Category: Business Day

Medical experts have warned Nigerians against the prevalent practice of self-medication. They described it as a major threat to liver health and stressed the need for early diagnosis and preventive testing to curb liver-related diseases.

The experts gave the warning during a webinar titled, ‘The Hidden Costs of Self-Medication on Liver Health’ organized by SYNLAB Nigeria as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and encouraging preventive healthcare.

Speaking during the webinar, Ganiyat Kikelomo Oyeleke, a consultant Physician, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist explained that the liver performs several vital functions, including detoxification and metabolism, making it particularly vulnerable to damage caused by the inappropriate use of medications.

According to her, socioeconomic challenges, easy access to over-the-counter drugs, and cultural beliefs have contributed to the widespread practice of self-medication among Nigerians.

She noted that the misuse of common medications such as painkillers, antibiotics, and herbal supplements can result in drug-induced liver injury, especially when taken in excessive doses or combined with alcohol and other medications.

Oyeleke also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of herbal remedies, stressing that ‘natural’ does not always mean safe. She added that liver diseases often progress silently and may not present symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.

She advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary self-medication, limit alcohol consumption, maintain healthy lifestyles, receive hepatitis vaccinations where appropriate, and seek professional medical attention whenever symptoms persist.

Also speaking, Olusola Omoyele, a consultant Chemical Pathologist, highlighted the importance of preventive testing and early diagnosis in protecting liver health. She explained that routine liver function tests and other screening procedures can help detect abnormalities early, thereby improving treatment outcomes.

Omoyele noted that individuals who frequently self-medicate, consume herbal remedies, abuse alcohol, or have underlying health conditions are particularly at risk and should undergo regular screening. She emphasised that normal liver function test results do not necessarily rule out liver disease, underscoring the importance of comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals.

The medical experts advised caution in the use of herbal products and reiterated the need for proper diagnosis before commencing any form of treatment. They also stressed that early

Nigeria has moved a step closer to ending nearly six decades of a centrally controlled policing system following the passage of the State Police constitutional amendment bill by the National Assembly.

The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, following its earlier passage by the House of Representatives, marking what many have described as one of the country’s most significant security reforms since independence. While the legislation is yet to become law, its passage opens the constitutional pathway for the establishment of state police across the federation.

The move comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other crimes that many stakeholders argue have exposed the limitations of a single federally controlled police force.

Why the bill matters

The existing policing structure is rooted in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes a single Nigeria Police Force under the command of an Inspector-General of Police appointed by the President.

Although governors are constitutionally recognised as the chief security officers of their states, they do not exercise operational control over police commissioners deployed to their states, creating what critics describe as a disconnect between those responsible for security and those with the authority to direct policing operations.

Supporters of the State Police Bill argue that the centralised model has struggled to respond effectively to increasingly localised security threats because officers are often posted to communities where they have limited knowledge of the terrain, language or local dynamics.

The bill seeks to decentralise policing while maintaining national standards and federal oversight.

A dual policing system

Rather than replacing the Nigeria Police Force, the bill creates a dual policing structure.

Under the proposed arrangement, the federal police will continue to handle national security responsibilities such as terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, protection of federal institutions and policing of the Federal Capital Territory.

State police services, on the other hand, will focus on maintaining law and order within their respective states.

Both institutions will operate simultaneously under nationally prescribed minimum policing standards coordinated by an expanded National Police Council.

Expanded role for the National Police Council

One of the most significant changes proposed by the bill is the strengthening of the National Police Council.

Beyond government officials, the council will include representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the National Human Rights Commission and traditional rulers.

The council will set national policing standards, supervise both federal and state police services, certify states before they establish police services and resolve disputes arising from policing operations.

How commissioners will be appointed

The bill provides that state police commissioners will be appointed by governors but must first receive confirmation from their respective state Houses of Assembly.

More importantly, commissioners are empowered to challenge directives they believe are unlawful by referring such orders directly to the National Police Council, whose decision will be binding.

This provision is intended to provide an institutional check against political interference in policing.

Safeguards against abuse

Perhaps the biggest concern surrounding state police has been the possibility that governors could use the force to intimidate political opponents or suppress dissent.

The bill attempts to address these fears through several safeguards.

It expressly prohibits the arrest or detention of individuals solely for criticising the government or holding opposing political views.

It also establishes an independent mechanism allowing commissioners to reject unlawful directives from governors by referring them to the National Police Council.

To reduce political manipulation, the legislation protects the tenure of both the Inspector-General of Police and state police commissioners by requiring legislative supermajorities before they can be removed from office.

The proposal also creates 37 Police Service Commissions-one federal and one in each state-to oversee recruitment, appointments and disciplinary matters.

Another safeguard requires states to meet nationally prescribed standards before establishing police services, while the use of weapons will remain subject to federal regulation, with states restricted largely to light arms for routine policing.

When can the federal government intervene?

Despite devolving policing powers to the states, the bill preserves federal authority under clearly defined circumstances.

Federal police may intervene if a state’s security situation completely collapses, if a governor formally requests assistance, or if a state’s police service becomes inoperable with the approval of the National Police Council.

The intention is to decentralise policing without weakening national security coordination.

The bill is not yet law

Although the National Assembly has passed the constitutional amendment, several important steps remain before state police become operational.

The amendment must first be approved by at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, as required for constitutional alterations.

It must then receive presidential assent.

Following that, the National Assembly will have to enact a comprehensive State Police Act covering funding arrangements, training standards and operational coordination between federal and state police services.

Individual states will also be required to pass their own laws establishing state police institutions and service commissions before recruitment can begin.

Finally, the National Police Council must certify that each participating state has met the required standards before officers can be deployed.

The road ahead

The passage of the State Police Bill represents one of Nigeria’s most ambitious attempts to reform its security architecture since the return to democratic rule.

Supporters believe decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to local security challenges.

However, analysts caution that the success of the reform will ultimately depend on adequate funding, professional recruitment, effective oversight and strict adherence to the safeguards designed to prevent political abuse.

For now, the constitutional door has been opened. Whether state police become a transformative security solution or another institutional experiment will depend on how faithfully the remaining legal, political and operational processes are implemented.

When the economy turns, most companies retreat. They cut budgets, go quiet, and wait for the storm to pass. It feels like the responsible thing to do. But the brands that come out of a downturn stronger are the ones that did the opposite, and history keeps proving this point.

During the 2008 financial crisis, companies that maintained or grew their marketing spend saw revenue increase by an average of 3.5 times compared to those that cut back, according to McKinsey. A study by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising found that brands which went dark during a recession took an average of two years to recover their market share.

And research by Kantar shows that a brand which loses 1 point of awareness during a downturn needs to spend roughly 7 times more to recover it later. These are not hypothetical numbers. They represent real money, real customers, and real trust that was lost and had to be rebuilt at enormous cost.

The brands that come out of a downturn stronger are the ones that showed up when everyone else went quiet.

So what, exactly, do these brands do? Here is what separates the ones that endure from the ones that merely survive.

They protect the relationship, not just the margin

Strong brands understand that customers have a memory. When times are hard, people notice who shows up for them and who disappears. The brands that stay present, through communication, through value, through honest acknowledgement of what people are going through, build a depth of loyalty that no campaign can buy afterwards. Cuts that protect short-term margins but break long-term trust are not savings. They are debts with interest.

They get clearer, not quieter

Uncertainty makes people crave clarity. Strong brands lean into this. They simplify their message, strip away the noise, and say something true and useful. They do not overcomplicate or over-promise. They speak directly to what their customers need right now, not what the brand wishes they needed. This kind of honesty builds credibility at a time when credibility is everything.

They invest in trust instead of transactions

When budgets are tight, the instinct is to chase conversion. Every pound spent must visibly produce a sale. But strong brands resist this. They know that trust compounds over time, and that the brands which invest in being known, liked, and believed during a downturn are the ones customers choose first when confidence returns. They balance the short-term need to sell with the long-term need to matter.

They make decisions from values, not fear

This is perhaps the most revealing difference. A brand under pressure will show you who it really is. The ones that cut corners, change their pricing without explanation, or go silent on their commitments, people remember. The brands that hold their values even when it costs something send a signal that no advertising can replicate. They say: we are who we said we were, even now. That is a brand people come back to.

They treat change as a signal, not a threat

Every period of uncertainty shifts something in consumer behaviour. Strong brands pay attention. They look at what people value now, what they are anxious about, and what they need that they are not getting. Then they adapt, not by abandoning what they stand for, but by expressing it in ways that meet the moment. They see the shift before their competitors do, and they move with it.

There is no secret formula here. What strong brands do during uncertainty is, at its core, what all good brands should do all the time: show up with honesty, invest in relationships, and stay true to what they believe in. The difference is that uncertainty removes every comfortable excuse not to. The brands that rise are simply the ones that choose to keep going.

In a significant milestone for African scholarship and independent media leadership, ScienceOpen, the global open-science discovery network, has appointed Max Nwabueze Amuchie as an Expert Member and Peer Reviewer in the field of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The appointment, conveyed via official email on Tuesday, was based on Dr. Amuchie’s verified publication record through his ORCID profile. He joins an elite international cohort of scholars responsible for evaluating, validating, and advancing scientific, governance, and policy literature worldwide.

Dr. Amuchie serves as CEO and Theorist-In-Chief of Sundiata Post Media Ltd and Lead Researcher at the Sundiata Post Intelligence Unit (SPIU). He is widely recognised for developing original macro-theoretical frameworks that address complex geopolitical and security challenges in the Global South. His key contributions include:

The Insecurity Triad framework for African security analysis; The Trinity of State Decay (TSD) theory;

The Decoupling Sovereignty Index (DSI) – a quantitative tool for measuring state functionality and sovereignty.

These frameworks are already archived in leading global open-science repositories, including Harvard Dataverse, Zenodo, SSRN, Mendeley, SSOAR (GESIS – Leibniz Institute), and Figshare. His work is also accessible on ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and indexed on Google Scholar.

Reacting to the appointment, Amuchie described it as a major step toward intellectual sovereignty for the Global South.

‘For too long, the Global South has been positioned primarily as a subject of external analysis rather than a producer of macro-theoretical frameworks,’ he said. ‘This recognition by ScienceOpen provides a credible global platform to validate indigenous African research and ensures that original frameworks developed from rigorous field observation and academic inquiry are recognised as primary tools for understanding state structures and governance worldwide.’

A seasoned media professional, Dr. Amuchie previously served as Member of the Editorial Board and Abuja Bureau Chief at BusinessDay, held senior editorial roles at ThisDay, and was Managing Editor at Leadership newspapers. He also led Truetales Publications Ltd as CEO and Editor-in-Chief. He holds degrees from the University of Calabar and the University of Lagos and authors the widely respected weekly column, The Sunday Stew, which examines faith, character, and structural forces shaping contemporary society.

As an official Peer Reviewer on ScienceOpen, Dr. Amuchie will help bridge high-velocity media analysis with rigorous academic standards, further strengthening the credibility and global influence of the Sundiata Post Intelligence Unit’s data-driven policy research.

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with major operations in Boston, Massachusetts, ScienceOpen is a leading independent open-science platform. It provides free access to over 85 million research records and operates a transparent post-publication peer review system. Only scholars with verified publication records linked to their ORCID ID are appointed as Expert Reviewers.

Cape Verde have written one of the greatest underdog stories in FIFA World Cup history, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Atlantic island nation secured a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston, finishing second in Group H behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay.

With a population estimated between 525,000 and 611,000, Cape Verde became the smallest country by population to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. They are also the first tournament debutants to advance beyond the group stage since Slovakia and Paraguay did so in 2010.

Their reward is a blockbuster last-32 showdown against defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Emotional scenes as qualification confirmed

The historic achievement sparked emotional celebrations after the final whistle, with Cape Verde’s players gathering around a mobile phone on the pitch to watch the closing moments of Spain’s victory over Uruguay, which confirmed their qualification.

Three draws that changed history

Cape Verde’s remarkable campaign began with a stunning 0-0 draw against former world champions Spain, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a man-of-the-match display. They followed that with an impressive 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay before sealing qualification with another resilient goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.

Despite failing to win a match, Bubista’s side progressed unbeaten with three draws, demonstrating remarkable defensive discipline and resilience throughout the group stage.

‘It’s incredible what they are doing. It wasn’t just one game against Spain; it is three games at the highest level,’ Spain World Cup winner Juan Mata said on ITV.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts’

Vozinha, who spent last season with Portuguese second-tier club Chaves, has been the cornerstone of Cape Verde’s historic run.

‘We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,’ the 40-year-old goalkeeper said.

Head coach Bubista, draped in Cape Verde’s flag after qualification was confirmed, praised his team’s belief and determination.

‘The team was very eager to show this to the whole world,’ Bubista said.

‘We are proud of having arrived at this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but that we fight for the things that we want to achieve.’

Argentina await in the Round of 32

From a nation made up of 10 islands off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their reward is a daunting meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, but after defying expectations to become the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, few will be willing to write them off.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programmes for strategic communications.

The Bank received an Award of Excellence in Special and Experiential Events category for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) held in Algiers, Algeria and an Award of Merit in the Social Media category for its Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns, reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to delivering impactful communications that advance its mandate of promoting trade, investment and industrialisation across Africa and the Caribbean.

The Award of Excellence for IATF2025 recognises the successful communications and stakeholder engagement programme delivered around the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, Africa’s premier trade and investment event. IATF2025 brought together governments, businesses, investors, buyers, sellers and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond, creating a platform for trade and investment opportunities while advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The communications campaign played a pivotal role in driving global awareness, stakeholder participation, media visibility and engagement before, during and after the event, while showcasing the scale, ambition and dynamism of African enterprise and reinforcing a positive narrative about Africa’s capacity to trade, industrialise and compete on the global stage. Over 120,000 delegates attended IATF2025 in person and virtually, with deals worth over US$50 billion recorded.

The Award of Merit for Afreximbank Social Media Campaigns recognises the Bank’s strategic use of digital platforms to engage stakeholders, amplify its developmental impact and elevate conversations around trade, industrialisation, economic integration and investment opportunities across Africa and the Caribbean. Through a combination of compelling storytelling, thought leadership content, executive advocacy, multimedia production and real-time event coverage, Afreximbank’s social media platforms have continued to expand their reach and influence among policymakers, businesses, investors, development partners and the wider public.

Among these platforms is the Afreximbank TV, a digital TV channel that is wholly owned and managed by Afreximbank, whose fifth edition was celebrated with dedicated coverage of IATF2025, providing live coverage of the activities to both pan African and global audiences.

Anne Ezeh, director and Global head, Communications and Events at Afreximbank commented: ‘We are delighted to receive these two awards, which attest to the expertise, creativity and efficiency of Afreximbank’s communications. As a pan African multilateral financial institution, we see storytelling as a powerful tool for advancing our mission, ensuring our initiatives, events, programmes and key announcements not only inform, but also inspire confidence, deepen engagement and amplify Africa’s transformation. These awards reinforce our resolve to continue delivering world-class communications that elevate African voices and projects a bold and authoritative narrative of the continent.’

Ezeh added that through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and integrated campaigns, the Bank will continue to amplify the impact of its programmes and partnerships to project a more authentic narrative of Africa, one defined by opportunity, innovation, resilience and growing influence in the global economy.

For more than five decades, the IABC Gold Quill Awards have recognised excellence in strategic communications globally, celebrating programmes and campaigns that demonstrate measurable impact, innovation, creativity and outstanding execution. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the communications profession, the awards are judged through a rigorous and independent evaluation process conducted by experienced communication leaders from around the world.

Twenty-four Nigerian universities have secured spots in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. This achievement reflects the country’s expanding presence in global higher education, despite persistent funding and infrastructure challenges across the tertiary sector.

The progressive milestone reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence, with the country securing the highest representation of any nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dominance of federal institutions

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s premier institutions, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the top-performing universities.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal, three state and four private universities. This distribution underscores the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across core metrics, including teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Growth of specialised and state universities

The rankings reflect expanding recognition for specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning positions. Concurrently, state-owned universities continue to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector. He noted that it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities.

Catalysts for national innovation

Alausa emphasised that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the federal government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education. The administration aims to position universities as catalysts for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Academic analysts state that this global recognition will elevate the international profile of Nigerian universities. The visibility is expected to enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract international research funding and encourage sustained institutional investment.

Featured institutions in 2026 rankings

The 24 featured Nigerian institutions include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Babcock University, and Delta State University, Abraka.

The remaining institutions completing the contingent are Ekiti State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Calabar, and University of Port Harcourt.

Top African musicians, filmmakers, music executives, investors, policymakers and creative entrepreneurs have called for stronger collaboration among African countries, more investment in the creative sector and greater cultural exchange to help Africa build a stronger and globally competitive creative industry.

The call was made at the Africa Music Business Conference recently, organised by the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union and key Moroccan partners including the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, (AMCI), Royal Air Maroc, BigTime Morocco, Afrobian and Marriott Casablanca.

Hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, the conference brought together musicians, producers, filmmakers, investors, policymakers, entertainment executives, creative entrepreneurs and young talents from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of Africa’s music and creative industries.

Among those who attended were Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Hossad, Moroccan Afrobian star and AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan, Moroccan rapper Khtek, respected Moroccan producer Bayadis, AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, rapper Young Loun, rapper Real Khalid, artiste manager Tayze, Moroccan singer Inkonnu, Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan, Chinese investors interested in Africa’s creative industry, and several other stakeholders. Popular Moroccan DJ Soufiane entertained guests with energetic performances throughout the conference.

The conference hosted by Moroccan On-Air Personality, Latis, featured two panel discussions on how the creative industry can promote African unity and the growing influence of Moroccan artists across North Africa and the rest of the continent. The speakers agreed that Africa’s creative industry can only reach its full potential if artists, investors, governments and creative organisations work together more closely.

The experienced panel speakers encouraged African creatives to build stronger partnerships within the continent before looking outside Africa for opportunities. According to them Africa already has the talent, culture and creativity needed to compete with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the conference, AFRIMA Ambassador for Northern Africa, Ahmed Soultan shared how AFRIMA changed his career.

‘I was the first Moroccan and one of the first North African artists to submit my music to AFRIMA. At the time, I never imagined how much that decision would change my life. AFRIMA opened the door for me to connect with the rest of Africa. It introduced my music to new audiences and gave me opportunities to work with people I might never have met,’ he said.

Soultan described AFRIMA as an important bridge between North Africa and the rest of the continent.

‘Today, AFRIMA connects artists from every part of Africa and even the African diaspora. Many artists from West, East and Southern Africa want to enter the North African market but don’t know how to begin. At the same time, many North African artists want to work with musicians from other African countries. AFRIMA makes those connections possible.

‘Every year we receive more entries from North Africa, but we want to see even more. We want more artists, producers and creative entrepreneurs from Morocco and the entire region to work with the rest of Africa. Some of the best collaborations we have seen have involved North African artists working with musicians from other regions. We need many more partnerships like that.’

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan urged young African creatives to understand that success comes through hard work and strong relationships.

‘Whatever area of the creative industry you choose, always give it your best. But talent alone is not enough. Build relationships because nobody succeeds alone. Where I come from, we say one tree cannot make a forest. Build the right connections, create the right platforms and continue learning from others. Many of the opportunities we enjoy today came through relationships that were built many years ago,’ Afolayan said.

He praised AFRIMA, Africa’s global music award platform, for going beyond giving awards.

‘AFRIMA is doing much more than celebrating talented people. It has become a platform where musicians, filmmakers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials meet, share ideas and build businesses together. That is exactly what Africa needs if we want to build a strong creative economy.’

Moroccan rap star Khtek also encouraged African musicians to use AFRIMA to build stronger partnerships across the continent, also insisting that Morocco has the potential to become one of Africa’s major creative centres.

‘We have already seen how collaborations between North African artists and musicians from other parts of Africa have created powerful cultural connections. Now we need to do even more. We need more collaborations, more joint projects and more opportunities that will help African artists grow together,’ she said.

‘Imagine artists from every region of Africa coming to Morocco to make music, exchange ideas and build lasting friendships. That is how we remove barriers. That is how we make African music stronger. AFRIMA gives us that opportunity, and we should all take advantage of it.’

AFRIMA Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mike Strano, said Africa’s music industry is growing rapidly and attracting global attention.

‘The African music industry has never received this level of international recognition. But our biggest opportunity is still within Africa. Imagine what can happen when artists from Lagos, Nairobi, Casablanca, Kigali, Dakar and Johannesburg work together, not just creatively but also commercially. That is the kind of music industry AFRIMA is building,’ he said.

‘This conference shows that Africa’s creative economy is no longer just about potential. Investors are here. Governments are paying attention. Artists are ready to work together. Our next task is to build strong systems that will allow African talents to succeed from within the continent before taking their creativity to the rest of the world.’

In the build-up to the 10th AFRIMA Awards, the Music Business Conference in Casablanca forms part of the series of stakeholder engagement campaigns across Africa and the diaspora running up to the week-long Main Awards programmes. , The Road to 10th AFRIMA campaign had earlier in this year held successful activations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (January 28) and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (March 17).

AFRIMA, the longest-running African music awards platform, was founded in 2014 by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC). The award ceremony is broadcast to millions of people in more than 84 countries across the world.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said the newly commissioned 40 million-dose veterinary vaccine cold chain facility in Edo State will strengthen disease prevention, improve livestock productivity and support food security efforts across Nigeria.

Maiha stated this on Friday during the commissioning and handover of the newly constructed and equipped veterinary vaccine storage facility at the Edo Agric Hub and Livestock Processing Facility in Benin City.

According to the minister, effective vaccination remains the most reliable and sustainable strategy for controlling transboundary animal diseases that continue to affect livestock production and threaten farmers’ livelihoods.

He listed diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Newcastle Disease, African Horse Sickness and African Swine Fever as major threats to the sector.

‘Effective vaccination remains the most reliable and sustainable strategy for combating transboundary animal diseases, which continue to threaten livestock production and farmers’ livelihoods,’ Maiha said.

He explained that the solar-powered facility, with a storage capacity of approximately 40 million vaccine doses, is designed to preserve vaccine potency, strengthen cold chain logistics and ensure timely distribution of quality vaccines to livestock farmers across the South-South region and other parts of the country.

The minister, who also commissioned the Edo ultra-modern livestock processing facility, noted that the veterinary vaccine cold chain project forms part of the Federal Government’s broader livestock development agenda under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, implemented with support from the World Bank.

Maiha added that the investment aligns with the global One Health agenda through efforts aimed at promoting animal health, public health, food safety and environmental sustainability.

Speaking at the event, Edo State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Kponmwosa Omorodion, described the project as a landmark development that would serve the six states of the South-South geopolitical zone and enhance disease prevention initiatives within the livestock industry.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the National Office for locating the facility in Edo State and assured stakeholders of the state government’s commitment to ensuring its protection and optimal utilisation.

Omorodion also noted that agriculture remains a key pillar of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, with livestock development playing a strategic role in boosting food production, creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

Nigeria’s deepening security crisis has left a trail of death, destruction and displacement across the country, with official and independent reports indicating that more than 628,000 people have been killed and over 2.2 million abducted since 2023.

The alarming figures are despite huge government spending on defence and security, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of organised crime.

Between 2021 and 2026, Nigeria consistently prioritised defence and security. Allocation rose from N1.97 trillion in 2021 to N2.41 trillion in 2022, N2.74 trillion in 2023, N3.25 trillion in 2024, N4.91 trillion in 2025 and N5.41 trillion in 2026. Yet, the security situation has remained dire.

At the centre of the grim statistics is the National Bureau of Statistics’ Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, which revealed that between May 2023 and April 2024, no fewer than 614,937 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents, while 2,235,954 others were abducted nationwide.

The report further showed that victims and their families paid an estimated N2.23 trillion in ransom to kidnappers and criminal groups during the period. The North-West recorded the highest number of deaths at 206,030, followed by the North-East with 188,992 fatalities, underscoring the devastating impact of insurgency and banditry in both regions.

The figures paint a troubling picture of communities under siege and citizens increasingly vulnerable to violent attacks. Independent security monitors indicate that the bloodshed has continued.

According to Nigeria Watch, at least 12,954 Nigerians were killed in violence-related incidents in 2025 alone. Between January and May 2026, another 5,272 deaths were recorded, bringing the number of documented fatalities within 17 months to more than 18,000.

The Global Terrorism Index also reported a 46percent increase in terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria in 2025, signalling a resurgence of extremist violence. States including Borno, Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi have remained hotspots of deadly attacks, mass displacement and destruction of livelihoods.

Faced with escalating violence, President Bola Tinubu had declared a national security emergency on November 26, 2025, following coordinated attacks on a church in Kwara State and schools in Kebbi and Niger States where more than 350 persons were abducted.

The president subsequently ordered increased military recruitment, redeployment of police personnel attached to VIPs and the establishment of forest guards.

However, the measures yielded little immediate relief.

Within 71 days of the declaration, at least 316 Nigerians were killed in more than 31 major attacks across 15 states. Among the deadliest incidents were the killing of 75 residents in Kwara State, 42 people during week-long attacks in Niger State and 17 villagers in Borno State. The victims included farmers, traders, worshippers, commuters, miners and internally displaced persons.

Fresh figures from Nextier’s Nigeria Violent Conflicts Database show that insecurity remained intense in 2026. In May alone, 156 violent incidents resulted in 842 deaths and 279 kidnappings nationwide. Compared with May 2025, violent incidents rose by 51.5percent, fatalities surged by 90.1percent and kidnappings increased by 19.7percent.

The data reinforced concerns that years of military operations and peace building interventions were yet to significantly weaken violent groups. The North-West has continued to bear the heaviest burden of mass abductions. According to SBM Intelligence, 2,938 people were kidnapped across the region between July 2024 and June 2025, accounting for more than 60percent of reported abductions nationwide.

Zamfara recorded the highest number with 1,203 victims, followed by Kaduna with 629, Katsina with 566 and Sokoto with 358. Amnesty International also documented the killing of more than 294 people and the abduction of 306 others in Katsina State over a two-year period. The persistent attacks have forced thousands of residents to abandon farms and communities, worsening food insecurity across the region.

In the North-East, Borno State remains the epicentre of insurgency. Data compiled by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting showed that Borno recorded 5,706 insecurity-related deaths between 2021 and mid-2026. Humanitarian agencies reported that nearly 4,000 civilians were killed across the Borno-Adamawa-Yobe axis in the first eight months of 2025 alone.

Plateau State has also witnessed relentless violence. Human rights organisations estimate that more than 2,200 people were killed between 2023 and early 2026, including victims of the Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi and the deadly Mangu crisis.

Benue State has suffered similar devastation. More than 3,600 people were reportedly killed between 2023 and early 2026. Amnesty International documented at least 2,600 deaths and 135 attacks across over 50 communities between January 2023 and February 2024 alone.

The violence culminated in the Yelwata massacre, where more than 100 people were reportedly killed. An estimated 500,000 residents have been displaced, while farms, schools, health centres and critical infrastructure have been destroyed.

63,111 killed during Buhari’s administration

The roots of the current crisis predate the Tinubu administration. Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations, showed that 63,111 Nigerians were killed during the eight-year administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari between June 2015 and May 2023.

The deaths resulted from terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, farmer-herder conflicts, cult violence, kidnappings and extrajudicial killings. The tracker recorded 5,556 deaths in 2015, 5,763 in 2016, 4,618 in 2017, 6,565 in 2018, 8,340 in 2019, 9,694 in 2020, 10,575 in 2021, 9,079 in 2022 and 2,921 between January and May 2023.

By May 2023, Nigeria’s cumulative death toll from violent incidents had climbed to 63,111

Senior military officers affected by insecurity

Before the recent death of Major-General Rabe, who was abducted alongside his wife, several senior military officers had also fallen victim to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime across the country.

Major-General Mohammed Idris Alkali (retd.), former Chief of Administration at Army Headquarters, was declared missing on September 3, 2018, while travelling from Abuja to Bauchi. He was attacked during a violent protest in Plateau State. His remains were recovered from an abandoned well in October 2018.

Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), a former Chief of Defence Staff, was shot dead by gunmen along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway on December 18, 2018, while returning from his farm. Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Maisaka (retd.), former Director of Medical Training and Operations at Defence Headquarters, was killed alongside his grandchild when gunmen attacked his Kaduna residence on November 8, 2021.

Colonel Rabi’u Garba Yandoto (retd.) and his two children were abducted by bandits on the Gusau-Tsafe Road in Zamfara State on January 1, 2023, and released 10 days later after negotiations. Major-General Richard C. Duru (retd.) was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State, in September 2023. He was later reportedly killed by his abductors despite ransom efforts.

Brigadier-General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd.) was stabbed to death by armed robbers who invaded his Abuja residence on June 22, 2024. Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), former NYSC Director-General, was abducted alongside nine others in Katsina State on February 5, 2025, and regained freedom after 56 days in captivity.

Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (retd.) was kidnapped from his Plateau State residence in January 2026 but was rescued the same day by security forces. Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, was killed alongside 17 soldiers during a Boko Haram attack on military formations in Benisheikh, Borno State, on April 9, 2026.

State police a potential security game changer – Experts

Security experts and other stakeholders have expressed optimism that if President Tinubu assents to the State Police Bill passed by the National Assembly, the security situation in the country would improve.

Bernard Mikko, a political scientist and former member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, has expressed optimism that the establishment of state police would significantly enhance security across Nigeria if properly implemented.

In a telephone interview with BusinessDay, Mikko however, cautioned against the process being hijacked by any individual or group for political or personal interests.

He noted that officers recruited from their local environments are more familiar with the language, culture, terrain and dynamics of the communities they serve, stressing that they would be more effective in policing.

Mikko argued that the current system, which often deploys officers to states with completely different cultural, religious and social backgrounds, creates challenges in intelligence gathering and community relations.

Similarly, Kabiru Adamu, a security consultant, argued that local policing structures were better equipped to understand and address the unique security challenges within their communities.

He noted that officers recruited from their localities possess deeper knowledge of the terrain, language, culture and social networks, making it easier to identify criminal elements, gather intelligence and prevent attacks before they occur.

Adeniyi Shodeinde, a retired military officer, said the effectiveness of state police will depend on structured coordination within a unified national security system rather than political interference. He insisted that constitutional safeguards and inter-agency rules must guide operations to prevent abuse.