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Rising energy bills hit Nigeria’s biggest firms with fourfold cost shock

Nigeria’s largest listed companies spent nearly four times more on energy in the first half of 2026 than a year earlier, as rising fuel prices and unreliable grid electricity drive up operating costs and threaten profit margins.

Seven of the Nigerian Exchange’s top 30 listed companies that disclosed energy expenditure recorded combined spending of N12.72 billion in January to June, up from N3.32 billion in the same period of 2025, according to data compiled by BusinessDay from their financial reports.

The figures represent an increase of about 283 percent, highlighting how Nigeria’s electricity shortfall is feeding into corporate accounts and raising the cost of doing business across manufacturing, consumer goods, banking and energy.

The companies surveyed cut across manufacturing, consumer goods, banking and energy. They include Dangote Cement, BUA Foods, HBM Nigeria, UAC, First Holdings, Zenith Bank and Aradel Holdings.

The surge comes as businesses contend with an electricity system that struggles to deliver reliable power, forcing companies to rely on diesel generators, gas-fired plants and other alternative sources to keep operations running.

‘The rising energy burden underscores a deeper problem facing Nigeria’s private sector: companies are increasingly required to spend more simply to maintain existing levels of production and service delivery, rather than directing those resources towards expansion,’ Jovita Eiyike, an analyst covering the Nigerian consumer goods sector, said.

Eiyike added, ‘The resulting pressure could weaken earnings, constrain investment and make Nigerian businesses less competitive, particularly as manufacturers struggle to pass higher operating costs on to consumers already facing elevated living expenses.’

How energy costs increased for companies

Aradel Holdings posted the sharpest increase. Its spending on fuel and utilities climbed to N10.28 billion from N1.45 billion a year earlier, a rise of more than 600 percent.

BUA Foods’ energy bill rose 50 percent to N589.34 million from N392.71 million. UAC, another consumer-goods company, reported energy costs of N1.22 billion, up from N971.98 million.

Financial institutions recorded smaller increases in energy expenditure than manufacturers, but their reliance on uninterrupted electricity makes them particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Zenith Bank’s energy spending rose 11 percent to N79.69 million from N71.72 million. First Holdings, the parent of First Bank of Nigeria, reported N22.45 million, up from N21.31 million.

Although the increases were more modest, banks face a different set of operational pressures. Banks’ extensive branch networks, automated teller machines, transaction infrastructure and data centres require continuous electricity to support financial services.

BusinessDay’s findings showed Nigeria’s electricity supply challenges have long forced businesses to invest in alternative power sources.

However, the cost of operating generators has increased as diesel and other fuels become more expensive, creating an additional burden for companies already facing elevated production costs.

The impact is particularly significant for food manufacturers, whose operations often depend on uninterrupted power to maintain production lines and preserve raw materials.

Luqman Agboola, head of research at Sofidam Capital, said the rise in energy expenditure could affect earnings if companies cannot pass the additional costs to consumers.

‘Energy costs are becoming a critical determinant of profitability,’ the analyst said.

Leye Kupoluyi, president of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigeria’s largest business think tank, said energy costs remain the most significant constraint, stating that sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices in 2026 raised costs of operating generators, transporting goods and distributing products, amid high electricity tariffs and logistics costs.

Kupoluyi said the high upfront costs of solar systems, battery storage, gas conversion equipment and energy-efficient machinery remained significant barriers to cleaner energy adoption among businesses.

He observed that unreliable electricity supply had forced many enterprises to depend on petrol and diesel generators, exposing them to fluctuating fuel prices, high maintenance costs and production disruptions.

According to him, improving energy affordability would require investment in gas gathering and processing facilities, transportation infrastructure, distribution networks and storage systems to connect Nigeria’s gas resources with the businesses that need reliable energy.

He also advocated targeted tax incentives, accelerated capital allowances and reduced import-related costs for qualifying clean energy equipment to encourage wider adoption.

The LCCI president stressed that expanding the national electricity grid alone would not immediately meet the energy needs of all SMEs.

Kupoluyi maintained that Nigeria’s energy transition should accommodate different technologies, including natural gas, solar power and battery storage, depending on their affordability and suitability for businesses.

PDP members back Sani over roads in Kaduna

Members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State have declared their support for Governor Uba Sani ahead of next year’s governorship election citing his building of roads in their communities.

The residents said they would support the governor at the polls despite their membership of the opposition party noting that his performance in infrastructure development had earned him their backing.

One of them Adamu Danburam a PDP coordinator in his area said he would vote for Sani because the governor had done for his community what the PDP had failed to do.

He said: ‘I am a staunch PDP member but for us politics is about individuals. Although we belong to the PDP I will vote for Sani because he has done for me what the PDP could not do.

‘Even as a PDP coordinator in my area I will vote for Sani because we should vote for someone who knows our community and has done something to improve our lives. I support him because he has constructed a road for us.’

Danburam prayed for the governor to complete his tenure saying residents hoped he would address other challenges facing their communities if re-elected.

He appealed to the governor to provide a hospital electricity and potable water for Birnin Da’a village.

Another PDP member Dogara Mohammed said he had never changed political parties but would vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election because of the road built through his community.

‘Everybody knows that I have never changed political parties but this time I will vote for APC because of the road he constructed through our town.

‘The road will benefit many people including future generations. It will also help many people across the country especially those who use it to travel’ he further said.

Mohammed added that the residents intended to reward the governor for the project through their votes.

Similarly Hassan Abdullahi said the poor condition of roads had previously made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets in Soba and other locations particularly during the rainy season.

‘Before the road was constructed we faced serious difficulties because of the poor road network. It was difficult to transport our farm produce to markets especially during the rainy season.

‘But now Governor Sani has built a road linking Gurundafi Soba and Turawa. We can reach our destinations easily within a few minutes.

We are truly grateful’ he said.

The residents described the road project as an intervention that would improve transportation ease the movement of farm produce and support economic activities in their communities.

Kaduna State Government has also built roads in other parts of the state including a 15-kilometre road linking Kasuwar Magani to Wusar in Kajuru Local Government and a 23-kilometre road linking Madaci to Madakiya and extending to Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna.

Secondary Bond market yields close marginally higher

The secondary Bond market for the week ending 30 October witnessed an uptick in yields, with the elevated levels attracting strong absorptive buying interest that provided market support.

Following a broadly steady start, selective selling pushed yields higher, particularly on the 2033 and 2034 tenors, prompting renewed buying interest and facilitating several block transactions. By midweek, yields stabilised, trading steady to marginally lower on selected tenors amid healthy activity with a notable intraweek recovery observed. Following Thursday’s Treasury Bond auction, yields adjusted to the auction outcome, with the elevated levels yet again drawing strong demand and triggering a notable pickup in post-auction activity and transaction volumes. The week concluded with the market consolidating amid modest volumes, with underlying buying interest providing support against the upward pressure on yields.

Nevertheless, secondary market two-way quotes closed marginally higher along much of the yield curve. The 15.01.28 and 15.02.28 traded at yields of 10.55% and 10.45% respectively, while the 15.09.29 traded within 11.10% to 11.15%.

The 2030 tenors saw yields move higher during the week. The 01.08.30 traded up from an intraweek low of 11.50% to a high of 11.60% while the 15.10.30 exhibited a similar pattern, rising from an intraweek low of 11.54% to a high of 11.63%.

The 2031 tenors saw the 01.02.31 trade within 11.70% to 11.75%, the 15.03.31 within 11.74% to 11.80% and the 01.12.31 within 11.85% to 11.90%.

The 15.12.32 saw a more pronounced upward move in yields, trading up from an intraweek low of 12.00% to a high of 12.20% before recovering to 12.15%. The 01.06.33 traded at 12.30%, while the 01.11.33 traded within 12.35% to 12.37%.

The 2034 tenors also saw yields move higher during the week. The 15.06.34 traded up from an intraweek low of 12.50% to a high of 12.55%, the 15.09.34 at 12.55% while the auctioned 15.10.34 saw a sharper post-auction adjustment, rising from an intraweek low of 12.55% to a high of 12.63%.

On the longer end, the auctioned 15.08.36 traded within 12.90% to 12.85%, post-auction.

At the weekly Treasury Bill auction conducted last Wednesday (28), weighted average yields were seen holding steady with the rate on the 182-day and 364-day tenors remaining unchanged at 9.44% and 9.95% respectively for the fourth straight week. However, the 91-day tenor maturity saw its yield edge up marginally by 02 basis points to 9.34%.

The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) raised only Rs. 86.48 billion or 86.48% in total out of the Rs. 100 billion offered in total. The 91-day tenor recorded acceptance above its respective target allocation, while the 182-day and 364-day recorded acceptances below their respective offered amounts.

Total bids received amounted to 2.25 times the overall offer.

This was followed by a round of Treasury Bond auctions conducted last Thursday (29 October),

which successfully raised the entire Rs. 100 billion offered at the 1st phase in competitive bidding. The auctions recorded a mixed outcome with weighted averages coming in line or above pre-auction market two-ways.

The bids received to accepted amount ratio stood at 2.19 times.

Maturity-wise the results were as follows: The shorter tenor 15.05.30 maturity was issued at a weighted average yield of 11.44%, in line with its pre-auction secondary market two-way quote; the 15.10.34 maturity was issued at a weighted average yield of 12.61%, marginally above its pre-auction secondary market two-way quote; the 15.08.36 maturity was issued at a weighted average of 12.85%.

Further to the Treasury Bond auction held on 29 October 2026, Rs. 8 billion was raised being the maximum amount offered, via the Direct Issuance Window as well.

Meanwhile, the foreign holdings of rupee-denominated government securities recorded a net outflow for the second straight week, registering a decrease amounting 4.30% or Rs. 8.61 billion for the week ended 29th October. Accordingly, the total foreign holdings of rupee treasuries decreased to Rs. 190.94 billion.

The Surplus liquidity in money markets was seen remaining elevated for the week ending 30th October 2026, close to the Rs. 400 billion mark and at Rs 392.68 billion increasing compared to its previous week’s closing level of Rs. 384.90 billion.

The weighted average rates on Call Money and Repo were at 9.04% and 9.10% respectively at the end of the week.

Furthermore, the Rupee or the USD/LKR rate was seen depreciating, to close the week ending 3oth October at Rs 332.55/332.65 as against its previous week’s closing of Rs. 332.10/332.20. This was subsequent to trading within an intraweek high of Rs. 332.23 and a low of Rs. 332.70 intraweek.

The average daily USD/LKR traded volume over the first four trading days of the week stood at $ 54.34 million.

Tinubu celebrates as Sultan marks 20th year on the throne

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, over his 20th year on throne, describing him as ‘My Dear Leader and Esteemed Brother’.

In a statement he personally signed, President Tinubu said in the last 20 years, the Sultan has not only preserved the glorious heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate but ‘enriched it, redefined it, and made it a formidable instrument for peace, unity, and national development.’

The President, who is currently in Saudi Arabia praying for Nigeria, noted that the Sultan had stood for religious harmony and tolerance, adding that under his leadership as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, ‘Christians and Muslims have found common ground, and our diversity has become a source of strength rather than division.’

He said, ‘My Dear Leader and Esteemed Brother, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Today, I join millions of your subjects and friends in Nigeria and abroad to celebrate you as you mark 20 years on the exalted throne of your forebears as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto.’

Tinubu said the Sultan ascended the throne with humility, courage, and a profound sense of duty.

‘In the two decades, you have not only preserved the glorious heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate; you have enriched it, redefined it, and made it a formidable instrument for peace, unity, and national development.

‘Your uncommon wisdom, your calm in moments of tension, and your unwavering commitment to Nigeria have always struck me. You have been more than a traditional ruler. You have been a moral authority, a bridge between faiths, a voice of moderation, and a steady counsellor to leaders across the country.’

The President said as Sultan and as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, ‘you have consistently stood for religious harmony and tolerance. Under your leadership as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, Christians and Muslims have found common ground, and our diversity has become a source of strength rather than division.

‘Your advocacy for peace in the North and across the Sahel, your passion for education, especially for the girl-child, your support for our farmers and for public health, and your quiet but effective interventions for the poor and vulnerable speak to a reign that is truly people-centred.’

He explained that personally, he valued their friendship deeply as his ‘counsel has been honest, patriotic, and always in Nigeria’s best interest. Thank you for your support and your prayers for our nation.

‘As you celebrate this historic milestone, I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) will continue to grant you good health, long life, and renewed wisdom. May your reign continue to bring peace to Sokoto, unity to Nigeria, and honour to the Ummah.’

Moscow Fashion Week: African fashion takes the runway and AI meets creativity

There is always a certain delight in being back in Moscow. Between the fashion, the food and the unmistakable flair of the city, there is never a shortage of things to enjoy. But beyond the beautiful sights and stylish crowds, my return to the Russian capital for the 2026 BRICS+ Fashion Summit and Moscow Fashion Week offered something more to think about: the future of fashion in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, even for African creatives.

Held from September 28 to 30, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit brought together industry experts, designers, business leaders and fashion professionals from more than 60 countries to discuss the forces shaping the industry. Alongside it, Moscow Fashion Week, which ran from September 26 to October 1, provided a closer look at the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural influences finding their way onto the runway.

And if there was one conversation that stayed with me, it was about artificial intelligence and what its growing influence means for human creativity.

There is no denying that AI is making its way into almost every corner of the fashion industry. From predicting consumer behavior and generating design concepts to creating digital visuals and improving production processes, the technology is changing how brands work.

At the Summit’s session, Artificial Intelligence in the Creative Process: Tool, or Co-Author?, industry professionals explored a question that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: when technology can create designs in seconds, what happens to the human creativity that has always made fashion exciting?

Kanika Goyal, founder and creative director of Indian brand KGL, offered a useful perspective, arguing that while AI can assist with design, it cannot understand how a model feels or whether a particular piece of embroidery belongs in a specific place. Those decisions still require human judgement.

Sergio Puig, director of Mediterranean Fashion Week Valencia, also cautioned against the possibility of brands losing their individuality if everyone relies on the same technological tools.

It is a fair concern. Fashion is more than putting together colours, fabrics and silhouettes that look good on a screen. It is about emotion, identity, culture and the occasional creative decision that makes you wonder how someone even thought of it.

AI can generate ideas, analyze trends and make the design process faster, but can it replicate the experience of a designer drawing inspiration from childhood memories, traditional craftsmanship or a culture they have spent years understanding?

Perhaps the bigger question is not whether AI will replace designers, but whether designers will allow it to dictate their creativity.

For emerging brands, particularly those working with limited resources, AI presents opportunities to compete in a market that might otherwise be out of reach. However, the challenge will be using these tools without producing collections that all look and feel the same.

Technology may be changing the fashion business, but originality remains its greatest currency.

Kiko Romeo Brings Kenyan Rhythm to Moscow

Away from the conference rooms, Moscow Fashion Week offered its own compelling argument for why human creativity still matters. I also had the chance to experience some incredible runway showcases, thanks to our fashion facilitators, Ksusah Shalygina and Angelika Sarkisyan, who ensured we had front-row seats to take in the best of the fashion week.

One of the highlights for me was the showcase by Kenyan fashion brand Kiko Romeo. There was something particularly exciting about watching an African brand bring its designs to an international runway, accompanied by the sounds of Muthoni Drummer Queen and Blinky Bill’s Sina Makosa.

The music gave the presentation an unmistakable East African flavour, adding rhythm and personality to the models’ strides. It was a reminder that fashion does not exist in isolation. The brand unveiled its printed collection consisting of cotton easy styling pieces that brought that African flair to the runway.

For African designers, platforms such as Moscow Fashion Week offer an opportunity to introduce their work to audiences beyond the continent, while showing that African fashion is not a single aesthetic or story. It is a collection of influences, ideas and creative expressions that deserve space in the global conversation.

The BRICS+ Fashion Summit reinforced this point through discussions about cultural identity, international cooperation and the importance of helping local brands access new markets.

For African fashion to grow internationally, visibility is important, but so are the business relationships, production capacity and infrastructure that allow designers to turn attention into sustainable opportunities.

Another memorable presentation took place at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, where Moscow-based Viva Vox staged its showcase.

The setting alone made the experience special. The museum’s red walls, sculptures and striking architecture became part of the visual story, offering a refreshing departure from the conventional runway.

Viva Vox presented a black themed collection, with elongated silhouettes, leather pieces, bodysuits, loose coats and trench coats featuring stand collars. Dark sunglasses added a sharp finishing touch, while sandy brown and beige tones softened the collection.

The interplay between eveningwear and street-style details was particularly interesting. Against the museum’s grand backdrop, the clothes seemed to occupy a space between fashion, art and everyday life.

It was also a fitting reminder of a recurring theme at the Summit: fashion and cultural institutions have much to offer each other. Museums preserve history, while designers reinterpret it, giving familiar ideas new meaning for contemporary audiences.

Moscow-based Solangel is one of the labels I always look forward to seeing at Moscow Fashion Week, and this season was no exception. The Designer, Irena Soprano dedicated the collection to Russian ballet, sending voluminous dresses, sculptural corsets, long gloves, pearls and crystals down the runway. Real ballerinas in classic tutus joined the models, adding a theatrical touch to the showcase. There was an exciting Hollywood connection, too with this showcase. One of Solangel’s creations that featured in this showcase recently appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2, worn by Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly.

Beyond these highlights, Moscow Fashion Week offered a broad picture of the industry’s diversity, from experimental graduate collections to designers reinterpreting traditional Russian dress, intricate lacework and heritage textiles.

There were collections that celebrated history, others that embraced bold contemporary silhouettes, and presentations that demonstrated how fashion can tell stories without relying on words.

Together, they reinforced the idea that while technology may influence how clothes are designed, produced and marketed, the industry still thrives on the ability to communicate something meaningful through what we wear.

And then, of course, there was Moscow itself.

While I had come for the fashion, our daily strolls from the Ararat Park Hotel, where we were staying, to the various show venues became an experience of their own. Along the way, we enjoyed the city’s remarkable sights, including Red Square and its surrounding historic buildings.

There is something beautiful about walking through a city where history and modern life sit so comfortably alongside each other. Moscow’s architecture, grand streets and rich cultural character provided a fitting backdrop.

I returned for the clothes, the designers and the conversations, but left with an even greater appreciation of the city. Moscow’s beauty is, in my view, underrated, and experiencing it on foot made that realization even sweeter.

If the BRICS+ Fashion Summit was about imagining where fashion is headed, Moscow Fashion Week was a reminder of what makes it worth watching in the first place: the people, the stories, the culture and the creativity behind every collection.

AI may well become an indispensable part of the industry’s future. But as long as fashion continues to draw from human experience, cultural memory and individual imagination, I suspect its soul will remain firmly in human hands.

Fresh off the Press: Falling in Reverse – ‘Joseph’

If you thought modern heavy music had run out of ways to completely shock the system, think again. Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has never been one to play by the rules of the industry, but his latest single, ‘Joseph,’ completely shatters the ceiling of expectations.

Serving as a spiritual and literal successor to the chaotic masterpiece ‘Ronald,’ this explosive anti-war metal epic is not just a song; it is a seismic cultural event for the heavy music landscape. Named after Radke’s own middle name, ‘Joseph’ acts as a massive powder keg. It achieves what many music enthusiasts believed to be impossible reuniting Slipknot’s legendary frontman Corey Taylor and System of a Down’s iconic visionary Serj Tankian on a single track for the very first time in their decades-long illustrious careers.

An engineered electronic and djent assault

The song itself is a masterclass in sonic whiplash, meticulously engineered alongside collaborators like Jason Richardson and Luke Holland. It opens unexpectedly with a darkly elegant, piano-driven melody and an atmospheric choir. Radke sets a somber, haunting tone, contemplating the relentless gears of the global war machine and the human collateral left in its wake. But just as you settle into the melody, the track shifts gears into overdrive with rapid-fire raps, blistering metal arpeggios, and a pulse-pounding electronic beat.

The unprecedented gathering of music icons

The genius of ‘Joseph’ lies in how perfectly it utilizes its iconic guest stars. Corey Taylor emerges in a storm of fury, delivering an old-school Slipknot masked, rapid-fire verse aimed squarely at institutional violence and systemic failures. His signature, powerful gravelly roar injects a raw, frantic adrenaline into the mix, complete with a clever nod to Radke’s early days in Escape the Fate.

After a punishing, djent-heavy breakdown, the instrumental pivots beautifully into jazz-chord territory, allowing Serj Tankian to shine. Tankian’s contribution is distinctly operatic, haunting, and poignant, utilizing his signature vocal style to reflect on the historical and ongoing horrors of genocide.

Cinematic chaos meets chart dominance

To accompany this auditory assault, the band released a jaw-dropping, high-budget music video directed by Jensen Noen. The video is a surrealist, cinematic feast featuring plane crashes, high-speed motorcycle chases, and a literal mountain of skeletons that visualizes the track’s apocalyptic themes. Seeing Radke, Taylor, and Tankian performing together onscreen is a surreal moment that cements this collaboration as an instant classic. Following the massive streaming success of their standalone collaborations like ‘God Is a Weapon’ with Marilyn Manson, Falling in Reverse has proven once again that they are the premier provocateurs of modern rock. ‘Joseph’ is a manic, chaotic, and completely unhinged epic that demands to be heard.

KolaDaisi varsity VC highlights quality teaching governance as institution marks 10 years

The Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University Ibadan Professor Olajumoke Morenikeji said the true value of a higher institution lies in the quality of its teaching students’ intellectual development and the integrity of its governance rather than the number of years it has existed programmes offered or physical structures.

Morenikeji spoke on Monday at a press conference held on the university campus in Ibadan ahead of its 10th anniversary and sixth convocation ceremony.

She said the briefing was organised not only to announce activities lined up for the celebrations but also to review the institution’s achievements over the past decade and outline its future priorities.

The vice-chancellor recalled that KolaDaisi University popularly known as KDU was established ten years ago by business mogul and Bashorun of Ibadanland Chief Kola Daisi.

She said the institution was founded with a commitment to providing quality tertiary education producing graduates with sound character and practical competence and contributing to Nigeria’s social and economic development.

Reflecting on the state of tertiary education in the country the Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the future of private universities will not be determined by building expansion or multiplying academic programmes but by strict adherence to quality assurance institutional governance professional accreditation and graduates’ marketability.

Professor Morenikeji said at the briefing that the university will graduate a record 224 students across 16 academic disciplines at the upcoming convocation ceremony.

She pointed out that the university has grown from a modest total of 52 graduates in its early years to 224 this year reflecting steady expansion made possible by sustained investments in modern lecture rooms well-equipped laboratories comfortable hostel accommodation robust ICT infrastructure and other essential facilities for a modern learning environment.

She reassured parents and stakeholders of the institution’s academic standards explaining that KDU has secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission for most of its academic programmes across various faculties while others are currently undergoing routine re-accreditation.

The university presently runs competitive programmes spanning humanities sciences law health sciences and engineering including specialised courses such as Biochemistry Microbiology Industrial Chemistry Computer Science Cybersecurity Accounting Business Administration Economics Mass Communication Law and History and Diplomatic Studies.

Beyond academic approval the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the university has earned key professional approvals notably from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and is actively engaging other regulatory and professional bodies to ensure KDU graduates have clear uninterrupted professional pathways upon graduation.

To further elevate the institution’s academic standing Professor Morenikeji highlighted ongoing efforts to build a robust research culture.

She noted that KDU has instituted formal research and intellectual property policies established a centralised database of research outputs and provided strong support for digital research infrastructure and competitive grant proposals.

She shared notable examples of the university’s research achievements including a patented plant-based bio-pesticide formulated locally from lemongrass and orange peel extract.

She also cited international recognition achieved by KDU scholars such as Dr. John Akintola’s research visit to a prestigious institute in France Dr. Anne Adeyonju’s research endeavours in Canada and Dr. Tenuola’s award of a child grant by the Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa for critical research on displacement and indigenous farming practices in South-West Nigeria.

Many other academic staff she added continue to represent the university at international symposia and benefit from foreign academic fellowships.

Professor Morenikeji stressed that learning at KDU extends beyond classroom lectures explaining that several academic departments have struck partnerships with industry leaders to secure practical hands-on training for students while university teams work actively to link graduating talent directly with employers through organised job fairs.

In addition KDU has partnered with technical institutes to offer campus-based vocational certifications in high-demand skills such as multimedia installation lighting and stage management videography creative production and event management.

On student welfare and community engagement the Vice-Chancellor reiterated the management’s dedication to maintaining a safe comfortable and vibrant campus life.

She listed ongoing investments in healthcare sports host-building projects internet connectivity and a partnership under the National Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee affordable medical care for all students. She also commended KDU’s community outreach initiatives which include regular free health drives and infrastructural support for market women within the host communities.

Looking ahead to the next decade Professor Morenikeji revealed that management will focus heavily on deepening educational quality strengthening teaching and learning expanding research and innovation building strong industry partnerships for graduate employment and improving overall campus welfare and infrastructure.

She reassured the public that while the first decade established the foundational building blocks the coming decade will deepen KDU’s impact and solidify public confidence in its mission.

Charging the graduating set to be worthy ambassadors of their alma mater the Vice-Chancellor urged them to remain humble innovative and principled as they step into the world letting the quality of their choices the excellence of their work and their service to humanity speak for their education.

Earlier in his opening remarks the Registrar of the university Mr. Haruna Adetu welcomed media executives and guests to the briefing. He announced that the 10th anniversary and sixth convocation ceremonies will span two weeks running from October 26 to November 5 and will feature sports competitions community health outreaches entrepreneurship exhibitions award presentations the formal conferment of degrees and a high-profile Convocation Lecture to be delivered by former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Tinubu’s reelection: Abejide launches N600m empowerment initiative in Kano

A member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, is mobilizing two million voters from Yoruba extraction resident in Kano for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, with the launching of N600 million empowerment programme, targeting Yoruba women Corporative Societies, widows and other vulnerable people.

The empowerment programme which was launched under the auspices of Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF), was inaugurated at Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, on Saturday, under the chairmanship of Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Abejide, the Kano-based business tycoon, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Customs, called on the beneficiaries to ensure the reelection of President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 election circle, promising to do even more when they reciprocate his goodwill by massively voting for President Tinubu, Governor Yusuf and all APC candidates vying for electoral position in Kano.

According to him, the intervention was part of his commitment to giving back to the people of Kano, a city he described as his home and the foundation of his success in life.

He disclosed that he arrived in Kano decades ago, as a young boy from Alu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, adding that the city provided him with the opportunities that shaped his business career and eventual success.

According to him, his decision to extend the empowerment programme to Kano was driven by his longstanding relationship with the people, many of whom he had known for over three decades.

Leke Abejide, explained that the N500 million interest-free loan scheme to women Corporative Societies was designed to support them establish businesses that will enable them take care of their family needs.

He also revealed that another N100 million was earmarked for widows, including assorted food items that would be distributed to the beneficiaries.

He said the initiative was designed to ensure sustainable economic empowerment through a revolving loan arrangement that would enable other women to benefit after previous beneficiaries successfully repay their loans.

Abejide further disclosed that the programme covers women from eight Yoruba-speaking states, namely Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara, alongside Ebira, Igala and Bassa communities from Kogi state resident in Kano.

Abejide assured the beneficiaries that the programme would be continuous, stressing that it was not designed as a temporary political gesture but as a sustainable intervention capable of transforming businesses and lifting families out of poverty.

The lawmaker also announced that widows captured under the programme would receive direct financial support through their bank accounts to strengthen their petty businesses, while all participating women would receive rice and six yards of printed wax fabric.

He warned beneficiaries against misusing the funds, explaining that the foundation had established monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and minimise defaults.

Abejide also revealed that the Foundation would soon extend its empowerment initiative to youths and men in business, particularly unemployed young people, to help them become self-reliant and economically productive.

He said the Foundation had already collected the names of prospective beneficiaries as preparations for the next phase of the programme continued.

Speaking on his political commitment, Abejide called on the Yoruba community and other beneficiaries in Kano to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates in the forthcoming elections.

He expressed concern over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Kano, where President Tinubu secured over 500,000 votes across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas, saying the result had challenged him to mobilise the Yoruba population in Kano for stronger political participation.

Abejide, who goes by the title of the Asiwaju of the Yoruba people in Kano, said arrangements were being made to appoint polling-unit coordinators among women and widows benefiting from the empowerment programme to strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

He declared his commitment to mobilising support for President Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, APC senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and State House of Assembly candidates.

The Foundation chairman maintained that the empowerment initiative would also promote unity among Yoruba associations in Kano, noting that the programme had brought together different groups that previously operated separately.

He cited the Foundation’s achievements in Kogi State, where it had provided free WAEC registration for more than 50,000 students and supported approximately 10,000 widows over the years.

Abejide expressed confidence that Kano, being the commercial centre of northern Nigeria, would record even greater success in the implementation of the empowerment programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the financial assistance judiciously, assuring them that the foundation would remain committed to improving their economic conditions.

He concluded by reaffirming his determination not to disappoint the people, describing himself as a man who keeps his promises and urging beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture through responsible participation in the programme.

Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended Abejide for the kind gesture, and assured the Yoruba people resident in Kano of the state government’s commitment towards their welfare and welbeing.

Governor Yusuf who promised to donate a land for the building of ultra modern palace for Oba Yoruba in Kano, also donated N500 million for the project.

He urged the people to support the rulling APC and ensure the reelection of President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state.

Speaking at the occasion, former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said Kano is a very significant state, particularly because of its diversity and the harmonious relationship among its different communities.

He said: ‘The population of other ethnic groups in Kano may be relatively small compared with the indigenous population, but that does not mean we should underestimate our political strength. We have a responsibility to mobilise our people and ensure that their votes count.

‘In the last presidential election, our voting population in Kano delivered nearly 500,000 votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That performance was not satisfactory, and we must do better this time.

‘We are already reaching out to our people across different neighbourhoods. Our responsibility is not limited to voting for the President; we must also campaign actively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.’

President ready to meet with UN Envoy and Erhurman whenever deemed necessary

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed on Monday his readiness to meet with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, today or tomorrow, if Holguin deems it necessary.

In statements to journalists before attending the Annual General Assembly of the Association of Large Investment Projects, in Nicosia, the President of the Republic said that responses are expected both to the specific proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side as well as to issues discussed with Holguin.

He recalled that he had already expressed to the Personal Envoy of the UNSG his readiness to change his schedule so that a joint meeting of the three can take place, if the need arises after her meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader on Monday. Alternatively, he added, he is available to meet with her in person.

‘We certainly expect, I hope, that something will emerge that will lead to a joint meeting,’ he said.

Asked whether the conditions exist for convening an expanded meeting before the end of the current UN Secretary-General’s term, the President stressed that this is an ‘absolutely feasible goal,’ noting that what is needed is political will.

Moreover, the President pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is constantly submitting proposals and suggestions for achieving this goal, which, demonstrate its political will and readiness to proceed to an expanded meeting, during which the resumption of talks will be announced.

As regards any developments during the period between Holguin’s bilateral meetings with the two leaders and the next trilateral meeting, the President said that the Turkish Cypriot leader will be away from Wednesday to Friday.

Asked about a possible meeting between Holguin and mayors and community leaders of occupied municipalities and communities, the President said that he was not aware of her schedule, adding, however, that he encouraged her to respond positively to the relevant request submitted by the occupied municipalities.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

FISHING FOR RESILIENCE

Fish cages used for milkfish (bangus) production dot the waters off Punta Dumalag in Matina Aplaya, Davao City, where mariculture provides livelihood for local fisherfolk and contributes to the city’s fish supply.

The fish-farming community faces potential challenges from a strong to very strong El Niño, which the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) expects to persist into the first quarter of 2027, with its effects possibly extending through the first half of the year.

The House of Representatives has assured the public that the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 includes measures to help farmers and fisherfolk cope with the weather phenomenon.

The House-approved spending plan includes P10 billion in assistance for farmers and fisherfolk and P4.96 billion for farm-to-market roads.