Category: Business Day

The Gulf region, is set to launch a schengen-type tour visa called Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Grand Tour visa which will allow travellers explore six Gulf member states.

It is set to commence its pilot phase by the last quarter in 2025.

The plan, often compared to Europe’s schengen visa system, plans to mark a strategic milestone in regional integration. It will allow tourists to travel seamlessly between the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain under a single permit, with a rollout occuring in stages.

Originally approved by GCC ministers in 2023, the system is now in the advanced stages of digital and logistics integration, and will start with a pilot phase at the end of 2025 before expanding across all member states.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of Economy and Tourism, who also chairs the Emirates Tourism Council, stated that the initiative is designed to enhance the Gulf’s collective appeal as a unified tourism destination.

Jassim Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, confirmed that the visa framework has reached its final approval and technical phases. The visa application processing will take place through a dedicated digital platform, streamlining access and planning for travellers eager to experience multiple Gulf destinations in one itinerary.

Tourism officials describe it as a key step in positioning the GCC as a globally competitive destination. ‘This visa will enhance cross-border tourism, stimulate economic development, and boost the region’s reputation as one connected market,’ Al Marri said.

Regional tourism network to strengthen

Nigeria was among Dubai’s fastest-growing visitor markets in the years preceding the pandemic. The introduction of the unified GCC visa could now make it easier for Nigerian travellers to combine trips to Dubai with visits to other Gulf destinations, strengthening tourism links across the region.

The Gulf region already represents a major source of intra-regional travel. In 2024, the UAE recorded 3.3 million visitors travelling within GCC countries, accounting for 11 per cent of total hotel guests.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of GCC visitors to the UAE, with 1.9 million arrivals representing 58 per cent of the total. Oman followed with 777,000 visitors, or 24 per cent, while Kuwait contributed 381,000 travellers, making up 12 per cent. Bahrain recorded 123,000 visitors (4 per cent), and Qatar rounded off the list with 93,000 visitors, representing 3 per cent of the total GCC arrivals.

These figures underline the Gulf’s interconnected tourism landscape, which the unified visa is set to further expand by reducing travel friction and encouraging longer, multi-country stays.

As the pilot launch of the unified visa is underway, the Gulf is ready for a new era of regional travel. For the first time, visitors will be able to explore all six countries with a single travel document.

If the rollout proceeds as planned, it could redefine how the region presents itself to the world, transforming six borders into one shared gateway for global travellers.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to safeguard and respect the multibillion-dollar investment of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, describing the Dangote Refinery as a national asset critical to the country’s economic future.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima hailed Dangote as ‘an institution’ and a pillar of Nigeria’s development, warning that the nation’s treatment of its foremost investor sends a message to the rest of the world.

His remarks come on the heels of last week’s strike by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the alleged sack of about 800 unionised employees at the refinery. The industrial action was suspended following the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Shettima said the $20 billion, 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery-one of the largest in the world-was a vital component of Nigeria’s quest for energy security, job creation, and global competitiveness.

‘Aliko Dangote is not an individual; he’s an institution, and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament,’ Shettima said.

‘How we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, in Amazon, or in Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now.

‘But he opted to invest in his country, and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and defend the interests of this great Nigeria.’

The vice president also urged labour unions and the organised private sector to exercise restraint and patriotism in resolving disputes, warning that reckless actions could jeopardise national progress.

‘I wish to call for caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of patriotism from both labour and the organised private sector in defining and improving the relationship between labour and industry,’ he said.

‘It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.’

Nigeria loses billions yearly to foreign control of its shipping industry. With the new Blue Economy framework, the nation has a once-in-a-generation chance to reclaim its maritime sovereignty, create jobs, and unlock $20 billion in annual value by 2035.

For 15 years, Nigeria has quietly haemorrhaged an estimated $120 billion in potential earnings-not through corruption alone, but through the invisible hand of foreign vessels hauling our crude, containers, and cargo while our own fleet languishes. Every shipment of fertiliser or barrel of crude exported carries with it jobs, expertise, and national sovereignty that should belong to Nigerians. This is not just an economic imbalance; it is a question of sovereignty at sea.

The recently launched Nigeria Maritime Sovereignty and Blue Economy Acceleration Plan (NMS-BEAP 2035) offers the most coherent pathway yet to reverse this drain. It aims to reclaim $5-6 billion in annual freight earnings, raise maritime GDP from 2 to 5 percent, and generate over 250,000 jobs through indigenous fleet participation and shipbuilding. By 2035, the plan envisions that at least 80 percent of Nigeria’s shipping tonnage will be carried by Nigerian-owned vessels, anchoring prosperity within our shores.

The urgency is clear from the data. In 2024, Nigeria’s ports handled 103 million tonnes of cargo and recorded 4,005 vessel calls, yet less than 20 percent of this trade was moved by local operators. The country currently has only 7,000 certified Nigerian seafarers, far short of the 25,000 required by 2035 to sustain the sector. The result is a $7-9 billion annual forex leak, an economic wound that deepens Nigeria’s balance-of-payment pressures and weakens the naira.

But this narrative is reversible. Other nations have shown what political will and structured investment can achieve. In the 1970s, South Korea built a $40 billion shipbuilding industry almost from scratch, anchored on state-backed finance and technology transfer. The Philippines, now one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, trains nearly 375,000 maritime professionals whose remittances generate over $6 billion annually. Nigeria, strategically located on the Atlantic corridor and already commanding West Africa’s largest cargo throughput, can replicate such success: if it aligns policy, finance, and enforcement.

Three pillars are essential for this transformation: finance, enforcement, and human capital.

First, activate and disburse the long-dormant Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). Nigerian shipowners currently borrow at interest rates of 25 percent for three years, while foreign competitors enjoy 4.5 percent loans over 25 years. Unlocking the CVFF with single-digit interest rates and 15-20-year tenors would be catalytic. Paired with a National Shipbuilding Fund and duty-free vessel imports, it could reduce capital costs by as much as 70 percent and stimulate shipyard investment in Lagos, Onne, and Calabar. The NMS-BEAP projects $12-16 billion in CAPEX by 2035, with a healthy 16-19 percent ROI, strong fundamentals for both investors and the Treasury.

Second, enforce cabotage with integrity. Nigeria’s Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage Act) was meant to protect indigenous operators, yet it has been gutted by indiscriminate waivers that favour foreign fleets. The proposed Cabotage Joint Taskforce (CJT), uniting NIMASA, the Navy, Customs, and indigenous operators, must operate with transparency and authority. Real-time vessel tracking, publicly accessible waiver logs, and whistleblower incentives can deter sabotage. Without credible enforcement, policy remains paper.

Third, invest strategically in people. Nigeria’s maritime academies are underfunded and outdated. Establishing a National Seafarer and Technical Certification Centre aligned with IMO and STCW standards would close the skills gap and future-proof the workforce for digital, green, and LNG-based shipping. This is not an aspirational goal but an economic imperative. A skilled maritime workforce not only earns forex but also enhances safety, efficiency, and Nigeria’s reputation as a maritime nation.

Reform must also tackle the currency dimension. Freight billing in dollars has created a hidden inflationary pressure, shipping costs alone add an estimated 35 percent to domestic prices. Transitioning to naira-denominated freight settlements, backed by the Central Bank and key exporters, will localise value and stabilise the naira. Such a move is neither isolationist nor illegal: under the WTO’s GATS Article XIV bis, countries may adopt maritime sovereignty measures for national security. The U.S. Jones Act, India’s tonnage tax, and the UK’s post-Brexit cabotage reforms all affirm this principle.

Critics may argue that indigenous control risks inefficiency or rent-seeking. But the alternative, continued dependency, is far costlier. Maritime sovereignty does not mean shutting out competition; it means ensuring Nigerians benefit first from the resources of their own waters. When South Korea protected and nurtured its shipyards, it didn’t stifle trade, it built global champions.

The stakes are not abstract. If Nigeria executes the NMS-BEAP roadmap with discipline, activating CVFF by 2025, enforcing waiver sunsets by 2027, scaling shipyards by 2031, and achieving full sovereignty by 2035, the payoff will be historic. The blue economy could contribute ?30 trillion annually, reduce unemployment, and reposition Nigeria as a maritime hub between the Gulf of Guinea and the global Atlantic trade system.

As the late Capt. Bashir, a pioneer Nigerian mariner, once demonstrated, rising from the defunct National Shipping Line to command a 350,000 MT Saudi Aramco tanker, our talent has never been the issue. What Nigeria lacked was a system. With political resolve and public pressure, symbolised by the ongoing 111,111-signature e-petition, the nation can finally build that system.

Our maritime story need not remain one of loss and dependency. If we act decisively, Nigeria’s blue waters can become a reservoir of prosperity, pride, and sovereignty, anchoring not only ships but also the nation’s economic future.

A group of housing sector stakeholders has urged Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to halt the allocation and conversion of designated green areas in Abuja for other uses.

The group, known as Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), explained that such allocation or conversion threatens the city’s environmental sustainability, urban planning integrity, and quality of life of its residents.

A leading civil society organization, HDAN, which champions housing rights and sustainable urban development in Nigeria, raised an alarm when it observed that parks, gardens, and buffer zones originally reserved as green areas of the city are now being eroded through indiscriminate land allocations for commercial and residential developments.

The group said this trend, if left unchecked, could plunge the capital into severe environmental, social, and infrastructural crises.

‘Abuja was carefully planned with specific provisions for green areas to ensure a healthy living environment. Unfortunately, we are witnessing the gradual encroachment on these spaces, which not only violates the city’s master plan, but also endangers its future sustainability,’ Festus Adebayo, the group’s executive director, noted.

Adebayo noted further that green areas are essential for regulating urban temperature, improving air quality, reducing flooding, and providing much-needed recreational spaces for families and communities, warning that turning such spaces into concrete jungles poses long-term dangers to the environment and undermines Abuja’s original vision as a model city.

He disclosed that HDAN has received multiple reports from stakeholders in housing, real estate, and environmental protection sectors, raising concerns about the increasing loss of green zones.

‘The destruction of these areas is not just an environmental issue, it is also a governance and accountability matter,’ he emphasized, noting that preserving green spaces is vital to ensuring that Abuja does not become a city defined by congestion, pollution, and poor livability.

Residents have also raised alarm over the conversion of Abuja’s designated green belts into estates and private developments. In several districts such as Guzape, Maitama, Wuse, Katampe, and Kado, areas originally mapped as utility corridors and environmental buffers have been fenced, cleared, and built upon.

This trend is already taking a toll on the city, with flooding, burst sewer lines, and worsening air quality becoming more frequent, particularly during the rainy season when natural water channels are obstructed.

HDAN therefore cautions that unchecked development could worsen traffic congestion, deprive children of recreational spaces, and expose communities to health and safety risks.

Environment experts have added that citing structures near waterways and directly under power transmission lines not only violates safety standards but also heightens the risk of disasters. The growing concern is that Abuja is gradually losing its environmental balance and livability due to the erosion of its green areas.

‘The Minister should prioritize strict enforcement of the Abuja Master Plan, ensure transparency in land allocations, and launch a comprehensive audit of all areas designated as green zones,’ Adebayo advised.

He called for stronger collaboration with urban planners, environmentalists, and housing advocates to create sustainable solutions for development without compromising green infrastructure.

‘Cities across the world are embracing greener and more sustainable urban policies, but Abuja risks moving in the opposite direction if this issue is not urgently addressed.

Protecting our green spaces is not negotiable; it is about safeguarding the future of the capital and ensuring the wellbeing of generations to come,’ he said.

While acknowledging the enormous pressures on land in the FCT due to rapid urbanization, the executive director maintained that such challenges should not justify the destruction of spaces that are meant to serve public interest, urging the government to explore innovative housing and infrastructure policies that balance growth with sustainability.

Nigeria must demonstrate openness, fairness, and predictability to attract sustainable capital inflows, according to Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), who noted that Nigeria’s foreign direct investment remains weak despite slight improvements in fiscal conditions.

In his opening statement at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, Yusuf said that the way Nigeria treats its domestic investors will serve as a signal to foreign investors assessing the credibility and stability of the country’s business environment.

He stressed that policy predictability, investment protection and transparent mechanisms for resolving business disputes are critical to rebuilding trust in the economy.

‘How we treat domestic investors will provide the right signals for foreign investors,’ Yusuf said, urging the government to prioritise clarity and continuity in economic policy.

The NESG chairman noted that while Nigeria’s fiscal condition has improved, the economy continues to face persistent inflationary pressures, high debt-service obligations, and subdued investor sentiment.

‘Our fiscal condition has improved, while expectation pressures persist, and the fiscal debt remains the same, widening to ?15.5 trillion in 2024. Debt levels are stable, and the debt-to-GDP ratio of 40.6 per cent remains much the same, with a high debt-to-service ratio. Foreign capital is close to the boundary, yet foreign direct investment remains weak,’ he said.

Yusuf reminded participants that policy credibility, incentives, and social competitiveness are essential to attracting long-term capital from both domestic and foreign investors. He said Nigeria’s economic story is one of transition of undeniable progress amid sustained fragility.

According to him, the NESG’s last three macroeconomic outlook reports have outlined a roadmap for economic transformation built around three key phases: stabilisation, consolidation, and acceleration.

‘Today, we can say that the stabilisation phase is materialising, albeit painfully and with fragility. But stabilisation, as necessary as it is, is not the destination, and so cannot be the end of our journey. If we stop here, we risk losing the progress that has been so courageously won’, he said.

Uche Nnaji, the minister of science and technology, has finally admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), never gave him a degree certificate confirming earlier reports that he might have forged his academic credentials.

This revelation supports findings from a two-year investigation which had exposed that the documents Nnaji presented to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial screening were fake, Businessday reported.

The controversy over his certificate began in July 2023 when President Tinubu included Nnaji among the first batch of ministerial nominees. Soon after the announcement, critics questioned the authenticity of his academic and NYSC certificates, claiming he never completed his university education.

The investigation concluded that both the bachelor’s degree and NYSC discharge certificate submitted by the minister were forgeries. Until recently, Nnaji had not publicly responded to the allegations. But new court documents have now revealed his side and his own statements confirm that he never received a certificate from UNN.

The admission surfaced in a case Nnaji filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, before Justice Hauwa Yilwa. In the suit, he sued the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University of Nigeria, its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, its Registrar, Professor Oguenjiofor Ujam (a former Acting Vice-Chancellor), and the university’s Senate.

Through a motion ex parte, the minister asked the court to stop the university and its officials from ‘tampering with’ or releasing any details about his academic records. He also asked the court to compel the institution to release his academic transcript and to direct the Minister of Education and the NUC to make UNN comply.

In addition, he sought an interim injunction restraining UNN from altering or releasing any information about him until the case was decided.

Justice Yilwa, in her ruling on September 22, granted three of the minister’s requests but refused to issue an injunction stopping the university from acting. The matter was adjourned to October 6 for further hearing.

Sources familiar with the case said that Nnaji’s legal action was an attempt to block the university from releasing details of his academic records to journalists or investigators. He was also said to be pushing to obtain his transcript to ‘refresh his memory’ about where he may have stopped during his university days.

What has drawn the most attention, however, is what the minister himself revealed in his sworn affidavit. In paragraphs 12 and 13 of his 34 paragraph statement. Nnaji made a surprising confession that appears to confirm he never collected a certificate from the university.

In paragraph 12, he said he was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 and that he completed the programme in 1985. But in the following paragraph, he stated that he had not been issued a certificate, blaming ‘the non-cooperative attitude’ of UNN officials for his inability to collect it.

He cited a letter issued by the university in December 2023 to People’s Gazette, confirming that he was indeed a student who ‘graduated’ in 1985 with a Second Class (Lower Division) degree. However, this letter did not include or represent an actual certificate and his court filing indirectly confirmed that he does not possess one.

By admitting that the university never issued him a certificate, Nnaji has, in essence, validated the claims of forgery earlier made against him.

Since his nomination in 2023, Nnaji has faced persistent questions about his academic record. Critics argued that his credentials were fabricated and that his NYSC certificate was also fake. The allegations gained weight after BusinessDay published documents showing discrepancies between his claimed qualifications and university records.

The publication’s two-year investigation reportedly involved interviews with university officials, checks of student records, and verification from the NYSC. Their findings were described as ‘damning and conclusive,’ asserting that the minister’s documents were entirely fake.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Senate confirmed his nomination, and he went on to assume office as Minister of Science and Technology under President Tinubu’s administration.

The latest court admission has now reopened the controversy, sparking fresh debates about how background checks are conducted for public officials and why questions of integrity are often overlooked.

The revelation has triggered shock and outrage among Nigerians. Civil society groups have begun calling for his immediate suspension and investigation. Some critics argue that his continued stay in office undermines the government’s credibility, especially in a ministry that deals with research, innovation, and academic advancement.

Opposition politicians have also seized on the matter, accusing the Tinubu administration of turning a blind eye to corruption and dishonesty in public service. ‘How can someone who forged his certificate be in charge of science and technology?’ one opposition lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, legal experts say that Mr. Nnaji’s admission could expose him to prosecution under Nigerian law, which criminalizes document forgery and the submission of false information for public appointments.

As the court case continues, attention is focused on whether UNN will be compelled to release more details of the minister’s academic history and whether those details will match his earlier claims.

The Federal High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter in the coming days, and the outcome could have serious implications not only for Mr. Nnaji but also for the credibility of the government’s vetting process for public officeholders.

Atiku Bagudu, minister of Budget and Economic Planning has said that the Dangote Refinery must be supported by government and Nigerians to succeed in its operations in Nigeria.

Badugu who spoke at the ongoing 13th edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#13) in Abuja, said that the private sector now drives the Nigerian economy and must get the necessary support required to succeed as it has become an engine of growth.

He explained that the Dangote refinery, being a private enterprise must be encouraged to succeed.

This follows the recent dispute between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, which affected the activities of the refinery and as well as Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in general.

The minister stated that the nation’s development plan and policies acknowledges the place of private sector in Nigeria Economic development. ‘The Agenda 2050, which was approved in the year 2020, as well as the first of the six development plans that was anticipated in 2021-2025, made the private sector the key driver of the economy.

‘Indeed, it assigned as much as 86 percent of the plan size to the private sector. And this is not surprising, because even Chapter 2 of our Constitution, which guides the economic objectives of the country, have placed pride in a private sector-led economy.

The minister, speaking further stated that since inception, the Tinubu-led administration has been implementing bold, courageous reforms aimed at enhacing the economy, productivity and addressing insecurity.

He emphasized that these reforms were crucial to abating the fiscal crisis and laying the foundation for long-term, inclusive economic growth and development. ‘However, we recognize that reforms like this, not surprisingly, will come with short-term challenges for households as well as businesses. We are determined to stay the course and ensure that the challenges that hinder the achievement of our manifest destiny are confronted and addressed.

‘Our private sector has been a steady voice of support and synergy and interrogation.The government and private sector are partners in economic development. We no longer talk of the public sector dominating the commanding heights of the economy,’ he added.

Assessing the impact of the reforms, the Minister noted that positive trends have emerged in the economy, with real GDP has maintaining a steady growth trajectory, with the first quarter of 2024 recording a 2.98 percent increase, followed by 3.15 percent in the second quarter, 3.46 percent in the third quarter, and 3.48 percent in the fourth quarter.

The key implication of this result, he said, is the stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment, occasioned by the effectiveness and sustained policy implementation. He explained that higher GDP growth reflects rising domestic demand, increased business confidence and a more dynamic productive base.

Bagudu further explained that to build economic resilience, the government is prioritising job creation that drive productivity through improvement and support of different sectors, such as digital skills, creative economy skills, development of the blue and maritime sector, human capital development as well as agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

‘We are committed to a major and deliberate path forward, ensuring each step is meticulously assessed. We must therefore remain resolute in our current strategy.

‘Despite persistent inflationary pressures, recent data presents signs of moderation. Headline inflation measured year-on-year decreased to 20.12 percent in August 2025, a notable reduction from 32.15 percent in August 2023. This downward trend reflected in the newly rebased consumer price index, suggesting a gradual easing of cost of living.

‘Particularly significant is the deceleration in food inflation, which declined to 21.87 percent in August 2022, from a combination of measures in quotation to increase domestic production and the concern of Mr. President.

‘Mr. President has shown concern that having achieved lower food prices, we should invest more in domestic production to ensure that our farmers are rewarded without any further deceleration in inflation that comes from production gains. This trend will be sustained with deliberate policies to alleviate pressure on household budgets, stimulate consumer spending and create a more conducive environment for inclusive growth.

‘The reduction in inflationary pressure will also lead to a more predictable economic life and a higher chance of increased investment, both domestic and foreign,’ he said.

The company’s new entry reflects its growth ambition and commitment to innovation in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.

UAC Foods Limited has entered the highly competitive seasoning segment with the launch of Zuri Seasoning, signaling its intent to diversify and strengthen its product portfolio. The move aligns with the company’s long-term strategy of driving growth through innovation and deeper consumer engagement in Nigeria’s evolving FMCG landscape.

Zuri is born from a deep understanding of the modern Nigerian consumer. We recognized that while cooking is a fundamental act of love and care, it is often perceived as a tedious duty. Zuri challenges this notion. Our mission is to restore fun and creativity to the kitchen, empowering individuals, from homemakers and professionals to students to create extraordinary meals with effortless ease,’ said the Brand Manager, Innovations, Lovelyn Nnamuchi.

The Zuri range comes in four irresistible flavours: Chicken, Beef, Classic, and Jollof flavour, each created to deliver an unmatched taste and aroma that elevates any dish.

During the recent internal launch held at UAC Foods Head Office, the Managing Director, UAC Foods Ltd, Oluyemi Oloyede, said: ‘We didn’t just want to launch any other seasoning but to develop a product that contains a lot of natural ingredients that delivers on taste, aroma, and flavour.’

‘Zuri represents a significant milestone for UAC Foods,’ said Ayo Awosika, General Manager, Commercial. ‘It underscores our commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of the Nigerian consumer. We are not just launching a product; we are launching a new perspective on cooking, one filled with joy, simplicity, and connection.’

Zuri Seasoning is available in convenient packaging sizes (10g and 100g) across open markets, neighbourhood stores, groceries, and modern trade outlets nationwide.

Peter Obi, Labour Party LP leader and the party’s 2023 Presidential flag bearer, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and other relevant clearing agencies to ensure thorough scrutiny of candidates to prevent the embarrassment of allowing criminals into office.

Obi, writing on his X handle on Monday, recalled how people in the office today are parading forged certificates and fraudulent affidavits they used in 2023.

He berated the screening agencies for letting them scale through both INEC, security and the Senate with forged documents.

Obi stressed that thorough scrutiny has become necessary because the process by which one gets to office is far more fundamental than what they do thereafter.

Going forward, Obi admonished INEC and others to ensure that candidates’ documents and character are thoroughly examined and necessary action taken.

Obi, writing on what he titled ‘The danger of making crime a norm’, noted ‘, Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will quickly start their noise-making, attacking and blackmailing me.

‘ But, how do you tell people that those whose integrity, character and behaviour are supposed to be exemplary and emulated in society have become the very source of the nation’s decay? How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest?

‘Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.

‘In one of my knowledge-seeking visits to Indonesia early this year, after interacting with several ministers responsible for Health, Villages, SMEs, Planning, and Education, as well as the Vice President and President Joko Widodo on development, I met with the Chairman of the General Elections Commission of Indonesia. I asked him about the educational qualifications required to participate in elections from local government to the state legislature, governorship, and up to the presidential level. He openly stated these qualifications to me.

‘My team and I then asked a simple question: What happens if someone contests for public office with a forged certificate or did not attend the school he claimed he attended? He looked at me, surprised, and said, ‘That attracts immediate disqualification and prosecution. It is a criminal offence. He added, ‘If someone can forge a certificate, how can that person be trusted to lead others?’

Obi, however, lamented that although the laws are the same globally, INEC makes no efforts to scrutinise certificates before elections.

‘But in my country, Nigeria, though the laws are the same as in other countries, where forgery is punished by immediate disqualification, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) makes no effort to scrutinise certificates before the elections

‘ They overlook complaints of forgery, and when you challenge after the elections, the court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.

INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.

‘The other concerning issue from all these is how criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers -security, parliament and government apparatus set to handle such.

‘Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore to an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented.

‘We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC have enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.

‘Our Electoral amendments must include that anyone intending to contest for any public office, whether an incumbent or a new candidate, must submit all academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the election.

‘These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days. This process must also apply to appointed officials, Ministers and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now.

‘We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter. We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power. True leadership must begin with truth.

Recently at the prestigious International Risk Management Awards ceremony held in South Africa, Eneni Oduwole, the 1st vice president and vice-chair of the Governing Council of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) emerged winner of the Africa risk management award.

Oduwole’s recognition is seen as a testament to her dedication to capacity development, ethical leadership and the elevation of professional standards within Nigeria and Africa’s risk management ecosystem.

A seasoned risk management and ESG professional and the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Alter-Ed Limited, Oduwole’s recognition underscores her outstanding contributions to advancing risk management practices, corporate governance and institutional resilience across the continent.

The recognition affirms her professional excellence and leadership.

She states, ‘Being nominated for the Africa Risk Management Awards is both an honour and a humbling recognition of my commitment to advancing risk management, governance, and sustainability in Africa. It reflects the collective efforts of professionals striving to embed resilience and ethical leadership across organisations and industries.

‘To me, this nomination is not just personal-it symbolises the progress of the risk management profession on the continent and the vital role it plays in shaping Africa’s sustainable growth and global competitiveness. It inspires me to continue mentoring, innovating, and contributing to solutions that strengthen institutions and communities,’ she said.

Kevin Ugwuoke, president and chairman of the Council of CRMI in a statement, described Oduwole’s achievement as a reflection of the Institute’s growing international profile and Nigeria’s leadership role in shaping the future of risk management in Africa.

He states, ‘that this award reflects the key value proposition of CRMI, encouraging and equipping risk professionals for excellence, leadership, and dedication in advancing the risk management profession not just within their immediate spheres of influence but most importantly across Africa, and globally.’

The Africa Risk Management Award honours individuals and institutions who have demonstrated innovation, integrity and significant impact in promoting effective risk management frameworks in Africa.

Before founding Alter-Ed Limited, a platform dedicated to professional development and organisational transformation, Oduwole held several senior leadership roles in Nigeria’s bank regulatory, financial services, and manufacturing sectors.

She has been widely recognised for her mentorship, thought leadership, and advocacy for a resilient and ethically driven risk culture across industries.

Her international recognition further cements Nigeria’s position as a hub of professional excellence and highlights CRMI’s pivotal role in promoting best practices, strategic governance, and innovation in risk management across Africa.