Category: Business Day

Lately, I have returned to the African authors of my youth. As a secondary school boy, I read them for marks, for the exam, for the pass. Their stories left an imprint, yet I have always felt I was not faithful to them-that I had missed the point. As an adult, I have read literature for every reason: for fun, for lessons, for escape. But a question began to haunt me: what if the authors who wrote from this very soil, from this air, do I have something urgent to say about the life I am living now? My return has not been a mistake. It has been a rediscovery-a reckoning.

I share these gleanings not as a scholar, but as a seeker. Not to analyse, but to absorb. Not to teach, but to testify.

Ekwensi’s work is not just literature-it is lived experience, etched in prose. He wrote Nigeria not as a polished dream but as a pulsing, bleeding reality. His characters are not saints; they are survivors. In their restless contradictions, I have found my own.

These 15 quotes are more than literary gems; they are emotional excavations. They speak to the Nigeria I know: the hustle, the heartbreak, the hunger for meaning in the noise. They talk to a world that is fractured, fast-paced, and full of people pretending not to bleed. I write these reflections not to admire Ekwensi from a distance, but to wrestle with him. To let his words interrogate my life. To learn to live more intentionally – not perfectly, but truthfully.

1. ‘IN THE CITY, A MAN COULD B E ANYTHING HE CHOSE TO BE, IF ONLY HE HAD THE COURAGE.’ (People Of The City)

This quote is the scent of possibility that hits you the moment you step into Lagos. I arrived with a suitcase of dreams and a heart full of fear. The city was indifferent to my past; it only asked who I dared to become. Ekwensi’s city is both a mirror and a maze, offering transformation but never guaranteeing safety. I have reinvented myself countless times, not out of vanity but out of necessity. This quote is a reminder that becoming demands a bravery far greater than merely surviving.

2. ‘MONEY WAS THE LANGUAGE THEY ALL UNDERSTOOD, THE ONLY MASTER TO WHOM ALL BOWED.’ (People Of The City)

This line holds a painful truth. I have watched integrity dissolve in the face of desperation. I have seen good people bend, break, and barter their souls. And I, too, have bowed. I have compromised and rationalised. In Nigeria, money is not just currency; it is identity, access, and power. Ekwensi does not judge; he observes with a clear, unflinching eye. And in that reflection, I see my own compromises. This quote challenges me to choose values that outlast any currency, especially when the bills are due.

3. ‘HE FELT ALONE IN THE CROWD-A STRANGER AMONG STRANGERS.’ (People of the City)

I have stood in rooms buzzing with conversation and felt utterly invisible. I have laughed at jokes I did not find funny, all for the fleeting warmth of belonging. Ekwensi captures the profound alienation of urban life with painful precision. In our hyperconnected world, loneliness has become a deafening silence. This quote reminds me that genuine connection is not about proximity, but about presence. It is an intentional act of seeking real kinship in a world that encourages us to hide.

4. ‘EVERY MAN CARRIED HIS OWN SORROWS, AND IN THE CITY, NO ONE PAUSED TO SHARE THEM.’ (People of the City)

This line makes my soul ache. I have walked past people whose eyes held stories too heavy to tell. I have buried my own grief beneath a mountain of deadlines and distractions. Ekwensi’s city does not stop for sorrow; it swallows it whole. This quote is a call to resistance. To live intentionally is to slow down, to ask, to listen. Sometimes, the most radical act is to care.

5. ‘WOMEN IN THE CITY WERE LIKE THE RIVERS-BEAUTIFUL, DANGEROUS, AND ALWAYS MOVING.’ (People of the City)

I think of the women I know-resilient, radiant, and relentlessly in motion. They navigate patriarchy and pressure with impossible grace and grit. Ekwensi does not romanticise them; he reveres their power. This quote reminds me that femininity is not fragility; it is a force of nature. It shifts, it shapes, it survives. To live intentionally is to honour that untameable complexity. 6. ‘TO SURVIVE IN THE CITY, YOU MUST LEARN TO WEAR A MASK.’ (People of the City)

I have worn masks to interviews, to celebrations, even to places of worship-smiling when I wanted to scream, performing competence while crumbling inside. Ekwensi does not condemn the mask; he acknowledges its grim necessity. This quote reminds me that intentional living means knowing when the mask protects you, and recognising the moment it begins to suffocate you. It is about finding spaces where you can be bare-faced and still be safe.

7. ‘MUSIC WAS HIS REFUGE, THE ONE PLACE WHERE HE COULD BE HIMSELF.’ (People of the City)

I have found sanctuary in music-in lyrics that understood me better than friends, in rhythms that held me when words failed. Ekwensi knew that art is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. This quote is a reminder to cherish our refuges and return to them often. In a world that demands constant performance, we need sacred spaces that allow for pure presence.

8. ‘THE CITY’S LIGHTS NEVER WENT OUT, NOT EVEN FOR THE WEARY HEARTS THAT WALKED ITS STREETS.’ (People of the City)

I have felt exhaustion so deep it felt like a second skin, yet the world expected me to shine. Ekwensi’s city is a relentless pulse that does not pause for human frailty. This quote is a permission slip to honour our fatigue. Intentional living means carving out pauses in a world that never stops and admitting that even the strongest hearts need moments of darkness to rest.

9. ‘THE SILENCE BETWEEN THEM WAS NOT EMPTY-IT WAS FULL OF THINGS THEY COULD NOT SAY.’ (An African Night’s Entertainment)

Some of the most profound conversations of my life have been held in silence. The weight of unspoken truths, regrets, and loves is too vast for vocabulary. Ekwensi masterfully portrays the density of what remains unsaid. This quote reminds me that communication is more than words; it is the courage to sit in the quiet and acknowledge the universe of feeling that exists there. 10. ‘NOTHIN’ IS IMPOSSIBLE, FREDDIE! YOU MUS’ HAVE HOPE.’ (Jagua Nana)

I have clung to hope by my fingernails when everything else was falling apart. Ekwensi’s characters do not have perfect lives; they have a persistent, dogged hope. This quote is a battle cry. Intentional living is the active, gritty choice to believe in possibility, even when the evidence mocks you. It is dreaming with your eyes wide open.

11. ‘I TOO YOUNG TO SELL MY LIFE LIKE DAT.’ (Jagua Nana)

I have felt the seductive pull of trading my essence for acceptance, stability, or a moment of peace. Yet, Ekwensi’s character draws a line in the sand, choosing dignity over desperation. This quote is a powerful declaration of self-worth. Intentional living means protecting the core of who you are, even when survival tempts you to surrender it.

12. ‘IF A PERSON HAVE SOMEBODY HE LOVE, I MEAN – REALLY LOVE – EVERYTHIN’ MUS’ COME RIGHT IN DE WORL’.’ (Jagua Nana)

I have experienced the healing power of love that observes your chaos and remains steady. The kind that doesn’t fix everything but makes the brokenness tolerable. Ekwensi does not idealise love; he recognises its grounding significance. This quote reminds me that intentional living involves loving wholeheartedly-not just romantically, but with presence, patience, and honesty. True love doesn’t eliminate chaos; it gives you the courage to face it, hand in hand.

13. ‘YOU KNOW, JAGUA, I DON’T THINK I’M THE SAME MAN I WAS WHEN I CAME TO THIS CITY.’ (Jagua Nana)

This confession is a mirror. Cities change us. Lagos sandblasted me smooth and rough in equal measure. I have lost parts of myself in the noise, but I have also discovered strengths I never knew I possessed. This quote reminds me that intentional living is about being an active participant in your own transformation-choosing who you are becoming rather than merely enduring the change.

14. ‘THE CITY WAS A PLACE OF MIRACLES, BUT ALSO OF MANY DECEPTIONS.’ (People of the City)

I have chased dreams that turned to mirages and trusted people whose kindness was a carefully laid trap. Ekwensi’s city is both a golden opportunity and a gilded cage. This quote is a lesson in discernment. To live intentionally is to walk with your eyes open-to celebrate the miracles, but to question the glitter. It is known that not every open door leads to freedom.

15. ‘THE CITY HAD TAUGHT HIM THAT LIFE WAS A GAME, AND ONLY THOSE WHO KNEW THE RULES SURVIVED.’ (People of the City)

This is a sobering education. I have learned the social rules-the codes of speech, dress, and demeanour that grant access. But I have also questioned them. Who made these rules? Who do they truly serve? Ekwensi’s city is not fair; it is strategic. This quote challenges me to know the game well enough to navigate it, but to refuse to let my soul be the price of admission. It is about playing wisely while living truthfully.

Cyprian Ekwensi is a foundational pillar of African literature, often celebrated as a pioneering chronicler of the modern African city.

The Ekwensi Autograph

A selection of his seminal works:

People of the City (1954)

The Drummer Boy (1960)

Jagua Nana (1961)

Burning Grass (1961)

Beautiful Feathers (1963)

Rainmaker (1965)

Lokotown and Other Stories (1966)

Divided We Stand (1980)

Jagua Nana’s Daughter (1986)

Key Themes in His Work

Several powerful, interconnected themes define Ekwensi’s writing:

1. The Urban Experience: He was the first primary Nigerian writer to make the city the true protagonist of his stories. His novels explore Lagos as a place of both opportunity and moral decay, where old tribal ties break down and new identities are forged.

2. Moral Ambiguity: His characters are rarely heroes or villains. They are survivors-corrupt politicians, cunning market women, ambitious hustlers, and disillusioned idealists. He portrayed the grey areas of human nature with unflinching honesty.

3. The Role of Women: Ekwensi created some of the most memorable and complex female characters in African literature. Jagua Nana-a vibrant, ageing, and cunning ‘high-life’ woman-is arguably his most famous creation. His women are often powerful, independent, and use their wit and sexuality to navigate a patriarchal world.

4. Social Change and Conflict: His work documents the tension between traditional rural values and the fast-paced, often impersonal, urban lifestyle. He also explored themes of political corruption, generational conflict, and the quest for wealth in a rapidly changing society.

Rereading Ekwensi has been like returning to a city I once fled-familiar, overwhelming, and utterly necessary. His words are a testament to the fact that literature is not an escape from life, but a deeper engagement with it. It is not merely about what we read, but how we allow it to reshape our lives.

The Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State council held its press week, Ibadan last week with the theme – ‘Democracy and the Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria Ahead of the 2027 General Election’.

The week started with a thanksgiving service at Celestial Church of Christ, Onala Parish, off Alakia road, Ibadan followed by lectures, sporting activities as well as special Jumat Service to round off the year 2025 Press Week of the Oyo NUJ at Alhaji Abdul Lateef Olajide Central Mosque Asabari, Anfani, Ibadan.

Delivering a paper titled ‘Democracy and search for quality leadership in Nigeria’ at the opening of the press week in Ibadan, Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, an Ibadan chief and PDP governorship hopeful, said that quality leaders would continue to shun Nigerian politics due to corruption, bribery, mediocrity, lack of demand for accountability and weak institutions.

Explaining the reasons why quality and effective leaders will continue to elude Nigeria, stayed that capable people who can turn around the fortunes of the country for better will continue to run away from politics.

Saying that the search for quality leadership in Nigeria requires attitudinal change, collective and collaborative efforts of every Nigerian, he used the opportunity to appeal to the citizens to work together to build a Nigeria where leaders are chosen based on merit, not mediocrity.

‘Citizens should demand accountability from their leaders by asking questions, seeking information, and holding them responsible for their actions. Citizens should support institutions that promote good governance, such as independent judiciary, free press, and anti-corruption agencies.

‘Citizens should invest in education and critical thinking to be able to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the democratic process. Citizens should participate in the electoral process by voting, contesting for office, and engaging in civic activities. The search for quality leadership in Nigeria requires attitudinal change, collective and collaborative efforts of every Nigerian. We must work together to build a Nigeria where leaders are chosen based on merit, not mediocrity’.

While addressing the gathering, he said that for Nigeria to have quality leaders who will turn around the fortune of the country, there is a need for the people to participate in politics and encourage merit during electoral processes.

Adegoke, who doubles as Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, urged the citizens to play active roles in the electoral processes, adding that for the country to move forward, the current government must invest in quality education.

The event, which was held at NUJ Secretariat, Iyaganku Ibadan, was attended by governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was represented by Segun Ogunwuyi,his Chief of Staff ,Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Sulaimon OlanrewajuSpecial Adviser on Media to governor Makinde and Bayo Titilola Sodo his counterpart, Special Adviser on Labour, Ademola Babalola, NUJ Chairman, and scores of journalists in the state.

Makinde, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, charged the media to continue to play its critical roles in the democratic processes.

Makinde also noted that as a government, the state will continue to partner with journalists in the state to move the state forward.

‘This year’s Press Week theme – ‘Democracy and the Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria Ahead of the 2027 General Election’ – could not have been timelier. It speaks directly to the heart of our national challenge: how to strengthen democratic values and ensure that leadership at all levels truly serves the people.

‘As we approach another election cycle, it is essential that the media continues to play its noble role – not as a tool for division, but as a beacon of accountability and civic education, helping citizens make informed choices and holding leaders to the highest standards of integrity.

‘Most importantly, we must acknowledge and celebrate the exemplary service of Comrade Demola Babalola and his team, who will be completing their two-term tenure this December. Over the past six years, they have demonstrated uncommon dedication, unity, and professionalism, leaving the Union stronger than they met it.

Ogundoyin, while speaking, appealed to the youths not to shun politics because majority of them have the capacity to lead the country.

‘A lot of youths have the capacity and what we need to do is to take ownership of our communities. We must not feel that we are inadequate or we are not up to the task. I beg them and appeal to the youths to have confidence in themselves and take up the mantle of leadership because they can’t give it to us unless we aspire’.

Olanrewaju and Sodo in their separate remarks appreciated the leadership of the union and journalists in the state for the critical roles they have been playing in informing, educating and enlightening the people on the activities of the current government in the state.

Babalola, in his opening address thanked the state government and his colleagues for their support in the last six years. He charged the incoming executive members of the union to consolidate on his achievements.

In his lecture titled ‘Governance, democracy, politicians and society: Bridging the gap between expectation and delivery’ Akeem Agbaje,a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the press week declared that the media also contributes to Nigeria’s problems.

Agbaje, a lawyer made this declaration at the lecture which was attended by Yemi Farounbi, Samuel Eegunjobi and the NUJ Chairman, Ademola Babalola among other stakeholders held at NUJ Secretariat, Iyaganku Ibadan. He said that the political office holders also compromise the media in their bid to achieve their self-interest, maintaining that the political elites compromise either the media owners or the practitioners in order to buy their ways.

Agbaje, who identified weak institutions, lack of accountability, corruption and flawed electoral processes as some of the causes of the problems in the country further, advised the media practitioners to continue to play their roles responsibly.

He advised journalists to pursue truth with fairness and integrity saying ‘the media occupies a sacred position in the society. The media also contributes to the problems. It is either they compromise the media owners or the practitioners (journalists). When I was reviewing the paper yesterday, someone said that we should step it down, but for me, I have to say it. The media also contributes to the problems.

‘Democracy, in its truest sense, is about the people. It is about their collective will, welfare, and wellbeing. It rests on the pillars of accountability, transparency, justice, and inclusiveness. However, in Nigeria, our democratic practice often falls short of these ideals. The promises made before elections rarely match the realities that follow, creating a widening gap between expectation and delivery.

‘Many Nigerians now question not only the effectiveness of governance but also the sincerity of those entrusted with it. The resulting trust deficit between the government and the governed has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It is not enough to lament this failure; we must identify its causes and propose workable solutions that can restore faith in our democracy. The Failure in Delivering Democratic Dividends.

‘The dividends of democracy refer to the tangible benefits that citizens should derive from democratic governance. These include security, quality education, accessible healthcare, reliable infrastructure, and equal opportunities. Where these are lacking, democracy becomes hollow and loses its meaning to the ordinary citizen.

‘Our problem as a nation is not the absence of democracy but the absence of democratic values in governance. While elections are held periodically, the institutions and systems that should transform political power into public good remain weak or compromised.

‘In Nigeria, individuals are often stronger than the institutions that should regulate them. When public institutions depend on personalities rather than principles, governance becomes self-serving and inconsistent. Laws are interpreted to protect interests rather than promote justice.

‘Corruption continues to undermine development at every level. It is not only about funds stolen but about opportunities wasted. Money meant for hospitals, schools, and public services often disappears through inflated contracts or abandoned projects. Without accountability, mediocrity becomes acceptable and excellence becomes rare.

‘Many leaders emerge through processes that reward loyalty over competence. When politics is treated as a business rather than a platform for service, those who seek office do so to recover their investments, not to serve the people’.

Agbaje however commended the Oyo State NUJ for its commitment to the cause of truth and development.

‘May your work continue to strengthen our democracy and inspire good governance. Thank you, and may God bless the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Chapter, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ he added.

In December 2024, Folarin Olajide-Thomas, visited Nigeria for the first time with three of his friends, who were also first-time visitors.

Folarin, a 27-year-old British male, born in London to Nigerian parents who migrated to the United Kingdom three decades ago, was in the country, with his friends and over half a million other Nigerian diasporans, who visited to enjoy ‘Detty December’, the fast-rising end-of-year event, across the country, but most popular in Lagos.

For almost two weeks, they visited every restaurant, cafe and beach house worth its name. They partied, went for music shows, clubs and beach parties, spent their hard currencies and made Lagos businesses and especially the government, richer with billions earned in revenue within that short but loaded period.

While the Lagos State government and businesses hope to double the earnings from ‘Detty December’ 2024 this year, that hope may be dashed considering the disruption caused by the on-going road construction on the Lagos coastal corridor.

Both businesses and residents along the corridor have welcomed the road initiative, aimed at opening up the Lagos coastal corridor, amid its huge opportunities, but are also decrying the disruption it is causing to vehicular movement and access to businesses along the construction route.

Elegushi, which was one the hubs of the ‘Detty December’ celebrations last year is now a mess, amid heavy flooding due to the construction.

The residents, who now stay longer in traffic than before the road construction are decrying the situation, while calling on Hitech, the construction company handling the work, to create more access or ensure that the available ones are motorable to reduce their sufferings.

For Sade Bameke, a resident of Remi Olowude Street, Eti-Osa, Lekki, the on-going road construction project has resulted in the blocking of many access roads along the coastal corridor as well as disrupted movement and the neighborhood’s entire rhythm.

‘Every December, this place used to come alive,’ she recalled. ‘There would be traffic, yes, but it was happy traffic of people coming for parties, shopping, and events. Now, it is just noise and confusion. You cannot move freely anymore. Some streets have been blocked for months.’

If nothing is done soon to remedy the situation, she fears that this year’s Detty December may not bring the usual joy to people.

‘It is sad. We used to host friends and families during the festive holidays. But with these blocked roads, I doubt anyone will want to visit,’ she decried.

The frustration extends to Alan Oghere, a resident of Blue Water Zone, who finds it difficult to navigate the rough road and little access to the nearby Filmhouse Cinema at Twin Waters Entertainment Centre.

‘I think, this is the price we residents are paying for the good initiative by the government. But we ask for human face in the road construction as the stress of navigating rough and blocked roads in and out for work every day is killing. They should increase the pace and conclude on a portion before jumping to others to ease access,’ Oghere lamented.

Also, non-residents, especially workers within the construction area are also not left out in the pain.

Atunda Fatai, who works at Twin Waters Entertainment Centre, decried that getting to work each day feels like a battle.

‘The blockage of routes that lead to the coastal road is not helping we workers,’ he noted.

If the situation continues, Fatai fears that the festive season will be a nightmare as patrons will struggle to reach them.

Taking the issue personal, Fatai cried out, insisting that Detty December is not just about fun for leisure seekers, but also about survival for poorly-paid employees like him, who commute every day from the mainland, with little or no savings at the end of the month.

‘I earnestly pray for more access before December because that is when we make the most money.

‘The tips from generous customers are better, shifts are longer, and we all earn more. But if people cannot reach us, we will lose everything,’ he lamented.

Apart from the residents and employees, businesses are also crying out.

An executive at Wave Beach, along the coastal road corridor, regretted that the roadblocks and little access have impacted their business negatively, citing millions lost by a client due to sudden blocking of the access roads to their venue, which saw only 29 percent of people that paid online able to attend the event.

‘Detty December is looking like one chaos waiting to happen for beach goers if not adequately managed,’ the executive decried.

But, the residents, according to the beach business operator, are even more impacted as they spend hours navigating home in gridlocks due to poor planning of the construction work.

At Landmark Centre, a hub of entertainment along the coastal road corridor, the situation is already affecting business as patronage decline on fewer access roads to the centre.

‘The beach used to be a big draw during Detty December. People came from all over the country and even abroad. But now, with all these roadblocks and slow construction, we are afraid this year’s December won’t be the same,’ an officer at the centre decried.

The reality, according to the officer, is that potential clients are now calling, even from abroad, to ask if they can still access the beach in December, and we do not raise their hope too high because we are not in control of the construction.

While big businesses are crying, small ones are more at risk as owners brace for a tough season ahead. Kelechi Onukwe, who runs a food stand near Landmark Beach, who usually doubles her stock in December to meet high demand from partygoers, fears to do the same this year due to the obvious signs of less patronage ahead.

‘We sold out almost every night last year. But I am not sure that people will even come this year because the road is hard to pass. Even delivery riders complain,’ Onukwe lamented.

But, instead of folding hands to watch things get worse, residents and businesses along the route are offering solutions to the construction company and the Federal Ministry of Works.

The Wave Beach executive suggested that Hitech, the construction company, should create temporary U-turns at Jakande, Meadow Hall and Blue Water junctions to ease traffic and improve access.

‘Increase road signages directing road users on the turnings. Remove miscreants from the road specifically at night and fix the slip roads to allow residents and beach goers navigate home,’ the beach operator suggested.

Bameke suggested that the construction company should tidy-up the areas they have finished working on and remove roadblocks that hitherto served as warnings to motorists.

‘Just look at how untidy the Blue Waters Zone is. It is our prime residence and should return to its former serenity disrupted by the construction,’ she said.

She also called on the Lagos State government to send its transportation and environmental agencies to the areas construction works have been completed in order to enforce sanity on the roads and restore peace for the residents.

On its part, the Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is set for yet another ‘Detty December’, and even hoping to double the earnings, despite the access challenge.

Segun Ade, a former staff of the Ministry, who is now a senior staff with the state civil service, assured that Lagos will bubble even more during the forthcoming festive season, insisting that the beaches, clubs and restaurants are not only in the Lekki axis, but across the state.

‘We are proactive and will ensure smooth celebrations this festive season. But Lagos is not only about Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki and Detty December will happen everywhere in Lagos, both mainland and Island. The diasporas are coming again, in larger numbers this year,’ he assured.

Reacting to the development, an engineer with Hitech, noted that the pace of work has been good as the coastal road construction has been progressive since it was flagged off.

He noted that beach goers can always access Landmark Centre, Twin Waters Entertainment and Blue Water Zone through Victoria Island, Water Corporation Road, the Lekki Expressway and other access roads.

‘We have progressed and gone farther than some of the areas residents are complaining about. It is just that many are inpatient and often undermine signages and their direction for ease access or alternative routes at any point,’ the engineer, who pleaded for anonymity, explained.

He urged for patience and support as the road is being thoroughly done, while insisting that there are many alternative routes, but most motorists want the shortest routes, even ones that are not officially opened.

In the same vein, David Umahi, minister of Works, is appreciative of the quality of work executed by Hitech, but not necessarily on complaints as such is expected on a construction of that magnitude, which when completed, according to him, will open up Lagos and other coastal corridors on the route across the country for several impactful opportunities.

What was attributed two weeks ago to the strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has continued to linger.

Since the market disruption by PENGASSAN, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has soared across many states, squeezing households and small businesses.

Officials attributed the sudden spike to two major disruptions, the recent PENGASSAN strike over dispute with the Dangote Refinery and the maintenance work at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility, both of which significantly reduced gas supply to the domestic market.

Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), had said that the industrial action disrupted distribution of products, but promised that the crisis would end in a matter of days.

Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, directed relevant regulatory agencies to take ‘immediate enforcement action’ against marketers found hoarding products or inflating prices.

‘This situation is unacceptable. The government will not allow a few operators to exploit citizens,’ Ekpo said, adding that normal supply is expected to resume within a week.

However, weeks after the industrial action was called off, families are still going through difficulty buying the product in many parts of the country. Although the scarcity seems to be easing off, prices have only trended down minimally in many places.

In August 2025, the average retail price for a 12.5kg cylinder fell by 21.42 percent to N16, 195.07, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) before the recent surge in price.

However, that gain was wiped out by the recent surge resulting in an upward price trend. In many parts of the country, a kg of LPG sold between N2, 000 and N2, 500, indicating a steep increase from about N1, 200 per kg recorded in August by NBS.

The price differential for many Lagos residents shows the cost-per-kg each customer pays to access cooking gas between official price at the filling station and what obtains on the streets, which is digging holes in their family finances.

Across Lagos, a kg of LPG average between N1, 700 and N2, 500 depending on the distance between the gas station and the ‘middle-man’ helping to bridge supply gap while LPG per kg at the gas station average N1, 200.

In areas like Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun, the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder has climbed to over N25, 000; averaging N2, 000 according to market checks.

Ayotunde Poroye, a Lagos resident, told BusinessDay that he paid N2, 000 per kg to refill his cylinder.

Poroye, who stays around Baruwa in the Alimosho local government area, said cost per kg of cooking gas at the filling station is N1, 200

However, another resident within Alimosho told BusinessDay that prices vary depending on location. A resident who wants to be identified simply as ‘Iya Gbenga’ said a kg of cooking gas in Ikotun is sold for between N2000 and N2, 500, while the filling station within her community sells at N1, 700.

Another Lagos resident in the Ajegunle area of the state said he pays N1, 700 per kg, while another resident in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos said she paid N1, 500 per kg – but, disclosed that the price is trending downward compared to what it cost her about two weeks ago.

The story appears the same in other parts of the country. For instance, Owerri-based Ukamaka Ayozie, told BusinessDay that she last refilled her gas cylinder in August at N1,500 per kg.

‘Since I came back to the village.. Omo, gas no dey even reach one month again. Most times, we cook with firewood,’ she said, disclosing it helps to save her gas for emergency situations.

However, Aba-based Onyinye Godspower, said she paid N2,500 per kg in September.

While the surge in price has been attributed to the supply gap and market disruption by PENGASSAN, a Lagos-based Olajide Ikujenyo thinks otherwise. He believes the recent spike in price may be responsible.

He thinks the spike in price is a result of market monopoly in the oil and gas market. ‘I marvel at the thought-process of the majority of Nigerians.

‘How in your right sense will you believe that a 3-day strike by PENGASSAN is responsible for the current scarcity of LPG (gas)? Why is PMS (petrol) and AGO (diesel) not also scarce like LPG (gas)?

‘I hope we all know why LPG (Gas) has been scarce? This is what happens when you allow a sector to be monopolised,’ Ikujenyo posted on his official Facebook page.

Real estate professionals will be the focus of a one-day masterclass on tax in real estate to be hosted by the Roland Igbinoba Real Foundation for Housing and Urban Development (RIRFHUD) in collaboration with top real estate experts.

This masterclass, to be held across four locations, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Port Harcourt, will provide deep insights into the newly enacted Nigerian Tax Administration (NTA) Act and its implications for the real estate and housing finance sectors.

The theme of the masterclass, according to the foundation, is ‘Understanding Tax in Real Estate: Navigating the New NTA Act Era.’ Its highlights include a comprehensive breakdown of the NTA Act and its impact on the real estate value chain

Others include practical sessions on VAT, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duty, and Withholding Tax across the real estate value chain, as well as case studies and group exercises on real-world real estate transactions in Nigeria.

The event will also feature sector breakout discussions for developers, financiers, investors, construction companies, building materials suppliers, sustainable and green developments, and proptech firms Other features are the presentation of a curated real estate tax compliance toolkit by RIRFHUD, and networking opportunities with key industry leaders and regulators.

Roland Igbinoba, FIRFHUND’s CEO, told BusinessDay that the audience includes developers, construction companies, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investors, proptech firms, analysts, mall owners, REIT managers, facility managers, and regulators.

‘The format of the masterclass is physical, and the resources will be a real estate tax toolkit to be handed to participants,’ Igbinoba said, disclosing that the masterclass will be hosted in the company of the President of REDAN, while he will deliver the keynote speech on ‘Why the NTA Matters for Real Estate and Housing Finance.’

According to him, participants will gain insights into key provisions affecting real estate: VAT on land/property transactions; capital gains tax on disposals; stamp duties on leases and mortgage agreements, withholding tax on contractors, tax incentives for REITs and affordable housing, compliance timelines and penalties, and tax on real estate technology platforms and businesses.

The management of Dangote Refinery has disclosed that over 650 international ships have lifted petroleum products from the refinery in less than a year to countries in Europe and Asia.

Captain Rana, Head of Marine, Dangote Refinery who made this disclosure this when a delegation led by King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council visited the massive refinery, said this is a high turnover for a new refinery terminal.

Rana said more ships are waiting on high sea to lift oil to more international markets. According to him, the terminal has about 120 kilometers of pipelines under the sea-bed from the terminal.

He explained that the ships are offshore because of the shallow of the water. Rana teasingly said that though Nigeria got its independence in 1960 but said Nigeria really got its independence when Dangote Refinery started to produce petrol. ‘This refinery is true sign of independence, when you produce your own goods without relying on outside’.

Also speaking, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan and advocate of grow Naira, grow Nigeria initiative who was among the delegation said that in Nigeria, it is not really the volume of the money one has, but what is more important is the value of the money.

He explained that the money Nigerians hold will not have value, if Nigeria does not export products. ‘It will not have value if we do not replace imports with locally produced goods and services’.

‘Dangote Refinery is the reason why Nigeria is no longer the largest petrol importer in Africa. South Africa has overtaken Nigeria. ‘Nigeria is now the largest exporter of petroleum products in West Africa’, Omokri said.

He challenged Nigerians whether in government, in labour unions, and in the private sector that it is better for Nigerians to earn money that has value.

According to him, the more ships lift oil from Dangote Refinery, the more the Naira has value and that is why we all need to support Dangote Refinery to work.

He recalled that for a long time, Nigeria has been having trade deficits. But last year, we had a trade surplus of $14 billion. This year, Nigeria is about to surpass that figure. His message to Nigerians was to support and buy Nigerian products. ‘When you are buying products, such as petrol, be intentional and purposeful to buy Nigerian refined products’.

Omokri said that ‘when we buy foreign products, we are driving down the value of the naira’.

King Dakolo said he was overwhelmed by the investment at Dangote Refinery. He described Dangote Refinery as a revolution which Nigeria must try to sustain.

He strongly believed that the investment will make a lot of positive difference in the lives of Nigerians and it must be encouraged.

‘ We in the Niger Delta have a sense of fulfilment that, after years of not making the best of our natural resources, God has raised a man like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Refinery to end the distortions in the value chain of Nigeria’s oil and gas downstream industry, by making local refining of our resources a possibility’.

The king reiterated that the Niger Delta and Nigeria benefit and profit more when Nigeria’s oil and gas are locally refined and globally marketed.

He called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments, the organised private sector, and most especially unions to cooperate with Dangote as he refines locally.

He advised, especially PENGASSAN to understand Nigerians’ pains and not erode the gains. ‘Our refineries would have been working since 2007, when the Obasanjo administration sold a 51% stake in the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries to a consortium called Bluestar Oil, of which Aliko Dangote was the principal promoter.

What happened? PENGASSAN went on a strike over the sale, and as a direct consequence of that strike, the late President Yar’adua cancelled the sale. For eighteen years, those refineries remained comatose after spending $18 billion.

Dakolo therefore said ‘When you talk about a cabal in the oil sector ensuring that Nigerians keep paying unnecessarily high prices for oil and gas products, that cabal are the oil unions.

Reviewer: Dr. Adaobi Muo (Lecturer of English Literature and Acting Head of the Directorate of General Studies, National Institute of Nigerian Languages [NINLAN]) [email protected]

Oluwatosin Akinrinde’s ‘Deathbed and Other Poems’ is a poetic narrative with thematic varieties and a Marxist mentality that exposes both social, personal, and cultural tensions in contemporary Nigerian society. Within this collection, the poet clearly elicits the subject of pain – a cataloguing of so much darkness which restricts the freedom of movement and survival. There is a sense of liminality which traps the persona in between death and life – a kind of cyclical nature with an abnormal trend. ‘Deathbed’ within the collection holds significant meanings – it creates anxiety and threatens the speaker’s existence and creativity – different forms of survival.

In the first poem entitled ‘Deathbed’, one cannot ignore Seul’s struggle for survival – the fact that he embraces writing as an act of self-defence to uphold his identity. The use of dramatic monologue is replete with the persona’s outrage due to what he perceives as an abnormal encounter. There are visible lyrical fragments in the lines of Akinrinde’s poem carved out of the images of fear, fever and death-like instinct for survival. ‘Deathbed’ symbolises pain, darkness, limitation and imprisonment – both of the body and mind. The poet’s concern in this poem is clearly to highlight certain levels of social injustice that have ritualised struggle in the human body and mind – hence the quest for freedom.

Notably, Deathbed functions as a metaphor with varied interpretations – an antagonist, a priest and a mirror held up for symbolic reflection. There are multiple meaningful perspectives in which ‘Deathbed’ functions as a narrative catalyst. In fact, it is a space for negotiating mortality. The profound issue here is hinged on resistance and survival – the ability of the dramatic persona to negotiate spaces with sickness and pain. The speaker writes a poem within the poem – a meta-gesture that foregrounds the act of composition as resistance. There is a sense of voice in the act of writing which compels confession in-between life and death, struggle and survival, pain and freedom.

The massive use of allusions to biblical ideologies is strikingly interesting. No doubt, ‘Deathbed’ is perceived as the seducer and the priest. ‘Deathbed’ is not merely a situation but a speaking, tempting figure in the poetic prose. His cunning invitation is a mere pretence to ensnare the persona: ‘Come, come and merry with me..’ With a tone of mimicry, Deathbed commands, and offers a mocking imitation of Christian ritual: ‘Take, drink, my blood.. Do this in remembrance of me’. The perception here smells of deceit, turning Eucharist into a coercive trap. This critiques how ‘Deathbed,’ in the forms of sickness, disillusionment or suffering, can disguise as a route for salvation. ‘Abyss’s Pull’ is another poem that makes a significant contribution, which reinforces the ‘Deathbed’ idea. No doubt, ‘Abyss’s Pull’ is a mirror-image of ‘Deathbed,’ which adopts a deep mythic perspective. In the poem, the literary persona, ‘Atlan’, consistently struggles with a personified force termed the ‘Abyss’s Pull’, which has overwhelmed his psychic resolve, pulling him down with fatal, destructive forces. This poem connects deeply with the anxiety-dream myth in the poem ‘Deathbed’. With the interpretation of the poem, one perceives a sense of deprivation which traps the persona in a liminal space. There is an overwhelming denial indicating a pattern of sinking and surfacing, creativity and annihilation, where the act of writing – ‘carving the tides with kelp and shell’ – is perceived as a form of resistance.

In ‘Education is Famine’, the arresting image deployed by Oluwatosin speaks volumes on the declining nature of education in Nigeria. He has employed an ideology carved out of intellectual decay and societal yearnings as points of reference. No doubt, his use of hunger/famine imagery – ‘feast for famished minds,’ ‘starvation binds,’ ‘books as rare as diamond finds’ – conveys a sense of deprivation, both physical and intellectual. The striking imagery of ‘light/darkness’ contrast: ‘intellects in darkness,’ ‘lamp extinguished,’ ‘radiant sun’. It, therefore, captures education as illumination, which sharpens the mental horizon in human existence. However, the poet warns that its absence is an eclipse of the mind, growth and general development.

The poem, ‘Healthcare’s Collapse’, employs poetic lamentation to create awareness of the degrading condition of Nigeria’s healthcare sector. It adopts symbolic imagery such as ‘graves for beds’, ‘temples desecrated’, and ‘doctors fleeing’ to critique the cruel irony of a system meant to preserve life but complicit in ending it. The poet’s critical scope is relevant for social awareness – the need for medical invigoration and rejuvenation. Hence, the prayer: ‘Revive, O mercy’s hand. Lord, stitch the wounds.’. The yearning for spiritual help is a step towards liberation from death-like traps caused by healthcare negligence.

Akinrinde’s poetic muse does not grow weary in critiquing Nigeria’s social problems. In his poem ‘Tribalism’s Divide’, the readers are overwhelmed with a deep sense of concern just like the poet. The poem is a meditative poem that reiterates the poet’s thematic objective on tribalism as the root cause of Nigeria’s disunity and ethnic wars. The poem serves as a lyrical cadence wrapped in a religious undertone – a form of political commentary that challenges the social evil incubated in tribalism. Hence, the poet’s clarion call for social awareness and the need for unity. Within the poet’s lines, one sees a glimpse of hope in the poet’s deliberate remarks, which end in an optimistic tone – a chorus of ‘sweet symphony’ which signals that unity is achievable in Nigeria if divine help merges with human resolution for change.

The poem ‘Election’s Deceit’ satirises Nigeria’s political process. It is the most symbolic poem which clearly captures the tragic consequences caused by the unpalatable issues condoned by the citizens in the decline of democratic principles. The sensitivity of the poem centres on the need for political reform in the perplexing electoral processes replete with thuggery, violence, rigging, and many forms of injustice. Therefore, one can easily notice the poet’s objective appraisal of corruption in Nigeria’s political sphere – hence, the need for a strong awakening captured in apt imagery like ‘lies should wear the crown’ / And honesty in chains be cast down’. The above lines depict deep moral decay – a cankerworm that has eaten deep into Nigeria’s political system. Worthy of note is the fact that, though the poet’s tone is bitter and accusatory, he is not totally disillusioned. He advocates for critical social change – a leap for change for a better tomorrow.

Similarly, Oluwatosin’s ‘Boko Haram’s Terror’ also questions the religious controversy that characterises Boko Haram’s extreme ideology of violence. This is what he perceives as religious extremism – an attack on truth and knowledge, which is characterised by an unnecessary destruction of schools where proper contemporary learning takes place. Akinride’s poem is a social cum spiritual outcry, a poetic witness to Nigeria’s northern trauma and a call for redemption through peace and education. No wonder the poet beckons: ‘God, quench the flames of fanatic zeal’.

Oluwantosin Akinrinde’s ‘On Corruption’s Grip’ is a reflection on corruption – both political, socio-economic, religious and other forms. The poet adopts a revolutionary tone with a positive socialist vision to critique the damage caused in different spheres. The poet denigrates corruption with a captivating metaphorical imagery that paints a sordid picture of rot, abuse and immorality: ‘The public purse, a harlot’s bed’ – a metaphor that identifies financial mismanagement with prostitution, suggesting betrayal and defilement. The poet further classifies excessive greed as the hallmark of corruption, as seen in the excerpt: ‘As compass needle points to hidden gold’ – a metaphor which serves as a pointer to leaders’ unerring attraction to wealth. However, with a moralistic tone, the poet wishes for a better society free from corruption – a plea for God’s intervention and a call for societal change.

Again, the poem, ‘Oil’s Poisoned Gift,’ is a powerful tool of persuasion that decries environmental destruction in the Niger Delta. The tone of the poem smells of deep lamentation wrapped around images of destruction that seek redemption. These images, no doubt, are evidence of exploitation and injustice – a condition seen as ‘oil curse’ which frames the economic and ecological narratives in the Niger Delta context. The heightened disillusionment caused by the massive destruction has thus become the poet’s muse for advocacy, leading to sanitisation and proper welfare – a serious action towards restoration. This is clearly captured in his prophetic declaration: ‘If grace be oil, anoint us pure and whole.’

Controversy has erupted following the National Assembly’s proposal to amend the 2027 general election’s timetable, a move that would shift presidential and governorship elections from early 2027 to November 2026.

There have been divergent views across Nigeria in recent days, with many in support of the NASS move, while others are against it.

While there are those who say it was the right thing to do, as it is the demand of many Nigerians after the controversy that trailed the 2023 general election, as it would allow cases to be concluded before elected official assume office, critics have warned that the move could infringe on the constitutional independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The proposed change, contained in the draft of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to mandate that general election be held no later than 185 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure. If passed, this would effectively bring forward the next presidential election to November 2026, six months earlier than the usual February/March schedule.

The proposal also includes significant changes such as mandatory electronic transmission of results, early voting for election workers, journalists, and security personnel, as well as new timelines for election petitions, 90 days for tribunals and 60 days for appeals.

Reactions pour in

Although reactions to the move have been mixed, many citizens have applauded the decision by the National Assembly, saying if the move is successful, it would put an end to agitations by stakeholders while significantly deepening democracy considering the controversy that such issue had generated in the past.

Adewale Bolaji, lawyer and the Lagos State chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), supported the lawmakers’ move, stressing that if successful it would give a level playing ground for everyone and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

According to him, ‘It is a plus for our democracy and electoral system if the lawmakers are successful in amending the Electoral Act for that.

‘You would recall that many people spend six months to one year before their election cases are finalised and judgement given.

‘Even the presidential poll, the winner would not assume office; with such an arrangement, the winner would not be able to influence the outcome of the election petition,’ he told BusinessDay.

Ibrahim Bala, an Abuja-based constitutional lawyer, however, expressed fears the move was a clear overreach, noting that INEC is constitutionally empowered to set election dates.

‘NASS trying to impose a timeline risks politicising the process,’ he said.

Others opposition politicians fear that the change could plunge the country into a cycle of endless politicking.

‘INEC can decide that, but many people don’t have confidence in the Commission. But I support the view that we should not turn Nigeria into a nation where elections dominate governance all year round. This will derail policy continuity,’ a politician who did not want his name in print said.

Similarly, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who spoke on the condition of anonymity, support the move, noting that with elected officials not in office, election tribunals can make judgment without fear of intimidation.

‘How can anyone oppose such move? It is a very great decision if they can get it done.

‘If you see what is happening where cases drag in court because sometimes, the person you are challenging is already in office, he can even be using the state money to fight you,’ the politician said.

Lawmakers defend the proposal

In defense of the move, members of the National Assembly argue that the amendment is necessary to ensure that all election petitions are concluded before elected officials are sworn in.

‘Having court cases dragging on after inaugurations undermines public trust. This reform will restore confidence in the democratic process,’ said Senator Ahmed Musa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters.

Some legislators also argue that placing election dates within the Electoral Act rather than the Constitution would allow for more flexibility in addressing future challenges.

History on play back

Some political observers referred to the views expressed by the current president in August 2010, when he warned against allowing the country to drift into a one-party state.

Tinubu had said that the actions of the National Assembly that was populated by mainly People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members at the time was drifting Nigeria towards an authoritarian state.

He particularly picked holes in the move by the then National Assembly to set out dates and structure of elections for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an autonomous agency.

Vanguard Newspapers quoted Tinubu as saying: ‘You look at the National Assembly making laws in a customized and personalised form and not the constitutional way. Taking away the independence of INEC, when you say this is an independent institution, you are taking their independent away by ordering election, organizing the order of elections, making laws, legislating for the order of election and so on. There are all sorts of charade by the majority party in power.

‘You see the problem of law making outside the constitution again is tailor-made. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says the political parties must have their own constitution and make the laws and operate on internal democracy and that those officials must be democratically elected and now, a legislative body is making laws for the party that is not their own. You could see a National Assembly that is an imperial court.’

He was also quoted to have said that the then Action Congress (AC), his party, would not hesitate to drag the National Assembly to court for its infractions on the rights of opposition parties in the country.

At the recently concluded Nigeria Fintech Week 2025, themed ‘The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future,’ Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL) reaffirmed its position as one of Nigeria’s most influential fintech brands through its sponsorship and active participation.

The company’s strong showing at the event underscored its role as a critical payment infrastructure provider empowering individuals, businesses, and governments, while championing conversations that shape Africa’s digital economy.

During a panel session titled ‘The Future of Platforms and Partnerships in Africa’s Digital Economy,’ Mujib Ishola, Chief Technology Officer at Remita, shared forward-looking insights on how technology, data, and collaboration will define the next frontier of payments and digital innovation across Africa.

‘Technology is no longer what gives you an edge; it’s what keeps you in the game,’ Ishola noted. ‘If you’re not embedding technology into your business model, you’ll struggle to compete.’

Moderated by Lanre Basamta, CEO and Co-Founder of Optimus AI Labs, alongside Yejide Runsewe, CEO of NaijaNomads, the session explored how intelligent data use, fintech partnerships, and innovation are transforming the continent’s payments, travel, and hospitality sectors.

Ishola highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) and data tokenisation are reshaping financial systems, enabling faster decision-making and more personalised customer experiences.

‘AI gives us the ability to reduce time to truth,’ he said. ‘For businesses, that efficiency-getting to the truth faster-is everything.’

He stressed that data is the fuel driving industry growth, especially in sectors like travel and hospitality. Tokenised data, he explained, enhances interoperability across systems, improving insurance claims, customer service, and user convenience.

On the evolution of cross-border payments, Ishola cited the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as a transformative example of technology eliminating trade barriers.

‘You can now pay with naira for services in another African country, and settlement happens seamlessly. That’s technology breaking barriers,’ he added.

Addressing affordability and financial inclusion, Ishola emphasised the importance of flexible credit options such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and microloans, supported by smarter data systems that allow young Nigerians to demonstrate creditworthiness beyond traditional metrics.

Turning to the theme of collaboration, Ishola urged fintechs and ecosystem players to move from protectionism to co-creation and shared infrastructure.

‘The question isn’t who owns the technology, but who can execute and scale sustainably. We need to co-create Africa-specific platforms that fit our realities,’ he said.

Nigerian fintech startup Vepay is expanding its services beyond virtual dollar cards as it positions itself in Africa’s fast-changing digital payments sector.

‘We started with virtual cards to help people make seamless international payments,’ said Oluwagbenga Agunbiade, Vepay’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. ‘But Africa’s payment needs go far beyond that. This next step is about helping users handle everything – from sending money to family to paying everyday bills – all in one place.’

Vepay began operations earlier this year with a goal to make international payments easier for Africans. Its virtual card gained quick adoption among users seeking a reliable way to pay for global subscriptions, online tools, and services.

Vepay has now entered a new growth phase. Its latest rollout includes cross-border money transfers, bill and airtime payments, cable TV subscriptions, and a local POS model for merchants and small businesses across Nigeria.

With the expansion, Vepay is evolving from a single-product platform into a comprehensive financial service provider. The company’s aim is to link Africa’s fragmented payment systems and give users more control and flexibility in how they manage their money.

The local POS model is a major part of this plan, targeting Nigeria’s informal economy, where small businesses remain a major driver of daily trade. By introducing a system that supports merchants directly, Vepay hopes to simplify how payments are accepted and processed at the grassroots level.

Vepay’s strategy centres on usability over complexity, reflecting how people transact across different channels. The company’s platform brings multiple financial functions into one environment, allowing users to pay, send, and receive funds without switching between apps.

As Vepay prepares to expand into new regions and strengthen partnerships, its founder says the company remains guided by a single idea – building a payment system that works for everyone, not just the digital elite.