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Nigeria: Prayer versus policy

Religion is a common currency in Nigeria, and just as we love to flaunt money and wealth, so too are we always quick to show off our religiosity. It is difficult, and even unfair, that anyone’s act of religious worship or ritual is not strictly in the name of God or for reasons of advancing personal religious faith or piety. Yet, it is also difficult to avoid such a sense in many different circumstances of the public display of religion by individuals. So, we worship in the name of God, but there is little doubt that we also tend to make sure other people notice that we do.

Politics and social media have transformed this general tendency-to worship for God and for the notice of others-into something uniquely Nigerian. Of course, politicians and other political actors the world over invoke religion and religious ritual and symbolism to advance political objectives, rather than to deepen faith or conviction. The United States, often touted as the world’s bastion of democracy, is also at once the capital of exploiting religious ritual and symbolism for political purposes. The Church-and increasingly the mosque-in the U.S. is both a place of worship, but also a space for doing all kinds of politics.

Still, the way we do it here appears unique to me. At least one uniquely Nigerian-and for me disturbing-way of doing mixing politics with religious ritual and symbolism is the relative balance we accord to religion and governance in public life. This relates, in particular, to the idea of ‘praying for the nation’ frequently enjoined by our political and religious leaders, and even the ordinary Nigerians in diverse contexts. Afterall, nearly all informal conversations about governance among Nigerians end with a resort to praying more or leaving it all to God.

The idea and practice of ‘praying for the nation’ in Nigeria today is a religious, political and commercial activity. In fact, we can say quite safely that is a whole industry in its own right now. Billions of naira, and unquantifiable amount of energy and time are nowadays spent on praying for the nation across all religious and sectarian divides, particularly during elections.

I have always found this tendency among our political class curious, not to diminish the significance of prayers in human or national affairs, but because I always wonder whether the proportion is appropriate for success. Prayers are important for individual or national advancement, but for both, prayers work best with the most effort and preparation.

The federal government and the ruling APC made the most of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s jetting off for the lesser-hajj last week, to ‘pray for the nation’ as the newspapers reported it. I do not begrudge the President his prayers for the nation. But I could not help but wonder if the amount of time, effort, and money spent on this latest episode of praying for Nigeria would not have been better used in redesigning or adjusting his economic policies to make life easier for Nigerians. Even in the context of this 2027 election campaigns, the government and his party have not done enough to convince Nigerians on his policy direction.

The government has not done enough to listen to or respond positively to the mounting challenges its economic policies are inflicting on Nigerians, and however well intentioned, empty stomachs cannot survive on prayers alone.

From my mailbox

Re: Tinubu: Lion at home, lamb abroad?

My namesake, we haven’t seen each other and exchanged views for quite some time, but I do read your column religiously. Frankly, you made my day by your insightful, brutally frank and honest October 26, 2026, paper, ‘Tinubu: Lion at home, lamb abroad?’

Under Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria has become a one-man show. I first read George Orwell’s Animal Farm when growing up, and read it several times again up to the university and into the Foreign Service in 1975. I never imagined or visualised that Nigeria would later become the near basket case it has now become, where everything, poverty, hunger and insecurity would become the lot of Nigerians.

The President has become a sole administrator, surrounded by grovelling cronies who will not tell him the reality of the situation of Nigerians, honestly and truthfully. Nobody has the balls to tell him that Nigeria has become a living hell and that his reputation is far worse than that of Buhari. It is a tragedy.

Civil servants only care about the security of their jobs and the starvation salaries they receive. This National Assembly under Godswill Akpabio is the worst since the return of democratic rule, which, to me, is more appropriately a civilian rule camouflaging as democratic. During the PDP days, an attempt was made to impeach a PDP President, and it patriotically buried the third-term gambit. Nigerians then knew of the existence of an assertive and independent National Assembly. But under Akpabio, the National Assembly has become a poodle of the Presidency.

Civil servants, who are the engines of any government and need to be the middle class, are now emasculated and pauperised. They receive starvation salaries while the politicians live in obscene opulence and make no bones about flaunting it. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) appears to be barking and not biting. The good old days of Adams Oshiomhole appear to have gone forever.

Reforms are periodically undertaken by a government, and these reforms are meant to benefit the people. If the reforms instituted by the Tinubu government are not benefiting Nigerians and they are crying loudly, they should not be ignored.

The government commends the World Bank and IMF when they make favourable comments on some aspects of the reforms, but they get pilloried when they make adverse comments on some aspects. The views of economists and other knowledgeable Nigerians are dismissed as opposition politics.

I supported and campaigned in my own way for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 because I believed then that he was a democrat who would govern in accordance with the tenets of democracy for which he fought and even went into exile.

Sadly, on assuming office, he began to run a one-man show who must be slavishly obeyed. The Federal Executive became more pliant, and the National Assembly became an extension of the Villa.

As a retired hard-nosed career diplomat, I keep on asking myself about the direction of Nigeria’s foreign policy. It is scandalous to me that, after recalling ambassadors immediately on assumption of office, it took President Tinubu over two years to appoint replacements.

Regrettably, career diplomats who have devoted their service to Nigeria were more marginalised in favour of politicians who were more loyal to themselves than their country.

Under President Tinubu’s chairmanship of ECOWAS, the coup d’état in Niger Republic was badly bungled. If you cannot possess the wherewithal to carry out your threat, do not make it. Otherwise, it becomes an empty threat.

ECOWAS threatened Niger Republic with military action after suspending its membership. Nigeria followed up with the closure of the border between the two countries and went further to cut off electricity, which was a bilateral agreement and not a multilateral one.

Why should Nigeria cut off electricity supply to Niger Republic? This is not only a breach of bilateral agreement but a hostile act. The culmination of what ECOWAS led to Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso breaking away and forming their own Association of Sahel States (AES).

Nigeria and Niger are like Siamese twins. We need each other, and we are closely related ethnically, culturally and religiously. Therefore, Nigeria should have been more tactful and diplomatic. ECOWAS resolution or not, in any case, Nigeria has the clout to moderate ECOWAS decisions.

As President of the Republic, Tinubu must decide whether he wants to be remembered for working to make life better for Nigerians, or for working against them. the choice is his own, and I hope he chooses wisely.

Religion can hide crime nicely

I am God’s dog; a thankless commission. A dog is a dog, whether a White House first dog or a Kiteezi street mongrel. No special respect.

It is assumed that you are all right as long as you have your evening meal and a bone to nibble at. As God’s dog, even my ultimate master, the Lord Almighty, is in a state of divine rest. He can neither endorse nor reject my work.

God’s men, the priests, are different. They command a good measure of respect. They are at liberty to collect taxes (or tithes) and other fees from their followers, and they are not always strictly obliged to give detailed accountability to their followers beyond what is agreed within their administrative structures.

If the man of God is an independent operator with his own church, it gets even better. He can collect money on the pretext of constructing a mega church and use some of the cash to buy a fat SUV before starting the building. His wife and top confidant, who is usually also a pastor at the same church, is very unlikely to object.

The benefits do not end there. If you have the instincts of an even more hardwired fixer, you could not design a criminal operation, lure victims and execute the plot with a better cover than being a recognised man of God.

In spite of evidence to the contrary, there is a persistent assumption in the population that men of God are honest people.

The men of God embrace this myth and blow their trumpet whenever and wherever an opportunity presents itself.

In reality, some men of God are fairly honest. Most are nauseatingly hypocritical, especially when they are dealing with rich people and the political class. And a few are outright crooks. But because of the assumption that they are good men, it usually takes a long time and a bit of courage before the crooks are exposed.

Out of respect, major newspapers and broadcasters usually only report an alleged crime involving a prominent cleric after they have seen the fire under the smoke.

For instance, one newspaper recently published the story of two American investors who allege that a pastor conned them of billions in a dubious gold-mining venture, the paper was careful to give very detailed accounts. Clearly, the editors were keen to assure their readers that the story was thoroughly researched before the alleged Mafia-styled side of the man of God was exposed in the press.

The same attention to detail was evident when another newspaper recently published a story in which a Sheikh and others are alleged to have defrauded someone of Shs1.2b in another gold deal.

The men of God are usually quite adept at choosing their victims. They carefully identify who is both gullible and has money. They read the body language of the victim, and at every stage they take full advantage of the traditional trust many people have in men of God.

So, in practice, a man of God can usually buy plenty of time before the victim fully wakes up to the reality that he has been robbed.

Coupled with the fact that government investigators and the media tend to hesitate before going full-throttle after men of God, it becomes evident that the smartest and safest cover for wrongdoing may be the label: A man of God.

Obi in Bayelsa, urges Tinubu to return home to rest

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), has advised President Bola Tinubu to go return home to rest, saying he lacked the energy to govern

Obi made the call on Friday during the commissioning of the NDC State Secretariat and campaign office in Yenagoa, stressing that Nigeria needs a president and capacity to address the nation’s daunting challenges.

He insisted that Nigeria can no longer afford a leadership that lacked the energy required for effective governance and that Tinubu should abandon his re-election ambition.

The former Anambra State governor criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate electricity supply in the country.

He described the prevailing socio-economic situation as troubling, saying millions of Nigerians were struggling to meet their basic needs while access to essential services such as healthcare, education and employment remain major challenges.

‘Today, we have a country that produces the highest number of poor people in the world. Today, we have a country where our people are hungry. Nigerians don’t know where the next meal will come from,’ he said.

Obi expressed worry that some Nigerians had resorted to seeking spiritual intervention instead of medical treatment because of inadequate healthcare facilities, adding that the absence of quality schools and employment opportunities had further worsened the situation.

He assured Nigerians that the NDC is offering an alternative political direction anchored on national unity, security, production, accountability and economic opportunities.

‘We are telling you that NDC is coming to build a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. We will start by uniting the country,’ he said.

He pledged that an NDC administration would tackle insecurity, strengthen public institutions and ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or geographical backgrounds, feel a sense of belonging.

Condemned the persistent cases of kidnapping and attacks on communities being witnessed across the nation, he promised a more decisive security response if elected.

Obi also promised to make public education accessible, saying his administration would work with state governments to provide classrooms and ensure free basic education at the primary and secondary levels.

On power supply, he pledged that an NDC government would produce, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity compared to about 4,000 megawatts currently being generated.

He further promised to support industries and small businesses, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians and proposed the development of seaports across the South-South region.

According to him, the proposed ports would serve areas including Warri, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Calabar, pledging improved road infrastructure to connect the states and stimulate economic activities.

Obi also took a swipe at the Federal Government over the country’s borrowing, challenging Tinubu to explain how the funds obtained through loans have been utilised.

He raised questions over President Tinubu’s reluctance to visit Bayelsa State for political campaign in spite of the state’s contributions to the country’s oil revenues.

Obi said it was unfair for a president to benefit from the resources generated from the Niger Delta without adequately engaging with the people and addressing their development concerns.

He also criticised Tinubu’s foreign travels, promising that, if elected, his own international engagements would be strictly in Nigeria’s interest and that Nigerians would be kept informed of his whereabouts.

Making a direct appeal for a change of leadership, Obi said: ‘The man is tired. He needs to go home. Tinubu must go and rest. We want him to go and rest.’

He added that Nigeria needs a government that is both accessible and accountable instead of one that is allegedly run around family interests.

Earlier, Henry Seriake Dickson, founder of the NDC and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate, urged Bayelsans to give Obi and all the party’s candidates in the state overwhelming electoral support.

The former governor of Bayelsa State accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises to the people and criticised the ruling party for what he described as the poor political treatment of some individuals who had served in government.

He called on party members and supporters to mobilise across communities in Bayelsa State to secure support for the NDC candidates.

Dickson also cautioned supporters against intimidation and electoral violence, urging them to remain peaceful but resolute in defending their voting rights.

He said elections should be won through votes rather than the deployment of security personnel to intimidate voters.

‘We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote and you declare and you follow up,’ he told supporters.

Dickson said he had worked with Obi for about 25 years, describing their political relationship as one built on longstanding cooperation.

He urged the people to listen to Obi and support the party’s campaign, promising to join the mobilisation efforts across communities in the state.

UVTAB enlists clergy to fight youth unemployment through skilling drive

In a bid to curb rising youth unemployment, the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has partnered with religious leaders to promote vocational skills training across the country.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with representatives of various religious denominations at the UVTAB offices in Kyambogo, Kampala, on October 30, the Executive Secretary of UVTAB, Mr. Onesmus Oyesigye, called on faith leaders to utilize their pulpits on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to encourage their followers to embrace technical hands-on training as a viable pathway to job creation.

“Every Sunday, Saturday, and Friday, you interface with an audience that believes in you. So we ask you to help us preach the gospel of skills-based training,” Mr. Oyesigye said. “You are among our key stakeholders who can help us spread it and tackle unemployment. There are people who have so many papers, but what they need is just three months of skills training to take off and start working, yet they lack this information.”

He lamented the current structure of the country’s theoretical education framework, noting that many graduates remain jobless despite holding academic qualifications.

“Every family has a member who is unemployed. Every day, I get a call from someone asking me for a job which I don’t have, but I guide them to opt for skilling. Some of them take my advice and create for themselves jobs, while those who question and undermine skilling remain jobless and frustrated,” Mr. Oyesigye added. “The way our formal education system was structured is vague. You find a Civil Engineer not knowing what to do.”

To address the recurring issue of skills mismatch cited by employers, the government is shifting university and tertiary education from knowledge-based training to Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET). The implementation of CBET is scheduled to officially commence in the 2027/2028 academic year to ensure graduates align with labor market demands.

Acknowledging that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can be costly, Mr. Oyesigye revealed that UVTAB is proposing to the government that TVET education at the lower levels (Level One and Level Two) be made tuition-free to widen access. He also appealed to parents to stop viewing vocational training as a last resort for academic failures, urging them to direct educated but unemployed youth toward short-term vocational courses.

“If you have a son or a daughter who acquired qualifications through formal education but has been moving around with envelopes for the last five years or so looking for formal jobs without success, encourage them to go for skilling in some of these institutions. Three to six months of training is enough for someone to get employment,” he explained, describing the growing number of unengaged youth as a “lifetime bomb.”

Official records indicate that out of Uganda’s predominantly young population-where over 70 percent are under the age of 30-about 5.25 million Ugandans aged 18 to 30 (50.9 percent) are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET).

Welcoming the initiative, Rev. Daniel Token Wejuli, a programme specialist for spirituality and mindset change at the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), affirmed that faith platforms reach over 25 million believers weekly, making clergy effective agents for mindset change.

“We have been scratching the back of the government to have something for young people, and we believe that tackling unemployment starts with skilling Ugandans,” Rev. Wejuli said. “Our colonial masters deliberately hid the real economy from us by introducing a theoretical education system. We are just trying to undo what they designed, but we need to take skilling seriously to create jobs.”

Highlighting the economic strain caused by joblessness, Mr. Moses Kasagwa, the Executive Director of the TVET Council, noted that expanding vocational education would lower the country’s high dependency burden, which currently stands at 83 percent.

“Your support will bring glory to the country. Currently, almost every Ugandan has a dependant, some of whom are adults. About 50 percent of the youth linger around because they have nothing to do,” Mr. Kasagwa explained.

To further ease entry into vocational training, Dr. Wilfred Nahamya, UVTAB’s Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of assessment, noted that the primary requirement for enrolling in certain skills programmes is simply showing interest. He added that UVTAB has embarked on assessing and certifying competencies for TVET graduates, including those who acquired their skills informally, to ensure standard recognition by employers.

Atiku: Tinubu failed promise on steady electricity, I’ll focus on power crisis if elected

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the APC Presidential Campaign Council of seeking to obscure President Bola Tinubu’s ‘unfulfilled electricity promise with a long recital of laws, committees, bonds and projects’.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said: ‘The APC should spare Nigerians the spectacle of celebrating paperwork while homes and businesses remain in darkness. After three and a half years, families still struggle to keep their homes lit. Traders and small business owners spend scarce resources on alternative power, yet struggle to keep their businesses alive. Nigerians are billed for electricity they cannot rely on. President Tinubu promised steady power and an end to estimated billing. That promise has not been kept.

‘Across Nigeria, consumers are placed in Bands A, B, C, D and E and charged different rates. In many areas, Band A customers pay about ?209.50 per unit before VAT. Rates for the other bands vary by state and electricity provider. Yet across every band, the same hardship endures: the power fails, but the bill arrives. No family should have to weigh the cost of electricity against the cost of food. No business should be left to pay more while receiving less.

‘The government now says it plans to end electricity subsidies from 2027, even as it insists there will be no immediate tariff increase. Nigerians are entitled to a clear answer: what will happen to their bills when the subsidy ends? I will work with state governments and regulators, within the law, to abolish the present band system and replace it with a fair, transparent and affordable framework that protects households and holds power companies accountable for the electricity they deliver. Steady power that Nigerians can afford will be a national priority.

‘When President Tinubu campaigned in 2022, he made an unmistakable commitment. He said: ‘If I don’t give you constant electricity for four years, when I come back for a second term, don’t vote for me.’ Nigerians have lived through those four years. They do not need his campaign council to interpret his words for them. They need him to answer for them.

‘His administration has not built a single new generation infrastructure of its own to increase Nigeria’s power capacity. Yet it has floated a multitrillion naira bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to generation companies, without showing Nigerians how this financial intervention has produced the steady electricity they were promised. Paying old debts is not the same as building new power infrastructure. Bonds cannot be presented as a substitute for power in people’s homes.

‘Meanwhile, Nigerians face VAT on electricity, and the Nigeria Tax Act provides for a 5 per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels, including petrol and diesel. The government says the surcharge has not been activated and would require a ministerial order. At a time when families already struggle to meet the cost of energy, Nigerians deserve to know why another potential charge has been placed before them.

‘Dele Alake’s statement cannot light a home. Signing a law is not electricity. Raising a bond is not electricity. Approving a project is not power delivered. Nigerians cannot cook, study, work or sustain a business on announcements. President Tinubu invited Nigerians to judge him by his performance. They have done so. What they seek is simple: reliable electricity they can afford, and a government that keeps its word.’

More than 1 million visit Manila cemeteries on All Saints’ Day

More than 1.16 million people had visited Manila’s two major public cemeteries by mid-afternoon Sunday, November 1, as Filipinos marked All Saints’ Day.

The Manila North Cemetery recorded an estimated 976,200 visitors as of 3 p.m., according to the latest available count from the Manila Police District.

An hour earlier, the cemetery had logged 811,200 visitors.

Meanwhile, the Manila South Cemetery had recorded 186,350 visitors as of 2 p.m., according to figures cited by the Manila city government.

The latest available tallies from the two cemeteries bring the combined number of visitors to at least 1,162,550.

Officials had expected heavy crowds during the Undas observance.

November 1 and 2, marking All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively, are special non-working days.

Experts urge Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry to look beyond domestic market

The need for Nigeria to strengthen local pharmaceutical production, expand access to essential medicines and improve preparedness for epidemics and pandemics took a centre stage at a side event during the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

The programme was hosted by 10Generation, in partnership with the Institute of Scientology as well as Word Mission Foundation in New York.

The event brought attention to the relationship between pharmaceutical manufacturing, public health education and Africa’s capacity to prevent and manage future health emergencies.

Moderated by international broadcast and multimedia Journalist, Lydia Enyidiya Eke, the discussion examined the opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its pharmaceutical industry, serve its domestic market more effectively and position locally manufactured medicines for eligible regional and international markets.

A central issue was the need to look beyond Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical market and explore the country’s potential to become a stronger participant in the global pharmaceutical industry.

With Africa’s population approaching 1.5 billion, the continent represents a substantial market for medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other essential healthcare products.

However, converting this demand into improved health outcomes requires investment in manufacturing capacity, research, quality assurance, infrastructure and effective regulation.

The discussion however, highlighted the importance of building local capacity to meet healthcare needs while ensuring that pharmaceutical products intended for international markets satisfy the relevant safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

Beyond manufacturing, the programme addressed the importance of preparing Nigeria and other African countries to prevent, detect and manage epidemics and pandemics.

The panelists who spoke included President and Founder, World Mission Foundation who is the main Representative to the UN ECOSOC, Ambassador Anthony.

Others were Fadja Robert-Carr, of 10 Generation and Nicole Berth, Community Affairs, Institute of Scientology.

The speakers noted that health emergencies could expose weaknesses in medicine supply chains, healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance and public communication.

Strengthening these systems before an outbreak occurs is therefore an important part of building national and regional health security.

Expanding reliable local pharmaceutical production could contribute to this effort by diversifying sources of essential medicines and reducing exposure to international supply disruptions.

Nevertheless, effective preparedness also requires trained health personnel, laboratory capacity, emergency response systems and coordinated public health policies.

The conversation underscored the importance of treating preparedness as a continuous responsibility rather than an activity undertaken only when an outbreak emerges.

Public Health Communication as a Prevention Tool was also a part of the panel discussion.

Public service announcements and sustained health enlightenment campaigns equally featured among the issues highlighted during the programme.

Radio, television, digital media and community communication channels can help people understand disease risks, recognise the importance of prevention and obtain reliable information about appropriate health practices.

Effective communication is particularly important during epidemics and pandemics, when misinformation and delayed access to credible information can complicate public health responses.

The discussion pointed to the need for accurate, accessible and actionable public health messages that reach people across different communities.

For Nigeria, this means strengthening collaboration among health authorities, medical professionals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers and the media.

Public health communication must also be supported by accessible healthcare services so that people can act on the information they receive.

Another important dimension of the discussion was the need to place disease prevention at the centre of healthcare planning.

Prevention includes immunisation, sanitation, health education, screening, early diagnosis and access to appropriate medical interventions. These measures can reduce avoidable illness and help ease pressure on healthcare facilities.

The right to health is recognised within international human rights frameworks, although the specific legal obligations and mechanisms for implementation differ across countries.

This makes the responsibility to provide reliable health information, strengthen preventive services and improve access to essential healthcare an important issue for policymakers and public health institutions.

Moderating the discussion, Eke brought her experience in broadcast journalism, editorial leadership and public-interest communication to a conversation connecting pharmaceutical development with health security and public enlightenment.

Her participation reflects the role of professional moderators and journalists in facilitating conversations on issues with implications for public policy, economic development and the well-being of communities.

The issues raised at the Manhattan programme point to the importance of a coordinated approach to Africa’s health future.

Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry requires an enabling environment for responsible investment, innovation, quality manufacturing and regulatory compliance. At the same time, health systems need sustained investment in preparedness, prevention and public communication.

Governments, manufacturers, research institutions, healthcare professionals and media organisations all have roles to play in advancing these priorities.

For Nigeria and the wider African continent, the challenge is to translate market potential into stronger production capacity, and public health knowledge into practical preventive action.

The broader message is that health security cannot depend exclusively on responding to emergencies.

It must be built through sustained investment in local capacity, effective healthcare systems and informed communities.

Breaking More Barriers, Bridging Wider Gaps: NITDA and ENGAUSA’s Journey Towards Inclusive Digital Transformation

Digital inclusion is not simply about providing computers, internet access or digital skills training. It is about breaking the barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunities, acquiring relevant competencies and participating meaningfully in the digital economy.

For almost seven years, under the visionary leadership of Engr. Mustapha Habu Ringim, ENGAUSA GLOBAL TECH HUB LTD has consistently demonstrated this philosophy through its innovative, multilingual and inclusive approach to technology education, skills development, entrepreneurship and human capital development. Three major public-sector contributors to this journey, through their respective mandates, have been the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), under the leadership of Dr. Kazim Kolawole Raji; the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the impactful leadership of Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; and the Federal Ministry of Education, through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), under the exemplary leadership of Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje. Other important Federal Government stakeholders include the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). I will soon dedicate separate blog posts to celebrating the contributions of each of these key stakeholders, as well as other partners from both the public and private sectors. Our impactful relationship with NITDA, particularly in advancing digital inclusion, dates back to 2020, when the Agency recognised the grassroots impact of ENGAUSA’s digital inclusion programmes and incentivised our innovation hub with computers. This support was subsequently extended through the provision of smartphone repair tools, partnering in the national and local training programs and graduation ceremonies, further strengthening our capacity to deliver practical, industry-relevant training.

Beyond these material contributions, NITDA’s confidence in ENGAUSA®’s experience and grassroots impact has also been reflected in the Agency’s repeated engagement of our Hub in policy development and strategic framework review processes. We have participated in several stakeholder consultations and workshops relating to key national initiatives, including the Nigeria Startup Policy, the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. These engagements have provided opportunities for ENGAUSA® to contribute practical insights from its experience in inclusive digital skills development, grassroots innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.

The results speak for themselves. ENGAUSA’s six-year impact journey has contributed to reaching over 11,000 beneficiaries, creating more than 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and supporting the establishment and growth of over 1,000 startup businesses, SMEs and freelance enterprises across 22 states of Nigeria.

NITDA has recognised these contributions through two major national recognitions within four years. The first was the Best Trainer of the Year Award in 2022, presented during the Digital Nigeria Conference. The second was the recent special recognition award presented during the Digital Literacy Workshop organised by NITDA on 20 October 2026, in recognition of ENGAUSA®’s outstanding contributions to digital inclusion and employment among the 252 Digital Literacy Centres registered on NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Dashboard. These recognitions affirm the importance of sustained institutional support for organisations delivering measurable impact at the grassroots.

One of the most important lessons from our nearly seven years of programme implementation and impact assessment is that language inclusion is far more than a teaching technique. It is a powerful instrument for breaking barriers to education, technology and economic participation. By using Hausa alongside English in our learning environment, ENGAUSA has demonstrated that people should not be denied access to technical knowledge simply because they are not proficient in the dominant language of instruction.

This approach has helped expand inclusion across several dimensions, including disability, gender, age, culture, education, economic circumstances and geographical location. It has created more accessible learning opportunities for persons with physical, sensory and other educational support needs; expanded opportunities for women and girls to acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills; and brought children, young people and adults into shared learning environments. It has also enabled learners from diverse cultural and traditional backgrounds to participate confidently while opening pathways for Almajiris, out-of-school children and young people, school dropouts and people with little or no formal educational qualifications. By reducing the cost barriers to acquiring employable and entrepreneurial skills and extending opportunities beyond conventional urban and formal educational environments, the approach has made skills development more accessible to underserved communities.

Our experience also reinforces an important policy position: language-related barriers deserve explicit recognition as educational accessibility concerns. While language disadvantage is not itself a disability, it can prevent learners, including persons with disabilities, from understanding, communicating and participating fully in education and skills development. No learner should be left behind because of language or disability.

The ENGAUSA experience has also contributed to changing perceptions about the value of technical competencies. Through competency-based training, recognition of prior learning, practical mentoring and enterprise incubation, we have promoted the dignity of skills and the formalisation of informal businesses.

Our programmes have opened doors for people with zero certificates, Almajiris, unemployed and underemployed university graduates, women, freelancers and online workers. Many have progressed from learners to competent technicians, independent service providers, business owners and employers of labour.

Some graduates have gone further to become multipliers of opportunity, reaching thousands of other beneficiaries through their own training, mentoring, business activities and community engagements. More than 11,000 people have benefited from ENGAUSA®’s highly subsidised skills acquisition programmes and 100% scholarship opportunities supported by partner organisations and individual philanthropists.

Perhaps one of our most remarkable achievements is the creation of learning environments where people from different educational, socioeconomic, religious, traditional and cultural backgrounds sit together, learn together and build their futures without stereotypes or discrimination.

In line with our commitment to leaving no one behind, ENGAUSA®’s inclusive approach also creates learning opportunities for persons with hearing and visual impairments. Through appropriate learning adaptations and available assistive technologies, we strive to ensure that these learners are not excluded from acquiring relevant digital and technical skills. We recognise, however, that access to specialised assistive and adaptive technologies remains a major challenge, as such tools are still unavailable in many digital inclusion centres across the country. This underscores the need to prioritise accessible learning infrastructure, assistive technologies and specialised training support. More importantly, these provisions must be treated as high-priority requirements, not afterthoughts, in the design and implementation of educational curricula, National Occupational Standards, competency frameworks and national policies. Accessibility and disability inclusion should be built into these systems from the outset to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate meaningfully and benefit equitably from digital and technical skills development.

Another significant outcome of ENGAUSA®’s journey has been its ability to bring institutions and stakeholders together around a shared development objective. The visible impact of NITDA’s support helped demonstrate the value of grassroots innovation and inclusive skills development. Other important Federal Government institutions, including the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), also recognised the potential of this approach and became part of the wider ecosystem of support and collaboration.

This institutional collaboration has helped connect technology development, technical education, vocational training, entrepreneurship and employment in ways that create more meaningful opportunities for beneficiaries. We equally acknowledge the invaluable contributions of private organisations, development partners and individual philanthropists whose support has enabled many learners to access subsidised training and full scholarships. Their contributions deserve dedicated recognition, and we will be sharing more about their roles in subsequent publications.

The ENGAUSA Six-Year Impact Report is more than a record of numbers and activities. It is evidence that inclusive, practical and multilingual skills development can unlock human potential, create employment, stimulate entrepreneurship and strengthen communities.

We particularly appreciate NITDA for believing in the power of grassroots digital inclusion, supporting our innovation journey since 2020, and continuing to recognise and assess the outcomes of our programmes.

As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, sustained investment in language inclusion, disability accessibility, competency-based education and grassroots innovation will be essential to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.

Our journey continues, with a stronger commitment to breaking more barriers and bridging wider gaps.

ENGAUSA® GLOBAL TECH HUB LTD

Breaking More Barriers and Bridging Wider Gaps.

Our message is simple: Digital inclusion must speak the language of the people, accommodate their abilities and create opportunities for everyone.

PDRF to close gaps in Philippines water security

The Philippines has plenty of water, yet many families, cities and businesses still face shortages, floods and unreliable supply.

To close that gap, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation recently brought together national agencies, local governments, water utilities and its member-companies for Cluster Connect: Public-Private Collaboration for Water Resilience in Makati City.

The event also marked the official launch of the Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE) project, a four-year initiative implemented by PDRF and funded by the government of Canada to strengthen water management and climate resilience in Antipolo City and Baguio City.

Water problems in the Philippines come from many directions at once: changing weather patterns, damaged watersheds, fast-growing cities, rising demand and gaps in infrastructure.

Many agencies, LGUs and private groups are working to address these challenges, but these efforts are not always aligned or coordinated. Cluster Connect, an annual gathering of PDRF’s cluster members to strengthen private sector coordination and align with the country’s resilience agenda, aims to bring these efforts together into a coordinated approach where the government sets direction, LGUs lead on the ground and business brings resources and expertise.

‘Canada is proud to support the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen water security, recognizing that access to safe, reliable and sustainable water resources is essential for healthy communities, economic growth and climate resilience. Canada’s experience has shown that sustainable water solutions are built through strong partnerships across government, the private sector and communities, bringing together policy leadership, innovation, technology and investment,’ said Canadian Ambassador David Hartman.

Sanwo-Olu joins models on runway at 2026 Lagos Fashion Week

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made a surprise appearance on the runway at the 2026 Lagos Fashion Week, joining professional models in a fashion showcase that drew applause from guests.

The governor walked the runway in a traditional-inspired outfit created by Nigerian designer Ugo Monye, becoming one of the unexpected highlights of the event.

Sanwo-Olu wore a regal off-white ensemble featuring elements of a traditional caftan and a kimono-inspired cut, paired with a beige fedora. He acknowledged spectators as he made his way across the runway, exchanging nods and flashing peace signs to the cheering audience.

The 2026 Lagos Fashion Week, which opened last Wednesday at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, is expected to end on Sunday.

This year’s edition, themed ‘CRAFTED: Heritage,’ features fashion designers, models, industry professionals and enthusiasts showcasing African creativity, craftsmanship and cultural heritage.