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Sanjo Faniyan, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) National Consultant on Food Security and Food Systems analyst, has said that Nigeria was making significant progress in implementing the United Nations Food Systems Transformation pathways.

Faniran, who is the immediate past National Convenor for the Implementation of UN Food Systems Transformation in Nigeria, spoke on the sidelines of the Southwest Zonal Review Meeting held in Lagos.

According to him, the food systems transformation initiative started in 2021 on the recommendation of the UN Secretary-General, directing member countries to examine issues affecting their food systems.

‘The food system is the interconnectedness of all the food value chains. It’s not only agriculture; we are looking at all the food value chains. Nigeria went around all the states and came up with recommendations which were presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in New York on September 23, 2021,’ Faniran explained.

He noted that it was thereafter agreed that every two to three years, there would be a review of implementation by all UN member countries. The first review was held in 2023 and the second in 2025, both led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

On implementation so far, Faniran said: ‘So far so good. States have cooperated.’

He disclosed that to ensure nationwide coverage, the country adopted a geopolitical zonal arrangement with one coordinating state per zone – Lagos for South-West, Kano for North-West, Borno for North-East, Enugu for South-East, Cross River for South-South and Kwara (Ilorin) for North-Central.

‘With this arrangement, it is easy to decentralize coordination. The report on implementation will be obtained from the coordinating states and all states in the zone will come together to give information on what they have done so far, where are the gaps, capacity requirements and how the federal government and development partners can support,’ he said.

Faniran stressed that the focus goes beyond production to processing, storage and other components of the food value chain, adding that Nigeria has been ranked by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in Rome as one of the serious and committed countries.

Speaking on post-harvest losses, he said storage remains a major concern of the current administration. ‘The issue of storage has become very important. At the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, it is taken as an important segment of controlling food wastages. Lagos State is an example – it has created market hubs where agric products that would have been destroyed are taken for people to buy, sometimes subsidised by government,’ he said.

On how food systems translate to health, he noted that the end product of the food system is healthy diets and nutrition. ‘We are looking at food systems from farm to dining table. At the dining table, the food should be healthy. Good diet gives improved nutrition; improved nutrition improves human capital capacity. When you are healthy, productivity level is higher and contribution to economic growth is guaranteed,’ Faniran stated.

He also said the issue of insecurity affecting farming is being taken seriously by President Bola Tinubu, noting that recent presidential directives show renewed commitment to secure farmers and farming communities.

Isiaka Ibrahim, Food Systems and Nutrition Specialist with the FAO of the United Nations, said tangible steps have been taken by the Federal Government in collaboration with technical partners to transform Nigeria’s food systems.

He said after the 2021 zonal dialogues which culminated in the development of Nigeria’s Food Systems Pathways, 78 priorities were set for implementation.

‘This is a collaborative effort that all stakeholders participated in, including government. Secondly, the Federal Government validated the National Agric Food Investment Plan. Even if tangible transformation is not yet fully seen, key steps have been taken by government in collaboration with technical partners like FAO,’ he said.

Ibrahim noted that globally, the focus is now on technology, climate-smart agriculture, precision agriculture and innovation, including school farms and rooftop farming, as against practices that degrade the soil.

‘The way to go is to embrace technology and innovation and at the same time ensure facilities and infrastructure are in place to ensure timely processing and availability of all-year-round food,’ he said.

He disclosed that FAO is one of four key UN agencies implementing the Agrifood Systems Transformation and Innovation Project initiated by the Food Systems Coordination Hub in Rome, alongside UNICEF and others.

‘One of the key result areas is strengthening of food systems coordination in the country and that is what FAO is implementing. We want to take stock of progress Nigeria has made since the 2021 stock-taking and development of pathways – what achievements have been made by the coordinating states, what are the challenges, capacity gaps and how to develop state capacity, because implementation of food systems is actually at sub-national level,’ Ibrahim added.

Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ, has expressed its continuous commitment to advance women’s leadership and increase female representation in both the private and public sectors as it marks its 25th anniversary

This was disclosed at a press briefing heralding its 2026 annual conference, themed, ‘Rooted, Rising, Ready: Born in Africa, Made for the World.’

Speaking at the briefing which featured the unveiling of WIMBIZ 25th anniversary logo, in Lagos, Chairman of the 2026 annual conference, Ronke Onadeko, affirmed that WIMBIZ had inspired the emergence of several organisations and conferences focused on empowering women across Nigeria and globally.

According to her, the organisation’s initiatives had motivated women to come together to improve their lives, strengthen their professional capacities and contribute to national growth.

Onadeko identified health checks, financial literacy and opportunities in the creative industry among the areas that would be addressed during the 2026 annual conference which is scheduled to take place in Lagos.

She said, the next phase of its activities would focus on scaling its impact, leveraging partnerships, repositioning women for greater opportunities and promoting self-care.

Reflecting on the organisation’s achievements, its founders, including Adeola Azeez, Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, Morin Desalu and Yewande Zaccheaus, highlighted its reach and leadership transition as significant milestones in its development.

They disclosed that WIMBIZ had reached more than 400,000 women directly and over five million indirectly through its leadership development, mentoring, entrepreneurship and humanitarian programmes.

The founders also said the organisation had strengthened its governance structure following the transition from its founders to a new generation of trustees in 2022.

To them, the decision to step aside was aimed at building an institution capable of sustaining its vision beyond the tenure of its founding members.

On her part, a member of the Board of Trustees, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, said the responsibility of the new trustees was to preserve and advance the founders’ vision.

‘I personally think that the tribute to any founder is an institution that can carry their vision further than they could ever. That is the responsibility we as trustees accepted in 2022,’ she said.

Akinkugbe-Filani also added that WIMBIZ was registered in the United Kingdom, recognised as a public charity equivalent in the United States, and had members in more than 20 countries.

She said the organisation had built a network of more than 4,000 accomplished women, comprising 3,757 associate members and 371 life members.

In her words: ‘More than 5,600 women had benefited from its mentoring initiatives, including Women on Boards, Women in Law, WIMBoard and its general mentoring programmes’.

On WIMBIZ Cares, the organisation’s humanitarian initiative, she said it had reached more than 78,000 families, while over 25,000 women had participated in its flagship annual conference.

She further stated that eight out of every 10 mentees in the Women on Boards programme were considered ready for board appointments, while six out of every 10 women surveyed reported significant positive effects on their careers from their involvement with WIMBIZ.

Despite these achievements, Akinkugbe-Filani expressed concern over the slow pace of progress towards global gender equality.

‘Although the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 targets gender equality by 2030, women remained underrepresented in management positions and parliamentary seats worldwide’, she said.

Also speaking, Osayi Alile said WIMBIZ would adopt a more strategic approach to partnerships with companies and other stakeholders over the next 25 years to strengthen its impact.

Alile emphasised the importance of engaging men in advancing women’s leadership and added that gender inclusion required collective responsibility.

‘We are empowering women to be better. We are not empowering them to take over; we are working together to make sure that the country we build, first Nigeria and Africa, is better,’ she said.

She called on the media to support the organisation by sustaining conversations on women’s participation in leadership and highlighting the economic benefits of gender inclusion.

Taiwo Akinola, the presiding bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, has called on the government, political leaders, institutions, and citizens to renew their commitment to justice, accountability, national unity, and people-centred governance, as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Akinola said Nigeria possesses enormous human and material resources, and urged the government to prioritize citizens’ welfare. ‘Nevertheless, persistent insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, healthcare deficiencies, substance abuse, and threats to food safety demand urgent and coordinated responses,’ he said.

According to him, the 2027 general elections offer Nigerians another opportunity to strengthen democratic institutions and demand responsible governance. He therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders to work towards peaceful, transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.

‘Vote-buying, intimidation, electoral violence, religious manipulation, and misinformation must be firmly discouraged. Young people as well as senior citizens, should complete the necessary voter registration procedures, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards where applicable, and participate responsibly in the electoral process,’ Akinola said.

He reiterated that the Church must remain non-partisan but never indifferent to justice, truth, and good governance. According to him, the Church must educate consciences rather than dictate political choices. ‘The true measure of political leadership is not the volume of campaign promises but the tangible improvement in citizens’ lives,’ Akinola said.

The Archbishop said the 2024 World Bank’s development indicators, which puts Nigeria’s life expectancy at birth to approximately 54.6 years, underscores the need for sustained improvements in healthcare delivery, nutrition, sanitation, and living conditions.

He added that healthcare expenditure must produce measurable improvements in service delivery, and that no Nigerian should be denied essential medical attention merely because of poverty.

Akinola reiterated that a healthy population is indispensable to human dignity, national productivity, and sustainable development. He said further that greater investment in preventive healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, sanitation, and mental health services is equally necessary.

‘We urge the government at all levels to prioritise functional primary healthcare centres, affordable health insurance, essential medicines, maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and improved welfare for medical personnel.’

Speaking on the church’s forthcoming convention themed, ‘More Than Conquerors,’ Akinola, who is the Pastor-General, Rhema Christian Church and Towers, said the 35th convention of the ministry will bring believers from diverse backgrounds for spiritual renewal, sound biblical teaching, fervent prayers, worship, and life-transforming encounters with the supernatural power of God.

According to him, the theme reminds the congregation that national challenges, however formidable, must not become excuses for despair or inaction. He reiterated that the theme reminds the church and Nigerians at large that adversity cannot extinguish hope; difficulties must not destroy faith, and believers can triumph through the unfailing grace and power of Jesus Christ.

‘At a time when individuals, families, and nations confront formidable economic, social, and spiritual challenges, this message is particularly timely. For thirty-five years, God has graciously sustained this ministry in its divine assignment of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and raising a people of His power, purity, and purpose,’ Akinola said.

Yomi Akinyemi, chairman, Rhema World Convention 2026, said daily sessions will be held at 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m., with a special Hosanna Night of Power and Praise on Friday, November 6, by 9:00 p.m.

According to him, the grand finale will be held on Sunday, November 8, with special thanksgiving and special impartation service. ‘As we celebrate thirty-five years of God’s faithfulness – our message, ‘More Than Conquerors’ is one of faith, responsibility, courage, and hope. We call on political leaders to rise above selfish interests, institutions to rise above negligence, and citizens to rise above apathy,’ he said.

The Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) runs 25-26 November at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel. The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) organises it, with support from SolarPower Europe. It follows editions in Cape Town, Nairobi and Accra.

The forum is under the patronage of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Abba Aliyu, managing director of REA, will give the keynote at the opening plenary on 25 November.

A market that has grown quickly

Nigeria is West Africa’s largest solar market, with about 618 MWp of operational capacity. That ranks first in the region and eighth in Africa. It leads the continent in mini-grids with 132 MWp, more than double second-placed Angola. It is fourth in Africa for commercial and industrial solar, with roughly 385 MWp tracked by AFSIA. About 76% of operational capacity was commissioned from 2022 onwards.

Policy and money are following. REA’s $750 million World Bank-backed DARES programme targets 1,350 solar mini-grids and better electricity access for 17.5 million people. Construction has started in several states, helped by new NERC Mini-Grid Regulations issued in April.

The $300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund, run by NSIA and Africa50, launched commercially in September. It will finance mini-grids, standalone solar and other distributed projects.

On manufacturing, Nigeria’s first privately owned 100 MW module assembly plant is operating in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. REA, InfraCorp and Solarge are developing a 1 GW factory. REA has committed to buying at least 200 MW of its modules a year for five years.

Under NERC’s Net Billing Regulations 2026, eligible solar customers can export surplus power to the grid and earn credits. Oversight of electricity markets has also passed to 16 states, Lagos among them. For single-state projects, licences and tariffs now come from state commissions.

What’s on the agenda

Sessions will cover why permitted, contracted utility-scale projects are still waiting for financial close, and how productive-use loads improve mini-grid returns. They will also look at corporate power purchase agreements and storage, and at why telecoms, mining and data centres are becoming bankable power customers. Other streams cover e-mobility fleets, blended finance structures for currency and offtake risk, and counterfeit solar products. B2B matchmaking runs on both days alongside an exhibition.

REFA says earlier editions drew 325 attendees, 41 speakers and 25 partners, and led to 972 B2B meetings. Developers and financiers made up more than half of 2025 attendees.

On the evening of 25 November, the AFSIA Awards will honour projects and companies across 14 categories.

Industry voices

‘Nigeria’s clean energy ecosystem is growing at an unprecedented pace,’ Aliyu said. ‘The nation’s transition to a sustainable energy future requires more than ambition; it requires investment, strong partnerships, and the development of our local manufacturing ecosystem.’

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, called Nigeria ‘one of West Africa’s most dynamic markets for renewable energy development,’ with momentum around solar, storage and local value creation.

Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association, said distributed renewables are increasingly positioned to power productive enterprises and support Africa’s industrialisation ambitions.

Equipment makers are also backing the event. Jinko Solar is Diamond Partner. JA Solar, AIKO, Zimmermann PV-Steel Group, AlphaESS, KUKA Cable and Sungrow are also partners. Max Luo, regional manager at AlphaESS, said storage can help businesses ‘get more from solar while using less diesel.’

Eunisell, an industrial and specialty chemical solutions company has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and delivering meaningful value to its customers and the industries it serves as it marks 30th anniversary.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer Eunisell, Ken Okeiyi in a statement issued by the organisation announcing the 30th anniversary.

According to Okeiyi, since its establishment in 1996, Eunisell has evolved into a solutions provider supporting customers across oil and gas, manufacturing and other industrial markets.

Through its specialised chemical solutions, industrial products, technical expertise and engineering services, CEO Eunisell, explained in the statement that the company has continued to address complex operational challenges while helping customers improve performance, efficiency and reliability.

In addition, he said that the milestone, celebrated under the theme ‘Eunisell at 30: Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Impact,’ recognised the company’s achievements, strategic partnerships and the contributions of the people who have shaped its journey.

The statement therefore reads in parts: ‘over the years, the organisation has strengthened their capabilities, expanded their solutions portfolio and built enduring relationships with customers, partners, industry professionals and other stakeholders.

‘These achievements reflect the trust placed in us and the dedication, professionalism and resilience of our people, whose contributions remain central to our success.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize that our story is not just about how far we have come, but also about the opportunities ahead. We remain committed to deepening our partnerships, embracing new technologies and delivering solutions that help our customers overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth.

‘The next chapter of Eunisell will build on the strong foundation of the past three decades as we pursue greater innovation, excellence and impact.

‘Over the past three decades, Eunisell has focused on connecting global expertise with local market knowledge to deliver practical solutions for African industries.

‘Its customer-focused approach, technical capabilities and emphasis on trusted partnerships have been instrumental in strengthening its position in the markets it serves’.

Going forward, the statement said that Eunisell remained focused on expanding its capabilities, responding to evolving industry demands and creating greater value for customers and stakeholders.

‘The anniversary also provides an opportunity to acknowledge its employees, clients, partners, suppliers and industry professionals whose trust and support have contributed to its progress.

‘Thirty years on, Eunisell’s commitment remains unchanged: delivering excellence, driving innovation and making a lasting impact’, the statement added.