and compound its already substantial self-inflicted weaknesses. These include rampant threats from multiple sources against all citizens, including insurgents and bandits who shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they kill, rob, and rape Muslim and Christian victims without discrimination. In many cases, Christian criminals kill Christians, the same way Muslim criminals kill Muslims.

The Nigerian government has made some effort to challenge this emerging smear campaign designed to worsen the country’s problems. This, however, is not enough. Whatever it is that has informed President Tinubu’s decision not to appoint Ambassadors and Heads of Missions since his swearing-in, he should know it has damaged Nigeria very badly. He must appoint Ambassadors immediately, at least to countries like the US and others with the potential to assist or harm our interests, as well as the UN. Nigerians are dying and running from criminals like never before. Only the government of Nigeria can stop this, and it must treat ending these threats as its single most important responsibility. Nigerian Christian clergy have a duty to speak up and denounce the falsehood that there is genocide against Christians in Nigeria. The U.S. will not step in and fight for over 100 million Christians if its contribution to our crises descends even lower than it currently is. Muslim and Christian leaders should improve their search for common ground and speak for both Muslims and Christians, all of whom are victims of criminals in all parts of Nigeria. Nigerians need to be aware of threats to our future as a free, secure, and united people, many of which come from outside our country.

Xiaomi, a global technology leader committed to delivering innovation for everyone, officially launched its latest smartphones, the Xiaomi 15T and the REDMI 15, at an exciting media event in Lagos. The highly anticipated launch marks another major step in Xiaomi’s journey to make cutting-edge technology accessible to Nigerian consumers, offering a powerful flagship device alongside an everyday companion designed to meet the real needs of the Nigerian market.

A Flagship Device for Trailblazers: The Xiaomi 15T

At the heart of the launch was the Xiaomi 15T, Xiaomi’s flagship innovation device. Crafted for users who demand the very best in design, performance, and photography, the Xiaomi 15T embodies Xiaomi’s philosophy of blending top-tier technology with user-centric experiences.

The Xiaomi 15T comes in three elegant colors-Black, Gray, and Rose Gold-and is available in one premium variant: 12GB RAM + 512GB storage. Priced at ?715,800, it sets a new benchmark for flagship smartphones in Nigeria.

Key Features of the Xiaomi 15T:

Leica Summilux Optical Lens – Developed in collaboration with Leica, the camera system delivers professional-grade photography, from vivid portraits to stunning low-light shots. Nigerians who love capturing everyday moments, from weddings to street life, will appreciate the depth and clarity the Xiaomi 15T offers.

MediaTek Dimensity 8400-Ultra Processor – Engineered for speed and efficiency, this processor ensures smooth multitasking, gaming, and streaming. Whether it’s handling heavy work tasks or entertainment, performance is seamless.

6.83′ 120Hz Eye-care Display – With a large, vibrant screen and eye-care technology, the display provides an immersive viewing experience while reducing eye strain, making it ideal for long hours of use.

Massive 5500mAh Battery + 67W HyperCharge – Battery life is a top priority for Nigerian users, and Xiaomi delivers with a long-lasting 5500mAh battery. Paired with 67W fast charging, users can power up quickly and stay connected all day.

Xiaomi HyperOS – Built on Xiaomi’s latest software innovation, HyperOS provides an intuitive and fast user experience, ensuring the device feels smart, fluid, and efficient.

The Xiaomi 15T is designed for professionals, creators, and power users who want a phone that goes beyond expectations. It is not just a device-it’s a lifestyle companion that brings creativity and productivity to the forefront.

Everyday Power for Everyone: The REDMI 15

Complementing the flagship Xiaomi 15T is the REDMI 15, a device crafted for everyday users who value practicality, long-lasting power, and immersive entertainment. The REDMI 15 underscores Xiaomi’s mission to make high-quality technology accessible to everyone.

The device is available in Midnight Black, Titan Gray, and Sandy Purple, giving users a mix of classic and trendy styles. Consumers can choose between two storage variants: 6GB+128GB priced at ?186,400 and 8GB+256GB priced at ?212,900.

Key Features of the REDMI 15:

Massive 7000mAh Battery – One of the largest batteries in its class, the REDMI 15 ensures days of usage on a single charge. This is especially valuable in Nigeria, where power availability can be a challenge.

6.9′ Immersive FHD+ Display – A big screen for big entertainment. From watching movies to online classes, the large display creates a rich, engaging experience.

Snapdragon 685 Processor – A reliable and efficient chipset that powers smooth everyday performance, supporting both work and play without compromise.

33W Fast Charging – Despite its huge battery, the device recharges quickly, giving users more time to enjoy and less time waiting by the socket.

50MP AI Dual Camera System – With a 50MP primary camera and AI enhancements, the REDMI 15 makes it easy for anyone to capture crisp, detailed photos, whether it’s for social media or personal memories.

The REDMI 15 is built for students, families, and everyday consumers who want dependability and value. It proves that powerful features don’t have to come with a flagship price tag.

Strengthening Xiaomi’s Commitment to Nigeria

Speaking at the event, Xiaomi Nigeria’s Country Manager, Xingyu, emphasized the importance of the Nigerian market in Xiaomi’s global strategy:

‘Nigeria is one of the most vibrant smartphone markets in Africa. With the Xiaomi 15T, we are bringing world-class innovation, and with the REDMI 15, we are delivering power and reliability at an affordable price. Together, they represent Xiaomi’s vision to serve every type of user.’

Xiaomi’s distributor partners, Finet and Raya Nigeria, also highlighted their commitment to ensuring wide availability, strong retail presence, and reliable after-sales support for Xiaomi customers nationwide.

A Launch That Bridges Innovation and Accessibility

The Xiaomi 15T and REDMI 15 launch event was not just about unveiling two new devices; it was about showcasing Xiaomi’s dual strategy in Nigeria-offering premium flagship experiences while also meeting the everyday needs of millions of consumers.

With the Xiaomi 15T, users get an unrivaled flagship smartphone packed with Leica camera technology, a powerful processor, and HyperOS-driven experiences. With the REDMI 15, consumers enjoy massive battery life, a large immersive display, and reliable performance at prices that make sense for the Nigerian market.

Availability and Where to Buy?

The Xiaomi 15T and REDMI 15 are now available in Nigeria through all authorized Xiaomi stores, including Finet, Raya, 3C Hub, Slot, and more.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched a Joint Task Force on Digital Governance and Anti-Corruption to curb corruption in IT-related government projects nationwide.

The initiative was announced at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja during a high-level working visit by the NITDA management team led by its Director General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, according to a statement by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hadiza Umar.

The task force is designed to identify and mitigate corruption risks in government IT projects, strengthen enforcement, and promote the use of technology as a tool for efficient service delivery.

Abdullahi also revealed plans to build functional websites for all 774 local government councils across Nigeria to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement at the grassroots level.

He lamented that only 10 local governments currently operate functional websites, describing the situation as unacceptable in a digital age.

‘The absence of digital footprints at the local level slows service delivery and creates distrust between citizens and government,’ Abdullahi said.

He added that between 2017 and 2023, NITDA cleared over 1,480 IT projects worth more than N3.4 trillion across 326 federal institutions-saving the government over N316 billion through improved oversight and alignment with national digital policies.

Despite this progress, Abdullahi noted that only about 28 percent of federal institutions currently comply with the IT project clearance process.

To address this, NITDA plans to introduce new guidelines, including certification for IT designers and implementers, to ensure projects are secure, interoperable, and efficient.

Responding, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, commended the partnership, stressing that corruption in IT procurement undermines public trust and economic growth.

‘Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people. A lack of digital visibility raises serious accountability concerns. Once councils publish their budgets, projects, and activities online, citizens can track them, which alone will discourage misconduct,’ he said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured the residents of the state of readiness of the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP) to ensure 24-hour power supply by end of the year, as six out of eight new 60mw gas turbines procured by the state government arrived the state.

Speaking when he visited the project site at Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, Governor Diri also disclosed that the power that will be generated and distributed from the state’s independent power plant will not be free and that Bayelsans will pay for the service.

Daily Trust reports that the power equipment and their accessories arrived in the state about a week ago.

The governor stated that people of the state were upbeat about the prospect of 24-hour power supply by the end of this year.

He explained that consumption would be metered and paid for as the government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jampur Group for establishing a customised metering production plant in the state.

He said: ‘I had given the end of this year as the deadline for this project and we are sticking to that. Hopefully before Christmas, we will have these turbines fired up and by God’s grace Bayelsa will begin to have 24 hours uninterrupted power supply.

‘We are actually expecting eight gas turbines but six have arrived and I have been assured that the remaining two with some accessories will be here next week. These are the most modern gas turbines.

‘Initially, we planned to have two very large plants but later, the experts advised that there could be a blackout if one of them breaks down. So I had to approve the eight.

‘As you know, to maintain this equipment and the gas to fire them, even though it is on our soil, we will spend money to procure it from the company. So it is not free. For there to be constant electricity everybody must pay for it. It is pay as you consume.’