Category: Business Day

Nigeria’s northwestern states of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa have teamed up to create the country’s first regional electricity market, pledging an initial N50 billion investment to boost power generation and expand access for millions of people across the region.

The initiative, unveiled after a weekend summit in Marrakech, Morocco, marks an unprecedented collaboration between subnational governments and private investors in Nigeria’s struggling power sector. It also signals growing regional momentum to harness opportunities created by the 2023 Electricity Act, which liberalised the sector and empowered states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories.

Under the agreement, the three states will acquire equity stakes in Future Energies Africa (FEA), the core investor in Kano Electricity Distribution Company (Kano DisCo), in a move designed to align local political and economic interests with the utility’s performance and long-term reform goals.

The deal was sealed after a electrification Summit held from October 16-19 in Marrakech, attended by the governors, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, alongside senior government officials, energy regulators, and global consultants.

Sani Sani, head, corporate communications at Kano DisCo said Kano, Katsina and Jigawa will collaborate with Kano DisCo to reduce losses from residential consumers to allow supply to improve to citizens in the States.

‘FEA and State representatives will convene annual international retreat and meet quarterly (and as required) to review progress, set direction, and strengthen ties for North-western tri-state electricity market,’ Sani said.

Central to the plan is a N50 billion tri-state electrification fund, to be launched as a public-private vehicle targeting renewable energy, embedded generation, solar home systems, and mini-grids. The fund aims to catalyze rapid power access to households and small industries across the three states, home to nearly 40 million people combined.

The fund’s first phase will prioritise rural communities and industrial clusters in Kano’s Sharada and Bompai zones, Katsina’s Dutsin-Ma corridor, and Jigawa’s Gumel axis, according to people familiar with the discussions.

‘This partnership is a defining step in our collective journey toward energy independence and economic transformation,’ a senior official from Kano DisCo told BusinessDay. ‘By aligning state ownership with private investment, the tri-state model ensures that the interests of both the citizens and investors are represented.’

The plan builds on the operational turnaround strategy initiated by FEA after it took over Kano DisCo in 2022. Since then, the firm has sought to reposition the distribution company, which covers the largest franchise area in Nigeria, through technology upgrades, renewable integration, and stronger collaboration with state governments.

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for regional power markets in Nigeria. Under the Electricity Act, states can establish their own electricity markets and regulatory frameworks. By forming a joint tri-state electricity ecosystem, the three Northwest governments plan to harmonise regulations, pool investments, and jointly plan power infrastructure that cuts across state lines.

The arrangement will also enable joint regulation in areas where cooperation is beneficial such as tariffs, cross-border mini-grids, and shared generation assets.

‘This is the first time we’re seeing a coordinated subnational electricity market in Nigeria,’ said an industry analyst familiar with the project. ‘It’s a pragmatic way to achieve economies of scale in generation and distribution while ensuring that local priorities are not lost in national policy debates.’

Beyond expanding access, the governors agreed to collaborate with Kano DisCo to address one of the utility’s most persistent challenges, high energy losses from unmetered and non-paying residential customers. The partnership aims to accelerate metering rollout and community-based billing reforms that can improve revenue recovery and service reliability.

BusinessDay’s finding showed Future Energies Africa, which specializes in distributed renewable projects, will serve as both technical partner and investment coordinator for the tri-state market. The company’s executives said the Marrakech summit has established a governance framework for periodic reviews – including quarterly meetings and an annual international retreat – to assess progress and attract new investors.

‘This is a long-term bet on the economic future of the Northwest,’ said an FEA representative. ‘Our goal is to create a power ecosystem that can compete with any region in the country – anchored on renewables, strong regulation, and state participation.’

The collaboration also received backing from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has been pushing for subnational power markets since the enactment of the new Electricity Act.

Commissioner Akpeneye, who attended the summit, commended the states for taking initiative, noting that ‘regional markets like this will redefine Nigeria’s electricity future.’

Unlocking the north’s energy potential

Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa occupy a combined landmass larger than Ghana and have among the lowest per capita power consumption in Nigeria. Yet they also hold vast renewable potential, particularly in solar and wind energy.

With average daily sunshine exceeding 6.5 hours and large stretches of undeveloped land, the region could become a hub for solar farms, battery storage, and hybrid microgrids. Analysts say the tri-state fund could help unlock these opportunities by providing seed financing and risk-sharing instruments to local developers.

Beyond the technical aspects, the deal underscores a shift toward greater state ownership of Nigeria’s energy future. For years, subnational governments have complained about limited influence over power distribution companies that serve their regions. By taking direct equity stakes in FEA, the three governors are betting that local participation will drive accountability, improve service delivery, and deepen industrial competitiveness.

‘This is not just about power – it’s about development, jobs, and dignity,’ one participant at the summit said. ‘When states have skin in the game, they can no longer blame Abuja for darkness.’

Among the attendees were the speakers of Katsina and Jigawa State Assemblies, commissioners for power from Kano and Jigawa, and the attorney general of Jigawa State. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was represented by commissioner Dafe C. Akpeneye, underscoring federal support for the initiative.

Future Energies Africa was represented by its chairman, Najib J.A. Koguna, along with board members Ahmad Rufai Zakari, OON, Habib Daura Ahmed, and Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya.

Also present were Adamu Gumel, Kano DisCo chairman, and Abubakar Jimeta, its managing director. Advisory teams from DLA Piper, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and BlackAion Capital joined the discussions, lending technical and financial expertise.

Kazfield Integrated Services Limited has launched Àdàbà Farm and Resort, a sprawling 202 hectare-coconut plantation in Owode, Ogun State, in a bold move to unlock coconut plantation potential and reshape the country’s agricultural landscape.

Kazfield is a trailblazing real estate and agribusiness firm that specialises in innovative, scalable solutions that drive agricultural productivity, economic inclusion, and environmental stewardship across West Africa.

This ambitious project directly tackles Nigeria’s embarrassing $9,495,210 annual spend on coconut imports, primarily sourced from neighbouring Ghana and the Ivory Coast, positioning the nation to capture a slice of the booming global market and deliver extraordinary long-term returns to investors.

Nigeria, currently ranked 19th among global coconut suppliers, lags far behind top producers Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Brazil, which dominate with vast plantations and efficient supply chains.

Despite favourable tropical climates, domestic production falls short, forcing reliance on imports to meet rising demand for coconut products. Adaba Farm changes that narrative by leveraging sustainable, high-yield farming techniques to produce premium coconuts for export and local markets.

Kazeem Yekini, the company’s CEO, noted in a statement that the global coconut market is exploding, valued at $14.18 billion in 2025 and projected to surge to $33.71 billion by 2034, driven by a compound annual growth rate fueled by health-conscious consumers worldwide.

‘Coconut water, a natural electrolyte powerhouse, serves as an ideal rehydration solution for athletes and everyday wellness enthusiasts, while virgin coconut oil and derivatives boost immunity, support heart health, and enhance skincare. This superfood trend, amplified by post-pandemic health awareness, underscores the untapped opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog competitors and generate billions in forex earnings,’ Yekini explained.

According to him, Àdàbà Farm and Resort integrates advanced agronomy, including drought-resistant hybrid varieties, precision irrigation, and organic pest management, to ensure bountiful harvests across its 500 acres.

‘The project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Ogun State, empower rural communities through training programmes, and stimulate ancillary industries like processing and logistics,’ he added.

Yekini hopes that, by slashing import bills and boosting exports, the project aligns with Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, enhancing food security, reducing trade deficits, and contributing significantly to GDP growth.

For investors, Àdàbà offers a groundbreaking farmland ownership model with guaranteed annual yields of N6 million to N12 million per acre for up to 50 years. Backed by insurance against climate risks and expert oversight, this inflation-hedged opportunity provides stable passive income in a volatile economy, far outpacing traditional investments.

‘This initiative is more than a farm; it’s a catalyst for economic sovereignty,’ Yekinni noted, adding, ‘by harnessing the coconut market’s explosive growth-from $14.18 billion today to $33.71 billion by 2034-Àdàbà Farm will position Nigeria as Africa’s coconut hub, fostering wealth creation and sustainable development for generations.’

With nearly 70 percent of Nigerians living in informal settlements vulnerable to floods, heatwaves, and other climate risks, the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) has called for urgent reforms to make the nation’s building and construction sector climate-resilient and economically sustainable.

Speaking at a media roundtable on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Scorecard for Sustainable Buildings Project, Danjuma Waniko, president, GBCN, said Nigeria’s housing crisis is no longer just about deficits – it is about survival in the face of escalating climate threats.

‘Most of our urban settlements are growing before our very eyes, often without planning or infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change,’ Waniko said.

‘About 70 percent of our people live in informal settlements or slums that are highly exposed to flooding, heatwaves, and rising temperatures. When we talk about sustainable buildings, we’re not just talking about structures – we’re talking about people’s lives and livelihoods.’

Waniko explained that the NDC Scorecard Project, part of the World Green Building Council’s global Be Bold on Buildings campaign, aims to help Nigeria turn its climate commitments into measurable actions within the built environment. Nigeria is one of five countries – alongside Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, and the Philippines – selected for the initiative.

According to Waniko, buildings account for nearly 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 50 percent of extracted natural resources, making the construction sector central to tackling climate change. ‘Our mission at GBCN rests on three imperatives – achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, promoting resource circularity, and strengthening urban resilience,’ he said.

The GBCN, he added, has been collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to align sustainability goals with national policy frameworks.

One major outcome, he noted, is the renewed effort to update Nigeria’s 2006 National Building Code to reflect modern realities such as energy efficiency and climate-smart design.

Also speaking, Sangeetha Ramaraj, technical and innovation officer at GBCN, said the NDC Scorecard project is designed as a bottom-up initiative that takes into account Nigeria’s local realities.

‘We conducted workshops and consultations in 14 states, assessing existing policies and identifying enforcement gaps,’ she said. ‘The findings led to a beta scorecard and an action plan proposing eight key strategies for achieving a sustainable and resilient built environment.’

She explained that the project has now entered its implementation phase, which involves regional rollouts across the country.

‘We’re working with state governments and local authorities to integrate these strategies into planning, construction, and housing policies,’ Ramaraj noted.

Usman Abdurrahman, chair, GBCN’s Education and Knowledge Development Group, said collaboration is key to success.

‘To make our cities climate-resilient, professionals in architecture, building, and engineering must work hand in hand with policymakers,’ he said. ‘Without strong policies and enforcement, progress will be difficult.’

He added that regional workshops held in Lagos and Abuja have begun to yield results, with upcoming sessions in Port Harcourt and other zones aimed at deepening subnational engagement.

Waniko concluded that sustainable construction is no longer optional. ‘Climate change is already here.

Our cities are on the frontlines,’ he said. ‘We must design, build, and manage our spaces differently – not just to cut emissions, but to safeguard lives and ensure that urban growth becomes a driver of resilience, not vulnerability.’

Five years after the shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State, rights group Global Rights has once again demanded justice and accountability for the victims of the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS massacre.

In a statement titled ‘Waiting for Accountability: 20.10.20 – Five Years On,’ Abiodun Baiyewu, executive director of Global Rights, lamented that despite multiple judicial panels of inquiry set up to investigate the killings and police abuses, no one has been held accountable and most of the panel recommendations remain unimplemented.

Baiyewu described the continued lack of justice as ‘a deep wound on Nigeria’s democracy,’ noting that trust between citizens and government has continued to erode.

‘The tragic events of October 20, 2020, when armed security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters holding the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, drove that deficit even deeper,’ she said.

According to her, the #EndSARS movement was not only a protest against police brutality but a broader call for justice, accountability, and reform in governance.

‘The protesters’ five demands – justice for victims, compensation for families, police oversight, reform, and better welfare for officers – remain largely unmet,’ Baiyewu added.

The group expressed concern that the repression of peaceful dissent continues, citing the government’s handling of the #EndBadGovernance protests of 2024, where at least 30 protesters were reportedly killed and dozens detained, including minors accused of treason.

Global Rights warned that the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrime Act to target journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens undermines democratic freedoms and silences legitimate dissent.

‘This practice erodes the foundation of democracy and sends a dangerous message – that freedom of expression exists only on paper,’ the statement said.

The rights group restated its key demands to the Nigerian government, including call for Accountability, Reform, Respect for Rights and Civic Protection.

Baiyewu emphasised that protests are not a threat to democracy but a form of civic participation that can strengthen governance when properly managed.

‘No government enjoys criticism – but strong democracies use it as feedback,’ she said. ‘Nigeria must learn to listen to its citizens, not muzzle them.’

As Nigeria marks the fifth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate incident, Global Rights urged the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to justice and reform, warning that ‘justice delayed is democracy denied.’

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the United States and China to calm rising trade tensions, warning that the ongoing conflict between the two economic giants could seriously harm the global economy.

Speaking at a recent forum, Okonjo-Iweala stated that if the trade dispute persists and both countries sever all economic ties, the world could lose up to 7 per cent of its total economic output (GDP). She explained that such a breakdown would not only slow down growth in wealthy nations but also hit developing countries the hardest, with some facing double-digit losses in income and welfare.

According to her, the growing divide between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, has already begun to affect global trade flows, supply chains, and investment patterns. Many countries, especially those that rely heavily on trade, could face higher prices, slower growth, and fewer job opportunities if the standoff continues.

Okonjo-Iweala warned that a prolonged ‘economic decoupling,’ where the U.S. and China attempt to completely separate their economies, could create deep divisions in global trade. ‘When the two biggest economies in the world are at odds, the entire global trading system feels the impact,’ she said. ‘The result is slower trade, higher costs, and less cooperation at a time when we need unity to tackle shared challenges like climate change and economic recovery.’

She said the world should not let the situation spiral out of control, stressing that the current crisis is also an opportunity for countries to rethink and strengthen the global trading system. She called on WTO member nations to use this moment to reform trade rules, make them fairer, and ensure that global trade benefits everyone, especially smaller and poorer countries that depend on exports to survive.

Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that multilateral cooperation, where countries work together under the WTO’s framework, remains the best path forward. She urged nations to avoid protectionist policies and unilateral trade barriers that could further divide the global economy.

‘The global trading system was built to prevent exactly this kind of economic fragmentation,’ she said. ‘Instead of turning inward, countries should come together to modernise the WTO, strengthen dispute resolution, and make trade more inclusive and sustainable.’

Her comments come amid renewed friction between Washington and Beijing over tariffs, technology, and market access. The U.S. has accused China of unfair trade practices and intellectual property violations, while China says American policies are aimed at slowing its rise as an economic power.

Experts warn that if both sides fail to reach common ground, global supply chains from electronics to food could suffer disruptions, affecting businesses and consumers worldwide.

Okonjo-Iweala concluded by saying that cooperation, not confrontation, is the only way to secure a stable and prosperous global economy.

A new NarratEQ analysis by Gatefield has highlighted the urgent need for diverse leadership distribution and measurable policy outcomes for economic sustainability.

‘We went from 31 percent women in cabinet to 8.8 percent, and our economic growth slowed along with it. More diverse leadership means more perspectives informing policy, and this shows up in measurable outcomes,’ Farida Adamu, lead, insights and analytics, Gatefield, said during a recent webinar to launch NarratEQ, a new data platform for gender equality insights.

According to the new Gatefield’s gender equality insights hub, Nigeria’s low representation of women in political leadership is costing the country economically.

‘Surfacing this kind of evidence through NarratEQ is important to us, because it gives the gender equality conversation the seriousness it deserves,’ Adamu said.

Compared to countries like Rwanda, which maintains a global lead of 61 percent women in parliament, and South Africa, averaging 45 percent women’s representation in both parliament and cabinet.

Nigeria on the other hand has moved backward, from 31 percent cabinet representation to 8.8 percent under current leadership, defying both its national policy mandate of 35 percent representation and a global trend toward greater inclusion.

According to Adamu, the data also reveals a cultural resistance underlying the current numbers. While 64 percent of Nigerians express comfort with women in corporate leadership, only 50 percent feel the same way about women in political leadership.

‘This perception gap reinforces structural exclusion even when policies exist on paper. These findings mark the debut of NarratEQ, a first-of-its-kind gender data hub developed by Gatefield, a public strategy and advocacy group, to make gender equality insights accessible, visual, and actionable.’

According to Adamu, the platform consolidates verified data across six sectors: political leadership, economic empowerment, health, education, care economy, and corporate representation.

She disclosed that the platform delivers monthly insights, story starters, and downloadable quality-scored datasets for journalists, policymakers, and researchers.

During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015), when women held 31% of cabinet positions, Nigeria’s economy experienced sustained GDP growth of 6-7%, reaching its largest size in history.

Under successive administrations where women’s representation dropped to 8.8%, economic growth slowed, reflecting a global pattern where higher women’s participation in leadership correlates with stronger economic outcomes.

Nigeria ranks 180th out of 190 countries globally in women’s political representation, with only 3.9% of senators and 8.8% of current cabinet positions held by women, the lowest among major African economies.

‘NarratEQ is a response to a very nagging problem of siloed data that makes insights difficult to work with in Nigeria. Where data exists, it’s in silos – you can hardly bring them together to get something you can really work with. This initiative will make our situation better,’ said Alfred Ajayi, one of the attendees.

The Ondo State Government has announced its readiness through the State Power Company (OSPC) to commence smart meters installation payment for communities and citizens across the state.

Johnson Alabi, the State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, who disclosed at the weekend in Akure, said the initiative was part of the O’Datiwa Mass Metering Scheme, designed to provide reliable, affordable, and transparent access to electricity while ending the era of estimated billing.

According to him, the first phase of the programme will involve the deployment of 50,000 smart meters to communities, households, and businesses across Ondo State. He added that a trial run will begin this month, while the full rollout of installations is scheduled for November 2025.

‘With this programme, every citizen and business will have access to prepaid meters that guarantee fairness, transparency, and efficiency,’ the Commissioner said. Alabi hinted that the Ondo State Power Company (OSPC), working in collaboration with accredited Meter Asset Providers (MAPs), will oversee the rollout of the meters to ensure quality standards are met and the scheme runs smoothly.

Additionally, he noted that the metering programme will not only empower consumers but also strengthen the state’s electricity sector by boosting investor confidence and improving revenue assurance for operators. Alabi reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to the improvement of power supply with a focus on enhancing the livelihood of citizens. He urged all to support the scheme as it lays the foundation for long-term electricity reforms and improved service delivery in Ondo State.

BusinessDay reports that the new feat underscores the Ondo State government’s unwavering commitment to advancing power supply and improving efficiency in the power sector across all and sundry.

The political atmosphere in Kaduna took a new turn on Saturday as four members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, five members of the House of Representatives, and thousands of their supporters dumped their parties to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a massive rally held at Murtala Square, Kaduna.

The event, described as one of the biggest political gatherings in the state in recent years, was attended by top APC figures, including the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; and the Chairman of the North West Development Commission, Lawal Yakawada.

With these defections, the APC has further strengthened its grip on Kaduna’s political landscape. The party now controls 13 out of the state’s 16 seats in the House of Representatives, leaving the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with only three. In the State Assembly, the APC now boasts 26 members, while the PDP has just eight. Governor Uba Sani, while welcoming the new members, described the APC as ‘one big family’ where no one is treated as an outsider. He assured the defectors that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities as old members of the party.

‘What matters most,’ he said, ‘is your ability to connect with the grassroots and serve the people who elected you. In APC, we don’t discriminate; we work together for the progress of Kaduna State.’

Sani highlighted the growing strength of the APC, noting that the party had only four federal lawmakers in 2023 but now has 14.

‘Today in Kaduna, we hardly have an opposition,’ the governor boasted. ‘When I told President Bola Tinubu we would deliver 80 percent of the votes in 2027, I meant it. But now, I believe APC will get up to 95 percent of votes in the next election.’ He attributed the party’s rising popularity to his administration’s focus on fairness, justice, and inclusion.

‘Kaduna is one of the most diverse states in Nigeria, and we have turned that diversity into our strength,’ he said. ‘Since we took office, there has been no ethno-religious crisis. We are united, and we believe politics should be about improving people’s lives, not dividing them.’

APC National Chairman Yilwatda described the party as ‘the promised land for Nigerian politicians,’ saying both President Tinubu and Governor Sani deserve another term for their performance.

House Speaker Abbas, himself from Kaduna, declared that the APC has achieved a level of dominance never before seen in the state. ‘From Zone 1 to Zone 3, APC is the party to beat. We have never been this strong,’ he said to loud cheers. Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Honourable Husseini Jalo expressed gratitude to Sani and Tinubu for providing ‘effective and fair leadership.’ He declared that Kaduna had become a ‘one-party state,’ promising full support for their re-election bids in 2027.

Among the defectors were federal lawmakers Sadiq Ango (Sabon Gari), Andulkarim Husseini Ahmad (Kaduna South), Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau), and Hussaini Jalo (Igabi). Other prominent figures who joined include former Senators Danjuma Lah, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani, former Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, and the PDP’s state secretary, Hon. Saidu Adamu.

With these new additions, the APC appears set to tighten its hold on Kaduna ahead of the 2027 elections, leaving the opposition scrambling to stay relevant in the state’s fast-changing political terrain.

Traditional rulers in Biakpan community in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State have accused their neighbours from Etono II of launching renewed attacks despite ongoing peace efforts by the state government.

At a press briefing in Calabar, the Biakpan Traditional Rulers alleged that youths from Etono II recently invaded parts of Biakpan, destroying lives and property, including the multimillion-naira Brotherhood of the Cross and Star Cathedral at New Jerusalem, Biakpan.

The group said taht the assault, which came barely two months after both communities signed a peace accord on August 1, 2025, amounted to ‘a deliberate provocation and total disregard for the authority of the Cross River State Government.’

Speaking on behalf of the group, Obu Obu Enang, said that Biakpan could no longer remain silent while its people continue to suffer unprovoked attacks.

‘Our people have been killed, our places of worship destroyed, and our peace violated repeatedly. The Biakpan community stands for peace and law, but peace without justice is a mirage,’ Enang told journalists.

He urged Governor Bassey Otu to act swiftly by enforcing previous court judgments and government pronouncements affirming Biakpan’s ownership of the disputed land.

Enang cited three key rulings – the 1986 High Court, the 1989 Court of Appeal, and the 1996 Supreme Court judgment in Ojah vs Ogboni – which, he said, clearly established that ‘the land now occupied by Etono II is part and parcel of Biakpan communal land under the headship of the Biakpan paramount ruler.

‘We have obeyed the law at every turn, yet our patience has been mistaken for weakness,’ he said. ‘Despite clear judicial pronouncements and repeated government positions, the Etono II people continue to defy both the law and peace accords.’

The Biakpan chiefs also accused the Etono II community of committing various violent acts over the years, including killings, arson, and desecration of religious sites, with the most recent being the burning of the Brotherhood cathedral on October 5, 2025.

‘This latest attack during a peace period is a slap on the face of justice,’ Enang said, calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind the violence.

The Biakpan Traditional Rulers Council commended Governor Otu and the Biase Local Government Council for their earlier interventions but urged stronger action to ensure that peace accords and court rulings are fully implemented.

They further appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the alleged killings and destruction of property in the area.

‘Enough is enough. The Nigerian state must show that no one is above the law,’ Enang added. ‘We remain committed to peace, but we demand justice anchored on truth and the rule of law.’

The Cross River State Government has restated its commitment to transparency and inclusive governance through sustained citizen engagement, as it held the Southern Senatorial District leg of the 2026 Budget Consultative Forum at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.

The forum, which drew traditional rulers, lawmakers, civil society groups, women leaders, market leaders, and youth representatives, was aimed at reviewing the performance of the 2025 budget and gathering inputs from stakeholders to shape the 2026 fiscal plan.

The budget Consultative Forum was organized by UNICEF and the Department of Budget Monitoring and Evaluation.

Similar consultative sessions had earlier been held in Ikom and Ogoja for the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts respectively, underscoring the Otu administration’s firm belief that every region and community deserves a voice in the state’s development agenda.

In his opening remarks, Otu Ita, Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget Monitoring and Evaluation, described the exercise as a practical demonstration of Governor Bassey Otu’s People-First philosophy, anchored on inclusion, transparency, and citizen participation in governance.

He explained that the series of zonal budget consultations reflects the government’s resolve to institutionalize a bottom-up planning process that captures the real needs of communities across the state.

‘This is governance driven by the people and for the people. The Governor has made it clear that the 2026 Budget must emerge from citizens’ priorities, not from the desk of bureaucrats alone,’ he said.

Otu Ita emphasized that the Southern Consultative Forum offers stakeholders in the district an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the state’s fiscal direction, ensuring that no community is left behind in the budgeting process.

Okon Owuna, chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, commended the participatory budgeting process, describing it as a hallmark of responsible governance.

He assured participants that the House of Assembly remains committed to approving a budget that reflects the collective aspirations of Cross Riverians.

‘These consultative meetings in Ogoja, Ikom, and now Calabar, ensure that every senatorial district has a voice. That is what participatory democracy should look like,’ Owuna said.

He highlighted the need to sustain funding for key sectors such as road infrastructure, agriculture, and education to drive inclusive development across the state.

Mike Odere, Commissioner for Finance, applauded the robust citizen turnout, noting that it reflects the growing trust in Governor Otu’s People-First administration.

He said the government’s approach to fiscal planning is deliberately transparent, ensuring that both revenues and expenditures are publicly accounted for.

‘Cross River State is redefining public finance management. We are making our budgeting process participatory, our tax system fair, and our projects people-centered,’ he said, assuring that fiscal discipline will remain the bedrock of the 2026 budget.

In her remarks, the Accountant General of the State, Glory Effiong, commended Governor Otu’s leadership for strengthening institutional efficiency and restoring public confidence in governance.

She noted that under the current administration, service delivery has improved significantly, with faster project clearances, prompt approvals, and better coordination across ministries.

‘This is a government that values both the aged, the youth, and even generations yet unborn,’ she said. ‘Governor Otu has redefined public service ethics, and that is why today, people are proud to serve under this administration.’

Edwin Okon, chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), charged citizens to be more tax-compliant, describing taxation as a shared responsibility in nation-building.

He revealed that beginning January 2026, the state will implement a new harmonized tax system that eliminates multiple taxation and introduces simplified, technology-driven compliance mechanisms.

‘We are not taxing poverty; rather, we are automating tax administration to ensure fairness and efficiency,’ Okon said. ‘Anyone earning ?800,000 or less per annum will be exempted from personal income tax. That is how people-centered this government is.’

Ovai Solomon Edward Osim, chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, commended the governor for sustaining high levels of budget implementation across all sectors.

He rated the 2025 budget performance at over 70 percent and praised the administration for keeping the traditional institution actively engaged in policy consultations.

‘This is the first time in recent memory that the traditional council is directly part of the state’s budgeting process. It shows that the governor listens and governs inclusively,’ he said.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom, called for deliberate gender inclusion in the 2026 budget, emphasizing that the needs and aspirations of women must be adequately captured across all sectors.

‘We must always ask: how many women benefit from agricultural inputs, empowerment grants, and enterprise funding?’ she queried. ‘True development is inclusive; when women thrive, families and communities prosper.’

She also urged sustained funding for programs addressing gender-based violence and rural women empowerment.

The Southern Senatorial District consultative forum was marked by rich contributions from participants, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable growth, fiscal discipline, and inclusive development.

In his closing remarks, Otu Ita thanked all stakeholders for their insightful contributions and reaffirmed the government’s determination to translate citizens’ inputs into actionable policies.

‘This is how we build a people-first government: by listening, by engaging, and by delivering,’ he concluded.