Category: Business Day

As conversations around corporate governance, board effectiveness and inclusive leadership continue to evolve, the role of women in shaping strategic decisions has never been more significant. Ahead of the 2026 Women Directors’ Biennial Conference, organised by the Women’s Group of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria, we spoke with Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, FCIoD, Chairperson of the Women’s Group Executive Committee, about the conference’s vision, the importance of moving from representation to influence in the boardroom, and what participants can expect from this year’s edition.

The Chartered Institute of Directors’ Women Directors’ Biennial Conference returns this year. Can you give us an overview of what attendees can expect from this year’s edition?

This year’s conference will bring together accomplished directors, business leaders, policymakers and governance experts to examine how women can move from being represented in the boardroom to becoming influential contributors to strategy, governance and long-term value creation. Attendees should expect practical insights, candid conversations and valuable networking opportunities with experienced directors, policymakers and business leaders. Participants will leave with actionable perspectives to strengthen their effectiveness as leaders and board members.

This year’s conference is themed ‘From Presence to Power: Advancing Women’s Influence in the Boardroom.’ What informed the choice of this theme?

We chose this theme because the conversation around women in leadership is evolving. While increasing representation remains important, the real measure of progress is the ability to influence decisions, shape strategy and strengthen governance at the highest levels. This conference is intended to equip participants with the perspectives, networks and practical insights needed to translate presence into lasting impact.

How would you assess the current state of women’s participation and influence in governance and board leadership in Nigeria?

Nigeria has made encouraging progress, with more qualified women serving on boards across both the public and private sectors. However, there remains a noticeable gap between representation and influence. Increasingly, the challenge is not access to the boardroom, but ensuring women are positioned to contribute meaningfully to strategic decision-making.

While progress has been made in increasing representation, many believe the focus must now shift to influence and impact. How can women move beyond having a seat at the table to shaping decisions and outcomes?

Influence is earned through competence, preparation, credibility and courage. Women must continually strengthen their governance knowledge, understand business strategy, ask the right questions and contribute with confidence. The most effective directors are those who consistently add value and help organisations make better decisions.

The conference programme will explore topics such as boardroom access, governance effectiveness, and women, wealth and influence. Why are these conversations particularly important in today’s business environment?

Boards today are navigating economic uncertainty, technological disruption and rising stakeholder expectations. Effective governance has never been more critical. These conversations equip women with the knowledge, networks and strategic perspective needed to lead confidently and contribute meaningfully in an increasingly complex business environment.

What role do platforms such as the Women Directors’ Biennial Conference play in supporting leadership development, knowledge sharing and stronger governance practices?

Platforms like this accelerate learning by bringing together experienced directors, emerging leaders and governance experts to exchange practical insights and real-world experiences. They also strengthen professional networks, encourage mentorship and help build a sustainable pipeline of board-ready leaders while promoting stronger governance standards across organisations.

Looking ahead, what would success look like for women in governance and board leadership over the next few years?

Success will mean seeing more women not only appointed to boards but entrusted with leadership roles that shape strategy, drive innovation and strengthen institutional performance. We want to see more women chairing boards and committees, leading governance reforms and helping organisations achieve sustainable growth.

Finally, who should attend the conference, and how can interested professionals register or get involved?

The conference is designed for directors, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, senior professionals, regulators, policymakers and aspiring directors committed to strengthening governance and leadership. We welcome both women and men who recognize the value of inclusive, high-performing boards. Interested participants can register through the CIoD Nigeria Secretariat or the Institute’s official communication channels.

Nigeria’s private healthcare providers dominated the 12th Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA 2026), sweeping six major category wins and earning nominations across dozens more, signalling a significant rise in the sector’s contribution to national health delivery.

The annual awards, held under the theme ‘Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare,’ recognised standout performers across Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

Among the biggest winners were Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals, named Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, and R-Jolad Hospital, which claimed the Private Secondary Healthcare Facility of the Year title. Cerba Lancet Nigeria won Laboratory Service Provider of the Year, while Bridge Clinic took the IVF Service Provider of the Year award. JNC International Ltd. was named Biomedical Engineering Service Company of the Year, and Alpha Pharmacy Ltd. clinched Pharmaceutical Retail Outlet of the Year.

Two industry veterans also received Lifetime Achievement Awards – Dr. Ladi Awosika, recognised for decades of sector leadership, and Sir Ike Onyechi, founder and CEO of Alpha Pharmacy and Stores Ltd.

The wins were concentrated among members of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), the umbrella body for private healthcare providers, whose affiliated organisations also earned nominations spanning HMOs, cancer centres, diagnostic labs, hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers – including Evercare Hospital, AXA Mansard Health, Lakeshore Cancer Centre and Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, among others.

HFN President Njide Ndili, who also serves as Country Director of PharmAccess, said the results reflect ‘remarkable work being done across Nigeria’s private healthcare sector’ and called the recognitions a reinforcement of collaboration’s role in building a healthier Nigeria.

Now in its 12th year, the NHEA has become one of Nigeria’s most credible platforms for benchmarking excellence in healthcare, drawing participation from both public and private sector stakeholders.

HFN works to promote policies, partnerships and innovations that strengthen the private health sector and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

As an entrepreneur, I have participated in countless conversations about access to finance. Whether at conferences, webinars, policy discussions, or networking events, one challenge consistently dominates the conversation: funding.

At the recently concluded Young Africa Works Dialogue in Lagos, that theme surfaced repeatedly. For many young entrepreneurs, access to capital is often presented as the missing piece needed to unlock business growth. In delving deeper into the discussion on funding, we discovered that while financing is undoubtedly important, that diagnosis is incomplete. The challenge facing entrepreneurs is not simply a lack of capital; it is the absence of the broader systems that enable businesses to grow sustainably.

As the founder of a growing leatherworks business, I understand firsthand what it means to navigate the daily demands of entrepreneurship. On any given day, I may be overseeing production, managing customer relationships, handling administrative responsibilities, marketing products, coordinating suppliers, and making decisions that directly affect the future of the business.

Many entrepreneurs across Nigeria and Africa face similar realities.

Yet despite the growing number of financing opportunities available, many business owners still struggle to access them. In some cases, eligibility requirements are unrealistic for small and growing businesses. In others, funding structures fail to reflect the realities of entrepreneurship. Even when funding is secured, many businesses lack the support systems needed to deploy that capital effectively and generate sustainable growth.

This is why we must move beyond the assumption that access to finance alone is the solution.

A business may secure funding and still struggle to grow because it lacks reliable market access, business development support, mentorship, or the operational capacity required to manage expansion. Capital can provide an opportunity, but opportunity alone does not guarantee success.

Too often, entrepreneurs receive funding without receiving the tools, knowledge, or connections needed to scale. As a result, the burden of growth becomes even heavier. What should have been a catalyst for expansion can quickly become another challenge to manage.

When we talk about supporting entrepreneurs, we must think beyond disbursement. We must ask whether businesses have the capacity to absorb and utilise funding effectively. We must ask whether entrepreneurs have access to customers and markets. We must ask whether they have the skills, networks, and support structures needed to navigate growth. And we must ask whether the broader business environment encourages sustainability rather than survival.

This requires a shift in how we design interventions for entrepreneurs.

Financial institutions should develop products that better reflect the realities of small and growing businesses. Development organisations should pair financing with technical assistance, mentorship, and business advisory support. Policymakers should focus on creating an enabling environment that reduces barriers to growth and improves access to markets. Ecosystem builders should strengthen the networks and partnerships that help entrepreneurs move from survival to scale.

Most importantly, solutions must be informed by the lived experiences of entrepreneurs themselves. The most effective interventions are often those designed with entrepreneurs rather than for entrepreneurs.

The impact of getting this right extends far beyond individual businesses.

When entrepreneurs grow, jobs are created. Families gain income and stability. Communities benefit from increased economic activity. Local industries become more competitive. Economic growth becomes more inclusive and sustainable.

This is why investing in entrepreneurs should never be viewed simply as providing capital. It should be viewed as investing in people, ideas, and the systems that enable those ideas to thrive.

As conversations around youth employment, enterprise development, and economic inclusion continue, we must listen more closely to the realities entrepreneurs face every day. The future of our economy depends on the ability of young people to build businesses that can survive, grow, and create lasting impact.

If we continue measuring success by the amount of money disbursed rather than the number of businesses that sustainably grow, we will continue solving the wrong problem.

The goal should not be access to finance alone. The goal should be access to growth.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there is a fresh and coordinated plot to prevent the party from participating in the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had received what he described as credible information indicating that political and legal forces were mobilising to keep the ADC off the ballot.

According to him, the alleged move is aimed at weakening the opposition and denying Nigerians the opportunity to freely choose their next president.

‘We are fully aware of their plots,’ Atiku said. He added that the ADC had become the ruling party’s main target because it represents the ‘most credible alternative.’

Questioning the alleged actions, he asked, ‘If the APC is truly confident in its popularity, why is it so terrified of the ADC?’

The former vice president claimed a familiar pattern was emerging, alleging that neutral institutions were being drawn into partisan battles through what he described as frivolous litigation, administrative pressure and the selective deployment of state powers.

He warned that suppressing a popular opposition party rather than confronting it at the polls would amount to a grave assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

Atiku maintained that no government has the constitutional authority to determine which political parties Nigerians can vote for, insisting that elections must be decided by the electorate and not through manipulated court processes or institutional interference.

He also urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organisations and the international community to remain vigilant against any action capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.

Thousands of students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, turned out for MTN’s Live It 100 on Campus activation, a three-day engagement that combined entertainment, gaming, brand experiences and giveaways, culminating in the presentation of a brand-new car to a lucky student.

The activation, which ran from recently transformed Campus 3 of the university into a vibrant hub of activities as students participated in games, interactive experiences, prize giveaways and entertainment programmes designed to engage and reward young people.

Speaking at the grand finale of the three-day activation, Senior Manager, Segment Marketing (Youth, Women and Teens), MTN Nigeria, Temilolu Salako, said the initiative reflects MTN’s commitment to supporting young Nigerians beyond connectivity by creating opportunities for engagement, empowerment and recreation.

According to him, MTN Pulse was designed to connect with young people in ways that support both their academic journey and personal aspirations. ‘MTN Pulse is an impactful campus initiative created to celebrate and support young people. We want students to have opportunities to learn, connect, showcase their talents and enjoy memorable experiences while on campus,’ he said.

Salako stated that the activation has continued to expand across tertiary institutions nationwide as part of MTN’s broader commitment to youth development and engagement.

The university management commended the initiative, describing it as a valuable contribution to student welfare and wellbeing.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Vincent Efebeh, praised MTN for its continued investment in young people and for creating opportunities that combine learning, recreation and community engagement. He said the activation had provided students with an avenue to relax, interact and recharge outside the classroom environment.

The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Kingsley Dumuje, also lauded the initiative, describing it as one that resonated strongly with students.

According to him, the programme is a demonstration of MTN’s understanding of what matters to students beyond the classroom, combining entertainment, engagement and meaningful rewards in a way that resonates with young people.

The high point of the event came during the raffle draw on the final day when Joyce Obarakpor, a 200-level Nursing Science student of the school emerged winner of a brand-new car, sparking excitement across the venue.

Expressing gratitude, Obarakpor said she had imagined winning before the event and dedicated the win to her mother, describing her as her greatest support system. ‘My mum is going to be very excited because she has sacrificed so much to make sure my siblings and I go to school. I just want to say thank you to MTN. I’m very happy and very excited,’ she said.

Live It 100 on Campus is part of MTN Pulse’s youth engagement platform designed to connect with students through experiences that bring together entertainment, learning and opportunities, while strengthening the brand’s relationship with young Nigerians across tertiary institutions nationwide.

Ventures Platform and the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, are pleased to announce Haneefah Adam as the winner of the inaugural Ventures Platform-YSMA Futures Art Award, a pioneering public art commission established to support artistic innovation and future-focused cultural expression in Nigeria.

The announcement was made during the 10th anniversary dinner of Ventures Platform in Lagos, where Haneefah was recognized following a competitive national selection process that attracted submissions from artists and art collectives across Nigeria.

Haneefah will be commissioned to create a 12-foot public sculpture titled ‘Bloom in Unexpected Places’, which will be permanently installed within the YSMA and Pan-Atlantic University environment.

Selected through a rigorous jury process involving leading artists, curators, scholars, and cultural professionals, the proposal distinguished itself through its originality, conceptual strength, artistic ambition, and thoughtful engagement with the award’s central theme: ‘Reimagine the future and build into form through art’.

The work explores themes of growth, resilience, innovation, and possibility, inviting audiences to reflect on how creativity and human ingenuity can flourish in unexpected circumstances and environments. Through its scale and public presence, the installation is intended to spark conversations about the future while enriching the cultural landscape of the University and the wider community.

The award represents a landmark moment in Haneefah Adam’s artistic journey. While she has earned recognition for her innovative and socially engaged practice, this commission marks her first institutional award, her first major public art commission, and the largest public artwork of her career to date.

Speaking on behalf of YSMA, Jess Castellote, museum director, described the Award as an important investment in both artists and public culture.

‘At YSMA, we believe museums have a responsibility not only to preserve cultural heritage but also to support the creation of new cultural futures. Haneefah’s proposal impressed the Jury with its clarity, imagination, and relevance to contemporary conversations about innovation and possibility. We are delighted to support the realization of this ambitious work and to welcome it into the Museum’s growing public art programme. The Ventures Platform-YSMA Futures Art Award demonstrates what is possible when cultural institutions and private-sector partners work together to invest in creativity and public engagement.’

For Ventures Platform, the award forms part of its broader vision of supporting the systems, ideas, and people shaping Africa’s future.

According to Kola Aina, founder and general partner, Ventures Platform: ‘As we celebrate ten years of backing visionary founders across Africa, we wanted to create something

that reflects our belief that innovation is not confined to technology or business alone. The future is also imagined through culture, creativity, and the stories we tell about ourselves. This Award represents an investment in imagination itself. Haneefah’s proposal captures that spirit beautifully, and we are excited to see it come to life as a public artwork that inspires curiosity, reflection, and optimism.’

The award is one component of a broader three-year collaboration between Ventures Platform and YSMA, which also includes entrepreneurship-focused masterclasses, guest lectures, and student engagement initiatives within the Pan-Atlantic University ecosystem.

Supporting the long-term legacy of the programme is Atsur Technologies Ltd, the exclusive Provenance Infrastructure and Physical-Digital Documentation Partner for the Ventures Platform-YSMA Futures Art Award.

Through the partnership, every commissioned artwork produced under the Award will be professionally digitized, authenticated, and recorded using Artsur’s provenance and collection management technology, ensuring robust documentation of the artist’s creative process, the artwork’s history, and its enduring place within Nigeria’s cultural record. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening transparency, documentation standards, and the long-term preservation of contemporary African artistic production using innovative technologies.

Commenting on her selection, Haneefah Adam expressed gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about the journey ahead.

‘I am deeply honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the Ventures Platform-YSMA Futures Art Award. To have my work selected from among so many strong submissions is both humbling and encouraging. Bloom in Unexpected Places is rooted in the belief that creativity, hope, and transformation can emerge even in the most unlikely circumstances. I look forward to working with YSMA and Ventures Platform to bring this vision into the public realm and create a work that invites people to think differently about the future.’

Beyond the commissioning of a single artwork, the Ventures Platform-YSMA Futures Art Award seeks to establish a new model for collaboration between the cultural and innovation sectors. By positioning artists as active participants in conversations about technology, entrepreneurship, and societal transformation, the Award expands the ways in which the future can be imagined, questioned, and made visible.

As work begins on Bloom in Unexpected Places, the project signals a bold commitment by both Ventures Platform and YSMA to nurturing creative talent, supporting public art, and fostering interdisciplinary approaches to shaping the future.

The passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate reflects a growing national consensus that Nigeria needs decentralised policing to tackle worsening insecurity across the country.

While the bill empowers governors to oversee State Police operations, it also includes safeguards prohibiting the use of State Police against political opponents or government critics except in accordance with the law.

However, stakeholders have called for institutional safeguards to prevent the misuse of the law by state governors and enforcement agencies.

It is also argued that without strong constitutional and administrative protections, State Police could potentially be influenced by local political actors, thereby undermining their neutrality and the rule of law.

The federal structure currently being practised in Nigeria is characterised by wide disparities in fiscal strength, administrative capability, and institutional maturity.

These imbalances present a situation where some states may have the capacity to maintain professional security institutions, while others may struggle to fund, train, and properly supervise their state police.

Hence, it is argued that introducing State Police under these conditions risks creating an uneven and fragmented security architecture.

Accordingly, Nigeria must, along with the introduction of State Police, confront the reality of ungoverned or weakly governed spaces across the country. BusinessDay’s JOHN SALAU and KENNETH ATHEKAME spoke with some Nigerians on the passage of the Bill on State Police and what it means for the country’s security architecture. Excerpts:

For many years, I have been a strong advocate of State Policing in Nigeria. You can then imagine my excitement as the bill is starting to get the needed momentum. If we must be honest with ourselves and devoid of retrogressive sentiments, this is something long overdue.

Firstly, almost all other countries in the world practising federalism have a subnational policing system. Why do we delude ourselves that we would not do the same and expect our policing to be top-notch? Yet most of these countries have less cultural diversities and less security challenges than we do.

Have we wondered why semblance of state police like the CJTF in Borno State or the Amotekun in States of the South West have been recording successes? It is a simple case of local intelligence superiority and populace acceptability. There is no way an Efik man who has spent all his years in the Niger Delta will be sent to Maiduguri and you expect the majority local Kanuri populace to trust him with intelligence sharing, or him to have good knowledge of the physical and cultural terrain.

Secondly, let us look at it from the funding angle. We can use the April FAAC allocation as a yardstick. For the month of April, 2026, the sum of N2.257 trillion total distributable revenue was shared amongst the 3 tiers of government:

FG = N787.351 billion

State Governments = N772.360 billion.

Oil Producing States = N157.254 billion

(additional amount as 13% of mineral revenue)

LGAs = N540.152 billion

Total = N2.257 trillion

In percentages:

FG = 35%

States= 41% (13% derivation added)

LGAs = 24%

Now, looking at the figures, will it be out of place to ask the tier of government getting the most allocation to also formally get involved in policing? Have we been asking questions about security votes states have been getting, yet at the slightest crisis, only the FG is screamed at but the ‘Chief Security Officer’ of the state getting the security vote is comfortably operating below the radar of responsibility, accountability, and scrutiny?

Kudos to some of the state governors who even without State Police, are actively and frontally tackling insecurity in their states. Lagos, Kogi, Borno, and Edo readily come to my mind. Meanwhile, in the same country, a governor getting the same vote will raise up his hands in the air and tell his citizens that he cannot be responsible for insecurity in his state. While technically such a governor might be right, morally he is inexcusable. Figuratively, while there might be no blood on his hands, he has blood on his soul! With State Police, the era of being a Chief Security Officer that gets paid to secure a state but will not be responsible for security (an aberration) will come to an end!

Thirdly and lastly, the police are better trained and suited for maintaining internal security than the military. The closer the policing structure is, the easier it is to manage security. All the present quasi police arrangements like CJTF, Amotekun, Neighborhood Watches/Vigilante Groups can be refined and fused into different state police architecture as might be suitable. Let them be the first line of defense, followed by the Federal Police, then the military.

– Moses Lawal, Lagos-based social commentator

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The proposal for the establishment of state police in Nigeria is, in principle, a welcome development because effective policing is most successful when it is rooted in the community it serves. Nigeria’s growing security challenges have exposed the limitations of an overly centralised policing structure in a large and diverse federation like Nigeria. From both governance and communication perspectives, state policing has the potential to foster stronger relationships between the police and the people through better understanding of local languages, cultures, and security dynamics.

However, the success of state police will depend largely on the legal and institutional safeguards put in place to prevent political abuse. A legitimate concern is the possibility that some state governors may deploy state police as instruments to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent, or influence electoral outcomes. To prevent this, the operational independence of state police must be guaranteed through clear constitutional provisions, independent oversight bodies, transparent recruitment processes, professional training, and effective judicial accountability. If these safeguards are firmly established, state police can become a valuable instrument for improving security without undermining democracy, the rule of law, or citizens’ fundamental rights.

– Chukwudinma Okoji, HoD, Department of Mass Communication, Federal Poly, Offa, Kwara State

The call for the establishment of state and community policing has remained a subject of national debate for several years. Political leaders, media commentators, security experts, and members of the public have continued to express differing opinions on the issue. While some believe that community policing alone is the key to addressing the persistent challenges of killings, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, others advocate for a more comprehensive security framework that includes state policing coordinated alongside existing federal structures.

The reality is that the Nigeria Police Force, despite the dedication of its personnel, does not have sufficient manpower to effectively secure the country’s rapidly growing population. Although the Federal Government has sustained the recruitment of new officers, the gap between the available workforce and the nation’s security needs remains significant.

The recent surge in banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes has further strengthened the argument for state policing. This position has been reinforced by the concerns raised by several state governors who, despite being regarded as the Chief Security Officers of their respective states, have little or no authority over the deployment of police personnel during emergencies because policing is exclusively under the control of the Federal Government. In view of this reality, the establishment of state police has become increasingly necessary.

Opponents of state policing, however, have expressed legitimate concerns. Some fear that state governors may misuse the police as instruments of political oppression against perceived opponents. Others question whether state governments possess the financial capacity to adequately fund their own police forces. There are also concerns about possible duplication of intelligence, jurisdictional conflicts, and operational clashes between federal and state security agencies.

While these concerns deserve careful consideration, they should not overshadow the urgent need to confront the rising wave of insecurity across the country. The increasing rate of violent crime demands practical, innovative, and collaborative solutions.

This is, therefore, a call to every patriotic Nigerian to support the adoption and effective implementation of state and community policing. Recruitment into such security agencies should be strictly merit-based, while officers must be thoroughly trained to uphold the rule of law, respect human rights, and protect the dignity of every citizen. With appropriate legal safeguards, adequate funding, and effective oversight mechanisms, state policing can complement the efforts of the federal police and significantly enhance security across the nation.

– Badru Saleh Abiona, proprietor, The Source Schools, Alakuko, Lagos

Yes, Nigeria can benefit from state police, but only if there are strong legal safeguards, proper funding, accountability systems, and protection against political abuse. The current centralised force, the Nigeria Police Force, has struggled with manpower shortages, slow response times, and limited local intelligence in many communities.

Can State Governors Fund and Manage It Effectively? It depends on the state.

Some economically stronger states, such as Lagos State, Rivers State, and Kano State, may have the revenue base to fund a professional police structure.

However, many states depend heavily on federal allocations and may struggle to sustain.

Salaries and welfare packages, modern equipment and vehicles, training and professional development, intelligence gathering systems, operational logistics, and without stable funding, state police could become weak and ineffective.

Will it improve crime-fighting? Potentially, yes. Advantages include: better local intelligence officers understand local languages, terrain, and community networks.

Faster response time, less dependence on commands from Abuja.

Improved community trust, Citizens may cooperate more with locally accountable officers.

More focused crime prevention – better handling of kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and communal conflicts.

Nigeria’s current security challenges, such as kidnapping and insurgency, have exposed the limits of a purely centralised model.

Major risks of State Police – The biggest concern is political misuse by governors.

Possible dangers: Using the police against political opponents during elections

Harassment of journalists and critics

Ethnic or partisan favouritism in recruitment. Turning police into a tool of personal political power; Nigeria’s democratic institutions are still evolving, so this concern is significant.

Will It Make Policing Reputable Again?

Not automatically. State police alone will not restore trust. Reputation improves when there is professional training and independent oversight bodies. Better salaries and welfare;

strict punishment for corruption and abuse; respect for citizens’ rights and the rule of law. If corruption simply moves from the federal level to the state level, public trust will not improve.

A strong argument can be made that Nigeria needs state police, but success depends on structure, not just creation. A good model would be:

Federal police handling national security and interstate crimes

State police are handling local security and community policing. Independent oversight commissions prevent abuse by governors.

The real problem is not the absence of state police; it is the lack of accountability at the state level and the absence of genuine political will.

In a country where many politicians appear more focused on political manoeuvring than on governance, state police risk becoming instruments of political intimidation and repression rather than agencies dedicated to protecting lives and property.

– Julius Ayoola, Lagos-based lawyer.

The renewed conversation on the establishment of state police in Nigeria is a welcome development and, indeed, long overdue.

The worsening insecurity across the country is not something we can continue to watch while hoping that things will somehow improve on their own.

Every day, communities are attacked, lives are lost, and citizens are increasingly living in fear. It is therefore necessary to adopt practical solutions that can strengthen our security architecture.

There are concerns being raised by some Nigerians about the possible abuse of state police by governors and political leaders.

While these fears should not be ignored, they should also not prevent the nation from embracing a system that has the potential to improve security.

In several northern states, there are already security outfits operating along religious lines and carrying out functions similar to those of state policing.

These outfits have existed for years without creating major constitutional crises.

Likewise, many states across the country already maintain various security agencies and vigilante groups that work closely with conventional security agencies.

In reality, these are forms of indirect state policing.

I believe that states willing and prepared to establish state police should be allowed to do so, while those that are not ready can wait until they have the necessary capacity and framework in place.

A gradual implementation process may even be the best approach.

The situation can be compared to the introduction of telephones in Nigeria.

There was a time when telephone services were reserved only for the elite.

However, when the need arose to make communication accessible to the masses, the government created policies that made it possible.

In the same way, the necessity of state police has become increasingly evident as a way out of the nation’s current security challenges.

There is no reason for Nigerians to be afraid of state police.

We already have various federal and state agencies doing the same thing, including transport authorities and other government institutions. Having federal and state police will not be totally different.

Furthermore, state governors should be encouraged to channel their security votes into strengthening the state police and supporting the judiciary and other mechanisms that ensure justice and the rule of law.

The establishment of state police is not a threat to Nigeria’s unity; rather, it is an opportunity to bring security closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure quicker responses to local security challenges.

The time has come for Nigeria to embrace state police as part of a broader strategy to restore peace and security across the country.

– Stanley Ihedigbo, publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The Mirror Newspapers

Let the communities and state government take responsibility for their people… This will increase our overall capacity. Let the states come together and source funds from their wealthy citizens, just like Lagos is doing, and be accountable for such funds.

– Eyo Rita

That is one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria and exactly what many of us have been advocating for. Various state governments should now take ownership of their security responsibilities. A governor who cannot generate enough revenue to pay workers’ salaries will inevitably struggle to recruit, train, equip, and sustain a state police force. Establishing state police goes beyond creating a security outfit; it requires substantial and consistent investment in personnel training, welfare, logistics, and operational capacity.’

– Ayobami Adeyemi, Lagos-based lawyer

The United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN) has held a one-day forum in Lagos to educate and sesnsitise secondary school students across Nigeria and Africa on the dangers of tobacco and nicotine substance use.

The event, which held under the theme, ‘Unmasking the appeal: Countering nicotine and tobacco addiction’, brought together secondary school students from both public and private schools in the state.

Speaking at the event, Oluremi Olutimo, president, UNAN, linked the use of tobacco as a major preventable cause of disease and death globally, adding that tobacco usage leads to increased risk of cancers, heart disease, stroke, respiratory ailments, and many other life-threatening health problems.

Despite years of public health efforts, Olutimo who is a professor affirmed that nicotine products, flavored tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and intensive digital marketing were currently introducing the youth to nicotine and tobacco use.

According to him, ‘The debate would serve as a reminder that addiction does often start with products that are perceived as fun, safe, trendy or ‘cool’.

‘But beneath all the eye-catching packaging and attractive advertising is a deadly product that can destroy health, diminish life quality, and place enormous stress on families and the community.

‘This will equip participants with knowledge, creativity and leadership competencies required to effectively contest tobacco industry power, as well as promote healthier life’.

Monica Nwosu, executive director, Heart Aglow Foundation, highlighted the importance of the inter school debate championship, adding that it aimed to ensure that the young minds understand the impact and the implication when it comes to substance abuse.

According to her, ‘The truth is, peer pressure is real. Even if they decide not to take, but if there is a lot of peer pressure, they can succumb to those peer pressure. And that is why we are raising this awareness through the debate.’

Nwosu, who is a member of UNAN, disclosed that at the end of the debate, her association would come up with a policy document.

‘We’re going to be collaborating with relevant government stakeholders and relevant ministries, agencies, and departments of the government to ensure that this policy is translated into law to limit the consumption of this substance.

‘We know that outright ban may be a tall order. But then again, we are advocating that the control should be more effective,’ she said.

Speaking on ‘How the tobacco and nicotine industry is exploiting vulnerable youths’, Chente Okoli commended the organisers of the event, adding that it would go a long way in educating the young minds on the dangers of emerging addictive products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and synthetic nicotine devices.

Okoli, who is a certified emotions doctor, highlighted the need for youth to avoid substance abuse no matter the challenge facing them.

‘There’s no need for them to run to substance abuse, just to be able to pour down some emotions.

‘It is ideal for youth to be able to navigate things head on and not look for easy way to come out of that situation.

‘The tobacco and the nicotine industry are doing a lot of things to bring in new appealing products so as to lure these youth who are leaders of tomorrow in to substance use.

‘The way to prevent this is to educate the youth on time on the dangers of substance abuse and that will enable them take the right decision,’ she said.

Halima Lawan, head, Business Development Africa, Study Now, regretted that a lot of young students have gone into use of tobacco, adding that many start from cigarettes, down to drugs, alcohol, among others.

Lawan called for more awareness on the dangers associated with substance use, adding that such would make the youth understand the consequences that come with it.

Speaking on ‘Psychology of nicotine addiction, mental health and relationship therapist, Jacinta Powell, said that nicotine targets adolescents because they are little children who do not have ability to say no.

She stressed the need for parents to be present in their children’s lives, adding ‘parents need to be present in their children’s lives, because they are the ones who will make decisions for them that the children cannot make themselves.’.

Ikeja Senior High School Lagos emerged winner of the debate which was the second in its series; clinching N200,000 prize money.

African football has reached an unprecedented milestone at the FIFA 2026 World Cup, with nine of the continent’s 10 representatives qualifying for the Round of 32 in the most successful campaign in Africa’s World Cup history.

The expanded 48-team tournament has provided African nations with their greatest collective achievement, surpassing all previous editions. Before 2026, only six African countries had ever reached the World Cup knockout stages, doing so on just 11 occasions.

The nine African teams to advance are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa. Tunisia were the continent’s only casualty in the group stage.

A new benchmark for Africa

The feat shatters Africa’s previous record of two teams reaching the knockout stage, set at both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.

Several African nations also produced memorable results against global heavyweights, taking points off Brazil, Spain, Belgium and Uruguay to underline the continent’s growing strength on the world stage.

Historic milestones across the continent

Morocco continued the momentum from its historic 2022 campaign, when it became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. The Atlas Lions finished second in Group C after earning a valuable draw against Brazil, proving their success in Qatar was no fluke.

Senegal extended its reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent World Cup performers by reaching the knockout stage once again. The Lions of Teranga first captured global attention with their quarter-final run on their tournament debut in 2002.

Ghana also advanced, adding another chapter to a World Cup history that includes its famous run to the quarter-finals in 2010.

Egypt celebrated a historic breakthrough by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time. Africa’s first World Cup representative, who debuted in 1934, finally advanced beyond the group stage after nearly a century.

Algeria booked their place in the Round of 32 following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria.

South Africa also reached the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history, while Ivory Coast celebrated its maiden qualification beyond the group phase after an impressive campaign.

DR Congo made history by recording the country’s first-ever World Cup victories and securing a place in the knockout rounds. The nation previously competed as Zaire in 1974.

Tournament debutants Cape Verde emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the competition, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage after holding Spain and Uruguay to draws.

Eyes on more history

With nine teams still in contention, Africa has already secured its most successful FIFA World Cup campaign.

Attention now turns to the knockout rounds, where the continent’s representatives will attempt to surpass Morocco’s semi-final run in 2022 and continue rewriting World Cup history.

African Round of 32 Fixtures:

South Africa vs Canada – June 28, 8:00 p.m. – Los Angeles Stadium

Morocco vs Netherlands – June 30, 2:00 a.m. – Estadio Monterrey

Ivory Coast vs Norway – June 30, 6:00 p.m. – Dallas Stadium

DR Congo vs England – July 1, 5:00 a.m. – Atlanta Stadium

Senegal vs Belgium – July 1, 9:00 p.m. – Seattle Stadium

Algeria vs Switzerland – July 3, 4:00 a.m. – BC Place, Vancouver

Egypt vs Australia – July 3, 7:00 p.m. – Dallas Stadium

Cape Verde vs Argentina – July 3, 11:00 p.m. – Miami Stadium

Ghana vs Colombia – July 4, 2:30 a.m. – Kansas City Stadium

With Brent crude prices declining by 4.44% to $71.92pb on on easing supply concerns over stranded oil tankers at the Strait of Hormuz, Nigeria’s high oil production is cushioning the effects on the economy. The oil production surge is linked to successful operations by the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), which for years achieved peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. The regional peace has accelerated oil production, helping Nigeria absorb revenue shortfalls from the decline in oil prices.

In every thriving economy, there is always the urgent need to protect strategic assets.

Doing so comes with so many benefits, including building stability and confidence that lead to national prosperity.

Nigeria’s experience with pipeline surveillance operations in the Niger Delta region has followed this trajectory.

For decades, Nigeria’s oil pipelines operated under persistent attack, exposed to sabotage, vandalism, illegal refining and outright theft.

Aside from lost revenue, environmental degradation, social instability, and an economy unable to fully benefit from its oil windfalls were the immediate consequences.

That practice persisted until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) led by High Chief, Dr. Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to protect Nigeria’s oil assets in the Niger Delta region.

The appointment was to enable TSSNL, through its security operations, to support the national economy in getting the full benefits of oil resources.

The TSSNL works in collaboration with other security outfits to achieve its goals of securing oil assets and ensuring peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.

Tantita’s operations had ensured the security of oil pipelines, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of petroleum resources, and ensuring that Nigeria migrated from a position of constant loss management to stability, planning, growth and development.

Impact on oil production output

This impact is already of public knowledge: national crude output climbed significantly. Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed Nigeria’s crude oil production topped its OPEC quota in May, reaching its pinnacle in 15 months and cementing its position as Africa’s leading oil producer.

The report said the country produced an average of 1.53 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) during the month.

With a condensate production of 170,446 bpd included, the commission put Nigeria’s average total hydrocarbon output at 1.7 million bpd.

‘Nigeria’s oil production witnessed an upswing in May 2026, averaging 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil and 170,446 barrels of condensates per day, bringing the total combined production to 1,700, 800 barrels per day and consolidating Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer,’ NUPRC said in a statement.

The figure represents 102 per cent of Nigeria’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 million bpd, according to the regulator. The latest performance marks a significant milestone for the country’s oil sector, with total production standing at its peak since last July, when the combined crude oil and condensate output reached 1.71 million bpd.

With the figure for condensates excluded, the 1.53 million bpd in May represents Nigeria’s strongest performance since January 2025, when output touched 1.538 million bpd. The May figure also represents a 15-month high for crude oil production, excluding condensates.

An economist and policy analyst, Dr Muda Yusuf, explained that while a price drop in crude oil will naturally translate to a reduction in the pump prices of petrol, diesel, Jet A1 and gas, on the flip side, it portends a drop in revenue for the federal government.

Yusuf said that while security interventions have helped improve production levels compared to previous years, Nigeria still faces significant challenges in attracting the scale of investment required to sustain higher output levels.

Other analysts noted that while government reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have improved the fiscal environment for investors, sustainable production growth requires more domestic and foreign investment into the sector.

Michael Otu, an oil magnet based in Abuja, said: ‘To sell more crude oil requires additional production. The capacity to produce more depends on several factors, including fiscal regime, which is much better now than it used to be. The second is investment in the sector’.

Out said that raising crude oil output requires significant capital expenditure and long-term planning by operators, adding that higher oil prices alone do not automatically translate into increased production.

‘The PIA policy was to incentivise production. A lot of the amendments made through executive orders were also designed to boost investment and drive output,’ he stated.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission attributed much of this gain to reduced pipeline vandalism and improved asset protection. This production recovery has direct fiscal implications: each additional 100,000 barrels per day translates to approximately $2.5-3 billion in annual export revenue at current pricing, funds that flow directly into national development budgets.

In a published report, President General, Niger Delta Progressive Alliance, Nse Victor Udoh, said pipeline protection enabled national institutions to progress from reactive crisis management to strategic foresight, from temporary containment to durable systems-building, and from uncertainty-driven decisions to calculated national ambition.

‘It is important to clarify the role of pipeline surveillance within the wider energy landscape. Energy security encompasses the full value chain, from exploration and production to refining, distribution, pricing policy, and subsidy frameworks. Pipeline surveillance does not manage these domains,’ he said.

He added: ‘Its mandate is precise: safeguarding critical infrastructure that transports petroleum resources. Yet this single function has proven foundational. Without secure transportation channels, production targets falter, refining plans collapse, exports decline, and fiscal projections become unreliable.’

Continuing, he wrote: ‘Asset protection, in this context, is not a supporting activity. It is a precondition for economic order. In effect, the pipeline is the hinge on which the entire petroleum value chain turns. When that hinge is weak, every other link in the chain carries strain. When it is secure, the entire system gains coherence.’

The immediate impact has been operational. Sustained monitoring and rapid response systems have sharply reduced pipeline breaches and illegal tapping. Receipt rates have climbed toward full recovery, with national output rising to levels not seen in recent memory.

This redirection has restored Nigeria’s credibility in international oil markets, allowing Nigeria to reclaim market share lost to Angola and Libya.

‘Economic stability follows predictability. When crude flows are secure, refineries can plan feedstock intake with assurance. Export commitments can be met without fear of sudden shortfalls. Gas-to-power projects can operate without recurrent shutdown risks’.

‘Investors can assess Nigeria’s petroleum sector with clearer risk profiles. Surveillance, therefore, does more than stop theft. It reintroduces reliability into national energy planning. And reliability is the bedrock upon which sustainable economic growth is built. With predictable flows, national budgeting becomes more credible, infrastructure planning becomes more precise, and long-term contracts become easier to negotiate. Predictability is the silent currency of modern economies, and pipeline surveillance has begun restoring it,’ he stated.

Further benefits extend into public finance. Higher accounted-for production translates directly into increased export revenues, improved foreign exchange inflows, and strengthened fiscal capacity. National oil company performance in recent years illustrates this shift toward profitability and efficiency, driven in part by reduced losses and enhanced operational continuity.

As revenues stabilise, government budgeting gains credibility. Development planning becomes less speculative. The national economy gains breathing space to invest in infrastructure, social services, and diversification. This breathing space matters. It allows policymakers to think beyond survival and begin shaping structural reforms, industrial expansion, and long-term social investment. It also reduces dependence on emergency borrowing and short-term fiscal patchwork.

Asset protection has also produced environmental and social dividends, particularly in the Niger Delta. Illegal refining and pipeline sabotage once left waterways polluted, farmlands infertile, and communities trapped in cycles of hazard and insecurity. With sustained surveillance operations dismantling illegal sites and preventing repeated breaches, ecological recovery has begun.

What other stakeholders are saying

Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Dekor Dumnamene Robinson, had said the contributions of Tantita and its leadership to national security deserve appreciation.

Also, in one of the strongest endorsements yet of the firm’s operations, lawmakers under the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives on Host Communities and Public Petitions and other stakeholders also commended Tantita for what they described as effective and patriotic service in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.

‘Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, in partnership with NNPCL, has rendered demonstrably effective service in the protection of crude oil pipelines and the recovery of national crude oil production,’ they stated.

The Joint Committee subsequently passed a unanimous vote of confidence on the company and called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to approve a long-term renewal of the surveillance contract to consolidate gains already achieved in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

‘Tompolo and his team have served this country at great personal risk. They have kept the economic lifeline of the nation running and restored peace to communities that had not experienced peace in decades,’ he said.

The National Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), His Highness Benjamin Style Tamaranebi JP

had further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence he has reposed in Tantita as a critical part of the security apparatus for protecting oil assets in the Niger Delta.

Global oil market condition

Oil prices dropped significantly as markets became confident that Strait of Hormuz disruptions would decrease. This has led to 10% drop on Brent prices and Middle East crude benchmarks slipping into contango.

Whilst ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz remain a fraction of their previous norm (130-140 transits per day), plunging crude oil prices suggest the commodity markets anticipate that flows would start to recover sooner rather than later.

The two Middle Eastern crude benchmarks, Dubai and Murban, have flipped into contango, as a temporary period of oversupply is sending ripples across the Asian markets. Logging a hefty 10% weekly loss, ICE Brent will close the week around $72 per barrel, the same level that it was before the US attack on Iran on February 28.

Crude transits through the Strait of Hormuz rose to the highest weekly tally since the onset of the US-Iran conflict this week, with more than 16 million barrels passing through the waterway last week, Wednesday-Thursday, raising hopes of a full, gradual reopening.

However, there are rising fears that Hormuz transit could be choked off again, Iran’s IRG fired several drones at the Taiwan-owned Ever Lovely cargo ship, attempting to cross the Hormuz through ‘ unauthorised routes, damaging the vessel’s bridge some 7 miles off the Omani coast.

According to report, the main reason for the price drop was more good news about the agreement between the United States and Iran. The deal aims to end the recent fighting and let normal oil shipping start again through the Strait of Hormuz.

Findings from reports during the week said the two sides were working out final details on how and when the important shipping route would reopen. They were also talking about letting Iran sell more of its oil again under a special waiver from U.S. sanctions.

Traders saw these steps as clear signs that hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian crude could return to the global market sooner than expected.