Category: Business Day

As Jensen Huang, the chief executive of the chip-making giant Nvidia, travelled to Asia to meet with President Trump on Wednesday, his company’s value topped $5 trillion. It was a show of wealth that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

But that was before the ChatGPT chatbot ignited an artificial intelligence boom that is remaking the global economy. It was before other tech titans began spending hundreds of billions of dollars on construction projects on almost every continent. And it was before Nvidia’s computer chips, the most essential and expensive component in almost every A.I. scheme, became a linchpin of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. Nvidia’s milestone, the first publicly traded company to top $5 trillion in market value, is indicative not only of the astonishing levels of wealth consolidating among a handful of Silicon Valley companies but also the strategic importance of this company, which added $1 trillion in market value in just the past four months.

Nvidia has become a driving force behind the U.S. economy. Spending on data centers, which are filled with the company’s chips, accounted for 92 percent of the country’s gross domestic product growth in the first half of the year, according to Jason Furman, a professor of economic policy at Harvard. Without it, the economy would have grown 0.1 percent.

But Nvidia’s stunning growth also comes with a warning to investors, from the biggest banks on Wall Street to small-time traders on Main Street, that the stock market is becoming more and more dependent on a group of technology companies that are churning out billions in profits and splurging to develop an unproven technology that needs to deliver enormous returns.

‘There’s unbridled optimism about where this technology is going to go,’ said Gene Munster, a managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, which invests in emerging technology companies. ‘But the question is: Will it deliver? The usefulness of A.I. is still limited today.’

In crypto, the difference between peace and panic often comes down to timing. Those who move early skip the rush. Those who wait get trampled by it. This is exactly what’s unfolding around the Milk Mocha Token ($HUGS), a token powered by emotional IP, staking mechanics, NFTs, and gamified rewards. But what many investors don’t yet see is the invisible line separating the calm of whitelist access from the chaos of post-whitelist trading.

Right now, $HUGS is one of the best presale crypto opportunities available. But only if you enter before the door closes. The whitelist doesn’t just offer early price, it shields you from gas wars, slippage spikes, and wallet congestion. Once it ends, everyone else will be scrambling to catch up, and the cost of entry will reflect it.

The Calm Before the Rush: What Whitelist Access Really Means

For anyone used to crypto launches, the post-presale phase is a familiar mess. Bots swarm mempools, gas fees spike, and slippage turns $100 into $78 before the token even arrives in your wallet. It’s chaos, and for many, it’s the difference between a calculated entry and a panicked mistake.

The $HUGS whitelist avoids all of that. There’s no gas fee markup, no front-running bots, no slippage on entry, and no KYC hoops to jump through. Just a clean, email-based sign-up. Once you’re in, you lock your price. You get the allocation you choose. And you avoid everything that makes public crypto presales stressful.

For serious investors, this is not just convenience, it’s entry precision. You control your cost basis, your timing, and your exposure.

After the Whitelist? It’s a Different Game Entirely

Once the whitelist ends, everything changes. With only numbered spots remaining, those who miss it will find themselves in a different environment entirely. The price will have already moved through multiple stages. The competition will intensify. Larger wallets will begin flooding in. And volatility will replace predictability.

Even if the token launches smoothly, new buyers will face higher entry prices, slippage on trades, and network congestion that can delay or even fail transactions. By then, the predictable allocation is gone. You’re paying whatever the market demands, and hoping it doesn’t change mid-click.

That’s not how confident positions are built. It’s how people buy tops and miss bottoms.

Milk Mocha’s Emotional IP Will Drive Attention, Not Reduce It

Most presales fade into silence until marketing kicks in. $HUGS is different. With the Milk Mocha IP at its core, the project has millions of fans ready to follow. Their appeal is not speculative, it’s emotional. These characters are embedded in stickers, plushies, social media, and merchandise. Their entry into Web3 is already attracting attention. And once public, that attention will multiply.

Which makes whitelist access not just about price, but about peace. You’re not only securing an early valuation. You’re stepping into the project before it becomes noisy. Before TikTok influencers shout about it. Before Discord servers overflow. Before speculation drowns the fundamentals.

This is your moment to enter a high-potential project while it’s still quiet enough to make deliberate moves.

Whitelist = Value. Post-Whitelist = Friction.

$HUGS isn’t a meme token riding vapor. It’s packed with structured staking at 50% APY, gamified minigames, deflationary mechanics through token burns, a collectible NFT system, and DAO governance. Every element has a real function. And those functions reward holders, not just hype-chasers.

But to benefit fully from those utilities, you need entry at the stage where the mechanics favor you, not the masses. The whitelist is where that value transfer happens. The price is low, fees are zero, and allocations are clean.

Wait too long, and even if you believe in the project, you’ll be entering from behind. You’ll be reacting to the market, not participating in shaping it.

Secure the Quiet Win Before the Noise Begins

Crypto isn’t just about picking the right project, it’s about entering at the right moment. With $HUGS presale, that moment is now. Before the whitelist closes. Before pricing moves further up the 40-stage curve. Before the fanbase turns the brand viral and public buyers push costs higher.

This isn’t just about securing tokens. It’s about choosing between certainty and scramble, between zero fees and launch congestion, between being early and chasing momentum.

$HUGS is one of the best presale crypto options in 2025, and whitelist access is the last structured advantage you’ll get. There’s no KYC. Just your email. And the clock is ticking.

Whitelist now. Avoid the chaos. Win the entry. Own the calm.

Organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced the reinstatement of the Rashidi Yekini Award, a special category created to honour Nigeria’s all-time leading goal scorer and recognise the country’s best striker.

The Top Striker Award, named after the late Super Eagles legend, will return at the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, scheduled for December. The award will be presented to the highest goal scorer in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). The announcement was made in Lagos during a special luncheon held to appreciate partners and members of the College of Voters ahead of this year’s ceremony.

Speaking at the media session, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, also unveiled plans for a new annual sports conference that will precede the awards. He explained that the conference aims to broaden the Pitch Awards’ vision beyond football recognition to become a platform for sports development, collaboration, and policy dialogue. ‘We are pleased to announce our annual sports conference, which has been in the works for some time,’ Philips said.

‘The conference will attract both local and international speakers, providing a platform to renew national attention on sports and create fresh opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders.’

Philips praised the consistency and integrity of the awards since their inception in 2012, commending the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the media, and the College of Voters for their unwavering support.

The 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards is slated for December 22, though organisers hinted the date could shift slightly to accommodate the Super Eagles’ first 2025 AFCON fixture on December 23.

The Bauchi State Government has announced plans to spend ?19.99 billion on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

Governor Bala Mohammed disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony of the project held at the hospital premises. He said the initiative is designed to transform the facility into a major referral centre for the North-East region.

According to the governor, the project will involve the complete renovation and expansion of the hospital’s infrastructure, construction of 130 residential units for medical personnel, internal road works, perimeter fencing, drainage, landscaping, and solar lighting. It will also include the installation of advanced medical equipment, deployment of digital health record systems, and the establishment of specialised care units and modern operating theatres.

To ensure uninterrupted medical services during the construction period, temporary facilities have been set up within the Bauchi metropolis to accommodate key departments such as maternity, surgery, immunization, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.

Mohammed highlighted his administration’s achievements in the health sector, including sustained allocation of over 15 percent of the state’s annual budget to health, recruitment of over 3,000 health workers, and sponsorship of 3,000 students through the pre-service scheme, among them 400 medical students. He also noted the restoration of accreditation and academic excellence in health training institutions, particularly the Aliko Dangote College of Nursing, which has maintained a 100 percent pass rate for five consecutive years. Additionally, the state has recapitalised the Drug Management and Medical Consumables Agency with ?500 million over two years and is in discussions with a Tunisian firm to establish a drug and food manufacturing company to serve the North-East region.

Governor Mohammed commended the support of development partners, including UNICEF, WHO, USAID, UKAID, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the Red Cross, as well as traditional rulers, community leaders, and health professionals for their contributions to improving healthcare in the state.

Total foreign exchange inflows into the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) declined by 6 percent month-on-month to $3.2 billion in September 2025, largely due to reduced participation by non-bank corporates and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), according to data from FMDQ.

A report by FBNQuest indicated that this marks the second consecutive monthly decline following a 12 percent month-on-month drop recorded in August. The report explained that the September slowdown was primarily driven by weaker domestic participation, particularly from large private sector entities and the CBN, both of which contributed less foreign currency to the market.

FX inflows from non-bank corporates, which include major private companies and exporters, dropped sharply to $426 million in September from $826 million in August. The CBN’s interventions, which usually serve as a liquidity buffer in the foreign exchange market, also fell significantly to $261 million, compared with $574 million in the previous month.

The exporters and importers segment of the market experienced a slight decline of 3 percent month-on-month to $634 million in September, suggesting reduced export earnings during the review period.

Although domestic inflows weakened, foreign participation provided partial relief to the overall decline. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows recorded a remarkable surge, rising to $295 million from just $22.4 million in August. Similarly, contributions from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) increased by 22 percent month-on-month to $1.3 billion, driven largely by attractive carry-trade opportunities and the relatively high yields in Nigeria’s fixed-income market.

However, FX remittances from other corporates, mainly multinational and foreign-owned firms, declined to $124 million from $150 million in the preceding month.

Despite the overall decline in FX liquidity, the naira has remained relatively stable in recent weeks, aided by subdued demand pressures and reduced import activity.

On Tuesday, the naira appreciated to an all-time high of N1,448.20 per dollar in the official market, marking its strongest level since trading began on the Electronic Foreign Exchange Market System (EFEMS).

This performance represents a notable appreciation of 14.70 percent, equivalent to N211.92, when compared to the N1,661.12 recorded in December 2024 during the early phase of the EFEMS platform.

At the close of trading on Tuesday, the local currency strengthened by 0.3 percent as the dollar was quoted at N1,448.20, compared with N1,452.79 on Monday. The parallel market, popularly known as the black market, remained stable as the naira closed at N1,485 per dollar, unchanged from the previous day.

Bala Moh’d Bello, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), attributed the naira’s recent stability to the government’s foreign exchange reforms, tighter liquidity management, and renewed investor confidence. He explained that speculative activity in the FX market had dropped sharply, which has enhanced transparency and reinforced market-based price discovery.

According to him, the current level of stability in the naira is expected to continue in the medium term, supported by the steady buildup of Nigeria’s external reserves, which stood at $42.8 billion as of October 22, 2025. Bello also noted that the renewed interest of foreign investors in Nigeria’s fixed-income securities has provided additional support for the reserves and for overall market liquidity.

In recent months, sustained capital inflows from foreign portfolio investors have strengthened Nigeria’s external reserves and helped maintain relative stability in the FX market, even as domestic inflows remain subdued.

Uwose Uba, a Professor of Public Health from the University of Queensland, Australia, has called for intensified control strategies against the threat of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.

Uba was the guest lecturer at a public lecture organised by the Faculty of Basic, Medical and Applied Sciences, Trinity University, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State, on Tuesday.

He spoke on: ‘Battling Infections Within: Public Health Strategies against Nosocomial Threats’.

According to the professor, nosocomial infections may occur through medical procedures or through environmental sources such as unhygienic hospital conditions, contaminated equipment, and food consumed within hospital environments.

According to him, even when infections originate from external food sources, they are still regarded as hospital-acquired if they occur while the patient is admitted and under hospital care.

The expert, therefore, urged governments and health institutions to prioritise hygiene protocols, regular staff training and strict infection prevention measures to strengthen hospital safety and restore public confidence in healthcare delivery.

‘Continuous surveillance and investment in infection control technologies are vital.

‘Proactive strategies remain essential to safeguard patients and build a resilient, responsive and healthier healthcare system,’ Uba added.

He advised the general public to adhere to infection-control policies, maintain proper hygiene, wash hands regularly and act responsibly to prevent infection spread within healthcare facilities and communities.

Earlier, Clement Kolawole, Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, highlighted the global impact of hospital-acquired infections.

He urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems through investment in infrastructure, training and preventive measures to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Kolawole said, ‘Here, in Trinity University, we combine academic excellence with innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring our graduates become problem-solvers, job creators, and contributors to national development.’

He described nosocomial infections as a silent but deadly threat, emphasising that tackling them would demand collective commitment, stronger systems and sustained investments to safeguard patient safety and strengthen national healthcare.

The vice-chancellor also commended the guest lecturer for expertise in infection control, and emphasised Trinity University’s role in promoting knowledge exchange and innovative solutions through public lectures.

He expressed optimism that discussions from the lecture would inspire collective action toward safer hospitals, improved public health practices and a more resilient healthcare delivery system.

In his remarks, Abayomi Adetuyi, Dean, Faculty of Basic, Medical and Applied Sciences of the university, described the lecture as a timely and strategic engagement aimed at addressing persistent global challenge of hospital-acquired infections.

‘Today’s gathering deepens our understanding of nosocomial infections that continue to undermine healthcare systems globally, reminding us of the urgent need for preventive strategies.

Adetuyi commended the guest lecturer, for his expertise, dedication to promoting global health and infection control practices across borders.

He said Uba’s delivery of the lecture was a testament to shared commitment to safeguard human health, improve hospital practices, and strengthen preventive systems.

David Oyejide, Registrar of Trinity University, said that the lecture emphasised that nosocomial infections posed a challenge to public health systems worldwide.

‘I believe this lecture has stirred renewed commitment to tackling public health challenges through innovation, collaboration and determination.

Stakeholders in the care, social, and private sectors, recently converged on Lagos to chart a path towards building a thriving care economy in Nigeria.

The roundtable and learning session held in celebration of the International Day of Care and Support 2025, was organised by The Nanny Academy, in partnership with Adaba Initiatives and Sisters in Development.

Themed ‘Building a Thriving Care Economy in Nigeria: Ethics, Equity, and Investment,’ the session explored practical ways to build an inclusive and sustainable care system in Nigeria through ethics, equity, and investment-driven strategies.

‘Moral responsibility and human dignity form the foundation of a thriving care economy,’ Fabia Ogunmekan, principal consultant, Adaba Initiatives, stated.

Speaking on ‘Ethics of Care and the Care Economy’, Ogunmekan stated that the mission of convening the roundtable was to ensure that care work is recognized, respected, and integrated into national development priorities.

Amara Agbim, CEO, The Nanny Academy, stated that the care economy holds untapped potential for creating jobs, driving equity, and empowering women.

She noted that building structures that value and professionalize care work will redefine Nigeria’s approach to social welfare.

In a presentation titled, ‘Architecture for a Thriving Care Economy in Nigeria’ Agbim outlined the need for a comprehensive national framework that supports care workers through structured training, protection, and fair pay.

A major highlight of the event was the conversation tagged ‘Voice from the Field’, presented by Jessica Ifechukwu, a caregiver representative from The Nanny Academy.

Ifechukwu shared insights into the daily realities, challenges, and aspirations of domestic care workers in Nigeria. ‘Care work is more than a job; it is service, love, and sacrifice, with better training, respect, and support. Caregivers can continue to build stronger families and communities.’

The roundtable also featured interactive discussions among participants, fostering collaboration and generating shared recommendations on; policy pathways to recognize and protect domestic workers; private sector investment in care infrastructure and workforce development; and community and corporate-led models that ensure care work remains dignified, safe, and sustainable.

Participants emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the visibility, training, and protection of care workers across Nigeria, positioning the care economy as a vital driver of inclusive growth.

At the end of the session participants committed to strengthening multi-stakeholder understanding of the social and economic value of care work; development of policy and advocacy recommendations to enhance care workers’ rights and working conditions.

The participants also commits to the identification of private sector opportunities for investment in care services and training programs, and reinforcing recognition of care work as an essential pillar for gender equality and social development.

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to establish a State Central Revenue Account (SCRA) to consolidate all government revenues, enhance transparency, and curb leakages in public financial management.

The call followed a motion on notice moved by the House Leader, Otobong Bob, during plenary on Tuesday. The motion, entitled ‘Urgent Need for Akwa Ibom State Government to Establish a State Central Revenue Account,’ was brought pursuant to Order 3(1) of the Standing Orders of the House.

Presenting the motion, Bob recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2012, under the administration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, proposed the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, which was later fully implemented by the Muhammadu Buhari’s Aministration to consolidate revenues from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) into a single account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He noted that several States, including Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Lagos, and Oyo, had since domesticated similar digital payment systems that enable citizens to pay for taxes, levies, and other government services electronically through multiple channels such as mobile apps, USSD, and online payments.

He further explained that many countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Nigeria (through REMITA), had adopted integrated digital payment platforms to promote efficiency and accountability in public finance management, adding that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognises the TSA as a crucial tool for consolidating government cash resources, improving cash management, and enhancing fiscal transparency.

The House Leader expressed concern that Akwa Ibom could continue to suffer revenue leakages, unaccountable public funds, and difficulties in tracking appropriated funds if it fails to urgently adopt a centralized digital revenue system.

‘If our State Government does not urgently adopt and fully implement a State Central Revenue Account in this dwindling economy, we will continue to suffer revenue leakages and poor fiscal accountability,’ Bob warned.

The motion therefore urged the Executive Arm of Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, in collaboration with the Accountant General’s Office and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), to commence the creation and operation of a State Central Revenue Account before the 2026 fiscal year.

It also called for the design and deployment of a centralised multi-channel payment platform to integrate all MDAs and Local Government Areas, ensuring that all payments due to the government are collected electronically and automatically remitted to the central account.

Other resolutions of the motion included a call for the government to partner with reputable FinTech firms to develop a secure, inclusive, and scalable payment infrastructure that accommodates bank transfers, mobile apps, online wallets, card payments, and USSD channels accessible across both urban and rural communities in the State.

The motion further proposed that a public awareness campaign be launched ahead of the platform’s rollout to educate citizens, businesses, and public servants on its usage and benefits.

It also recommended the establishment of an inter-agency oversight and implementation committee comprising representatives from the House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, Ministry of Justice, AKIRS, and the Office of the Accountant General.

Lawmakers, who supported the motion commended Otobong Bob for the initiative, described it as a timely and strategic step towards strengthening transparency, accountability, and revenue efficiency in Akwa Ibom State.

Udeme Otong, Speaker of the House, directed NsikakAbasi Orok, the House Clerk, to communicate the House Resolutions to the Executive accordingly.

Transparency is fast becoming a benchmark for legitimacy in crypto, and BlockDAG is making it a core differentiator. In a sector where vague roadmaps and hidden metrics are still common, BlockDAG offers investors real-time data access, audited contracts, public leadership, and confirmed hardware deliveries. Analysts increasingly cite these factors as signs of operational seriousness.

From testnet activation to a $435M presale and F1® sponsorship, BlockDAG is building more than hype; it’s building proof. This article examines why the conversation around whether BlockDAG is legit is shifting from doubt to data, and why analysts are paying attention.

Transparency as a Foundation for Trust

One of the core reasons analysts view BlockDAG favorably is its commitment to transparency. Unlike projects that obscure fundraising progress or technical details, BlockDAG’s Dashboard V4 allows investors to monitor every metric in real time. From batch pricing to coin sales and estimated listing values, the platform transforms presale participation into a data-driven experience. This degree of openness is rare among early blockchain projects and has become a key reason for its growing credibility.

Furthermore, BlockDAG’s whitepaper clearly defines token distribution across categories such as ecosystem development, team reserves, community rewards, and public sale allocations. This clarity reinforces the project’s goal of balancing investor returns with long-term ecosystem stability. Analysts have highlighted this structured approach as a hallmark of projects with genuine operational intent, contrasting it sharply with presales that hide behind vague promises or shifting targets.

Real Infrastructure and Early Delivery Signals

While still pre-mainnet, BlockDAG has moved beyond paper-stage development. Its Awakening Testnet is already live, showcasing a functioning blockchain that operates on a hybrid Proof-of-Work and Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) consensus model. This combination enables both scalability and security, two qualities often missing from early blockchain projects. Independent testers and community miners have verified real-time network operations, with the Stratum Protocol enabling live miner integration.

The rollout of BlockDAG’s hardware products further strengthens its legitimacy. The X1 mobile miner and X10 plug-and-play mining device are already in user hands, complete with public reviews, setup demonstrations, and verified performance data. Analysts cite these deliveries as tangible proof of BlockDAG’s capability to execute on its roadmap. Unlike projects that delay hardware delivery until after token listings, BlockDAG’s early rollout strategy builds trust and ensures a smoother transition to mainnet operations.

Visible Leadership and Third-Party Validation

Another critical factor shaping analyst confidence is the project’s leadership transparency. Key figures, CEO Antony Turner, CTO Jeremy Harkness, and Head of Security Dr. Youssef Khaoulaj, have been visible throughout the presale, hosting AMAs, keynote sessions, and regular updates. Their public profiles and willingness to engage directly with the community demonstrate accountability uncommon in presale environments.

Additionally, BlockDAG’s smart contracts have undergone audits by Halborn and CertiK, two firms recognised for their rigorous standards. Both assessments confirm that BlockDAG has addressed earlier vulnerabilities and now meets security expectations for a presale of its scale. Analysts note that this dual audit process significantly de-risks the project for early investors, assuring that it has been built with security and transparency in mind.

Analyst Consensus: Legit but Early-Stage

Despite strong performance indicators, analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook. They describe BlockDAG as ‘legit but early-stage’ because, while the project exhibits every sign of credibility, public team, audited code, working testnet, and active product deployment, it remains pre-mainnet. In this phase, investor risk remains higher than it would post-launch. However, that same phase offers the greatest upside potential for those entering at current presale prices.

Market observers also highlight BlockDAG’s disciplined presale structure as a defining strength. The project has maintained that its token launch will only occur after reaching the $600 million fundraising target. This ensures complete funding and operational readiness before listing, reducing the risk of liquidity issues or incomplete rollouts. Analysts view this milestone-based strategy as evidence of long-term planning rather than delay, positioning BlockDAG as a maturing venture that prioritises sustainability over speed.

Community Traction and Real-World Activity

BlockDAG’s expanding community also contributes to its legitimacy. Over 3 million mobile miners use the X1 app, while the network counts more than 312,000 coin holders and adds 1,000 new buyers daily. Programs like Buyer Battles, which distribute 50 million BDAG coins daily, create consistent engagement and incentivise growth. These figures are difficult to fabricate and stand as measurable proof of adoption momentum.

In addition, BlockDAG’s partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team, facilitated by Playfly Sports, lends external credibility. Such mainstream sponsorships are rarely seen in presale projects and provide public, verifiable proof of corporate trust. Analysts interpret this as a sign that BlockDAG is serious about integrating its blockchain solutions into global markets rather than limiting itself to speculative trading communities.

Conclusion

Market analysts agree that BlockDAG represents a rare case of an early-stage blockchain that has already demonstrated real progress. Its transparency, audited systems, live testnet, hardware deliveries, and visible leadership provide a strong foundation for future growth.

While risks inherent to pre-mainnet projects remain, the scale of its presale success, nearly $435 million raised and billions of coins sold, suggests market confidence is justified. The consensus is clear: BlockDAG is legitimate, structured, and on track to deliver. For cautious investors seeking early opportunities backed by verifiable action, BlockDAG offers a credible, forward-moving project worth watching closely.

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to include Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Area Councils as constituent units of the Nigerian federation.

The proposed legislation, titled: A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to Include Local Government Areas and Area Councils as Constituent Units of the Federation and for Related Matters, scaled second reading during plenary on Wednesday.

It was sponsored by Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House, and Adewale Hameed, who represents Agege Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

Leading debate on the bill, Hameed explained that the propsed law seeks to constitutionally recognise LGs as autonomous tiers of governance with full constitutional backing, rather than administrative appendages of state governments.

Hameed lamented that despite being recognised in the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, local governments are not explicitly listed as a full-fledged tier of government or as constituent units of the federation.

‘This bill seeks to amend the constitution to explicitly recognise local government areas and the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory as constituent units of the federation, alongside the federal and state governments. In doing so, we aim to affirm and protect the autonomy of local governments and area councils,’ he said.

He added that strengthening local government autonomy was vital to improving governance and service delivery at the grassroots level. ‘The success of our democracy depends on how well governance and development reach the people at the grassroots. Strengthening local government autonomy through constitutional recognition is not merely an administrative reform; it is a democratic imperative,’ he added. Hameed further argued that the proposed constitutional alteration would reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to a true federal system anchored on three constitutionally recognised tiers of government.

Following the debate, the bill received support from lawmakers and was passed for second reading.

The House Speaker subsequently referred it to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.