Category: Daily Trust

The Sahel is often mentioned in the news in connection with terrorism, military coups, poverty, displacement and humanitarian crises. But behind these challenges lies another story that deserves greater attention: the region is rich in natural resources.

From the goldfields of Mali and Burkina Faso to the uranium deposits of Niger, the oil reserves of Chad and Sudan, and the fertile lands and water resources of the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel possesses resources that could support economic growth and improve the lives of millions of people.

Yet, for many communities, this wealth has not translated into security or prosperity. In some places, the competition over natural resources has contributed to tensions, criminality and armed conflict. This raises an important question: can the Sahel turn its natural resources from a source of instability into an instrument for peace and development?

The answer will depend largely on governance.

Across the Sahel, the relationship between natural resources and security is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Gold, in particular, has become an important part of the regional economy. Mali and Burkina Faso are among Africa’s major gold producers, while artisanal and small-scale mining provides livelihoods for thousands of people.

But where government presence is weak, mining areas can become vulnerable to armed groups and criminal networks. Control over mining sites can provide these groups with money, influence and access to local communities. Gold is also relatively easy to transport across borders, making illegal trade difficult to monitor.

This does not mean that mining itself causes insecurity. The deeper problem is the absence of effective institutions capable of regulating the sector, protecting workers and ensuring that communities benefit from the resources found on their land.

For many people involved in artisanal mining, mining is not a choice between legality and illegality. It is a means of survival.

A better approach would therefore include formalising artisanal mining, improving working conditions, strengthening monitoring and creating legal channels through which miners can sell their products. Communities should also have a meaningful share in the economic benefits.

The issue is not limited to minerals. Land and water are perhaps even more closely connected to everyday security in the Sahel.

The region is highly vulnerable to drought, desertification, land degradation and unpredictable rainfall. Farmers depend on land for cultivation, while pastoralist communities depend on grazing routes and water sources for their livestock. As these resources become more difficult to access, competition can intensify.

In parts of Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, disputes between farmers and pastoralists have sometimes developed into deadly violence. These conflicts are frequently presented only through ethnic or religious identities. Such explanations, however, can overlook the economic and environmental pressures underneath them.

Climate change does not automatically create conflict. But it can make existing problems worse.

When a farmer loses a harvest because of drought, or a pastoralist is unable to find grazing land, the pressure on already fragile communities increases. Where there are weak institutions for resolving disputes, relatively small disagreements can quickly become violent.

The Lake Chad Basin provides an important example of this connection between environment and security.

Lake Chad supports communities across Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Fishing, farming, livestock production and cross-border trade have supported generations of families. However, environmental changes, population pressures and insecurity have placed considerable strain on these livelihoods.

In northeastern Nigeria, particularly Borno State, the Boko Haram insurgency has added another layer to these challenges. Communities have faced displacement, destruction of livelihoods, restrictions on movement and loss of access to farmland and fishing areas.

For a displaced family, insecurity is not only the fear of an attack. It is also the loss of the ability to farm, fish, trade or earn an income.

This is why security cannot be separated from livelihoods.

A community may be protected from immediate attacks, but if its people cannot feed their families or rebuild their livelihoods, that security remains fragile.

The Sahel also sits at the centre of growing international interest in Africa’s strategic resources. Uranium in Niger, gold across the region and oil in countries such as Chad and Sudan have attracted international companies and foreign governments for decades.

This has contributed to a growing debate about resource sovereignty.

Across the region, citizens increasingly want governments to ensure that natural resources benefit local populations rather than primarily serving foreign interests or political elites. This concern is understandable.

However, resource sovereignty should not simply mean replacing foreign control with domestic corruption. The real objective should be transparent and accountable management of national resources.

Governments must publish clear agreements, strengthen institutions and ensure that communities see tangible benefits from extraction taking place around them.

There is also a need to rethink what the Sahel exports.

For decades, many African economies have depended on exporting raw materials while importing finished products. This limits the economic benefits that remain within the continent.

The Sahel needs greater investment in local processing and value addition. Gold, uranium, oil and other resources should contribute to local industries, jobs, skills and infrastructure.

The region also has an opportunity that extends beyond traditional extractive industries: renewable energy.

The Sahel receives enormous amounts of sunlight throughout much of the year. Solar energy could provide electricity to communities that remain poorly connected to national grids, while supporting schools, health centres, businesses and agricultural activities.

Energy access is closely connected to development. A young person with access to electricity, education, skills and employment has very different opportunities from one living in a community where basic services are absent.

This is why development should be treated as part of the region’s security strategy, rather than as something separate from it.

The international community also has a role to play, but its approach must change. External partners should support African institutions rather than create systems that leave local governments and communities dependent on outside actors.

Security assistance is important, but military responses alone cannot address the deeper causes of instability.

The Sahel needs an approach that connects security with governance, climate adaptation, livelihoods and resource management.

Regional cooperation will be equally important. Natural resources and environmental challenges do not respect national borders. Neither do trafficking networks or armed groups.

Countries sharing the Lake Chad Basin, for example, need stronger cooperation on water management, border security, trade and community development. Information sharing and coordinated policies can help prevent local problems from becoming regional crises.

The Sahel’s natural resources can either deepen its problems or help solve them.

The difference will be determined by how those resources are governed.

A gold mine should not only generate profits; it should create jobs and support surrounding communities. Oil revenue should translate into schools, healthcare and infrastructure. Water should be managed as a shared resource rather than becoming a source of conflict. Land should be protected so that future generations can depend on it.

Most importantly, communities must have a voice.

People living around mines, forests, rivers and grazing lands understand the realities of these environments better than anyone sitting in a distant capital. Their participation should therefore be central to decisions about natural resource management.

The Sahel does not lack resources. What it needs is stronger governance, fairer distribution of wealth and policies that put people at the centre of development.

The region’s security challenges cannot be solved by soldiers and weapons alone. Peace must also be built through livelihoods, accountable institutions, environmental protection and economic opportunity.

If the Sahel can achieve this, its natural resources could become more than commodities beneath the ground. They could become foundations for stability, dignity and a more secure future for millions of people.

The question facing the Sahel is therefore not whether it is rich.

It is whether its people will finally be able to benefit from that richness.

Edo Queens have advanced in the WAFU-B qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League after a convincing 5-1 victory over USFA of Burkina Faso in the semi-final.

The impressive performance has attracted commendation from the immediate past South South Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Blessing Agbomhere, who congratulated the team and its Chairman, Chief Jarrett Tenebe.

In a congratulatory message issued on Thursday through his media office, Agbomhere said the result reflected the team’s preparation and the leadership provided by its management.

He expressed confidence in Edo Queens’ chances of securing victory in the final and progressing further in the competition.

Agbomhere also commended the players for their performance, saying their display had brought recognition to Edo State.

He acknowledged the support of the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo, particularly in providing what he described as an enabling environment, equipment and encouragement for the team.

According to him, the victory demonstrates what can be achieved when talent, discipline and determination are combined.

Ibom Air has expanded its fleet to 10 aircraft with the arrival of a new Airbus A220-300, as the Akwa Ibom-owned airline moves closer to recording five million cumulative passengers.

The aircraft, delivered directly from the Airbus assembly facility in Mirabel, Canada, was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.

The latest addition brings Ibom Air’s fleet to seven Bombardier CRJ-900s and three Airbus A220-300s.

Speaking at the reception, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno said the airline had carried 4,953,512 passengers across 65,152 scheduled flights and was on course to cross the five-million mark before the end of September.

Eno said five of the airline’s 10 aircraft were acquired under his administration to support the expansion of its route network.

Ibom Air currently operates to seven domestic destinations and Accra, Ghana. The airline plans to expand to 12 destinations and 15 routes by 2027, including services to Douala in Cameroon, Libreville in Gabon and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

Chairman of Ibom Air, Mfon Udom, said the new A220-300 would enable the airline to restore its full domestic schedule while supporting its regional expansion plans.

He said the carrier would restore three daily flights on the Uyo-Lagos and Uyo-Abuja routes, while Lagos-Abuja services would return to seven daily frequencies.

The airline said its operations have also generated significant economic benefits for Akwa Ibom, with more than N60 billion injected into the state economy.

Ibom Air currently employs 753 direct staff, including 478 indigenes of Akwa Ibom, while its operations support an estimated 2,000 indirect jobs across the state.

Governor Eno said the state was also investing in aviation manpower, noting that 14 of Ibom Air’s 30 pilots and 16 of its 40 aircraft engineers are Akwa Ibom indigenes. Ten additional pilots are undergoing simulator training in Addis Ababa, while another 10 aviation specialists are training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

Special Adviser on Aviation and Airport Development, Uwem Ekanem, said the state was developing an ‘Aerotropolis’ built around the airline, an international airport terminal and a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility.

He said the initiative was designed to boost tourism, air cargo, foreign exchange earnings and aviation-related technical skills.

Ekanem also dismissed claims that the airport operates as a monopoly, saying it remains open to other commercial airlines. He disclosed that Air Peace was expected to commence operations in September, while discussions were ongoing with ValuJet.

Ibom Air’s Chief Pilot, Ruth Adebanwo, said the A220-300’s fuel efficiency, lower emissions and reduced noise make it suitable for the airline’s next phase of expansion.

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have killed a suspected bandit and recovered weapons and ammunition during a patrol on the Gbise-Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the operation took place on Wednesday following an encounter between troops of Sector 1 and two suspected bandits riding on a motorcycle along the axis.

Zubairu said the troops engaged the suspects after positively identifying them, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one of the suspects was neutralised.

He stated that the second suspect fled the scene after being overpowered by the troops, adding that a subsequent search and clearance operation led to the recovery of one pistol, a pistol magazine and an AK-47 magazine.

He also said the troops recovered eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and one PKT round, as well as a Tecno mobile phone and assorted charms from the scene.

Zubairu urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information on the activities and movements of suspected criminals.

He said such information was critical to enabling security forces to respond swiftly to emerging threats, assuring that the troops would sustain patrols and intelligence-driven operations across their area of responsibility to dismantle criminal networks and prevent them from threatening communities.

Gwagwalada residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the unhygienic and deplorable state of the slaughterhouse section of the Anagada Livestock Market.

The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the facility was poorly maintained and urgently needed upgrading to meet public health standards.

They described the slaughterhouse section as unfit for processing meat for human consumption.

A NAN correspondent who visited the market observed that animals were slaughtered on a dirty floor littered with waste.

NAN reports that butchers were also seen using tyres to process animal skin which produced thick smoke that polluted the air. Slaughtered animals were washed with water from unhygienic sources.

Mrs Deborah Adiche, a trader, expressed fears that the poor sanitary conditions in the market could expose consumers to diseases.

‘The way they handle meat here is very bad. Most times you see meat meant for human consumption on a dirty floor mixed with animal waste.

‘Butchers also lack knowledge of standard handling, and sometimes they use motorcycles to transport the meat,’ she said.

Adiche called on authorities to enforce strict hygiene practices, sensitise butchers regularly, provide vans for meat transportation and build a standard slaughterhouse with constant water supply.

Mr Nasiru Ibrahim, a resident, said meat for public consumption should be processed in a clean environment to safeguard public health.

Mrs Bridget Adeniji, a resident, also advocated for total rehabilitation of the facility, including adequate water supply, proper waste disposal, and modern slaughter equipment.

A public health expert, Dr Emmanuel Ademola, warned that poor sanitation in slaughterhouses increases the risk of contamination and disease spread.

He urged regular veterinary inspection before and after slaughter, and strict compliance with environmental and health regulations.

Responding, an area council official of the market, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said management and the Area Council regularly sensitise butchers, adding that veterinary officers routinely examine livestock. (NAN)

The official, however, said that compliance remained a challenge, adding that some workers failed to adhere to established hygiene standards in spite of continuous awareness and sensitisation.

He explained that the slaughterhouse had four boreholes connected to overhead tanks to ensure water supply.

He said that a gas-powered roasting system earlier introduced could not cope with the volume of work.

‘We told them to look for another alternative and we are still waiting,’ he said.

He, therefore, appealed to governments and spirited individuals to provide a modern and sustainable roasting system for abattoirs across the FCT. (NAN)

Egbin Power has commenced the 11th edition of its annual scholarship programme, reaffirming its commitment to quality education and creating opportunities for young people in its host communities.

The programme supports the company’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Established under Egbin Power’s Personal Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) initiative, the scholarship programme provides free education to outstanding students selected from primary and secondary schools across the company’s host communities.

The 2026 edition began with a pre-test exercise attended by more than 250 students. Other activities include an education fair, boot camp, mentorship sessions and playgroup activities designed to improve academic performance while developing participants’ confidence, discipline, leadership abilities and life skills.

The Chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, said the company remained committed to using education as a tool for sustainable community development.

‘As a responsible organisation, we remain committed to accelerating development around us. Education is one of the most powerful and sustainable ways to create that impact, and our scholarship programme is a deliberate investment in the future of our communities,’ Bounour said.

He said the company’s responsibility extended beyond electricity generation to creating opportunities, nurturing potential and helping young people achieve their dreams.

‘At Egbin Power, we believe our responsibility goes beyond generating electricity. We also have a responsibility to help generate opportunities, nurture potential and enable dreams,’ he said.

Bounour added that the programme was investing in young people who would become future leaders, professionals and change-makers.

‘The legacy we want to build is one of lasting value-where quality education becomes a foundation for individual progress, stronger communities and a better society. This is our commitment to shared success,’ he said.

Parents, teachers and community leaders continue to support the initiative by partnering with the company in the educational development of participating students.

Beyond education, Egbin Power implements other corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on healthcare, youth empowerment, community infrastructure and human capital development.

The company said these interventions reflect its broader commitment to creating sustainable value, promoting development and improving the quality of life in its host communities.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the world football governing body FIFA formally accepted the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and other principal officers of the federation. FIFA also said it was backing the proposed comprehensive reform roadmap for Nigerian football. The immediate implication of this is that FIFA will not sanction Nigeria on the basis of the induced resignations. But make no mistake about this, Nigeria is still not out of the woods.

For while this may have settled some dust arising from the mass resignations occasioned by executive meddlesomeness, it has opened another vista of challenge and test of character for those shaping football in Nigeria. Football, it must be said, is run on the pedestal of rules, mores and industry-based statutes. Such rules are fashioned to insulate football and its governing bodies at all levels from any form of crude intrusion and impunity.

Nigerians strongly believe and agree that NFF and the entire football ecosystem need reforms, especially after missing out from two consecutive World Cup for men, and now the 2027 World Cup for women in Brazil. But they also warn that such reforms must conform with laid down rules in accordance with NFF statutes and in consonance with both CAF and FIFA legal frameworks. The reforms must be anchored on the due process of the laws governing football in Nigeria, Africa (CAF) and globally (FIFA). One of such cardinal norms is that neither CAF nor FIFA should appoint or cause to be appointed a Normalisation Committee until the exhaustion of the NFF statutory process. Both CAF and FIFA are also barred from recognising or negotiating with Nigerian government or any such external body on the way forward for the NFF in moments of crisis such as the recent mass resignations. The NFF statutes have clearly stated the legitimate procedures towards resolving any leadership succession or vacancy crisis.

It bears reaffirming that Nigeria football administration is not anchored on lawlessness. Articles 38 of the NFF statute in keeping with the independence of the NFF states very clearly the steps to be taken in moments of resignations such as we have now. Where such vacancies exist on account of resignations, the law states categorically that such resignation does not amount to dissolution of the NFF. This also does not in any way extend an invitation to the federal government to meddle into the matter by trying to conjure ways of determining how the NFF should be governed. The lines are not blurred. They are defined. The government of any country under FIFA governance code has no locus to assume administrative duty either vicariously or by any direct manipulative process. On this count, the Nigerian government must back off from any intrusion whatsoever.

The question is: Are there vacancies at the football house? The answer is a valid YES! How then should the vacancies be filled? The answer is found in the law, not in any person’s imagination or conjuration. Here, again, we look to what the rule book says. Article 38 of the NFF statute envisaged diverse scenarios and dimensions of vacancies. Article 38(7), for instance, states: ‘If more than 50 percent of the positions of the Executive Committee become vacant, the General Secretary shall convene an Extraordinary Congress within the prescribed period of time. In the meantime, the remaining members of the Council shall take care of the daily affairs of the NFF until new elections are held.’

But whether more than 50 percent or all of the whole Council resigned, the NFF statute which is the only legitimate legal framework for football administration in Nigeria duly recognises the place of Congress to ensure stability and seamless succession of leadership within the federation.

Since the resignation tsunami that shook the NFF, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has appointed an interim administrative body to oversee the affairs of the federation. Under the circumstance, there should be no rush to set up a Normalisation Committee when immediate and extant procedures for filling vacancies have not been fully exhausted. The NSC must avoid being teleguided by the federal government. It must at this time recognise the legitimate powers vested in the Congress to drive the process of succession. Any procedure outside the Congress runs contrary to the grains of the NFF statutes.

This is even made easy as Congress has not only welcomed the reforms, but has indicated its willingness to work with both CAF, FIFA, and NSC to ensure a seamless transition to stronger and efficient leadership for Nigeria football. What is paramount at the moment is that every reform roadmap, strategy and prescription must have institutional legitimacy. Constituting a Normalisation Committee is not the next chapter in this regard. The most compelling and critical step is to consider the role and place of Congress as enshrined in the NFF statute and equally as is the lawful practice under CAF and FIFA jurisdictions which includes Nigeria.

Yes, there is crisis in Nigeria football. But due process of the law must be followed in the course of resolving the crisis. FIFA and CAF, both of which have bought into the reforms agenda for Nigeria football, should ensure they guide the Nigeria football stakeholders to abide by the statutes and not bow to extraneous influence.

The Congress of the NFF consists of 108 delegates representing various key sectors of Nigeria football. Its composition includes 36 states football associations’ chairmen and secretaries and the Federal Capital Territory; representatives and board members from domestic leagues, including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL). It also includes members of specialist bodies namely: delegates from the coaches’ association, referees’ association, and the players’ union. This broad-spectrum membership of Congress makes it a veritable stakeholders’ representative body.

It is therefore both absurd and inappropriate to bypass Congress or diminish its legitimate essence in the guise of resolving the crisis. Doing so amounts to a descent into illegality and conscious transgression. It does not enforce the independence of NFF; it impairs it.

Not following the due process of the law exposes Nigeria to sanction by CAF and FIFA, even when they both agree to the reforms. And who knows, resolving the leadership crisis through any illegal means may trigger a trove of litigations. Some aggrieved stakeholders who felt that illegality was introduced in the making of the next Council may drag Nigeria to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in Switzerland. That is not the kind of optics that Nigeria football needs at this time.

To avoid such showdown that could further dim whatever is left of Nigeria’s international image, Nigerian authorities, CAF and FIFA, must listen to Congress. A word is enough for the wise!

· Ekwueme, sports aficionado, writes from Abuja.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to grant an application for bail filed by Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Adeyemi’s lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez, held that there was need to hear from the police and other respondents in the suit in the interest of fair hearing.

Justice Egwuatu, however, granted a relief for the respondents to give Adeyemi, who is currently in police custody, unhindered access to him lawyers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyemi, through his lawyer, had, in the suit, sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police (IGP), Nigeria Police Force and Assistant-Inspector General of Police as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

In the suit signed by another lawyer, Ademola Oyedokun, the alleged fake DG sought six reliefs.

Adeyemi urged the court to admit him to bail, release him from detention and allow him to seek medical attention from health practitioners of his own choice over his alleged ill health.

He also sought an order restraining the police or any other officers or agents from interrogating him or directing him to make, adopt or sign any statement, save in the presence of a legal practitioner of his own choice.

He equally sought ‘an order that, for so long as the applicant remains in custody, the respondents do permit the applicant unimpeded access to legal practitioners of his own choosing at all reasonable hours.’

In his affidavit, Adeyemi’s elder brother, Adeniyi Adebola, said the detainee was unable to attend to the commissioner for oaths by reason of his detention.

NAN reports that the police, in a criminal charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, is presently prosecuting Adeyemi over allegations bordering on forgery, impersonation, among others, before another brother judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.

Justice Umar had, in July, issued an arrest warrant against Adeyemi following his absence from scheduled proceedings.

The judge then fixed Sept. 30 for his arraignment.

After the issuance of arrest warrant, Adeyemi was later apprehended by the police and had been in custody, pending his arraignment.

Meanwhile, when the civil case before Justice Obiora was called on Thursday, Abdulazeez, who appeared for Adeyemi, moved the motion ex-parte.

After moving the application, Justice Egwatu held that the requests for bail, medical attention and other reliefs could not be granted without hearing from the respondents.

The judge, however, granted Relief six, which mandated the AGF and the police to give Adeniyi unfettered access to his lawyers.

The judge also gave the respondents a 72-hour ultimatum to show cause why the other reliefs sought by Adeniyi should not be granted.

The court consequently fixed Sept. 9 for the respondents to show cause.

The police, in the criminal charge, named Adeyemi, ‘Femi Surname Unknown,’ and ‘Anu Surname Unknown’ as the first to third defendants, respectively, over alleged forgery and impersonation.

In the police processes before Justice Umar, the prosecution lined up several witnesses, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, etc, to give evidence in the case.

Investigators alleged that Adeyemi operated the purported agency from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja before his arrest.(NAN)

The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority’s (NSIA) has revealed that its healthcare investment projects have saved Nigeria over $200 million in foreign exchange.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, in a statement yesterday highlighted the impact of the Authority’s investments in oncology, diagnostics and other specialised medical services across the country.

He said the intervention was designed to reverse Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on overseas medical treatment by building the capacity to provide quality healthcare services locally.

According to Umar-Sadiq, the NSIA’s healthcare strategy has already produced measurable results, with its flagship MedServe-LUTH Cancer Centre (MLCC) in Lagos providing more than 25,000 radiotherapy sessions and 10,000 chemotherapy treatments to about 15,000 unique patients since inception.

The centre, commissioned in May 2019, became the first oncology centre in Nigeria to offer 3D Conformal Radiotherapy and now has the largest concentration of radiotherapy equipment in West Africa.

Umar-Sadiq said the quality and affordability of services at the centre had also resulted in cases of ‘reversed medical tourism’, with Nigerians previously receiving treatment abroad being referred back to Nigeria.

He said ‘Treatment at the centre could cost less than half the price of comparable treatment overseas, making local specialised care more accessible while retaining scarce foreign exchange within the Nigerian economy with an overall foreign exchange savings of over $200m’

The NSIA boss said the importance of domestic healthcare capacity became particularly clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel restrictions prevented many Nigerians from accessing treatment abroad.

‘At a critical moment for patients requiring specialised care, MLCC provided continuity of advanced cancer treatment within Nigeria,’ he said.

The Authority has also expanded its healthcare intervention beyond Lagos through the MedServe Kano Diagnostic Centre and MedServe Umuahia Diagnostic Centre.

Umar-Sadiq disclosed that more than 410,000 patients had accessed pathology and radiology services through the two centres by December 2025.

He said the expansion had helped improve access to advanced diagnostics, facilitate earlier disease detection and support better clinical decision-making in areas where such services were previously limited.

But the NSIA is now preparing for a much bigger healthcare expansion.

Umar-Sadiq said MedServe was developing a network across 13 states, comprising 13 new diagnostic centres, three additional oncology centres and three cardiac catheterisation laboratories.

The expansion will cover major urban centres, including Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna, as well as states such as Oyo, Sokoto, Delta and Yobe.

The Bloggers and Content Creators Association of Nigeria has called for stronger collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement, media organisations and civil society groups to promote public awareness and understanding of ongoing procurement reforms.

The BAVCCA President, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the 2026 BAVCCA/BPP Procurement Performance Conference with the theme: ‘Celebrating Successes, Identifying Challenges, and Charging Solutions for Public Procurement Reforms.’

The Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun was presented with BAVCCA Man of the Year Leadership Award and decorated as an ambassador of the association.

Chukwunyere said closer engagement among the stakeholders would enhance procurement education, public awareness, responsible monitoring of government institutions and understanding of reforms being implemented by the BPP.

He said: ‘We believe there is a need for stronger and more structured engagement between BPP, the media, the civil society, and the digital content community.’

According to him, responsible digital media had an important role to play in explaining government reforms, monitoring public institutions and tackling disinformation.

He, however, urged bloggers and content creators to ensure accuracy, balance, verification and proper context in their reports.

Chukwunyere identified capacity gaps, resistance to change, data manipulation, data challenges and enforcement as some of the challenges confronting procurement reforms.

He said the focus should be on ensuring that reforms translated into measurable improvements and greater public confidence in the procurement system.

‘Our objective should therefore be simple, to move from reform to implementation, from implementation to measurable results, and from results to public confidence,’ he said.

The BAVCCA president also disclosed that the association, in collaboration with the Council of Independent, Civic, Monitoring and Digital Investigations, would submit petitions and evidence of alleged corruption in parts of the public procurement system to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He said the association would formally name government institutions allegedly implicated in corrupt practices and draw the attention of the anti-graft agency to the alleged infractions.

‘BAVCCA and the Council of Independent, Civic, Monitoring, and Digital Investigations has uncovered deeply troubling patterns of wrongdoing within parts of the public system.

‘In line with our commitment to accountability, we shall be formally submitting detailed letters and evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, naming implicated government institutions, and drawing attention to observed acts of corruption,’ he said.

Speaking at the conference, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described public procurement as a critical instrument for national development.

Adedokun, who was represented by the Director of Civil Infrastructure, Nasir Bello, said the success or failure of the procurement system had a direct impact on citizens and the development of the country.

‘Procurement is not merely a government process, it is a development instrument, an economic driver, and a powerful catalyst for national transformation,’ he said.

The BPP boss said the bureau was implementing a procurement modernisation programme anchored on digital transformation, professionalisation, compliance and the strategic use of government spending.

He identified the Electronic Government Procurement system as one of the major reforms, saying it would automate key procurement processes across government institutions.

According to him, the system would reduce manual intervention, strengthen audit trails, improve transparency, facilitate real-time monitoring and generate reliable procurement data for evidence-based decision-making.

Adedokun also highlighted the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy as an important component of procurement reform, saying public spending should stimulate local industries, create jobs, promote innovation and retain economic value within the country.

He said procurement opportunities should also be expanded to micro, small and medium enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises and other underrepresented groups.

The BPP director-general urged bloggers, content creators and digital journalists to support efforts to promote transparency and accountability in public procurement.

‘You are no longer mere observers. You are drivers of public discourse. You are amplifiers of information. You are partners in accountability,’ he said.