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The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has renewed and expanded its partnership with German technology company VIDA to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data and analytics in guiding the implementation of Nigeria’s $750 million rural electrification programme, aimed at providing electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians.

The renewed collaboration, formalised through the signing of a joint statement in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to strengthen data-driven planning for the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring that public investments are directed to underserved communities in the most cost-effective manner.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, said reliable data is critical to achieving universal energy access, particularly in a country with one of the world’s largest populations without electricity.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved $750 million in funding for the agency to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids, making strategic planning essential to maximise the impact of the investment.

‘We do not want to just take this funding and start electrifying communities. We need data. We need a plan that tells us where these Nigerians without electricity are located and what the least-cost option is for providing them with electricity,’ Aliyu said.

He explained that VIDA has developed an artificial intelligence platform capable of mapping communities across Nigeria, identifying the number of households, analysing socio-economic indicators and determining communities that remain without electricity.

The platform, he said, enables the agency to allocate public funds more efficiently while reducing the time and cost associated with field surveys.

‘Imagine if we had to visit every community ourselves to determine the number of households and identify unelectrified areas. Artificial intelligence has helped us avoid those costs while giving us better information for planning,’ he added.

Aliyu noted that the partnership, which operates on an annual basis, has been in place for about 18 months and has now been extended for another year.

Beyond supporting electrification planning, he said the data generated through the collaboration could also be applied to broader economic development planning.

He added that the agency is also prioritising knowledge transfer to ensure REA personnel can continue using AI-powered planning tools independently in the future.

According to him, Nigeria’s experience has attracted interest from other African countries seeking to replicate the data-driven approach to rural electrification.

Speaking at the meeting, Tobias Engelmeier, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of VIDA, described Nigeria as one of the company’s most dynamic markets for deploying artificial intelligence to improve infrastructure planning.

He said VIDA’s technology combines data, mapping and analytics to help governments make faster, smarter and more efficient infrastructure investment decisions.

‘My interest is to make the best available technology accessible to the people who need it most, and Nigeria is a very strong use case,’ Engelmeier said.

He noted that the collaboration with REA and development partners, including the World Bank, has demonstrated how AI-driven data can improve transparency and accelerate private sector participation in renewable energy projects.

According to him, the data platform has supported the design of REA’s subsidy scheme for distributed renewable energy projects by providing investors with greater visibility into potential markets and underserved communities.

‘That level of transparency did not exist before. It has helped accelerate private sector investment in electrification across Nigeria, and we can monitor progress on the platform every day,’ he said.

Engelmeier added that while VIDA operates as a commercial technology company, its pricing depends on the scope of work, enabling it to continue investing in talent and innovation while supporting governments with advanced planning tools.

The renewed partnership forms part of broader Nigerian-German cooperation to expand universal energy access through technology-driven planning, improve investment efficiency and accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the U.S. will destroy one bridge or power plant each time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

In his warning on social media, the president returned to earlier threats to target civilian infrastructure in retaliation for Iranian attacks. It comes as strikes have escalated on both sides, leaving an interim deal to end the war in tatters.

‘From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,’ Trump wrote on social media.

Meantime the United States on Wednesday carried out another wave of strikes on Iran, where air defenses opened fire over the capital, Tehran. Iran launched a missile attack on a Jordanian city on Israel’s doorstep, and alerts were issued in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The 11th night of American airstrikes on Iran came as diplomatic efforts have shown little public sign of progress. Officials on both sides have dug in on their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy that remains largely closed because of Iranian attacks.

Iran has avoided striking Israel since hostilities resumed last month, apparently hoping to keep it from reentering the war.

But the missile and drone attack on Jordan’s city of Aqaba, within sight of Israel’s Eilat, raised concerns over a further widening of the conflict after an agreement to halt hostilities collapsed.

The closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas passed during peacetime, has jolted the world economy with effects far beyond the Middle East. A new threat by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to target Saudi shipping in the Red Sea puts another trade chokepoint at risk.

Benchmark Brent crude oil rose to around $94 a barrel in trading, and gasoline prices are once again climbing ahead of U.S. midterm elections this fall.

The United States has begun relocating fighter aircraft from its military bases in Europe to the Middle East as tensions continue to rise across the region, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The report stated that Washington is significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East, with the deployment of additional air assets as part of broader preparations amid growing security concerns.

The movement of fighter jets from European bases signals a potential shift in U.S. military posture, as American officials closely monitor developments in the region and assess possible threats to U.S. forces and allies.

The latest deployments come at a time of heightened tensions involving several regional actors, raising concerns that the coming days could prove critical for the security situation and the possibility of further military escalation.

U.S. officials have not publicly disclosed the full details of the aircraft movements or their intended missions, but the reported repositioning reflects Washington’s continued focus on maintaining operational readiness in the Middle East.

The United States is actively redeploying F-35 and F-16 fighter jets alongside refuelling aircraft from European bases to the Middle East. This strategic shift aims to reinforce U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations and bolster regional deterrence amid heightened tensions involving Iran.

The rapid repositioning reflects Washington’s focus on operational readiness and protecting American forces in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas.

Burkina Faso has secured a $300 million financing package for the construction of its largest power plant, a 119-megawatt thermal facility expected to cut the country’s dependence on imported electricity by more than half and improve electricity access in one of Africa’s least electrified nations.

The financing, arranged by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), reached financial close with the disbursement of an initial $60 million tranche to Aksa Enerji Üretim A.S., Trkiye’s largest publicly listed power generation company, which is developing the project.

The project marks a significant milestone for the West African country, where only one in five of its 24 million people currently have access to electricity, and about 60 percent of the power supply is imported from neighbouring countries.

Once commissioned in 2027, the 119MW plant is expected to strengthen Burkina Faso’s domestic generation capacity, reduce exposure to external supply disruptions and lower electricity costs for households, businesses and industries.

The investment comes as many African economies seek to expand power generation to support industrialisation, reduce energy deficits and attract private capital into critical infrastructure.

AFC said the project would reduce Burkina Faso’s reliance on imported electricity by more than 50 percent while providing reliable baseload power needed to stimulate manufacturing, mining and other productive sectors of the economy.

The financing also represents AFC’s first investment in Burkina Faso, expanding the corporation’s infrastructure portfolio across the continent.

The lender said the deal aligns with its strategy of partnering with experienced private-sector developers to deliver large-scale energy infrastructure in markets where inadequate electricity remains a major obstacle to economic growth.

The transaction builds on AFC’s $150 million corporate loan facility extended to Aksa Energy in 2025 to support utility-scale gas-to-power projects in Senegal and Ghana, including a 255MW combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Senegal designed to run on domestic natural gas.

According to AFC, the successful execution of those projects laid the foundation for the expanded partnership in Burkina Faso.

Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said dependable electricity remains essential for Africa’s industrial ambitions.

‘Africa’s path to industrialisation and global competitiveness by 2050 depends on the infrastructure decisions we make today. Reliable electricity is fundamental to economic transformation. Without dependable power, countries cannot industrialise, businesses cannot grow, and communities cannot realise their full economic potential,’ Zubairu said.

He added that AFC and Aksa share a common objective of delivering the energy infrastructure required to support Africa’s long-term economic transformation.

Established in 2007, AFC has invested over $19 billion across 36 African countries, with 48 member states, financing projects spanning energy, transport, telecommunications, heavy industry, and natural resources.

Cemil Kazanci, Chairman of Aksa Energy, described the Burkina Faso project as another milestone in the company’s African expansion strategy.

‘Together with AFC, we are delivering critical energy infrastructure that will strengthen energy security, support economic development and improve the reliability of electricity supply for millions,’ Kazanci said.

Aksa Energy operates more than 3,500MW of installed capacity across eight countries and has developed over 40 power plants using natural gas, coal, hydro, solar, wind and battery storage technologies. The company has been expanding increasingly into African markets to address rising electricity demand and widening power deficits.

The Nigerian economy appears to be sending encouraging signals, at least on paper. Gross domestic product is growing, inflation is significantly lower than its 2024 peak, external reserves have strengthened, the naira has become relatively more stable, and international financial institutions are cautiously optimistic about the nation’s prospects.

Meanwhile, outside official reports and economic forecasts, many Nigerians ask a simple question: Where are the benefits?

For millions of households, life has not become easier. Food prices remain painfully high, electricity is unreliable, transport fares continue to rise, rents have become unaffordable, businesses are closing under the weight of operating costs, and unemployment remains widespread. And the disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and the daily reality of citizens is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Economic statistics are important because they help policymakers measure progress. But statistics alone do not feed families, create jobs or restore purchasing power. The true measure of economic success is whether ordinary citizens can live with dignity, afford basic necessities and have confidence that tomorrow will be better.

This is where the government must now shift its focus. The painful reforms introduced over the past two years, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, were presented as necessary sacrifices that would eventually produce a stronger economy. Nigerians accepted these explanations with the expectation that the hardship would be temporary.

What they now seek is evidence that those sacrifices are beginning to translate into improved living conditions.

Growth of around 4 percent means little to a trader whose daily sales have fallen because customers can no longer afford basic goods. Lower inflation is cold comfort to workers whose salaries have remained unchanged while the prices of food, transportation and housing remain far above what they were before the reforms.

Indeed, inflation may be slowing statistically, but prices are not returning to previous levels. A bag of rice that doubled in price does not become affordable simply because the rate of increase has slowed. What matters to consumers is affordability, not merely the pace at which prices are rising.

The same applies to exchange-rate stability. A relatively stable naira is welcome, but it will have limited meaning if manufacturers still battle high energy costs, importers struggle with expensive financing, and consumers cannot afford locally produced goods.

The government must therefore move beyond celebrating macroeconomic stability and concentrate on microeconomic recovery.

The first priority should be lowering the cost of living, which requires addressing the structural drivers of inflation, especially electricity shortages, poor transportation infrastructure, insecurity and food supply disruptions. These are the factors keeping production costs high and pushing prices beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

Also, job creation must become the centrepiece of economic policy. Growth that benefits only financial markets or a few sectors cannot sustain public confidence. Agriculture, manufacturing, construction and small businesses should receive stronger support because they employ the largest number of Nigerians.

Likewise, security remains an economic issue. Farmers cannot cultivate their land in fear, transporters cannot move goods safely, and investors cannot commit long-term capital where insecurity persists.

There is also growing concern over increased government spending ahead of the 2027 elections. While election-related expenditure may stimulate short-term economic activity, history shows that excessive political spending often fuels inflation, increases public borrowing and diverts attention from long-term development priorities.

The government must resist the temptation to sacrifice economic discipline for political advantage. Nigerians would rather see more investment in power, roads, healthcare, education and food production than another cycle of politically motivated spending.

Perhaps most importantly, government communication must become more people-centred. Citizens are not inspired by rankings that restore Nigeria as Africa’s fourth-largest economy if their own household finances continue to deteriorate. They judge economic performance by what they experience every day (availability of electricity, affordable food, whether businesses are growing and meaningful employment).

The administration deserves recognition for pursuing difficult reforms that previous governments repeatedly postponed. Nevertheless, reforms cannot be considered successful until their benefits are widely shared.

Nigerians are not asking for miracles but for an economy that works. They want stable electricity that reduces business costs. They want secure farms that lower food prices. They want decent jobs that restore purchasing power. They want roads that facilitate commerce, hospitals that provide quality care and schools that prepare their children for the future.

In the end, the most important economic index is not GDP growth, inflation or external reserves. It is the well-being of the average Nigerian. When citizens begin to feel genuine relief in their pockets, businesses and homes, then the numbers will finally tell a story everyone can believe.

Anyone following the World Cup would have noticed the passion, conviction, and emotion with which players and supporters sing their national anthems before kickoff. This scene consistently stands out. Some close their eyes; others place a hand on their chest. Many sing every word as though it were a personal creed.

Those moments demonstrate that a national anthem is far more than just a song; it is a symbol of a nation’s identity, history, and collective aspirations.

That is why a troubling question comes to mind whenever I watch such scenes: how many Nigerians can confidently sing our national anthem today?

Since the reintroduction of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ in 2024, millions of Nigerians don’t know or have struggled to remember, let alone sing, the country’s official anthem.

Attend any public event where the anthem is played, and you will often see people merely moving their lips, uncertain of the words, or simply standing in silence. At various local or international sporting events, our athletes don’t sing along.

‘Whatever criticisms may have been made of it, it had become familiar and widely accepted. Replacing it overnight inevitably created confusion and weakened the sense of familiarity that gives national symbols their enduring power.’

This should not be surprising. The restored anthem was Nigeria’s national anthem for only eighteen years, from 1960 to 1978. In contrast, ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ served as the nation’s anthem for forty-six years, from 1978 until 2024. By any measure, far more Nigerians grew up with the latter than with the former.

The previous anthem had become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s civic culture. Generations of Nigerians recited it in schools, sang it during morning assemblies, and heard it at official ceremonies and national events. Whatever criticisms may have been made of it, it had become familiar and widely accepted. Replacing it overnight inevitably created confusion and weakened the sense of familiarity that gives national symbols their enduring power.

One is tempted to ask: does the President genuinely expect Nigerians who were born and raised between 1978 and 2024 to suddenly embrace and memorise a different anthem? Has he forgotten the Igbo saying that you cannot learn how to use your left hand in old age? ‘Adighi amu aka ekpa n’nka.’

A national anthem derives its real power not from official proclamation but from public acceptance and familiarity. It must live in the hearts of the people before it can resonate through stadiums, classrooms, churches, mosques, and public squares. An anthem that citizens do not know cannot effectively perform its most important function: fostering national unity and identity.

For this reason, I believe President Bola Tinubu’s decision to revert to the former national anthem ranks among the most unnecessary and ill-advised policy choices of his administration. At a time when Nigeria faces pressing economic, security, and governance challenges, changing the national anthem was hardly a national priority.

This decision, moreover, looks more like a personal preference dressed up as policy than a response to any need felt by ordinary Nigerians. In an interview during Nigeria’s 2022 Independence Day celebrations, Tinubu said the old anthem ‘described us much better’ and that, given the choice, he would bring it back. He has now achieved his goal.

Little wonder the change appears to have solved no urgent problem: it served his personal preference, not the wishes of the wider public, and in the process created confusion for millions who had grown up knowing the anthem it replaced. National identity is strengthened through shared experiences and collective conviction, not by repeatedly altering symbols that citizens have already embraced.

Beyond the anthem itself, this issue raises broader concerns with our rubberstamp National Assembly led by Senator Akpabio.

The National Anthem Bill was passed by the National Assembly with remarkable speed, reportedly within a matter of days and with little public consultation. Concerns raised by various stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), were largely brushed aside. Classical Akpabio brushed off the AFG concern by saying he is not a lawmaker and does not have a full understanding of how bills are passed.

How puerile, a strikingly thin response to a germane concern.

Senator Tahir Monguno, while presenting the committee’s report, stated that the anthem reflected Nigeria’s values, aspirations, and cultural identity and would inspire greater patriotism and cooperation among citizens.

Two years after its reintroduction, it is fair to ask Senator Monguno and Senator Akpabio whether those lofty objectives have been achieved. Has the new anthem inspired greater patriotism? Has it strengthened national unity? Has it fostered cooperation among citizens? Most importantly, how many Nigerians can confidently sing it today?

Whether one prefers ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ or ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ is ultimately a matter of personal opinion. What is not in dispute is that changing the anthem has done little to improve the daily lives of Nigerians. The country now finds itself in the unusual position of having a national anthem that many of its citizens neither know nor sing with confidence.

I therefore respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider this decision and restore the anthem that generations of Nigerians grew up knowing. Such a step would undoubtedly require humility and political courage.

Yet leadership is not measured by an unwillingness to revisit decisions; it is measured by the wisdom to acknowledge when a policy has failed to achieve its intended purpose.

It is never too late to correct a mistake. Indeed, the willingness to do so is often the hallmark of great leadership.