Category: Business Day

Yushau Shuaib, Editor-in-Chief of PRNigeria and Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPL), has inducted 10 Nigerian youths into the PRNigeria Fellowship, as part of his ongoing initiative to empower young people in the field of communication.

Shuaib explained that the training, organised by PRNigeria in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to equip youths with practical skills in effective information gathering and dissemination.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the induction ceremony held in Ilorin, Kwara State, Shuaib noted that the evolution of technology and the dominance of social media have transformed communication practices, making it essential for young people to be properly guided.

‘We realised that with the advent of technology, social media is gradually taking over traditional media in areas like advocacy, sensitisation, and awareness creation. The youths have the tools but many don’t know how to use them effectively.

‘Ethics in journalism, public relations, fact-checking, and the use of artificial intelligence are among the core areas we train them on, so they can use communication tools wisely,’ he noted.

Shuaib revealed that the fellowship programme, which began last year, initially trained 30 participants across Kano, Kwara, and Abuja. 10 from each state and continued this year with another 10 inductees in Ilorin, bringing the total beneficiaries to 50 youths so far.

He added that the initiative provides participants with free access to professional knowledge that would otherwise cost hundreds of thousands of naira if pursued online.

‘We are training them not only to become Fellows and Ambassadors of PRNigeria but also Ambassadors of Nigeria,’ he said.

Also speaking at the event, Saudat Abdulbaki Salah, Professor Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, described communication as an intentional act that requires understanding one’s audience to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

‘As a communicator, you need resilience, determination, composure, and intentionality to communicate effectively.

‘Feedback is what makes communication complete. When your audience responds in the way you intended, it shows that you are both on the same page,’ she explained.

She further emphasised the difference between listening and hearing, urging communicators to always set clear and measurable objectives relevant to their message.

Adebisi Adams, the team leader of the PRNigeria Young Fellows, appreciated the organisers for the intellectual empowerment and practical exposure gained during the training.

‘We have learnt that the world needs voices that disseminate information with clarity and factual evidence to dispel misinformation and help build a better society,’ he said.

BUA Cement Plc, Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer, has reported a surge in its bottom line, with its after-tax profit increasing more than five times for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

The company posted a profit after tax of N289.86 billion for the nine months in 2025, a 492 per cent increase from the N48.97 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

The ultimate driver of the profit explosion was the net exchange gain/(loss) line item. The company recorded a gain of N21.63 billion in 2025, representing a monumental positive swing from the crippling N57.44 billion loss recorded in 2024.

The company’s rise in revenue was also a major contributor to its success story for the nine months, increasing by 47.2 per cent, rising from N583.41 billion in 2024 to N858.73 billion in 2025. This increase was primarily driven by strong cement demand, coupled with price adjustments to mitigate domestic inflation.

Notably, the 6.6 per cent growth in cost of sales was significantly slower than the revenue growth, resulting in a substantial gross profit of N429.26 billion, a 137.4 per cent increase. This operational leverage expanded the operating profit to N365.62 billion, up 165.3 per cent.

Offsetting these gains, net finance costs ballooned by 165.6 per cent to N46.15 billion. This was due to a rise in gross finance costs to N56.09 billion, from N32.03 billion, reflecting the impact of higher interest rates on the company’s borrowing portfolio.

The cement manufacturer disclosed in its results that the operating profit before working capital changes had risen significantly to N398.62 billion, compared to N169.82 billion in 9M’2024. This confirms the underlying strength of the core business.

However, the net cash inflow from operations was heavily restricted by major outflows in working capital. The company saw a massive decrease in trade and other payables and an equally large decrease in contract liabilities (N56.51 billion and N76.49 billion, respectively).

This movement signifies that the company utilised a large portion of its operating cash flow to settle outstanding obligations to suppliers and to deliver goods against prior customer prepayments, which restricted the net cash generated from operations.

Nevertheless, the firm’s ability to still increase its overall cash balance to N154 billion from N84 billion is a testament to the magnitude of the core operating profitability and the FX-driven profit, which contributed to the high starting point of the cash flow calculation.

BUA Cement’s total assets stood at N1.63 trillion, with its liabilities rising to N1.02 trillion, thereby bringing the company’s equity position to N608 billion, a 66 per cent increase from the N366 billion reported in the same period of last year.

During the period, the firm’s market capitalisation stood at N6.9 trillion, with its share price rising by 93 per cent year-to-date.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has forecasted the Nigerian economy to grow by four percent in 2026, underscoring renewed optimism in the global and domestic economic outlook.

The projection was contained in MAN’s Think Thank Report, released Tuesday which outlined the association’s outlook for 2026.

‘The rationale for these projections is hinged on the ongoing reforms of government, particularly the incentives being channelled to the manufacturing sector through new tax laws, regulatory adjustments, and the operationalisation of the National Council on Industry and other policy frameworks,’ the report said. The report also cited the implementation of Nigeria’s industrial and green industrial policies as key drivers that will enhance sectoral productivity and competitiveness in 2026.

The association noted that the steady rise in its Manufacturing CEOs Confidence Index since 2025 reaffirms that ‘the Nigerian economy is on the path to recovery.’

Data from the report showed that Nigeria’s manufacturing output grew by 1.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive growth despite inflationary pressures, political instability, trade tensions, and global supply chain disruptions.

The report further linked the moderate growth to increased defence spending and the heightened demand for military hardware due to regional conflicts, which have spurred stronger economic integration. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria, speaking at a press briefing to unveil the Think Thank Report, expressed optimism in the growth rate of the manufacturing sector.

He explained that with the Federal government incentives such as providing access to single interest loans through the Bank of Industry to the tune of N75 billion to support 75,000 SMEs, tax reliefs, and the Nigeria first policy which allows Nigerian manufacturers eligible to tender for public procurements, manufacturers will experience significantly growth in the coming year.

‘You will notice that between just Q2 of 2024 and the first half of 2025, has been a significant growth. There was a jump in capacity utilization, just because manufacturers were able to get loans at single digit interest rate.

‘What that means is that if my stock capacity is to produce 1 million bottles, for example, and my capacity utilization, because of the challenges I’m facing is 600 bottles, when I have some incentive from government, I’m not paying for some things, I’ll be able to put that back into the business to boost output. ‘The same way with multiple taxes. Now I’m not paying any of them. Loans, I used to get at 33 percent interest, by the time the stabilization plan comes here, we also have access to loans for a single digit interest rate, and we’ll be able to produce more. You will be able to employ more, and you’ll be able to sell more.

‘Imagine government upscaling, patronage. It’s in the government still, to make the largest scale-up, to the economy. Once they do that, it will run into the production.’

Nigeria has begun exporting locally manufactured solar panels to Ghana, a landmark step in the country’s push to become a renewable energy manufacturing hub for West Africa, according to Bayo Adelabu, minister of power.

Speaking at the Nigeria Energy Forum 2025 in Lagos, Adelabu said the exports mark ‘the beginning of Nigeria’s participation in regional renewable energy markets,’ following the commissioning of new solar manufacturing capacity expected to produce up to four gigawatts annually.

‘With this scale of renewable energy production coming online, Nigeria is not only positioned to achieve its domestic energy transition targets, but also to serve regional power markets, which we recently started doing with the export of Nigeria-made solar panels to Ghana,’ Adelabu said. The announcement underscores Nigeria’s growing ambition to diversify its energy mix and strengthen its industrial base under President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ which prioritises innovation, local content, and economic self-reliance.

Adelabu noted that the development stems from partnerships sealed at the 2025 Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum, which attracted domestic and international investors to the country’s nascent clean energy manufacturing sector.

The move comes as Nigeria’s government pursues wide-ranging reforms across its power sector, including the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, expansion of grid capacity, and the rollout of a national metering initiative, aimed at improving reliability, attracting private capital, and promoting local production. To date, Nigeria has mobilised more than $2 billion through global development partners, including the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), to fund renewable energy access and off-grid electrification projects.

Adelabu said that beyond meeting domestic needs, Nigeria’s growing clean energy manufacturing capability could make it a key supplier of renewable energy technologies across West Africa. ‘We are open to strategic partnerships to mobilise the necessary investments and unlock this potential,’ he said.

The minister emphasised that improved investor confidence, policy reforms such as the Electricity Act 2023, and a clear energy transition framework have set the stage for sustained growth in Nigeria’s power sector.

As part of broader regional integration efforts, Nigeria plans to leverage its manufacturing base to supply components for solar and mini-grid projects across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aligning with the bloc’s goal of expanding electricity access and reducing fossil fuel dependency. ‘The opportunities before us are immense,’ Adelabu told investors. ‘Through sustained investment, forward-thinking innovation, and strong partnerships, we can power Nigeria’s journey toward a brighter, more energy-secure future, and lead Africa’s renewable revolution.’

Launched on October 28, 2025, SyncAll introduces a groundbreaking platform built to structure, protect, and monetize African music data, preserving culture and powering the continent’s creative economy.

SyncAll, after winning an award as second runner-up for the Most Innovative Product at the reputable AfCFTA Hackathon, 2025, has now today announced the official launch of the continent’s end-to-end music licensing marketplace, designed to bridge the gap between global media buyers and African music creators. SyncAll is a metadata enrichment, music licensing, and rights clearance platform designed to build the foundation for Africa’s intangible assets’ economy. The platform goes beyond rights owners’ data to provide more structured song-level data which clarifies cultural context to make African music easier to discover, license, and monetize worldwide.

SyncAll via a ‘quotation request model’ provides a streamlined, secure environment where creators can directly license their works to diverse users for various types of music use projects, including movies, television, video games, commercials, and VR/AR experiences, eliminating fraud, advancing music discovery and enriching rights holders.

‘The soul of Africa echoes in its music, yet for too long, a lack of infrastructure has led to a cultural erosion of our audio assets and restricted our music from being fully discovered on the global stage. Through our IP firm, Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Limited (DMCE), we have facilitated and supervised the clearance of over 250 songs for various sync purposes and distributed over $2,000,000 in royalties while solving countless licensing issues behind the scenes,’ said Ezekiel Olayinka, CEO of SyncAll.

‘Now, with SyncAll, we are digitalizing this process to be efficient, transparent, and global. From metadata curation to sync licensing, cultural context to specific royalties collection in appointed territories, we’re making sure African music isn’t just heard, but recognized, credited, and paid for’.

‘We have invested in tackling this head-on with a clear vision: within the first three years, to invest in enrichment, aggregate 25% of African music metadata, and engage market wide stakeholders and secure over 700+ licensing deals within Africa and across in the globe.’ said Opeyemi Iredumare, Chairman, Nubian Commerce Group. Iredumare further discussed that SyncAll will enable music clearances in five simple steps, streamlining the process and opening the door to the $10 billion global music synchronization market by 2030. By building this foundation of comprehensive metadata enrichment, SyncAll intends to be the crucial shield that preserves, promotes and provides a unified digital marketplace for Africa’s infinite cultural heritage.

Through its proprietary metadata system and licensing dashboard, SyncAll provides:

? Comprehensive cultural metadata enrichment that ensures accurate song documentation

? Simplified rights licensing that connects African creators directly with global buyers, and

? Rights management that protects creators’ ownership and ensures they are adequately credited and compensated for their work..

SyncAll’s vision goes beyond technology, it’s about preserving African culture, enabling fair intellectual property trade, and rewriting how African music is valued and discovered globally.

By organizing Africa’s vast music data, SyncAll is positioning the continent’s creative industry for sustainable digital growth.

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.