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Nigerians have been urged not to keep fretting over the tax reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration. The reforms have led to the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) and others.

Now, the reforms have been described as a bold initiative towards freeing sub-nationals from overdependence on federal allocations.

This comes against the backdrop of an over 70 percent dependence on oil revenue distributed through monthly federal allocations by many states in the country.

The fears were allayed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, president of the Chartered Institution of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). He did this while delivering a speech at the Tax Conference held in the Garden city on October 14, 2025, where he said the new tax laws have created an opportunity for states to drastically review their tax collection efforts and boost internally generated revenue (IGR).

He urged states in the federation to take advantage of the opportunities captured in the new tax laws by reviewing their tax collection processes and design, and deploying technology to automate the process.

Ohagwa, who is CITN’s 17th president, said that sub-nationals should rather focus on creating an enabling environment for willing compliance to tax payment among the citizenry.

‘The focus is not on paying tax. The focus of the reform will be to enhance the standard of living of the masses, the citizens, and secondly, to ensure that the tax compliance system is made easy.

‘And when you make tax compliance easy, the fallback position is that you will collect more, you will incur less costs, and the country will develop better,’ he said.

Ohagwa disagreed with the suggestion that the tax reforms have placed some states with less population demographics at a disadvantage, arguing that those with high net-worth individuals, such as Lagos and Rivers, are strategically positioned to reap the benefits of the tax laws.

He said, ‘Another area of advantage to the states is what we call presumptive regime, which the minister through the advice of the Joint Task Force is going to make available. States are going to leverage a lot on it.’

He said the benefits of the new tax laws for citizens will begin to manifest as the government begins administration of the reforms, urging individuals, tax authorities, and consultants to take advantage of the opportunities inherent.

Victoria Okokon, chairman, CITN’s Port Harcourt and District Society, said the tax reforms offer challenges and opportunities for sub-nationals.

She pointed out that the reforms were not designed to weaken revenue generation at the sub-national level, but to strengthen the ability of states to generate and boost their revenue.

Israel Onwuanaku Egbunefu, chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), presenting a paper on ‘Expanding the Tax Net beyond Salaries,’ said that 70 percent of the tax receipts in Rivers State is from Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

He said the need to wean the state of the over dependence on this source, and to diversify to other revenue sources, such as Blue and Digital economy, is both urgent and imperative.

Chris Yorkina, Rivers State Auditor General, pointed out that the design of the new tax laws is not to impoverish the poor, but to aid government drive for development.

He said tax officers should be abreast of the provisions of the new tax laws and be ready to guide citizens, who naturally lack knowledge, on them.

Yorkina pointed out that the new tax law repeals certain existing tax laws and creates a legal framework to strengthen simplicity, integrity, and efficiency in tax administration

Ignatius Chukwu, BusinessDay’s Regional Editor, said the informal sector in the state has been overtaxed, with traders and artisans paying for over 70 items on a ‘black market’ tax list.

He pointed out that low-income earners, such as artisans, who are exempt from PAYE, have been pushed into what he described as the ‘black market tax system,’ which is operated by non-state actors, and maintains a high tax incidence on the already overtaxed informal sector.

Chukwu urged the Rivers State government to enforce the autonomy granted the state internal revenue service (RIRS) by the law establishing it, arguing that this will allow the agency devise and implement initiatives that will boost the tax net and collection efforts.

Ezekiel Eden Williams, professor and Director of Eggheads International, presented a paper on ‘Subnational Expectations and Implementation of the New Tax Laws,’ while Chris Yorkina explored the New Tax Laws, as they relate to tax practitioners.

The human desire to tell stories is as old as consciousness itself. From cave paintings to oral traditions and the sprawling libraries of the modern world, stories are the enduring vessels of human experience. For a nation as culturally diverse and historically complex as Nigeria, literature is not merely an art form; it is a vital act of self-preservation and a powerful tool for forging a collective identity from a mosaic of ethnic groups and histories. Nigerian literature, in its glorious diversity, represents the critical act of ‘telling our own stories,’ wresting the narrative from external interpreters and presenting the Nigerian socio-cultural realities through the authentic lens of the average Nigerian citizen.

To understand the power of Nigerian literature, one must first grasp the nation’s tumultuous, vibrant reality. Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people, home to over 250 ethnic groups, each with its own language, customs, and history. Its modern history is a tale of pre-colonial empires, disruptive colonialism, a fraught independence, a brutal civil war, and decades of political instability juxtaposed with relentless economic and cultural dynamism.

For the average Nigerian – the student in Lagos, the farmer in Kano, the trader in Onitsha – life is a constant negotiation between tradition and modernity, between local customs and global influences. It is a life shaped by the echoes of the past, the urgency of the present, and the hope for a future defined by self-determination. The grand narratives often written about Nigeria – of poverty, conflict, or corruption – rarely capture the day-to-day resilience, the irreverent humour, the deep familial bonds, or the sheer, creative survival instinct that defines the Nigerian spirit.

It is here that literature steps in, acting as both an archive and a mirror. Nigerian writers took up the pen as an urgent response to the colonial narrative that often reduced Africa to a ‘dark continent’ devoid of history and civilisation.

Chinua Achebe, often called the father of modern African literature, famously wrote Things Fall Apart to counter the reductive and often racist colonial accounts. He did not romanticise the past, but instead presented the sophisticated, complex, and human society of the Igbo people before European arrival. Through the eyes of Okonkwo and the community of Umuofia, Achebe humanised a culture and asserted that the African experience, in all its triumphs and tragedies, was worthy of global recognition. This was a profound act of cultural reclamation – literature as proof of a complete, fully-formed cultural identity.

Following Achebe, writers like Wole Soyinka, through his use of Yoruba mythology and his searing social commentary, continued to champion the richness of indigenous culture while also holding up a critical mirror to post-independence Nigeria’s failings. His work blends traditional storytelling elements with modernist forms, reflecting the hybrid nature of the modern Nigerian self – a self constantly negotiating ancient roots and contemporary challenges.

In the contemporary era, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has taken the Nigerian story to a global stage, exploring new dimensions of cultural identity. Her work, such as Americanah, captures the experience of the Nigerian diaspora, showing how cultural identity is not a static monolith but a fluid construct shaped by place, race, and self-awareness. Adichie uses the simple act of naming a Nigerian accent, or discussing Nigerian food and hair culture abroad, to illustrate the everyday friction of maintaining one’s heritage in a world that pressures conformity. For the average Nigerian, whether at home or abroad, these stories validate their unique struggles and triumphs – the difficulty of explaining Nigeria to an outsider, the ‘culture shock’ of returning home, or the bittersweet experience of cultural hybridity.

Literature’s power in preserving cultural identity lies in its ability to give voice to the unspoken and to solidify the ephemeral. This buttresses the fact that literature preserves language and idiom. Nigerian writers frequently infuse their English prose with Nigerian Pidgin, proverbs, and untranslated terms from indigenous languages. This linguistic blend is not an accident; it is a deliberate artistic choice that asserts a distinctive ‘Nigerian voice’ and safeguards linguistic markers of identity. When an average Nigerian reads a phrase like ‘The sun was like a red, bleeding eye,’ (a classic Achebe-ism) or encounters a character using Pidgin for emphasis, they recognise a shared rhythm of thought and speech.

Similarly, literature chronicles social realities. Nigerian literature goes beyond historical accounts to explore domestic, social, and psychological realities – from the pressures of extended family obligations and the role of religion, to gender politics and the daily struggles with power outages and corruption. These novels and poems serve as a social record, a place where the ordinary citizen sees their own life elevated to the level of art, confirming their experiences are shared and significant.

Furthermore, literature serves as a cultural tool that fosters empathy and national cohesion: In a multi-ethnic nation prone to internal tensions, literature is one of the few places where Nigerians can step into the minds of people from different cultural and religious backgrounds. A reader from the South-East reading a story set in the North gains insight and empathy, helping to bridge the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them,’ and forging a broader, unified sense of Nigerian nationhood based on a shared national experience.

In essence, by ‘telling our own stories,’ Nigerian writers do more than just entertain or inform; they perform a profound cultural service. They create a literature of affirmation – a living, breathing space where the multifaceted and often contradictory Nigerian identity is celebrated, challenged, and permanently recorded for future generations. Literature is the collective memory and ongoing conversation that ensures that the Nigerian story, in all its complexity and courage, is forever told by those who have lived it.

In today’s Nigeria, every business is dependent on vendors. Outsourcing has been the standard for everything from IT maintenance services that manage servers to fintech developers who work with payment systems. It saves time and money, helping businesses focus on their primary objectives. However, there is a risk associated with that ease that most firms fail to recognize until it is too late. When a vendor is hacked, your firm may suffer the same consequences.

The SolarWinds attack, which made headlines in 2020, demonstrated the devastating impact of vendor breaches. Hackers did not target government agencies or large enterprises directly. They targeted SolarWinds, a reputable IT management company whose software was utilized by thousands of customers. By injecting malicious code within a regular update, the attackers silently obtained access to key US institutions’ networks via a single vendor. It was a lesson in patience and accuracy, demonstrating that even the most protected businesses may fail if a single source is compromised.

The true risk of vendor vulnerability is that it can sometimes enter through the backdoors of people you trust rather than through your own defenses. Many businesses think that once they entrust their data to a trustworthy contractor or cloud provider, it will be safe. The reality is different. The task can be outsourced, but accountability cannot. Today’s hackers are patient and strategic in their mode of attack. They don’t necessarily go for the biggest target; they go for the easiest path in, and vendors frequently supply that path. A 3rd party vendor may reuse APIs for different platforms or reuse backend access for multiple platforms. Even a cleaning service with a master access badge may unintentionally allow a breach.

This vulnerability is rising in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, where e-commerce sites, government organizations, and fintech’s all rely significantly on outside IT partners. A hacked contractor can have an impact on dozens of companies that all thought their systems were secure. Most suppliers manage data from many clients, but few uses effective data classification or access control techniques to keep one client’s information separate from another. Third-party risk assessments and compliance audits are common in larger firms, but many mid-level suppliers who assist banks, telecommunications companies, and government agencies still fall short. They reuse passwords across environments, rely on out-of-date security tools, and occasionally administer client systems via insecure networks or unapproved work devices. Because their job takes place behind the scenes, these flaws are frequently overlooked until a breach reveals them.

For Nigerian businesses, the risk is further heightened by inadequate vendor governance. Too many partnerships are based on informal agreements rather than written contracts that outline data ownership, protection responsibilities, and breach response protocols. Without defined service-level agreements (SLAs) or non-disclosure clauses, accountability becomes ambiguous, leaving both parties vulnerable when something goes wrong. Attackers know that vendors may have weak access control and security governance. Instead of directly attacking a well-defended organization, they compromise a reliable third party. They employ commonly used plug-ins and automation scripts to introduce backdoors, distribute malicious payloads via shared repositories, or send spear-phishing emails. Once they’ve established a foothold, they proceed laterally across connected networks, using the vendor’s privileged credentials to access customer environments and steal data undetected.

Globally, high-profile instances such as the SolarWinds and MOVEit hacks have demonstrated how one supplier’s compromise may spread throughout entire industries. With financial platforms, cloud integrators, and IT service providers becoming more integrated, the country’s digital ecosystem confronts the same third-party risks. Cybersecurity cannot be completely outsourced. Companies must assess vendors before granting them access to sensitive systems. This includes determining whether they use multifactor authentication, encryption, and up-to-date software. Contracts should include provisions for data security, breach reporting, and frequent audits. Access credentials should be evaluated frequently and revoked when projects are completed.

The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) should take third-party security seriously. They can develop frameworks that require critical service vendors, particularly in the banking, telecommunications, and health industries, to meet minimum cybersecurity standards. Public-private collaboration is essential. Large enterprises could potentially take the lead by sharing best practices with smaller suppliers and insisting on compliance before contract signing.

In my opinion, Nigerian enterprises should regard vendor management as an integral element of their overall security strategy, rather than an afterthought. In cybersecurity, your defense is only as good as your vendor’s security. Outsourcing can help a business develop faster, but if done carelessly, it can also provide a backdoor for attackers. In today’s interconnected business environment, being secure is not enough. You also need to ensure that everyone who works for or with you is secure.

A new NarratEQ analysis by Gatefield has highlighted the urgent need for diverse leadership distribution and measurable policy outcomes for economic sustainability.

‘We went from 31 percent women in cabinet to 8.8 percent, and our economic growth slowed along with it. More diverse leadership means more perspectives informing policy, and this shows up in measurable outcomes,’ Farida Adamu, lead, insights and analytics, Gatefield, said during a recent webinar to launch NarratEQ, a new data platform for gender equality insights.

According to the new Gatefield’s gender equality insights hub, Nigeria’s low representation of women in political leadership is costing the country economically.

‘Surfacing this kind of evidence through NarratEQ is important to us, because it gives the gender equality conversation the seriousness it deserves,’ Adamu said.

Compared to countries like Rwanda, which maintains a global lead of 61 percent women in parliament, and South Africa, averaging 45 percent women’s representation in both parliament and cabinet.

Nigeria on the other hand has moved backward, from 31 percent cabinet representation to 8.8 percent under current leadership, defying both its national policy mandate of 35 percent representation and a global trend toward greater inclusion.

According to Adamu, the data also reveals a cultural resistance underlying the current numbers. While 64 percent of Nigerians express comfort with women in corporate leadership, only 50 percent feel the same way about women in political leadership.

‘This perception gap reinforces structural exclusion even when policies exist on paper. These findings mark the debut of NarratEQ, a first-of-its-kind gender data hub developed by Gatefield, a public strategy and advocacy group, to make gender equality insights accessible, visual, and actionable.’

According to Adamu, the platform consolidates verified data across six sectors: political leadership, economic empowerment, health, education, care economy, and corporate representation.

She disclosed that the platform delivers monthly insights, story starters, and downloadable quality-scored datasets for journalists, policymakers, and researchers.

During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015), when women held 31% of cabinet positions, Nigeria’s economy experienced sustained GDP growth of 6-7%, reaching its largest size in history.

Under successive administrations where women’s representation dropped to 8.8%, economic growth slowed, reflecting a global pattern where higher women’s participation in leadership correlates with stronger economic outcomes.

Nigeria ranks 180th out of 190 countries globally in women’s political representation, with only 3.9% of senators and 8.8% of current cabinet positions held by women, the lowest among major African economies.

‘NarratEQ is a response to a very nagging problem of siloed data that makes insights difficult to work with in Nigeria. Where data exists, it’s in silos – you can hardly bring them together to get something you can really work with. This initiative will make our situation better,’ said Alfred Ajayi, one of the attendees.

Experts and scholars have called for a redefinition of the media’s role in tackling Nigeria’s deepening poverty, urging a shift from elite-focused coverage to grassroots-driven communication that empowers citizens and informs policy.

They spoke on Friday at the public presentation of a new book titled ‘Media and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: Communication, Development, and Policy Options’ by Victor Ikem PhD, held in Lagos to commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

In his welcome address, Ikem, a communication strategist, who is also the convener of the event, said the annual dialogue was conceived to ‘sustain inclusive conversations’ among policymakers, the media, academia, and civil society on poverty eradication.

‘October 17th every year has been set aside by the United Nations to promote concrete action toward ending poverty across the world,’ he said.

‘In Nigeria, we continue to face the consistent challenge of people’s inability to earn sustainable income and live in dignity. Despite numerous interventions by successive governments, poverty remains widespread, affecting over 139 million Nigerians,’ he further said.

He described the forum as ‘the beginning of a difficult series we intend to hold every 17th of October,’ emphasising that meaningful engagement between media, government, and the public is essential to reversing the trend.

Media must move from rhetoric to structural change – Adi

Delivering the keynote address, Bongo Adi, a professor and senior faculty member at Lagos Business School, commended the author for interrogating how media structures affect poverty narratives in Nigeria.

Adi argued that while the media has been active in highlighting government shortcomings, it often fails to connect policy discussions to the lived realities of poor Nigerians.

He said: ‘We need to stop romanticizing the idea of poverty as statistics and begin to treat it as a human condition that demands institutional responses. Media framing is critical; it shapes how policymakers and citizens perceive urgency.’

The economist noted that without deep reform in communication structures, anti-poverty programs will continue to be poorly designed and executed. ‘The link between policy failure and weak communication is direct. If the media doesn’t bridge that gap, poverty will persist as a governance failure,’ he added.

Media’s potential in poverty reduction largely unfulfilled – Reviewer

In his review of the book, Humphrey Akanazu, an associate professor and the executive principal of Docenti Global Business School, described it as ‘a challenging and essential examination of the media’s largely unfulfilled potential in a nation facing the paradox of wealth and widespread destitution.’

According to Akanazu, the 136-page publication interrogates why the Nigerian press, despite its proliferation, has failed to drive poverty-related discourse meaningfully.

He added that the author’s proposed policy options were ‘strategic and actionable,’ advocating for a paradigm shift towards community-based communication, especially through indigenous-language broadcasting and community radio.

‘The author argues that to become a true partner in poverty reduction, the media must overcome challenges like political interference, commercial pressures, and poor working conditions,’ Akanazu noted.

He cited the example of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which the author described as a federal initiative constrained by weak communication strategy and poor coordination. ‘For these interventions to succeed, communication must be central, it builds trust, fosters awareness, and ensures the poorest benefit,’ he said.

Akanazu also drew attention to the South-South region, which he called ‘a paradox of resource wealth and socio-economic deprivation.’ Despite being the engine of Nigeria’s oil economy, he said the region suffers from high multidimensional poverty, poor access to clean water, and unemployment, issues that effective communication could help address by holding policymakers accountable.

The Akwa Ibom State Government will implement the upward review of salaries and special allowances for doctors and other health workers from November 1, 2025, following approval by Governor Umo Eno at the October 13 State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Ekem Emmanuel John, has announced.

John made the announcement on Friday, October 17, 2025, while addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Uyo.

The committee, led by its Chairman, Amos Amogaji, was in the state to assess the implementation and performance of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) as part of its oversight functions.

He explained that the comprehensive review covers both the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), making Akwa Ibom medical doctors and health workers among the best paid in the country.

Upon implementation, they will earn comparatively higher than their counterparts in other states and even those in the federal civil service.

The Health Commissioner further noted that the salary review demonstrates Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system.

‘I can boldly say that the review is the largest single one-time percentage review in terms of medical salary in this country. Doctors on level 14, 15, will earn more than permanent secretaries, and those on 15 and above will even earn more than commissioners,’ he explained, adding that the Head of Service’s circular on the subject is expected before the end of the month, as Governor Eno has given a marching order for implementation to commence on November 1.

Earlier, the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services had inspected several primary healthcare facilities in the state to evaluate the utilisation of the BHCPF and appraise the quality of primary healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom.

The Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Eno Attah, and the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Igbemi Igbemi, in their separate reports, highlighted the milestones recorded by the state government in managing the BHCPF, as well as the strategies adopted to achieve universal health coverage and expand access to medical insurance.

The House Committee on Health Services commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for prioritising the welfare of medical personnel, describing the salary review as a bold and progressive step toward strengthening the state’s healthcare system. The committee noted that such motivation would not only improve staff retention but also enhance service delivery, especially in rural areas, and applauded the state for its accountability in managing public health funds.

With the implementation of the revised salary structure, Akwa Ibom is expected to set a new benchmark for healthcare workforce motivation in Nigeria, as the state government intensifies efforts to deliver quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to its citizens.

From November 28 to December 7, 2025, lovers of African stories, avid theatregoers, African diasporas and tourists alike would be enthralled with two bold theatrical performances at one of Nigeria’s finest beach resorts.

The two plays are: ‘The Noble Warrior’ and ‘Fork in The Road’, which are written and produced by Cash Onadele Aiye-Ko-Otoo, will stage daily from noon to dusk at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju – Lekki, Lagos.

Moreover, each story transcends borders and unites humanity, while being at the heartbeat of Africa, as well as bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

Apart from their drama, the performances will enthrall the audience through dance and drums like never experienced before.

Meanwhile, the dramaturgy is a new addition to spice up the activities lined up for the 10-day IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025, which is anticipated to welcome travellers from across Nigeria, Africa and the world to Lagos. Offering more details on the dramaturgy, the organisers assured that the new addition will spotlight Africa’s theatrical heritage in its purest, authentic and undiluted form, with all the elements of drama, music, dance, costumes, and lightening among others employed to create magic through telling original African stories.

Also, the 10 days and nights of entertainment and performances of elevated Black theatrics, according to the organisers, are targeted at a mixed audience and it would be two plays performed on stage by an ensemble of professional Nigerian artistes, with rich pedigree in performance and live theatre.

Due to the high expectations from the plays, the organisers are dubbing the theatrics ‘Africa Rising’, assuring that African stories will be told and showcased in a manner that has never been performed in history.

‘It will not just be a renaissance of some sorts alone but a reclaiming of Africa’s beauty and destiny through the creative fecundity of some of its brightest and talented sons and daughters,’ the organisers assured.

‘This is not just a carnival, it is a cultural awakening, a renaissance of an art form, and a celebration of history, heritage and cultural identity reborn for the world to see’.

Furthering the assurance, the organisers said that lovers of theatre, tourists, natives, investors, Diaspora returnees and dreamers are welcomed as they would be drawn to the renaissance that blends tradition with spectacles and arts with power and voice with imagination at the theatrical performance.

‘At the performances, theatre will become a weapon of pride, and a magnet for the world, Africa will take its rightful place on the global stage and you get a chance to stand in the centre of it all. Not just watch history unfold, but to join others, be entertained, celebrate and capture moments of ecstasy’. The Aiye-Ko-Otoo’s stories, according to them, are African stories that elevate theatre. ‘They are our story and your story. Tell the world, Aiye-Ko-Otoo is at IPADA Initiative 2025. You will not only come to watch, but become part of history and part of destiny.

”In this Africa’s rising, the spellbound stories are fury, fiery and fiercest. If you listen, you will hear drums, feet dance, voices heard, and you will experience the magic of theatre.

”Yes, it is a cultural revolution, a renaissance of an art form, a retell of history, rebirth of our heritage, and reclaim of Africa’s pride. In these Black theatrical masterpieces, power unfolds on stage unlike anything that the world had seen. Every story, every drum beat, every flame of performance, speaks one reality; Africa is the shell to the soul of man,’ the organisers concluded.

IPADA Initiative Celebrations, which debuted last year, was created by Wanle Akinboboye, founder and president, La Campagne and Motherland Beckons.

The celebrations are aimed at reimagining Africa through the support of its people globally.

It is designed to develop and promote tourism and economic development of Nigeria and Africa, attracting Africans in the Diaspora and lovers of the continent to visit their ancestral home, not only to reconnect with their roots, but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic development and growth of its human capital.

Lagos and Abuja are designated as the gateways to Nigeria and the continent, with different programmes planned all-year round and to climax in November and December, and a grand celebration at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. It enjoys the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governors, corporate bodies, culture and tourism organisations and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, while President Bola Tinubu is its global ambassador, chief host and grand patron.

Speaking on the initiative, Akinboboye noted that the concept is all about bringing people of African descent back to their roots. ‘We have 32 million Diasporas in the Caribbean, 66 million in the United States of America, 120 million in Brazil, about 9.6 million in Europe. We need to entice them back to add value to the continent,’ Akinboboye said.

‘No country can develop without the Diasporas. So, IPADA is presenting the continent in a basket and creating an African shopping mall. The idea is to enable the Diasporas to visit all the countries on the continent.

Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood delivered a sensational performance on Saturday night, scoring four goals as Marseille thrashed Le Havre 6-2 to move top of the Ligue 1 table.

Greenwood etched his name into Marseille’s history books by becoming the first player since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1991 to score four goals in a single Ligue 1 match. His dazzling display at the Stade Vélodrome reaffirmed his reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical finishers.

The game turned decisively in Marseille’s favour when Le Havre defender Gaultier Lloris was sent off for a handball, allowing Greenwood to open his account from the penalty spot. The Englishman then added three more goals in quick succession after the hour mark, capping a historic night that lifted OM to the summit of the French top flight.

Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi was full of praise for Greenwood’s performance and potential after the match.

‘Mason can become one of the best players in the world,’ De Zerbi said. ‘He’s already a top player in front of goal, but he can still improve as a team player. I want to protect him; he works hard and never misses a training session.’

Greenwood’s heroics take his tally to seven goals in 10 appearances for OM this season. The 24-year-old also equalled Glenn Hoddle’s long-standing record for the most goals by an English player in Ligue 1 since the 1947/48 season, with 27 in total.

His remarkable form continues a resurgence that began last year, when he netted 21 goals in his debut Ligue 1 season.

Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs are set for a major boost as top corporate brands throw their weight behind the 2025 Abuja Trade Fair.

Organisers have confirmed that First Bank of Nigeria will serve as the headline sponsor, while Amstel Malta, MTN, Nigerian Breweries, and FIBI have joined as major partners.

The fair, scheduled to hold from October 31 to November 2, 2025, will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, formerly known as the National Stadium.

The annual trade fair, packaged by OKADS Seafoods and supported by the Development Bank of Nigeria and SMEDAN, is designed to promote women’s economic empowerment by connecting female entrepreneurs, local producers, and small business owners to new markets and networks.

According to Ebiere Empere, the convener and CEO of OKADS Seafoods, the choice of Moshood Abiola Stadium as this year’s venue was deliberate, following the growing popularity and attendance the fair has enjoyed over the years.

‘This is expected to be one of the largest trade expos in Abuja in recent times.

‘Last year, at the Old Parade Ground in Garki, the venue was filled beyond capacity, and exhibitors smiled to the banks. This year, we are expanding to accommodate the surge in interest and to create more space for participants and visitors’, Empere told journalists over the weekend. Empere disclosed that exhibitors are expected from not only Abuja but also neighbouring states, seeking to leverage the platform to build new networks and market access for their brands.

In a move aimed at supporting small-scale traders, she revealed that at least 100 local market women will receive a 100 percent discount on exhibition stands to showcase their goods. ‘We want to ensure inclusiveness and economic visibility for women at all levels. This is not just a trade fair, it’s a platform for empowerment and exposure.

‘It also provides an opportunity for smart shoppers to get their holiday supplies before the usual Christmas price hike sets in’, she added.

The three-day fair will feature a shopping extravaganza, a village market, service centres, entertainment hubs, and a kiddies’ zone, creating a family-friendly atmosphere for visitors.

Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, attorney general of the federation.and Minister of Justice, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has placed education, digital economy development, and human capital advancement at the centre of the national development strategy.

Fagbami disclosed this while presenting a lecture titled ‘The Intersection of Law, Digital Technology and Human Resourcefulness in Transforming University Education in Nigeria’ as part of activities slated for the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.

He said ‘The policy framework of the present administration recognises that Nigeria’s demographic advantage can only be realised through strategic investments in educational excellence and innovation that prepare citizens for productive participation in the global economy.’

He equally pointed out that the administration’s commitment to educational transformation extends beyond traditional infrastructure development to encompass systematic reforms in curriculum development, technology integration, and institutional capacity building.

He said. ‘The establishment of 67 new higher institutions in the two years, with a focus on specialised fields such as agriculture, environment, health sciences, sports, and technology, demonstrates strategic alignment between university development and national economic diversification objectives. ‘It is noteworthy that in August this year, after an extensive review the state of tertiary education, President Tinubu placed a moratorium on establishing new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

‘The move responds to widespread under enrolment and resource allocation issues in existing institutions, with some running far below capacity. By pausing expansion, the government has sought to focus on improving quality, strengthening facilities, and raising academic standards to ensure Nigerian graduates remain competitive globally.’

The Minister of Justice pointed out that the transformation of Nigerian university education requires collective responsibility, extending beyond individual institutions or government agencies. He noted that government must provide enabling policy frameworks and strategic leadership to achieve the desired transformation in education sector.

He said ‘Universities must embrace change while preserving their essential functions. Students must engage actively in their education. Society must support educational excellence while holding institutions accountable.’