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The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2027 presidential election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called for the immediate impeachment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as an alleged breach of the 1999 Constitution.

Adebayo accused Tinubu of prolonging his absence from the country without formally transmitting power to the Vice-President, alleging that the action violated constitutional provisions on the transfer of presidential authority.

According to a statement by the Adewole Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council, signed by its Director of Communications, Comrade Mark Adebayo, the President’s alleged failure to formally transmit power amounted to a disregard for the rule of law.

The council cited Section 145(1) of the Constitution, which provides that whenever the President proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

It said the provision further provides for the Vice-President to perform the functions of President as Acting President until a contrary declaration is transmitted.

The council contrasted the situation with the practice under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who, according to the statement, formally transmitted power to former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when he travelled abroad for vacation or medical treatment.

The campaign council also expressed concern over what it described as the simultaneous absence of the President and Vice-President from the country.

It said leaving Nigeria without a ‘clear, constitutionally empowered leader in residence’ could pose a threat to national security and create delays in critical decision-making.

Reacting to the development, Adebayo said the Constitution was the supreme law of the country and should not be treated as a suggestion.

‘A country cannot be run like a private estate or an absentee-landlord enterprise. The Constitution is not a polite suggestion; it is the supreme law of the land,’ he said.

‘When a President treats the grundnorm of our democracy with contempt by abandoning his post without transmitting power, he abdicates his legitimacy to govern. This is a severe infraction, and the constitutional remedy for such a breach is clear: impeachment!’

Adebayo also criticised the National Assembly, alleging that it had failed to perform its constitutional oversight responsibilities by not initiating impeachment proceedings against the President.

He described the legislature as a ‘rubber-stamp legislature’ and accused it of operating as an extension of the executive arm rather than as an independent check on executive power.

The campaign council called on Nigerians, civil society organisations and constitutional lawyers to speak out against what it described as a dangerous precedent and demanded what it termed an immediate return to constitutional order.

Recent reports separately show that other opposition actors have also questioned whether the constitutional requirements surrounding the President’s absence were met, although those claims concern alleged constitutional non-compliance rather than an established finding of a breach.

On healthcare, Adebayo said his administration would work to end or significantly reduce medical tourism by public office holders through improvements in Nigeria’s health institutions.

‘Under my watch, medical tourism by public office holders would significantly reduce or fizzle out entirely because I will fix our health institutions with uncompromising alacrity as President and any public official that wants to have medical treatment abroad would have to do so at his own expense,’ he said.

Former Ondo State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, on Thursday formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that the opposition party has begun mobilising to take control of the country in the 2027 general election.

Jegede, who joined ADC with his political associates and loyalists in Akure, said his decision to leave the PDP for the ADC followed the worsening economic situation, unemployment, insecurity, and hardship in the country, which made political change imperative.

He said, ‘There is unemployment in Nigeria; you can all see that. There is hardship; you can all see that. The suffering is too much. The journey has begun. We want a democratic government. We are going to mobilise and unite to win come 2027.’

The two- time PDP governorship candidate said the ADC would mobilise across Ondo and the country to secure victories for its candidates in the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections.

He said, ‘All the PDP members loyal to me have moved to ADC. We are going to let everyone know that ADC is the boss when we vote in January and February.’

Jegede also urged party supporters to ensure that their votes translated into electoral strength for the ADC, saying the party would need massive support from voters to achieve its political objectives.

‘It is our votes that will determine the strength of our political party. As we have come out today, let us vote ADC massively,’ he said.

He lamented the rising cost of food and other essential commodities, saying the party would seek to address the economic pressures confronting Nigerians if elected.

The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, while addressing the crowd, said the ADC would seek to reverse some of the policies which he attributed to the worsening economic hardship in the country, saying the party was committed to restoring a petrol subsidy arrangement if elected, as well as strengthening security across the country.

‘We are committed to restoring subsidy. We are committed to restoring security all over this country. If we are elected, no part of this country would feel insecure anymore.’

Atiku, who reflected on Nigeria’s economic performance between 1999 and 2007 when he served as Vice President, said the country had witnessed a reversal of fortunes in subsequent years.

He attributed the worsening economic and social conditions to the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging Nigerians to use the 2027 general election to vote for the ADC.

‘You know what we did between 1999 and 2007. We took Nigeria to be the first finest economy in Africa. Today we are number five. Who are responsible for taking us down and backward? Is it not APC? This is the moment for us to vote them out.’

Atiku also cited the recent electoral experience in Osun, where strong voter turnout and protection of votes demonstrated the importance of electoral participation and vigilance.

He urged ADC members across the country to replicate such mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, noting

Jegede’s entry into the ADC would further strengthen the party’s political structure in Ondo.

‘You can see our brother Eyitayo and his associates have joined us. We are winning,’ he said.

The ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the party was prepared to take over the administration of Nigeria in 2027, citing the economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and rising cost of living confronting Nigerians.

Represented by the National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, Mark noted that the challenges had heightened the need for Nigerians to consider a change of government.

He added that the ADC was positioning itself as an alternative platform capable of addressing the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and said the party would continue to strengthen its structures and mobilise Nigerians across the country ahead of the 2027 general election.

Another speaker, the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo, Oloye Adegoke Adegboyega, said the country was facing serious challenges ranging from hunger and high food and fuel prices to poor electricity supply and insecurity.

He described ADC as a party for ordinary Nigerians and called for support for the party in the 2027 elections, saying: ‘It is time to send the ruling party packing’.

Former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Dr Abdulrasheed Maina, has responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) declaration of him as a wanted man, calling for details of the allegation contained in the commission’s public notice.

Maina’s position was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by his Senior Media and Legal Assistant, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe, Esq., following the EFCC’s publication declaring him wanted over what the commission described as an ‘alleged case of receiving stolen properties’.

The statement described the EFCC publication as a mere allegation pending the disclosure of the particulars and circumstances upon which it is founded.

The legal assistant noted that the published notice did not disclose the nature or description of the alleged stolen property, the alleged transaction, the person or persons from whom the property was allegedly received, the date or circumstances of the alleged offence, or the specific legal basis upon which the declaration was made.

The statement reads in part: ‘It would therefore be premature for us to speculate on facts that have not been made available to us.’

The statement further noted that Maina has been involved in several legal proceedings over the years, some of which have been determined, while others remain subject to the judicial process.

While cautioning against conflating the latest EFCC notice with previous proceedings or judicial determinations, Maina, in the statement, insisted that each matter should be considered on its own facts and legal foundation.

‘We are presently taking steps to obtain and examine the relevant information concerning this latest development and to advise appropriately on the legal position,’ the statement added.

Maina’s legal team also urged the media and members of the public to exercise restraint while the matter proceeds through due process.

An allegation contained in a law-enforcement publication, according to the statement, should not, by itself, be treated as a final determination of criminal liability.

The statement added that further clarification would be provided where appropriate after the necessary information had been obtained and instructions received.

Stakeholders from government, financial services, technology and business sectors are expected to examine the infrastructure required to support Nigeria’s evolving digital economy at a forum in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday.

The forum, organised as part of the sixth edition of Interswitch’s TechConnect industry engagement series, will hold at Protea Hotel, Owerri, with the theme, ‘Built for What’s Next: Designing Adaptive Financial Infrastructure for a Dynamic Market.’

The discussions will focus on how organisations can develop scalable, secure and interconnected systems capable of responding to changing technology, customer expectations and business models.

The keynote address will be delivered by the Executive Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Justice R. Okoye, FCA, ACTI.

Okoye is expected to examine the role of adaptive financial infrastructure in strengthening institutions, improving service delivery and supporting broader economic participation.

Speaking ahead of the event, Vice President, Business Innovation and Growth, Interswitch, Tyoyila Aga, said organisations must design infrastructure with the capacity to adapt to changing market conditions.

Aga said, ‘Markets, customer expectations and business needs will continue to evolve, so the systems that support them must be scalable, interoperable, secure and resilient enough to evolve with them.’

She said the focus should not be limited to adopting new technology but also on developing connected infrastructure capable of supporting new services, channels and opportunities as they emerge.

A key feature of the Owerri edition will be a panel discussion titled ‘Driving Digital Transformation Through Public-Private Partnerships.’

The panel will feature the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zikora Microfinance Bank Limited, Dr Kalu Nnachi; Managing Director, Premise2Cloud ICT Solutions Limited, Celestine Obiosa Uzor; Technology and Process Automation representative of the Abia State Internal Revenue Service, Emmanuel Alozie; and Aga of Interswitch.

The session will be moderated by Faith Ukpai, Lead, Partner and Client Management (Sales and Accounts), Interswitch.

The discussion will focus on how government, financial institutions, technology providers and businesses can collaborate on digital solutions, with attention to interoperability, cybersecurity, data protection, resilience and the capacity of digital systems to respond to changing business and customer needs.

The programme will also feature a fireside chat titled ‘Building a Digital Economy: The Role of Government, Industry and Talent in Shaping the Future.’

The session will have the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Anambra State Government, Nomso Ebonwu, and Chief Sales Officer, Interswitch, Robinta Aluyi, as speakers, while Suliat Aliyu, Head, Partnership, Interswitch, will moderate.

The discussion will examine the roles of government, industry and talent in the development of a more connected digital economy.

The forum will also feature product showcases and networking sessions, providing participants with opportunities to examine payment and digital commerce solutions and their applications across businesses, financial institutions and public-sector organisations.

The Owerri engagement is the first stop in the four-city TechConnect 6.0 series, which will continue in Abuja on October 8, Ibadan on October 22 and Lagos on October 27, 2026.

The series is expected to provide stakeholders across sectors with opportunities to exchange ideas and practical experiences on the infrastructure, innovation and partnerships required to support the continued development of digital finance.

Immediate past Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has clarified remarks attributed to her on university fees and financial sustainability.

Olatunji-Bello was recently quoted as saying that public universities in Nigeria might need to charge a minimum of one million naira as tuition per student annually.

She was quoted as saying the aim was to achieve financial self-sustainability and independence from government funding.

However, her media aide, Mr Emmanuel Adeyemi, made the clarification in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Adeyemi quoted Olatunji-Bello as saying her comments were made in the context of the cost of delivering quality university education comparable with international standards.

The media aide said the former VC did not advocate that students or parents should bear the entire cost of university education.

According to Adeyemi, Olatunji-Bello’s central argument was that providing the quality of undergraduate education Nigerians desire costs about one million naira per student annually.

‘Crucially, however, she did not suggest that this cost must necessarily be transferred wholesale onto students or their parents,’ he said.

He quoted Olatunji-Bello as saying, ‘Universities can achieve financial self-sustainability.

”If they can innovate and ensure improvements in the institution, money will come in.’

Adeyemi said the former VC also encouraged parents to prioritise their children’s education, noting that quality education required adequate funding.

‘I enjoin parents to ensure their children are well-educated by prioritising their fees. Good quality education needs money,’ he quoted her as saying.

The media aide said the remarks reflected a broader call for universities to pursue innovation and diversified revenue streams to achieve financial sustainability.

He said the former VC also acknowledged the cost implications of quality education, while encouraging shared responsibility among universities, parents and other stakeholders.

Adeyemi urged the public, media and education stakeholders to consider Olatunji-Bello’s complete remarks, rather than relying on isolated statements for a more accurate understanding of her position.

The Federal Government has acknowledged that Nigerians are still grappling with poverty, insecurity and infrastructure deficits, but said the country has made significant progress in the 66 years since independence.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a world press conference to flag off activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2026.

Akume said Nigeria had, despite its challenges, maintained its sovereignty and territorial integrity, sustained 27 years of uninterrupted constitutional democracy, diversified its economy and developed a strong pool of human capital.

The SGF, who spoke on the theme, ‘From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,’ said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the country’s achievements, challenges and responsibilities for the future.

According to him, Nigeria has evolved from a colonial economy largely dependent on agriculture to a major oil-producing nation with growing telecommunications, banking, manufacturing and services sectors.

He added that the country’s economy now ranks among the top 20 globally, while Nigerian entrepreneurs, professionals, scientists, artists and athletes continue to make contributions on the international stage.

Akume, however, acknowledged that poverty remained a major challenge, stressing that ‘many Nigerians still face hardships in their daily lives and experiences.’

He also identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violence as major security challenges in parts of the country, while noting that infrastructure deficits in power, roads, ports, rail, health and education continued to constrain national development.

He said the government was committed to addressing the challenges through consistent policies, stronger institutions and sustained investment.

On the reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, Akume said the government had, since 2023, undertaken what he described as difficult but necessary structural reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, unification of foreign exchange windows and tighter fiscal and monetary policies.

He said the reforms were aimed at restoring fiscal balance and creating the foundation for investment and economic growth.

The SGF said the next phase was to consolidate the gains of the reforms and ensure that improved economic stability translated into better opportunities for Nigerians.

He said the Federal Government was mobilising additional revenues, improving public finances, accelerating non-oil revenue collection and attracting new investments.

Akume also highlighted infrastructure development as a priority, saying the government was investing in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity generation and transmission, as well as digital connectivity.

He said the investments were designed to reduce the cost of doing business, connect farmers to markets and stimulate industrial activity.

On agriculture, the SGF said the government was supporting farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, storage and processing facilities, while the National Agricultural Development Fund had also been established to support the sector.

He said the administration was equally expanding access to education and improving the quality of schools and teachers.

Akume noted that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund Act, signed into law in May 2024, established a student loan programme designed to enable more young Nigerians to access tertiary education.

He also listed social protection interventions, including conditional cash transfers, NG-CARES, school feeding and vocational training programmes, as measures aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians during the economic adjustment.

On security, the SGF said the armed forces and security agencies were intensifying operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft.

He said the government was improving intelligence gathering, modernising security equipment and strengthening coordination among the military, police and local communities.

According to him, President Tinubu had also approved the development of a new National Threat Assessment and a five-year Defence Plan to provide a coherent national security strategy.

Akume said the ultimate objective was to create a Nigeria where parents could send their children to school without fear, markets could operate safely, and communities could thrive.

He further stressed the need for the benefits of economic growth to reach communities across the country, particularly through the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which he said would support grassroots projects in agriculture, trade, mining and other sectors.

The SGF called on the private sector to play a leading role in investment, innovation and job creation, while government would provide a stable policy environment, transparent regulation and strong institutions.

He also urged Nigerians to uphold democratic values, noting that the media had a constitutional responsibility to inform the public and hold leaders accountable.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria was moving from the reform and stabilisation phase towards growth, production and shared prosperity.

Idris said economic indicators were showing improvements, including strengthening GDP growth, an improved external position, expanded domestic refining capacity and increased investment and productive activity.

He said the next phase was to translate the gains into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians through more jobs, higher incomes, improved access to education and credit, lower costs and wider economic opportunities.

The minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda was targeting these objectives through investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education, consumer credit, digital skills, energy and enterprise.

He said the administration’s guiding principle was that Nigeria should increasingly produce what it consumes, process what it extracts and create opportunities from its human and natural resources.

Idris also stressed the importance of security, justice and national cohesion to sustaining economic progress.

He urged the media to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and verification, while citizens should have access to reliable information to enable them to make informed democratic choices.

He said the 66th anniversary should serve as an opportunity to renew the country’s commitment to building a more prosperous, secure and united Nigeria.

A Lagos-based trader, Elwah Chigbogu, and two companies, Profile and Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, were on Thursday convicted over the unlawful possession, importation, and distribution of fake and unregistered drugs.

They were convicted by Justice Musa Kakaki-led Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos after pleading guilty to a four-count charge initiated by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In arriving at its decision, Justice Kakaki considered a plea bargain agreement presented by the prosecution and, after reviewing its terms, adopted the agreement in convicting the defendants.

The judge specifically sentenced the first defendant, Chigbogu, to a fine of N1.5 million, according to the plea-bargain proceedings supplied.

It would be recalled that the defendants had earlier been arraigned before the court on four counts bordering on the possession and display of fake drugs, as well as the importation and distribution of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

In the charge, Chigbogu, Profile and Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited were allegedly found in possession of several pharmaceutical products described by NAFDAC as fake drugs.

The products listed in the charge included Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4 mg, Lisinopril 10 mg Tablets, Canesten Thrush 20 mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Action, Prolife vitamin C, Gliclazide 80 mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25 mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300 mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50 mg Tablets and Doxazosin 2 mg Tablets.

The anti-narcotics agency particularly alleged that the defendants committed the offences on or about July 28, 2025, in Idumota, Lagos Island, and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

According to the first count, it was alleged by NAFDAC that the defendants were found in possession of fake drugs, contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 3(1) of the Act.

In the second count, the defendants were accused of displaying the products for the purpose of sale, allegedly contrary to Section 1(b) of the same Act and punishable under Section 3(1).

The third count revealed that the defendants were accused of importing unregistered drugs contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. F33, LFN 2004, and punishable under Sections 6(1)(a) and 8 of the Act.

In the fourth count, the defendants were alleged to have distributed the unregistered drugs, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act and punishable under Sections 6(1)(a) and 8.

While proceedings lasted, the counsel for NAFDAC, Anita Madu, told the trial judge that the prosecution had filed a four-count charge and urged the court to direct that the charges be read to the defendants for their pleas to be taken.

Upon the reading of the charge to the defendants, they pleaded guilty to all four counts.

As a result, Madu notified the court that the prosecution and the defendants had entered into a plea bargain agreement.

She prayed to the court to adopt the terms of the agreement and enter judgment accordingly.

After reviewing the plea bargain agreement, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendants.

The court thereafter imposed a fine of N1.5 million on Chigbogu.

The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), on Thursday commissioned a 581kWp interconnected solar mini-grid project in Oke-Oyi Community, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the Rural Electrification Fund – Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (REF-IMAS) of the Rural Electrification Agency.

The project, developed by Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited, with support from the German Cooperation and the European Union through GIZ, is designed to expand access to reliable electricity while supporting economic activities and improving livelihoods in Oke-Oyi community.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the commissioning reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and ensuring that energy investments translate into improved livelihoods and economic opportunities.

The Minister said that the project has a total installed capacity of 581kWp, comprising 1,336 solar panels and 84 batteries, with approximately 10 kilometres of distribution cables and transformers supporting the electricity distribution network.

‘The project serves a community with an estimated population of 13,000 people, with electricity connections extended to residential and productive users.

‘The intervention is already contributing to increased economic activity in Oke-Oyi, with new businesses emerging following the availability of improved electricity supply. These include 12 welding businesses, two pure water companies, four grain mills, four aluminium artisan businesses, one ice-block production business and one cold-room/ice-fish depot.

‘Three electricity vendors are also currently operating, with three additional vendors, including a female entrepreneur, expected to be registered.

‘The construction phase of the project also provided employment opportunities for members of the community through the engagement of painters, welders, bricklayers, iron benders, tilers, plumbers, borehole diggers and excavation labourers.’

Also speaking, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, represented by the Speaker, Kwara Assembly, and the APC governorship candidate, Salihu Danladi Yakubu, welcomed the intervention and noted the importance of reliable electricity to economic activities and community development.

‘For Kwara State, every intervention that expands reliable electricity access to our communities is an important step towards creating a more conducive environment for enterprise, employment and improved livelihoods. We appreciate the Federal Government, REA and all development and private-sector partners for this investment in Oke-Oyi and look forward to its continued contribution to the development of the community.’

While celebrating the project, residents of Oke-Oyi community said that the mini-grid project would help to solve long years of irregular power supply in the area.

Speaking during the commissioning of the energy project at Oke-Oyi on Thursday, the community chairman, Alhaji Oseni Olarewaju Elemoso, said that the area had for many years longed for reliable electricity to improve lives and economic activities.

The residents, who said that the project has renewed their confidence in the commitment of the government and its partners to rural development, added that it has shown that Oke-Oyi is not forgotten.

‘With this new source of electricity, we are confident that more businesses will thrive, livelihoods will improve and our community will continue to develop because our community is blessed with hardworking men, women and youths engaged in various economic activities.

‘We are already witnessing the impact of this project, with new businesses including welders, pure water companies, grain millers, aluminium artisans, ice-block production and a cold room. We also appreciate the employment opportunities created for our people during the construction of the project.’

The Oke-Oyi community thanked the Federal Government, the Rural Electrification Agency, the German Cooperation, the European Union, GIZ, Nayo Tropical Technologies Limited and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for bringing this project to their community.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mallam Garba Olayinka Agbelere, called for protection and productive utilisation of the solar mini-grid project in Oke-Oyi community.

The council chairman, who said that provision of reliable electricity would boost economic activities in Oke-Oyi, added that it would create an enabling environment for businesses to expand and new enterprises to emerge.

‘The provision of reliable electricity remains an important driver of economic and social development. For communities such as Oke-Oyi, access to electricity provides an opportunity for businesses to grow, new enterprises to emerge and our people to improve their livelihoods,’ he said.

The council chairman also highlighted the employment opportunities generated during the construction of the project, noting that artisans, technicians and labourers from Oke-Oyi and other parts of Ilorin East benefited from the project.

He pledged the commitment of the local government to collaborate with the Oke-Oyi community, REA, the project developer and other stakeholders to ensure that the facility is adequately protected and sustained.

He urged residents to regard the mini-grid as their collective asset and protect it against vandalism, misuse and other activities capable of undermining its sustainability.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Oke-Oyi project demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to deploying electricity infrastructure that delivers tangible economic value to communities.

‘The real measure of an electrification project is not only the infrastructure we commission, but the opportunities that reliable electricity creates for the people who use it. In Oke-Oyi, we are already seeing new businesses emerge, productive activities expand and livelihoods being supported. This is precisely the kind of impact we seek to achieve through the Rural Electrification Agency and our partnership with the private sector and development partners.’

He added that the sustainability of the investment would remain an important consideration beyond commissioning, noting that communities, developers and other stakeholders all have a role to play in protecting and maximising the value of the infrastructure.

The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karin Jansen, also speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in advancing sustainable energy access in Nigeria. She commended the Federal Ministry of Power, REA, the Kwara State Government, IBEDC, Nayo Tropical Technology, the EU, GIZ and the Oke-Oyi community for their contributions to the project.

She noted that the interconnected mini-grid demonstrates how partnerships between the public sector, development partners and private-sector developers can deliver practical and sustainable energy solutions for underserved communities.

In her address, she said: ‘Today is more than connecting a community to electricity; it is about demonstrating what is possible when government, development partners, utilities, private-sector developers and communities work together towards a common objective. We hope that the experience gained through this project will provide useful lessons for future interconnected mini-grids and other distributed energy solutions across Nigeria.’

The Oyo State Government has announced the commencement of the Nigerian Army 92 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) for Tradesmen and Women, urging qualified indigenes of the state to take advantage of the recruitment opportunity.

The announcement was contained in a public service announcement signed by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, on Thursday.

The government said the recruitment exercise, which commenced on September 9, 2026, would run until October 21, 2026, and was open to qualified male and female indigenes of Oyo State.

According to the statement, ‘the recruitment exercise commenced on September 9 and will run until October 21, 2026, for interested and qualified male and female indigenes of Oyo State.’

It stated that the application was free of charge and could be completed online through the Nigerian Army recruitment portal.

The government said, ‘all applications would be screened, while qualified applicants would be shortlisted for the physical screening exercise at the State Recruitment Centre, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo, Odogbo, Ibadan.’

It also advised applicants who are indigenes of Oyo State to obtain an Oyo State Indigeneship Certificate as evidence of their indigene status.

According to the government, the certificate could be obtained from Room 53, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, or the state’s liaison offices in Abuja and Lagos.

The statement urged qualified indigenes to take advantage of the opportunity, while appealing to members of the public to circulate the information to eligible applicants across the state.

The government emphasised that the application process was free and urged prospective applicants to use only the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for their applications.

The Adamawa State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), has launched a consumer-credit mobility program aimed at creating income-generation opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship, and promoting cleaner transportation.

No fewer than 120 beneficiaries in the state have received CNG-powered tricycles under the scheme, which is designed to expand access to productive assets and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for young Nigerians.

The tricycles were presented to beneficiaries at an inauguration ceremony held at Mahmud Ribadu Square, Jimeta-Yola, on Wednesday.

Representatives of CREDICORP, Sub-City Project Global Consult, financial institutions, transport operators, government officials, and other stakeholders attended the ceremony.

The initiative is being implemented through a partnership involving CREDICORP, the Sub-City Global Project, financial institutions, and mobility-sector partners. Beneficiaries are accessing the tricycles through structured installment payment arrangements.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sub-City Project Global Consult, Mallam Imam Tolihat Umar, described the intervention as an opportunity for young people to own productive assets, generate income, and become economically independent.

He charged beneficiaries to treat the scheme as a serious economic responsibility, stressing the need for responsible use of the vehicles, road safety, and timely repayment.

‘The success of the beneficiaries would help demonstrate that young Nigerians can use access to credit to build sustainable livelihoods and create opportunities for others.’

Umar commended CREDICORP, financial institutions, vehicle manufacturers, transport operators, and other partners for contributing to the implementation of the program.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented at the event by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Transportation, Wunfe Anthony, described the deployment of the CNG tricycles as an investment in livelihoods, transportation, and economic mobility.

He noted that transportation remains a major source of livelihood for many people in Adamawa, adding that a tricycle can provide daily income, support families, and facilitate the movement of people and goods.

He also highlighted the introduction of compressed natural gas as an opportunity to promote cleaner mobility while supporting the economic needs of transport operators.

‘This initiative aligns with broader efforts to explore cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions in the state.

He reminded the beneficiaries that ‘these tricycles are economic assets, acquired through credit and not as an outright gift.’ He urged them to maintain the tricycles, use them productively, and meet their repayment obligations.

CREDICORP’s mobility program focuses on expanding access to productive assets, including CNG and electric vehicles, through consumer-credit arrangements and partnerships with financial institutions and vendors.