Category: Business Day

Sanya, a book by Oyin Olugbile, has won the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, which is focused on prose fiction.

The book beat two other shortlisted titles to clinch the NLNG-sponsored Prize valued at $100,000.

Sanya’s feat at the Prize, which is one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, came from its selection among the 252 novels by the judges, further making it to the 11 longlist and the three shortlisted titles.

While announcing the novel as the winner at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos, on October 10, 2025, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, a professor and chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, noted that Sanya won because of Olugbile’s mythology retelling approach, which she described as distinct and daring for casting Sango as a female and for the projection of Yoruba mythology through a story that captivates and meanders into a fantastical world.

She noted further that Olugbile achieved this through lucid and straightforward language, making for easy reading.

‘We were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted books written by three writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The books, Sanya by Oyin Olugbile; The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, both published by Masobe Books; and This Motherless Land by Nikki May, published by Narrative Landscape, indicate an improvement in the quality of local publishing,’ she said.

‘After much careful assessments and deliberations, we concluded that very little separates the novels and each is a potential winner of the award. However, Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya slightly takes the edge and is therefore our pick as the winner of the 2025 ‘Nigeria Prize for Literature’.

Also, Masobe Books, a Nigerian publishing company, was in the spotlight as two of its published novels made the 3 shortlist, while one of them eventually won the prestigious literary prize.

It would be recalled that five novels from Masobe Books were among the 11 longlisted in this year’s Prize, speaking volumes on the reputation of the publishing firm.

Apart from the Nigeria Prize for Literature, earlier, Okwudiri Anasiudu emerged as the winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism. Anasiudu won for his submissions titled Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels; Allegorical Conjectures in Helon Habila’s Measuring Time; and Mimetic Designs in Helon Habila’s Oil on Water. The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism comes with a $10,000 prize money.

Sadly, there was no winner for the Nigeria Prize for Science this year, according to Barth Nnaji, a professor and chairman of the Advisory Board for the science prize.

Speaking at the awards, Philip Mshelbila, managing director and CEO, NLNG, highlighted the enduring influence of literature, describing The Nigeria Prize for Literature as ‘a reminder of the power of words to shape identity and deepen understanding.

‘Winning the Prize is recognition of scaling the highest heights of literature. All the shortlisted books this evening are works of the highest calibre,’ he said.

He also revealed that The Nigeria Prize for Science will be renamed ‘The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.’ He said the new name reflects NLNG’s belief that progress depends as much on creativity and fresh thinking as on technology and infrastructure.

In another revelation, Mshelbila announced that NLNG would be resting The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and introducing a new Prize category, ‘The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts,’ with a focus on Documentary Film. He stressed that the new Prize would inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect Nigerians more deeply to who they are as a nation and who they can become.

The NLNG boss also unveiled a new book, ‘Voices of Our Leaders,’ a commemorative book on NLNG’s history and progress over three decades. He noted that the book captures the voices of some of those who have guided NLNG’s journey from dream to reality.

What role did your early education in Nigeria play in shaping who you are today?

Studying at the University of Lagos gave me more than an academic foundation; it gave me resilience. Back then, the student onboarding, enrollment, and accommodation processes weren’t streamlined. Navigating those challenges required persistence, resourcefulness, and a strong community. Those qualities have carried through my career. Every time I face a new project or leadership challenge, I think back to those days in Lagos, where success meant being patient, creative, and resilient. Studying at the University of Lagos taught me resilience. That resilience has carried me through every challenge since.

Tell us about your first role in technology.

My very first role was as a data analyst intern on a social impact project. I was responsible for cleaning data to ensure timely payments, reporting on both qualitative and quantitative program impact, and overseeing the delivery of several projects. It may not have seemed glamorous at the time, but it taught me discipline. Handling raw, messy data and turning it into something meaningful for decision-making showed me the power of data and the importance of precision. Data wasn’t abstract; it determined whether people received the support they needed on time. That realisation sparked my passion for building reliable data systems.

What continues to drive you in your career?

Learning and innovation. Technology evolves so quickly, and with every new project, there’s a chance to solve problems that genuinely make a difference in the world. That combination of constant learning and impact is what keeps me going.

You’ve founded Code and Culture. Can you tell us about its vision and impact?

Code and Culture was born out of my desire to see more underrepresented professionals, especially Black talent, represented in technical roles. Too often, people face barriers not because of lack of skill but because of lack of access. Through Code and Culture, we create opportunities for mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional development. For example, our most recent event hosted four industry-leading speakers and drew nearly 50 participants.

The feedback was inspiring. Attendees walked away not only with insights but with a sense of belonging and a network to lean on. Code and Culture was born out of my desire to see more underrepresented professionals represented in technical roles.

You also serve on the board of SWE CRS. Why was that important to you?

SWE CRS allows me to give back at scale. Being on the board means I can help shape programs that support women in engineering and technology across entire regions, not just within one organisation. Representation matters. When people see leaders who look like them and share some of their experiences, it makes their own path feel more possible.

You’ve collaborated with teams across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. What’s that experience been like?

It’s been eye-opening. Working with global teams pushes you to think differently. Technically, you learn to design systems that are robust enough to work across geographies but flexible enough to adapt to local needs. Interpersonally, you learn to respect different communication styles and work cultures. It’s made me a more empathetic leader and a stronger engineer.

What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced working on global teams?

Time zones can be tough. It’s not unusual for me to work very early mornings or late nights. But beyond the logistics, one of the bigger challenges is cultural understanding. Each team has not only its own internal culture but also the culture of the location it’s based in. For example, the way feedback is given or collaboration happens can look very different in Europe, Asia, or the U.S. As a leader, I’ve learned that success requires more than technical skill; it requires empathy, curiosity, and the willingness to bridge cultural differences. Success in global teams requires more than technical skill; it requires empathy

and the willingness to bridge cultural differences.

You’ve since held roles in industries as varied as airlines, software, and global tech. Where do you see your deepest expertise today?

Pipeline development is where I thrive. Designing and maintaining reliable pipelines that keep data flowing is the backbone of modern organisations. Alongside that, I’ve specialized in testing frameworks, data quality, and cross-functional program management. But I think what makes me unique is that I’m equally comfortable being technical and being strategic. I don’t just write pipelines; I lead teams to ensure those pipelines support business outcomes.

How do you balance being both a technical expert and a program manager?

For me, it comes down to time management and delegation. I dedicate space in my schedule for hands-on technical work, because staying close to the details keeps me sharp. But I also know when to step back and orchestrate the larger picture; aligning stakeholders, removing blockers, and driving execution across multiple teams. The sweet spot is when my technical knowledge informs my program management, and my program management ensures my technical work creates real impact.

The best outcomes come when my technical knowledge informs my program management, and my program management ensures my technical work creates real impact.

Where do you see data engineering going in the next 5-10 years?

I believe we’re on the verge of pipelines becoming much smarter with the integration of AI. Imagine self-debugging pipelines that identify and resolve issues before they cause failures. Or automated monitoring that doesn’t just flag anomalies but learns from them and adapts in real time. For program management, AI could drive dynamic scheduling, risk prediction, and smarter resource allocation. Instead of being reactive when something goes wrong, teams will be proactive, with systems that anticipate and prevent problems. This shift will redefine what reliability means in data engineering. I see pipelines getting smarter with AI; self-debugging, adaptive, and resilient.

What motivates you personally in this technical journey?

Innovation excites me. Every project is an opportunity to push boundaries and solve complex challenges. I love that the work I do isn’t just about abstract code; it powers real systems that people depend on. Whether it’s optimizing operations, improving customer experiences, providing data that powers key business insights or ensuring data quality at scale, the impact is tangible.

Finally, what advice would you give to young professionals in Nigeria who dream of making it in global tech?

Take risks. Don’t wait until everything is perfectly lined up. Go solve the problems everyone else is afraid to touch. You may not see ten steps ahead, but if you can see the next one, take it. Keep moving forward. That’s how I went from Nigeria’s start-up ecosystem to global tech – one step at a time, with courage and persistence.

You may not see ten steps ahead, but if you can see the next one, take it. Keep moving forward.

Closing

Kevwe Onome-Irikefe’s journey reflects more than professional growth; it reflects a vision for a more inclusive technology industry. She represents a new generation of leaders who bridge the technical and the strategic. From the resilience forged in Lagos to the boardrooms of international organisations, she continues to expand opportunities not only for herself but for

countless others. Her vision of AI-powered, self-healing pipelines may sound futuristic, but in her hands, it feels like the next logical step. For Kevwe, the story of data isn’t just about systems, it’s about resilience, innovation, and building the future one pipeline at a time.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, largest economy, and one of the continent’s leading contributors to trade, investment, and professional services. Yet paradoxically, most major Africa-wide conferences – from Africa Energy Week to Mining Indaba, Africa Fintech Summit, and Africa Oil Week – are hosted not in Nigeria, but in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, or Kigali.

Despite Nigerian firms and delegates forming a substantial proportion of attendees and sponsors, these events consistently bypass Nigeria as a venue. This imbalance is not only economic but symbolic: it reflects a growing perception that Nigeria is a participant, not a platform, in shaping Africa’s future.

This white paper examines the dimensions of this paradox, using data from recent continental events and insights gathered during the author’s participation at Africa Energy Week 2025 in Cape Town.

It argues that Nigeria’s absence as a host destination stems from structural, regulatory, and perceptual barriers rather than lack of capacity. The paper concludes with a policy and strategy framework to reposition Nigeria as a viable and preferred conference hub within Africa.

Introduction: The Paradox of Participation Without Hosting

In October 2025, I attended Africa Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town – Africa’s premier oil, gas, and energy investment event. Thousands of delegates filled the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC): ministers, CEOs, financiers, engineers, and journalists.

Listening to the sessions, it was evident that Nigeria’s voice, companies, and capital dominated the conversations. Nigerian delegates led panel sessions, Nigerian firms like Oando Energy Services and First EandP sponsored key sessions, and Nigerian consultants, contractors, and investors packed the halls.

Yet, the event was not held in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt – the epicentres of Africa’s largest oil and gas industry.

This paradox extends beyond energy. African summits on mining, innovation, finance, agriculture, and even creative industries regularly bypass Nigeria, despite its market size and professional depth. It is not normal, and it is time to fix it.

The Scale of Nigeria’s Underrepresentation as Host

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Nigeria 14th in Africa in 2023 for hosting international meetings – well behind South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and even Uganda. By comparison:

Major Annual Africa-Wide Conferences Hosted ICCA Rank (2023)

Estimated Meetings Economic Impact

South Africa

Africa Energy Week, Mining Indaba, Investing in African Mining, AfricaCom

1 R388.5 million (2023)

Kenya

Africa Climate Summit, Africa Tech Summit 3 US$85 million (est.)

Rwanda

Africa CEO Forum, Transform Africa Summit 5 US$60 million (est.)

Nigeria

Few continental events (mostly local/regional) 14. US$10 million (est.)

Source: South African Tourism and ICCA Reports (2023)

The disparity is striking. Nigeria, which accounts for roughly 18% of Africa’s GDP and over 200 million consumers, captures less than 2% of the continent’s conference economy.

Case Study: Africa Energy Week (AEW)

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

Organiser: African Energy Chamber

Attendance: Over 5,000 participants (2022-2025 editions)

Sponsors: TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Oando, Halliburton, Schlumberger, etc.

Nigerian Presence: Among top five national delegations by headcount and sponsorship.

At the 2025 edition, Nigerian delegates filled numerous panels, from ‘Gas as the Transition Fuel for Africa’ to ‘Local Content in Upstream Operations.’ Nigerian firms exhibited prominently, and the Nigerian flag was visible across multiple stands.

Yet, as several participants privately asked: Why isn’t this event happening in Lagos or Abuja, closer to the heartbeat of Africa’s oil and gas sector?

The answer lies not in capacity, but in confidence and coordination.

Why Nigeria Is Bypassed: Root Causes

Perception and Risk Premium

International organisers view Nigeria as complex – citing concerns over logistics, electricity reliability, urban congestion, and bureaucratic delays. South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya have cultivated reputations of predictability, even if their challenges are comparable.

Lack of Institutional Support

Countries that host major summits have dedicated ‘Convention Bureaus’ or Event Support Offices that provide incentives, guarantee ministerial attendance, and ensure seamless logistics. Nigeria lacks such a coordinating body, leaving event bids to fragmented private efforts.

Infrastructure Gaps

While Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt boast capable venues (Eko Convention Centre, Abuja ICC), they often lack the seamless ecosystem – from customs clearance to airport transfers – that high-value international events demand.

Currency and Regulatory Uncertainty

Organisers worry about forex instability, import duty unpredictability, and sudden regulatory shifts. Payments for booths, sponsorships, or logistics are often denominated in foreign currency, but repatriation is difficult.

Branding Deficit

South Africa’s ‘Meetings Africa’ and Rwanda’s ‘Kigali Convention Bureau’ aggressively market their destinations as conference capitals. Nigeria’s tourism marketing is largely inward-looking, missing opportunities to position itself as a continental convening power.

Economic and Strategic Costs of Non-Hosting

The absence of large-scale conference tourism has both tangible and intangible costs:

Revenue Loss: A single international event with 3,000-5,000 delegates generate between US$10-30 million in direct and indirect spending (hotels, catering, taxis, local events).

Job Creation: South Africa’s meetings industry supports over 750 jobs annually per major event cycle.

Soft Power Erosion: Nations that host shape the narratives, policy framing, and media coverage – a strategic advantage Nigeria currently forfeits.

Capacity Deficit: Local logistics, event management, and hospitality firms miss the opportunity to scale to international standards.

Hosting major events is thus both an economic and diplomatic instrument. It is a form of economic statecraft – one Nigeria must wield.

Comparative Advantage: Why Nigeria Should Lead

Despite current challenges, Nigeria possesses immense structural advantages:

Market Size: Africa’s largest energy market, fintech ecosystem, and creative industry.

Connectivity: Multiple international airports and hubs, with growing regional links.

Private Sector Depth: Strong domestic corporate sponsors (banks, telecoms, oil firms).

Venue Capacity: Existing infrastructure in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and emerging facilities in Uyo and Owerri.

Talent Base: A large pool of professional event planners, media, and security experts.

These assets are underutilised because they lack a coherent policy and institutional platform to attract international events.

Voices from the Field

‘Nigerians make up 30-40 percent of the delegates at some of these continental energy events, yet we never meet on Nigerian soil. That needs to change.’

– Industry delegate, AEW 2025, Cape Town.

‘Conference tourism is one of the easiest ways to show a nation is open for business. When you host, the world comes to you, not the other way around.’

– African Energy Chamber representative.

‘The infrastructure exists in Lagos; what’s missing is political will and unified coordination.’

– Event management professional, Lagos.

These voices echo what many industry participants feel: Nigeria is ready – but it must organize itself.

Policy Recommendations: Building Nigeria’s Conference Diplomacy

Establish a National Strategic Events and Conferences Office (NSECO)

A dedicated inter-ministerial body should be set up under the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism – coordinating with Trade, Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Aviation – to:

Bid for continental and global events;

Provide financial guarantees or risk-sharing;

Coordinate logistics, visas, and security.

Incentivise Hosting and Sponsorship

Offer tax incentives to Nigerian corporations that sponsor or co-host major Africa-wide events locally.

Develop a Conference Hosting Fund for seed grants and infrastructure subsidies.

Upgrade Key Venues

Fast-track certification and capacity upgrades for:

Eko Convention Centre, Lagos

Abuja International Conference Centre

Oba Akenzua Centre, Benin

Port Harcourt Trade Fair Complex

These can be branded as ‘Conference Ready’ under an international rating system.

Streamline Visa and Customs Protocols

Implement a ‘Conference Visa’ valid for up to 30 days with expedited approval.

Simplify temporary importation of exhibition materials through bonded conference zones.

Create Signature Annual Events

Nigeria should bid to host or create:

Africa Energy Week – Nigeria Edition

Africa Manufacturing and Industrialisation Forum

Pan-African Local Content Summit

Africa Fintech and Creative Economy

Conference

Build Partnerships with Global Organisers

Engage global conference players (DMG Events, Informa, Hyve Group) through PPPs, offering infrastructure and regulatory assurance in exchange for co-branding rights.

Leverage Nigerian Embassies and Diaspora

Empower embassies and trade missions to pitch Nigeria as a host destination during global meetings.

Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The successful implementation of the National Strategic Events and Conference Office (NSECO) will require proactive management of several potential risks. Security incidents pose a high risk and will be addressed through partnerships with professional event security providers, comprehensive insurance coverage, and the establishment of clear emergency response protocols.

Currency volatility, which carries a medium risk, will be mitigated by allowing contracts to be denominated in foreign currencies and by securing foreign exchange protection facilities. Bureaucratic delays-considered a high risk-will be minimised through the creation of a one-stop NSECO fast-track unit to streamline approvals and coordination.

To cushion the impact of possible initial financial losses (a medium risk), the programme will leverage public seed funding and strategic donor partnerships. Reputation management risks, also rated high, will be mitigated through a robust public relations and crisis communication plan designed to uphold confidence and transparency.

Implementation Timeline

The rollout of the NSECO initiative will be executed in three key phases. Phase 1 (0-6 months) will focus on stakeholder consultations, the formal establishment of the NSECO, and the approval of the overarching policy framework, culminating in the publication of the National Events Strategy White Paper. Phase 2 (6-18 months) will involve comprehensive venue audits, strategic marketing activities, and the submission of Nigeria’s initial bids to host two to three major Africa-wide conferences. Phase 3 (18-36 months) will see the hosting of Nigeria’s first flagship event-such as Africa Energy Week Nigeria-followed by an evaluation of its economic and reputational impact and the development of a long-term annual events calendar

Conclusion: From Attendance to Ownership

Nigeria’s absence as host in the continental conference circuit is not a reflection of incapacity, but of coordination failure.

The nation that supplies the brains, sponsors, and delegates of Africa’s major gatherings should not remain a guest in its own continental story.

The next frontier of Nigerian leadership in Africa lies not only in commerce or oil production but in convening power – the ability to gather the world around African issues on Nigerian soil.

Let Nigeria move from participant to platform, from attendance to ownership, from Cape Town halls to Lagos waterfronts and Abuja corridors.

The world is ready to come – if Nigeria invites it confidently.

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending open defecation and strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects by keying into the new development version supported by the World Bank, code-named Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.

Seun Ashamu, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, speaking at a two-day workshop held at the Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, urged participants to critically review the consultant’s report.

Sunday Moradeyo, director of forestry, who represented the commissioner, admonished the participants to make recommendations that would enhance the health, well-being, and future of Oyo State residents.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Rahman Olorunpoto, the chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Ecology, and Water Resources, stated that the two-day validation workshop on the preparedness of the state for the SURWASH programme is commendable, as it confirmed the concern of the present administration towards the well-being of the citizens.

Olorunpoto promised to brief the house on the need to provide legislative support for the realisation of this noble intention.

Olayinka Akanle, professor and the lead consultant, explained that the validation workshop focused on key areas, including WASH Sector Analysis, Political Economy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Capacity-Building Needs, Gender Inclusivity, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Engagement.

Bilkisu Dossah, the co-consultant in her presentation, revealed that the World Bank has committed $700 million to the federal government for the SURWASH programme.

She noted that while seven states are already benefiting under Tier 1, Oyo State is among five others (Oyo, Abia, Anambra, Edo, and Kwara) eligible under Tier 2 for technical assistance.

Dossah further highlighted the challenges that should be addressed for the enablement of the WASH programme in Oyo State, which include the absence of a full-fledged Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the lack of a legal framework for WASH, weak institutional coordination, and the absence of a regulatory body.

She therefore recommended the speedy passage of the draft WASH policy into law, the creation of a Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the establishment of a regulatory body to strengthen accountability and service delivery.

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working on democracy and electoral reform has called on the Nigerian Senate to ensure a transparent and participatory confirmation process for Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), nominated by President Bola Tinubu as the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a joint statement released in Abuja, on Friday, the groups – including Yiaga Africa, WRAPA, the International Press Center, The Kukah Centre, and the Nigeria Women Trust Fund – acknowledged Amupitan’s professional achievements and expressed no objection in principle to his nomination.

However, they stressed that Nigeria’s democracy demands an ‘independent INEC immune to political manipulation’ and urged the nominee to demonstrate moral courage and resistance to political pressure if confirmed.

The organisations reminded the public that the approval of the National Council of State does not replace the Senate’s constitutional duty to conduct rigorous and transparent screening that inspires public confidence.

They also emphasised the need for citizen and civil society engagement in the confirmation process. They called on the Senate to conduct televised and inclusive hearings allowing public input through memoranda and petitions, examine Amupitan’s competence, public record, and vision for reforming INEC and question his strategies for addressing systemic challenges, including voter registration, result transmission, and enforcement of electoral guidelines. The statement noted that Nigerians expect the confirmation process to align with the framework for citizens’ engagement in the INEC appointment process, previously submitted to the Senate.

The statement was jointly signed by Yiaga Africa, WRAPA, International Press Center, The Kukah Centre, Centre LSD, TAF Africa, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and YERP Naija Campaign.

Illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, and foreigners are amongst those granted pardon and clemency and approved by the National Council of State, on Thursday.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement containing the list of those granted clemency, said Mamman Vatsa, Akubo, and Magaji Garba, amongst those granted pardon by President Bola Tinubu.

The list of capital offenders, including Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the other Ogoni Eight, was also among the 175 convicts and former convicts who received President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mercy on Thursday.

President Tinubu had granted clemency to most of them based on the reports that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct.

The statement said the President forgave some due to old age, the acquisition of new vocational skills, or enrollment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

According to him, ‘President Tinubu also corrected the historic injustice committed by British colonialists against Sir Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists. In all, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, had recommended pardon for two inmates, 15 former convicts, 11 of whom have died.

The committee recommended clemency for 82 inmates and commutation of sentences for 65 inmates. Seven inmates on death row also benefited from the Presidential reprieve. The committee recommended that the President should commute their death sentences to life imprisonment.

Fagbemi presented the committee’s report at the Council of State meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The list includes Nweke Chibueze, aged 44, serving a life sentence at Kirikiri for cocaine, and Nwogu Peters, aged 67, serving a One-year jail term for fraud. Sentenced in 2013, Anastasia Nwaoba, aged 63. Already served a sentence for fraud.

Others include Hussaini Umar, aged 58. Sentenced in 2023 to pay a fine of N150M in the case by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) case, Ayinla Alanamu, age 63, who was sentenced to seven years for bribery in 2019 and has served the sentence.

Farouk Lawan, aged 62, who was also sentenced to five years in 2021 for corrupt practices and had served the sentence, was also granted a pardon, amongst others.

Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to 1.39 million barrels per day in September from 1.43 million barrels per day (mbpd) recorded in August 2025, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) report has revealed.

According statistics which was released on Saturday, the total crude oil and condensates production for the month of September 2025 fell to an average of 1.581 million barrels per day, with total condensate at 191,373 mbpd.

The NUPRC in a statement signed by Eniola Akinkuotu, head, Media and Strategic Communication, attributed the development to the three-day industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which resulted in the shutdown of some production and export facilities.

The Commission also noted that two strategic facilities had a scheduled turnaround maintenance which led to a reduction in overall production.

‘In September, the industry recorded total crude oil and condensate production of 47.43 million barrels which reflects a modest 1.61 percent year-on-year increase in average daily crude oil and condensate production year on year.

‘This is a slight improvement over the 1.55 million bopd recorded in the same month of 2024, an uptick that suggests incremental progress.

‘However, when measured on a month-on-month basis, crude oil and condensate production slightly dropped by 3.09 percent in September 2025, compared to the 1.63 million bopd recorded in August 2025,’ it stated. The Commission also noted that the total production is September is 93 percent of the OPEC quota of 1.5 million bopd.

During the review month, peak combined crude oil and condensate production hit 1.81 million bopd, while the lowest was 1.35 million bopd. Analysis of production by the top eight streams shows Forcados Blend accounted for 15.86 percent of total production, while Bonny Light accounted for 13.31 percent of September production.

QUA IBOE was third accounting for 9.88 percent; ESCRAVOS Light contributed 8.96 percent, while BONGA Crude delivered 6.83 percent of production in the review month.

Also, AGBAMI Condensate accounted for 4.94 percent; ERHA Crude accounted for 4.55 percent, while Amenam Blend accounted for 4 2 percent of production.

Adewole Adebayo, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has lamented that more than six decades years after the country’s independence, the country has been moving in circles.

Stressing that not much has been achieved, he said the elites have failed to wake up to the militant wing to go and get their uniform and take over the leadership of the country.

He bemoaned the level of rot in the system, ranging from pervasive crimes to corruption, insecurity, inflation and poverty, among others, attributing the development to poor leadership.

He decried the acceptance of evil in the system as a way of life, saying, ‘I think all the crimes, vices, and evil that could be committed is already permitted under the system. There’s no need for you to break it, it’s already performing. So, they all remain there and we, who are democrats, are happy that we have had a broken civilian system.’

Amid the lamentation of the country’s journey so far, Adebayo expressed hope of a greater tomorrow as he drew analogy between 1960 when the independence journey started and today.

He said: ‘We started the journey in October 1960 on foot but we didn’t walk diligently. We were just joking around with it. So we haven’t got to the destination.

‘But, luckily for us, the journey that was started on foot, we now have cars to continue, we have aircraft to continue. So, there is hope in the horizon.’

He, however, blamed all the country’s woes, ranging from insecurity to corruption and poor infrastructural development among others, to poor leadership.

Painting a lucid picture of how poor the situation is, he said: ‘In Nigeria, you can be a pastor, a bishop or a general overseer without being a Christian. And you can be a chief imam without being a Muslim; you are just holding the position because the society permits that.

‘In the same vein, you can be a professor without being an academic because it’s just a title for you to go and claim something or to massage your ego.

‘You can be a senior advocate or a judge, without knowing justice, without paying your workers. You can be molesting and harassing your domestic staff and you achieve justice and nobody cares. You don’t have a sense of justice, but you are the one who decides over justice for the whole country. And nobody cares. So, you’re going to have a senior police officer who steals and nothing happens.’

STEVE (2025)

Steve was the director of a school from the 90’s, this school was created to help troubled boys, boys who had been abandoned by the society as nothing good to write home about or being destroyed by drugs, Steve strongly believe in these boys and would do anything to help and reform these boys even with a lean budget. Steve got really frustrated and worked up, when the government decided to withdraw funds from the school and came up with plans to shut down the school. Steve loved these boys and was willing to fight tooth and nails for them. Do check out the movie to find out how he managed the school, the boys and if the school was finally shutdown. The 99m British, drama, Independent, Film based on books, social issues movie was directed by Tim Mielants, Sinbiatu Ajikawo, Douggie Mcmeekin, Youssef Kerkour, Roger Allan, Emily Watson and many more.

THE WAITER (2024)

For some weird reasons, I really do struggle with AY’s movies, as I really do not find them funny and sometimes don’t find them relatable and realistic in terms of the action scenes, well do well to check out the movie for yourself so you can judge better. In this new Nollywood movie, AY plays the role as a waiter in a 5-star hotel. This faithful day as he resumes work to manage and coordinate a big conference that will house the honorable minister and some special dignitaries, just few minutes into the conference, they discover that the event had being hijacked by a group of activities, who felt they could get the funds from the minister and share the funds to the real poor Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid. Well, you will need to go check out the movie to see how they executed the plan, how they shared the funds, and the real motives behind their actions. The 104m Nollywood, crime, comedies, action, African movie was directed by Toka McBarror, they featured actors like Ayo Makun, Deyemi Okanlawon, Regina Daniels, Shaffy Bello, Bucci Franklin, Uchemba Williams, Sunshine Rosman, Uzee Usman, etc.

FRENCH GIRL (2025)

Sophie and Gordon had been dating for a while, and Gordon had the intention of proposing to her, he felt that she was the one for him and was willing to spend the rest of his life with her, but his father had some reservations and wanted him to give the relationship more time. While contemplating the right time to propose Sophie gets an exciting job offer in Quebec with her old friend, this was going to be the opportunity of a lifetime, Gordon was worried that if Sophie took on the job, relocated and went home that could affect their relationship. Well, you will need to go check out this brand-new movie to find out if she got the job, if she relocated and if she accepted his proposal Afterall. The 106m Comedy, Canadian, romantic, movie was directed by James A. Woods, Nicolas Wright, they featured actors like Zach Braff, Evelyne Brochu, Luc Picard, Vanessa Hudges, Antoine Olivier Pilion, Isabella Vincent, Charlotte Arbin etc.

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the country’s lead agency responsible for the promotion of non-oil export, has observed that Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings will increase if cashew farmers add value to their produce.

Nonye Ayeni, executive director/chief executive officer of NEPC, made this observation in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, at a day workshop on development and production of quality cashew nut for export, organised by the Abia State Coordinating Office of the Council.

Currently, Nigeria is the 6th largest producer of cashew, and the global demand for cashew has been growing at 7-10% annually, which provides great opportunities for local investors to leverage on.

The NEPC Chief Executive noted that the cashew business is rewarding and more profitable, especially with value addition, through effective processing to global quality and standard, including other specific market buyer requirements, namely, packaging and kernel grade.

Ayeni, who was represented at the forum by Okechukwu Amaechi, acting State coordinator, NEPC, Abia State, however, regretted that despite huge potentials inherent in cashew nut and its derivatives, the sub-sector is yet to experience the required growth, due to lack of skills, aged plantations and inability to add value to the product.

In order to increase production and develop its markets, she noted that cashew nuts and their production, technology have to be promoted among the farmers, processors and other stakeholders.

According to her, adding value to Cashew nuts by processing them into cashew kernels and packaging them for export would reduce exploitation by the foreign buyers and other middlemen.

‘It is patinent to note that if cashew nut is properly processed, packaged and exported, it would not only generate foreign exchange, but also create jobs for the unemployed youths’.

Ayeni explained that the NEPC, over the years, has employed several promotional strategies aimed at motivating stakeholders in the oil sector, stressing that the hosting of the export workshop was a strategy to educate stakeholders in the cashew nut sub-sector on how to progress from exporting raw cashew nuts to processed cashew (kernels).

‘Certainly, stakeholders in the sub-sector will discover the hidden treasure in the sub-sector and so redevelop and adapt their production techniques and products to meet requirements of the international markets in terms of hervesting processing, storage, preservation and packaging’, she stated.

Chioma Nnorom, State coordinator, Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC), Umuahia, Abia State, said that the RMRDC recognises the potential of cashew as a strategic non-oil export commodity capable of driving industrial growth, job creation and rural development.

She said that the workshop aligns perfectly with RMRDCs. mandate to promote value addition and ensure sustainable utilisation of Nigeria’s raw materials.

She said that RMRDC has made some key achievements towards the development and production of Cashew in Nigeria, like the donation of a Cashew Nutshell Oil Extractor to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).

She noted that the donation was part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between RMRDC and ABSU, aimed at enhancing value addition in extracting oil from cashew nut shells.

Also in 2015-2016 and also in 2020 planting seasons, RMRDC distributed ‘Jumbo’ cashew seeds/improved cashew varieties across States to replace old/low-yielding trees, thus boosting production.

Policy advocacy and strategic value chain planning.

‘RMRDC has emphasized utilization of non-kernel parts of Cashew (shell liquid, kernel oil among others) for industrial uses (Paints, propeliants , feed among other products), thereby briadning what ‘Value’ means beyond just exporting raw kernels’, she stated.

The well-attended workshop attracted leaders of the National Association of Cashew Farmers, Abia State chapter and cashew farmers from Umunneochi and Isukwuato LGAs.