Category: Business Day

Olasupo Olusi, the managing director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles as a catalyst for Nigeria’s sustainable industrial growth.

Speaking at the bank’s inaugural ESG Conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Olusi said sustainability has become a strategic imperative for enterprises seeking competitiveness, resilience, and access to global capital.

He said the conference marked the beginning of a national conversation on the kind of economy Nigeria seeks to build, one that balances profitability with responsibility, and industrial growth with environmental stewardship.

Olusi described sustainability as a strategic imperative and a key driver of enterprise growth, industrial competitiveness, and inclusive national development.

He noted that the BOI, as Nigeria’s foremost development finance institution, is uniquely positioned at the intersection of finance and development, with a mandate that goes beyond lending to catalyzing transformation across sectors.

‘BOI stands at the intersection of finance and development. Our mandate goes beyond lending. It is about catalyzing transformation, supporting industries to grow in ways that are both profitable and responsible. It is about ensuring that as we industrialise, we also safeguard the environment, uplift our communities, and strengthen governance across our focus sectors,’ Olusi said.

The BOI boss emphasised that Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for over 90 percent of the country’s businesses and nearly half of its GDP stands to benefit greatly from adopting ESG principles. He said many MSMEs still face challenges in understanding how to integrate sustainability into their operations, noting that the conference was designed to bridge that knowledge gap.

According to him, the forum would provide a practical platform for policymakers, financiers, business owners, investors, and sustainability experts to share insights and co-create solutions that empower Nigerian enterprises to grow sustainably and profitably. Olusi also highlighted the economic benefits of ESG adoption, including improved access to finance, enhanced brand reputation, cost efficiency, risk management, and compliance with global standards, all of which position Nigerian businesses for long-term competitiveness.

He pointed out that ESG principles are central to achieving Nigeria’s industrialisation and climate goals, attracting green capital, and fostering innovation in key sectors such as clean energy and circular economy.

‘Through our Sustainable Financing Framework and our accreditation as Nigeria’s first National Implementing Entity of the UNFCCC’s Adaptation Fund, BOI is aligning its interventions with global standards to ensure that every project we support contributes to sustainable industrial development,’ he added.

Nigeria’s livestock sector came into focus on Tuesday as the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) convened donor agencies, international partners, and development institutions at a high-level workshop in Abuja to explore collaborative opportunities for transforming the industry.

The event, themed ‘Strengthening Strategic Partnerships for Livestock Transformation,’ brought together key stakeholders to align strategies for sustainable growth in the sector.

Declaring the workshop open, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to repositioning the livestock industry as a catalyst for economic growth, food security, and national stability.

He said the creation of the ministry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024 underscored government’s resolve to transform the sector into a $74 billion industry by 2035, contributing substantially to Nigeria’s projected $1 trillion economy by 2030.

‘We developed the Nigeria National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS 2025-2035) – a comprehensive, market-oriented, private-sector-led and public-sector-enabled roadmap,’ Maiha stated.

‘The National Economic Council has approved this strategy, which rests on ten pillars – from livestock value chain development, feed and fodder, animal health, finance, infrastructure, and women empowerment to peace-building and social cohesion. Delivering on these pillars is not optional – it is essential.’

Highlighting early progress, the minister disclosed that the government had resuscitated over 400 grazing reserves, validated the National Animal Feeds and Fodder Policy, and established eleven trans-boundary disease control posts along international cattle corridors.

He further revealed that Nigeria had secured USD 2.5 billion in investment commitments from leading Brazilian livestock companies – including JBS, one of the world’s largest meat processors – following discussions at the G20 Summit in Brazil.

‘These partnerships are catalytic,’ Maiha noted. ‘They signal to the world that Nigeria’s livestock sector is ready for investment, innovation, and impact.’

The minister urged partners to align their support with the NL-GAS framework, saying the workshop was not merely a meeting but ‘a milestone to establish formal engagement mechanisms, harmonize donor programmes, and mobilize resources, technology, and expertise.’

‘From the NL-GAS, choose where you want to be, what you want to do, and what legacy you wish to leave behind,’ he challenged development partners. ‘Together, let us transform Nigeria’s livestock sector – one vision, one platform, one future.’

In her welcome remarks, Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the workshop as ‘a declaration of intent’ to move from fragmented donor interventions to coordinated impact. ‘Over the past two decades, donor investments have supported animal health, dairy development, and conflict mitigation,’ she said. ‘Yet, despite these contributions, the sector remains undercapitalized vis-à-vis its potential – signalling both a gap and an opportunity.’

Citing IMF and World Bank projections that Nigeria’s economy will grow between 3.9% and 4.2% in 2025-2026, Akujobi emphasized that aligning donor investments with the NL-GAS could triple current development partner support, catalyze private co-investment, and create millions of jobs.

‘This workshop is our opportunity to move from parallel projects to shared outcomes – from goodwill to coordinated impact,’ she stressed. ‘The ministry stands for transparency, accountability, and measurable results.’

Speaking at the event, Hussein Gadain, country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), commended Nigeria for establishing a dedicated livestock ministry and a clear national strategy.

‘The FAO welcomes the NL-GAS as a visionary and inclusive framework,’ the representative said. ‘We are committed to working closely with the ministry and partners to strengthen animal health systems, enhance feed and fodder production, and promote climate-smart livestock practices.’ The representative also assured that FAO would continue to provide technical assistance, policy advisory, and capacity-building support to ensure sustainable implementation of Nigeria’s livestock transformation agenda.

Participants at the workshop included representatives of the World Bank, IFAD, African Development Bank, USAID, FAO, ECOWAS, and major international NGOs, among others.

Stakeholders resolved to establish a joint coordination platform for donor-government collaboration and to align upcoming projects with the NL-GAS 2025-2035 roadmap.

The event marks a major step toward realising Nigeria’s ambition of building a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive livestock sector that contributes to food security, rural prosperity, and national peace.

The federal government reaffirmed its readiness to work transparently with all partners to ensure measurable results that will make Nigeria a regional leader in livestock and dairy production.

The Senate has initiated legislative action to reduce Nigeria’s annual $2 billion rice import expenditure through the creation of a National Rice Development Council, aimed at boosting local production and strengthening food security.

The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), seeks to establish the Rice Development Council of Nigeria to coordinate research, regulate production standards, support farmers, and promote innovation throughout the rice value chain.

During a public hearing on the bill, alongside the Cassava Inclusion and Flour Production Bill and the National Food Reserve Agency Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, said the legislative measures complement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural and economic revival.

‘The Rice Development Council of Nigeria Bill represents our economic firepower, poised to create millions of jobs, reduce foreign exchange spending on importation, and make Nigeria Africa’s rice powerhouse,’ Akpabio said. ‘By passing this bill, we will drive research, innovation, and value chain development, ensuring our children inherit a prosperous future.’

Akpabio added that the trio of agricultural bills could transform the nation’s food system, noting that while the cassava inclusion bill would boost agro-industrial growth and job creation, the food reserve agency bill would provide a safeguard against food shortages triggered by climate change or global crises.

Salihu Mustapha, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services, and Rural Development, described rice as the mainstay of Nigerian diets but decried inefficiencies that hinder local production despite the country’s potential to produce over seven million metric tonnes annually.

‘This bill heralds a dedicated council to orchestrate research, extension services, and value chain innovations, from flood-resistant seeds to modern milling technologies,’ Mustapha said.

‘It promises to slash our $2 billion import dependence, ignite agro-industrial hubs across the north and south, and elevate our farmers from subsistence to commercial stardom.’

He further noted that the council would ensure inclusivity by engaging women and youth in agribusiness.

‘It is a blueprint for turning paddy fields into prosperity engines and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s rice powerhouse,’ he added. The Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) endorsed the bill, describing it as a timely and strategic intervention to unlock Nigeria’s potential in rice production.

Peter Dama, the RIMAN National Chairman identified major challenges such as insecurity, inadequate irrigation, and poor mechanisation, while urging the deliberate promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices.

‘There should be deliberate promotion of climate-smart agricultural production innovations, including research for high-yield resilient seeds and renewable energy to power irrigation,’ Dama said.

‘Rice is not just a meal on the table; it is a political and economic staple. It plays a role in palliatives for distressed communities, contributes to national GDP, and provides livelihoods for millions.’

Dama recommended that financial institutions such as NIRSAL, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Bank of Industry (BOI), National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) be included on the council’s governing board, noting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be replaced since it no longer funds agricultural programmes directly.

He also proposed the establishment of six zonal offices for regional operations and seven technical committees to oversee areas such as research, quality control, marketing, rice fortification, and gender equity.

Dama said the initiative aligns with the National Rice Development Strategy II (2020-2030) and advised that the existing rice desk in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security be upgraded to a full-fledged council for better coordination.

Similarly, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) expressed strong support for the bill, describing it as a ‘game-changer’ capable of generating millions of jobs for women and youth across the rice value chain.

Speaking for the group, Maryam Lawal urged lawmakers to ensure speedy passage of the legislation, saying it would boost food security and community empowerment.

‘WOFAN worked with CARF, RIMAN, RIPAIN, and other stakeholders on the Rice Council Bill from 2020 to 2023 when it was passed by the 9th Senate,’ she said.

‘However, the president’s assent was delayed until the bill lapsed, and it had to be re-presented in 2024. We are therefore confident that the 10th Senate will pass it again, and this time, it will be signed into law accordingly.’

The Federal Government will scale up its direct cash transfer programme to include more poor and vulnerable Nigerians, according to Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch in Abuja on Tuesday, Edun said the initiative currently benefits over 15 million households across the country, but that government’s current plan is to extend it beyond that number.

He noted that while progress had been made in stabilising inflation and the exchange rate, more needed to be done to lift Nigerians out of poverty and ensure citizens feel the positive effects of ongoing economic reforms.

‘There is an attempt to ensure that the pains of reform are immediately alleviated. That’s why there is a transparent, accountable, and robust system of providing direct payments to 15 million households,’ Edun stated.

He emphasised that the programme is being implemented with transparency and accountability, supported by a digital verification system.

‘In some places, people say they haven’t heard of anyone receiving the payments. We immediately call for the data to verify this because each individual is identified by name, national identity number, and paid digitally-either to a bank account or mobile wallet. There is accountability, transparency, and a record,’ he explained.

Edun revealed that the federal government plans to expand the programme to reach even more beneficiaries at the grassroots level, as part of broader efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms.

He also announced a new ward-based development initiative aimed at channelling resources directly to Nigeria’s 8,809 wards across 774 local government areas. ‘This will empower economically active people at the ward level-small businesses and cottage industries-by providing support and financing. It’s a key element in ensuring that the benefits of current reforms and improvements reach right down to the local level,’ he said. Arunma Oteh, founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership, who also spoke at the event, called for increased investment in infrastructure and human capital to drive sustainable growth. She stressed that Nigeria needs ‘patient capital’ to bridge its infrastructure gap and spur economic transformation.

She cited China which over the years, invested 24 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure.

‘At best, we do 4 to 5 per cent. If we want to bridge the infrastructure gap, we must raise this to at least 12 per cent,’ Oteh suggested.

She further urged policymakers to equip young Nigerians for leadership, noting that long-term development would depend on consistent investments in people and infrastructure.

The Federal Government has begun reviewing 170 applications from foreign nationals seeking Nigerian citizenship, but only those of ‘strong character and impeccable integrity’ will make the cut.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Interior Minister, disclosed this in Abuja after chairing a meeting of the Citizenship Advisory Committee, which vets all citizenship requests before forwarding recommendations to President Bola Tinubu for approval. Tunji-Ojo noted that citizenship of the world’s largest Black nation is not for everyone.

‘Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must be a person of strong character and impeccable integrity, reflecting the true values of Nigeria,’ he declared.

According to the Minister, the 170 applications will undergo rigorous scrutiny by a high-level panel made up of representatives from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said Tinubu administration is committed to building a nation that inspires pride and trust, not just among citizens but also in the eyes of the world.

‘We’re doing everything possible to make our beloved country a prosperous nation and a destination of interest for all.

‘Under Nigeria’s Constitution, anyone applying for citizenship by naturalisation must be of full age and capacity, demonstrate good character, intend to reside permanently in Nigeria, and show capacity to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

‘The Interior Ministry has recently introduced digital reforms to strengthen transparency in the process. ‘Earlier this year, it launched the Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform, aimed at reducing delays and eliminating human interference in application reviews’, he said.

At least 50 Nigerian healthcare companies are in advanced funding discussions under a $2 billion long-term financing facility being mobilised by the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) to accelerate local manufacturing and reduce dependence on medical imports.

Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, PVAC’s national coordinator, disclosed this during his keynote address at SPANINNOVATE 2025, a two-day conference and exhibition organised by the Scientific Products Association of Nigeria (SPAN), in Lagos, where both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare and scientific manufacturing ecosystem. Mukhtar said the PVAC initiative, launched by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2023, is designed to unlock investment opportunities and industrial capacity across the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, life sciences, and hospital sub-sectors, transforming Nigeria from a heavy importer into a self-sufficient producer of essential medical products.

‘We have engaged Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and secured commitments, notably $1 billion from one partner and pound 1 billion from another, to support feasible, bankable healthcare projects. These instruments include loans, equity, and guarantees, often at single-digit interest rates and with tenors of up to 20 years to 25 years, far preferable to current commercial bank rates,’ Mukhtar said.

He noted that PVAC has developed a pipeline of 81 companies across pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and hospital services, with about 50 of them now actively seeking funding and progressing through due diligence with partner financiers.

According to him, the financing effort is part of PVAC’s broader plan to increase local production of essential medicines to 70 per cent by 2030, reduce outbound medical tourism, and create thousands of new jobs within Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

Mukhtar listed PVAC’s ongoing interventions to include fiscal incentives such as zero duty and zero VAT on imported raw materials and machinery for local production and capacity-building initiatives like the Manufacturing Academy (Empower Academy), designed to train technical personnel across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

He added that the Initiative has also established Medipool, a group purchasing organisation that aggregates demand and provides reliable market offtake for locally manufactured healthcare products. ‘We are building a fully integrated value chain, from policy to finance to infrastructure, that ensures the Nigerian healthcare industry is globally competitive. Our MoU with SPAN will strengthen collaboration in quality assurance, human capital development, and industrial linkages across the scientific products sector,’ Mukhtar said.

Nigeria currently imports over 70 per cent of essential medicines, 99 per cent of medical devices, and nearly 100 per cent of vaccines, a situation Mukhtar described as untenable for a country of 230 million people. With the $2 billion PVAC facility and its pipeline of 81 local firms, the country may finally be on course to reverse that trend, creating a new era of self-reliance in healthcare manufacturing and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for medical and scientific products.

The high point of the SPANINNOVATE 2025 conference was the MoU signing between PVAC and SPAN, a move both parties described as a milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare industrialisation agenda under the Renewed Hope framework.

‘This partnership with SPAN will not end on paper; it will translate into real action and measurable impact. We are committed to seeing results,’ Mukhtar assured.

Dr. Kate Isa, SPAN president, who led the signing ceremony, said the agreement formalises collaboration between both organisations to deepen scientific research, promote local manufacturing of laboratory and medical products, and strengthen regulatory standards.

‘This partnership underscores our shared belief that science and innovation must drive sustainable development. SPANINNOVATE is not just an exhibition, it is a platform where industry, academia, and government connect to transform ideas into tangible products that can compete globally,’ Isa said. Founded in 1988, SPAN represents manufacturers, importers, and distributors of scientific and laboratory products in Nigeria. The association’s work spans strategic advocacy, capacity development, and quality standards enforcement across the country’s scientific products value chain.

Isa emphasised that Nigeria must move from consumption to creation by building local capacity in scientific manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign inputs.

Representatives from TETFund, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Lagos State Government were also present at the event, pledging continued support for the country’s scientific and industrial development goals.

Mr. Opeyemi Eniola, Lagos state’s senior special adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to STEM education and innovation, noting that the state has invested N1 billion in research grants and deployed over 5,000 km of fibre-optic infrastructure, expanding to 6,000 km under a $22 million connectivity project.

Officials from SON and LASEPA also highlighted the importance of standards compliance, environmental monitoring, and laboratory modernization, as prerequisites for sustainable national development.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State on Monday swore in three new judges of the Katsina State High Court, urging them to uphold public trust with integrity, fairness, and the fear of God.

The newly appointed judges are Maryam Umaru Abdullahi, Shamsuddeen Abdurrahman ?ammama, and Abubakar Muhammad Dikko.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Government House in Katsina, was attended by dignitaries from the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government, as well as members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and family members of the appointees.

Speaking at the event, Governor Radda described the swearing-in as ‘a remarkable milestone in the state’s judicial history,’ noting that the appointment of the new judges would strengthen the judiciary and enhance effective justice delivery across Katsina State.

Radda expressed confidence that the new judges would contribute meaningfully to the administration of justice in the state, given their impressive qualifications and years of professional experience.

‘Today, we are swearing in three new judges of the Katsina State High Court. This is a significant step forward for our judiciary because it increases our capacity and strengthens the administration of justice in our state,’ the governor said.

‘I congratulate you and wish you God’s guidance in performing your responsibilities. This oath of office and act of allegiance are reminders for all of us in the executive, legislature, and judiciary to reflect deeply on the responsibilities we bear,’ he added.

Governor Radda further advised the judges to regularly reflect on their oaths, stressing that their positions are sacred trusts before God and the people of Katsina State.

‘After some time, maybe a month, I advise that we all go back and read this oath again. It will remind us that whatever we do, God is watching and aware of all our actions.

‘Everyone looks up to you for justice, both those who have a voice and those who do not. I believe your position will guide you to the right path if you perform your duties with diligence and sincerity.

‘We will continue to give full support to the judiciary and the legislature so that we can maintain harmony among the three arms of government. There is nothing we can achieve as a state without a strong and effective judicial system. The judiciary remains the backbone of peace, order, and justice in our society,’ he said.

He also emphasised the importance of timely justice delivery, warning that delays in judgment could weaken public trust in the judicial system.

‘As they say, time waits for no one. It is important that we dispense justice promptly and fairly so that we can build the kind of society we all aspire to,one anchored on justice, peace, and unity.

‘On this note, I congratulate you once again, wish you well, and pray for peace and unity in our state. May Almighty Allah guide all of us and strengthen the bond of unity that exists in Katsina,’ he concluded.

The long-awaited relocation of Computer Village, Ikeja, to the newly designated ICT and Business Park in Katangowa, Agbado-Oke Odo, has taken a major step forward as the Lagos State government and project developers announced flexible payment options to ease traders’ transition to the new site.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Alausa, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, the permanent secretary, office of urban development, reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s determination to finally complete the relocation after years of stalled efforts.

Oki said the initiative aligns with the governor’s vision of sustainable urban development and a cleaner, more organized city.

‘The present site of Computer Village was originally designed for residential purposes but has been overtaken by unplanned commercial development. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the new ICT Park in Katangowa must meet international standards to ensure a seamless relocation process,’

Oki explained.

According to him, the 15-hectare Katangowa ICT and Business Park will feature modern infrastructure, including trailer parks, hotels, banks, a police station, fire station, and other community facilities that will make it a fully serviced business environment.

Oki urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the government and the developer to ensure an orderly transition, stressing that the move would benefit both traders and residents. ‘We want this relocation to be an improvement for everyone, not just a change of location, but a better quality of life and business experience,’ he added.

In response, Mrs. Abisola Azeez, Iya Oloja of Computer Village, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s renewed commitment and transparency in the process. ‘All my fears have been allayed. I urge the developer to adhere strictly to the approved designs and timelines so that this relocation can finally be completed in its entirety,’ she said.

Sam Ajose, the developer, who also attended the meeting, commended the Lagos State Government for its support and assured traders that the relocation would be carried out in phases to minimise disruptions. He announced that a flexible payment plan has been introduced to accommodate traders of varying capacities, allowing them to secure spaces in the new market without financial strain.

‘This project is for the long-term growth of Lagos’ ICT sector. We want every trader who helped build Computer Village to be part of the new Katangowa ICT Park,’ Ajose said.

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has expressed concern over the growing risks posed by unregulated religious schools and external ideological influence, calling for stronger oversight of madrassas across Nigeria.

The concern was raised during a national briefing held under the EU-supported Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) Programme on Monday in Abuja.

The briefing examined how religious education, particularly madrassas, may intersect with radical ideologies and foreign funding.

In his statement, WANEP’s representative in Nigeria, Emmanuel Ami-Okhani, said the event brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society leaders and security actors to deliberate on the theological, cultural, and security implications of religious schooling in the country.

He said the REcAP project was being implemented in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

According to him, it seeks to strengthen the role of civil society and research in responding to violent extremism and promoting peacebuilding in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.

Presenting a study titled ‘Madrasas, Charities and Religious Radicalism in Northern Nigeria,’ Dr Saheed Owonikoko revealed that the Almajiri system, though originally rooted in noble Islamic education, had become susceptible to informal and unverified foreign influence.

He explained that many Almajiri schools remain unregulated and undocumented, creating vulnerabilities that extremist elements could exploit.

Ami-Okhani emphasised that the initiative aims not to stigmatise Islamic education but to ensure transparency and strengthen the role of credible religious learning in fostering peace and unity.

‘Religious education should remain a force for tolerance and nation-building, not division,’ he said.

‘While the majority of Almajiri students are peaceful and committed to Quranic learning, the lack of structure and supervision creates loopholes for ideological manipulation,’ he said.

He noted that some foreign-linked religious charities, particularly from the Middle East, fund these schools informally, making transparency and accountability difficult.

The second study, titled ‘Madrassas and Islamic Extremism among Teenage Muslim Students in Southwestern Nigeria’, was presented by Busari Dauda of the University of Ilorin.

The study found that while Southwestern madrassas are relatively structured and registered with authorities, ideological influences can still filter through sect-based teachings and global media narratives.

Dauda said that although there was no widespread evidence of violent radicalisation, many young Muslims expressed growing perceptions of global injustice, often shaped by conflicts such as the Palestinian crisis and anti-Muslim sentiments in Western societies.

Participants at the briefing called for coordinated oversight of informal religious institutions and collaboration between education authorities, religious councils and community leaders.

Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of Aviation, has described Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as a divine gift whose emergence marks a new era of peace and inclusion after years of division and bloodshed.

Fani-Kayode made the remark at the Diocese of Kafanchan, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), during the 2025 Synod and 35th Anniversary celebration. He said the governor’s inclusive leadership style is helping to rebuild trust and restore unity in a state once known for ethno-religious crises and political discrimination.

‘There was a time when all 17 security chiefs in the country were Muslims from the North, and Christians were openly discriminated against, especially in Kaduna State,’ he said. ‘But with the coming of Governor Uba Sani, things have begun to change for the better. What he is doing should serve as an example to the rest of the country.’

The former minister, who described Sani as a close friend, said the governor’s leadership reflects divine intervention and the result of persistent prayers by Christians seeking justice and peace. ‘He is not an ordinary person. The governor you have today came as a consequence of prayer,’ he added.

Recalling the Christmas Day massacre of December 25, 2016, in which more than 800 Christians were killed across four local governments in Southern Kaduna, Fani-Kayode described the incident as one of Nigeria’s darkest moments. He said victims were abandoned, hospitals shut down, and communities left in despair. He noted that Christian traditional rulers were killed and their people treated ‘like filth,’ adding that the ordeal strengthened the faith and resilience of the Christian community. ‘To be a Christian is not to be a second-class citizen or a slave,’ he said. ‘We prayed for deliverance, and God sent Uba Sani as an answer to those prayers.’

Fani-Kayode also commended Governor Sani for taking deliberate steps toward unity, citing the creation of the Kaduna Elders’ Forum with Christian representation and efforts to bridge religious divides. He said killings in Southern Kaduna have stopped since Sani assumed office, describing the state as more peaceful and united.

He praised the governor’s humility and respect for all faiths, recalling a moment when Sani removed his cap during a church service as a sign of reverence. He urged Christians and Muslims to embrace reconciliation, saying, ‘If you lost a child during the time of terror, adopt a child from the other faith. In faith, we are one. The overwhelming majority of Muslims are decent, God-fearing people who wish to live in peace with everyone.’

Fani-Kayode lauded the people of Southern Kaduna for their resilience, patience, and enduring faith despite years of hardship, describing them as ‘extraordinary’ and encouraging them to continue on the path of peace and forgiveness.