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Nigerian smallholder farmers have earned over $40 million in agricultural sales under the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) co-funded Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), according to the IFAD Country Director, Mrs Dede Ekoue.

Ekoue made this disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during the inception workshop of the 12th Joint Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and IFAD Supervision Mission of the VCDP.

The $334 million programme, jointly financed by IFAD and the Federal Government, has been instrumental in transforming smallholder agriculture, particularly in rice and cassava value chains.

Ekoue described the initiative as a testament to Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen food systems, boost productivity, and improve rural livelihoods.

Highlighting key achievements of the programme, she said rice yields among participating farmers had increased to 5-6 metric tonnes per hectare, compared to the national average of 2-2.5 tonnes.

She added that through the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF), the project’s flagship public-private-producer partnership platform, farmers had generated over $40 million in sales from 878 formal agreements with off-takers, benefitting more than 16,000 rice farmers across participating states.

‘These achievements reflect the power of collaboration between federal and state governments, farmers, communities, the private sector, and IFAD.

‘We are proud to see how the VCDP aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), and the AU Kampala Declaration on agricultural transformation,’ Ekoue said.

The IFAD Country Director also noted that over 39,000 beneficiaries, including 12,000 youth and 22,000 women, had been trained in income-generating activities, helping them to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

She highlighted several sustainable innovations under the programme, including the conversion of agricultural by-products into briquettes and animal feed, promoting environmental sustainability and new business models for women and youth.

To strengthen resilience, she said IFAD had introduced climate-smart agricultural practices, digital weather and market information tools, and investments in irrigation, land development, and erosion control through the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP).

Ekoue announced that IFAD had approved a two-year extension for the VCDP to consolidate its gains and achieve new milestones.

‘This 12th supervision mission will assess our progress, address implementation challenges, and shape the next phase of the programme,’ she added.

In her remarks, Dr Fatima Aliyu, the National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, said the programme had successfully demonstrated that smallholder farming can be both profitable and sustainable, challenging long-held assumptions that large-scale farming is the only viable model for agribusiness.

‘When you go to any VCDP state, you will see ownership; you will see that lives have been changed. Our farmers are employers of labour, they are creditworthy, and they have proven that smallholder farming can deliver economic scale,’ Dr Aliyu said.

She emphasised that the VCDP’s focus on empowering smallholder farmers directly supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises social inclusion, food security, and poverty reduction in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Iluromi Adebola, Director of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD-DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described the VCDP as one of the government’s flagship agricultural development initiatives.

She said the programme, which is implemented in nine states – Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Taraba, Anambra, and Ogun – continues to deliver remarkable achievements in productivity, market linkages, and the inclusion of women and youth.

‘The testimonies of beneficiaries and the visible transformation in the field are strong evidence of success. The Federal Ministry remains deeply committed to sustaining and consolidating these achievements and ensuring that the programme’s impact reaches more households across Nigeria,’ Adebola said.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the VCDP, expressing confidence that with sustained IFAD partnership, the programme would continue to drive economic diversification, food security, and rural transformation.

The supervision mission, which runs through October 31, will evaluate progress, share best practices, and make recommendations to strengthen implementation and scale up impact in the coming years.

A joint committee of the National Assembly has declared a state of emergency on the dilapidated and slow-moving Calabar-Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, following an inspection tour that left lawmakers ‘disappointed.’

The decision came after a weekend assessment visit by the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Works, led by Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee, and Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee.

The lawmakers’ inspection was a direct follow-up to a motion of national importance moved almost a year ago, on November 20, 2024, by the Senator representing Cross River South, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, who urged the Federal Government to investigate the project’s slow progress.

That initial motion had triggered several public hearings by the Senate Committee on Works, which led to the termination and subsequent re-awarding of some contracts for the critical road.

However, the latest on-site evaluation revealed that the expected progress had not been made, prompting the drastic declaration.

In a statement, Sen. Ekpenyong, who was part of the delegation, expressed his and the committee’s overall disappointment with the current state of work.

He revealed that the Joint Committee would now initiate a Public Hearing to resolve the persistent challenges plaguing the vital highway.

The declaration of a state of emergency is considered particularly critical with the approaching Christmas season, which typically sees an exponential increase in traffic on the road.

The highway serves as a major commercial artery for the movement of passengers, construction materials, agricultural produce, and petroleum products from Cross River State to the entire South-South region.

Sen. Ekpenyong also extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his ‘commitment to infrastructural upgrade in the country,’ while pleading for ‘sustained attention be given to this vital corridor.’

He thanked the President of the Senate and the entire National Assembly leadership for their support, as well as Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State for their hospitality during the committee’s stops in Calabar and Uyo.

The lawmaker concluded by underscoring that the entire exercise highlights the importance of legislative oversight, a key function of the National Assembly that ensures accountability, transparency, and the effective implementation of government projects for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The Managing Director of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, has solicited collective actions to expand financial access for small businesses as means of building capacity for economic growth of the country.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a breakfast session during the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit, themed ‘Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments’, Alebiosu reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to bridge financing gaps and leveraging digital solutions to tackle business challenges across key sectors of the economy.

He said that a prosperous nation is built on the backbone of its real sector, adding that access to finance remains fundamental to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

According to him, FirstBank empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporates through tailored products and services designed to stimulate growth across their value chains and support Nigeria’s economic evolution.

Alebiosu stressed that collaboration among policymakers, industry players, and technology partners was vital to achieving lasting impact.

‘By forging partnerships across policy, industry, and technology, we can create an enabling environment that unlocks new opportunities for businesses to thrive. That is the driving purpose of today’s session,’ he said.

He highlighted that with a legacy spanning 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted partner to SMEs and large corporates, offering comprehensive banking solutions that enhance innovation, resilience, and diversification in the economy.

On his part, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North Division, Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, said the middle market and emerging corporates are central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of job creation, innovation, and diversification across key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital services, and light manufacturing.

Bubaram noted that despite their potential, these businesses face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational ecosystems.

‘FirstBank recognises that addressing these barriers is not just a banking imperative; it is a national imperative.

‘This session is not merely about banking; it is about reimagining how finance can accelerate inclusion, how policy can create enabling environments, and how collective action can turn Nigeria’s vast entrepreneurial energy into shared prosperity,’ Bubaram stated.

The Federal Government has launched an independent data platform under the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to enhance transparency and accuracy in revenue reporting from the solid minerals sector across the states.

According to the Commission, the initiative aims to eliminate discrepancies in revenue figures submitted by government agencies and mining operators, ensuring that data on mineral production and remittances into the Federation Account are consistent and verifiable.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja on the implementation of the new solid minerals data rendition template, the RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by Hon. Ibrahim Shettima, the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, said the platform was developed to close information gaps and strengthen accountability in the sector.

‘It is imperative that the perceived discrepancies in the figures submitted by State Governments and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as revenue from the solid minerals sector into the Federation Account be addressed through the use of a uniform solid minerals data rendition template,’ Dr Shehu stated.

He explained that the template specifies critical parameters such as the scale of measurement, production location, mining company, and prevailing sale rate per unit, which will ensure consistency and comparability of data submitted by stakeholders.

Dr Shehu noted that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s constitutional mandate under Paragraph 32(a), Part I, Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers RMAFC to monitor accruals to and disbursements from the Federation Account.

‘It is therefore the responsibility of the Commission to identify areas of potential revenue growth, lapses, or discrepancies in remittances from all economic sectors, for the purpose of advising the three tiers of government on ways to enhance their revenues,’ he added.

The new platform is expected to serve as a central, reliable source of verified data on solid minerals production and revenue, improving efficiency in monitoring and ensuring that all due revenues are accurately captured and remitted into the Federation Account.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honour on Professor Mahmood Yakubu following the expiration of his second term in office as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu, in a statement announcing his acceptance of Yakubu’s departure, said the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) bestowed on him was in recognition of his dedicated service to the nation.

Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday said President Tinubu thanked Prof. Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.

‘President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor,’ the statement noted.

In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.

Two bills passed by the National Assembly have been rejected by President Bola Tinubu, a decision he conveyed in letters read to senators as they resumed from their annual vacation on Tuesday.

Tinubu, in a July 30 letter, declined assent to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Bill, 2025.

He cited ‘fundamental defects’ and inconsistencies with existing financial and constitutional provisions as the reasons for refusing to append his signature to the piece of legislation.

The President also expressed reservations that the bill contained provisions likely to encourage abuse of funds, which the federal government must guard against.

He noted, ‘Under Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the Senate my decision to decline assent to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Establishment Bill, 2025.’

According to Tinubu, Section 18(4a) of the bill sought to expand the institute’s funding sources to include one per cent of every import and export levy from Nigeria, a provision the President argued was introduced without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The President stressed that such a levy would lead ‘a duplication of revenue sources and unnecessary financial burden’, considering that the government was already funding the institute.

Similarly, he objected to Section 21(2) of the bill, which empowers the institute to borrow funds or obtain overdrafts without the consent of the President, except where the amount exceeds ?50 million.

But, disagreeing with the provision, he wrote, ‘In the extant Acts, borrowing can only be done with the approval of the President. The removal of presidential consent has not been explained or justified.

‘This could be abused, as the institute may request to borrow N50 million or less repeatedly to avoid approval’, adding that the possible end would likely be financial abuses.

He equally observed that Sections 23 and 24(5) of the bill contained contradictions regarding how the institute’s funds could be managed or invested.

Tinubu stated that while the institute is to be funded primarily through federal appropriations, the bill allows it to invest its surplus funds, a move inconsistent with public finance principles, since agencies funded by government appropriations typically do not generate surpluses.

The President added that Section 18(2) of the proposed law also created confusion by allowing institute funds to be used for investment purposes, contrary to the section’s stated objective of promoting the institute’s core functions.

He wrote, ‘The provision allowing the institute to invest its funds in securities approved by the minister contradicts the section that requires funds to be applied strictly toward the promotion of the institute’s objectives.’

In a second letter read by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu also withheld assent to the National Assembly Library (Establishment) Fund Bill on the grounds that the provisions for funding would be set ‘unsustainable.’

Akpabio, while responding to the decisions of Tinubu, seemed surprised that he actually read all the bills passed by the National Assembly clause-by-clause as seen by his detailed observations.

Akpabio promised that the lawmakers would look at the President’s reservations and do a review of the bills.

However, Tinubu signed two bills, -The Nigeria Police Force Training Institute (Establishment) Bill; and The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill into law -both earlier passed by the National Assembly.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a swipe at Vice President Kashim Shettima, accusing him of promoting and encouraging lawlessness by capitalists alleged to be violating workers’ rights.

In a message to mark the 2025 Decent Work Day, President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero described Shettima’s comments on the dispute between Dangote Group and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), as ‘a national tragedy’ and an ‘affront to the rule of law.’

He said: ‘It is a public declaration that capital, when sufficiently concentrated, is above the law, that money is sovereign and can undermine Decent work principles.

‘We want to ask Government this question; what do you expect the unions to do when you, the State, abdicate your primary responsibility of protecting citizens and instead look the other way while capitalist entities rape and violate the people?

‘By encouraging this lawlessness, the government is promoting a disdain for our nation’s institutions and emboldening the forces of impunity that have held our nation captive.’

Ajaero who insisted that no company in Nigeria was above the law or should disregard workers’ rights, accused the company of violating employees’ freedom of association and undermining the tenets of Decent Work inspite of all the concessions and privileges from the Nigerian State.

The NLC president who said it was dangerous to frame legitimate union activities as sabotage, urging government to protect workers instead of taking a side with powerful employers.

Ajaero called for strict enforcement of labour laws and an end to the ‘sacred cow syndrome’, saying the protection of vulnerable workers must remain a national priority.

Speaking further, he called for justice and fair treatment for all workers as he insisted that the rights and welfare of workers must not be compromised, adding that no nation could achieve true development while repressing workers’ rights and promoting inequality.

Ajaero who said the Decent Day celebration provided an opportunity to demand an end to exploitation and impunity in workplaces across Nigeria, urged government and private employers to uphold the four pillars of decent work, job creation, social protection, rights at work, and social dialogue.

According to him, the principles of decent work were being undermined by both government agencies and some private employers, thereby sabotaging industrialisation and economic diversification.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged urgent measures to strengthen security infrastructure in rural communities nationwide, particularly in Kebbi State, where incessant attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements have continued to devastate lives and livelihoods in recent times.

This was followed by the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed, who drew attention to the growing insecurity in rural areas and its devastating impact on farming, education, and economic activities.

While moving the motion during plenary, Mohammed noted that rural communities in Kebbi State and several parts of the country have been repeatedly targeted by criminal groups, leading to widespread displacement, the abandonment of farmlands, and the shutdown of schools and health facilities

The lawmaker lamented that the situation, if not urgently addressed, could worsen food insecurity and deepen poverty in agrarian communities that serve as the nation’s food basket.

He raised the alarm that most of the affected communities lack adequate security presence, and in areas where security formations exist, they are often under-resourced, under-staffed, and poorly equipped to respond effectively to threats.

‘The absence of modern security infrastructure, such as patrol vehicles, reliable communication systems, surveillance technology, and properly equipped operational bases, has limited the capacity of security agencies to protect citizens in remote areas,’ he said.

Mohammed emphasised that while urban centres have benefited from recent security interventions, rural communities remain largely neglected despite bearing the brunt of violent attacks.

He therefore urged the Federal Government, through the relevant security agencies, to prioritise the deployment of modern security infrastructure to rural areas, enhance intelligence gathering, and ensure regular patrols in high-risk communities.

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the motion, stressing that insecurity in rural areas directly undermines national food production and threatens social stability.

They noted that if farmers continue to flee their farmlands due to fear of attacks, Nigeria’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency will be severely compromised.

Adopting the motion, the House resolved to call on the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of security formations in rural areas by providing necessary logistics, modern equipment, and technology-driven surveillance systems to improve response to emerging threats.

The House also urged the relevant committees to interface with security agencies to ensure proper implementation of the resolution and report back for further legislative action.

The motion underscores growing concern among lawmakers that, unless the government intensifies rural security interventions, the cycle of violence, displacement, and economic disruption in states like Kebbi could spread to other regions, worsening the country’s insecurity and food crisis.

The United Nations Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) and the Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF) have announced plans to establish a tourism academy in Lagos, as part of efforts to position the state as Africa’s leading tourism hub.

The decision was reached during a roundtable meeting between both organisations in Lagos. The initiative is aimed at promoting Lagos as a global destination and supporting the realisation of ETF’s objectives, which include showcasing the state’s rich tourism potential.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture and Chairman of ETF’s Board of Trustees and Governing Council, led the foundation’s delegation to the meeting.

The UN Tourism delegation was headed by its Secretary-General, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, who highlighted Lagos’ strengths as a tourism hub.

He noted that the city’s fashion, music, festivals, gastronomy, and nightlife give it a unique edge, adding that UN Tourism would collaborate with ETF to develop Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure in Lagos.

Pololikashvili also accepted an invitation to serve as Patron and honorary member of the Eko Tourism Foundation, in recognition of his contributions to sustainable tourism development worldwide.

In his remarks, Mohammed said the issue of insecurity in Nigeria had been exaggerated, stressing that many tourists who visited recently expressed regret for believing false narratives about the country.

He cited ‘Detty December,’ a popular cultural phenomenon, as evidence of Lagos’ growing global recognition and vibrancy, noting that the city hosts over 20,000 events monthly. This, he said, underscores the need for modern event centres and related facilities to accommodate its dynamic entertainment and creative industries.

Mohammed added that such infrastructure would enable Nigerian music stars like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid to host major concerts locally, rather than taking such opportunities abroad.

He explained that the Eko Tourism Foundation was established to create an inclusive platform for government and private sector collaboration, promote Destination Lagos, and, by extension, Destination Nigeria, as drivers of sustainable socio-economic development.

Other members of the ETF delegation included Erelu Abiola Dosumu, Dr Tunde Lawrenson, Mr Karl Hala, Ms Abiola Adelana, and Ms Sharon Ashinze. The UN Tourism Secretary-General was accompanied by Elcia Grandcourt, Shirin El Tayan, and Kojo Bentum-Williams.

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has restated the call for a return to a regional system of government for Nigeria to witness true development, saying that the main reason the country had remained largely unprogressive was because it was too centralised.

Gani Adams restated his call, in his keynote address as the Global Convener, Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), at the 11th edition of the association’s Europe Summit 2025, held in Napoly, Italy, noting that with restructuring, the six geopolitical zones in the country can judiciously utilise their resources and develop at their own pace.

According to him, the current unitary system of government in Nigeria encourages massive corruption and impedes good governance, recalling that the country was plunged into the crisis since 1966, following the military incursion that ‘changed our Federal Constitution to unitary Constitution.’

‘Nigeria was plunged into crisis since the military incursion into administration in 1966, after which Aguiyi Ironsi changed our Federal Constitution to a unitary Constitution.

‘A nation of more than 250 million population cannot be using this sort of Unitary Constitution, an over-centralised Constitution that dictates that resources for states and local governments go to the centre. This has ensured that states and local governments cannot develop at their own pace without relying on handouts from the centre,’ Adams stated.

The Yoruba generalissimo, however, called on OPU members and Nigerians in the Diaspora to join the call for restructuring, saying that they must demand it as the only way the country can move forward.

‘You must demand restructuring as the only way the country can move forward. You can drive the cause peacefully on the basis of ideology. We do not have any other nation. So, we must join in proffering solutions to the hydra-headed challenge to Nigeria’s nationhood,’ he said.

OPU Europe Coordinator, Alhaji Ganiyu Wahab, in his remark, said the gathering symbolised more than just a meeting of minds, noting that it embodied the members’ collective resolve to advance the interests, culture, and aspirations of the Yoruba people in the diaspora.

According to Wahab, the convention reminded members of their rich heritage, resilient spirit, and unwavering commitment to the progress and prosperity of the Yoruba people, noting that OPU Europe had long been a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and advocacy for the Yoruba nation, both at home and abroad.

‘Today, in Europe, we continue that noble tradition, fostering solidarity, empowerment, and development. This summit provides us with a unique platform to deliberate on pressing issues, from educational advancement and economic development to cultural preservation and political engagement.

‘It is an opportunity to forge new alliances, exchange ideas, and chart strategic pathways that will propel our community to greater heights. We are aware that our journey is one of collective effort. Each member, each leader, and each supporter plays a vital role in shaping the future of our people. Let us harness the strength of our unity, the depth of our cultural heritage, and the innovative spirit that defines us as a people.

‘As we engage in fruitful discussions over the coming days, I urge everyone to approach these conversations with openness, respect, and a shared vision of progress. Let us also remember our responsibility to the next generation, to instil in them pride in their roots and a passion for contributing positively to society,’ the OPU chieftain stated.

He expressed gratitude to the OPU Convener, Iba Adams, the OPU Europe Executives, partners, and sponsors who made the summit possible.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, OPU Italy, Adeola Oreniyi, said the Yoruba language is an irreplaceable treasure that embodies the identity and spirit of its people, positing that its preservation and revitalisation were essential for cultural continuity and enriching Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationality.

Oreniyi enjoined all OPU members across the world to commit to safeguarding the Yoruba heritage through education, innovation, and collective action, just as he emphasised that the organisation’s focus was to promote the unity of the Yoruba race, and create a bond that enhances personal and organisational growth, economic and business networking.

Dignitaries in attendance were the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo; National Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and the Atoloye Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Barr. Babajide Tanimowo, Publicity Secretary, OPU Worldwide and Akingbayi Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Victor Adewale from Sweden, Social Director, OPU Worldwide, Prince Mark Oyetunde from Germany, Director of IT, OPU Worldwide, Chief (Mrs) Tinuke Junaid from Ireland, and the Director of Mobilisation, OPU Worldwide, Alhaja Nimotalahi Azeez from the Netherlands.

Others include: the Luxembourg Coordinator and Baamesho Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Babatunde Otukoya; the Europe Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Kikelomo Otukoya; Chief Julius Odutola, Chief Mrs Deborah Ekundayo, Prince Niyi Oyewole, Chief Mrs Christiana Abatan, Madam Oluwaremilekun Alakija and the CEO of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, Mr Saheed Mosadoluwa (Ibile).