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’13 Million members give APC edge ahead of 2027 elections’ – Yilwatda

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said its estimated 13 million registered members, extensive nationwide organisational structure and control of key elective positions give it a significant advantage over other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving a pre-election fact-finding mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh.

Yilwatda said the APC had established an extensive political structure comprising more than 261,000 executive members across the country, supported by a membership database containing approximately 13 million registered members.

According to him, the database includes identification records linked to members’ National Identification Numbers and voter details to facilitate verification.

He also highlighted the party’s dominance in elected positions, saying the APC controls 31 of Nigeria’s 36 governorship seats, 88 of the 109 Senate seats and 208 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives.

The national chairman further disclosed that more than 7,000 aspirants had contested for various positions on the party’s platform ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the development as evidence of intense competition for its tickets.

He said the party had released and inaugurated its campaign council, commenced campaign activities and uploaded its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal as part of preparations for the elections.

On the conduct of the polls, Yilwatda urged INEC to comply strictly with its published timetable, insisting that electoral rules must be applied equally to all political parties.

He, however, assured the ECOWAS delegation that the APC remained committed to democratic competition and would not deploy its numerical strength to suppress opposition parties.

Earlier, Foh said the ECOWAS mission was engaging political stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for credible, free and fair general elections in 2027.

He explained that the mission’s assessment would be guided by systematic observation, verification and reliable data rather than assumptions.

Foh commended the APC chairman for providing information on the party’s membership strength, organisational structure and preparations for the forthcoming elections.

Arts journalist, Olatunbosun’s chapbook debuts at Helsinki Book Fair

YINKA Olatunbosun, a Nigerian arts journalist and writer, presented her first chapbook of short stories at the Helsinki Book Fair in Finland, held from 22 to 25 October. The event is the largest literary fair in the Nordic region.

This appearance is a new step for Olatunbosun. After years of covering African culture and contemporary art as a journalist, she is now taking on the role of fiction writer.

Her chapbook, ‘The Letter Grandma Left,’ edited by Olasunmbo Olajubu, features six stories that look at identity, life in Lagos, stigma, and cultural memory. The stories also explore the emotions behind everyday moments. Through careful observation and vivid imagery, the collection connects West African experiences with bigger questions about family, belonging, and the challenges of human relationships.

Olatunbosun described the collection as a result of ‘grit and determination’ when talking about her writing process. She explained that one of the main stories started from imagining a meeting between a child and his grandmother, which led her to explore the stigma faced by children with autism.

‘The Letter Grandma Left is a collection of fictional stories as well as a quiet commentary on the stigma against children living with autism,’ she said. ‘In truth, I didn’t set out to use the story for advocacy, but in the course of developing the story around a hardworking woman with three children, this child’s episode with his grandma in my imagination begged for my creative attention, and I purged it out in a short story that can be easily digestible.’

The chapbook also shows the writer’s hope of getting people to read more often. ‘It is easy to read, and with just six stories, I think everyone should be able to complete it within a day,’ she said. She described the project as a way to support a campaign to read one book a day.

The collection will be available on Amazon, and print copies can be ordered in Nigeria and other countries.

Olatunbosun works as an assistant editor at THISDAY Style and continues her role as a senior arts journalist. She has also written short fiction, including Dirty Alani (2025) and Blood on the Staircase (2026).

By appearing at the The Helsinki Book Fair, Olatunbosun introduces her work to an international audience and moves her career in a new creative direction.

Shoprite’s return and the retail property lesson

Shoprite Nigeria’s plan to reopen through standalone neighbourhood stores is more than the return of a familiar supermarket brand. It points to a larger lesson: successful retail property begins with the economics of the retailer and the behaviour of the customer, not with the prestige or size of the building. The customer has not abandoned organised retail. What is changing is the type of property through which retailers reach that customer.

The basis for describing this as a return is not speculation. In a Nairametrics interview published on 24 October 2026, Adekunle Adebiyi of MBO Capital Management said three Shoprite stores had reopened after a temporary shutdown to negotiate with suppliers and address outstanding obligations. He also disclosed plans for smaller standalone neighbourhood stores. This is a phased recovery, not yet a nationwide comeback: the number, locations and opening dates of the proposed outlets have not been announced.

The neighbourhood format is not an entirely new discovery. Nigerian retailers such as Prince Ebeano, Blenco, Market Square and Justrite have expanded within or close to residential communities. Some also occupy malls, but much of their growth has come from making organised retail accessible to the everyday shopper. Blenco’s outlets along the Lekki-Ajah corridor illustrate stores positioned around growing residential catchments rather than depending on enclosed-mall traffic.

The principle extends beyond grocery retail. Domino’s Pizza, Item 7 and other food-service brands use standalone and neighbourhood-facing outlets because convenience, visibility, delivery coverage and proximity drive their businesses. A household buying bread, vegetables or provisions may similarly prefer a supermarket ten minutes from home to a larger centre requiring a longer journey.

Shoprite’s decision does not mean the Nigerian mall is dead. It means the economics of a supermarket must be separated from assumptions about property format. Not every supermarket needs a mall, just as not every mall requires a very large supermarket anchor. The correct question is whether the size, rent, service charge, power cost, access and customer base of a particular property can support the retailer’s turnover.

That financial question is central to Shoprite’s experience. At the time the Nigerian business was acquired, about 17 of its 28 stores reportedly had dollar-denominated rental obligations. As the naira weakened, those rents became increasingly expensive in local-currency terms. Adebiyi also referred to a supermarket benchmark under which rent should ordinarily remain around 8 to 10 per cent of revenue. Once occupancy costs move materially beyond what turnover can carry, even a prestigious address becomes a burden.

Rent is only part of the equation. A retailer must fund power, security, logistics, refrigeration, inventory, technology, staff and working capital. A mall adds service charges and common-area costs. A standalone outlet may avoid some charges but must provide many services independently. It is not automatically cheaper; its advantage is greater control over store size and expenditure.

Some neighbourhood supermarkets also create small retail ecosystems, remaining the anchor while pharmacies, food outlets, ATMs or other complementary operators occupy part of the property. This can broaden the offer and generate additional income without recreating a conventional mall. Whether Shoprite adopts that model remains to be seen.

Shoprite has already done the difficult work of building a retail brand in Nigeria. Its appeal cuts across income levels and shopping occasions: from the labourer stopping for the popular Shoprite bread, to the homemaker buying properly packaged lamb chops, and the nearby worker picking up fried rice and salad for lunch. Customers know it for affordability, fresh food, prepared meals and an organised shopping environment.

A smaller floor plate must therefore not become a weaker customer proposition. Shoprite should be careful about dispensing with its bakery and butchery. The earlier U-Save experiment at Maryland Mall offers a warning: its smaller, value-led format did not provide the full bakery and butchery experience and struggled to generate the same attraction. Customers may accept a smaller store without accepting a diminished version of Shoprite.

Successful standalone supermarkets retain the core departments that draw repeat visits. Their advantage comes from bringing a sufficiently complete offer closer to residential communities, not merely occupying less space. Shoprite can compete strongly in that format if each outlet preserves the features customers expect while adjusting its size, stock depth and product mix to the local catchment.

Its historic branding also remains an asset. If the prominence of Shoprite’s external signage was a deliberate marketing strategy, it worked across Nigeria. In many cities, the brand became better known than the Grade A mall housing it; people referred to the entire destination simply as Shoprite. On a trip to Abuja, I discovered that I had left my phone at Jabi Lake Mall and rushed back in an Uber. The driver did not recognise the mall’s name, and my urgency turned the confusion into a frustrating argument. The moment he asked whether I meant Shoprite, the problem was solved. Many readers will recognise the experience. Shoprite did not merely occupy space; it became the landmark by which the property was identified.

That recognition still carries value, but the experience behind the sign must remain credible. Strong signage may bring the customer once; a dependable range, fresh food, service and value will determine whether the customer returns.

The property itself must work. A neighbourhood outlet needs parking or safe short-stay access, loading facilities, dependable power, security, waste management and an efficient floor plate. Traffic counts alone are insufficient. The retailer must understand the resident population, income profile, competing stores, basket size and shopping frequency. Poor access can damage a strong location, while excessive rent can consume the benefit of good sales.

The financing difficulty reveals the difference between a successful retailer and an asset-backed borrower. Adebiyi explained that supermarkets typically lease suitable premises and invest in shelves, refrigeration and other operating equipment rather than acquire the building. Shoprite therefore operated from malls it did not own. MBO Capital reportedly found that Nigerian banks struggled to identify sufficient tangible collateral during the acquisition, even though the business generated billions of naira in revenue. The property lesson is important: a strong operating business can remain financially vulnerable when it neither owns its premises nor has an adequate asset base against which conventional lenders will advance funds.

The comparison with Walmart is useful. Walmart combines leased stores with a substantial portfolio of owned retail properties, providing greater control over configuration, redevelopment and long-term occupancy costs while strengthening its asset base. This does not mean Shoprite must become a property developer. It means its financing strategy should recognise the limitations of relying almost entirely on leased premises in a lending market that favours fixed collateral. A disciplined mix of long leases, selective ownership, landlord partnerships and funding based on operating cash flow may prove more resilient.

For developers, the opportunity is to create supermarket-ready properties in growing communities: efficient floor plates, storage and loading areas, refrigeration capacity, parking and reliable utilities. For landlords, the highest opening rent is not necessarily the best outcome. A supermarket can generate recurring traffic and support surrounding businesses. A sustainable lease may create more long-term property value than an impressive rent that eventually drives the anchor away.

None of this invalidates the mall concept. A successful mall combines comparison shopping, entertainment, dining, services and social activity in a managed environment. It offers variety and experience that a single neighbourhood store cannot reproduce. The supermarket may remain an important anchor, but the centre should not depend on one tenant to justify the entire development. Location, scale, tenant mix, service charge and customer experience must work together.

Shoprite helped define Nigeria’s modern shopping-mall era. Its proposed neighbourhood strategy signals another stage in that evolution. The lesson from Shoprite’s return is not that the mall has failed or that the neighbourhood store has won. It is that no retail format succeeds for long unless the property, the operator and the customer are economically aligned.

ISWAP leadership hit as troops kill Shura Council member, top commander in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian military’s Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a high-profile member of the group’s Shura Council, Abu Hajara, during a fierce encounter in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military also identified Abul Walid, a prominent ISWAP commander and close associate of the group’s overall leader, Ba Shuwa, as among those killed in the engagement, alongside two high-ranking Arab fighters.

The operation took place on October 31, 2026, when troops deployed in Kukawa repelled a large-scale attack on their positions by ISWAP terrorists.

According to the military, the troops deployed both ground and air assets during the encounter, overwhelming the attackers and inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorist group.

The engagement also resulted in the recovery of several weapons, ammunition and communication devices from the terrorists.

The military described the operation as a significant setback for ISWAP’s leadership and operational capacity, saying it demonstrated the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI.

The Kukawa attack came barely three days after another major military engagement in Buni Yadi, where the military said 55 terrorists had been neutralised as of November 1.

Among those reportedly killed in the Buni Yadi operation were key terrorist commanders identified as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri, also known as Munzir; Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk; and Commander Gogore.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, said the Theatre Command remained committed to protecting law-abiding residents and sustaining military operations against terrorist groups in the region.

The command reaffirmed its determination to dismantle terrorist camps and eliminate the threat posed by insurgents across the North-East.

Violence against journalists is unacceptable, Press Council says

The chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council, Vugar Zifaroglu, condemned the assault on APA TV correspondent Sanan Bahramli while he was covering a fire at a timber market in Baku’s Nizami district.

Zifaroglu said the journalist had been physically attacked, insulted and prevented from carrying out his professional duties. He stressed that no one had the right to use force against journalists, interfere with their work or damage their equipment.

According to the Press Council chairman, journalists have a professional duty to gather information at the scene of incidents and report matters of public interest. Any physical interference, threats or insults directed at them undermine not only their professional rights but also the public’s right to access information.

He added that safety and order at incident scenes must be maintained in accordance with the law, without placing unjustified restrictions on journalists’ work.

Zifaroglu called on the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation, give a legal assessment of the actions of those responsible and take appropriate measures in line with the law.

ADC senatorial candidate unveils agenda for Benue South

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, Dr. David Adejo Abraham Olofu, has unveiled a 12-point legislative agenda anchored on People, Power, Prosperity and Progress (PPPP), promising a new direction for the district if elected to the Senate in 2027.

Olofu unveiled the agenda at the weekend during the flag-off of the ADC zonal campaign in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

Addressing party leaders and supporters, he said the 2027 election presented an opportunity to redefine political representation and accelerate development across the nine local government areas in the senatorial district.

The former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning said his proposed legislative blueprint was informed by his experience in public service and interventions in education, healthcare and economic empowerment.

To demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of his constituents, Olofu highlighted three major intervention programmes through which he said he had committed millions of naira to supporting vulnerable residents and young entrepreneurs.

Under the Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative (ALSI), he said more than 300 students from the nine local government areas had benefited from an annual scholarship scheme of ?100,000 per beneficiary.

The programme, which began in 2024, has attracted ?30 million in funding over three years.

He also disclosed that he committed ?10 million in November 2025 to St. Helen’s Specialist Hospital, Otukpo, to offset the medical bills of pregnant women from Benue South, irrespective of their religious, political or ethnic backgrounds.

Similarly, through his Wealth and Empowerment in Benue South (WEBS) initiative, Olofu said beneficiaries had received grants of ?200,000 each, with ?10 million earmarked annually for five years. He added that rural women, particularly widows, and small-scale entrepreneurs had also benefited from the scheme.

The ADC candidate further disclosed that he had introduced an investment-based empowerment programme through which more than 200 constituents were reportedly supported with credits to acquire 50 units each of Dangote Refinery shares. He described the initiative as an effort to promote asset ownership and long-term wealth creation.

Unveiling his 12-point agenda, Olofu identified education, healthcare, agriculture, enterprise development, digital skills, infrastructure, local government autonomy, security, equitable resource allocation and institutional accountability as key priorities.

He promised to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education, facilitate the establishment of science laboratories at local government headquarters, build public libraries and expand scholarship, bursary and mentorship opportunities for students.

To address youth unemployment, he proposed the establishment of ICT hubs and digital skills centres to equip young people with competencies in software development, data management and online business.

Olofu said his experience as Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning between 2015 and 2023, Chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners for Finance and Senior Technical Adviser on Fiscal Policy to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum would strengthen his capacity to attract development projects and ensure the implementation of approved interventions.

As part of his proposed accountability framework, he announced plans to establish two non-partisan institutions: the Benue South Peoples Assembly (BSPA), to aggregate community needs and monitor projects, and the Benue South People’s Council, comprising traditional rulers, professionals, women, youths, religious and socio-cultural groups.

Olofu, who described his decision to join the ADC as a choice for a new political direction, cautioned that changing political parties alone could not transform people’s lives without quality leadership and measurable results.

He appealed for unity among the nine local government areas, saying no community should be left behind in the quest for development.

He also promised regular consultations with constituents, public reports on his legislative activities and budget implementation, as well as greater citizen participation in monitoring constituency projects.

‘Representation is service, not ownership,’ he declared.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council, John Ngbede, praised the large turnout at the campaign flag-off and expressed confidence in Olofu’s capacity to provide effective representation for the district.

Ngbede described the candidate as an experienced public administrator with the capacity and track record to deliver meaningful development. He urged voters across the nine local government areas to support all ADC candidates in the 2027 elections.

The ADC State Chairman, Chief Samson Okwu, also thanked supporters for their turnout, describing it as evidence of the party’s growing political strength in the senatorial district.

Okwu, a former three-term member of the House of Representatives representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, expressed confidence that the ADC would defeat its political opponents in the forthcoming elections.

In his remarks, the ADC governorship candidate in Benue State, Hon. Heman Hembe, urged voters to reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party’s government of inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

Hembe also criticised Governor Hyacinth Alia over what he described as the state government’s failure to deliver commensurate development despite substantial allocations from the Federation Account.

He called on Benue voters to support the ADC in 2027, promising a different approach to governance.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Olofu Campaign Organisation, Chief Chris Adaba Abah, urged the people of Benue South to support all ADC candidates in the 2027 elections.

’I was looking and searching, and I found’: Pastor Jimmy Odukoya introduces new wife

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos, has officially introduced his new wife, Pastor Mo Odukoya, to his congregation, marking a new chapter in his personal life following the end of his previous marriage.

Odukoya made the announcement during the church’s Sunday service on November 1, 2026, inviting his wife onto the altar and presenting her to worshippers as the church’s new First Lady.

Explaining his decision to remarry, the cleric said he had spent considerable time navigating life alone since becoming the church’s senior pastor before finding a suitable partner.

‘Ever since I became a pastor, I have been doing this work of life alone. The Bible said it’s not good. I was looking and searching and I found,’ he told the congregation.

Addressing speculation triggered by a photograph he had shared on social media a day earlier, showing two hands wearing rings, Odukoya clarified that the woman in the picture was his wife.

‘I am sure some of you saw the post, some people said is it artwork? It is my wife, so allow me to introduce to you for the first time, Pastor Mrs. Mo Odukoya, my wife. A new First Lady,’ he said.

The announcement was greeted with excitement from members of the congregation as the couple appeared together before the church.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, who conducted the marriage blessing in the United States, also joined the couple at the service and offered prayers for their union.

Bakare prayed for God’s guidance over their marriage, asking that their home become a centre of peace, stability, love and Christian service.

He described the union as a ‘power union’ and prayed that it would grow stronger with time and become an example for others.

Mo Odukoya, responding to the congregation, expressed her joy at joining her husband at the church.

‘Good morning, family. It’s my pleasure and honour to be here and stand alongside my husband, the Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church,’ she said.

The public introduction followed Odukoya’s social media post on Saturday, October 31, in which he shared a photograph of two hands wearing rings with the caption, ‘To New Beginnings.’

The post generated widespread speculation among followers about whether the pastor had remarried, with many offering congratulatory messages.

The development marks a new phase in the personal life of the cleric, who was previously married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko. The couple married in London in March 2013 and have two children together before their marriage ended.

Odukoya became Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church in September 2023, following the death of his father and the church’s founder, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, in August of the same year.

The church was founded by his parents, Pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya, and has remained one of Lagos’ prominent Pentecostal congregations.

Before taking up full-time pastoral leadership, Jimmy Odukoya was also known for his career in Nollywood, featuring in productions including the 2022 Hollywood film The Woman King, in which he played Oba Ade.

Tokong, Lopez make waves in Siargao

Filipino surfer John Mark ‘Marama’ Tokong defeated world No. 11 Samuel Pupo of Brazil to reach Round 2 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 on Sunday in Siargao.

Tokong scored 16.60 points on waves of 8.60 and 8.00, beating Pupo’s 11.00 in their opening-round heat.

‘It’s crazy and amazing. There was a lot of pressure, but I just told myself to relax, keep things simple and enjoy the waves,’ Tokaong.

The Philippines Pro is presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, with support from various national and local government agencies.

The champion will receive US$80,000 (around P5.1 million). Opening-round losers will each earn US$13,000 (around P830,000). The competition is livestreamed on One Sports’ YouTube channel and Cignal Play.

Big outing for Lopez

Meanwhile, 15-year-old national surfing champion Mara Lopez of La Union came up with a fine performance in a tough match against world No. 1 Molly Picklum.

PSC Chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio said Lopez’s parents could not travel to Siargao because they could not afford the expenses. The WSL and PSC had hoped to bring them to watch their daughter compete but learned of their situation too late.

Despite the loss, Lopez was guaranteed US$13,000 as a wildcard competitor.

‘Sports is a great equalizer,’ Gregorio said, stressing the importance of giving young athletes, especially those from less privileged families, opportunities to compete at the highest level.

2027: ‘God will do it again’, Yari resorts to prayers for Tinubu

?The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has said God who granted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu victory in 2023 will make Nigerians re-elect him for a second term.

?Speaking with journalists in Mecca, Saudi Arabia-where he joined President Tinubu and other prominent Nigerians for the Umrah pilgrimage-former Zamfara State Governor and DG of the APC-PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, expressed complete confidence in the party’s campaign strategy and divine favour.

?Yari’s comments followed Tinubu’s media chat in Saudi Arabia, where the President stated his firm reliance on God for a second-term victory.

?’I believe that Allah’s wish in His court must prevail. And there’s no other God but Allah,’ Tinubu declared. ‘Allah is the only one who can define a human being, what he will be, and what he will become.’

?Building on the President’s remarks, Senator Yari emphasized that President Tinubu’s faith, track record, and the campaign council’s outreach efforts would be the decisive factors in securing victory at the polls.

?’That’s what makes a leader,’ Yari stated. ‘He first prayed for the country, prayed for every Nigerian, and noted that God selects leaders. He depends on Allah to do it for him as He did in 2023.’

?Yari added that the campaign team would actively engage the electorate by showcasing the administration’s achievements.

‘Allah says we should work through all the procedures-to campaign, to talk to people, to convince them, and to show them what we have done and achieved. By God’s grace, people will be convinced to elect us once again.’

Customs deepens collaboration with six agencies to tackle money laundering

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged six federal government agencies to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in tackling cross-border illicit financial flows, money laundering, corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism financing, and other related offences.

This was during a three-day visit, held from 27 to 29 October 2026, led by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu.

It focused on deepening strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing among the agencies to combat financial crimes and other illicit activities.

The agencies include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Speaking during the engagements, Shuaibu expressed that the initiative was aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination in addressing threats to Nigeria’s economy and national security. ‘The sole objective of this mission is to effectively detect and disrupt cross-border illicit financial flows.

The measures include field visits to selected border stations to assess practical Customs control measures and engage with relevant agencies.’ Shuaibu Said.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Intelligence Security Service Sector, Muhammed-Mustapha, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in combating smuggling and reinforcing border security.

He also noted the longstanding relationship between the two institutions.

‘When NFIU was created, NCS was the first to collaborate with us. No particular agency understands things better than how Customs does globally,’ Mustapha said.

Meanwhile, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Team, led by Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, interacted with the agencies on approaches to addressing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT).

The team also called for stronger collaboration with the NCS to ensure the success of the initiative.

During the engagements, participants identified communication gaps, bureaucracy and database privacy concerns, among others, as impediments to effective inter-agency collaboration.

The discussions also explored measures to address these challenges and strengthen institutional synergy.

The engagements also featured the presentation of NCS awards and WCO certificates to the agencies, demonstrating the Service’s commitment to enhance collaboration in tackling threats to Nigeria’s economy and national security.