Category: Business Day

Stakeholders in business, governance and civil society gathered in Lagos at a one-day conference organised by Elite Club, focused on the theme ‘Leadership and Executive Presence: Leading in Uncertain Times.’

The conference x-rayed practical strategies for decision-making, resilience, and influence as leaders navigate economic volatility, policy shifts, and rapid global disruptions.

Speakers emphasised that executive presence in today’s environment goes beyond titles, requiring clarity of vision, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire trust amid uncertainty.

Keynote speakers and panellists drawn from the corporate, public and development sectors shared insights on crisis communication, adaptive leadership, and building high-performing teams.

Participants also engaged in interactive sessions on personal branding, stakeholder management, and leading through ambiguity.

In her opening remarks, the convener of the conference, Kelechi Oghene, explained that the conference was designed to equip both senior executives and emerging leaders with tools to stay grounded and drive results.

According to her, leadership today is being tested like never before, stressing that executive presence is not about having all the answers; it is about showing up with confidence, empathy, and the courage to make tough decisions when the path forward is unclear.

Speaking on ‘Leading through crisis without losing direction ‘, Managing Director, Zenith Carex International, Adelana Olamilekan described leadership as a key factor to drive any vision and dream, adding, ‘For any nation to be well governed, the rule of leadership cannot be ruined. Leaders play a very vital role in governing the citizens and directing the affairs of the citizens.

‘There are good leaders and bad leaders. When a nation is governed through good leaders, then the nation prospers. The same thing is also likened to every business.

‘When we have leaders that already have games of any organisation, be it the public or private sector, such organisations do well,

‘There are a lot of situations that have to come when leading. Whether you are leading people in an organisation, in government offices, or even among citizens. We know that times are a bit challenging at the moment, and our business is also human.

‘As human beings, we could fall ill at any point in time. We are vulnerable. The same way we fall sick, we get treated, and we become okay. The same thing is also likened to any business. So, in a situation like this, it is expected that every organisation has to navigate. ‘They have to look at their company policy and corporate governance to ensure that certain decisions that will be taken will be such a decision that can reposition the company for profitability and also ensure certain risks.

‘Certain negative risks are not taken at this time, and also certain investments that are not viable should not be taken at this time. If all these are put into consideration, I think it’s very easy for everyone to navigate.’

Speaking on ‘Leading in uncertain times’, founder of Rinwa Reality, Adunni Rinwa, urged business leaders to prioritise transparency, adaptability, and people-first decision-making.

He noted that in periods of economic volatility and policy shifts, organisations that communicate clearly with staff and customers, while remaining flexible in operations, are better positioned to stay resilient and maintain public trust.

The conference ended with a call to action for participants to translate insights into practice within their organisations and communities.

Organisers said Elite Club will continue to host platforms that develop ethical, forward-thinking leaders equipped to drive impact across Nigeria and beyond.

It is interesting to note that Elite Club is a professional network of executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders committed to excellence in leadership, governance, and service.

Through conferences, masterclasses, and mentorship programmes, the Club provides a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and peer collaboration aimed at shaping the next generation of leaders in Nigeria and across Africa.

Tomi Falade, a Lagos-based journalist has unveiled two historical plays, ‘Alayemore: The Twice-Crowned King’ and ‘Orompotoniyun: 12 Nights For A Crown’, following the successful release of her first two books, ‘Olobun: Matriarch of Ondo, Mother of Legacy.’

‘I’ve always loved stories and I believe that Africa, Nigeria, and by extension, the Yoruba people have a wealth of stories no one is talking about. I think it is time to begin to own those stories and tell them unashamedly,’ Falade stated, during the recent unveiling tagged, ‘The Tomi Falade Book Party 2.0; A Cocktail Affair.’

Falade, who described herself as a tool breathing life into history, transported the audience into the imagined conversations that may have taken place during the historical events that shaped the stories.

According to Falade, the comedic historical drama flips an Oyo empire story, making it part historical ‘faction,’ part Shakespearean chaos, by putting a spin on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

She added that her latest pursuit is reimagining history by bringing the unpopular stories into limelight. ‘My books are not gospel truth. Let me be clear: my plays are works of ‘faction’, not a historical thesis. I have taken deliberate creative liberties: shifting timelines, blending modern rhythms, and amplifying human drama, to create texts built for the stage.

‘I encourage people to consult royal bards and custodians of oral tradition for the exact stories and timelines when these works pique their interest. I have merely given readers a taste of these stories and I believe that a taste is all that is needed to spark interest,’ Falade stated.

‘Alayemore’ recounts the journey embarked on by Obalufon Alayemore, an Ooni of Ile-Ife, who was displaced by Oranmiyan, founded Efon Alaaye, and later returned to the throne following Oranmiyan’s departure, earning the distinction of being the twice-crowned king.

On the other hand, ‘Orompotoniyun’ revisits the story of the first and only woman to ever rule as Alaafin of the Oyo Empire, Ajiun Orompotoniyun.

Taye Ige, president/CEO, HS Media Group, stated that the author’s first two books reveal that she is not confined to one literary register. According to him, the author can explore the humorous complications of contemporary relationships in one work and then enter the demanding terrain of history, royalty, exile, identity and legacy in another.

‘Today’s presentation of two additional books confirms that her first outing was no literary accident. Tomi is steadily and deliberately building a distinct body of work. Four books within such a relatively short period represent not only talent but discipline, courage and remarkable creative productivity,’ Ige stated.

Praise Adeoti is a software engineer and entrepreneur passionate about building impactful fintech and AI products. He is currently a Frontend Engineer at AskYourPDF, building AI tools for document interaction, and the Co-Founder and CEO of Collectiva, a platform digitising operation for cooperative societies across Africa. Praise specialises in taking early-stage ideas from concept to launch, combining technical execution with product-led business strategy. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he spoke on how member contribution histories and peer-guarantor data within cooperative platforms can be structured to assess loan eligibility while retaining human board oversight, as well as how Nigeria’s Open Banking framework and banking APIs can be leveraged by niche management platforms to automate instant payment verification and loan disbursements for informal financial groups. Excerpts:

How has your background in petroleum engineering shaped your analytical approach, and which core engineering principles guided your transition into software and financial technology?

My interest in software development began during my first year at the University of Ibadan. Although I was pursuing a degree in petroleum engineering, I was simultaneously learning programming, starting with Fortran and later progressing to Python. I discovered a strong affinity for programming and logical problem-solving, which prompted me to continue building systems alongside my core academic studies.

While petroleum engineering provided a rigorous analytical foundation, my passion for technology had taken root long before graduation. By the time I completed my studies in 2023, I had determined that my future lay in software engineering.

The primary intersection between engineering and software lies in the methodology of problem-solving. Both disciplines require a granular understanding of complex systems, the ability to decompose large problems into manageable components, and the application of practical solutions. That structured approach has proven invaluable, particularly when architecting financial technology products with multiple interdependent variables.

How can digital platforms like Collectiva streamline onboarding for traditional cooperative executives who may have limited technical literacy or hesitation towards cloud-based record keeping?

The primary objective is not to demand that cooperative executives become technical experts overnight. Instead, we design intuitive systems, guide users through the initial setup, and provide continuous operational support throughout the onboarding lifecycle.

Many of these cooperative societies have operated for decades using physical ledgers, spreadsheets, or other manual processes. We do not advocate for the immediate abandonment of established workflows in favour of radical change. Rather, we analyse their existing operational models and systematically transition those processes onto the digital platform. We offer hands-on training for administrators and executives to ensure complete operational comfort. Technology must continuously adapt to the user, rather than forcing the user to adapt to the technology.

Given local network instability across non-metropolitan areas in Nigeria, what architectural patterns best ensure robust offline transaction logging and subsequent cloud ledger reconciliation?

Designing software for the Nigerian market requires explicit recognition of variable internet connectivity. A user operating in central Lagos may enjoy stable connectivity, whereas a user in a regional location may experience frequent network disruptions mid-transaction. Systems must be engineered around this infrastructure reality. For mission-critical operations, particularly financial transactions, local data retention is essential to prevent data loss during connectivity drops. Implementing a local transaction queue allows actions to be stored securely on the device and synchronised with the central server once connectivity is restored.

However, local storage is only half the challenge; the primary technical hurdle is preventing duplicate processing upon reconnection. This requires robust architectural mechanisms, including unique transaction identifiers, idempotency keys, and comprehensive reconciliation protocols. The system must reliably verify whether a transaction has already been ingested to prevent financial discrepancies.

How can member contribution history and peer-guarantor data within a cooperative platform be structured to evaluate loan eligibility without completely removing human board oversight?

Software should complement, rather than supplant, the decision-making authority of a cooperative’s leadership. A defining characteristic of cooperative societies is that board members possess qualitative context regarding individual applicants. Technology should enhance that governance model rather than eliminate it.

The platform aggregates key metrics, such as contribution consistency, total savings, historical borrowing behavior, repayment reliability, and outstanding liabilities. Concurrently, it evaluates the financial standing of nominated guarantors, assessing their membership status, savings balances, existing liabilities, and prior guarantee commitments.

By consolidating disparate financial records into a unified dashboard, the system provides loan committees with a clear, comprehensive credit profile. Ultimately, final approval authority remains with the board, supported by structured data to drive informed credit decisions.

What product strategies allow a cooperative management SaaS to stay flexible enough to support varying state-level cooperative laws across Nigeria while enforcing standard accounting practices?

This operational requirement was identified early in the development of Collectiva. Operating frameworks vary significantly across different cooperative societies and regional jurisdictions.

During onboarding, we assess each organisation’s specific operational rules, including contribution schedules, loan approval hierarchies, interest calculation methodologies, and authorization matrixes. The platform is then configured to mirror those parameters. Digital transformation should not require an organisation to dismantle functional, legacy processes.

However, flexibility must coexist with regulatory compliance. Core accounting principles and statutory requirements remain strictly enforced within the platform architecture. By maintaining a standardised, immutable core ledger alongside configurable operational modules, the platform seamlessly accommodates diverse regional mandates while maintaining financial integrity.

Beyond core ledger administration, what embedded features drive active daily or weekly engagement from members?

Cooperative management software must extend beyond back-office accounting functions. Individual members are primarily concerned with immediate personal metrics: current savings balances, outstanding loan balances, transaction confirmations, accrued interest, and upcoming payment schedules.

Integrating features such as real-time transaction notifications, contribution tracking, automated repayment schedules, and digital account statements drives consistent engagement.

Furthermore, integrating administrative communication tools directly into the platform such as formal announcements, digital voting, and member communications replaces fragmented channels like WhatsApp. Consolidating everyday operational interactions within the application encourages regular usage beyond basic loan requests.

How can early-stage SaaS platforms operating in Nigeria structure subscription models in Naira to remain affordable for local organisations while hedging against USD-denominated infrastructure costs?

Managing currency mismatch is a central challenge for software businesses in Nigeria, where revenue is realised in Naira while critical cloud infrastructure is billed in US dollars. Continuously adjusting subscription fees to match exchange rate fluctuations is unviable for local client retention.

Pricing must fundamentally reflect the quantitative value delivered to the client. If the platform successfully manages substantial capital, eliminates manual administrative overhead, and secures financial records, the pricing structure should be tied to that economic value rather than underlying server costs.

Furthermore, tiered pricing models ensure scalability. Smaller cooperatives pay rates proportional to their size, while larger organisations with higher transaction volumes contribute higher recurring revenue. As the customer base expands, economies of scale help absorb USD-denominated overheads.

Drawing from workflows in document intelligence tools, how can AI be practically applied to Nigerian cooperative operations to parse physical bank statements, audit meeting minutes, or verify manual receipt uploads?

Document processing remains a major operational bottleneck for traditional cooperatives. Artificial intelligence provides immediate efficiency gains by automating manual data extraction from physical documents, bank statements, and payment receipts.

When a cooperative uploads a bank statement or payment receipt, optical character recognition and domain-specific machine learning models extract transaction amounts, dates, and account identifiers, automatically matching them against internal records for rapid reconciliation.

Additionally, AI audio tools can process recorded board meetings to generate structured minutes, action items, and decision logs immediately following a session. This eliminates hours of manual administrative writing. The primary objective of implementing AI is to eliminate repetitive operational friction rather than deploying technology for its own sake.

What field-sales and product-led growth tactics are most effective at converting traditional, relationship-driven organisations into paying SaaS customers?

Converting traditional cooperative societies requires a hybrid approach combining field sales with product-led growth. Relying exclusively on digital acquisition channels is insufficient for relationship-driven, high-trust sectors.

Cooperative executives prioritize security, organizational track record, and hands-on support. Field-sales teams establish essential interpersonal trust, evaluate existing operational bottlenecks, and demonstrate direct product utility to decision-makers.

Once initial interest is established, the product experience must seamlessly drive retention. Frictionless onboarding, rapid time-to-value, and reliable customer support are critical. Furthermore, because cooperative leaders maintain extensive peer networks, establishing strong reference accounts creates a natural referral pipeline across regional ecosystems.

What specific performance strategies deliver the most noticeable user experience gains on low-bandwidth mobile devices?

Optimising for low-bandwidth environments requires strict discipline regarding network payloads. Transferring excessive data over weak mobile connections severely degrades user experience.

Key technical optimisations include aggressive client-side caching to prevent redundant data fetching, minimising API payload sizes, and deferring non-critical asset loading. Code splitting and lazy loading ensure users download only the dependencies required for their immediate session.

Implementing progressive web app architectures further enhances resilience in unstable network conditions. Ultimately, engineering teams must optimize applications specifically for the prevailing hardware and network conditions of the target demographic.

How can Nigerian Open Banking frameworks and banking APIs be leveraged by niche management platforms to automate instant payment verification and loan disbursements for informal financial groups?

Open Banking frameworks eliminate substantial manual reconciliation work. Historically, confirming member payments required manual bank statement checks and updates to physical ledgers. Integrated banking APIs enable real-time payment notifications that automatically reconcile transactions and update individual member accounts instantaneously.

Similarly, loan disbursements can be fully automated once board approval parameters are met, executing transfers and logging transaction receipts directly within the platform.

Beyond operational automation, Open Banking provides vital credit data. With explicit member consent, platforms can analyse broader financial histories to assess creditworthiness more accurately. This broader financial visibility significantly improves risk assessment and enables safer lending practices.

What strategies can micro-fintechs use to balance regulatory identity requirements like BVN/NIN verification against processing costs when handling micro-savings and small loans?

Integrating identity verification naturally into the initial user journey is essential for regulatory compliance. However, when managing micro-transactions, third-party verification API costs can rapidly erode unit economics if not structured efficiently.

Platforms must design verification workflows intelligently to avoid redundant API calls. Reusing verified identity data across multiple services and selecting cost-effective verification vendors helps control overheads.

If verification costs exceed the lifetime value or margin generated from a low-value account, the business model becomes unsustainable. Maintaining viable unit economics requires balancing strict compliance with optimized verification architecture.

How can cooperative software integrate white-label APIs to offer high-yield micro-investments, health insurance, or credit facilities directly to end-members within the platform?

Once a software platform establishes operational trust with a cooperative and its membership, it serves as an efficient distribution channel for third-party financial services.

Rather than developing specialized financial products in-house, the platform can integrate white-label APIs from licensed financial institutions. This allows members to access regulated investment vehicles, health insurance plans, and credit facilities directly within their existing application interface.

Rigorous partner selection is essential. All integrated financial products must be underwritten by fully licensed, regulated entities. The platform provides the distribution network and technological infrastructure, while regulated partners manage the underlying financial risk and compliance.

What system-level security measures, dual-authorisation mechanics, and real-time audit logs are required to prevent insider misallocation of funds within self-governing cooperative societies?

Software provides critical structural controls that significantly reduce financial mismanagement in self-governing organisations. Traditional setups often rely on one or two individuals holding sole access to bank accounts and ledgers, creating a structural risk through lack of oversight.

Digital platforms enforce strict separation of duties. For example, transaction workflows can require one executive to initiate a payout and a second authorised official to approve it before funds are released. Role-based access controls ensure that administrators, treasurers, and board members possess permissions aligned strictly with their governance roles.

Furthermore, immutable real-time audit logs record every system action, capturing timestamps, user identities, and specific data modifications. While no software can completely eliminate human fraud, robust access controls and transparent audit trails make unauthorised actions difficult to execute and straightforward to detect.

How should the core architecture of a Nigerian cooperative SaaS be modularized to allow seamless expansion into similar community savings ecosystems across Africa, such as SACCOs in East Africa?

Expanding across African markets requires separating core financial mechanics from country-specific operational and regulatory logic. The fundamental primitives of community finance member management, contribution tracking, loan issuance, ledger accounting, and governance are consistent across different markets.

These common primitives form the modular core of the platform. Conversely, regulatory frameworks, identity verification standards, currencies, local payment gateways, and regional accounting practices are isolated into configurable modules.

Architecting the platform with clear separation between core ledger logic and localized business rules allows expansion into new markets, such as Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in East Africa, without rewriting underlying software systems.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

INEC Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, announced the final results and formally returned Adeleke as the winner.

According to the results announced by the electoral commission, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 444,815 votes.

The margin of victory stood at 66,252 votes. The declaration triggered jubilation among Adeleke’s supporters and residents in parts of the state as the governor secured a fresh mandate after a closely contested election.

The result followed the collation of votes from the 30 local government areas of the state. Earlier reports indicated that Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.

The election had generated significant interest across Osun, with supporters of the major political parties keeping watch as the results were collated and announced.

With the declaration, Adeleke has been returned as governor of Osun State for another term.

The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) commemorated International Youth Day 2026 by convening thousands of young people, entrepreneurs, innovators, and agriculture stakeholders through its newly launched GroundBreakers initiative, a youth-focused platform designed to inspire, equip and connect young Nigerians with opportunities across agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural technology.

The initiative debuted with GroundBreakers Live 2026, a two-day virtual webinar series held under the theme ‘Connecting Youth, Innovation, and the Future of Food.’ The event brought together leading agritech founders, entrepreneurs and industry experts to engage young people on the future of agriculture and the opportunities emerging across Nigeria food systems.

The webinar opened with a session on ‘Future of Food: How Technology is Transforming Agriculture’, featuring Aisha Rilwanu Sidi, chief executive officer of Grabb Livestock, and Dayo Akinbami, CEO, CTO and co-founder of Agrofount.

Addressing participants, Aisha challenged young innovators to focus less on technology itself and more on the problems they are trying to solve.

‘Don’t just fall in love with the idea, fall in love with the problem,’ she said.

Drawing from her experience building digital solutions for livestock farmers, she encouraged young entrepreneurs to spend time understanding the realities of farmers before designing products and services.

She shared how Grabb Livestock adapted its platform from a web-based application to a USSD solution after discovering that many rural farmers lacked the digital literacy needed to use the original platform, helping the company expand its reach from approximately 2,000 farmers to more than 50,000.

Dayo Akinbami reinforced the importance of problem-solving and highlighted the growing role of data in unlocking opportunities across agriculture.

‘Nigeria doesn’t need technology for technology’s sake. We need young people who understand our problems deeply enough to use tech to solve them,’ he said.

He encouraged participants to explore opportunities in agricultural data systems, noting that reliable farmer data can improve access to finance, strengthen decision-making and support innovation across the agricultural value chain.

The second day of the webinar featured Seyi Alabi, co-founder of Crop2Cash, who led discussions on ‘Building Profitable Agribusinesses in the Digital Age.’

Alabi challenged participants to rethink how they approach agribusiness opportunities and urged them to focus on solving practical challenges faced by farmers rather than pursuing technology trends.

One of the most notable moments of the session came when he described agricultural extension services as a ‘dying sector’, citing the widening gap between farmers and the advisory support they need.

‘There are simply not enough extension officers to serve the millions of farmers we have today,’ he noted.

He encouraged young innovators to see this challenge as an opportunity to develop scalable digital solutions that can deliver knowledge, advisory services and support to farmers more efficiently.

According to Alabi, some of the greatest opportunities in agriculture today lie beyond production and can be found in areas such as financing, market access, logistics, extension services and farmer data systems.

As part of the International Youth Day celebration, FSSS also officially launched the Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy (GAEA), a platform created to nurture the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers.

Announcing the initiative, Clinton Mena Inene, Brand and Communications Manager at FSSS, described GAEA as a launchpad for young people seeking to transform innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.

‘The Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy is more than a learning platform. It is a launchpad for the next generation of agricultural innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers. Through GAEA, we want to equip young people with the practical knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset and connections they need to transform ideas into impactful and sustainable ventures.’

The academy will provide participants with access to expert-led learning sessions, mentorship opportunities, industry insights, practical resources and a growing community of young professionals committed to transforming agriculture.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director of FSSS, said the academy reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people and accelerating innovation across food systems.

‘Young people are not just the future of agriculture; they are already shaping its future. GAEA is our commitment to supporting them with the tools, networks and opportunities they need to succeed and drive meaningful change in food systems across Africa and beyond.’

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural edition, Inene said GroundBreakers is envisioned as a long-term platform for youth engagement and agricultural innovation.

‘GroundBreakers was created to spark conversations, inspire action and connect young people to the opportunities shaping the future of food. The response to this first edition has been incredibly encouraging, and we are excited to bring it back in 2027. Our hope is that the next edition will be even bigger, with opportunities for participants to engage, collaborate and connect in person.’

The launch of GroundBreakers and GAEA comes at a time when agriculture faces growing challenges, including food insecurity, climate change, limited access to finance, markets and advisory services.

FSSS believes these challenges also present significant opportunities for young entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that improve productivity, strengthen resilience and create sustainable livelihoods.

Through GroundBreakers Live and the launch of GAEA, FSSS reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people to become leaders, innovators and problem-solvers in agriculture. The organisation hopes the initiatives will inspire a new generation of agripreneurs capable of building profitable ventures while contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive and food-secure future.

There is a particular kind of silence that settles over a rural community when the rains fail, farm produce cannot reach the market, and months of hard work are lost because the roads are impassable. For many farming communities in Kwara State, that was a familiar reality before 2019. The land remained fertile, the farmers resilient, but the infrastructure, investment, and institutional support needed to unlock agriculture’s full potential were largely absent.

When Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq assumed office, his administration recognised that transforming agriculture required far more than distributing inputs or launching seasonal programmes. It demanded a long-term strategy capable of modernising the sector, improving productivity, attracting investment, and creating sustainable livelihoods. That vision gave rise to the Kwara State Agricultural Transformation Plan, a ten-year blueprint developed through consultations with farmers, financial institutions, agribusinesses, and development partners.

Built around six strategic pillars, crop production, agricultural finance, livestock development, market access, value chains, and institutional reform, the plan has provided a clear framework for policy implementation. Rather than existing as another government document, it has shaped practical interventions across the agricultural value chain, ensuring that each initiative contributes to the broader objective of making food available, affordable, and accessible while positioning agriculture as a driver of economic growth.

Perhaps no investment illustrates this philosophy better than the state’s focus on rural infrastructure. Farmers cannot prosper if they remain cut off from markets, regardless of how productive their farms become. Through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), supported by the World Bank and Agence Française de Développement, Kwara committed more than ?4 billion in counterpart funding, earning the World Bank’s Overall Best Counterpart Funding Performance Award.

Today, over 210 kilometres of rural roads are under construction, linking farming communities to aggregation centres, processing facilities, and major markets in locations such as Ajase-Ipo, Alapa, and Kaiama. Beyond improving transportation, these roads are reducing post-harvest losses, lowering logistics costs, and giving farmers quicker access to buyers. They are also opening rural communities to broader economic opportunities that extend well beyond agriculture.

Infrastructure alone, however, cannot transform agriculture without improving productivity. Recognising this, the administration prioritised mechanisation by expanding access to tractors, ploughs, harrows, ridgers, and other modern equipment across all sixteen local government areas. Through subsidised hiring schemes, smallholder farmers who previously depended entirely on manual labour now have greater access to machinery that improves efficiency and expands cultivation.

The mechanisation drive has been complemented by the distribution of improved agricultural inputs, including certified FARO 44 rice seeds, hybrid maize, improved soybean varieties, fertilisers, motorised pumps, knapsack sprayers, and other essential farming materials. Working with organisations such as the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, these interventions have reached thousands of farmers across the state. To strengthen extension services, the government also provided more than 190 motorcycles to agricultural officers, enabling them to reach remote communities with modern farming techniques, climate-smart practices, and technical support.

One of the administration’s most significant achievements has been less visible but equally transformative. Kwara has developed a digital database containing over 100,000 farmers, with biometric verification and geo-mapping. This innovation has significantly improved transparency by reducing opportunities for ghost beneficiaries and ensuring that government interventions reach genuine farmers. Building on this progress, the state inaugurated a Multi-Sectoral State Working Committee on Food Security in 2024, bringing together institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture, NIRSAL, traditional rulers, commodity associations, and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts aimed at boosting production, improving market efficiency, and addressing food inflation.

Livestock development, long neglected within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, has also become a major component of Kwara’s transformation agenda. Through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme, Malete is being developed into a major Agro-Industrial Hub, while Agricultural Transformation Centres are planned for Afon, Olodan, Gidan Mogajiya, and Kinnikinni to strengthen processing, storage, and market access.

The state’s six-year Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project is laying the foundation for a more organised and commercially viable livestock industry. The revival of the Kaiama Cattle Ranch, statewide vaccination campaigns targeting more than 330,000 cattle, sheep, and goats, and strategic collaboration with FrieslandCampina WAMCO are creating new opportunities within the dairy and livestock value chain while improving the livelihoods of pastoral communities. The broader livestock development programme also provides a framework for expanding pasture resources and strengthening livestock production as implementation progresses.

Climate change continues to pose one of the greatest threats to agricultural productivity, making resilience an essential component of long-term planning. Through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme and collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kwara is investing in irrigation, land restoration, and sustainable resource management. Under ACReSAL, Community Revolving Funds are also being implemented to provide interest-free financing to organised farmer groups, supporting them to strengthen their livelihoods and invest in productive agricultural activities. The rehabilitation of the Duku-Lade irrigation scheme has further expanded opportunities for year-round farming, enabling farmers to cultivate beyond the limitations imposed by seasonal rainfall.

The administration has equally recognised that agricultural prosperity depends not only on increasing production but also on creating value after harvest. Partnerships with private investors are strengthening rice, cassava, soybean, and shea processing, while the revival of the Thursday Fish Market and expansion of fish hatchery programmes are stimulating aquaculture across the state.

Through the FADAMA NG-CARES programme, thousands of vulnerable households, particularly women and young people, have received productive assets such as irrigation equipment, fish-smoking kilns, grinding machines, sprayers, and processing equipment that support sustainable livelihoods and small-scale enterprise development. At the Kwara State University College of Agriculture in Ilesha Baruba, renewed investment is helping to develop the skilled workforce needed to sustain the state’s agricultural transformation over the long term.

The benefits of these reforms extend beyond the farm. Better infrastructure lowers transportation costs, efficient value chains increase farmers’ incomes, agro-processing creates employment, and higher productivity strengthens food availability. Together, these investments are reinforcing agriculture’s role as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and rural development.

Equally significant is the growing confidence of development partners and investors. Organisations including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and private-sector investors have continued to deepen their engagement with Kwara because they recognise a government that places a premium on planning, accountability, effective implementation, and measurable outcomes. These partnerships are accelerating the state’s transition towards a more competitive and commercially driven agricultural economy.

Like every meaningful reform programme, the journey is not without challenges. Rising production costs, changing weather patterns, limited access to finance, and the need for greater private-sector participation remain issues that require sustained attention. Agricultural transformation is a continuous process that demands consistency, innovation, and collaboration.

Yet the progress across Kwara’s farming communities is becoming increasingly evident. Rural roads are reconnecting farmers with markets. Mechanisation is reducing the burden of manual labour. Digital technology is improving the targeting of government interventions. Livestock development is opening new streams of income, while expanded irrigation is making year-round farming a practical reality for many communities.

As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has consistently argued that food security cannot be achieved through short-term interventions alone. It requires deliberate planning, sustained investment, institutional coordination, and strong partnerships involving government, development agencies, the private sector, and farming communities.

Kwara’s experience shows what is possible when agricultural policy is backed by commitment and consistent implementation. The lasting legacy of these reforms will not simply be measured in kilometres of roads, hectares cultivated, or machines deployed. It will be reflected in thriving rural communities, more prosperous farmers, stronger local economies, and a state steadily establishing itself as one of Nigeria’s leading models for agricultural transformation and food security.

The National Commission for Nomadic Education has sought the collaboration and partnership of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) towards the effective implementation of the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) in the State, with particular focus on reducing the number of out-of-school children and youths among nomadic communities.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Haruna Bashir Usman, a professor, represented by Rose Nwaji, a director in charge of planning, research and statistics of the Commission, paid a strategic visit to ENSUBEB to formally share the reports and findings from their study and enrolment-drive activities conducted in ten selected Local Government Areas of Enugu State.

The council areas are Aninri, Awgu, Enugu East, Ezeagu, Igboetiti, Igboeze North, Isi-Uzo, Nsukka, Oji River and Udenu LGAs.

The study, undertaken last year according to Nwaji, was designed to ascertain the number and locations of children and youths of school age who were outside the formal education system, particularly within nomadic communities.

The findings, which showed that Isi-Uzo LGA has the highest number of Nomadic out-of-school children at 372 followed by Aninri with 206 Nomadic out-of-school children amongst others, have provided important data on the magnitude of the challenge and the educational needs of the affected children.

Presenting the findings, Chidiebere Ugwu from the Audit Department, explained that the information gathered during the study and subsequent enrolment drive had enabled the Commission to develop an educational approach that takes into consideration the peculiar environment and circumstances of the children.

He noted that the curriculum and programme framework developed from the findings would be aligned with the curriculum being implemented in conventional schools while incorporating appropriate adaptations to make learning relevant and accessible to children in nomadic communities.

He further emphasised that the ultimate objective is to ensure that every child and youth of school age is given an opportunity to access education, regardless of location, lifestyle, or socio-economic circumstances.

The delegation further explained that the National Commission for Nomadic Education is one of the implementing partners of the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) in selected pilot states for nomadic out-of-school children and youths.

They therefore, called for a strong partnership with ENSUBEB to ensure that the programme is effectively implemented in Enugu State, as such collaboration would be critical to translating the findings of the research and enrolment drive into actual school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes.

The proposed partnership is expected to facilitate stronger coordination between the Commission and ENSUBEB in areas including identification of out-of-school children, community mobilisation, enrolment, curriculum implementation, teacher support, monitoring and evaluation.

Responding on behalf of the Executive Chairman of ENSUBEB, Uche Eze, permanent member II, welcomed the delegation and commended the Commission for undertaking a research-based approach to addressing the out-of-school children challenge.

Eze particularly appreciated the decision to share the reports and findings with ENSUBEB, describing reliable data as essential to effective educational planning and intervention.

She assured the delegation of ENSUBEB’s readiness to explore areas of collaboration and partnership that would contribute to the successful implementation of ABEP and expand access to basic education for children and youths who are currently outside the school system.

The Permanent Member extolled the leadership vision of the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, especially his unprecedented investment in basic education through the construction of 267 Smart Green Schools across the state’s 260 political wards.

According to her, the Smart Green Schools initiative has created a strong infrastructure base for the state’s campaign against educational exclusion and provides an opportunity to accommodate more children who are currently outside the school system.

Eze emphasised that the construction of schools must be complemented by deliberate strategies to identify children who are not attending school and bring them into the system.

She noted that the ABEP initiative and the intervention of the National Commission for Nomadic Education were therefore, timely, particularly because they focus on children and youths whose circumstances may have prevented them from benefiting from conventional education.

Kunu Aya is a tiger nut nutritious drink that is relished in Nigeria and some other parts of the world. Coming all the way from Northern Nigeria, Kunu is a culinary narrative coined around nutrition, indigenous knowledge, agriculture, hospitality and cultural identity.

It can popularly be described as tiger-nut drink or tiger-nut milk and can be showcased as one of Nigeria’s indigenous beverages whose cultural significance is much greater than the attention it receives. This includes its taste, aroma, colour and texture.

Made principally from tiger nuts, the small edible tubers of Cyperus esculentus have this long history of human consumption in different parts of the world, including Africa and the Mediterranean. Spain, for instance, is famous for horchata de chufa, another beverage made from tiger nuts.

Growing up and relating with our Northern neigbours, our nutritional relationship was so deep that the word ‘OFIO’ was virtually a household name at that time and today is not left out tiger nut is still a household name

Kunu Aya, however, represents its own cultural food tradition, with its distinctive use of locally familiar ingredients and preparation practices. Known differently as Kunu Aya, Kunun Aya, Kunu Ayaya, Ofio drink or tiger-nut milk, the beverage is traditionally produced from tiger nuts, and often combined with dates and, depending on the recipe, ginger, cloves, coconut or other spices, and debino, also known as dates as well as banana.

A sweet irresistible drink and a refreshing beverage, Kunu as it popularly called is a tropical drink that is best served

Chilled.

Creamy, naturally sweet and often delicately spiced, the drink has long been part of the drink culture of Northern Nigeria yet beyond its taste, lies a remarkable story of tradition, culture and heritage.

This non-alcoholic drink is widely associated with communities where tiger nuts have traditionally been cultivated, traded and consumed. However, today, tiger nut drinks are quite ubiquitous across the nation.

The preparation involves sorting and washing tiger nuts, soaking them to soften the tubers, blending them with water and extracting the resulting liquid through filtration. Dates and spices may then be added according to the producer’s recipe.

Kunu represents an entire foodway, a chain of knowledge that connects the farmer who grows the nuts to the trader who sells it, to the woman or family that prepares the beverage, the vendor who serves it and the consumer who drinks it. And this is why Kunu Aya deserves serious consideration in Nigeria’s conversation about intangible cultural heritage.

Presently, the drink can be found in markets, super marts, homes, restaurants and food businesses across different parts of the country. Studies of indigenous Nigerian beverages now routinely include tiger-nut drinks alongside other traditional beverages such as fura and zobo.

The spread is significant because it demonstrates how food traditions move. A drink can begin within a particular cultural community and, through migration, trade, urbanisation and intermarriage, become part of a wider national food culture without losing the story of its origin.

That is what has happened, to a considerable extent, with Kunu Aya.

The nutritional value of Kunu Aya comes majorly from tiger nuts, although the final nutritional composition depends on the recipe, quantity of tiger nuts used, dilution and additional ingredients. It contains dietary fibre, carbohydrates, fats, protein and minerals, and scientific reviews have identified compounds such as oleic acid and other bioactive substances in the tuber.

Research on tiger-nut milk has however attracted interest because of its nutritional and functional properties. A Nigerian study published in the European Journal of Nutrition and Food Safety analysed laboratory-produced Kunu Aya made from tiger nuts

The tiger nut itself is an extraordinary little crop. Despite its name, it is not a tree nut but a tuber. Scientific reviews describe it as a food containing carbohydrates, lipids, protein, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds. Its nutritional composition has made it increasingly interesting to food scientists and the health-conscious consumer.

That nutritional profile helps explain why Kunu Aya has survived as a traditional food while also finding new life among contemporary consumers looking for plant-based and locally sourced alternatives to conventional milk drinks and soft drinks. Tiger nuts are particularly notable for their dietary fibre and oil content. Their fat contains a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, the same monounsaturated fatty acid prominently found in olive oil.

A recent 2026 study examining tiger-nut tubers found oleic acid to be the predominant fatty acid and identified potassium as the most abundant macromineral in the samples studied. The researchers also found antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds, particularly in the skin of the tuber. There is therefore considerably more in that little tuber than its sweet, crunchy taste suggests.

The fibre is important for digestive health, while the combination of carbohydrates, fats and plant protein contributes to the food’s nutritional value. Tiger nuts also provide minerals including potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and zinc, although the amount that eventually reaches a glass of Kunu Aya depends on the quantity of tiger nuts used, how much water is added and the preparation method.

The traditional preparation is quite remarkable as well. Kunu Aya is not produced by simply squeezing liquid out of a nut. The tiger nuts are traditionally sorted, washed and soaked to soften them. They are then blended or ground with water and strained to separate the liquid from the fibrous residue. Dates may be incorporated for sweetness, while ginger, cloves or coconut can provide additional flavour. What emerges is a smooth, milky beverage with a distinctive nutty sweetness.

The process is itself a form of food knowledge. Someone has to know how to select good tiger nuts. Someone knows how long they should be soaked. Someone knows the right quantity of water. Someone knows how much ginger or date is enough. Someone knows when the drink has reached the desired consistency. And, traditionally, someone teaches somebody else.

That is the part of its narrative that may easily be overlooked. The drink is not simply the liquid in the bottle. The knowledge of producing it is part of the heritage. This is essential at a time when many traditional food practices are disappearing under the pressure of urbanisation, changing lifestyles and the dominance of commercially produced foods.

The nutritional argument for Kunu Aya is also becoming stronger as scientific interest in tiger nuts grows. A 2022 review described the crop as containing lipids, protein, starch, fibre, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds and noted its potential applications in beverages, snacks, gluten-free foods and other products. A 2024 review involving Nigerian researchers examined the biological and bioactive components of tiger nuts and discussed their potential relevance to digestive, cardiovascular and metabolic health.

But responsible food journalism requires an important qualification. Kunu Aya should not be presented as a miracle drink. Popular claims have sometimes portrayed tiger-nut beverages as cures for infertility, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension and other conditions. The scientific evidence does not justify such sweeping claims. Research on tiger nuts has identified promising nutritional and biological properties, but much of the evidence concerns the tuber itself, laboratory studies or early-stage research rather than clinical trials proving that Kunu Aya can treat disease.

Dates, for example, can provide natural sweetness as well as carbohydrates and minerals. Ginger and cloves contribute aromatic compounds and phytochemicals. Coconut, where used, adds fat and flavour. The result is a beverage that brings several indigenous food ingredients together in a single preparation.

It is also naturally dairy-free when prepared traditionally, making it attractive to people who avoid dairy products. Its plant-based character gives it a place in the growing global conversation about alternative beverages and sustainable food systems.

There is also an economic story waiting to be told.

Behind Kunu Aya are farmers cultivating tiger nuts, traders moving them through markets, processors turning them into beverages, women and families preserving traditional preparation knowledge and young entrepreneurs developing new brands and packaging.

Tiger nuts themselves have commercial possibilities beyond the drink. They can be processed into flour, oil and other food ingredients, while the residue from processing can potentially be put to other uses. Recent research has increasingly examined tiger nut as an underutilised crop with applications across the food industry. For Nigeria, that creates an opportunity to connect food heritage with agriculture, entrepreneurship and the creative economy.

It is however pertinent to note that Kunu Aya is a fresh beverage and, unlike commercially sterilised soft drinks, it can spoil relatively quickly. Water quality, cleanliness of equipment, handling, packaging and storage temperature matter enormously. Nigerian research into Kunu Aya has raised concerns about microbial quality and the need for hygienic preparation.

If Kunu Aya is to move from roadside refreshment to nationally recognised heritage beverage and potentially to international markets, Nigeria must combine traditional knowledge with modern food-safety standards. Safe water, hygienic processing, appropriate refrigeration, suitable packaging and accurate labelling should become part of the modern Kunu Aya story.

Around the world, UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework is increasingly recognising foodways-not simply foods themselves, but the knowledge, skills, practices and social relationships surrounding their production and consumption.

In 2024, UNESCO inscribed ten foodway-related elements on its Representative List, including the skills related to Attiéké production in Côte d’Ivoire, Tomyum Kung in Thailand and traditional Minas cheese-making in Brazil. UNESCO noted that these foodways demonstrate the profound social, cultural and communal roles food can play.

The Attiéké example is particularly instructive for Nigeria. UNESCO’s description does not celebrate cassava simply because it is nutritious or because the dish is popular. It recognises the knowledge and skills surrounding production, the roles of women and men, the transmission of knowledge through families and communities, the food’s role in ceremonies and social life, and its contribution to cultural identity and livelihoods.

That is the kind of argument that could be made for Kunu Aya. The case for Kunu Aya’s heritage significance should therefore not be reduced to the statement that ‘Nigeria has a healthy traditional drink.’ The stronger argument is that Nigeria possesses a living body of knowledge surrounding the cultivation, preparation, serving, consumption and transmission of Kunu Aya, particularly within communities where the tradition has cultural roots.

The women who prepare it have knowledge. The farmers who grow the tiger nuts have knowledge. The traders who understand the crop have knowledge. The families who pass the preparation technique from mother to daughter, father to son or elder to younger generation have knowledge. The social occasions where it is served have meaning. The language used to describe it has meaning.

The variations in preparation have meaning. And the changing way young Nigerians are adapting it for contemporary markets is also part of the story of living heritage.

That is why documentation matters. Nigeria should be recording the oral histories of the people who have made Kunu Aya for decades. Researchers should document regional names, preparation methods, ingredients, rituals, occasions, agricultural practices and the changing role of the beverage in Nigerian society.

Digital media can make this possible on a scale previous generations could not imagine. A farmer can be filmed explaining how tiger nuts are cultivated. A grandmother can demonstrate how the traditional drink is prepared. A food historian can explain its regional significance. A nutritionist can explain what is actually in the beverage. A food-safety expert can demonstrate safe processing. A young entrepreneur can show how traditional Kunu Aya is being adapted for today’s consumer. Together, these stories become an archive.

And an archive becomes a safeguard against forgetting.

There is a deeper reason Nigeria should care. For too long, the country’s cultural diplomacy has been dominated by music, film, fashion and sport. These are important, but the Nigerian table is another powerful ambassador. Food crosses borders without needing a visa.

A plate of jollof rice can start a conversation about Nigeria. Suya can introduce someone to Northern Nigerian grilling traditions. Egusi can tell a story about indigenous crops and culinary creativity. And Kunu Aya can tell the story of tiger nuts, Northern Nigerian food culture, indigenous processing knowledge and a nation increasingly rediscovering its culinary heritage.

I believe that a glass of Kunu Aya served at an international cultural event could be more than refreshment, it could be culinary diplomacy and tell a foreign visitor that Nigerian heritage is not only found in monuments and museums. It lives in kitchens, farms, markets and recipes.

The re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election has produced a political message that will resonate far beyond the South-West.

For Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, who is seeking a second term in 2027, the significance is less about party arithmetic and more about what the result says about incumbency, performance, and the ability of a sitting governor to survive formidable opposition.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, candidate of the Accord Party, winner with 511,067 votes against 444,815 votes polled by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, with a margin of 66,252 votes.

The result is instructive because Adeleke did not contest on the platform that brought him to power in 2022. He left the Peoples Democratic Party for Accord amid the PDP’s protracted internal crisis and still retained power. That makes Osun more than a routine governorship victory. It is a demonstration that a sitting governor can build a constituency that transcends party labels.

The Incumbency Lesson

For Alia, the first lesson is straightforward: incumbency is an advantage, but not a substitute for electoral goodwill.

Alia secured the APC ticket for the 2027 Benue governorship in May, polling 367,786 votes against 3,247 for Terwase Orbunde and 2,923 for Jeffrey Kuranun in the primary.

On paper, he has consolidated his position. The APC controls the governorship, all 23 local government areas and a majority in the State House of Assembly – a formidable structure heading into a general election.

The Osun experience, however, shows why structure alone does not guarantee victory.

The Performance Question

Adeleke’s campaign was anchored on his record – payment of inherited salary and pension arrears, school rehabilitation and other infrastructure interventions. That message translated into votes.

That has implications for Benue, where the 2027 contest is increasingly being framed around governance rather than party supremacy.

Supporters of Alia point to infrastructure, public sector reforms and other visible projects as evidence that his administration deserves continuity. The opposition has chosen a different battlefield: security and the welfare of displaced communities.

PDP candidate Michael Kaase Aondoakaa has repeatedly attacked the administration over insecurity, while Alia’s camp has accused the opposition of politicising attacks on rural communities.

The question for Benue voters, therefore, is becoming simple and difficult at once: has the administration made their lives sufficiently better and safer to justify another four years?

Adeleke’s victory suggests a governor who can convincingly answer yes can overcome considerable political headwinds.

A Warning About Godfather Politics

Perhaps the most important lesson concerns political godfatherism.

The relationship between Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has defined Benue APC politics. Although both camps have moved toward reconciliation and Akume has endorsed Alia’s second-term bid, reports of defections and lingering divisions suggest the old structure has not completely healed.

Adeleke’s victory is a reminder that voters can reward a governor who establishes an independent political identity.

Alia’s challenge is to ensure his re-election is not seen merely as an APC project or an extension of an existing political structure. It must become an Alia project with broad grassroots ownership.

If he succeeds in presenting his administration as a new political order in Benue, internal APC disagreements will matter less. If the contest is perceived mainly as a struggle between Alia and Akume camps, the opposition will exploit it.

The Opposition Will Be Watching

Aondoakaa and ADC’s Herman Hembe are already positioning for 2027, setting up a potentially competitive three-way race.

The Osun result will encourage them. It shows an incumbent can defeat the candidate of the federal ruling party even while operating outside the traditional major-party structure. It also shows how a governorship election can become a referendum on the incumbent’s performance and personality.

For the Benue opposition, the lesson is not to rely solely on anti-APC sentiment. It must build a compelling alternative narrative around security, jobs, agriculture, education and the cost of living.

But there is a second lesson: Adeleke did not win simply because his opponent was unpopular. He won because he built enough personal political capital to make his own re-election the central issue.

That is precisely the capital Alia will need to build over the next year.

Beyond Party Labels

The most striking feature of Osun is that Adeleke won despite the complication of switching platforms. The move from PDP to Accord could have weakened him. Instead, his personal brand proved strong enough to survive the transition.

Alia is not in the same position. He remains firmly embedded in the APC, which controls the Federal Government and the dominant structure in Benue. His advantage is greater in that respect.

Yet that advantage carries responsibility. The APC’s federal connection can help him, but it can also expose him to voter judgment of the wider ruling party. If voters are dissatisfied with national economic conditions or insecurity, he will need a strong personal record to prevent those grievances from becoming a referendum on his administration.

Adeleke has shown how a governor can create enough political distance between himself and wider party controversies to retain office.

What Alia Must Learn: Four lessons stand out:

Performance must be visible. Projects and reforms have to translate into tangible improvements in ordinary lives.

Security will be decisive. In a state where attacks on rural communities and displacement remain major issues, infrastructure alone cannot neutralise public anxiety if people do not feel safe.

Internal reconciliation matters. An overwhelming primary victory settles the ticket, not all grievances within the party.

Personal capital matters. Voters can distinguish between a candidate, a party and a government.

By 2027, Alia will need voters to see his administration as their government, not just an APC government.

The Bigger Message

Osun does not mean Adeleke’s formula will automatically work in Benue. The two states have different political histories, demographic structures, security realities and party dynamics.

But it has changed the national conversation about second-term bids. It reinforces the argument that incumbency becomes powerful when combined with grassroots acceptance, a credible record and a strong personal connection with voters.

Adeleke has won his battle in Osun by more than 66,000 votes. The message travelling to Benue is that second-term victories are won not merely in party meetings, but in the court of public opinion.

For Alia, the race has entered that court.

At least 40 Lakurawa fighters have been killed, and others injured by troops and local vigilantes in Gummi local government area of Zamfara State, sources are saying.

BusinessDay exclusive gathered that the operations took place on Sunday at Gwali village of Zamfara State, following an earlier letter sent by a terrorist group to the community scheduling a meeting.

The source said the soldiers, hybrid CJTF and vigilantes, who carried out the operation dealt heavy blow on the outlawed groups, leaving them with many casualties.

‘From available information, Lakurawa terrorists met their Waterloo this morning when a combined team of troops. More than 40 fighters were killed, and several others wounded, ‘ the source told BusinessDay.

Another security researcher revealed, ‘At least 38 Lakurawa fighters were killed this morning in Gwalli village, Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State by a combined team of soldiers and local vigilantes.

‘Lakurawa had boldly sent a letter to the community announcing its intention to carry out da’wah. This is one of the heaviest casualties inflicted on the group in recent times,’ the source said.

The details of the operation are yet to be revealed by the military.