Category: Business Day

Two years have elapsed since cargo planes, specifically designed for freight transport, ceased operations in Nigeria due to the country’s foreign exchange constraints and airlines’ trapped funds. Despite the federal government’s efforts to clear $743 million in outstanding dues, these aircraft have failed to resume service.

Findings by BusinessDay showed that airline operators have since relocated to more lucrative markets, citing Nigeria’s low cargo demand and unprofitability as major deterrents.

‘The big cargo planes are not back to Nigeria. Airlines look for profitability in different countries before operating cargo flights. So, if I’m getting an aircraft that comes into Nigeria for instance and I don’t have cargo am taking out of Nigeria, it becomes an issue. This is the major problem the operators are having,’ Kingsley Nwokoma, president of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) told BusinessDay.

He explained that before cargo flights stopped coming into Nigeria, after dropping cargo in the country, they went back empty and sometimes to other African countries to pick up cargo which is not profitable for them considering cost of operations.

‘If a big aircraft comes into Lagos, Abuja or Kano for instance, because of the long flight time, they have to do a crew rest for safety reasons. They also have to buy fuel and pay landing and parking fees. So, when you put all these costs together and compare it to when that same aircraft goes to Asia Pacific, China or Japan and Asia, it is more profitable,’ Nwokoma said.

He said that foreign airlines would rather go to where they can get more profit and where the ease of doing business is high.

According to the AFARN president, the shipments airlines carry now come under the belly of the passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Airbus, adding that once in a while airlines get charter flights for cargo which covers their arrival and departure costs.

‘Those good old days when cargo planes come in four to six times a week are gone. Air cargo is supposed to be the fastest and that is why people choose this option but if profitability and the ease of doing business are gone, most customers would prefer the sea cargo option and do futuristic planning,’ Nwokoma said.

Cargolux, Saudi Cargo and Emirates Cargo airlines which operated cargo flights into Nigeria have all stopped flights into the country. Only Turkish Airlines cargo planes still carry out skeletal operations in Nigeria and sometimes, the airline is unable to operate even one flight to the country in one week.

Airlines now use the belly compartment in passenger aircraft to accommodate cargo. However, importers or exporters with large cargo have had to charter cargo planes to bring in their cargo products into Nigeria at very exorbitant rates.

In 2023, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) disclosed that the trapped funds belonging to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria reached $743,721,097 in March 2023 from $ 662 million in January 2023.

The situation had then forced Emirates and Etihad Airlines to suspend passenger flight operations in Nigeria. As trapped funds continue to increase, cargo airlines also joined the fray and stopped flying into the country in a bid to mitigate the effects of the trapped funds on their operations.

Seyi Adewale, chief executive officer, Mainstream Cargo Limited, told BusinessDay that although there is a slight improvement in trade generally, the present air cargo situation, freighter numbers, and flight frequencies are largely the same.

‘The ‘real cargoes’ that make freighter flights thrive have largely not returned. It appears they have moved to sea freight and e-commerce appears to have replaced these ‘real cargoes’,’ Adewale said.

He listed the real cargoes to include heavy equipment, tools, aircraft parts, construction and building materials, oil and gas materials, amongst others, adding that many big air cargo driving projects appear to have slowed down or probably lost the yearn for high-costing air freight.

The Mainstream Cargo boss said the freighters that are dogged over time are Allied Air and Turkish Airlines, adding that low demand has kept others away from Nigeria.

‘Nigerians cannot at present afford the high cost of air freight. Do remember that we used to get dollars very cheaply before and the economy was swamped with dollars and free funds. All these have disappeared,’ Adewale said.

Ikechi Uko, convener, CHINET aviation and cargo conference, told BusinessDay that Nigeria was doing worse than it did two years ago in cargo because the economy of Nigeria was struggling.

‘Both imports and exports are struggling in Nigeria. Before, cargo planes came in full and left empty but now our numbers have dropped. This is more of a reflection of the economy than cargo business. Our volumes of air cargo are currently a bit over 100 metric tonnes as against over 200 metric tonnes we did in the past,’ Uko said.

The history of human civilisation is, in large part, the history of shared stories. From the oral traditions around a communal fire to the dog-eared copies of a canonical novel passed through generations, literature has always been a communal experience. It creates a common cultural language, which is an essential bond that defines a society.

However, a silent, profound shift is underway, driven by the siren song of technological convenience – AI-curated, personalised storytelling. This technology promises the ultimate reader experience – a book, a narrative, a plot twist perfectly engineered to your psychological profile – designed by an algorithm that knows your preferences better than you know yourself.

While the appeal is undeniable, this hyper-personalisation is not just a technological upgrade. Rather, it is an existential threat to the very idea of a shared literary culture. The danger is not that AI will write poorly, but that it will write too well for an audience of one.

The most immediate casualty of hyper-personalised literature is the communal experience of shared books. Now, imagine a classroom where 30 students are all reading a different version of The Great Gatsby. Student A, who prefers romance, has a plot where Jay Gatsby and Daisy flee together. Student B, who craves action, reads a version where Gatsby is a mob boss who dies in a shootout. Student C, who is easily distracted, reads a heavily abridged, gamified edition.

What do they discuss? Nothing. The very foundation of a literature class – the shared text, the collective interpretation of a common ambiguity, the vibrant debate over a character’s moral failure – dissolves into 30 isolated, subjectively validated experiences. The ‘water cooler moment,’ where colleagues debate a character’s decision in a popular novel, disappears. When everyone reads a story tailored to their comfort zone, there is no common ground for debate, no intellectual friction, and no shared cultural touchstone. The binding agent of a society’s imagination – its literary canon – evaporates into a million filter bubbles.

Paradoxically, the drive for ultimate personalisation may lead to suffocating narrative homogeneity. AI models are trained on vast existing datasets. When an algorithm is prompted to create content based on your tastes, it performs a highly sophisticated act of remixing what already exists. The output is a flawless echo, creating a story that perfectly conforms to established, successful patterns.

This reliance on patterns creates a ‘cliché massacre.’ The best, most disruptive stories – a novel that breaks the fourth wall, a poem with a truly original metaphor, a narrative that subverts a cultural expectation – are defined by their willingness to break the mold. AI, operating as a statistical engine, struggles to generate truly original and disruptive storytelling. It prefers stability over change, reconciliation over conflict, and the easily digestible over the profoundly challenging.

If AI-curated narratives default to predictable plot structures – for instance, a protagonist returning to their small town to restore lost traditions – we risk standardising global culture into a ‘synthetic imaginary.’ Instead of celebrating the messy, diverse, and often contradictory cultural narratives of humanity, we will be fed a sanitised, algorithmically palatable global monoculture. Our cultural heritage, in its richness and complexity, becomes collateral damage.

Furthermore, the impact on education and the cultural canon is particularly troubling. Canonical texts – from Sophocles to Soyinka – are not merely good books; rather, they are the intellectual benchmarks of our civilisation. They challenge us, expose us to radically different worldviews, and force us to grapple with complex moral and historical contexts. They are often uncomfortable and difficult.

An AI tool, fine-tuned to maximise engagement, would naturally remove elements a user finds challenging. Why read a difficult, culturally distant novel when you can read a version that uses simpler language, removes the ambiguous ending, and features a protagonist whose worldview perfectly mirrors your own?

This technological drift towards comfort erodes the very purpose of a canon, which is to foster intellectual growth through exposure to difference. We risk creating a generation of readers intellectually trapped in cozy bubbles of their own tastes, losing the critical capacity to engage with and learn from perspectives outside their experience. The collective effort to understand a great book is replaced by the passive consumption of a ‘stalker story’ – a narrative that knows and confirms your biases.

In conclusion, to protect our shared literary future, we must not let AI become the ghost-in-the-machine of our collective imagination. AI is a powerful tool for generation and summarisation, but the curation, the critical engagement, and the shared act of reading must remain a fundamentally human and communal endeavor. Our books are not just entertainment; they are our social contracts. We must keep them in public view.

In an era of shifting geopolitics, how does ACCPA ensure that Africa-China cooperation remains equitable, transparent, and sustainable for both sides?

ACCPA promotes equity and transparency by grounding all its work in independent research, data-driven analysis, and open dialogue. We engage both African and Chinese stakeholders on the basis of mutual accountability and shared development goals, rather than one-sided narratives.

Through policy briefs, public forums, and strategic partnerships, we highlight the importance of responsible investment, climate-conscious development, and respect for local priorities. Our role is to ensure Africa-China cooperation evolves as a balanced, evidence-based partnership that advances sustainability and benefits both sides over the long term.

With teams across several African countries, as well as in China and the UK, how does ACCPA coordinate its diverse network to maintain a unified research and policy agenda?

ACCPA maintains a unified agenda through a central coordination model led from our Accra headquarters, guided by a clear five-year strategic framework that outlines our thematic priorities and research standards.

Our teams across Africa, China, and the UK collaborate through virtual working groups, joint research projects, and regular policy dialogues, ensuring alignment and shared learning.

We also emphasize inclusive coordination, where local teams provide contextual insights that strengthen our continental perspective. This structure allows ACCPA to stay cohesive, agile, and consistent in advancing Africa’s voice within Africa-China cooperation.

Among your thematic priorities, namely, climate, food security, natural resources, youth and governance, technology, energy, and health, which has proven most challenging to address, and why?

At ACCPA, we see our thematic pillars as interconnected rather than competing priorities. Naturally, we began with climate, youth, and governance, given their urgency and the demand from policymakers and partners for deeper engagement in these areas. These themes have allowed us to shape high-level dialogues, policy frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives with tangible outcomes.

The other areas-such as food security, natural resources, technology, energy, and health-are equally critical, but we are approaching them through a phased strategy. It is not so much that they present insurmountable challenges, but rather that we are deliberate in sequencing our focus to ensure depth, impact, and sustainability.

Going forward, we see enormous opportunity to expand our research and advisory work in these additional areas, building on the foundation we have already established.

Could you share specific examples where ACCPA’s policy briefs or expert analyses have directly influenced government policy or shaped Africa-China cooperation strategies?

A key example is our work under the Sino-African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA). In Ghana, ACCPA’s policy briefs on green finance informed national discussions on climate funding and guided engagement between the Ministry of Finance, EPA, and Chinese partners.

In Ethiopia, our expert analyses helped shape dialogues on integrating sustainability principles into Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, supporting the country’s climate adaptation agenda.

Through SAGFA and similar initiatives, ACCPA has moved from research to real policy impact-bridging governments, investors, and institutions to promote climate-resilient, equitable Africa-China cooperation.

How does ACCPA balance the often-competing interests of African governments, Chinese stakeholders, and local communities in your dialogue platforms?

ACCPA’s role is to serve as a neutral convening platform where all parties can engage constructively and transparently. We achieve balance by grounding every dialogue in evidence-based research and shared development priorities, rather than political or commercial interests.

Our approach emphasizes mutual understanding and inclusivity-ensuring that African governments articulate policy needs, Chinese stakeholders share technical and financial perspectives, and local communities highlight social and environmental realities.

What would you say are ACCPA’s most significant achievements to date in advancing Africa’s voice in Africa-China relations?

ACCPA’s greatest achievement has been positioning Africa’s voice at the center of Africa-China cooperation through research, dialogue, and policy engagement. We have become a trusted bridge between policymakers, diplomats, and experts on both sides.

Notably, our Sino-African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA) has shaped national and regional conversations on climate cooperation, producing actionable policy recommendations adopted in Ghana and Ethiopia. We also hosted the Ghana-China Climate Summit 2025, which brought together senior government officials, Chinese diplomats, and development partners to chart a joint path toward green and sustainable growth.

Beyond climate, ACCPA has signed strategic MoUs with institutions such as the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, Institute of Chinese Law, ISPS South Sudan and the Africa Policy Institute (Kenya) etc.

What structural, political, or financial obstacles does ACCPA face in fulfilling its mandate, and how do you navigate these hurdles?

Like many independent policy institutions, ACCPA faces challenges related to sustainable funding, limited research infrastructure, and the need to navigate political sensitivities inherent in Africa-China relations.

We address these by maintaining institutional independence, building strategic partnerships with credible organizations across Africa, China, and beyond, and diversifying our funding sources through grants, commissioned studies, and training programs.

Given Africa’s youthful population, how is ACCPA ensuring that young people are not only included but also empowered in Africa-China policy conversations?

Youth empowerment is central to ACCPA’s mission. We ensure young Africans are not just participants but active contributors in shaping Africa-China relations. Through initiatives like the Ghana-China Media Fellowship and the upcoming Sino-African Green Finance Fellowship, we equip young professionals with knowledge, networks, and practical exposure to policy and international cooperation.

We also integrate youth voices into our policy dialogues, research projects, and mentorship programs, ensuring intergenerational perspectives in every conversation. By doing so, ACCPA is building a new generation of African thinkers and leaders who can confidently engage China and the world on equal terms.

What was the inspiration behind establishing the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, and how has its vision evolved since its inception?

The idea for ACCPA was inspired by the growing importance of Africa-China relations and the absence of an African-led institution dedicated to shaping this partnership through research, policy dialogue, and advisory work. We wanted to ensure Africa’s perspectives drive the agenda-not just react to it.

Since inception, our vision has evolved from focusing on trade and diplomacy to addressing emerging issues like climate change, green finance, digital transformation, and governance.

Today, ACCPA serves as a trusted bridge-connecting governments, businesses, and academia to promote cooperation that is evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with Africa’s long-term development priorities.

Looking ahead, what is ACCPA’s five- to ten-year roadmap, and how do you envision scaling your work to have an even greater continental and global impact?

Over the next decade, ACCPA aims to cement its role as Africa’s leading voice on Africa-China and South-South cooperation. Our roadmap focuses on expanding regional offices across Africa, deepening our work on climate, green industrialization, and digital transformation, and building strong alliances with global think tanks and development partners.

Through these initiatives, ACCPA seeks to move from shaping national conversations to influencing continental and global policy agendas, ensuring Africa’s perspectives remain central in global cooperation frameworks.

Trino Motion Pictures has unveiled the official poster for ‘Grandpa Must Obey’, its highly anticipated family dramedy, which is set for nationwide release on November 21, 2025, through FilmOne Entertainment.

The vibrant new poster captures the heart and humour of ‘Grandpa Must Obey’, a film that promises laughter, warmth, and the universal tug-of-war between generations. Designed with bold, playful energy, the artwork reflects the film’s spirit: grumpy meets mischief, all wrapped in love, chaos, and plenty of heart.

The newly unveiled poster captures the heart of the film, the humorous yet touching bond that forms between generations. Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), veteran Nollywood icon, takes on an unexpected and refreshing role as a seventy-year-old man grappling with grief and resentment, finds himself unexpectedly babysitting for his two mischievous grandchildren.

What begins as a clash of wills soon transforms into a moving tale of family, forgiveness, and rediscovering joy after loss.

Directed by Chibuzor Afurobi and written by Saviour Kings Bob, the film blends heartfelt emotion with laugh-out-loud comedy, a combination that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.

‘We wanted to tell a story that feels deeply Nigerian but universally human – one that celebrates family, resilience, and the small moments that make life beautiful,’ Uche Okocha, managing director, Trino Motion Pictures and ‘Grandpa Must Obey’ producer, said.

The film features a robust ensemble of celebrated Nollywood stars and rising talents:

Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) delivers a career-defining performance as the strong-willed yet vulnerable Grandpa.

Darasimi Nadi and Fiyin Asenuga bring youthful energy and comedic brilliance to the family dynamic.

Yvonne Jegede and Bimbo Akintola add depth and heart to the emotional core of the story.

Produced by Uche Okocha, Grandpa Must Obey reaffirms Trino Motion Pictures’ reputation for delivering authentic, high-quality Nigerian storytelling that connects with local and global audiences alike.

Positioned as the family film of the festive season, Grandpa Must Obey is poised to light up cinemas nationwide this November. With its mix of humour, heart, and relatable storytelling, the film is a reminder that sometimes – obeying Grandpa is not as easy as it sounds.

Catch the laughter, love, and lessons when Grandpa Must Obey hits cinemas on November 21, 2025.

Those whose mobile telephony lines get suspended or lost look forward to a ‘welcome back’. That way, they get the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) back.

Many think Rivers State got their SIM card suspended. Now it is back. This illustration seems to help understand the return of Gov Sim Fubara to power. This return has however been welcomed with a big fire disaster at the heart of the public service, the famous Diete Spiff secretariat.

The state was shocked to find that a floor was ablaze at the Podium complex. The entire floor was reduced to rubbles and charred pieces.

Speculations erupted with many saying it came after the governor had threatened to look into corruption of permanent secretaries in the six months of emergency rule.

Incidentally, the political class has been seen as Fubara’s major problem area. Instead, it has been the public service, expected to be the most welcoming to one of theirs. Fubara was a career civil servant who rose through the ranks to become the Accountant-General of the state and then governor.

When he climbed to power, he seemed to take workers matters with higher sense of priority. He approved flat bonus of N100,000 Christmas bonus to every worker. He cleared pensions and began promotions.

Now, when his problem began, rumours were rife that some permanent secretaries appeared to work with a group that never wanted him back.

A lawyer and political analyst in the state said: ‘One of your own rose to become the Governor of a powerful state like Rivers. Upon assumption, he did everything possible to make your working experience the best, and most memorable time ever in service.

‘Along the line, an unexpected political crisis ensued; a crisis in which at its core, was the issue of your own welfare as civil servants and as ordinary Rivers citizens.

‘Soon as the Governor got suspended, boom, you snitched. The true evil nature in you guys showed forth.

‘Permanent secretaries who were promoted by the Governor; some even got undue promotion to become permanent secretaries due to the Governor’s benevolence.

‘You connived with the SOLAD, signed off Rivers State funds illegally. You directed the SOLAD on ways to siphon our common patrimony. Yet you didn’t end there. You went further.

‘Evil permanent secretaries contributed money, sent emissaries to Aso-Rock Villa to lobby for the extension of the State of Emergency, so that the Governor would not return. When that failed, the Governor returned.

‘But as soon as the Governor muttered that he is aware of who did what and how, and that in due course, everyone would answer for their actions-boom again, you ran and went to burn part of the state secretariat in an attempt to conceal evidence of your crime.’

This narrative seems to permeate the state’s layers of citizens, whether true or not.

The politicians are however quiet because they seemed highly occupied with how to share the spoils of war. Meetings have been going on almost every night, with some reported and others not open.

Every camp that played a role in one way or the other seems eager to get a piece of reward. The groups that fought against the governor for the sake of the FCT minister are said to expect much, while those that fought for Fubara also think they deserved some piece of the cake.

The Nyesom Wike camp is said to want every position but Gov Fubara is said to be making a cse for few of his innermost allies such as the chief of staff and the ‘speaker’ of his own camp in the state’s House of Assembly.

The Wike camp has also toned down from the stance exhibited by the approved Speaker who resumed with orders to Gov Fubara to submit one thing or the other.

Now, everybody seems to wait for Gov Fubara to do things when its convenient to his, such as submission of the list of commissioners and other appointees as well as resubmitting the budget for their review.

Fubara is expected to begin pronouncements soon as the nocturnal meetings were over.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu has said non of Atiku Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan or Peter Obi can stop president Tinubu from winning second term.

The former Abia State governor, Kalu, is confident of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The Abia state politician also warned Jonathan against contesting, saying he is constitutionally banned from doing so.

Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

According to Kalu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, the President has done well to turn around the nation’s economy.

Speaking further the former governor, said the former president Olusegun, was trying to distort history for lying that he did not seek a third term while in office.

Kalu pointed out that Obasanjo told him personally that he wanted to run for office again after the expiration of his two terms, in which he objected instantly, because it was unconstitutional and would have plagued the country into crisis.

He dismissed recent comment by Obasanjo on the issue, stressing that several governors and individuals who the former president confided him about his third term ambition were still alive and could be consulted.

He also stated that United States was crucial in the aborting of the third term ambition of Obasanjo, saying that several meeting was held with key politicians on the issue.

‘Obasanjo told me personally that he wanted a third term and I objected to such plan because it was undemocratic and again the constitution of Nigeria.

‘He can’t deny that, he is trying to rewrite history that is why he is denying now. I wish his late wife was alive today.

‘There are some several politicians that he told, governors then that are still alive today and can be consulted. Why was he fighting Odili? Why did he remove Wabara? What he is saying is not true’, Kalu said.

The federal lawmaker also lamented the continued marginalisation of the Igbo in the country, stressing that the Igbo’s have not been fully integrated into the country’s since after the civil war in the 70s.

He noted that he was interested in ruling the country and remain the only man from South Eastern Nigeria that can do that, but added that for now he was fully backing President Tinubu to emerge the candidate of the APC.

The hospitality sector witnessed a significant gathering of stakeholders at the inaugural quarterly Stakeholder Engagement event, centered on the theme ‘Unifying the Hospitality Industry for Growth, Access to Finance, and Summit Preparedness.’ The event aimed to unite industry leaders and representatives, providing a strong voice of togetherness as they discussed pressing challenges and shared insights to forge a path forward for the sector.

In her opening remarks, Abigail Duke Orok, commissioner for Commerce, recognised each participant’s contribution to the sector’s development and the broader economy. Kelly Ayamba, President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CALCCIMA), emphasised the importance of collaboration.

‘CALCCIMA will continue to advocate and work with everyone involved. It is crucial to hear from our members about the challenges they face as we weather this storm together.’ This sentiment resonated throughout the event, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement,’ she said.

Participants expressed the optimism at the positive sentiment shown by stakeholders, echoing the need for collaboration and intentional delivery in sector growth.

The funding opportunities presented by the Bank of Industry, as outlined by Pius Neji, Branch Manager, provided reassurance to attendees.

According to him, ‘The bank is very ready to provide funding support for eligible businesses that are properly documented. The sentiment has also been echoed by representatives from the United Bank for Africa.

Ekpenyong Ojoi, managing director/Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, commended the administration’s efforts in reforming the sector. He addressed past issues, noting that fewer than 100 hotels remain operational as of 2023, and identified a ‘colossal deficiency in service provision.’

‘We must encourage our remaining establishments and support the revitalisation of over 200 businesses. We are ready to weed out ineffective operations through proper registration,’ he stated.

Great Ogban, director general/Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, underscored the event’s collective commitment to revitalising the hospitality industry, addressing challenges head-on, and promoting sustainable growth, particularly in relation to MSME development. He concluded by hinting at plans underway by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), in collaboration with CALCCIMA, to conduct free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration for small business owners in the state.

Participants received major updates on key projects, including the revamped 288-bed Tinapa Lakeside Hotel and two new aircraft acquisitions set to commence operations in the coming weeks through Value Jet at highly competitive rates. Ongoing infrastructure developments, such as the NDDC road construction from Itu in Akwa Ibom State to Uyangha in Cross River State, aim to bolster the region’s connectivity and tourism potential.

Also in attendance was Eme Afia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture; Tom Ikpeme, Special Adviser, Tourism Development; and Albert Kusi, Special Adviser, Hospitality; Justina Ovat, Vice President, Tourism and Hospitality, CALCCIMA; Members of the MEDA Board and Management; Charles Ogar, Chairman, Cross River State chapter of Hoteliers Association of Nigeria; Felix Dien, Chairman, Cross River State chapter of Restaurant and Bar Owners of Nigeria (RABON); and other industry leader.

At a wedding party in Lagos, guests watch the servers move from table to table with trays of steaming jollof rice and chicken. On one table, the plates are cleaned to the last grain. On another, half-eaten food plates sitting untouched. Half-eaten food plates is a source of worry for the host, the caterer as well as fellow guests.

This is because in Nigerian culture, empty plates is a signal that says the food was good, the host succeeded, and the event was worthwhile. This subtle cue can influence perception across markets, restaurants, and even product launches.

This phenomenon is what I call The Empty Plate. It refers to the way Nigerians interpret degree of leftovers as indicators of value, quality, and/ or success.

Food as performance

Nigerians loves to consume food socially, at wedding parties, Owambes, birthdays, or naming ceremonies. The amount of leftover in the plates are public scorecards. Hosts watch them. Caterers fear them. Guests notice them. A table full of empty plates sends the message that the food was enjoyable. A table where plates return half-eaten hints at disappointment.

This habit is not trivial. Food waste and plate returns are social feedback loops. Studies on consumer satisfaction show that leftover food strongly correlates with perceived quality. In a survey of food services in Lagos, customer satisfaction was directly linked to freshness, taste, and portion size, with plate returns noted as an indirect feedback signal (Ezenagu and Ezenagu, 2020).

In this context, the empty plate is a form of social proof. It communicates to others that something is good without words.

The psychology behind the signal

In psychology, people rely on observational cues when making judgments. When individuals see others finishing their food or consuming completely, they infer higher satisfaction. Nigerians have adapted this into a cultural shorthand for decision-making about food.

Street food vendors know this. A suya seller at Wuse market will leave finished skewers visible on the table. The sight of sticks piled high signals popularity. An akara seller frying by the roadside will let customers see trays emptied and refilled quickly. Motion plus empty stock equals trust.

This same logic extends beyond food. Empty shelves in supermarkets during promotions trigger a similar effect. Even when staff quietly restock, the memory of emptiness signals demand. Nigerians often equate disappearance with desirability.

Empty plate as social currency

The Empty Plate Signal also plays into the culture of hosting. In Nigerian hospitality, how much food guests finish reflects on the caterer/ cook’s and host’s reputation. A guest clearing their plate is often complimented, while leaving food behind may be read as a critique.

This is reinforced by studies on food waste behaviour in Nigeria. Research shows that plate waste is often interpreted as a communication tool that guests use to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction (Adeyanju and Ishola, 2019).

Redbull famously drove consumption of its energy drink by placing empty cans of Redbull in rubbish bins outside popular nightclubs, and around university campuses to act as ‘social proof’, creating the illusion that everyone else was drinking Red Bull.

Business implications

For restaurants, caterers, and brands, understanding The Empty Plate Signal is crucial because it reveals how Nigerians measure value beyond direct consumption.

One. Portion calibration: Oversized portions may leave plates unfinished and hurt perception, even if the food tastes good. Smart sizing ensures plates return empty, reinforcing satisfaction.

Two. Presentation of emptiness: Vendors who visibly display empty stock or consumed products create demand cues. This works in open markets, quick service restaurants, and even online where ‘sold out’ tags raise desirability.

Three. Design feedback rituals: Encourage visible signals of completion, whether through empty containers collected, testimonials, or digital reviews that mirror the empty plate effect.

Four. Leverage Empty Plates: Piggyback on the Redbull strategy to drive consumption of your brand in target channels. It’s an automatic signal of acceptance that can tip the scales (critical mass adoption) in your favour.

Five. Avoid negative cues: Half-full fridges, leftover trays, or returned dishes can quickly erode trust. Customers may assume decline in quality, even if it is unrelated.

The Empty Plate Signal exists in other parts of Nigerian life. In banking halls, a cleared queue signals operational efficiency to customers. In education, notebooks filled to the end signal diligence. Completion cues matter deeply in our society because appearance often validates worth.

The Empty Plate Signal shows how Nigerians use visible consumption as shorthand for quality. It’s all about the story told by what remains or what doesn’t.

For businesses, the lesson is that emptiness can be more powerful than abundance. The clean plate, the empty shelf, the finished stock all communicates satisfaction, consumption, and adoption in ways no advert can. In Nigeria, people don’t just ask how it tastes, they look at the plates that come back, and it tells them all they need to know.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigating two travelers arrested for allegedly attempting to leave the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with undeclared foreign currencies totaling $6.1 million and £53,415 in cash.

According to a statement released by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, operatives from the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi received the suspects, identified as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi from the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects were reportedly intercepted by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) operatives during a routine check on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Lagos airport.

They were said to have just arrived in the country from Dubai, en route Addis Ababa, and were scheduled to continue their journey to Abuja when the cash was discovered.

Upon discovery of the undeclared funds, the FAAN officers handed the suspects over to the DSS, which subsequently transferred them to the EFCC.

‘In addition to the cash, three mobile phones were recovered from the suspects as exhibits’, EFCC said.

The statement confirmed that Margaret Lamai of EFCC, received the suspects and the recovered items on behalf of Ahmed Ghali, acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC.

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to enforcing all financial laws relating to movement of funds, stressing that travelers are required under Nigerian law to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent upon arrival or departure.

Investigations into the case are ongoing, and the Commission assured that appropriate legal action will be taken upon conclusion of the inquiry.

Jennifer Adighije, the managing director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s power sector, following his recent approval of the defrayment of the ?4 trillion legacy debts owed to generation companies (GenCos).

Recall that in July 2025, President Tinubu met with chief executives of all power generation companies, where he emphasised the need for patience from GenCos and financial institutions. The President had also disclosed that government agencies were engaging audit and legal firms to scrutinise the ?4.7 trillion claims.

Speaking at this year’s National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) Energy Conference in Lagos, Adighije described the President’s approval as a landmark decision that would go a long way in restoring the financial health of the sector.

‘With the funds available, we at NDPHC – given our unique mandate as the government’s intervention entity in the power sector – plan to deploy a significant portion of these recovered funds toward converting our power plants from open-cycle to combined-cycle operations,’ she said.

‘This will not only enhance efficiency but also diversify our generation mix, aligning with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan,’ she added.

Adighije further noted that the power sector is currently undergoing a major transition, moving towards bilateral trading and the implementation of a cost-reflective tariff regime.

‘What this means for us is that we are beginning to see increased liquidity within the sector, which in turn is making it more bankable and attractive for investment,’ she explained.

‘For us in the power generation space, we understand that cash flow drives efficiency and sustainability. Improved liquidity ensures that generation companies are better positioned to reinvest in the power sector,’ Adighije said.

She reaffirmed NDPHC’s commitment to supporting ongoing reforms in the sector and called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure energy security and economic growth.

Meanwhile, the association confers on the company, Power company of the year Award.