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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, has declared a public safety emergency on substance abuse, unveiling sweeping executive orders aimed at curbing the trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs across the state.

The executive orders, signed on Wednesday, prohibit the sale, distribution and abuse of illicit substances, as well as the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products without a valid prescription, in what the government described as one of its most decisive interventions against the growing drug menace.

Under the new directives, movement in communities identified as major centres of drug abuse will be restricted daily from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., while security agencies have been authorised to stop, search, arrest and prosecute suspected drug traffickers and offenders.

Yusuf also announced that Certificates of Occupancy of properties used for the sale or trafficking of illicit drugs would be revoked as part of measures to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

Shortly after signing the executive orders, the governor inaugurated a multi-agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force to implement the emergency measures and coordinate enforcement activities.

He said the declaration was backed by the provisions of Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code Law and Cap 89 of 1991, which empower the state government to take extraordinary steps to address threats to public safety.

Yusuf described substance abuse as one of the greatest threats confronting Kano, saying the widespread consumption of illicit drugs among young people has contributed significantly to rising violent crimes, family disintegration, economic hardship and social instability.

According to him, the newly inaugurated task force has been mandated to identify, map and dismantle hideouts of Daba gangs, destroy drug dens and reclaim areas serving as criminal enclaves across the state.

He said the committee has also been empowered to arrest, detain and prosecute gang leaders, members, sponsors and financiers involved in illicit drug trafficking.

Yusuf pledged full government support for the task force, promising adequate funding, operational vehicles, office accommodation, logistics and security backing while guaranteeing its operational independence.

He added that the committee would coordinate intelligence gathering, law enforcement operations, public awareness campaigns, rehabilitation initiatives and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle the drug crisis comprehensively.

Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of the Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the committee.

Rimingado assured residents that the task force would carry out its assignment with integrity, professionalism and without compromise.

He said members of the committee were fully aware of the magnitude of their responsibility and would work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions and community leaders to combat drug abuse and restore lasting peace in Kano.

He expressed confidence that the task force would significantly reduce drug-related crimes and improve public safety across the state.

The task force comprises representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as members drawn from civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the business community.

Cybercrime cost Nigeria more than $3 billion between 2019 and 2025, highlighting the growing economic impact of digital threats as the country accelerates the expansion of its digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said.

Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a two-day cybersecurity workshop for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), citing findings from the Deloitte Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook 2026.

He warned that the rapid digitisation of government services had increased the exposure of public institutions to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

Represented by Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director in NITDA’s Cybersecurity Department, Inuwa also referenced the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Cybercrime Assessment, which ranked Nigeria among the three most targeted countries for cybercrime in Africa.

He attributed the trend to the country’s expanding digital economy and growing reliance on online platforms.

According to him, cyber threats have evolved beyond isolated attacks by opportunistic hackers into organised operations driven by financial and political motives.

‘The threat we face is no longer the work of the lone opportunist. We are contending with organised, financially motivated, and at times politically driven actors,’ he said.

Inuwa said these actors increasingly exploit the same digital technologies being adopted by governments to deliver public services, making coordinated cybersecurity measures across public institutions essential.

He warned that vulnerabilities in one government agency could provide entry points into other institutions, stressing that cybersecurity across MDAs must be approached collectively rather than in isolation.

‘These actors do not respect boundaries between our agencies. A weakness in one MDA becomes a doorway into another, and this is why defence cannot be fragmented,’ he said.

‘Our defence must be converged and done in a concerted manner because cybersecurity in government shall not and never be fragmented.’

He said NITDA, through its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), would continue to support MDAs with preventive measures and incident response capabilities, while emphasising that prevention remained the most effective cybersecurity strategy.

The NITDA director-general identified regular cyber risk assessments, stronger security policies, staff awareness, capacity building, incident response planning and continuous system improvements as key components of an effective cybersecurity framework.

‘No firewall or technical control can replace the need for personnel to understand and discharge their cybersecurity responsibilities,’ he said.

He urged participants at the workshop to use the platform to share intelligence, analyse recent cyber incidents and strengthen Nigeria’s cyber resilience, rather than treat it as a routine training programme.

Inuwa also disclosed that participants would review NITDA’s draft Regulatory Guidelines for Government Information Security Management ahead of broader stakeholder consultations.

‘Nigeria’s digital future is not a threat to be feared but an opportunity to be secured,’ he said.

Hamza Lateef, a Cybersecurity Expert and Workshop Facilitator, said the programme examined Nigeria’s evolving cyber threat landscape, including ransomware attacks, Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups and other malicious actors targeting public infrastructure.

According to Lateef, recent attacks have included activities by digital activists protesting government policies, as well as attempts by foreign actors to disrupt government portals and other critical online services.

He added that MDAs must strengthen cybersecurity governance by deploying secure systems and clearly defining cybersecurity responsibilities for contractors managing government information and communication technology infrastructure.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from several public institutions, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has reacted to what it described as false and misleading remarks made by the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, during a radio programme.

The group also warned Governor Ademola Adeleke against actions capable of costing him his re-election.

In a statement issued by the South-West Coordinator of GHSM, Abass Olaniyi, the movement said the comments credited to the Osun Accord Chairman regarding Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Accord’s presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, were based on fabricated documents, deliberate misrepresentation of facts and a distortion of political timelines.

Abass stated that while Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Tinubu was a carry-over from the PDP into Accord Party, the National leadership of Accord Party had already demonstrated its Presidential direction by actively lobbying Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to join the party and contest the 2027 election.

According to GHSM, on July 21, 2025, the Osun PDP leadership caucus endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, a decision widely reported while Governor Adeleke remained a PDP governor. The movement noted that it rejected the endorsement at the time because it was inconsistent with its political position.

The movement also recalled that in March 2026, the National leadership of Accord Party, led by its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, visited Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and engaged him on joining the party to contest the presidential election.

The delegation, which included the party’s National Secretary, Adebukola Abiola Ajaja; National Treasurer, Salaudeen Abdulazeez Oyeniyi; and Organising Secretary, Ibe ThankGod, met with Olawepo-Hashim in Abuja as part of efforts to build a broad National political platform ahead of 2027.

GHSM stated that following the engagement, Olawepo-Hashim followed due process to participate in the party’s Presidential process and emerged as the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Abass said the engagement clearly contradicts claims that Accord Party had no Presidential direction, stressing that the party’s National leadership in April 2026 publicly disowned Governor Adeleke’s purported endorsement of President Tinubu and reaffirmed Accord’s National Presidential agenda.

‘So, the facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining Accord Party. Also, Accord Party’s National leadership lobbied Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to provide Presidential leadership for the party, and he emerged as the Presidential candidate of the party through open direct primaries.

‘Therefore, the argument that Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu was caused by the absence of a Presidential candidate in Accord does not align with the timeline of events,’ GHSM stated.

The South-West Coordinator warned that Governor Adeleke’s political approach within Accord Party raises concerns similar to the internal contradictions that weakened the PDP.

Abass said political parties are strengthened when members respect institutions, structures and collective decisions rather than allowing individual interests to determine the direction of the party.

‘Accord Party must not travel the same path that weakened PDP. A political party cannot survive when individual calculations are placed above the collective aspirations of its members,’ he stated.

GHSM further stated that 24 State Chairmen of Accord Party across the federation have endorsed Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, while noting that the legal dispute surrounding the party’s Presidential Primary is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The movement stressed that it would not make public comments on a matter already before the court.

‘The issue of Accord Party’s presidential primary is reserved for judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. As responsible stakeholders, we will not engage in public commentary on a matter that is before the court. We have confidence in the judicial process and await the decision of the court,’ GHSM stated.

GHSM cautioned that Governor Adeleke’s political future in Osun State depends on the unity and strength of the platform under which he seeks re-election.

The movement insisted that failure to recognise and work with key stakeholders supporting Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim could deepen divisions within Accord Party and affect its electoral prospects.

The movement reaffirmed its commitment to the presidential project of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, describing it as a movement focused on political renewal, competence, institutional reform and National transformation.

Nigeria’s capital market is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its modern history. Economic reforms, evolving monetary policy, increasing domestic participation and the growing sophistication of institutional investors are reshaping the investment landscape.

While market volatility has remained a defining feature of recent years, it has also created opportunities for investors willing to adopt a disciplined, long-term approach to wealth creation and capital preservation.

For many years, conversations around investing in Nigeria have often been framed around uncertainty. Inflationary pressures, currency adjustments and global economic disruptions have understandably influenced investor sentiment. However, focusing solely on these challenges risks overlooking a more important reality: Nigeria’s capital market remains one of the most powerful vehicles for mobilising capital, creating wealth and supporting economic development.

A Market at an Inflection Point

Nigeria’s capital market plays a critical role in economic development by connecting surplus capital with productive investment opportunities. Through equities, bonds and other securities, businesses gain access to funding while investors gain opportunities to grow and preserve wealth.

Recent developments have reinforced the growing importance of the market. According to the Nigerian Exchange Group, the equities market delivered strong growth in recent periods. The NGX All-Share Index gained 51.19 percent in FY2025 and delivered a further 47.43 percent return by June 2026, outperforming major global benchmarks over the same period.

The performance reflects renewed investor confidence, improved market liquidity, and optimism around Nigeria’s economic reforms. At the same time, elevated interest rates have made fixed income instruments increasingly attractive to both institutional and retail investors.

The Renewed Appeal of Fixed Income Investments

In recent years, fixed income securities have re-emerged as an attractive asset class within Nigeria’s investment landscape. Treasury Bills, Federal Government Bonds, Sukuk issuances and high-quality corporate bonds have benefited from higher yields driven by monetary tightening and efforts to manage inflationary pressures. For investors seeking relatively stable returns and capital preservation, fixed income instruments offer several advantages.

Firstly, they provide predictable income streams, making them particularly attractive to pension funds, insurance companies, institutional investors and individuals approaching retirement. Additionally, they help mitigate portfolio volatility. During periods of market uncertainty, fixed income assets often provide stability that can balance exposure to more volatile investments. Also, government securities continue to offer a high degree of security backed by sovereign creditworthiness, making them suitable for conservative investors.

However, the true value of fixed income investing extends beyond yield generation. These instruments play a critical role in financing national development. Government bonds help fund infrastructure projects, while corporate bonds provide businesses with long-term capital needed for expansion and job creation.

Equities Remain a Powerful Wealth Creation Tool

While fixed income investments offer stability, equities remain one of the most effective tools for long-term wealth creation.

Historically, equities have outperformed many traditional asset classes over extended periods by providing exposure to business growth, dividend income and capital appreciation. Despite short-term market fluctuations, quality companies with strong fundamentals often create substantial value for shareholders over time. According to data compiled by Nairametrics from the NGX, no fewer than 45 listed companies posted gains of over 100%, with some stocks returning over 1,000% in FY2025.

Nigeria’s equities market presents compelling opportunities across sectors such as banking, telecommunications, consumer goods, energy and industrials. Recent banking sector recapitalization, that saw an injection of 4.65trn additional capital, is expected to strengthen balance sheets, improve competitiveness and support long-term value creation within the sector.

The Power of Diversification

One of the most important lessons for investors in today’s environment is that no single asset class can consistently outperform under all market conditions. Interest rate cycles, inflation trends, currency movements and economic reforms affect asset classes differently. This makes diversification an essential component of successful investing.

A balanced portfolio that combines fixed income and equities allows investors to pursue growth while managing risk. Rather than viewing investments in isolation, investors should focus on constructing portfolios that align with their financial goals, risk tolerance and investment horizons.

Expanding Participation Through Institutional Partnerships

One of the most promising developments in Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem is the growing role of institutional partnerships in expanding access to investment opportunities.

Historically, participation in capital markets was often concentrated among high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. today, partnerships involving asset managers, pension fund administrators, insurance companies, cooperatives, employers and fintech platforms are helping democratise access to investment products. These partnerships are critical because they address one of the biggest barriers to market participation-trust and accessibility.

Asset managers, for example, through professionally managed investment vehicles, help customers access the market using minimal capital. Pension administrators have established relationships with millions of contributors who can benefit from broader financial education and investment awareness. Insurance firms possess extensive customer networks that can be leveraged to deepen financial participation.

Financial Inclusion Through Capital Markets

Financial inclusion is often discussed in the context of bank accounts and payment systems. While these are important, true financial inclusion must extend beyond access to basic financial services.

Inclusion should also mean access to wealth-building opportunities. When individuals can invest in government securities, mutual funds and equities as well as access insurance and retirement products, they become active participants in economic growth rather than passive observers. Institutional partnerships are helping bridge this gap by making investment products more accessible, affordable and understandable.

This trend has the potential to significantly deepen domestic participation in Nigeria’s capital markets while strengthening long-term savings and investment culture.

Looking Ahead

Nigeria’s capital market stands at an important crossroad. Economic reforms, demographic trends, technological innovation and institutional collaboration are creating conditions for deeper market development and broader participation.

While challenges remain, including inflation, market volatility and investor education gaps, the long-term fundamentals remain compelling. Opportunities within fixed income and equities are not mutually exclusive, rather they are complementary components of a resilient investment strategy capable of delivering both stability and growth.

For institutional investors, corporate and individual investors alike, the focus should be on strategic asset allocation, disciplined investing and long-term value creation. Most importantly, the future growth of Nigeria’s capital market will depend on expanding participation. The next chapter of Nigeria’s capital market story will not be defined solely by market performance; it will be defined by how effectively we connect more people to the opportunities the market creates.

That is where the greatest untapped value lies.