Category: Business Day

The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has approved the N140 billion budgetary provision for the commission in 2025, with a charge to ensure prudent and transparent utilisation of the funds once the Senate gives its final approval.

The endorsement came after Tsenyil Yiltsen, the Managing Director of the Commission, appeared before Titus Zam-led Committee on Tuesday to defend the proposal.

Announcing the approval, Titus Zam, who chairs the Senate Committee, stated, ‘After a careful look at the issues contained in the budget and the eloquent presentation by the MD and his team, the committee has approved the budget of N140 billion as presented by the Commission.’

In his presentation, Yiltsen explained that the Federal Government allocated N140 billion to the commission for the fiscal year, with N100 billion set aside for capital expenditure across the six States of the North Central region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while the remaining N40 billion will cover recurrent expenditure, including overhead and personnel costs.

He clarified that the N100 billion capital vote was intended for multiple projects across the states rather than a single project.

‘We have eight thematic areas in terms of infrastructure deployment, which are security, agriculture, mining, environmental degradation, education, health, road construction, etc,’ he said. Yiltsen assured lawmakers that the Commission would implement projects equitably across all the states in the zone and the FCT.

‘We will go out for proper needs assessment in all the states and will be fair in the distribution of these projects in all the six states and FCT,’ he added.

On the recurrent component, he disclosed that a large portion of the N40 billion would go towards the salaries of 200 new staff, pending approval of their recruitment by the Office of the Head of Service.

While commending the Commission’s presentation, the committee tasked the NCDC to ensure judicious application of the funds, particularly the N100 billion earmarked for capital projects.

It also called on State Governments in the North Central region and the FCT to provide office accommodations for branches of the commission in their respective States.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), has awarded 235 accounting and finance professionals in Nigeria with their Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certificates, and their CGMA designation at its 2025 convocation ceremony. The convocation ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend.

Acclaimed as the world’s leading and largest professional body of management accountants, CIMA training, which is recognised in over 170 countries, equips candidates with skills such as accounting knowledge, risk management, business leadership, decision-making, performance evaluation, and financial analysis that prepare them for senior management roles.

The 235 candidates will also benefit from the large global community of CGMA holders, granting them access to a global network of business and finance leaders as well as providing them with career support and continuous professional development.

Tariro Mutizwa, vice president – Africa, who was present at the certification ceremony, commended the candidates for their hard work, dedication and commitment to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their CGMA. She assured them that the certification has paved the way for promising careers as they have been equipped to meet not only today’s business demands but also future business needs.

‘I am pleased to welcome a new generation of Nigerian accounting and finance professionals into our esteemed profession in Nigeria. Their dedication, hard work, and unrelenting commitment have paved the way for promising careers built on a solid foundation of knowledge and skill,’ Mutizwa said. ‘These future leaders are equipped not only to meet the demands of today’s business landscape but to shape what comes next, driving innovation, integrity, and excellence across their organisations. May their journey be marked by continuous growth, meaningful impact, and enduring success.’ Ijeoma Anadozie, country director of CIMA in Nigeria, was also full of praises for the candidates. The country director said the certification has positioned the candidates to seize a world of exciting professional opportunities.

‘Completing the CGMA Professional Qualification is a testament to our CGMA candidates’ commitment and passion. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of our Nigerian CGMA candidates on this outstanding achievement,’ Anadozie said.

According to the country director, ‘Earning the CGMA designation signifies that they are not only highly skilled and commercially astute, but also purpose-driven professionals who champion sustainable business performance and long-term value creation – positioning them to seize a world of exciting professional opportunities.’

Holders of CGMA can function across a broad spectrum of units in organisations as Risk Managers, Financial Analysts, Strategy Consultants, and Management Accounts, among other critical accounting and auditing roles.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called for more robust access to environmental information in Nigeria, warning that the absence of timely and reliable data is undermining efforts to address the country’s worsening environmental and climate challenges.

The call was made on Monday during the launch of a new report, ‘Access to Environmental Information and the Cost of Ignorance in Nigeria,’ which coincided with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).

The report highlights the mounting risks posed by deforestation, flooding, desertification, oil pollution in the Niger Delta, poor plastic waste management, and declining air and water quality.

According to MRA, these issues are not only threatening ecosystems and public health but are also costing Nigeria billions of dollars in infrastructure damage, displacing communities, and endangering national stability.

Speaking at the launch, Ayomide Eweje, Programme Officer, MRA, said Nigeria already has a layered framework of laws and international obligations that could serve as a strong foundation for environmental accountability, including the Freedom of Information Act, Climate Change Act, and Environmental Impact Assessment Act.

However, she noted that weak enforcement, lack of proactive disclosure by public institutions, and poor citizen engagement remain major obstacles.

‘Without meaningful and effective access to environmental information, citizens cannot protect their health and livelihoods or hold decision-makers accountable’, Eweje said. ‘Ensuring access is not just about legal compliance; it is about empowering people to safeguard their future.’

The report also underscores the potential of digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to strengthen environmental monitoring and public access to real-time data.

Yet, it warns that structural inequalities-particularly the exclusion of rural communities and women from decision-making-continue to threaten Nigeria’s environmental governance.

To address these gaps, MRA urged federal and state governments to strengthen and enforce laws mandating proactive disclosure of environmental data in digital, user-friendly formats, establish centralised, open-access data portals on pollution, deforestation, water quality, and climate risks invest in broadband expansion, solar-powered hubs, and community ICT centres to bridge the rural digital divide.

The organisation also called on civil society, the media, academia, and the private sector to collaborate in monitoring environmental hazards and ensuring that information is accessible, comprehensible, and actionable.

Eweje stressed that transparency and public participation are critical to preventing further environmental devastation in Nigeria.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated ?26 million in educational support for children affected by conflict in Plateau State, marking a major intervention in the region’s long-running humanitarian crisis.

Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS, announced the donation on Monday during the launch of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Dialogue at a two-day workshop in Jos.

The workshop, organised through a collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, the European Union’s Support Programme for African Peace and Security, attracted the Child Protection Network, PLACEMA and the Press Research and Development Institute, among others

Ugbe said in addition to the education fund, ECOWAS also committed ?56 million worth of food and essential non-food items to displaced families across affected communities. According to the director, the gesture was more than charity-it was a ‘powerful affirmation’ of solidarity with children, families, and communities who continue to suffer the effects of prolonged conflict.

‘This is not just another talking workshop, as ECOWAS, we are demonstrating solidarity through action:26 million Naira in educational assistance to children affected by conflict in Plateau.

‘This is not charity – it is an affirmation. It says to every child in Plateau State: You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone. ‘This dialogue – as you are aware – is anchored on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It is an integrated approach that seeks to support women and children in communities affected by conflict. These are the voices too often silenced, the lives most disrupted by violence – yet they are at the very heartbeat of our communities.

‘This collaboration brings together the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, the European Union’s Support Programme for African Peace and Security, the Plateau State Government, and many of the agencies represented here today. It is a shining example of how the HDP nexus works in practice,’ she said.

Ugbe described the HDP Dialogue as a movement that places women and children at the centre of recovery and peacebuilding. Julie Sandra, the Director, Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA), highlighted the findings from recent assessments, which revealed that over 30,000 people have been displaced in Plateau State, many of them children facing exploitation, trauma, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

According to Sandra, 72% of displaced children have experienced violent attacks, while 55% have endured prolonged school closures.

Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State (SGS), represented by Timothy Gayi, permanent secretary, policies and general services reaffirmed government commitment to aligning relief efforts with the administration’s first policy pillar-Peace and Security.

He emphasised that sustainable peace requires access to livelihoods, social protection, and resilience-building, not just emergency aid.

In Nigeria, the condition of roads can be challenging for drivers during the rainy season, ranging from full drainage systems to potholes and traffic jams, making it difficult for car owners to navigate their way. Therefore, knowing how to take care of your vehicle is essential for safety and avoiding costly repairs.

Rainy seasons can cause rust and corrosion, especially on metal parts, while also damaging electrical components through moisture ingress, which can lead to short circuits and malfunctions in systems such as the engine, lights, and sensors.

Water entering the engine can cause damage, while persistent exposure to rainwater can promote mould and mildew growth inside the car. Other components, like brakes and batteries, can also fail due to increased usage and exposure to moisture.

Keeping your cars in good condition in all seasons not only preserves value but also keeps them safe on the road.

Regardless of these challenges, in no particular order, here are several car care tips every driver needs to know this rainy season.

Windshield wipers

Windshield wipers should be replaced either 6 months to a year or as soon as you notice some difficulties in driving visibility in the rain. Keep your wiper fluid filled to the brim

Replace wipers if they leave streaks or squeal. Squeaking, skipping, and smearing begin when your wiper no longer makes proper contact with your windshield. Clean, check, or change if needed.

Check your tyres

This is one of the basic car care tips you should know. Check the thread depth, maintain your tyre pressure; both over- and under-inflation can be risky in wet conditions.

Bald tyres increase the risk of hydroplaning (that’s when your tyres lose grip and your car feels like it’s ice-skating)

Hydroplaning is when water builds up between your tyres and the road, making you temporarily lose control. Brakes

Get your brakes checked (pads, discs, and fluid), avoid sudden braking in rain; pump brakes gently, and listen for any screeching or softness in the pedal. You need to have a good braking system.

Don’t be in a hurry while driving in the rain; slowing down will reduce the risks of being in an unexpected event, just relax.

Car battery

Check your car battery condition always, as heavy use of electrical components in the rain can strain it.

Keep the battery and its terminals clean to prevent corrosion, and check its terminals for any signs of damage or corrosion. If the battery gets wet, allow it to dry completely before use.

Car lights

Rain reduces visibility for everyone, so you need to check if your lights are functioning properly, both the headlights and brake lights.

Clean headlights to prevent cloudiness and check for cracks that could let water in. Good lighting is one of the simplest safety tips for rainy season driving. Use hazard lights while driving in the rain.

Rusting

Do not drive through deep water, as it can cause significant engine and electrical damage.

Apply an anti-rust coating to the undercarriage, use silicone-based lubricants on door hinges and locks, and clean your car regularly to avoid mud buildup.

Anti-rust coating is a spray or sealant that protects your car’s metal parts from rusting due to moisture.

JAC Motors, a leading Chinese truck manufacturer, has urged the federal government to fast-track the signing of Nigeria’s automotive policy into law, describing it as a critical move that will unlock foreign investments, deepen local assembly operations, and reduce reliance on imported used vehicles.

The call was made by Oscar Yu, general manager, JAC Motors, during a strategic visit to Lanre Shittu Motors’ JAC truck assembly plant located along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos.

Describing Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) as a great partner, Yu praised the company’s efforts in assembling JAC trucks locally, amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.

He stressed that a properly legislated automotive policy would attract more Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) into the country, enabling the production of affordable, brand-new trucks with better return on investment for buyers. ‘We are ready to work closely with the Nigerian government to grow the automotive sector. Signing the policy into law will help stabilise investors’ confidence and encourage more local assembly,’ Yu said.

He also highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s vast market of over 200 million people, noting that with the right policy environment, JAC could help bridge the gap between the dominance of used vehicles and the availability of affordable, high-quality new trucks.

Yu noted that continued importation of used vehicles hurts the economy by limiting job creation and undermining local production capacity.

‘Nigeria is a huge market with great potential. With local technical talent and a supportive government policy, the country can become a hub for truck manufacturing in West Africa,’ he added. On the partnership with Lanre Shittu Motors, Yu expressed satisfaction with the progress so far, pledging continued support in areas such as technical training, spare parts supply, and after-sales service.

‘We take care of our partners, customers, and staff. Our products are of high quality, and we believe that’s our biggest selling point. We’re happy with what LSM has done and are fully committed to growing this partnership,’ he affirmed. LSM recently commenced delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered JAC trucks equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), among others, for maximum safety features.

Taiwo Shittu, managing director of Lanre Shittu Motors, in his remarks, described JAC as an exceptional partner.

‘JAC is the most supportive company we’ve worked with. They are sincere, respectful, and always deliver on their promises. They value our culture and treat us as true partners,’ he said.

Saheed Shittu, executive director of finance at LSM, called the visit by JAC’s top management historic and strategic, noting that it would further cement the relationship between both companies.

Lanre Shittu Motors assembles JAC heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks in Nigeria and has consistently won awards for its quality by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards.

‘We remain committed to providing customers with reliable automotive products, backed by strong after-sales service and genuine parts. This partnership is helping us achieve that,’ Saheed said.