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The Niger State Police Command, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has trained its officers on election security management ahead of the 2027 general election, with emphasis on professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights.

The training, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Dutsen-Kura, Minna, was part of the command’s end-of-month general conference presided over by Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, Commissioner of Police, according to a statement issued by Abiodun Wasiu, the police public relations officer.

Speaking at the session, Dauda Haruna, INEC’s State Training Officer, said the police had a leading responsibility in election security management as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said that the police were expected to provide adequate security for voters, candidates, political party agents and electoral officials throughout the electoral process to safeguard the integrity of elections and strengthen public confidence in the democratic system.

Haruna, who spoke on the theme, ‘Professionalism, Impartiality and Accountability for a Peaceful, Safe and Credible Election,’ said security personnel must remain neutral and avoid any conduct capable of undermining the electoral process.

He explained that election security officers were required to enforce electoral laws, respond promptly to security incidents, make lawful arrests where necessary, preserve evidence, document electoral offences and maintain proper records, including the chain of custody of evidence.

The INEC official warned officers against partisan conduct, arbitrary arrests, provocative behaviour and actions based on rumours or unverified allegations.

He also urged them to prioritise effective crowd management, crisis de-escalation, responsible use of force and clear communication while ensuring the protection of all participants in the electoral process.

According to him, officers must respect human rights, avoid interference in the conduct of elections and operate strictly within their assigned mandates.

Haruna further clarified that the inspection and verification of electoral materials remained the responsibility of INEC and its authorised representatives, while police personnel were expected to provide security and protect the process within their operational responsibilities.

On handling misconduct at polling units, he explained that electoral officers were required to complete the prescribed *Authority to Remove Person from Polling Unit for Misconduct* form, duly signed by the Presiding Officer, where applicable.

He advised officers responding to such incidents to de-escalate tensions, listen to parties separately, prevent confrontations between opposing groups, protect stakeholders and preserve relevant evidence.

He also stressed the need for comprehensive incident reports and proper documentation of actions taken during election-related security operations.

The training also addressed electoral offences and their corresponding penalties under the Electoral Act 2026, as well as the responsibilities of Election Security Personnel before and after deployment.

Before deployment, officers were advised to attend operational briefings, understand their assignments and chain of command, familiarise themselves with relevant electoral laws, account for assigned personnel and equipment, and establish effective reporting and coordination channels with other security agencies.

After deployment, they were expected to participate in debriefings, submit accurate incident reports, account for personnel and equipment, hand over preserved evidence and document operational challenges and lessons learnt.

The INEC training officer also highlighted the introduction of Registration Area Centres (RACs) and Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) to address delays in the commencement of voting arising from the transportation of electoral materials over long distances.

He said the arrangements were designed to facilitate the timely movement of materials to polling units and ensure that voting commenced within the stipulated period.

He also introduced the Collation Support Result Verification System (CSRVS), a technical support mechanism designed to identify and address errors during the collation of election results to promote accuracy, transparency and accountability.

Responding, Elleman commended the INEC State Training Officer and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the collaboration, assuring the commission of the command’s continued support towards ensuring peaceful and credible elections.

The police commissioner described training and retraining as a core policy of the command, saying sustained capacity building was necessary to strengthen professionalism and improve operational effectiveness.

He disclosed that further training on election security management was ongoing nationwide through the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), adding that a training team would soon visit the Niger State Police Command to further equip officers ahead of the 2027 election.

Reviewing security developments during the month, Elleman directed officers to intensify surveillance patrols, strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure prompt intervention in addressing emerging security challenges.

He also directed officers to provide adequate security during political campaigns and submit timely reports on such activities to the command.

The police command noted the training formed part of efforts to strengthen preparedness, inter-agency cooperation and responsible conduct among security personnel before, during and after the 2027 general election.

There are unsubstantiated feelers that some Northern political elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) are ganging up on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While some dismiss this as mere beer-parlour rants, others point to reports that some party candidates display campaign materials bearing their photographs alongside that of the President in city centres, only to discard such arrangements as they move deeper into the hinterland.

Is this indicative of a rumbling volcano and a desperate attempt by politicians to save their own heads?

Handlers of the President’s strategic team have dismissed such contemplations as cheap rhetoric by naysayers and opposition propaganda designed to hoodwink the public into believing that the North is treacherously working against the President.

But the recurring question is: Why would any politician contesting on the platform of the President’s party distance himself from him when, historically, contestants would do anything and go the whole hog to identify with their presidential candidate as a sure bet for acceptability and likely victory at the polls?

A very strong case in point was the scenario with the late President Muhammadu Buhari. When he emerged as the party’s flag-bearer in 2014, virtually every politician in the APC was prepared to pay a premium to have Buhari’s image prominently displayed alongside theirs on campaign materials. From the North to the South and across the length and breadth of the country, not having Buhari’s photograph on one’s campaign material could spell doom at the polls.

While allegations of rejection are treated as exaggerated claims, the concerns are palpable, although they remain unsubstantiated and require closer scrutiny. Many have argued that these alleged distortions in campaign materials may be occasioned by the need to assuage grassroots anger across the North.

However, this argument is debatable because the optics from the APC’s engagement with the people in Northern Nigeria present a picture of solid local connections and an established party structure, powered by state governors, as demonstrated by the recent campaign flag-off in Kaduna.

Unequivocally, no party can, at this point, easily claim to have a more extensive, active, well-funded, mobilised and well-structured political framework in the region than the APC.

Therefore, dismissing these realities lacks rigour. For an opposition not ready to develop creative strategies to cut down the APC’s widening influence among the locals, it may as well begin to assess its fortunes before election day. The North remains a formidable battleground where the war will be won or lost.

Ironically, the casual observer cannot help but wonder: Where are the opposition parties? The campaigns are now underway, but the presidential candidates of the leading opposition parties appear preoccupied with television news flashes and appearances on talk shows, while their posters are conspicuously absent in many Northern neighbourhoods.

Is that a strategy, or is it simply a dearth of funds to match the APC’s aggressive campaign onslaught?

Could this be a tactical move to conserve resources against the backdrop of a possible mega rainbow coalition of G-100, with presidential candidates holding back until the coast is clear to put their money where their mouths are and engage vigorously?

What does Northern Nigeria bring to the table that both the incumbent and the opposition cannot ignore?

Since 1999, votes from the North have consistently and significantly influenced the outcomes of presidential elections. From Obasanjo to Yar’Adua and Jonathan, the story has largely been the same, although the political dynamics have varied from one election to another. In 2011, the South rallied strongly behind Jonathan. But by 2015, Buhari’s votes from the North alone were only slightly below the total votes Jonathan garnered nationwide in that election.

Jonathan polled 12,853,162 votes nationwide, while Buhari secured 12,228,491 votes from the North alone, alongside another 3,196,430 votes from the South, giving him a national total of 15,424,921. Buhari thus defeated the incumbent President for the first time in Nigeria’s democratic experiment since 1999. These figures are based on the reported regional breakdown of the presidential results; INEC’s official national figures confirm the candidates’ respective totals.

These further underscore the argument that votes from this region matter to any serious-minded presidential candidate and must be given the utmost attention.

But the contemplation on the streets is that many of the dynamics, and possibly voting patterns, may change in 2027, given the increasing agitation among the talakawas against the region’s political elite.

While some harsh critics submit that Buhari’s government was among the worst Nigeria has experienced, others contend that there is no justification for the present administration to take Nigerians through what appears to be the longer route to the Promised Land.

So, are Northern voters, especially the emerging army of knowledge-driven and politically savvy young people, daring enough to ask the right questions of their leaders? Or is this just another round of grandstanding, similar to what some Northern power blocs have done over time in pursuit of their self-interests?

In this light, the alleged rejection of the President among the talakawas, as some have projected, is hinged on the harsh economic realities arising from his administration’s policies, which have affected them like other Nigerians.

But when the President declared that there would be no going back to Egypt on his policies, was that indicative of the government’s insensitivity to reactions from the North, as projected by some people? Or was it a case of telling the opposition, in effect, that this is the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau-go do your worst?

Given the optics across the region and the persistent engagement of the APC with its people, the party appears to be reading the room appropriately and responding with all it takes to win the region.

Sadly, the opposition seems not to have taken off. The campaign that the North will come out strongly against the President may just be a ruse. The APC appears to be knocking on every door and deploying every known strategy to court the people, while the opposition struggles to match its momentum.

Will the 2027 presidential election be another major anti-climax, with the fervour and steam from the opposition seemingly arrested and crippled?

By this time in 2023, the country was literally on fire, and the heat generated by the opposition, especially Peter Obi’s campaign, was suffocating, even without a formidable nationwide party structure.

As many analysts have projected, if a disadvantaged Tinubu could mop up 5,598,686 votes from the North out of the 8,794,726 he garnered nationwide in 2023, it is conceivable that he may not do badly as an incumbent with the backing of a substantial number of state governors. However, that remains a political calculation, not a guarantee of electoral victory.

Little wonder, then, that the APC’s campaign schedule begins in Kaduna, with Yola, Adamawa State, scheduled for January 4, 2027, ahead of the grand finale in Lagos on January 9. The choice of Yola, home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is particularly significant. The party appears determined to demonstrate its reach across the country before bringing the campaign to a close in Lagos.

Could it be that the party is saying, by all means necessary, Lagos must fall this time around?

Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see whether the North will throw President Tinubu under the bus, as many believe it did Jonathan in 2015. But the handwriting on the wall appears to point to a potentially different outcome.

After all, as many would say, this President is one of the last surviving godfathers of Nigerian politics, and he appears to have the political machinery locked down.

But will the North oblige him, or will it spring a surprise? That is the million-naira question.

Fura da Nono is one of Northern Nigeria’s most cherished traditional foods and beverages. It is a nutritious, refreshing, culturally significant combination of millet dough balls (fura) and fermented cow’s milk (nono).

This nutritious drink is very popular among the Hausa and Fulani communities, and has remained an important part of Northern Nigerian food culture for generations.

The traditional drink represents the indigenous food knowledge, pastoral traditions, local agriculture, food processing and community identity of Northern Nigeria

From the millet fields and cattle-rearing traditions of Northern Nigeria, Fura da Nono is more than a traditional drink; it is a living expression of Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage and a worthy candidate for consideration under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.

In the bustling markets, neighbourhoods and roadside food stalls of Northern Nigeria, this traditional delicacy continues to hold its place in the country’s culinary landscape.

Served chilled or at ambient temperature, depending on local preference and preparation, Fura as it is popularly called, is a distinctive combination of soft, spiced millet dough balls and naturally fermented cow’s milk.

Its creamy consistency, slightly sour dairy flavour and characteristic aroma, make it one of the most recognisable traditional food products associated with the Hausa and Fulani communities.

Yet, beyond its refreshing taste and nutritional appeal lies a much deeper story of indigenous food science, agricultural adaptation, pastoral culture, women’s entrepreneurship and the intergenerational transmission of culinary knowledge.

At a time when countries are increasingly recognising food as an important expression of cultural identity, Fura da Nono deserves greater attention as part of Nigeria’s efforts to document, preserve, promote and internationally showcase its indigenous culinary traditions.

The name itself tells the story of its two principal components. Fura refers to the cooked, spiced millet dough formed into small balls, while Nono refers to the fermented milk traditionally obtained from cow’s milk.

Together, they produce a cereal-and-dairy delicacy that has remained an important part of food culture in Northern Nigeria.

The precise date or individual responsible for the invention of Fura da Nono is not established in available historical records. It is therefore more accurate to understand its origins through the long-standing agricultural and pastoral traditions of the Northern, particularly the relationship between Fulani cattle-rearing communities and the grain-farming populations of the region.

For generations, cattle have been central to Fulani pastoral livelihoods, providing milk and other resources that support household nutrition and local economies. In communities where fresh milk was readily available, fermentation became an important indigenous method of processing and preserving milk, extending its usability and creating products with distinctive flavours and textures.

At the same time, millet became an important cereal in the semi-arid environments of Northern Nigeria.

Its suitability to relatively dry growing conditions made it a significant component of traditional diets. The combination of millet and fermented milk represents a practical relationship between the region’s agricultural resources, food preferences and traditional methods of processing available ingredients.

Historical and food-science literature identifies Fura as a traditional staple among Hausa and Fulani communities, with millet, particularly the variety locally known as gero, serving as a principal ingredient.

Fura da Nono is not simply an accidental mixture of two ingredients, but a reflection of generations of accumulated knowledge about cereal processing, dairy fermentation, flavour development, food preservation and the use of locally available agricultural products.

Although closely associated with Fulani culinary culture, Fura da Nono has also become part of the wider food culture of Northern Nigeria, particularly among Hausa-speaking communities and other populations that have adopted and adapted the delicacy.

Its popularity demonstrates how food traditions can travel across communities while retaining important elements of their original cultural identity.

The preparation of Fura da Nono is a traditional culinary process involving several stages of food processing. It requires knowledge of grain selection, milling, spice combinations, dough consistency, cooking, pounding and dairy fermentation.

The process begins with millet grains, which are carefully selected, cleaned and washed to remove dirt and unwanted materials. Depending on the preferred preparation method, the grains may be dehulled before being dried and milled into flour.

The millet flour is then combined with water and traditional spices.

Ginger is particularly important, while cloves and dried pepper may also be included, depending on the recipe and the producer’s preference.

These ingredients contribute to the characteristic aroma, flavour and warmth of the finished product.

Water is gradually incorporated into the spiced flour to form a firm dough. The dough is shaped by hand into balls of varying sizes and cooked in boiling water until properly done.

The cooked millet dough is subsequently pounded in a mortar using a pestle, with small quantities of water added as necessary to achieve a smooth, cohesive and slightly elastic consistency. It is then shaped into balls and lightly dusted with millet flour to prevent sticking.

The second major component is nono, the traditional fermented cow’s milk. Fresh milk is fermented through the activity of naturally occurring or deliberately introduced microorganisms, depending on the production method. Fermentation produces lactic acid, which gives the milk its characteristic sour taste and changes its texture.

In traditional dairy processing, the cream may be separated from the fermented milk. The cream, locally known in Fulani dairy culture as man shanu, is processed into traditional butter, while the remaining fermented milk is consumed as nono.

To serve Fura da Nono, the millet balls are broken into smaller pieces or mashed and combined with the fermented milk. The mixture is stirred until the desired consistency is achieved. Some consumers prefer a relatively smooth drink, while others enjoy it with small pieces of millet dough remaining.

Sugar may be added to taste, although this is a matter of personal and regional preference.

The result is usually a distinctive cereal-and-dairy preparation that combines the earthy taste of millet, the aromatic character of spices and the tangy creaminess of fermented milk.

Essentially, the preparation is not entirely uniform. Recipes, spice proportions, textures, fermentation methods and serving preferences may vary between families, producers and communities.

Such variations are part of the living nature of culinary traditions.

One of the important characteristics of Fura da Nono is its combination of two food groups with complementary nutritional contributions.

Millet is a nutrient-containing cereal that provides carbohydrates, dietary fibre, plant protein and minerals. Its carbohydrate content makes it an important source of dietary energy, while its fibre contributes to normal digestive function and helps support a balanced diet.

Millet also contains minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and iron, although the quantities available in a serving depend on the millet variety, processing method and portion size.

The grain contains B-group vitamins and various bioactive plant compounds. Its nutritional composition makes it a valuable indigenous cereal, particularly in communities where millet has traditionally served as a staple food.

The nono component contributes another important dimension to the nutritional profile. Fermented cow’s milk provides high-quality dairy protein, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients associated with milk.

Protein is essential for the growth, maintenance and repair of body tissues, while calcium and phosphorus contribute to the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.

Dairy products can also provide vitamin B12 and riboflavin, although the precise nutritional composition of nono varies with the milk used and the processing conditions.

Fermentation is another important aspect of its nutritional and technological value.

During fermentation, microorganisms convert some of the lactose in milk into lactic acid. This process produces the characteristic sour taste and influences the texture and microbial composition of the product.

Depending on the microorganisms involved and the handling conditions, fermented milk may contain beneficial live cultures.

However, not every traditionally fermented product has a standardised probiotic content. The presence of beneficial microorganisms must be established through appropriate scientific testing.

The combination of millet and fermented milk therefore provides carbohydrates, protein, fibre and minerals within one traditional food preparation. Its nutritional contribution, however, depends on the proportions of fura and nono, the quantity consumed and whether additional sugar is introduced.

Fura da Nono can form part of a varied and balanced diet, but it should not be presented as a cure for any disease or as a substitute for medical treatment.

Its nutritional value is particularly relevant to discussions about food security, local food systems and the promotion of indigenous crops.

Millet is an important climate-adapted cereal in many dryland agricultural systems, while traditional dairy processing provides opportunities to add value to locally produced milk.

By bringing these ingredients together, Fura da Nono illustrates how traditional food knowledge can contribute to dietary diversity and the utilisation of indigenous agricultural resources.

An essential part of the Fura da Nono story is the contribution of women who have sustained its production, processing and distribution across generations.

In many Fulani communities, women have traditionally played significant roles in milk processing and dairy trade.

Knowledge of milking, fermentation, cream separation, butter production and the preparation of nono is often transmitted within families, particularly from mothers and older female relatives to younger generations.

Women are also central to the preparation and sale of Fura da Nono in markets, neighbourhoods and other commercial spaces. Through small-scale businesses, they have helped maintain the availability of the delicacy while generating income for their households.

Their contribution extends beyond selling a traditional drink. They are custodians of specialised knowledge, including the selection of ingredients, control of fermentation, determination of product consistency, use of traditional utensils and understanding of consumer preferences.

This knowledge is not always written down or formally taught in institutions. It is frequently acquired through observation, participation and repeated practice.

Such informal systems of learning are precisely the kinds of cultural transmission that make traditional food practices valuable subjects for intangible cultural heritage documentation.

The women who prepare and sell Fura da Nono should therefore be recognised not merely as food vendors but as practitioners and knowledge bearers whose experiences, techniques and oral histories deserve documentation and preservation.

Fura da Nono occupies an important place within this diversity because it represents the intersection of cereal agriculture and pastoral dairy culture.

Its preparation preserves knowledge about millet cultivation, grain processing, traditional spices, milk fermentation and food presentation. Its consumption reflects established dietary preferences, while its commercial distribution supports small-scale food enterprises.

The tradition also offers an opportunity to tell a more comprehensive story about Northern Nigerian food culture beyond the familiar narratives of popular dishes.

For international audiences, Fura da Nono can provide insight into the communities that developed practical methods of combining locally available ingredients into nutritious and culturally meaningful foods.

It is also an opportunity to promote Nigerian food journalism, food tourism, travel journalism encourage investment in local millet and dairy value chains, and create wider markets for indigenous food product

However, its heritage value should not be measured only by its commercial potential.

Let’s visit the kitchen

Recipe for 6 servings:

– 6 Cups Millet grains or millet flour

– 8 Fresh gingers

– 10 Cloves

– 1 teaspoon dried pepper (optional)

– Water

– A little millet flour for dusting

For the Nono

– 6 Cups Fresh cow’s milk, preferably safely pasteurised milk for household preparation

– A suitable starter culture or previously prepared nono from a hygienically controlled source

Method

Step 1: Preparing the millet

The millet grains are carefully sorted to remove stones, dirt and other unwanted materials. They are washed and, where necessary, dehulled before being dried and milled into flour.

Step 2: Adding traditional spices

The millet flour is combined with ground ginger, cloves and, depending on individual preference, a little dried pepper.

These spices give fura its characteristic aroma and distinctive taste. The proportions vary according to family recipes and regional preferences.

Step 3: Making the dough

Water is gradually added to the spiced millet flour until a firm; workable dough is formed. The dough is divided into portions and shaped into balls.

Step 4: Cooking the millet balls

The shaped dough balls are placed in boiling water and cooked until thoroughly done. They are then removed and allowed to cool sufficiently for handling.

Step 5: Pounding and shaping

The cooked millet dough is transferred into a traditional mortar and pounded with a pestle. Small quantities of water may be introduced during pounding to produce a smooth, cohesive and slightly elastic consistency.

The resulting dough is divided into smaller balls and lightly dusted with millet flour to prevent sticking. These are the traditional fura balls.

Step 6: Preparing the fermented milk

The second component, nono, is produced through the fermentation of cow’s milk. Traditionally, fermentation relies on established indigenous practices and naturally occurring or previously introduced lactic acid bacteria.

The milk is allowed to ferment under controlled hygienic conditions until it develops its characteristic mildly sour taste and texture. Where traditional fermentation is practised, the preparation should be protected from contamination, with appropriate attention to temperature, cleanliness and safe handling.

In traditional Fulani dairy processing, the cream may be separated from the fermented milk. This cream, known as man shanu, is processed into traditional butter, while the remaining fermented milk is consumed as nono.

Step 7: Combining the Fura and Nono

To prepare the drink, the fura balls are broken into smaller pieces and placed in a clean bowl or serving container. The fermented milk is poured over them.

The mixture is stirred and gently mashed until the desired consistency is achieved. Some consumers prefer a smooth, creamy drink, while others prefer to retain small pieces of millet dough.

Sugar may be added according to individual taste, although it is not essential to the traditional preparation.

Step 8: Serving

Fura da Nono can be served chilled or at ambient temperature, depending on local preference. It is traditionally enjoyed as a refreshing meal accompaniment, a filling snack or a nourishing drink.

The preparation is not completely standardised. The proportions of millet, spices and fermented milk, as well as the texture and serving style, vary among households and producers. These differences are important expressions of the living nature of the tradition.

Landmark Africa says it is advancing its vision to redefine West Africa’s entertainment and tourism landscape through the proposed development of Landmark City. The city is a US$250 million integrated destination anchored by the Dream Theatre Entertainment Centre.

Landmark Africa is a leading Nigerian hospitality, real estate, and tourism development company, known for creating premier lifestyle and leisure destinations across Africa.

The proposed Dream Theatre Entertainment Centre, recently unveiled, is a 20,000-seat indoor arena that will anchor a landmark entertainment, tourism, and leisure destination on a 10-hectare Atlantic Ocean beachfront site in Lagos.

Located on a 10-hectare site along the Atlantic Ocean waterfront, approximately 15 kilometres along the coastline from the existing Landmark Village ecosystem in Victoria Island, Lagos, the development represents a significant expansion of Landmark Africa’s established business, leisure and lifestyle model.

The project is being advanced in partnership with African Capital Alliance (ACA), a leading Africa-focused private equity and investment management firm, combining Landmark’s destination development expertise with ACA’s investment capabilities and institutional relationships.

A new destination for entertainment, tourism and leisure

More than an arena, Landmark City is envisioned as a vibrant, year-round destination that brings together world-class entertainment, hospitality, retail, sports and recreation within one integrated ecosystem.

At its heart, Dream Theatre will provide a purpose-built, all-weather venue capable of hosting international concerts, basketball tournaments, sporting competitions, theatrical productions, exhibitions and major corporate events.

The wider development will feature a beachfront resort, retail avenue, hospitality accommodation, convention and exhibition facilities, themed restaurants, recreational parks, family attractions and a signature Ferris wheel.

Together, these attractions are designed to create a destination that remains active beyond major event days, encouraging longer visits, repeat patronage and sustained commercial activity.

Building on Landmark Africa’s proven experience

Since its establishment in 1997, Landmark Africa has evolved into one of Nigeria’s prominent developers and operators of integrated business, leisure and lifestyle destinations.

Its flagship Landmark Village ecosystem in Victoria Island demonstrated the commercial potential of bringing together corporate offices, hospitality, retail, entertainment and recreation in one location, attracting millions of annual visitors and supporting numerous businesses.

Landmark City builds on this experience, translating a proven destination-development approach into a larger, internationally competitive entertainment and tourism offering.

The project is targeting approximately five million visitors annually, with the potential to stimulate tourism spending, support local enterprises and generate employment across hospitality, entertainment, event production, retail and supporting services.

Connecting African entertainment to the global stage

Nigeria’s growing influence in music, sports and popular culture presents an opportunity to develop the infrastructure needed to attract major international productions and sporting events.

As Afrobeats continues to reach global audiences and interest in African sports expands, the demand for modern, large-capacity entertainment venues is becoming increasingly significant.

Dream Theatre seeks to address this opportunity by providing the facilities required to host major international tours, sporting competitions and large-scale live experiences within Nigeria.

The development is also attracting investment interest from American and Canadian investors, reflecting the growing opportunities for international capital and strategic partnerships within Africa’s entertainment and tourism industries.

Beyond the venue itself, Landmark City is expected to generate wider economic opportunities through increased demand for accommodation, transportation, food and beverage services, event technology, logistics and other supporting businesses.

A Vision for Africa’s Entertainment Future 974,756

For Landmark Africa, the Dream Theatre vision represents more than an infrastructure investment. It is an opportunity to establish Lagos as a leading destination for world-class entertainment, sports, tourism and cultural experiences.

By combining private-sector investment, international partnerships and its experience in developing successful destinations, Landmark aims to create a commercially sustainable ecosystem capable of attracting global audiences while delivering lasting economic value.

The ambition is clear: to build not just an arena but a destination that brings the world to Lagos and places African entertainment on a truly global stage

Revva, a Nigerian tech start-up, is seeking to reshape digital engagement by bringing content creation, community interaction and commercial opportunities together in a single platform.

The platform, which is built and managed by Nigerians, is positioning itself as a homegrown alternative focused on enabling users not only to consume content but also to create, connect with communities and explore opportunities to commercialise their creativity.

According to the company, Revva was developed around three pillars of content, community and commerce. It seeks to provide a more participatory digital experience for Nigerian users, particularly young people navigating an increasingly digital economy.

The platform’s proposition comes at a time when social media has become an important avenue for young Nigerians to express themselves, showcase talents, build audiences, discover trends and establish digital identities.

Revva stated that its content features allow users to discover and share videos and other materials, while its community tools, including Banter for conversations and Echo for direct messaging, are designed to facilitate interaction.

The platform also offers live sessions and subscriptions, alongside a marketplace featuring services such as airtime and data purchases, as well as a digital wallet.

Speaking on the vision behind the platform, Ayoola Oyekanmi, founding partner, said that the company was established on the belief that social media could offer users more than content consumption.

‘Revva was built around the belief that social media can be more than a place where people scroll through content. It can be a place where they express themselves, find their communities, share their ideas and explore opportunities to turn their creativity into value,’ he said.

Oyekanmi added that the platform was intended to create a digital environment that reflects the creativity and ambition of its users.

‘We want to create a digital space that reflects the ambition and creativity of our people. By bringing content, community and commerce together, we are building towards an experience where users can do more with their time, their ideas and the relationships they build online,’ he noted.

The company emphasised that its Nigerian ownership and development form a defining part of Revva’s identity, describing it as the country’s first social media platform owned and managed by Nigerians.

Its technology stack, including its application programming interface (API), was developed entirely locally.

According to Revva, the approach was informed by the broader need for greater local participation in the development and ownership of digital infrastructure through which Africans communicate, create and conduct business.

The firm concluded that its long-term success will depend on its ability to earn users’ trust, deliver a useful product experience and build a community that derives sustained value from its features.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration was committed to the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 to promote sustainable growth and attract investment, adding that the state aims to grow its economy to nearly one trillion dollars by 2052.

He said the Lagos 2052 Development Plan, a long-term blueprint comprising 447 initiatives across 21 strategic sectors, aims to position the state as Africa’s model megacity and a globally competitive economic and financial hub; focuses on four major pillars: a thriving economy, a human-centred city, modern infrastructure and effective governance.

The governor spoke as a guest speaker at the Lagos Executive Business Breakfast Meeting, organised by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), held in Lekki, Lagos, under the theme, ‘The Future of Lagos: Business, Investment and Global Competitiveness.’

Sanwo-Olu, who called for sustained investment in infrastructure, technology, human capital and business-friendly policies, said improved port efficiency, technological innovation and increased investment in Lagos had significantly boosted manufacturing, created job opportunities and strengthened economic activity nationwide.

He said his administration had, since May 29, 2019, created opportunities and positively impacted the lives of millions of Lagosians through the delivery of good governance and the dividends of democracy.

Sanwo-Olu said he would like to be remembered as a Governor who touched the lives of Lagos residents based on their individual needs in different areas such as transportation, health, education, economic empowerment, security and infrastructure.

Speaking about his administration’s achievements, Governor Sanwo-Olu pointed to the development of the Blue and Red rail lines, improvements in electricity regulation, expanded digital connectivity, and investment in healthcare and education as critical to Lagos’ long-term competitiveness.

He also identified the Lekki Deep Sea Port, industrial developments, and the State’s growing technology and creative sectors as important drivers of economic growth and regional trade.

The governor disclosed that Lagos was strengthening support for small and medium-sized enterprises through financing and grants, while promoting innovation and developing a skilled workforce to meet the needs of emerging industries.

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Lagos State’s budget had grown from about N700 billion in 2019 to N4.2 trillion in 2026, reflecting expanding investment needs and the importance of improving revenue generation to sustain development.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to building an economy capable of attracting global investment, creating jobs and improving residents’ quality of life.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged members of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce to see Lagos as more than a large consumer market, but as a platform for production, innovation, regional trade and international investment.

In his speech, the President and Chairman of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Abimbola Olashore, called for a stronger collaboration between government, businesses and investors to improve the business environment, attract investment and strengthen Lagos’ global competitiveness.

Olashore reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting Nigeria-United Kingdom trade and investment relations.