Category: Business Day

Enugu State has emerged as Nigeria’s most fiscally viable subnational government. According to BudgIT’s 2025 State of States ranking, Enugu State ranks as the state most likely to fund its operating expenses exclusively from internally generated revenue (IGR).

According to the report, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, Anambra, and Kwara are the five states most capable of surviving independently of allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Conversely, Yobe, Benue, Jigawa, Kogi, and Imo were ranked as the least viable states.

The findings are based on Index A, which measures states’ ability to meet recurrent expenditure obligations using only IGR. The research methodology for Index A was the ratio of operating expenses to the state’s IGR. According to BudgIT, states that rank higher on this index exhibit greater financial autonomy and long-term viability.

‘States that perform strongly on Index A have comparatively limited dependence on FAAC allocations and thus possess greater viability if they were to theoretically exist as independent entities,’ the report stated.

According to the rankings, Enugu State had a score of 0.68, implying that 68 percent of its IGR would have catered to its operating expenses. Lagos State had a score of 0.83, with Abia garnering 1.56, and Anambra generating 1.66. Kwara had a score of 1.73 to wrap up the top five.

2025’s ranking is in contrast to 2024, when Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, and Cross River led the rankings. Enugu’s performance marks a notable leap, underscoring improved revenue collection and expenditure management within the state.

IGR performance: Enugu and Lagos lead, fewer states meet 50% threshold

In terms of IGR performance, the report shows that the number of states generating enough revenue to cover their operating expenses has shrunk.

Unlike in 2024, when Rivers (121.26 percent) and Lagos (118.39 percent) were the only two states that generated more than enough IGR to cover their recurrent expenditure, Rivers was excluded from this year’s analysis. In 2025, this coveted group now includes Lagos (120.87 percent) and Enugu (146.68 percent), with Enugu taking the top spot.

BudgIT noted that, unlike the previous year’s report, where six states generated enough IGR to cover at least 50 percent of their operating expenses, only five states achieved that feat in 2025, namely Abia, Anambra, Kwara, Ogun, and Edo. This means that 28 states still depend significantly on federal transfers and other external inflows to fund their operations.

IGR growth improves, but gaps persist

On Index A1, which measures IGR growth, Enugu again leads the ranking, followed by Bayelsa, Abia, Osun, and Kano. These states recorded the strongest momentum in boosting internally generated revenues during the 2024 fiscal year.

At the bottom, Kebbi and Yobe recorded negative IGR growth, while Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Benue also posted weak performances. This represents a notable improvement from 2023, when seven states recorded negative growth.

‘While it may be too early to celebrate, as the uptick could partly reflect increased inflows from federation transfers. It is a much better performance than the previous year,’ BudgIT observed.

In 2024, Zamfara, Ekiti, Niger, Katsina, and Plateau had topped the IGR growth chart, indicating that fiscal leadership among Nigerian states remains fluid and highly responsive to political and policy shifts.

The 2025 report indicates that fiscal sustainability among Nigerian states remains uneven but is gradually improving. More states are investing in IGR reforms, but structural weaknesses, such as overdependence on FAAC and high administrative costs, continue to hinder progress.

Kenya has launched an urgent investigation after a small passenger aircraft crashed in a forested area of Kwale County on Tuesday morning, with all 12 people on board feared dead.

The plane had taken off from the coastal town of Diani and was flying to Kichwa Tembo, a major gateway to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, when it went down shortly after 5.30am local time. The sector is popular with tourists travelling to one of Africa’s best known wildlife destinations. Emergency teams and police officers rushed to Tsimba Golini, the hilly crash site located about 40 kilometres from Diani airstrip, where the wreckage was found in flames with debris scattered across the ground.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident in a statement, identifying the aircraft as registration number 5Y CCA. The agency said government response units are on the scene working to assess the impact and determine what led to the tragedy. Local media reports suggest foreign tourists may have been among the passengers, although officials have not yet provided details on nationalities or identities. Stephen Orinde, Kwale County Commissioner, told reporters that recovery operations are ongoing in challenging terrain as investigators try to establish what happened during the short flight.

Authorities have not ruled out poor visibility or adverse weather conditions as possible factors, given early morning conditions along the coast, although no official cause has been identified. The operator of the aircraft runs routes that connect Mombasa and other coastal hubs to major tourism destinations across Kenya including the Maasai Mara and Nairobi.

The Maasai Mara draws thousands of visitors each year, particularly during the annual wildebeest migration from July to October. The air corridor between the coast and the game reserve is one of the busiest tourist routes in the country.

The aviation authority says further updates will be provided as more information is verified. Government agencies continue to work at the scene while families await confirmation and support from officials.

Atedo Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent economic challenges on entrenched corruption and what he described as ‘state capture’ by a few powerful individuals who manipulate public institutions for private gain.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Economic Policy Forum held in Lagos over the weekend, Peterside said that Nigeria’s economy continues to underperform despite its vast human and natural resources because key sectors remain controlled by vested interests that resist reforms and transparency.

‘The biggest problem confronting Nigeria is not a lack of ideas or policies,’ he stated. ‘It is that the people benefiting from the current system of corruption and state capture do not want change. They are comfortable with inefficiency because it serves their narrow interests.’

He warned that without confronting this entrenched system, no economic policy-no matter how well designed-will yield sustainable results. According to him, state capture manifests when political and economic elites influence government decisions, regulatory agencies, and resource allocation for personal benefit, rather than the public good.

Peterside lamented that such capture has crippled Nigeria’s potential for growth, particularly in key sectors such as oil and gas, power, and infrastructure. He noted that while Nigeria has adopted numerous economic blueprints from Vision 2020 to the National Development Plan implementation has consistently been sabotaged by rent-seeking and corruption at the highest levels.

He also cited the recurring issue of fuel subsidy fraud and opaque public spending as examples of how corruption drains national resources and widens inequality. ‘We cannot continue to spend billions subsidizing inefficiency while the majority of our citizens live in poverty,’ Peterside said. ‘The government must prioritize accountability and transparency as the foundation of economic recovery.’

The economist called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to show political courage by dismantling monopolies and enforcing institutional independence, especially in anti-corruption agencies, the judiciary, and public procurement processes. He stressed that rebuilding public trust requires not just punishing offenders, but also ensuring systems that prevent corruption from re-emerging.

‘Institutions must be stronger than individuals,’ he said. ‘Until the rules of engagement are clear and enforced, investors both local and foreign will continue to see Nigeria as high-risk territory.’

Peterside further argued that the country’s fiscal and monetary challenges ranging from inflation and exchange rate instability to declining foreign investment are symptoms of deeper governance failures. He emphasized that Nigeria must focus on merit-based leadership, decentralization, and economic diversification to break free from its cycle of dependency and inefficiency.

In his closing remarks, Peterside urged citizens to take an active role in demanding accountability from public officials, warning that silence and complacency enable corruption to thrive. ‘The real power lies with the people,’ he said. ‘If Nigerians insist on transparency, fairness, and merit, the system will have no choice but to adjust.’

Economists and policy analysts at the event echoed his views, noting that the fight against corruption must go beyond rhetoric to concrete institutional reforms. Many agreed that restoring investor confidence and driving inclusive growth will remain impossible unless Nigeria decisively tackles the twin evils of corruption and state capture.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rewriting the playbook of cybercrime, and Africa, once seen as a peripheral target, has become a testing ground for some of the world’s most advanced digital attacks.

This is the stark reality outlined in Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Defence Report, which paints a sobering picture of the continent’s evolving cyber threat landscape. The report details how attackers are deploying AI to craft more convincing phishing campaigns, generate lifelike deepfakes, and even automate entire attack chains that once required human oversight.

‘Africa isn’t just a target; it has become a proving ground for the latest cyber threats. We are witnessing attackers harness AI to craft phishing messages tailored to local languages and cultural contexts, impersonate trusted individuals, and exploit the very platforms we depend on. Many of these advanced tactics are first tested right here on the continent,’ Kerissa Varma, Microsoft’s chief security advisor for Africa, revealed.

AI supercharges cybercrime

Microsoft’s findings show that the rapid integration of AI into cybercriminal operations has fundamentally changed the threat landscape. Traditional phishing emails, once riddled with grammatical errors, have given way to messages so realistic they can fool even the most vigilant employees.

According to the report, AI-enhanced phishing campaigns now achieve a 54 percent click-through rate, 4.5 times higher than conventional methods and can boost the profitability of attacks by up to 50-fold.

Attackers are also leveraging autonomous malware that can move laterally across networks, escalate privileges, and exfiltrate data, all without human control.

Beyond phishing, the rise of deepfake technology and voice cloning has given cybercriminals powerful new tools for deception. Fraudsters can now convincingly mimic executives, customer service agents, or even family members to manipulate victims or authorise fraudulent transfers.

The report notes a 195 percent global increase in AI-generated identities, which are being used to bypass identity verification systems, exploit free trials, and create fake accounts for financial or espionage purposes.

Africa’s expanding attack surface

The scale of these threats is immense. Microsoft processes more than 100 trillion daily security signals, giving it a global view of cyber activity and a clear indication that Africa’s digital growth has made it a magnet for attackers.

While financial motivation remains the main driver, the sophistication of attacks targeting African organizations is rising sharply. In 80 percent of cyber incidents investigated by Microsoft’s security teams last year, the attackers’ primary goal was data theft, not intelligence gathering.

The World Economic Forum’s Cybercrime Impact Atlas 2025 underscores the trend: arrests linked to cybercrime increased across 19 African countries, yet the total financial damage soared from $192 million to $484 million in one year. The number of recorded victims also jumped dramatically, from 35,000 to 87,000.

‘Critical cyberattacks often unfold beyond the reach of traditional endpoint detection. Early warning signs like credential theft should be treated as indicators of potentially larger breaches,’ Varma warned.

Business email compromise tops list

Among the various threats plaguing African businesses, Business Email Compromise (BEC) stands out as the most financially devastating. Although it represented just two percent of overall attacks observed, BEC accounted for 21 percent of successful breaches, surpassing even ransomware.

In these attacks, criminals infiltrate email systems through phishing or password spraying, then manipulate inbox rules, tamper with multi-factor authentication, and hijack legitimate email threads. The result is a high-trust fraud that often goes unnoticed until significant financial damage is done.

According to the report, South Africa emerged as a global hotspot for BEC infrastructure setup and money mule recruitment. A detailed case study highlights Storm-2126, a Nigerian-origin threat actor operating out of South Africa since 2017. The group’s transnational operations have targeted U.S. real estate firms, law practices, and manufacturing companies, illustrating how African-based actors are becoming major players in global cybercrime.

New tactics: ClickFix and AI impersonation

The Digital Defence Report also reveals a shift toward multi-stage attack chains that combine social engineering, technical exploitation, and infrastructure abuse. One rising technique, dubbed ClickFix, tricks users into manually executing malicious code under the guise of resolving IT issues.

Attackers are also increasingly exploiting collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, impersonating technical support or system administrators to gain remote access. These methods blur the line between trust and threat, exploiting employees’ willingness to cooperate with supposed authority figures.

The rise of deepfake era

Perhaps the most unsettling development is the rise of AI-generated media, including fake videos, cloned voices, and synthetic images, that can be weaponised for fraud, disinformation, or manipulation.

In several documented incidents, cybercriminals used deepfake audio to impersonate company executives and authorize high-value wire transfers. Others have used synthetic identities to apply for loans, launder money, or infiltrate corporate systems through fake recruitment profiles.

These attacks are particularly dangerous in regions where digital verification systems are still developing and where trust in online communication remains high.

Building Africa’s digital resilience

Despite the grim statistics, Microsoft insists that Africa can become a frontline leader in cyber resilience if organisations act decisively. The company’s Secure Future Initiative, described as its largest cybersecurity engineering project ever, aims to help African enterprises strengthen their defences and adopt AI-powered protection frameworks.

The initiative rethinks how Microsoft designs, builds, and operates its products to achieve the highest possible standards for security. It also supports African businesses and governments in implementing advanced threat intelligence, multi-factor authentication, and zero-trust models.

‘Defenders must fundamentally rethink their approaches to cyber resilience. Relying on trust alone is no longer enough as familiar platforms and tools can be turned against us,’ Varma emphasised

Experts say awareness, training, and regional cooperation are equally critical. Many of Africa’s most damaging cyber incidents have exploited human error or lack of preparedness rather than purely technical vulnerabilities.

A Turning Point for African Cybersecurity

The Microsoft report leaves no doubt: the age of AI-driven cyber threats has arrived, and Africa is at the center of it. The continent’s growing digital economy, youthful population, and rapid cloud adoption make it both a target and a testing ground for new attack techniques.

Yet, with these challenges come the opportunities to build smarter defences, invest in cybersecurity talent, and shape the global response to AI-enhanced threats.

‘By leveraging AI responsibly and investing in comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, Africa can transform from a proving ground for attackers into a model for digital resilience,’ Varma affirmed.

Obi made this call at the launch of a book, entitled, ‘Just Go Further, Become a Total Entrepreneur,’ in Lagos, saying business owners without accounting and finance background should incorporate entrepreneurs into their business to make it scalable.

‘They have no relationship with government. Government doesn’t care about them, apart from tax. It’s the only country where relationships between business and government is tax,’ Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra State, also urged the government to focus on making the economy more productive.

According to him, a thriving MSMEs/SME will create more jobs for the growing youth population, which will also enable the government to earn more tax revenue.

‘And people will tell you tax is low in Nigeria. The more productive you are, the more you can create jobs, the more you can tax people,’ Obi said. Obi also called on Government to pay close attention to small businesses, which are the engine room of the economy by ways of recognition.

‘The reason why today we are not thriving the way we should is because we are not celebrating our entrepreneurial success. We are not even supporting them,’ Obi said. Ebele Obi, author, ‘Just Go Further, Become a Total Entrepreneur,’ said Nigeria need to deepen and elevate apprenticeships to a national level, especially into school curriculums.

‘We need to actually establish apprenticeships very much more in Nigeria, because that’s what’s driving economies in Germany, and some other countries, even in the UK,’ she said.

She also advocated for an holistic review of the country’s education curriculum, especially at the basic education level to include apprenticeships, just like what happens in Igbo land.

‘I also think that entrepreneurship and finance is not something that has been talked about enough. I grew up in a trading family, and then I think that’s one of why I’m able to survive in some things,’ she said.

Oseloka Henry Obaze, a former UN Senior diplomat and book reviewer, said the 240-page book is segmented into three self-explanatory parts.

According to him, part one talks about becoming an entrepreneur; part two focuses on sustaining the growth as an entrepreneur, and third part deals with succession planning.

Obaze said the book is fundamentally targeted at dreamers, especially those who think they can become viable and full-blown entrepreneurs.

‘The book is a motivational book written by an entrepreneur, a budding entrepreneur. Essentially, it has three vital points. Why? How to? And the gateways to entrepreneurship,’ he said.

Dangote Cement Plc’s after-tax profit rose sharply to N743.3 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2025, from N279.1 billion in the same period of 2024, a 166 percent increase despite a marginal decline in sales volumes.

The strong earnings were driven by improved pricing, higher contributions from its Pan-African and Nigeria operations, and foreign exchange gains that offset cost pressures from energy and raw materials.

Group revenue rose 23 percent to N3.15 trillion from N2.56 trillion a year earlier, reflecting strong pricing across key markets even as total cement and clinker sales volume slipped 2 percent to 20.24 million tonnes from 20.67 million tonnes in the same period of 2024.

According to CSL StockBrokers Research analysts, the rise in revenue was driven by the Group’s average selling price rising by 25.85 percent to N155,875 per ton, compared to N123,855 per ton in the same period last year.

Revenue from Dangote Cement’s Nigerian operations increased by 42.4 percent year-on-year to N2.18 trillion in 9M 2025, up from N1.53 trillion in 9M 2024.

‘This strong performance in the Nigeria operation was driven largely by a 41.9 percent increase in the average selling price, which rose to N165,110 per ton from N116,365 per ton in the corresponding period of the previous year. Additionally, sales volume inched up by 0.4 percent to 13.21 million metric tons, compared to 13.16 million metric tons in 9M 2024.’

‘The marginal increase in volume reflects softer demand in some operating markets, consistent with the typical slowdown in construction activities during the rainy season in the third quarter,’ the analysts added.

Despite this, Pan-African operations contributed N1.06 trillion compared to N1.09 trillion last year, indicating resilient regional performance amid macroeconomic headwinds.

The contraction was driven largely by a 5 percent year-on-year drop in sales volumes to 7.94 million metric tons, down from 8.36 million metric tons in the prior period.

‘This occurred despite a modest 1.7 percent increase in the average selling price, which rose to N133,078 per ton from N130,861 per ton a year earlier. Management attributed the weaker performance to post-election uncertainties in key markets such as Senegal and South Africa, as well as liquidity constraints in Ethiopia due to delays in national budget approvals,’ analysts at CSL said.

Income statement drivers

Gross profit surged 41 percent to N1.87 trillion, supported by higher average selling prices and production cost control. Total cost of sales edged up just 4 percent to N1.29 trillion, driven mainly by increases in fuel, power, and raw materials costs. Energy consumption remained the largest cost component at N569 billion, followed by materials at N255 billion and staff-related expenses of N108 billion.

Selling and distribution expenses rose modestly by 8 percent to N500.6 billion, reflecting higher logistics and promotional spending to sustain market reach. Administrative costs climbed to N202.3 billion from N145.6 billion due to inflationary effects on staff and corporate overheads.

Finance income grew 165 percent to N77.1 billion, buoyed by higher returns on short-term investments and interest from subsidiaries. Finance costs, however, declined to N286 billion from N451 billion, aided by reduced foreign exchange losses and lower borrowing costs.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has called for deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in advancing the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.

In extending the invitation, NAICOM urged the Council, under the leadership of Ekeoma Ezeibe, the 63rd President of the NCRIB, to play an active role in driving reforms aimed at strengthening the insurance sector, enhancing regulatory compliance, and promoting sustainable growth.

Segun Omosehin, commissioner for Insurance, who made the call during the investiture of Ezeibe held in Lagos, reaffirmed the Commission’s openness to dialogue and its commitment to harmonizing the roles of all industry stakeholders for the collective progress of Nigeria’s insurance ecosystem.

Omosehin described Ezeibe’s emergence as the third female President in the 63-year history of the Council as a powerful symbol of progress and inclusion. He noted that her journey reflects quiet strength and strategic impact, both within the NCRIB and across the broader insurance industry. He emphasized that in today’s dynamic environment, brokers must evolve to meet emerging risks by providing client-first risk advisory rather than product-driven solutions; ensuring transparent placements with clear wordings and quality coverage; leading claims processes with data-driven, empathetic approaches; expanding inclusion through affordable microinsurance for underserved sectors; and leveraging digital tools to reduce costs while maintaining ethical standards.

‘I urge the Council to professionalise these capabilities through training, peer review, and accountability,’ he said, adding that the reputation of the market is inseparable from the reputation of its brokers.

According to him, NAICOM’s priorities are clear, which are to foster innovation, protect policyholders, and build public confidence.

‘For brokers, our regulatory focus includes aligning governance and financial requirements with business operations; ensuring transparency, suitability, and fairness, especially during claims; and making placement quality and client outcomes measurable, among others,’ Omosehin stated.

Djibouti’s parliament has voted to scrap the constitutional age limit for presidential candidates, a decision that could allow Ismail Omar Guelleh, the country’s long serving leader, to remain in power well into his eighties.

All 65 members of parliament present backed the amendment during a Sunday session in the capital. The current constitution states that anyone above 75 cannot contest the presidency, a rule that would have barred Guelleh, 77, from running again in the April 2026 election. The president must now decide whether to approve the change directly or call a referendum. A final parliamentary vote is expected on November 2 if he signs off. Guelleh, widely known as IOG, has ruled the tiny Horn of Africa nation since 1999. His government maintains strategic partnerships with global powers that operate military bases in Djibouti, including the United States, France, and China. The country sits at the mouth of the Red Sea, guarding a crucial trade route between Asia and Europe. That location has earned it a major geopolitical role despite its population of only one million people.

Dileita Mohamed Dileita, the National Assembly speaker defended the constitutional reform as a matter of national security and continuity. He argued that the region faces acute instability from conflicts in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan, and insisted that more than 80 percent of Djiboutians support the modification. That figure could not be independently verified. Supporters say Guelleh has delivered stability in a dangerous neighbourhood. Critics warn that the latest move removes one of the last constitutional checks on presidential power. Human rights groups describe the vote as the latest step toward entrenched authoritarianism. Omar Ali Ewado, who leads the Djiboutian League for Human Rights, said the amendment clears the way for a presidency for life and called instead for a democratic and peaceful transition of power. ‘This revision prepares a presidency for life,’.

Djibouti continues to rank poorly on measures of freedom of expression and press liberties, and opposition voices often struggle to organise. The amendment marks a shift from reforms introduced by Guelleh himself in 2010. Term limits were removed at the time, but individual terms were shortened from six to five years and the age ceiling was introduced. Elections since then have seen overwhelming victories for the incumbent, including more than 97 percent of the vote in 2021 after opposition parties boycotted the poll.

Guelleh has remained ambiguous about whether he will run again. In an interview earlier this year he said he loved his country too much to risk divisions, a statement seen by many as a signal that he intends to stay.

‘All I can tell you is that I love my country too much to embark on an irresponsible adventure and be the cause of divisions,’ he said.

If he does, he will continue to rank among Africa’s longest serving leaders, behind Yoweri Museveni in Uganda and Isaias Afwerki in Eritrea.

MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic and digital cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa as it hosted a high-level Nigeria-South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable in Lagos.

The event, held at the MTN Rooftop, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and senior government officials to explore new areas of collaboration in trade, technology, and human capital development.

Themed ‘Africa’s Twin Engines: How Nigeria-South Africa Relations Can Position Africa as a Global Middle Power,’ the roundtable was convened under the auspices of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), with support from the Lagos State Government. Discussions centered on how both nations, Africa’s largest economies, can leverage technology and private-sector partnerships to unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In his keynote address, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos state deputy governor, described Lagos as a natural gateway for African innovation and investment, noting that deepening South Africa-Nigeria collaboration was essential for the continent’s progress. ‘Lagos remains Africa’s commercial nerve centre where trade, talent, and technology intersect. Strengthening cooperation between our two nations is strategic not only for both economies but also for Africa’s collective advancement,’ he said.

On her part, Thandi Moraka, South Africa’s deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation, emphasized the need for practical, people-centred outcomes. ‘Nigeria and South Africa share not just a history of solidarity but a future of shared responsibility. The AfCFTA gives us the platform; our partnership must give it life,’ she noted.

Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO, said the roundtable was designed to translate policy intent into measurable progress through cross-border projects. ‘When South Africa and Nigeria act together, we can transform shared potential into measurable progress for our people and continent. MTN will continue to provide the digital infrastructure and partnerships needed to make this collaboration real,’ he stated.

Key outcomes from the roundtable included the launch of a Nigeria-South Africa standards and e-certification pilot under AfCFTA, the establishment of a cross-border SME payments corridor, and the creation of a talent mobility framework for mutual recognition of digital skills.

The event reaffirmed MTN’s broader mission to use connectivity and digital platforms to drive regional integration, innovation, and sustainable growth across Africa.

The Adamawa State Government has commenced a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the recruitment of 5,000 post-primary school teachers across the state, marking a major step in its drive to strengthen the education workforce and promote merit-based employment.

The exercise, supervised by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, is being conducted in phases across the three senatorial zones, beginning with the Central Zone. The first phase took place at Ramat Government College, Yola, where hundreds of applicants sat for the test.

Garba Pella, commissioner for Education, who inspected one of the examination centres, expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as transparent and credible. He said the state government was determined to institutionalise merit and accountability in public sector recruitment.

‘This is the first time in the history of Adamawa State that job applicants are required to apply, write an examination, undergo interviews, and pass through screening before employment,’ Pella said. ‘Gone are the days when employment letters were issued based on personal connections. This process is purely merit-driven.’

He noted that the government engaged independent consultants to manage the process, underscoring its commitment to eliminating nepotism and ensuring fairness.

According to Nuhu Abadulahi, a software developer from Satlink Consultant Services, the firm managing the CBT platform, over 18,000 candidates registered for the exercise.

Birsan Penuel, Co-chairman of the recruitment committee and Acting Executive Secretary of the Post-Primary Schools Management Board, reaffirmed that the initiative aligns with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s education reform agenda aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified teachers and improving learning outcomes.

He added that successful candidates from the CBT will advance to the next stages, including oral interviews and document verification, with the process expected to conclude before the next academic session to ensure timely deployment of teachers.

One of the candidates, Asondolo Ibrahim, lauded the state government for the transparent conduct of the examination, describing it as well-organised and fair. She also commended Governor Fintiri for creating employment opportunities for young people in the state.