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The incoming Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Omoboyede Olusanya, has called for a shift in Nigeria’s economic priorities from headline growth figures to measurable improvements in employment, productivity, incomes and living standards.

Olusanya said economic growth must translate into better livelihoods and expanded opportunities for Nigerians, stressing that macroeconomic stability alone was insufficient to guarantee shared prosperity.

He made the call while outlining his vision for the NESG at the closing of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32), held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Speaking under the theme, ‘Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,’ the incoming chairman introduced ‘Growth that Delivers’ as the guiding principle of his tenure.

He said the country’s economic progress should be assessed by the extent to which farmers earn more from improved productivity, manufacturers reduce production costs, graduates secure decent jobs and businesses access affordable financing.

According to him, children must also have access to adequate nutrition and healthcare to enable them to thrive. ‘Growth that delivers is growth whose impact is strongly felt,’ he said.

Olusanya acknowledged that recent economic reforms had helped restore macroeconomic stability but maintained that the country must move beyond stabilisation to accelerate productivity, expand productive investments, reduce poverty and improve the welfare of citizens.

‘Bridging the distance between macroeconomic stability and accelerated growth, and between accelerated growth and improved lives and livelihoods, is the task before us all,’ he stated.

To achieve this, he outlined five commitments that would guide the NESG’s activities during his tenure.

These include accountability, evidence-based policymaking, investment mobilisation, expansion of economic opportunities and institutional sustainability.

On accountability, Olusanya pledged to ensure that every priority commitment emerging from the summit has a designated owner, timeline and measurable performance indicators.

He said the group would build on its Accountability Framework and publish progress reports ahead of the 33rd Nigerian Economic Summit.

On evidence-based policymaking, he promised to strengthen research and policy intelligence to develop practical, rigorous and costed recommendations aligned with the National Development Plan 2026-2030.

He also pledged to work with government, financial institutions and development partners to transform policy proposals into bankable projects and mobilise investments into agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, entrepreneurship and skills development.

The incoming chairman further emphasised the need to expand economic opportunities across all regions, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises and businesses operating within the informal economy.

He said the NESG would also broaden its membership, increase the participation of women and young people, protect its independence and strengthen its institutional sustainability.

Calling for collective action, Olusanya urged governments at all levels to sustain and improve ongoing reforms, reduce the costs of electricity, logistics and doing business, and maintain predictable policies supported by clear and measurable commitments.

He challenged private-sector operators to invest, innovate, develop workforce skills, pay fair wages and create productive employment opportunities.

He also urged young Nigerians to build enterprises, acquire relevant skills and hold institutions accountable, while encouraging civil society organisations to monitor policy commitments and amplify the voices of underserved communities.

Olusanya called on development partners to align their interventions with Nigeria’s priorities and focus on financing measurable outcomes.

He equally advocated stronger trade and investment relations with the international community and closer collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers to equip Nigerians with relevant skills for the changing economy.

Acknowledging the contributions of the outgoing NESG Chairman, Mr Niyi Yusuf, Olusanya commended his leadership during a period of economic transition and reforms.

He described the leadership transition as a continuation of the organisation’s longstanding mission, which began in 1993.

He reaffirmed the NESG’s commitment to remaining an independent, non-partisan, private-sector-led and evidence-driven organisation that engages constructively with government to advance national prosperity.

‘Our allegiance is to national prosperity and not to any administration,’ he said, emphasising the importance of sustained public-private sector collaboration in building a stronger Nigerian economy.

Olusanya thanked the NESG Board, members, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tayo Aduloju, management, staff, volunteers, sponsors, partners and delegates for their contributions to the successful hosting of the summit.

He urged stakeholders to translate the discussions and recommendations from the summit into concrete actions, stressing that delivering economic prosperity required shared responsibility among government, businesses and citizens.

‘Growth that works must become growth that delivers. Let us deliver,’ he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to order an independent probe into the alleged use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and the manipulation of personal data in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The call came on Sunday from Lagos-based rights group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) through a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

Referencing its letter dated October 31, 2026, the human rights group charged the President Tinubu-led government to direct the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, to conduct a prompt, thorough, and independent investigation.

SERAP’s call came after the electoral body acknowledged public complaints about suspected AI-generated photos and questionable records discovered during the nationwide display of the preliminary voter register from 9 to 15 October 2026.

According to INEC’s statement of 27 October 2026, the commission agreed that ‘many questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further examination and that the online publication does not reflect all ongoing data-cleanup activities.’

The irregularities, according to SERAP, raise concerns about data security, voter register integrity, and the 2027 general elections.

The letter reads in part: ‘The reported irregularities raise serious concerns about the security and integrity of Nigerians’ personal data and the reliability of the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘The security and accuracy of the voter register are fundamental to the protection of Nigerians’ personal data and their right to participate in public affairs.’

The Lagos-based rights group urged the NDPC to establish the nature, extent, and geographical spread of the affected records, determine if a personal data breach occurred under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and identify those responsible.

SERAP expressed worries that some registration officers may have misused their official access credentials to introduce irregular records, including AI-generated photographs.

SERAP said, ‘An internal review by INEC cannot substitute for the NDPC’s independent exercise of its statutory data-protection mandate,’ just as it cited Sections 24, 39, 40, and 65 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which require personal data to be processed accurately and securely, and mandate data controllers to report breaches within 72 hours.

The group equally referenced Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution on the right to privacy.

The human rights group prayed to the NDPC to conduct a forensic examination of INEC’s database, publish its findings, enforce corrective measures, and ensure affected Nigerians can verify and correct their records without being unfairly excluded from voting.

SERAP gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to act, warning that failure would lead to legal action.

‘We would be grateful if the requested measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions,’ the letter added.

Itchy skin is a common complaint. Sometimes it is caused by something as simple as dry skin or an insect bite and settles within a short time. In other cases, persistent itching may be a sign of a skin condition, an allergic reaction or an underlying health problem.

The medical term for itching is pruritus. It can affect a small area of the body or occur all over the skin. Some people may also develop redness, rashes, bumps, dryness or peeling, while others may experience severe itching without any obvious change on the skin.

Finding the cause is important because scratching alone may provide temporary relief while making the skin more irritated or increasing the risk of infection.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights 10 common causes of itchy skin you should know.

Dry skin

Dry skin is one of the simplest and most common causes of itching. When the skin loses too much moisture, it can become rough, tight, flaky and irritated. The itching may be worse during periods of dry weather or after taking long, hot baths.

Frequent washing, harsh soaps and some skincare products can also strip the skin of its natural oils. Using a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser regularly, particularly after bathing, can help restore moisture and reduce irritation.

Eczema

Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Atopic dermatitis is a common form. It may cause patches of dry, red or darker-looking skin, depending on a person’s skin tone. Scratching can make the affected areas sore and may cause the skin to thicken over time.

Eczema can flare up in response to different triggers, including certain soaps, fabrics, heat, sweating, stress and allergens. People with frequent or severe flare-ups may need treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Allergic reactions

An allergic reaction can cause sudden itching, often accompanied by a rash or raised patches known as hives. Possible triggers include certain foods, medicines, insect bites, cosmetics, soaps, detergents and other substances.

Hives may appear and disappear within hours, with new areas becoming affected as others settle. A mild allergic rash may resolve after the trigger is avoided, but medical advice may be needed if the reaction keeps returning.

If itching or hives occur together with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness or fainting, emergency medical care is needed because these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Insect bites

Mosquitoes, bedbugs, fleas and other insects can cause localised itching after biting the skin.

The affected area may become red, swollen or develop a small raised bump. In some people, the reaction may be more noticeable and last for several days.

Avoiding scratching is important because broken skin can become infected. If several household members develop itchy bites, particularly after sleeping, it may be worth checking bedding, mattresses and other areas where insects may be hiding.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the upper layer of the skin. It usually causes intense itching, which is often worse at night. Small bumps or a rash may appear, particularly between the fingers, around the wrists, waist, armpits and other areas where the mites commonly affect the skin.

Because scabies can spread through close skin-to-skin contact, more than one person in a household may become affected. Treatment usually involves specific medicines designed to kill the mites. People should not rely on ordinary anti-itch creams alone if scabies is suspected.

Fungal skin infections

Fungal infections can cause itching, scaling and changes in the appearance of the skin.

Ringworm is one example. Despite its name, it is caused by a fungus rather than a worm. It can produce a circular or ring-shaped rash that may gradually spread.

Fungal infections can affect different parts of the body, including the groin, feet and scalp.

Keeping affected areas clean and dry can help, but appropriate antifungal treatment may be necessary. Using steroid creams on a fungal infection without medical advice can sometimes make the infection worse or harder to recognise.

Contact dermatitis

Sometimes the skin becomes itchy and inflamed after coming into contact with a substance that irritates it or triggers an allergic reaction. This is known as contact dermatitis.

Common triggers include soaps, detergents, perfumes, cosmetics, hair products, cleaning chemicals and some metals.

The rash usually develops in the area that came into contact with the substance. It may cause redness, itching, swelling, dryness or small blisters. Identifying and avoiding the trigger is an important part of managing contact dermatitis.

Liver or kidney problems

Persistent itching without an obvious skin rash can sometimes be associated with problems affecting internal organs. Certain liver diseases can cause itching because substances normally processed or excreted by the liver build up in the body.

Advanced kidney disease can also cause widespread itching, particularly when the kidneys are no longer effectively removing waste products from the blood. This does not mean that unexplained itching automatically indicates liver or kidney disease. There are many possible causes.

However, widespread or persistent itching without a clear skin problem, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, swelling, changes in urination or unusual tiredness, should be medically assessed.

Medicines

Some medicines can cause itching as a side effect or trigger an allergic reaction. The reaction may occur shortly after starting a medicine, although not every drug-related skin reaction happens immediately. Medicines can sometimes cause itching with or without a visible rash.

Anyone who develops widespread itching, hives or swelling after starting a new medicine should contact a healthcare professional for advice. If there is difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, severe dizziness or fainting, emergency treatment is required.

People should not stop essential prescription medicines without discussing the problem with a doctor or pharmacist, unless they are experiencing a severe allergic reaction and have been instructed to seek emergency care.

10. Other underlying health conditions

Persistent itching can sometimes occur alongside other medical conditions. Thyroid disorders, diabetes, certain blood disorders and some neurological conditions can cause or contribute to itching in some people. In rare cases, widespread unexplained itching can occur with certain cancers, particularly some blood cancers.

Again, itching alone does not mean that a person has one of these diseases. Most cases have more common explanations. The important point is that unexplained itching that persists, keeps returning or is accompanied by other unusual symptoms should not simply be ignored.

All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial ticket, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged a conspiracy and warned against any violation of electoral laws and party guidelines.

Shinkafi raised the alarm on Saturday night while briefing journalists at his residence in Gusau, the state capital, ahead of a fresh primary election scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

He urged the APC national leadership to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent primary, expressing concern that he had been given short notice of the exercise.

‘Lack of formal communication to as an aspirant, the short notice given for the exercise, and the security challenges affecting Zamfara North required adequate preparations and consultations with relevant authorities.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the way the party leadership had handled concerns over the proposed primary election in the senatorial district.

‘I sent three text messages to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, after seeing a notice announcing the schedule of activities for the Zamfara North senatorial primary on social media scheduled for Monday, 2nd November, 2026.

Shinkafi appealed to the national chairman to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure adequate preparations for the exercise.

Although he said he had no objection to the scheduled primary, he insisted that the process must be transparent, credible, and conducted in accordance with electoral laws and APC guidelines.

He also appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal, the APC state chairman, INEC, and security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure a transparent, credible, and acceptable primary election in Zamfara North.

The City Boy Movement has intensified its nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with its Patron, Seyi Tinubu, declaring that the organisation is consolidating its existing structures, expanding its national footprint and strengthening grassroots engagement across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the movement, Arabinrin Aderonke, Tinubu said the mobilisation was already underway, describing the movement’s expanding activities as a deliberate effort to build a formidable national network ahead of the next electoral cycle.

‘The City Boy Movement is already on the ground, mobilising, organising and expanding its national reach ahead of the 2027 general elections. What we are witnessing is a deliberate effort to build on the structures already established, deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen our presence across the country,’ he said.

The movement’s activities have taken it to the South-East, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states, among other parts of the federation, with engagements extending to grassroots communities. The spread of its activities reflects its stated commitment to building a national platform that reaches beyond conventional political centres and engages communities at the local level.

Tinubu, who expressed confidence in the commitment and determination of members, said the task ahead required focus, purpose and collective responsibility. He noted that the movement’s progress would depend not merely on its visibility but on the strength of its organisation and the dedication of its members.

‘As Patron, I am confident in the commitment, energy and determination of our members. We understand the task ahead, and we are approaching it with focus, purpose and a clear sense of responsibility,’ he said.

A lawyer and entrepreneur, Seyi Tinubu is the founder of Loatsad Promomedia, an outdoor advertising company, and has been associated with youth-focused initiatives and philanthropy. His role as Patron places him at the forefront of the movement’s leadership and organisational direction.

Reaffirming the movement’s resolve, he said: ‘City Boy is not a movement of empty declarations. We are building, we are mobilising, and we are taking the work seriously. Let there be no doubt: City Boy means business.’

The City Boy Movement, which emerged as a youth-oriented political mobilisation platform during the 2023 election cycle, has continued to develop its organisational presence across the country. It says its current mobilisation is directed at supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and delivering the mandate.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has asked states to regulate excessive upfront rent demands following viral incident in Benin City, Edo.

Atiku made call in a post on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to report of tenant in Benin City who allegedly assaulted his landlord for increasing rent from N300,000 to N1 million.

‘No rent dispute should ever end in blood, and I urge calm on all sides. Yet viral scenes from Benin City speak to pain that young renters across Nigeria know well: sudden increases, arbitrary charges, and nowhere fair to turn,’ he said.

He said states should adopt laws that reflect current wage realities and protect both tenants and landlords.

‘I will require states to adopt wage-reflective tenancy laws, regulate excessive upfront rent demands, set clear rules for rent increases and evictions, and create fast, accessible dispute resolution for landlords and tenants alike. A roof over one’s head should not be a battlefield,’ Atiku said.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has said that the Federal Government spent not less than ?1 trillion on cancer control in the last one year.

Bagudu made this known at the 5.4-kilometre walk in Abuja, with the theme, ‘One Walk, One Fight – Walk Away Cancer,’ which brought together survivors, health advocates and political leaders in a united call for early detection, prevention and stronger government support to combat one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

The minister explained that ?350 billion had been invested in establishing cancer centres across the country, while over ?300 billion had also been committed to cancer detection equipment, in addition to other allocations to the health sector.

He stressed that additional revenue had been made available to state and local governments for cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, adding that there was a need to hold them accountable for the judicious utilisation of the funds.

‘I want to commend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), under the leadership of its president, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for its relentless and longstanding cancer awareness and sensitisation campaign.

‘Cancer control remains one of the priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector,’ he said.

On her part, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Maria Mahmoud, said early detection played a significant role in combating cancer before it advanced, urging Nigerians, particularly women and girls, to undergo regular screening, which she said was available at little or no cost in many centres.

‘We really appreciate and commend this sensitisation initiative for Nigerians. With this kind of massive turnout, the high prevalence of cervical cancer will go down,’ she said.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, also said nobody should fight cancer alone, stressing the importance of early screening and noting that the disease did not discriminate based on age or social influence.

‘To all cancer patients and survivors, we see your fight and honour your courage. We shall continue to stand with you in solidarity,’ she said.

In his remarks, the president of the Cancer Society of Nigeria, Professor Abidemi Omonisi, called on the Federal Government, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support cancer patients and survivors as part of efforts towards national development.

‘I want to thank the president of the UICC, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, for being a leading cancer control advocate in the country. She is not just an advocate but also contributes financially to supporting cancer patients and survivors because treatment is very expensive,’ he said.

In her address, the president of the Union for International Cancer Control, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, said the organisation, in collaboration with other stakeholders, had been fighting cancer for over 12 years and would not relent in its efforts to tackle the deadly disease.

‘We want to see a lot more financial appropriation for the fight against cancer. A lot has been done this year, and we want to thank President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for investing heavily in the health sector for national development,’ she said.

A cancer survivor, Mr Farooq Oreagba, said he had been diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer more than 12 years ago, attributing his survival to early screening and detection.

‘To everyone here, being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence. All I need from everyone is regular screening, as early detection saves lives. My cancer was detected even when I was not ill. I have a few more years to go, and I am still not ready to quit,’ Oreagba said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reconfirmed suspected manipulation of its voter registration system by some officials, following the discovery of more than 1.5 million questionable registration records, warning that those found culpable will face severe sanctions.

The Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, where he revealed that some registration officials allegedly exploited their access to the Commission’s registration platform to introduce irregularities into the national voter database.

Bayode, who described the discoveries as disturbing and embarrassing to the Commission, said the alleged manipulation was not limited to isolated locations but had been identified across several states.

He explained that the Commission deployed its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology, to examine the 11,088,238 registrations recorded during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to him, the system flagged 1,545,052 records for various irregularities, including suspected multiple registrations and other discrepancies requiring further investigation.

He said that although a substantial number of the flagged records had already been removed, 268,000 remained for human verification before the Commission could determine their authenticity.

Explaining why the Commission did not automatically exclude all the flagged records, Bayode said the system was designed to identify suspicious entries, while human adjudication was necessary to establish whether they were genuinely fraudulent.

He said: ‘Any suspect has to be adjudicated to a human come and confirm what the ABIS has reported.’

The ICT director disclosed that some of the questionable registrations were allegedly facilitated by officials who exploited a special registration provision designed for persons with disabilities who had incomplete fingers or no fingers.

He explained that the provision allowed eligible individuals without complete fingerprints to register through an alternative process, but some officials allegedly abused the facility to create fictitious voter profiles.

According to him, the officials allegedly used their access credentials to create such profiles, exploiting the system’s provision for special registration to introduce questionable records into the database.

Bayode also disclosed that the Commission discovered instances of identical photographs appearing against different voter profiles, as well as photographs allegedly sourced from calendars and picture frames and used to deceive its web-based registration platform.

He, however, distinguished between legitimate photographs enhanced with artificial intelligence applications and suspicious images used to create fictitious identities.

He explained that some genuine registrants might have used AI applications on their mobile phones to improve the quality of their photographs, insisting that such cases should not automatically be treated as fraudulent registrations.

The director said: ‘Some of the profiles have similar photo for different profiles with one photo. And you cannot find seven, eight people who are from the same family.’

Describing the alleged manipulation as extensive, he said some officials had identified loopholes in the registration system but, rather than report them for correction, allegedly exploited them.

Bayode, who expressed disappointment over the development, said: ‘They saw the loophole and they leveraged on the system.’

He further disclosed that the Commission had withdrawn access from the officials under investigation, adding that digital records and one-time password (OTP) authentication could help establish those responsible for the questionable registrations.

According to him, the registration system sends an OTP to an official’s registered email address or telephone number before access is granted, making it difficult for officials to claim that their credentials were used without their knowledge.

‘If anybody is using your login details to do anything, it means that you are conniving with that person,’ he said.

Bayode, however, said he was taking time to establish sufficient evidence before submitting his investigative report to the Commission, stressing that he did not want innocent officials implicated without conclusive proof.

He assured that the Commission would review the evidence and follow due process, expressing confidence that officials found culpable would face severe consequences.

He said: ‘This is an embarrassment. … Maybe the punishment now will be so huge than what they experienced in 2020.’

On the implications of the questionable registrations for the 2027 general election, the ICT director warned that fictitious voter profiles could potentially be exploited to manipulate elections if the irregularities were not identified and removed before the final register was certified.

Using a hypothetical polling unit with 800 registered voters, including 400 fictitious profiles, he explained that the production of Permanent Voter Cards for such entries could create an opportunity for electoral manipulation.

He, however, maintained that the Commission’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had biometric safeguards capable of preventing individuals whose fingerprints were not captured from successfully participating in the voting process.

On concerns about the credibility of the preliminary register, Bayode explained that its release was necessary to allow Nigerians to participate in identifying questionable entries through the claims and objections process.

He said the Commission had to balance the time required to complete biometric screening with the statutory timelines for publishing the preliminary register, adding that the document released was not the final register for the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the Commission was working to complete the verification and cleaning exercise before 15 December, when the final register is expected to be certified.

The ICT director also expressed openness to independent scrutiny of the voter database, saying the Commission could engage a third party to examine the records if it considered such an exercise necessary.

He added that interested parties could request Certified True Copies of relevant records to examine the Commission’s findings and corrective measures.

On public confidence in the electoral umpire, particularly following controversies surrounding the 2023 general election, Bayode acknowledged that the latest revelations had further complicated INEC’s efforts to rebuild public trust.

He said: ‘We are trying to build the trust, whether you like it or not, the trust is on the ground zero.’

He expressed regret that the alleged actions of some officials could undermine the Commission’s efforts to restore confidence in the electoral process, insisting that INEC had learnt lessons from previous elections and continued to improve its technological systems, including BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Bayode assured Nigerians that the Commission remained committed to conducting a credible 2027 general election, stressing that the integrity of the voter register was fundamental to the credibility of the entire electoral process.