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Has Hungary lost its appetite for Turkic diplomacy?

As the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convenes its 13th Summit in Ankara on October 30, attention is turning not only to the organisation’s growing ambitions in trade, energy and regional connectivity, but also to the future role of one of its most distinctive European partners: Hungary.

The summit, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under the theme “Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed,” brings together leaders and representatives of member and observer states to discuss political cooperation, investment, transport connectivity, energy security and regional developments. The gathering also marks the transfer of the OTS chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Trkiye.

For Hungary, an observer state of the organisation, the meeting comes at a politically significant moment. The country underwent a major leadership change following its April 2026 parliamentary elections, which ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year premiership and brought Péter Magyar and his Tisza party to power.

Under Orbán, Budapest cultivated particularly close political relations with the Turkic world, positioning itself as a European partner for Trkiye, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries. Hungary’s engagement with the OTS became a visible element of its foreign policy, reflecting a broader interest in diversifying diplomatic partnerships and strengthening economic connections beyond the European Union.

The transition to Magyar’s government has consequently raised questions about whether Budapest intends to maintain the same level of engagement. Hungary retains its observer status, but the new leadership’s longer-term approach to the organisation has yet to become fully clear.

Speaking to AzerNEWS, Professor Laszlo Vasa of Széchenyi István University argued that Hungary’s relations with the Turkic world should be regarded as a long-term strategic interest rather than a foreign policy initiative associated exclusively with the previous government.

“Hungary’s relations with the Turkic world have a strategic value which goes beyond any single government. Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary became a particularly active observer in the Organization of Turkic States. This brought political visibility, but also helped to develop trust and create opportunities for economic cooperation. In my view, these achievements deserve to be continued, even if the new government chooses a different political language.”

Addressing the uncertainty surrounding Budapest’s future participation, Vasa cautioned against interpreting a less visible diplomatic presence as evidence of a definitive withdrawal from cooperation with the organisation.

“The approach of the new Hungarian leadership towards the OTS is still an open question. Less visible participation creates uncertainty, and our Turkic partners understandably would like to see clearer signals from Budapest. However, I would be careful about interpreting this as a final decision to step back. My hope is that, as the government defines its foreign policy priorities, it will recognise the long-term importance of these relations.”

The question of Hungary’s strategic positioning is particularly relevant as the European Union seeks to strengthen its economic connections with Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Transport diversification, energy partnerships and the development of the Middle Corridor have increased the importance of cooperation between European and Turkic countries.

In this context, Vasa suggested that Hungary’s European commitments and its relationships with the Turkic world need not be treated as competing foreign policy objectives.

“From a Hungarian perspective, closer cooperation with the Turkic world and a strong commitment to the European Union can support each other. The growing importance of Central Asia and the South Caucasus in energy, transport and trade makes this connection increasingly useful for Europe as well. Hungary has an opportunity to contribute through its knowledge of the region, established contacts and economic partnerships.”

However, the professor stressed that preserving Hungary’s position as a bridge between the European Union and the Turkic world would require continued diplomatic engagement and practical cooperation.

“At the same time, being a bridge requires active work. Geography alone is not enough. Hungary needs regular political dialogue, business cooperation, university partnerships and a visible presence in the institutions where regional priorities are discussed. If we reduce our engagement for a longer period, other countries will naturally take up these opportunities. The Turkic world is developing quickly, and it will continue to move forward.”

Turning to the potential consequences of Hungary’s change of government for existing energy and trade partnerships, Vasa distinguished between the continuity of established commercial commitments and the political support necessary to pursue new projects.

According to the professor, a shift in domestic political leadership does not necessarily undermine agreements already concluded between governments, businesses and investors.

“Regarding energy and trade, a change of government does not automatically interrupt existing cooperation. Commercial agreements, investments and infrastructure projects usually have a much longer horizon than an electoral cycle. Their continuation depends on legal commitments, economic interests and the decisions of the companies involved. Also, many partnerships are organised bilaterally, while the OTS provides a supportive political framework.”

Nevertheless, he warned that prolonged uncertainty over government priorities could affect the development of future partnerships, even where existing projects remain unaffected.

“Nevertheless, political attention matters. Existing projects may continue, but new investments and agreements can lose momentum when government priorities become unclear. This is where uncertainty can have a real cost, even without any formal withdrawal or cancellation.”

Vasa also highlighted the practical opportunities that cooperation with Azerbaijan, Trkiye and Central Asian countries continues to offer Hungary, particularly in energy security and transport connectivity.

“I remain cautiously optimistic. Cooperation with Trkiye, Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states offers Hungary practical opportunities in energy security, access to markets and transport connectivity, including the Middle Corridor. These are national interests which should be recognised across party lines.”

Looking ahead, the professor expressed hope that Budapest would develop its own approach to cooperation with the OTS while preserving the diplomatic relationships established under the previous administration.

“My expectation is that the new government will eventually develop its own approach to the OTS while preserving the trust already built. The Ankara Summit is an opportunity to underline that the Turkic world remains an important partner for Hungary and that there is still considerable room to develop this relationship.”

SM Active welcomes every Filipino to an active lifestyle at SM Supermalls

Building on decades of investments in sports, recreation and wellness. SM Active brings together communities, partners and facilities to make active living more accessible, inclusive, and part of everyday life.

For years, SM Supermalls has brought sports and wellness closer to every Filipino through its facilities, tournaments, and community events. As more Filipinos embrace an active lifestyle, SM Supermalls is broadening its quest of providing more opportunities and spaces to stay fit. SM Supermalls is opening a new chapter by bringing its efforts together under one brand: SM Active.

Evolving from SM Active Hub, SM Active is SM Supermalls’ broader vision to make active living part of everyday life for more Filipinos. Through SM Active, individuals and communities will experience a more integrated active ecosystem, making their experiences more meaningful and memorable.

Operating within the SM Ecosystem, SM Active brings together its facilities, sports and wellness offerings, and corporate partners. By leveraging SM Supermalls’ vast network, SM Active creates more opportunities to keep active and build stronger connections.

‘For over 30 years, SM has invested in spaces and experiences that encourage Filipinos to move, play, and connect. Through SM Active, we are bringing these strengths together under one brand with a simple goal: to make active living more accessible, inclusive, and part of everyday life for communities across the country. As we continue to grow our ecosystem of facilities, partners, and programs, SM Active aims to become every Filipino’s gateway to a healthier and more active lifestyle,’ said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President.

Through SM Active, SM Supermalls is looking to bring more communities together by leveraging its nationwide footprint, deep partnerships, and quality facilities nationwide. SM Active is more than just a wellness initiative. It is SM Supermalls’ long-term pledge to empower more Filipinos to stay active and healthy.

Whether you’re just starting an active lifestyle or looking to level up, SM Active offers a wide range of facilities and events to keep you moving. With the country’s largest network of mall-based sports and active living facilities, SM Active features 108 pickleball courts, 176 bowling lanes, three ice skating rinks, expanding jogging paths, and more developments underway. Beyond providing spaces to play, SM Active brings communities together through regular events and transforms open areas into vibrant spaces for sports, fitness and wellness.

Together, these offerings have made it easier for newbies, enthusiasts, and experienced athletes to find activities that match their interests. SM Active elevates this experience by uniting the country’s most comprehensive network under one unified brand.

‘SM Supermalls believes that active living should be accessible to everyone. This has been part of our core mission ever since. With SM Active, we are unifying all our programs, experiences, and facilities to reaffirm our commitment to making active living a part of everyday life,’ said Tan.

WHO warns of rising diabetes burden in Africa

Three in four persons living with diabetes in Africa are unaware they have the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned, raising raising concerns about late treatment and preventable complications as the disease burden continues to rise across the continent.

Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a message to mark World Diabetes Day 2026, observed on November 14, under the theme ‘Early Action on Diabetes’.

According to Janabi, an estimated 24.6 million adults aged 20 to 79 are living with diabetes in the WHO African Region in 2024, with the figure projected to reach 59.5 million by 2050.

He said the proportion of people with diabetes who remain undiagnosed was the highest globally, leaving millions at risk of complications, including kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease and lower-limb amputations.

‘Early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent complications, reduce suffering and save lives,’ Janabi said, calling on individuals, communities, governments, healthcare workers and development partners to strengthen awareness, promote early diagnosis and expand access to affordable, quality diabetes care.

He urged people to recognise the warning signs of diabetes, including increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and blurred vision, and seek medical advice and testing promptly.

Janabi also advised people at increased risk of the condition to undergo screening, noting that diabetes could develop without obvious symptoms.

He called on communities to promote accurate information about the disease and challenge stigma and discrimination, while encouraging people living with diabetes to share their experiences and support others to seek care.

The WHO regional director also urged healthcare workers to recognise symptoms early, provide timely testing and ensure compassionate, person-centred care to improve disease management and prevent complications.

Janabi said the WHO was supporting African countries to strengthen diabetes services at primary healthcare and first-level referral facilities through initiatives including the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (WHO PEN), the HEARTS technical package for cardiovascular disease, HEARTS-D for the diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes, and the PEN-Plus regional strategy for severe noncommunicable diseases.

He commended Rwanda for achieving nationwide district-level coverage of PEN-Plus, alongside other countries making progress in implementing the programme. However, he said significant gaps remained in access to trained healthcare workers, diagnostic services, essential medicines and continuous care.

The WHO regional director called on African governments to prioritise diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and continuous treatment within primary healthcare systems and universal health coverage.

He said this would require sustained investment in public awareness, affordable insulin and essential medicines, diagnostic services, trained health workers and reliable health systems.

He also urged development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to support government-led efforts, particularly in underserved communities.

Janabi said the WHO remained committed to supporting member states in accelerating progress towards the 2030 targets of the Framework for the Implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in the African Region.

He urged people across the continent to learn the symptoms of diabetes, seek testing and care early, and encourage family members and friends to do the same.

In Surigao del Norte, dry spell prompts water rationing

DAVAO CITY-The provincial government of Surigao del Norte has enforced water rationing since September due to the severe drop in both rainfall and the common sources of household and potable water.

The provincial has been issuing regular advisories, tapping its social media accounts to guide residents when and where the next round of water distribution will be held. In its regular update, it would ask residents to ‘store water responsibly when supply is available; prioritize cooking and other essential household needs; avoid unnecessary water consumption; and to share this information with your family, neighbors, and community.’

It said the Surigao City government was coordinating with the Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) ‘to ensure that the available water supply is distributed as fairly and efficiently as possible during the current water shortage.’

In its situation update on Thursday, the city government said the Surigao City Public Information Office has implemented rolling water schedules where availability rotates across different barangays with limited supply durations. It said the SMWD has reported ‘significant drops’ in available water volume, ‘with deficits cutting deep into normal output.’

The city government also said that Surigao City Mayor Paul Dumlao and SMWD teamed up with Hiraya Water Corp. to implement interventions and alternative sources to ease the dry faucets. ‘Beyond current weather patterns, watershed health, illegal logging/mining pressures, and infrastructure strain have historically impacted the Parang-Parang Watershed and local surface water systems.’

The social media account Mindanao Weather Update posted in August that Dinagat Islands of Surigao del Norte was the first listed province in Mindanao to sustain the negative impact of the El Niño. At least 15 percent of the provincial population was at risk and emergency water assistance was being provided, it posted on its account on August 28. It said that in late August, 18,000 of residents have been affected by lack of water in Dinagat Islands, with around half of all river sources of water of the local water utility have dried up.

Early water rationing saw water tanks sent to communities, schools and hospitals identified as severely affected. Dinagat Islands is the island province east of Surigao del Norte and consist of seven islands and several islets.

Water rationing was also being reported in Butuan City, part of the Caraga Region where Surigao del Norte is also part of, and while Davao City has a more stable water resource, the Philippine Information Agency reported that its city government will tap 700 water catchments but these were mainly to provide water to the agriculture sector.

Davao City has formerly relied on its aquifers for several decades for its potable and other household uses but eventually put it on reserve shortly after the pandemic when it tapped the pristine waters of the Tamugan River running across its northern watershed region for its main water source.

The country’s weather agency said El Niño has intensified from a strong when it hit the country in the last quarter of this year to ‘very strong’ phenomenon going to last through mid-2027.

Marcos orders agencies: Ensure orderly, safe travels for ‘Undas’

WITH expectations of big crowds joining the long weekend exodus for the commemoration of Undas-the Filipino term for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilized government agencies to ensure their travel will be orderly and safe.

In a video message posted in the Palace social media account Friday, the chief executive said he directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to conduct stringent inspections of airports, seaports, and bus terminals that are safe for passengers.

Marcos urged travelers to make the necessary preparations before heading to their destinations to avoid any inconvenience including heavy traffic and the expected long lines to purchase their tickets.

‘Plan your trip and stay informed about traffic advisories and route changes. If you are taking public transportation, arrive at the terminal early. If possible, purchase your tickets in advance,’ he said.

He said he had ordered all road repairs to be completed by October 29, 2026 to prevent traffic congestion during the Undas exodus.

‘Inspections and repairs of major roads are ongoing to prevent travel disruptions,’ Marcos said in Filipino.

To ensure there will be enough transportation to accommodate the large number of travelers, Marcos said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued 1,000 special permits for buses, while the Maritime Industry (Marina) also issued relaxation orders and special permits so more passenger ships will be available during the Undas.

For airports, he said all immigration counters will be opened from October 30 to November 3 to accommodate passengers.

‘In anticipation of the influx of passengers, major terminals will operate round-the-clock help desks from October 29 to November 3 to assist travelers,’ Marcos said.

In the National Capital Region, the President said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed 2,000 personnel to help manage traffic, especially near cemeteries.

He said police were also deployed in cemeteries and columbarium to ensure the peace and order in the said locations.

The Bureau of Fire Protection and hospitals were put on alert to respond to emergencies during the long weekend.

‘Government agencies and local government units also continue to coordinate in order to respond promptly to any incident,’ Marcos said.

Mother seeks justice over alleged defilement of five-year-old daughter

A woman in Wakiso District is seeking protection from her husband, who has reportedly threatened to kill her for reporting him to police for allegedly defiling their five-year-old daughter and subsequently leading to his incarceration.

Ms Maureen Atuhaire, a resident of Kasengejje in Wakiso Town Council, Wakiso District, says she is living in fear following the arrest of her husband, Mr Clement Mugarura, whom she accuses of sexually abusing their daughter on three separate occasions.

She alleges her husband took advantage of her absence from the immediate vicinity to take their daughter into a nearby house, where he sexually abused her.

‘I have caught him twice when he is defiling our daughter. The third time it’s my daughter who reported to me,’ Ms Atuhaire said during an interview on October 25, adding that at all instances, he threatened to beat their daughter if she reported the matter to her.

Ms Atuhaire said that the first time she caught the husband in the act, the suspect allegedly pleaded for forgiveness and promised not to repeat the offence.

She alleges that her husband later abused the child again, forcing her to report the matter to the police.

The mother says the ordeal has left her traumatised, especially after the suspect allegedly threatened to kill her for having him arrested.

‘Even when he is in prison, I am still afraid because he has threatened to kill me for reporting him,’ she said, asking authorities to ensure that she is given protection and justice is served.

The suspect is currently on remand at Kigo Prison as investigations into the allegations continue.

Ms Atuhaire said her husband was expected to appear before the Wakiso Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday but the court did not sit because the magistrate was reportedly unavailable.

Ms Atuhaire’s troubles have reportedly been compounded by a housing dispute, with the landlord reportedly asking her to vacate the house where she had been staying with her husband. She says the couple had been occupying the property as caretakers.

‘The man was brought here as a caretaker of the land. The landlord has now asked me to vacate his house, claiming I cannot manage the work and now I’m stranded; I have nowhere to go,’ she said.

Residents have also raised concern about Atuhaire’s husband, alleging that he had previously sexually abused another child in the family.

They claim that the earlier incident involved a child of his sister, who allegedly sustained injuries in her private parts.

The residents have appealed to authorities and well-wishers to help Atuhaire and ensure her safety, warning that the alleged threats have heightened fears for her well-being.

‘He has been beating her several times. He puts her in a water tank and beats her. Her husband also ties his daughter on a mango tree in their compound and beats her,’ Mr Julius Kato, a neighbour said.

The Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, has urged members of the public experiencing similar challenges to report them to the authorities promptly.

He said early reporting enables the authorities to intervene and provide assistance.

‘Such criminals are not supposed to be in public. We shall sweep all of them,’ Mr Owoyesigyire said.

The Wakiso Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Ms Angel Namulimbe, assured Ms Atuhaire and other residents that the authorities would do everything possible to protect them.

The case comes amid continuing concerns about child sexual abuse and the need for families and communities to report offences to the authorities.

According to the 2025 Uganda Police Force annual crime report, a total of 10,492 cases of defilement were reported to police, compared to 12,312 reported in 2024.

Out of the total number of defilement cases reported in 2025, 7,019 constituted simple defilement while 3,473 were aggravated in nature.

The police report further reveals that out of these, 4,886 cases of defilement were taken to court, 713 secured convictions, 27 were acquitted, 355 dismissed and 3,791 are still pending in court, 1,932 were not proceeded with while 3,674 cases are still under inquiry.

A total of 4,999 defilement suspects were arrested and charged in court, out of whom 740 were convicted, 332 discharged, 27 acquitted, 3,900 are undergoing trial and 332 were discharged.

CURRENT TREND

According to the 2025 Uganda Police Force annual crime report, a total of 10,492 cases of defilement were reported to police, compared to 12,312 reported in 2024.

Out of the total number of defilement cases reported in 2025, 7,019 constituted simple defilement while 3,473 were aggravated in nature.

UNILAG bets big on digital transformation to boost efficiency, financial stability

As universities face mounting pressure to optimise resources, deepen accountability and remain financially sustainable, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) is betting on digital transformation to reshape its operations, strengthen financial management and drive institutional efficiency.

Folasade Ogunsola, vice-chancellor of the university, speaking during the institution’s Bursary Day 4.0, with the theme: ‘Towards a Smart Bursary: Advancing Efficiency, Accountability and Service Excellence,’ reinforced her administration’s commitment to intensify efforts to modernise the university’s financial management system through artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision-making,

Besides, she disclosed how the institution reversed its negative financial position following the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged industrial disruptions.

‘The UNILAG’s Bursary Department played a critical role in restoring financial stability, ensuring timely payments to contractors and supporting the execution of strategic projects despite mounting operational pressures,’ she said.

In addition, the vice-chancellor said, ‘Financial managers must move beyond traditional bookkeeping to become strategic partners in institutional development.’

Ogunsola recalled that the university faced significant financial difficulties following the pandemic and industrial actions that disrupted academic activities and weakened internally generated revenue.

‘Within a record time we reversed from negative balance to positive balance,’ she said, commending the Bursary Department for helping the university regain financial stability.

She explained that the university continued to incur operational expenses, including electricity bills, during periods when students were absent from campus, and revenue-generating activities were disrupted.

The vice-chancellor also highlighted the department’s record in meeting contractors’ financial obligations, noting that timely payments were essential to maintaining confidence among service providers and supporting infrastructure development.

‘It is irrelevant to the vision of the vice-chancellor; if you do not have resources or have inadequate resources, you will not achieve that vision,’ she said.

Bola Adigun, partner at Deloitte and its West Africa Strategy and Business Design Leader, urged university bursaries to embrace digital transformation to improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

Adigun, who delivered the lecture at the event, said the future of financial management lies in moving from fragmented information systems to integrated intelligence capable of supporting strategic decisions.

‘I don’t think that AI takes away jobs,’ she said, explaining that technology could help employees work faster, smarter and more efficiently.

She identified process optimisation, intelligent reporting, digital transactions and paperless operations as essential components of a smart bursary.

According to her, automating repetitive administrative processes would reduce human errors, accelerate transactions and allow financial officers to concentrate on more strategic responsibilities.

She also advocated real-time financial dashboards, predictive analytics and self-service portals to improve decision-making and reduce waiting times for students, staff and contractors.

Adigun stressed that accountability must remain central to digital transformation, particularly through data integrity, transparency, compliance, auditability and risk monitoring.

‘A clear digital trail protects the honest officer,’ she said.

Rahamon Bello, former vice-chancellor at UNILAG and the chairman of the occasion, warned that adopting artificial intelligence without reliable data could undermine institutional decision-making.

‘If you have data that is not verifiable and you now put AI to analyse it, what will it give you? Garbage,’ Bello said.

He urged universities to strengthen cybersecurity systems, protect sensitive financial information and ensure that technology supports rather than compromises accountability.

Bello also challenged bursary departments to function more like corporate finance offices, advising university management on revenue generation, financial risks and long-term sustainability.

The 2026 UNILAG’s Bursary Day, brought together university administrators, financial professionals and industry experts to examine how technology could strengthen accountability and service delivery in higher education, amid growing concerns over funding constraints in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Despite an overall expansion in public spending, where the proposed federal education budget grew to N3.59 trillion, the structural sector share of the total federal budget declined from 7.82 percent down to 6.15 percent.

Consequently, the education funding gap widened sharply to N5.18 trillion, heavily crowding out capital development project execution within higher institutions.

Concurrently, institutions are increasingly leaning on institutional funding agencies; under the federal infrastructure intervention frameworks, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) budget allocation scaled up significantly to N1.6 trillion, attempting to bridge the operational shortfalls facing public campuses.

Meanwhile, Ogunsola urged employees to embrace technological change while maintaining professional integrity.

She said digitisation would reduce routine administrative responsibilities and create opportunities for financial officers to undertake more analytical and strategic work.

The vice-chancellor commended the bursary staff for their commitment to financial discipline, describing their contributions as critical to institutional stability.

Oluwafunmilola Adekunle, UNILAG’s bursar and host of the event, led the fourth edition of the annual programme, which seeks to promote financial discipline, teamwork, accountability and strategic leadership among university finance personnel.

The event reinforced the growing importance of financial innovation in Nigerian universities, where effective resource management is increasingly critical to sustaining academic operations, infrastructure investment and institutional development.

How AI-generated photos, fake entries crept into Voters’ Register – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has traced the appearance of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities in its preliminary Register of Voters to alleged misconduct by some registration officers who had access to its registration system.

The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this on Friday during an interview on Arise Television, explaining that some registration officers across the country allegedly introduced questionable records into the database using their official login credentials.

Bayode said INEC uncovered the irregularities through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which was deployed to scrutinise registration records and identify suspicious entries.

He explained that while some of the questionable photographs were generated using artificial intelligence, others resulted from poor registration procedures.

‘Some of these pictures are AI-generated. Some of them not AI-generated, but very bad registration. And this thing got into the register by the registration officers because they have access to register people,’ he said.

According to him, the commission had identified the affected records and established how some of the irregularities occurred, although the reasons behind the actions of the officers involved remained unclear.

The ICT director said the irregularities were not attributable to all registration officers but involved some personnel across different states.

The disclosure follows public outrage over suspicious photographs and other discrepancies discovered after INEC uploaded its preliminary voters’ register to its website on October 26.

Screenshots circulated on social media reportedly showed photographs suspected to have been generated by AI attached to voter records in parts of Edo State. Other complaints involved alleged duplicate registrations and missing details of some registered voters.

Bayode said the commission had commenced efforts to clean up the register even before releasing the preliminary version, noting that the exercise was being conducted within the statutory 90-day period.

INEC had earlier clarified that the online register was the same preliminary version physically displayed at Registration Areas nationwide between October 9 and 15 for the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.

In a statement issued on October 27, the commission acknowledged identifying questionable records during the exercise and said it had commenced a review and corrective measures.

It stressed that the published register was not the final certified version and did not reflect the completion of its ongoing verification and data-cleanup processes.

From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy

Since 2023, we have made difficult but necessary decisions: removing the petrol subsidy, unifying the exchange rate, modernising the tax framework, and coordinating action on inflation. These reforms have restored macro balance, quadrupled federation revenue since 2021 and rebuilt the credibility of the state’s balance sheet. The results are now visible: real GDP growth reached 4.43% in Q2 2026 and 4.2% in H1, up from 2.74% in 2023, while headline inflation fell to 14.63% in September 2026 from 20.98% a year earlier.

Food inflation, while still elevated, stood at 19.59%. Gross external reserves reached USD 55.1 billion as of 9 October 2026, including about USD 46 billion in net reserves, an 18-year high. The NFEM exchange rate stood at ?1,333/US$, with the market spread below 5%, and public debt remains low compared to peers. Nigeria’s cost of borrowing keeps falling. Confidence has a price: our cost of borrowing is going down, and the country’s risk premium has drastically decreased.

This changes the purpose of public borrowing. The objective is to increasingly direct new borrowing towards productive capital investment, while maintaining fiscal discipline, reducing refinancing pressures and ensuring that public debt translates into measurable economic value. Nigeria borrows to invest in roads, ports, rail and power that will generate growth, revenue and jobs for decades.

Every naira and every dollar raised goes to assets that create value, and that value repays the debt. This is how Nigeria will reach the objective of a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030: not through consumption, but through investment in the infrastructure that makes growth possible. This shift is being supported by a stronger fiscal position: tax-to-GDP has risen to 12.5% from 7%, net FAAC increased by 44% from ?15.2 trillion in 2024 to ?21.9 trillion in 2025, and Nigeria recorded a ?20.1 trillion trade surplus in H1 2026, almost double the ?10.2 trillion recorded in H1 2025.

I. Borrowing to build, not to bridge, not for consumption:

Nigeria is fundamentally changing the purpose of public borrowing: from financing short-term fiscal pressures to investing in assets that will transform the economy for generations. This shift is taking place with public debt at 35.75% of GDP in Q2 2026 and debt service at about 65% of revenue in H1 2026, underscoring why investment must remain anchored in fiscal discipline.

The Federal Executive Council economic strategy is clear on this point: no deficit monetisation and no unfunded commitments during the pre-election period. At the heart of this disciplined shift towards productive borrowing are our administration’s legacy projects:

The administration is focusing productive borrowing on financing major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; improvements to the power sector and electricity grid; the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway; the Trans-Sahara Superhighway; and upgrades to Nigeria’s major commercial ports in Lagos.

Together with other priority projects, the rehabilitation of key hospitals, and investment in education and vocational training, these investments are game-changing. They will connect entire economic regions, unlock agricultural and industrial potential, reduce logistics costs, attract private investment and create hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities over time.

Delivery is already visible on the Lagos-Calabar highway as a major transport infrastructure project as of August 2026. Lot 2 was reported to be over 80% complete, while Calabar-Akwa Ibom works were over 30% complete. This increased emphasis on investment is also evident at the subnational level, where the share of state spending devoted to capital expenditure rose from 46% in 2023 to 61% in 2025.

This is not simply about building infrastructure. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography, unlocking new sources of growth and creating the productive capacity to achieve a USD 1 trillion economy. The debt is finite; the economic value these assets can generate will endure for generations.

II. Value for money and impact on growth:

The legacy projects are selected and financed on value addition: what they return to the economy for every naira spent. They connect production to markets, ports to the hinterland and Nigeria to its neighbours. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway alone is expected to reduce logistics costs by 15-20% along the corridor and could add up to 2% to Nigeria’s GDP through new industrial zones, trade and tourism.

These projects are also among the largest job creators in the country. The Coastal Highway is expected to generate around 100,000 direct jobs in construction and engineering and more than 150,000 indirect jobs in logistics, materials and services.

Across the Sokoto-Badagry and Trans-Sahara corridors, the same logic applies to the enhancement of the power grid, ports, rail lines, and social infrastructure: jobs during construction and lasting employment in the industries, farms, and businesses that grow along the routes once they open.

Lower transport costs mean lower food prices, more competitive exports and stronger revenue for the state. That is value for money: assets that pay back through growth, jobs and revenue, financed over a horizon that matches their life, and each one a step towards the USD 1 trillion economy.

III. Long-term commitments for long-term assets:

The structure of Nigeria’s debt now matches the nature of what it finances. The government is extending the maturity profile and shifting from short-term borrowing to long- and very long-term maturities at lower cost. Infrastructure built to last forty years should be financed over a horizon consistent with its life. International investors are willing to commit to Nigeria over ten, fifteen years and beyond, which is the clearest signal of confidence in the country’s trajectory. The broader financing environment is also benefiting from monetary easing: the Monetary Policy Rate was cut by 350 basis points on 22 September 2026, from 26.5% to 23%.

Yet lending rates remain above 30%, reinforcing the need to secure longer-tenor, more competitive financing for productive investment.

IV. Credibility recognised by international markets:

The international financial community has delivered a clear and unprecedented convergence of positive signals on Nigeria. All three major credit rating agencies (SandP, Fitch and Moody’s) have taken positive rating actions, with SandP upgrading Nigeria’s sovereign rating and Fitch and Moody’s raising their outlooks to Positive.

FTSE Russell has restored Nigeria to Frontier Market status, reopening its visibility to global institutional investors, while the FATF has removed Nigeria from its grey list, recognising progress in financial transparency and compliance. Nigeria’s successful Eurobond issuance, attracting strong international demand, further demonstrates renewed investor appetite for Nigerian sovereign risk. The specific rating actions reinforce this convergence: Fitch rates Nigeria B with a positive outlook as of 9 October 2026. Moody’s rates it B3 with a positive outlook, and SandP upgraded Nigeria to B on 15 May 2026 with a stable outlook.

Nigeria’s exit from the FATF Grey List in October 2025 and the EU list in January 2026 further support improved financial transparency and compliance. These are not political endorsements; they are independent assessments by global rating agencies, index providers, regulators and investors, recognising stronger external reserves, improved macroeconomic management and greater financial credibility. The implications are transformative: broader access to international capital, greater investor participation, and the potential for lower financing costs and longer maturities. Every improvement in Nigeria’s cost of capital creates additional capacity to finance infrastructure, accelerate growth and deliver my government’s economic transformation agenda.

V. What the international community expects:

The message from international investors, global banks and development institutions is unequivocal: Nigeria has undertaken the reforms; now is the time to invest, build and deliver at scale. International capital increasingly sees Nigeria as a major infrastructure investment opportunity, with lenders showing a growing appetite to finance our growth projects (roads, railways, electricity, water and agriculture, transport, and social infrastructure) and support the country’s long-term development.

Improving market confidence is creating opportunities for more competitive financing terms and greater access to long-term capital.

Nigeria must seize this window of opportunity. The greatest risk is no longer simply the cost of borrowing but the economic cost of failing to invest. Every year of delayed infrastructure means lost growth, higher logistics costs, missed investment and jobs that are never created. The international financial community is ready to support credible, bankable projects.

Nigeria must now convert this confidence into capital expenditure, completed infrastructure and lasting economic value. The reforms have opened the door to capital; delivery is what will turn that capital into prosperity. The delivery agenda is reflected in the five priorities FEC identified for the next stage: food affordability and energy price stability; budget harmonisation and fiscal discipline; high-impact project completion and investment in critical infrastructure; an economic policy framework and regulatory efficiency; and targeted household support and investment in human development.

At this point, it must be clearly stated that we did not undertake difficult reforms merely to stabilise the economy. We undertook them to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential and build lasting prosperity. These reforms laid the foundation for economic recovery, while infrastructure investment will drive growth, create jobs and improve living standards. The next phase of Nigeria’s economic transformation must be defined by projects completed on the ground and tangible results for Nigerians, not policy documents alone.

Borrowing and long-term investment

We are moving from borrowing to bridge fiscal gaps to borrowing to build the productive capacity of our nation. The key question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, the value we create and the future we leave behind. Although loans must be repaid, the roads, ports, railways and economic opportunities they finance can serve generations.

We cannot build a $1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size. We are investing in infrastructure for the next 50 years, and our financing strategy must reflect that ambition. We must also weigh the cost of borrowing against the cost of inaction because every delayed project means lost opportunities for growth, employment and investment.

Infrastructure and economic impact

We are building more than highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, supporting industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography. The value of a road extends beyond the completed construction to the farms, factories, businesses and communities it connects.

Every kilometre of infrastructure creates jobs during construction and opens opportunities for decades. Infrastructure provides the foundation for private investment, industrial development, trade and employment. We are therefore building an interconnected national economy in which roads, railways, ports and power infrastructure work together to improve productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.

International confidence and access to capital

International confidence gives Nigeria an opportunity to secure better financing, accelerate investment and deliver tangible results for its citizens. We must take advantage of our renewed access to international markets by turning investor confidence into productive investment. That investment must translate into economic growth, job creation and improved living standards.

Accountability and delivery

Securing financing is only the beginning. The real achievement lies in completing projects, delivering value for money, and improving Nigerians’ lives. Every Naira borrowed must be justified by the economic value it creates, and we must measure every project by its results.

Our ambition is not simply to announce a large infrastructure programme but to deliver projects that transform Nigeria’s economy. We must pursue our development goals with urgency while maintaining the discipline required for responsible public financial management.

Building a $1 trillion economy

A $1 trillion economy will not emerge through declarations alone. We must build it through investment, higher productivity, industrialisation and trade. Nigeria’s greatest asset is its economic potential, and we must provide the infrastructure to turn that potential into prosperity. We are not borrowing against our children’s future. We must invest responsibly to expand opportunities available to them.

Wike praises Dunamis Church for building pedestrian bridge in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended Dunamis International Gospel Centre for building a pedestrian bridge along the busy Airport Road, Abuja.

Wike gave the commendation in Abuja on Friday during the inauguration of the pedestrian bridge built at the Church headquarters, the 100,000-capacity Glory Dome, Abuja.

He described the project as an exemplary model of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The minister revealed that while the Church applied for approval to construct the facility in 2018, the application was only brought to his attention in February 2026, leading to its swift approval within one month.

He described the approval as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to good governance, urging members of the Church to support government with proven capacity to respond to the needs of the people.

He said ‘government cannot do everything alone; there is nowhere in the world where government carries every burden. That is why we emphasise comprehensive social responsibility.’

To further encourage community-driven infrastructure, the minister announced that the FCT Administration (FCTA) would defray 50 per cent of the total cost incurred by the Church in constructing the bridge.

He commended the Senior Pastor of Dunamis, Dr Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr Becky Enenche, for demonstrating leadership and sacrificing Church resources to save lives and enhance human welfare rather than solely focusing on soul-winning.

The minister, however, decried the habitual refusal of many pedestrians to use constructed bridges, choosing instead to risk their lives crossing high-speed expressways.

He warned against continuous public criticism of government actions on social media when enforcement measures were deployed to maintain public order and safety.

Earlier, Enenche said the decision to construct the pedestrian bridge was borne out of concern over the frequent fatal accidents recorded along the Airport Road axis.

Enenche explained that ‘the Church plans to add modern aesthetic coverings, security lighting and transparent side-panels to the structure to protect users from weather elements and boost compliance.’

He urged public-spirited individuals and leaders to live for societal impact and keep eternity in view, emphasising that resources must be deployed for the collective good of humanity.

On her part, the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, commended the Church for backing its faith with compassionate action.

Kingibe described the ministry as ‘a beacon of light’ and urged residents and leaders across the territory to unite in building a safer and peaceful capital.