Category: Business Day

Amidst growing concerns over Governors leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has assured that better materials will emerge to replace those defecting from the party

Mohammed, who is also the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, stated this on Saturday in Abuja, while speaking on the party’s preparations for the November 15 and 16 elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State

Mohammed noted that the party is deeply concerned at the rate at which Governors elected on the party’s platform are leaving to join the APC.

Also speaking on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Mohammed said the Governor is still with the PDP

‘ He has not left the party; he is still PDP. Everybody has his own style. He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in. Certainly, he is still in PDP, and to me, he is still my deputy.’

Mohammed who also spoke on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s plans ahead of the 2027 election, assured that such ‘ big politicians’ are welcome, adding that ‘People are still interested in this party, and these big names being associated with us make us happy’

This came ahead of the planned movement into the ruling party on Tuesday by Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State, just few months after the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Delta States abandoned the party to join the ruling party

‘If you ask me whether I’m concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.

‘This defection would have been more devastating at the onset, but we have been talking and discussing.

Mohammed who is also the head of the Publicity sub committee for the convention, blamed the development on ‘ the leadership style of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything.

‘I cannot say that my colleagues are wrong; they are free to do whatever they choose. But I have been advising them that even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections. ‘Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations. I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues, but I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division.

‘Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP, and the issue is PDP because Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP. Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes.

He however assured that the party will continue to deliver, if members stand firm .

‘Nobody stops you from leaving, so that you can create another space for others to come around for governance.

‘ Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable, and here we are. That’s what will play out in 2027.

*I am optimistic that we will get a new set of leaders in 2027 who will defeat the deceptive style of the APC by coming up with true leaders who will listen to Nigerians and address their challenges by the grace of God.

‘If somebody goes, just like a bird, they go, they come. Please don’t blame anybody at the governor’s level; we are doing our best, but it is beyond our control’

He assured that the party is addressing the issues of threats to the party’s convention squarely.

‘ Comparatively, most of the other parties are not better off than us. We are better off than most opposition parties. Some don’t even have leadership at the national level. We are the only ones intact-with one National Secretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary.

He also noted that the PDP remains the only party with stable national leadership despite efforts to destabilise it.

‘ As a big party with a history since 1999, still with the same logo, colors, manifesto, and leadership, we should commend the National Working Committee for doing well despite limitations.

As Nigeria pushes for economic reforms, experts have called on the government and private sector to prioritise the development of botany, stressing the nation’s rich plant biodiversity holds potential for economic growth, scientific innovation, and global competitiveness.

Specialists, and professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Botany@60, organised by the department of Botany, faculty of Life Sciences, have advocated that Nigeria must be intentional about embracing the potential of botany or be limited in its economic, scientific, and social advancements.

Oluwarotimi Fashola, special adviser to the Lagos State governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, in his keynote address titled, ‘Botany the Cradle of Crop Production, Opportunities and Challenges: The Rice Value Chain’ on Thursday, October 9, said that the country can either embrace the potential that botany offers or remain tethered to outdated systems that limit our growth.

‘Nigeria stands today at a crossroad. We can either embrace the potential that botany offers or remain tethered to outdated systems that limit our growth,’ he said.

Fashola emphasised that botany is a dynamic field that touches every sector of the society; hence, the country must be deliberate in harnessing its potential.

He explained that over two percent of the GDP of Netherlands is tied to botany-related activity, such as agriculture, vegetable farming, food farming, greenhouse, innovation, and agrotech, among others.

Similarly, he said that in India, centuries of deep botanical knowledge have led to global breakthroughs in plant-based medicine and wellness.

This, he stressed, is a good model for the country to emulate and grow its economy and become globally competitive.

He commended UNILAG for maintaining a biological garden, especially with the department of botany.

‘This should be more than just a green space. It must be a national treasure and a global opportunity. But it cannot reach its full potential without deliberate investment,’ he noted.

Fashola advocated for the establishment of a robust public-private partnership that will involve NGOs, companies, government agencies, and community stakeholders to transform the UNILAG’s biological garden into a reference of excellence, a place not only for research but for recreation, learning, and healing, among others.

In the same vein, Dele Olowokudejo, chairman of the anniversary event, reiterated that food security is a social security, stressing the need to preserve the plants.

‘The issue of sustainable living is central to other beings on earth. The science of conservation is key. We owe it a duty to look after other organisms,’ he said.

He maintained that human health and economic development is tied to how well a country optimises and invests in the development of botany potential, which he said, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of many of the botanic beings, though they exist there.

Peter Adeonipekun, head of the Department of Botany at UNILAG, said the department has come a long way and proven its worth in teaching, research, innovation and community services.

‘The University of Lagos, Department of Botany stands out with the number of sub-disciplines of botany in operation, apart from academic excellence, it is noted for.

The department has capabilities in plant taxonomy and biosystematics, molecular biology, mycology, plant pathology, algology, palynology, paleoecology, biostratigraphy , aerobiology, ethnobotany, plant histology, plant ecology, plant anatomy, plant conservation , and plant biotechnology,’ he said.

Besides, he said the UNILAG’s Department of Botany, has served as one of the best-rated centres for plant authentication, and voucher preservation in the world.

Ganiyu Oyetibo, dean, Faculty of Life Sciences at UNILAG urged the Lagos State government to provide the department with enough land to facilitate the students research and hand-on learning experiences.

He assured the state that the Botany Department will upscale the quality of the Eko Rice if given the opportunity through the needed partnership.

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the immediate past vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos and other past lecturers and alumni of the department grace the occasion.

The event also featured the launching of the anniversary project, ‘UNILAG Bioconservation Centre’, and awards.

Borders often divide nations, but in rare places, they unite them. Across the world, certain unique spots allow visitors to stand in three countries at once. Known as tripoints, these intersections reveal the shared layers of geography, history, and culture between neighbouring lands.

According to the International Journal of Tourism Space, Place and Environment, there are over 170 such points globally.

Far from being mere lines on a map, they serve as living symbols of connection, from river crossings to tranquil meadows, each telling a story of how borders can link, rather than separate, the world’s diverse nations.

Here are 7 places where you can stand in three countries at once, compiled by Condé Nast Traveller.

1. Dreiländereck (Switzerland Germany France)

In Basel, the Dreiländereck marks the point where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. A monument stands along the Rhine promenade, while the actual tripoint lies slightly upstream in the river. Long a centre of trade and cultural exchange between Romance and Germanic Europe, the area invites visitors to walk along the riverside, stop at cafés, and cross easily into Weil-am-Rhein in Germany or Saint-Louis in France.

The three-country marker, river promenade, gardens, and boat rides along the Rhine make it a calm yet symbolic stop. The site is easily reached from central Basel by tram, car, or on foot, and both Weil-am-Rhein and Saint-Louis are only minutes away.

2. Drielandenpunt (Netherlands Belgium Germany)

Near the Dutch town of Vaals, Drielandenpunt marks where the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet on a wooded hilltop that was once part of the former Neutral Moresnet territory. The stone marker sits at the highest point in the Netherlands and attracts families, hikers, and cyclists.

Visitors climb the Wilhelmina Tower for wide views over the three nations, wander through a giant hedge maze, or follow forest trails that weave through the borderlands. From Vaals, it’s a short drive or uphill walk, and the site also makes an easy day trip from Aachen in Germany or Liège in Belgium.

3. Treriksrøysa (Norway Finland Sweden)

Far north of the Arctic Circle, Treriksrøysa stands where Norway, Finland, and Sweden meet near Lake Goldajávri. Built in 1926, the concrete cairn sits amid open tundra, lakes, and pine forests, a shared wilderness that reflects Nordic cooperation.

In summer, hikers visit under endless daylight, while autumn and winter bring the glow of the aurora. The easiest route starts from Kilpisjärvi in Finland, following a marked 11-kilometre trail, though paths also lead from the Swedish and Norwegian sides.

4. Golden Triangle (Thailand Laos Myanmar)

In northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province, the Ruak River meets the Mekong to form the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge. Once known for the opium trade, the area has transformed into a centre for tourism and cross-border exchange.

At Ban Sop Ruak, visitors stand at the viewpoint overlooking all three nations, explore the Hall of Opium Museum, take long-tail boat rides on the Mekong, and shop in busy riverside markets. From Chiang Rai city, the trip takes about an hour by bus or taxi.

5. Picnic Table Tripoint (Slovakia Austria Hungary)

Just outside Bratislava, a forest clearing marks where Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary meet. A triangular picnic table painted with each nation’s flag symbolises the spot, a friendly reminder of unity since the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1920.

Many visitors sit with each person in a different country, then explore nearby forest paths or cycle through the Danube wetlands. The site lies about fifteen minutes from Bratislava by car, followed by a short walk, and can also be reached by bicycle from Rajka in Hungary or Kittsee in Austria.

6. Triple Frontier (Argentina Brazil Paraguay)

At the meeting of the Paraná and Iguazú rivers, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay face each other across the water at the Triple Frontier. Each side of the border is marked by an obelisk painted in national colours, and the surrounding cities, Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, are linked by trade, bridges, and tourism.

Travellers often explore Iguazú Falls from the different sides, take river safaris, and move between the three cities with ease. The frontier is accessible by air from Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu, or via bridge crossing from Ciudad del Este.

7. Trojmedzie (Poland Slovakia Czech Republic)

In the Beskid Mountains, Trojmedzie marks the border point shared by Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Small bridges and stone markers define the exact meeting spot, surrounded by meadows and wooded hills. Once a site of contested borders in the last century, it now represents peaceful cooperation within the European Union.

Visitors hike through the mountain trails, enjoy picnics by the stream, and stop in nearby villages such as Cierne, Hrcava, and Jaworzynka, each with its own local charm. The area is around two and a half hours by car from Kraków in Poland and about an hour from Ostrava or Žilina.

Kylian Mbappe says life in Real Madrid has given him the calm and balance he needed to reset both mentally and physically, as the France forward continues his blistering start to the new season.

The 26-year-old France captain has netted 14 goals in 10 appearances across all competitions so far, following a prolific debut campaign that saw him score 44 goals, even as Real Madrid fell short of major silverware.

Kylian Mbappe

Speaking ahead of France’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, Mbappe reflected on his move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid in June 2024, a transition he says has been as refreshing off the pitch as it has been rewarding on it.

‘No career is linear. There can be difficult years when you have to endure more hardship,’ Mbappe told reporters.

‘But I’ve adapted well to Madrid. I indeed feel more relaxed here. This isn’t a criticism of France, but life in Madrid is different, less hectic than in Paris.’

Mbappe admitted that the change of environment has been key to rediscovering his rhythm and focus.

‘I’ve managed to get myself back on track, to get my head and legs back in the right place. It’s part of growing as a man and as a player. But it’s only October, the season is long, and there’s still a lot to achieve.’

Mbappe, who left PSG as their all-time top scorer with 256 goals after winning six Ligue 1 titles and four French Cups, remains equally ambitious at the international level.

France are currently top of Group D in World Cup qualifying, and Mbappe is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record, just five goals shy of Giroud’s tally of 57.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, destroying several clusters of illegal crude oil refining sites hidden deep within the creeks of Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State.

According to a statement released on Friday, by Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the operation took place on 7 October 2025 as part of ongoing counter-oil theft missions under the Air Component of the joint security efforts in the region.

NAF said that the precision airstrikes were conducted following credible intelligence that identified active illegal refining activities concealed in a densely forested area near Owaza.

‘Surveillance confirmed the location was isolated, with no visible human presence, before the aircraft engaged the targets and successfully neutralised the illegal sites.

‘These strikes form part of the sustained efforts of the Nigerian Air Force to combat economic sabotage and environmental degradation caused by crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta,’ the statement read.

However, following the operation, a local group alleged that the airstrikes may have affected a gin distillery in Umuebele community, though no casualties were reported.

In response, NAF activated its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) to verify the situation.

It emphasised that the service remains committed to transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices in all its operations.

‘The Nigerian Air Force operates with precision and utmost care to avoid civilian harm. In keeping with our commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians, we will thoroughly investigate the allegations and take appropriate actions,’ NAF added.

The NAF reaffirmed its determination to continue supporting other security agencies in combating criminal activities across the country while maintaining its constitutional role of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the reopening of its student verification portal for a final 48-hour period to allow tertiary institutions that have yet to complete their student verification exercise to do so.

According to a statement signed by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director, Strategic Communications, NELFUND, the portal will be accessible from 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

NELFUND explained that the extension is aimed at ensuring that all eligible students are duly captured and verified by their respective institutions as part of the ongoing 2024/2025 loan application process.

The Fund urged all institutions to take advantage of this final opportunity, warning that failure to complete the exercise within the stipulated period would lead to forfeiture of participation in the current loan cycle, a situation that would ultimately deny their students access to the education loan scheme.

‘This extension is intended to ensure that all eligible students are duly captured and verified by their respective institutions as part of the ongoing 2024/2025 NELFUND loan application process.

‘Institutions are strongly advised to make full use of this final opportunity. Failure to complete the verification process within the stipulated period will result in the affected institutions forfeiting participation in the current loan cycle, a situation that will, regrettably, disadvantage their students who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the loan scheme.

‘In the interest of transparency and accountability, the list of defaulting institutions will be published alongside this press release.,’ the statement reads

Reaffirming its commitment to equitable access to higher education, the Fund emphasised that it remains dedicated to ensuring efficient, transparent, and inclusive management of the Nigerian Education Loan Scheme to support students across the country.

Let’s be honest, not many people have wardrobes that never runs dry, and wearing the same outfit twice is not the scandal people make it out to be. The real trick lies in disguise: how you rewear what you already own in a way that looks fresh. Changing the context, adding small twists, or shifting the overall presentation can make a familiar outfit feel entirely new.

No matter the event, these tips will help you repeat clothes without anyone noticing.

Play with layering

Layering is fashion’s easiest disguise, it is about reinventing what you already own. Throw a crisp shirt under a sleeveless dress or throw a corset over a shirt you have worn before. Layers create depth, shift proportions, and make even the simplest piece look like something new. If done right, you could wear the same base outfit three times in one week and no one would notice.

Swap accessories

Accessories are the easiest way to transform an outfit’s mood. A neutral dress with gold hoops and heels says ‘evening,’ but the same dress with trainers and a tote bag says ‘weekend.’ Switch your jewellery, bag, or shoes, and suddenly it looks like you have put together something new. The secret is contrast, if you went bold the first time, go minimal the next.

Rework with outerwear

A jacket can change everything. Throw on a structured blazer to sharpen your look or a kimono for something relaxed and easy. Even a simple denim or leather jacket can disguise a repeat outfit instantly. The trick is to let the outerwear become the new talking point, it draws attention while the base outfit quietly does its job underneath.

Tuck, tie, or roll

Sometimes, all an outfit needs is a small tweak. Tie your shirt at the waist instead of tucking it in, roll up your sleeves, or half-tuck a blouse for a looser, lived-in look. These little adjustments shift proportions and make a familiar outfit feel fresh without spending a naira.

Change your hairstyle and makeup

When you repeat clothes, let your hair and makeup tell a new story. A ponytail and red lipstick will make the same outfit look different from when you wore it with curls and nude tones. People notice your overall appearance first, so if your face and hair feel new, they are less likely to notice you have worn that top before.

Mix it up on camera

If your concern is social media, play with angles, lighting, and backgrounds. Take your outfit photo indoors the first time, and outdoors the next. A mirror selfie looks different from a street-style shot.

When Michael Olagunju talks about roads, he doesn’t just see layers of asphalt and stone. He sees stories of innovation, sustainability, and a deep conviction that engineering can change lives.

The transportation engineer, now with MacArthur Associated Consultants in Oklahoma, has charted a path that bridges the digital and the physical, technology and infrastructure in Nigeria and the United States.

‘I’ve always been a civil engineer at heart,’ Olagunju said. ‘Technology was something I stumbled into, but civil engineering was always my foundation.’

That foundation was laid at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated among the top five in his class. During his undergraduate years, curiosity pushed him beyond the drafting board.

What began with AutoCAD and Orion design tools led him into UI/UX, graphics design, and eventually software development. By his final year, Olagunju was working remotely as a front-end developer and later as a product manager for a startup, earning about N2.3 million monthly.

Yet, even as his tech career accelerated, something kept pulling him back to the tactile world of bridges and pavements. ‘My passion for civil engineering never went away,’ he recalls. ‘I wanted to see the physical impact of what I was building, not just on a screen, but on communities.’

Engineering with Purpose

That conviction took him across the Atlantic to Oklahoma State University, where he earned his master’s degree in civil engineering with a specialisation in transportation engineering. There, Olagunju immersed himself in asphalt pavement research, investigating performance issues like rutting, cracking, and moisture susceptibility problems that plague roads worldwide, from the highways of the U.S. Midwest to the corridors of Lagos and Abuja.

His research focused on one of the most pressing questions in infrastructure today: how to make roads more sustainable and longer-lasting. A central theme was the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), a recycled material that helps reduce waste, lower production costs, and cut carbon emissions.

‘The use of RAP supports global sustainability goals,’ Olagunju explains. ‘It aligns with SDG 9 on infrastructure, SDG 12 on responsible consumption, and SDG 13 on climate action.’

By integrating recycled materials without compromising durability, Olagunju’s work pushes forward a new vision of road construction, one that is smarter, greener, and more cost-effective.

Redefining pavement standards

In one of his projects, conducted in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), Olagunju proposed new, more accurate criteria for evaluating asphalt mixes. This achievement has earned him recognition within the U.S. transportation research community.

Traditionally, engineers measured rutting resistance using a metric called the Total Rut Depth (TRD). But as Olagunju observed, the TRD failed to distinguish between rutting caused by plastic deformation and that caused by stripping when moisture weakens the bond between asphalt binder and aggregate.

He proposed the adoption of the Corrected Rut Depth (CRD), which isolates plastic deformation from stripping to yield more reliable results, using this parameter. (The CRD which was developed by a researcher called F.Yin at NCAT.

‘It’s a simple shift in measurement,’ he explains, ‘but one that improves how we interpret performance data and, ultimately, how we build stronger roads.’

He also provided performance criteria for using the Stripping Number (SN) as a replacement for the inconsistent Stripping Inflection Point (SIP) used to assess moisture susceptibility. The SN provides a clearer signal for when moisture damage begins, helping engineers make better material and design choices.

Even more compelling, his team evaluated a faster, field-friendly testing device, the Indirect Tensile Test at High Temperature (IDT-HT), which can deliver results in under three minutes, compared to the six-hour testing window required by traditional methods.

From the lab to the podium

Olagunju’s findings were not just confined to the lab. Earlier this year, he presented his research at the prestigious Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., the world’s largest gathering of transportation experts.

His paper, co-authored with ODOT’s Asphalt Branch Manager, delved into evaluating Oklahoma’s asphalt mixes using the newly proposed metrics and the correlations among the various rutting parameters.

‘To get accepted for a podium presentation at TRB, your paper has to go through a rigorous peer-review process,’ he said. ‘It was a proud moment to share research that could help improve real-world infrastructure performance.’

Building on a tradition of excellence

At MacArthur Associated Consultants, where Olagunju now works as a transportation engineer, he’s applying those insights directly to field projects. One that stands out is the Lindsey Street project in Norman, Oklahoma, a corridor that had long suffered from flooding and traffic congestion.

Olagunju’s team is currently redesigning the roadway with integrated stormwater drainage solutions, transforming a problem-plagued area into a model of resilience.

‘For us, excellence isn’t just about technical precision,’ he said. ‘It’s about designing systems that respond to community needs and stand the test of time.’

Despite his growing footprint in the U.S., Olagunju remains deeply connected to Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges. He believes the country’s biggest roadblocks are not in technical capability but in planning, accountability, and maintenance.

‘Many Nigerian roads fail not because they were poorly built, but because they were never maintained,’ he said. ‘Timely resurfacing, like micro-surfacing or overlays, could save billions. But we wait too long and end up rebuilding from scratch.’

His message to Nigeria’s policymakers is clear: plan beyond political cycles and commit to preventive maintenance.

And to young Nigerian engineers dreaming of global opportunities, he said, ‘See international exposure not as an escape, but as a platform to learn and give back. The real value lies in applying what you’ve learned to solve problems at home.’

Engineering for home and the future

Looking ahead, Olagunju envisions becoming a licensed professional engineer leading large-scale, sustainable transport projects, bridging research and practice in both the U.S. and Africa.

But beyond titles and accolades, his mission remains to mentor younger engineers and champion a culture of lifelong learning.

‘Engineering is demanding,’ he admits. ‘But knowing that your work directly impacts people’s lives, that’s what keeps you going.’

Quoting philosopher Eric Hoffer, he adds: ‘In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future.’

For Michael Olagunju, that future is already taking shape layer by layer, road by road, from Oklahoma to Nigeria, one sustainable pavement at a time.

Members of the Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie (UUBO) have advocated stakeholder collaboration in implementing the Nigerian Data Protection NDP Act.

They spoke at a Data privacy breakfast held in Lagos recently.

Themed, ‘the GAID in practice: Navigating Nigeria’s New Privacy Directives,’ Managing Partner at UUBO Jumoke Lambo, in her welcome remarks, disclosed the event was organised to provide opportunity for regulators, policymakers, in-house counsel, data protection officers, and industry leaders exchange insights on the implementation of the Nigerian Data Protection (NDP) Act General Application and Implementation Directives (GAID).

Saying the NDP landscape continues to evolve, she added the regulator, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), continues to set the pace as one of the most active data protection authorities across the continent.

In his presentation, Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) described the GAID as operational blueprint for NDP Act, 2023, issued by the Commission on March 20th 2025.

With the aim of providing clarity and practical guidance on implementation of the NDP Act, 2023, he disclosed the Act takes effect from September 19th 2025, replacing the NDPR 2019 as the nation’s principal regulatory guide.

Specifically, Olatunji spoke on Principles of Data Protection; NDP Act Compliance Audit Returns; Data Protection Officer’s Assessment; Data Privacy Impact Assessment; Guidance on Cross-Border Data Transfer; Data Subject Vulnerability Indexes; legitimate Interest Impact Assessment Template; Data Subject’s Standard Notice to Address Grievances and NDP Act Compliance Audit Returns Filing Fee.

Speaking further, he added complying with the NDP Act GAID is not just a regulatory requirement, but a strategic enabler for trust, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Concerning Data Protection Officers (DPO), he said their contact must be publicly available and communicated to the Commission; annual credential assessment of DPOs will be conducted to ensure they maintain requisite level of professionalism to carry out their responsibilities; the DPO is required to submit a semi-annual report to management on the data protection status within the organization; the DPO should have unrestricted access to personal data and processing activities to effectively fulfil their role; the DPO must operate independently, free from undue influence to ensure objectivity; the DPO must maintain confidentiality regarding their work.’

In conclusion, he noted, ‘the successful implementation of the NDP Act depends on cooperation among all stakeholders (data subjects, government, businesses, Civil Society Organisations and the media). Through this collective effort, we can transform compliance into opportunity, strengthening governance, improving services, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.’

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in partnership with Johnson and Johnson, has officially kicked off the 2025 edition of its Winning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design (WiSTEM2D) program, designed to inspire secondary school students to explore careers in STEM and equip them with the skills to thrive in the 21st-century workforce.

This year’s program adopts a blended learning approach, combining digital tools with in-person engagements to strengthen problem-solving skills, boost confidence, and bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.

? The 2025 program commenced with the National WiSTEM2D Innovation Camp, which brought together 66 top-performing students for a full-day immersive learning experience. Students engaged in career conversations with STEM professionals, explored creativity and problem-solving through design thinking workshops, and showcased their ideas in an ideathon and pitch contest before industry experts-gaining exposure, skills, and confidence for future opportunities.

The innovation and pitch contest produced three outstanding winning teams:

? 1st Place: Festac Senior College, Festac Town, represented by Betiku Adedolapo, Okorocha Mmesoma, Davidson Chioma, and Igwe Mmaduabuchi, for their solution on decentralized waste and recycling stations, bringing disposal points closer to communities.

? 1st Runner-Up: Bola Ige Millennium Senior Secondary School, represented by Giwa Faridat Oluwafunmilayo, Anozie Ngozi Maryolivia, Nnodim Goodness, Enukoha Mary, Omonigho Joy, for their innovative Automated BinBot, designed to separate dry and wet waste, reducing pollution and improving community sanitation. ? 2nd Runner-Up: Lagos State Senior Model College represented by Ezeanya Chisom, Johnchukwu Confidence, Chukwuka Favour, Nnedu Chukwuemeka, for their solution combining health awareness campaigns with practical waste management strategies, encouraging the replacement of single-use plastics with reusable alternatives and turning organic waste into fertilizer.

Speaking at the event, Mr Olaolu Akogun, Assistant Director of Programs, Junior Achievement Nigeria, said:

‘We are excited to continue our collaboration with Johnson and Johnson through the WiSTEM2D program. This initiative breaks barriers in STEM by equipping young leaders with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed. We are confident that it will inspire a new generation of innovators and change-makers to drive Nigeria and Africa’s future.’

Representing Johnson and Johnson Nigeria, Ms. Jaiyesimi Oyefunke, Country Lead, said:

Quote from Johnson and Johnson

While the Innovation Camp has directly impacted 66 students through its immersive, hands-on learning experience, this is just the beginning. The next phase of the WiSTEM2D program, the online STEM Challenge, will commence in the coming week, engaging over 750 additional students across Nigeria.

Through this interactive digital learning platform, students will explore STEM concepts in fun, competitive, and accessible ways, ensuring that the program’s impact goes beyond the Camp. This next stage will broaden participation, spark fresh ideas, and nurture even more young innovators ready to take on real-world challenges.

With this momentum, the program is set to inspire not just a handful of winners, but a nationwide movement of young innovators ready to lead Nigeria into the future.