Category: Business Day

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned nightclub operators and fun seekers against the growing trend of organising, hosting, and attending drug parties, a disturbing fad gaining traction within social circles.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s director of Media and Advocacy, issued the warning in a statement on Tuesday, describing such gatherings as illegal under Nigerian law.

‘Drug parties are illegal,’ Babafemi stated, adding that the agency will continue to clamp down on individuals and establishments promoting or enabling such activities.

Last Sunday, NDLEA operatives raided Proxy Night Club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where they seized about 384.886kg of Loud and other illicit substances.

The operation led to the arrest of over 100 attendees, as well as the club owner, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, and his manager, Joachin Millary.

?According to the Agency, ‘any gathering organized for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality.

‘These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences.

‘In the case of the drug party at Proxy night club, organisers went above board and had the audacity to produce and circulate flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that not only constitutes an incitement to commit crime but equally an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country if condoned.

?’Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths. These illicit drug parties do not only fuel the drug scourge but equally serve as hubs for new recruitment into drug addiction and actively undermine our current national efforts to safeguard public health and security. ‘In the recent case, the NDLEA was meticulous and professional throughout the processes leading to the raid and during the operation.

‘The operation followed intelligence gathered on the party, by undercover agents who conducted surveillance on the facility, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs from within the club.

‘For four hours between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday during the party, our operatives observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse going on before we eventually disrupted the brazen public display of illegality and made arrests. ‘All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices while the two principal suspects: Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary remain in custody following the seizure of 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and other substances from the club’s store.

‘While the Agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government.

‘Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.’

?The Agency, therefore, urges all patriotic Nigerians, parents, religious and community leaders, as well as concerned citizens to be vigilant, report such activities, and partner with the NDLEA in combating this threat to national well-being.

APM Terminals Apapa announced donations of critical medical equipment to the Simpson Primary Healthcare Centre in Ebute Metta, Lagos, to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the community.

Frederik Klinke, ceo APM Terminals, speaking at the handover ceremony, said it s part of the company’s efforts to uplift the living standards of its host communities.

‘We are proud of the work done here to increase the survival rate of children, and I hope the community will maintain the equipment and put it to good use,’ Klinke said, noting that APM Terminals has also installed power systems and renovated medical facilities across Lagos.

Steen Knudsen, the Apapa terminal manager, explained that the donation aligns with the United Nations Population Fund’s 10 Million Safer Births Initiative, launched by Queen Mary of Denmark during her visit to Nigeria in June 2025, to tackle high maternal mortality rates and promote safer deliveries.

Abimbola Bowale, the permanent secretary of Lagos Health District IV, described the donation as a fruit of public-private partnerships. Giwa Rasheed, representing the Senator for Lagos Central Senatorial District, said the centre will make quality maternal care more accessible and affordable.

Layi Ogunjobi, PM Terminals Nigeria’s Medical Advisor, disclosed that a consultant has been engaged to monitor the use and maintenance of the donated equipment over the next few years to ensure accountability and long-term impact.

A second phase is planned to upgrade the facility’s laboratories.

Nigerian states recorded an average of 66.9 percent of their education budget implementation in 2025, according to the latest State of States report released by BudgIT.

The report highlights gradual improvements in fiscal discipline and governance across several states despite prevailing economic challenges.

According to the report BudgIT, Nigeria’s leading civic-tech organisation promoting fiscal transparency and accountability, in social sectors, implementation remains uneven.

‘For education, states budgeted N2.41 trillion but spent only N1.61 trillion, achieving 66.9 percent implementation. Out of the 36 states, nine states, Edo, Delta, Katsina, Rivers, Yobe, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Osun, exceeded 80 percent of their budgeted allocations, with Edo, Delta, and Katsina surpassing 100 percent.’

Besides, the report indicates that average per capita spending remained low at N6,981, with no state exceeding N20,000 per capita and only eight states above N10,000.

Meanwhile, in health, states budgeted N1.32 trillion but expended N816.64 billion, achieving 61.9 percent implementation.

Seven states, Yobe, Gombe, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, Delta, and Bauchi-spent over 80 percent of their health budgets, with Yobe leading at 98.2 percent, though total expenditures remained modest.

Average per capita spending was N3,483, with only a few states exceeding N5,000, highlighting significant gaps in service delivery relative to education.

Some states exceeded international/UNESCO-recommended benchmarks about 20 to 26 percent for education spending in their state budgets:

Enugu State, for instance, spent 33 percent of its budget in 2024, and Jigawa State spent 26.4 percent of its 2025 proposed budget went to education.

On the other hand, many states still fall significantly short of these benchmarks; some states allocate less than six to seven percent to education.

Nubi Achebo, director of academic planning at Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), described the 66.9 percent education budget implementation rate by Nigerian states as a mixed bag.

He said while this indicates some progress, it does not necessarily translate to adequate funding per student or achievement of educational goals.

Succession planning is at the heart of a company’s continuity. Whether it’s a small and medium enterprise, or a conglomerate, weak or absent succession systems remain a snap in the longevity of a business, especially in Nigeria.

This is why Kunle Elebute, former chairman and now current senior partner at KPMG Nigeria, has urged boards and business leaders to embed leadership transition into corporate governance as a long-term strategy.

Speaking at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)’s Succession Planning: Passing the Baton on Thursday, Elebute said the lack of succession planning in Nigeria and across Africa has left companies vulnerable during transitions.

‘The true test of leadership is how well your work continues after you’ve left. If you don’t build leaders from within, you’ll keep buying them from outside, and they may not carry your culture,’ he said.

Elebute, with over four decades of experience advising multinationals, led KPMG operations across multiple markets. He said that businesses which fail to plan for succession lose institutional knowledge, operational instability, and declining investor confidence. Also, when key executives retire or exit, there is an internal struggle for power that leads to cultural dislocation.

‘Even multinationals struggle when continuity is not deliberately designed. When you embed succession in governance, you institutionalise performance,’ said Elebute.

According to Elebute, mentorship is a critical link in sustaining leadership development. ‘It is the bridge between experience and continuity,’ he said. ‘Mentorship is not optional for those who want their legacy to last. It is through mentoring that you multiply leadership capacity and ensure long-term continuity.’

Abimbola Olashore, president and chairman of the council of NBCC, called succession planning the architecture of legacy. ‘Leadership is not measured by tenure, but by transition. It’s not merely about reaching the summit but about ensuring others can continue the climb after us,’ he said. He added that ‘those who fail to plan for succession risk collapse.’

Olashore said the chamber revived its breakfast meetings to necessitate discourse on governance and business sustainability. In a volatile business environment, competent structural systems trump charisma and reputation, and investors are lured by those that guarantee leadership continuity, preserve company values, and sustain competitiveness.

Africa has the potential to become a significant player on the international scene and is at an exciting turning point in the information technology (IT) industry. Africa has a younger, more active population than any other continent, with over 1.4 billion individuals, more than 60 percent of whom are under 25. Thanks to more affordable cellphones and improved mobile networks, internet connectivity has rapidly increased throughout the continent, rising from 28 percent five years ago to 43 percent now, according to ITU 2025 estimates. The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association reports that the startup industry is also flourishing, attracting nearly $8 billion in investments in the previous year. This essay presents a clear strategy for Africa to become a leader in IT. We cover five main areas: strong digital setup, building skills, sparking new ideas, smart policies, and embracing new tech. Using simple ideas and real insights, this roadmap offers practical steps to help Africa move from the edges of the digital world to its centre, aiming for 15 percent of the global IT business by 2030.

Building a strong digital setup: The base for IT success

Africa needs a solid digital foundation that can manage large numbers of people and data if it wants to be a leader in IT. Smart, cost-effective solutions that prioritise efficiency and the environment may address issues like patchy internet, power outages, and excessive expenses.

According to a 2024 GSMA report, new approaches to mobile network construction can reduce costs by 40 percent. By combining equipment from many manufacturers, these techniques enable businesses to put up fast internet, such as 5G, more quickly and affordably. This has the potential to link an additional 900 million people by 2030, facilitating online services, smart gadgets, and video chats in both urban and rural areas.

Satellite services can provide high-speed internet in remote places where most people dwell without the need for kilometres of cables. Combining this with local data processing speeds up key tasks such as online health checkups and farm supply tracking. Small solar-powered data hubs can operate dependably even in the absence of constant energy, handling vast volumes of data each day while saving on data transfer.

Big data centres are also important, as they are meant to be energy efficient and environmentally benign. They can cut power consumption in half by using improved cooling and clean energy sources, as well as technologies that adjust to the workload automatically. Growing them to handle vast volumes of data by 2030 would result in a robust African online network that keeps information safe and local while meeting large computing demands.

Together, these aspects – improved networks, satellite reach, and green data hubs – provide a flexible infrastructure that is resistant to weather and online threats, making Africa a go-to destination for digital services.

Growing top IT talent: From learning to creating

The World Bank expects that Africa’s 700 million young people will become 10 million skilled IT workers by 2030. This entails utilising innovative educational tools that reach out to everyone while focusing on genuine results.

Learning platforms enabled by smart software can personalise lessons to each individual, analysing how they study and perform to provide the optimal path. This triples the speed of learning compared to traditional techniques, training a million developers annually in skills such as app development, internet security, and smart systems. Running these on shared computing resources ensures quick feedback and helps more people complete their courses.

Digital certificates maintained securely online make talents easy to demonstrate anywhere in the world. Short training programmes, such as three-month courses, allow participants to work on real-world projects while learning to launch apps and automate operations. Graduates often earn 40 percent more and contribute to a $100 billion online employment market.

Programmes to reintegrate talented Africans living overseas provide tax incentives for their ideas as well as cheap employment opportunities in digital hubs. This intends to attract 100,000 specialists who will share their knowledge on sophisticated themes. Adding virtual simulations for practice without real equipment helps produce a competent group as strong as the best in the world, with several already leading free online initiatives.

Sparking a creative ecosystem: Turning ideas into big wins

Moving from ten major success stories in 2024 to 100 by 2030 will necessitate technologies that accelerate new ideas. Safe testing zones for new apps in finance, health, and farming allow authors to experiment safely while tracking progress to ensure compliance with regulations.

New funding methods based on online communities can raise $1 billion a year with modest costs, allowing ordinary people to invest and vote on projects fairly. This allows for more varied creators and provides better returns than traditional investments.

Online sharing spaces, now numbering 50, contribute to the development of local language tools such as voice assistants for half a billion users. In Nigeria, where thousands of new companies are receiving billions of dollars in capital, mobile apps and secure data arrangements are driving growth, with software exports anticipated to add 20 percent to the economy by 2030.

These tools make the process easier: test ideas safely, secure finance online, and expand through shared networks, resulting in massive hits faster than anywhere else.

Policies and leadership: Supporting safe growth

Good regulations are needed for long-term success, with a focus on keeping data local and employing technology fairly. The requirement for the majority of data to remain in Africa with strong protection procedures facilitates the secure exchange of information across borders for activities like online shopping.

A continent-wide guide for smart technology establishes fair norms, audits for biases annually and fines major rulebreakers. A $50 billion fund headed by African leaders invests in safe online systems that protect against future dangers and has already invested in hundreds of new enterprises this year.

Leading in new tech: Africa’s jump forward

To stay competitive, Africa should concentrate on online communities, smart systems, advanced computing, and combining technology and biology. Smart farming tools use satellite imagery and ground data to assist millions of small farmers in increasing their crop yield by 25 percent. Automated agreements in online trading systems reduce border problems by one-third.

Investing in superfast computing solves difficult problems rapidly. Working with global partners on next-generation internet, the goal is to achieve superfast speeds by 2030 for applications such as 3D meetings. The objective is to have full-speed internet by 2026, a million smart tech professionals by 2028, $100 billion in sales by 2030, and the top spot in smart tech by 2035, thanks to new wireless and brain-like chips.

Challenges and fixes

With 600 million people without electricity, new high-efficiency solar installations can power thousands of local networks. To combat escalating online threats, rigorous security layers protect critical components. Eco-friendly loans, which have already garnered billions of dollars this year, have the potential to address $80 billion in annual funding deficits.

Conclusion: Africa’s rise in IT

This plan positions Africa to capture $500 billion in IT revenue by 2030, creating 20 million jobs through collaborative efforts and significant investments. Early wins demonstrate that it is possible. Leaders should initiate network tests; new enterprises should participate in language projects; and funders should support online investments. Africa’s digital future seems bright.

The plan by the Federal Government to boost oil palm industry in some key states was said to have hit the rocks in Rivers State. This is said to have caused a crash of the oil palm industry in the hydrocarbon headquarters.

Now, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is seen to reactivate the oil palm industry to make it an export product to earn foreign exchange.

The outcry was rendered at a workshop by the South-South Regional Office of NEPC to strengthen oil palm export clusters for global competitiveness and airfreighting held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Erasmus Chukunda, the Rivers State Chairman of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), who has been in the oil palm industry for decades, said the plan to boost oil palm industry in 2018 got stock in Rivers State.

He said the FG had asked selected States to provide 100 hectares of land each to form the base of a huge loan package from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to help meet a one million metric tons per year (1mmtpy) shortfall in palm oil consumption.

Oil Palm industry value chain practitioners and exporters at the NEPC workshop in Port Harcourt Tuesday, October 28, 2025

He said the CBN was providing $600m per year to support import of palm oil but that the FG frowned at it, thus prodding the apex bank to seek local production. Chukunda, who was Director-General of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce (PHCCIMA) for many years said Rivers State then did not do much but later provided 10,000 ha.

To the chagrin of the over 6,000 OPGAN members in the State, the paltry 10,000ha was never handed to the Association to start massive growing of oil palm plantation as the Federal Government envisaged.

He said the members went ahead to secure $700m from the CBN and used it to set up some plantations, 10 milling clusters, etc. He said: ‘Let the Rivers State government hear it, that they did not do anything to help oil palm industry in the CBN and FG scheme. ‘Rivers State was number one in oil palm industry, today, Edo State has taken over just the way Nigeria fell off the first spot to Indonesia. Rivers State has fallen off because the state for years has not been responsive.’

He however said he remained hopeful now that Governor Sim Fubara is back to seat. His optimism seemed to get some lift when Joe Johnson, the newly assigned Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, who was commissioner of information and communications until the suspension, said to the large audience that the State Government is keen to act.

Chukunda said how much he believed Johnson, thus: ‘We are sure that by the return to the office, our Governor HE Siminalayi Fubara, will attend to OPGAN needs as indicated by the new Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in his goodwill message at the just concluded Nigerian Export Promotion Council, South-South Regional Office One Day Workshop on ‘Strengthening Oil Palm Export Clusters for Global Competitiveness and Airfreighting’ in Port Harcourt.

In his welcome remarks, Benedict Itegbe, Regional Coordinator, South-South Regional Office of NEPC, said the workshop was basically to set agenda. ‘The workshop will focus on enhancing the capacity of stakeholders in the oil palm export value chain, understanding quality certifications, market access requirements, and exploring strategies for engaging international buyers.’

Itegbe, an architect, said the workshop was to help reroute export point to Port Harcourt International Airport. He said Lagos airport for now accounts for over $150m worth of goods per year now, while Port Harcourt airport does about 5% of that.

He also said the event was to also unveil the partnership between NEPC and Fidelity Bank. ‘We are working to strengthen non-oil export in the south-south. It will lead to a communique that would point to a roadmap for export boost in the zone.’

He later presented a paper on marketing strategies around the world.

In his goodwill message, Dogara Sagbere, Rivers State chairman, Nigerian Association of Small, Medium Enterprises (NASME), said NEPC is the most active government agency they know. ‘If all other agencies were to work like them. NEPC facilitated a grant to us three years ago, and it helped our members a lot.’

Speaking online, Nana Wanjua, Chief Gender Officer, Pan Africa Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia office, said she was a real estate expert practitioner and a hotelier. She told women participants to be more enthusiastic and study harder, saying she failed at a point because she did not train well in it.

‘Now I am back to studying and I urge all women to always study. Create work-life-balance or work-life integration. I now travel with either my husband or with my two sons. Also create giving to others and to humanity as a way of life.’

Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s key economic hubs, was notably absent from the recently released 2025 State Fiscal Performance Index, raising concerns about transparency and the fiscal health of the state government.

Produced by BudgIT, the index assesses states based on debt sustainability, revenue generation, and budget reliability.

According to BudgIT, Rivers was excluded due to the unavailability of relevant data following months of political instability in the state.

In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected officials, and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, Vice Admiral (rtd), to oversee the state’s affairs.

The officials were reinstated six months later, on September 18, after the president announced the end of the emergency rule.

BudgIT explained: ‘Rivers State is excluded from this report due to the removal of elected officers under the state of emergency. The state failed to produce an audited financial statement at the time of final data compilation for this report.

‘The implications are significant, as the absence of Rivers from the ranking means its usual top-five position will be taken by another state. It also affects subnational comparisons on IGR performance, given Rivers’ outsized influence on national averages.

‘For instance, Rivers’ gross FAAC allocation in 2023 exceeded the combined FAAC of Zamfara, Plateau, Sokoto, and Ogun. We look forward to featuring the state in the 2026 edition following the end of the emergency period.’

Rivers State’s exclusion is conspicuous, given that it topped BudgIT’s 2024 State Fiscal Performance Report in several key indices, including limited dependence on FAAC (Index A), ability to implement capital expenditure after meeting operating and loan obligations (Index B), and prioritisation of capital spending over recurrent expenditure (Index D).

With Rivers missing, other states have climbed in the rankings. Anambra now leads the 2025 fiscal performance list, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo.

At the lower end of the ranking are Plateau, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe States.

The report also ranked Enugu, Lagos, Abia, Anambra, Kwara, and Ogun as the states with the least dependence on federal allocations, indicating stronger fiscal viability if they were to operate independently.

Conversely, Imo, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, and Yobe ranked lowest in this category, highlighting heavy reliance on federally distributed revenues.

BudgIT urged lower-performing states to strengthen their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base and improve their business environment to enhance domestic resource mobilisation.

‘The lower-ranking states need to work harder to grow IGR or reduce operating expenses to achieve fiscal sustainability,’ the report said.

The Oyo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with investors who believe in the economic drive of the Seyi Makinde administration.

This was made known by Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, who led the team from the ministry to the Royal Entertainment Cruise Resort at Eleyele in Ibadan.

The facility which features a range of attractions such as a paint ball arena, children’s play area, snooker hall, boat cruise dock with several boats, speedboats, and a relaxation area that gives visitors a complete fun experience.

Speaking during the visit, Dotun Oyelade commended the Chief Executive Offficer, Sanmi Bamidele for his creativity and investment drive, describing the project as one that perfectly aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision to make tourism a key part of Oyo State’s economy.

‘We are delighted to see this kind of forward-thinking investment here in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration believes that tourism can create jobs, boost local economies, and showcase Oyo as a leading destination for culture and leisure in Nigeria.’ he said.

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the ban of single-use plastics in Nigeria has proposed the introduction of a green tax on manufacturers of polypropylene – a common plastic used in packaging, disposable cups, woven bags, and household items.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the committee’s inaugural meeting, Terseer Ugbor, chairman of the panel, said the house would also consider legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a national strategy to curb pollution and protect public health.

‘Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,’ Ugbor said. ‘During the production process, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk. ‘It is responsible for enormous carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion. As waste, polypropylene isn’t biodegradable, lingering in landfills for up to 500 years and polluting our oceans and harming marine life in the process.

‘Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of environmental neglect. Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind.’

Ugbor said the committee would work with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop a policy framework for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into the national waste management programme. ‘This committee will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented,’ he said.

The lawmaker added that the committee will hold a public hearing involving manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed regulation is fair and effective.

‘This is not about taxation. It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people,’ Ugbor said.

Last year, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to ban the production, importation, distribution, and use of styrofoam and single-use plastics nationwide.

Similarly, the Lagos State government announced a ban on the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics within the state.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that striker Liam Delap will be available for selection ahead of the EFL Cup fourth-round clash against Wolves on Wednesday, marking a potential return after two months out with a hamstring injury.

The Blues will be aiming to bounce back from their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Sunderland as they travel to Molineux, and Maresca hinted that Delap could make his comeback in the fixture. ‘Liam completed the whole session with us yesterday with no problems, and he is available for tomorrow,’ Maresca said.

‘We have to be careful with Liam; he has been out for two months, so he won’t play 90 minutes. He needs to be gradually brought back up to 100 per cent.’

Delap, who joined Chelsea from relegated Ipswich Town, has been sidelined since August after a strong start to the campaign. His return offers a timely boost to Maresca, who continues to manage a packed fixture schedule across four competitions.

The Italian tactician also stressed the need for rotation as Chelsea prepare for demanding fixtures.

‘We need to rotate. We need to protect the players because if we go with the same XI, we are going to struggle during the season,’ Maresca said.

‘We’ll make some changes against Wolves, I don’t know how many, but rotation is important to keep everyone fresh.’

Chelsea, five-time winners of the League Cup and last champions in 2015, face a Wolves side currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and without a League Cup title since 1980.

The Blues will look to replicate their 6-0 victory over Wolves in their last meeting in the competition back in 2012.