Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating youth and adult illiteracy in Nigeria through the expansion of literacy centres, strengthening of adult education institutions and increased access to lifelong learning opportunities.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stated this on Friday at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Literacy Day, with the theme, ‘Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity.’

She noted that the theme underscores the role of literacy in promoting human development, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

Ahmad said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that literacy programmes were expanded across the country, particularly to underserved communities, while repositioning the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) to effectively drive the national literacy campaign.

She said the government was strengthening NMEC’s operational capacity and addressing some of the longstanding challenges confronting the commission, including infrastructure deficits and the sustainability of literacy programmes.

According to her, facilities at the National Centre for Adult Education in Kano are being rehabilitated, while infrastructure is also being developed in other parts of the country.

She disclosed that learning centres were being activated nationwide, with NMEC personnel serving as facilitators to ensure continuity and sustainability of the programmes.

The minister also said the government was working to address the longstanding challenge of paying stipends to literacy facilitators, stressing that the sustainability of adult and non-formal education programmes remained critical to achieving meaningful results.

Ahmad noted that literacy had moved beyond the traditional ability to read and write, describing it as a foundation for human dignity, sustainable development and shared prosperity.

She said functional literacy would equip citizens with skills to participate in economic activities, acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skills, harness digital technologies and improve their livelihoods.

‘The government recognises that literacy must evolve alongside a rapidly changing world. Digital transformation, emerging technologies, climate change and changing economic realities require citizens to possess skills that go beyond traditional reading and writing,’ she said.

The minister stressed that the Federal Government could not tackle the country’s literacy deficit alone, calling for stronger collaboration among state and local governments, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector, community leaders and the media.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with UNESCO and other development partners to build a literate, sustainable and prosperous society.

Ahmad said the government would continue to strengthen partnerships aimed at supporting education policies, building the capacity of teachers and facilitators and expanding learning opportunities for vulnerable populations, including children and young people in crisis-affected communities.

She urged Nigerians and stakeholders to renew their commitment to ensuring that no citizen was left behind in the pursuit of knowledge, skills and opportunities.

The UNESCO Representative and Head of Education Sector, UNESCO Abuja Office, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, commended Nigeria’s commitment to closing the literacy gap and pledged the organisation’s continued support for the country’s literacy agenda.

Adeyemi said the scale of global illiteracy remained urgent, noting that UNESCO estimates that at least 739 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills.

He, however, said progress had been recorded globally, with more than 88 per cent of the world’s adult population now able to read and write, compared with about 65 per cent a decade ago.

He said Nigeria’s efforts to close its literacy gap formed part of the global drive to promote education for all.

According to him, UNESCO’s mandate places literacy at the core of education, not merely as an isolated skill but as a foundation for health, well-being, dignity and lifelong learning, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Adeyemi said literacy was no longer confined to the classroom, as it increasingly shaped how individuals understood information, made decisions, knew their rights and participated in society.

He added that literacy also played an important role in helping communities respond to economic and environmental challenges.

The UNESCO representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with Nigeria and other stakeholders towards building a literate, sustainable and prosperous future.

He noted that ministers and stakeholders were gathering in Mexico for the global observance of International Literacy Day, while the Global Alliance for Literacy was also developing its 2026-2029 strategy.

Adeyemi said UNESCO would continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Education and sister United Nations agencies in supporting policies, strengthening teacher capacity and expanding learning opportunities for vulnerable populations.

He particularly highlighted the importance of reaching children and young people living in crisis-affected communities.

Nigeria has spoken of gas as the fuel that will power its industrial future, for decades. The difficulty has never been the size of our gas reserves. It has been the ability to move that gas from where it is produced to where it is needed. That is why the latest progress on two of the country’s most important gas transmission projects deserves more than a routine announcement.

On 1 September, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) announced that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion and was ready for first gas, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline had reached 95 per cent completion. On paper, these are project milestones. In practical terms, they represent something far more consequential: the gradual removal of one of the most persistent constraints on Nigeria’s gas economy which is inadequate transportation infrastructure.

The OB3 development is particularly significant. The completion of the River Niger crossing, achieved through a technically demanding operation involving the drilling of roughly two kilometres beneath the river, has cleared the final major physical obstacle to the full operation of the 130-kilometre pipeline. With a design capacity of about 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, the pipeline will become a major artery connecting gas-producing areas in the Niger Delta to markets further inland. More importantly, it is expected to make more than 500 million standard cubic feet per day of additional gas available to the domestic market.

That distinction matters. Nigeria does not have a gas-reserve problem; we have a gas-delivery problem. Gas trapped in the ground or stranded because there is no reliable infrastructure to transport it cannot power a factory, feed a fertiliser plant or generate electricity. Every major trunkline that comes into operation therefore changes what is economically possible – from electricity generation and fertiliser production to manufacturing, compressed natural gas distribution and other energy-intensive industries.

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK pipeline carries similar strategic importance from another direction. At 95 per cent completion, it is approaching the point where gas can begin moving more reliably towards Abuja and, ultimately, further into northern Nigeria, with NNPC targeting early gas delivery to Abuja before the end of 2026. Its importance goes beyond connecting one location to another. It is a critical part of the effort to extend Nigeria’s gas infrastructure beyond the traditional producing areas and build a more integrated national gas network.

This is where the significance of the Ojulari era at NNPC becomes clearer. The real test of leadership at a national energy company is not how many announcements are made or how impressive the targets sound. It is whether projects that have remained on the drawing board, in procurement cycles or in various stages of execution for years are finally completed and put to work. OB3 and AKK are precisely the kind of projects against which that test should be measured.

And the story does not end with gas. Under Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s leadership, NNPC’s operational performance in the upstream sector has also begun to tell a different story. NNPC Exploration and Production Limited recorded peak daily production of 365,000 barrels in December 2025; the highest level achieved in 36 years and surpassing the output last recorded in 1989. Projects including the Madu First Oil Project, Soku Pipeline optimisation, Akpo West development and the commissioning of the Gbaran Nodal Compression Train have added to production capacity and strengthened the resilience of operations.

These are not insignificant developments in an industry where declining production, ageing infrastructure, underinvestment and prolonged project cycles have combined for years to undermine Nigeria’s position as a major oil and gas producer.

Just as important have been efforts to address the commercial disputes and contractual uncertainties that have made investors cautious. The execution of a model Production Sharing Contract for deep-water assets has opened new opportunities for non-associated gas development, while the resolution of the long-running Oil Prospecting Lease 245 dispute has created room for fresh production-sharing arrangements across multiple licences. Such issues may appear technical to the casual observer, but they are central to investment decisions. Capital does not follow rhetoric; it follows certainty.

That is why the question of credibility is perhaps more important than any individual production figure. For much of Nigeria’s oil and gas history, investors have had to contend with uncertainty over contracts, regulatory processes, project approvals, security, infrastructure and the commercial terms governing their investments. Rebuilding confidence in such an environment cannot happen overnight. It requires consistency, financial discipline, clearer decision-making and, above all, evidence that commitments will be followed by execution.

There are indications that this is beginning to happen under Ojulari. The launch of NNPC Limited’s Gas Master Plan 2026 is part of that wider strategy. The plan targets daily gas production of 10 billion standard cubic feet by 2027 and 12 billion by 2030, while seeking to attract more than US$60 billion in investment across the energy value chain. But the real importance of the plan is not in the size of the numbers. It is in what those numbers are supposed to achieve: more gas for power generation, greater industrial capacity, expanded fertiliser production, new jobs and a stronger domestic gas market.

Nigeria has spent decades talking about becoming a gas-powered economy. The opportunity now is building the infrastructure and commercial framework capable of making that ambition real.

This is also why the progress on OB3 and AKK matters to Nigerians beyond the oil and gas industry. A pipeline does not improve anyone’s life simply because it has been completed. Its real value begins when the gas flowing through it keeps a power plant running, allows a manufacturer to produce at lower cost, supports a fertiliser plant, creates employment or gives an investor enough confidence to put fresh capital into an industrial project.

For ordinary Nigerians, the chain is straightforward. More reliable gas supply can support more reliable electricity generation. More reliable electricity can reduce the pressure on businesses that currently depend heavily on expensive alternative sources of power. Lower operating costs can improve production. Increased production can support employment and economic activity. That is how a piece of infrastructure buried beneath the ground eventually becomes relevant to the family sitting above it.

The US$30 billion investment target set for 2027 is an ambitious undertaking and, more importantly, a serious test of institutional capacity. Achieving it will require sustained production growth, regulatory certainty, security of critical infrastructure, disciplined corporate governance and an investment climate in which international and domestic capital can commit with confidence.

This is where the Ojulari leadership will ultimately be judged. Not by the ambition of the targets alone, but by the ability to sustain execution after the headlines have faded. Nigeria has seen ambitious plans before. What the country needs now is continuity between policy, investment and delivery..

That is why the developments at NNPC deserve to be viewed in their proper context. The completion of OB3, the near-completion of AKK, the recovery in upstream production, the resolution of long-standing commercial disputes and the renewed push to attract investment are not isolated events. Together, they point to an NNPC that is attempting to move from managing decline to deliberately building capacity.

The transformation is still a work in progress. There will be setbacks, difficult commercial decisions and targets that will inevitably be tested by the realities of Nigeria’s operating environment. But there is now enough evidence to argue that something has begun to change.

And that, in my view, explains why the achievements and ongoing policy transformation at NNPC under Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari provide a credible basis for the CEO of the Year 2026 award conferred on him by the LEADERSHIP Group on 3 September.

Awards, of course, are easy to announce. The more important question is whether the record behind them stands up to scrutiny. In Ojulari’s case, the answer will ultimately be found not in the trophy, but in the kilometres of pipeline completed, the barrels brought back into production, the investment unlocked, the gas delivered and, most importantly, the economic value that Nigerians can feel from an oil and gas sector that is beginning to work more deliberately for the country.

The fintech company gave the assurance at a Live Town Hall in Lagos on Wednesday, convened to address misinformation claiming that OPay would stop operating from September 1.

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, OPay, Dotun Adekunle, described the reports as false and said the company continued to operate normally after the date mentioned in the messages.

‘OPay is here, OPay is operating, and OPay is going nowhere,’ Adekunle said, adding that there was ‘no decision by OPay to shut down its operations in Nigeria, and there is no indefinite leave.’

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria had also acknowledged the reports as fake news, urging customers and merchants to rely on OPay’s official communication channels before acting on information circulated online.

Beyond the clarification, OPay said it had commenced steps to hold those allegedly responsible for the false reports accountable.

Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, said the company was pursuing legal action against individuals allegedly involved in creating and circulating the misinformation.

‘OPay is taking legal action against those responsible for deliberately creating and circulating this false information. We will pursue them and ensure that the law takes its full course. There will be no impunity,’ Rokosu said.

He disclosed that the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force are investigating the matter and working to identify those behind the reports. OPay, he added, had provided evidence to assist the investigations.

Rokosu stressed that the legal action was not intended to prevent legitimate criticism or questions about OPay’s operations.

‘This is not about silencing anyone. It is about accountability, customer protection and respect for the rule of law,’ he said.

Industry stakeholders at the Town Hall warned that misinformation concerning a major payment provider could damage confidence in Nigeria’s digital financial services industry.

Olalekan Disu, Financial Secretary, Association of Licensed Mobile Payment Operators (ALMPO), and an executive at eTranzact Plc, said trust remains fundamental to digital payments, warning that false information could discourage businesses and consumers from using digital financial services.

President, FintechNGR, and Group Chief Innovation and Technology Officer at Meristem, Stanley Jacobs, also said trust is critical to the growth of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, stressing the need for accurate information and responsible communication.

OPay also used the Town Hall to showcase its long-term investments in Nigeria, particularly in education, technology and financial inclusion.

The company said it had committed N1.2 billion over 10 years to a scholarship programme supporting students in tertiary institutions across the country.

The initiative is aimed at reducing financial barriers to education and helping talented young Nigerians remain focused on their studies. Beneficiary institutions include the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University and Lagos State University.

At Obafemi Awolowo University, the partnership provides scholarship support to students over a 10-year period. Professor Babajide Odu, Director, University Research Office, said the initiative reflected OPay’s commitment to education and youth development.

‘OPay’s 10-year, N1.2 billion scholarship commitment is more than financial support; it is a long-term investment in the future of Nigerian students,’ Odu said.

He cited OPay’s support for the 2026 Academic and Research Excellence Awards as evidence of its commitment to academic excellence.

OPay said its investments demonstrated a broader commitment to Nigeria beyond payments, covering education, technology and financial inclusion.

The company urged customers and merchants to disregard unverified reports and called on the public to verify information before sharing claims that could influence financial decisions.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT Ideology) has appointed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as its Grand Patron, as it declared its intention to mobilise at least 15 million votes nationwide for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The group said Fagbemi had accepted the appointment, describing the development as a responsibility he received with humility.

In a statement issued by its convener, Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi, the group said discussions during an engagement with the AGF also focused on political developments in Kwara State and efforts to strengthen grassroots mobilisation for the President ahead of the 2027 general election.

It listed the establishment of a battalion in Omu-Aran, efforts towards the Ora-Ijagbo-Osogbo Road project, the provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses for civil servants and employment opportunities as some of the interventions it said would support its mobilisation efforts.

The group said the interventions demonstrated the impact of the Tinubu administration’s policies and projects in Kwara State.

It further said it was targeting the mobilisation of no fewer than 15 million votes for Tinubu across the country, based on what it described as the measurable impact of the administration’s projects and programmes.

The group added that its mobilisation efforts would also draw on intervention projects it claimed to have facilitated across different parts of the country.

Fagbemi, who expressed happiness at receiving the group and accepting the appointment, charged its leadership to work beyond delivering Kwara State for Tinubu.

He urged the group to also work towards securing electoral victories for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.

The AGF also commended BAT Ideology for what he described as its visible impact across 20 states, where the group said it had facilitated various intervention projects.

According to the statement, Fagbemi said the movement was redefining the role of support and civil society groups by moving from complaints to contributions and from influence without authority to practical impact.

He expressed confidence that the group could achieve greater results if its members were given opportunities to serve in positions of responsibility, adding that he was proud to be associated with the movement.

The need for Nigerians to prioritise strong family institutions in line with the dictates of Allah and His messenger in order to build a prosperous nation has been stressed.

President, Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulfatah Thanni, made the assertion at the annual Couples Seminar of the Muslim Congress (TMC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State branches, held at the Conference Hall of the National Mosque, Abuja, last Sunday.

Allah has placed development of sound individuals and peaceful society on the effectiveness of the family institution, making it the responsibility of everyone to ensure that the institution is not allowed to collapse, no matter the circumstances.

He advised couples to adopt the prophetic approach, such as shurah (consultation), effective communication, creating time for each other and respecting the rights of one another in building lasting relationships.

Sheikh Thanni bemoaned the alarming rate of family collapse in the country, asserting that it was the root cause of major problems the society is grappling with.

Another speaker at the event, Dr Sulaiman Ogunmuyiwa, advised couples to avoid the ego of winning every argument at home but rather focus on repairing any lapses which may hinder the continuity of the family institution.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Blanket Forgiveness’, Ogunmuyiwa, who is the Director-General, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance, reminded couples that they were created perfect by Allah, prompting the need to overlook each other’s faults as much as possible.

He harped on the need for husband and wife to constantly draw lessons from the family life of Prophet Muhammad, whom Allah instituted as model for all mankind in all situations.

In his welcome address, the Amir of the Muslim Congress, Alhaji Taiwo Bangbala, listed effective communication, deliberate commitment to the marriage and admitting mistakes as crucial elements of a long-lasting family institution that would impact positively on the society.

He encouraged Nigerians to uphold the pillars of marriage institution, which he described as sacred and ordained by Allah.

The event was witnessed by dignitaries, including Muslim scholars and personalities from the FCT, Niger, as well as neighbouring states.

Guinness Nigeria Plc has deepened its engagement with Nigeria’s evolving lifestyle and social culture with the launch of a new Guinness Lounge at Magic Padel, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The partnership brings together sport, music, hospitality and social interaction, introducing Guinness into Lagos’ rapidly growing padel community and creating a new destination for players and guests to relax, connect and socialise.

The launch, held on Thursday, August 20, featured refreshed Guinness-branded padel courts and the unveiling of the new Guinness Lounge, a dedicated space designed for conversation, relaxation and celebration after the game. The collaboration is part of Guinness Nigeria’s broader effort to create experiences that go beyond traditional consumption occasions by connecting the brand with the interests and passions shaping contemporary Nigerian lifestyles.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN, said the partnership demonstrated the brand’s ability to embrace emerging trends while retaining its heritage.

‘Guinness Nigeria has always evolved with the times without losing sight of the heritage and values that make Guinness an iconic brand. Our partnership with Magic Padel is another expression of that philosophy,’ he said.

Ajogwu added that bringing the Guinness experience into an emerging lifestyle space would create opportunities for meaningful connections while supporting communities built around sport, wellness and social interaction.

Also speaking, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the partnership reflected the company’s commitment to engaging consumers in spaces that are increasingly important to them. According to him, consumers are increasingly looking for experiences that combine connection, entertainment, wellness and hospitality.

‘Magic Padel provides a compelling platform for that. This partnership allows us to take the bold and distinctive character of Guinness into a vibrant social environment while creating a space where people can relax, connect and enjoy memorable moments,’ Sharma said.

For Magic Padel, the partnership represents an opportunity to strengthen the social dimension of the growing sport. Operations Manager of Magic Padel, Maya Semaan, described the collaboration as a natural fit between two brands united by a focus on community and bringing people together.

‘For us at Magic Padel, the experience here is a lot more than the game. It is about great people coming together to build a community and create great experiences,’ she said.

Semaan said the partnership went beyond placing the Guinness brand on the courts or lounge, noting that both companies were focused on creating memorable experiences through sport and entertainment.

The new Guinness Lounge and branded courts position the partnership at the intersection of Guinness’ longstanding heritage and the contemporary energy surrounding Lagos’ expanding padel scene. Through the initiative, players and visitors can combine sporting activity with social interaction in a setting designed to encourage relaxation, entertainment and community.

The launch also adds to Guinness Nigeria’s more than seven-decade presence in the country. The company produced its first locally brewed Guinness Foreign Extra Stout in Nigeria in 1963 and has continued to adapt its offerings and consumer experiences to changing tastes, lifestyles and aspirations.

The Magic Padel partnership, therefore, represents another chapter in the brand’s efforts to remain culturally relevant while retaining the identity and heritage associated with Guinness in Nigeria.

The Delta State Government has said it is pursuing reforms in the power sector to attract private investment, expand electricity supply and reduce the state’s dependence on the national grid.

Already, the state has entered into a partnership with Supply Power to generate an additional 120 megawatts of electricity for the national grid.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this at a press conference in Asaba, said the initiative was part of the government’s broader strategy to improve electricity supply and support small and medium-sized businesses whose operations depend heavily on reliable power.

Aniagwu said the government was not seeking to return to an era when government alone controlled and operated businesses, stressing that the ongoing reforms were designed to create room for greater private-sector participation through liberalisation and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

According to him, the government is exploring opportunities to harness Delta’s abundant gas resources for electricity generation, particularly within the Kwale Free Trade Zone, which forms part of the state’s special economic zone.

He said investors had been taken to the zone during the state’s economic summit to demonstrate the availability of gas as a raw material for power generation.

Aniagwu explained that increased local power generation would reduce pressure on the national grid and make more electricity available to other users.

He cited the 8.5-megawatt Independent Power Plant behind the state secretariat in Asaba as an example, noting that the facility had enabled the secretariat complex to operate independently of the national grid.

‘Once you have an alternative source of power for the secretariat, the energy that would have been consumed by the secretariat becomes available for homes and other users,’ he explained.

Aniagwu said the state government had also intervened in areas traditionally regarded as the responsibility of electricity distribution companies because it was determined not to allow poor power supply to undermine economic growth.

He cited the extension of the electricity grid from Abraka towards the Ndokwa axis as one of such interventions, saying the objective was to ensure that more communities were connected to electricity.

He, however, expressed concern over the practice of residents and communities being required to provide transformers and other infrastructure, only for electricity distribution companies to subsequently collect bills without adequately accounting for the investments made by the communities.

According to him, the state government was willing to continue supporting efforts to energise communities because improved electricity supply would stimulate economic activity, create opportunities and potentially reduce security challenges associated with unemployment and idleness.

Aniagwu said the government was also working with the Ministry of Energy and a committee established to fine-tune the state’s energy regulatory framework.

He explained that the proposed energy commission would play a crucial role in regulating new power producers, determining appropriate pricing and overseeing distribution networks.

The Commissioner noted that electricity distribution required careful planning, including decisions on whether to deploy overhead, underground or other forms of power lines, depending on the peculiarities of each location.

He stressed that proper regulation was necessary to ensure that electricity expansion did not expose residents to electrocution or other hazards, while also ensuring fair pricing and protection of power infrastructure.

Aniagwu said the ultimate objective of the reforms was to create a more efficient and sustainable power sector capable of supporting businesses, communities and households across Delta State.

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has explained why troops were able to rescue abducted victims without killing or arresting the terrorists.

The Defence Minister said the strategy was designed to force terrorists to abandon their captives and flee once they detected the presence of security forces around their hideouts.

The minister spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, amid concerns over the persistence of kidnapping for ransom and questions about recent military operations in which troops rescued victims without engaging their captors in deadly confrontations.

According to him, security forces could strategically surround terrorist locations and cut off the supplies needed for the criminals to survive in their hideouts.

He said terrorists often flee when they detect the presence of security forces, particularly when confronted with aerial surveillance or drones, leaving their victims behind.

‘Sometimes, if you carry out manoeuvres. The funny thing is, the terrorists too don’t want to die. I hope you know that. All these they’re doing, carrying weapons, they don’t want to die.

‘So once there’s anything, even if it’s a drone that comes, you see them scatter away and leave everybody. That’s what happens,’ he said.

Musa said the military’s approach was to deny terrorists access to the supplies that enable them to remain in their hideouts.

‘So what we normally do is once we’re able to identify where they are, we block avenues for them. Like I said, take out the oxygen, they will die,’ he said.

He added that individuals who secretly supplied terrorists with fuel, water, and food were helping to sustain their operations.

‘As long as people go to support to sneak in, give them fuel, give them water, give them food, give them all this, these are the things that are making them thrive. Once they don’t have that, they can’t survive,’ he said.

The minister also said ransom payments could provide security agencies with opportunities to trace the financial activities of terrorists and their networks.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria was working to track funds suspected to be linked to criminal activities.

‘I’m happy that the CBN too is living up to expectation, trying to make sure that even if we were able to trace monies that are coming in from those other areas, we can track back where they are,’ Musa said.

Musa also appealed to state governors to reconsider the distribution of motorcycles as palliatives, warning that some of the motorcycles could eventually find their way into the hands of terrorists and provide them with increased mobility.

‘We try to appeal to even governors to stop selling motorcycle-giving motorcycles out as palliatives. Because these motorcycles are the same ones that still end up with these terrorists into using,’ he said.

He urged governments that must distribute motorcycles as part of empowerment programmes to consider lower-capacity models that would be less useful to armed groups.

‘Even if you have to give, don’t give them the big capacity motorcycles, give them the small capacity ones that they won’t be able to use to run around, because that gives them leverage. They can easily enter and then disappear,’ he said.

The defence minister further alleged that motorcycles distributed through constituency projects and palliative programmes could subsequently find their way into the hands of bandits.

He stressed the need for greater scrutiny of items distributed under government empowerment and relief programmes to prevent them from being diverted to criminal groups.

Ten Nigerian companies have been included in FTSE Russell’s FTSE Frontier Index Series ahead of Nigeria’s return to Frontier Market status.

The inclusion was announced in FTSE Russell’s September Index Review, following its decision to reclassify Nigeria from Unclassified to Frontier Market status.

The Nigerian companies included in the index are: Aradel Holdings, Dangote Cement, First HoldCo, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), MTN Nigeria Communications, Nestlé Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Presco, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Zenith Bank.

FTSE Russell classifies the 10 Nigerian stocks as ‘Newly Eligible’ and lists them as large-cap stocks in the index.

The reclassification of Nigeria to Frontier Market status is scheduled to take effect from the opening of trading on Sept. 21.

The FTSE Frontier Index Series provides benchmarks covering large, mid and small-cap companies across eligible frontier markets.

It also serves as a performance benchmark for investors and a basis for index-tracking investment products.

FTSE Russell said the indices could be segmented by size, region, country and industry sector, and calculated on both price and total-return bases.

Nigeria was removed from the Frontier Market classification and placed in the Unclassified category in September 2023, following significant and continuing delays affecting international institutional investors’ ability to repatriate capital and execute foreign exchange transactions.

The process toward reclassification began in October 2025, when FTSE Russell placed Nigeria on its Watch List for potential reclassification following improvements in foreign exchange liquidity, capital repatriation and market accessibility.

In April, FTSE Russell announced that Nigeria would return to Frontier Market status, with Sept. 21 set as the effective date.

However, the transition plan was subsequently paused for additional assessment following Nigeria’s move from a T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle on June 1.

The review followed concerns among market participants that the shorter settlement cycle could create a de facto prefunding requirement for international institutional investors trading Nigerian securities.

The development prompted engagements among NGX Group, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FTSE Russell, global custodians and international institutional investors.

In July, a delegation from NGX Group held discussions with global custodians and institutional investors to explain the operation of the T+1 settlement framework.

The engagement allowed NGX Group to showcase progress on the new settlement cycle, address investor concerns, and reaffirm its commitment to global market standards.

On Aug. 27, FTSE Russell confirmed that Nigeria’s reclassification from Unclassified to Frontier Market status would take effect from the opening of trading on Sept. 21.

The return is expected to enhance the visibility of Nigerian equities among global investors and provide a framework for increased participation in the domestic capital market. (NAN)

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to visit the United States and address controversies surrounding his alleged links to issues that emerged during the corruption investigation involving former US Congressman William Jefferson.

The group, which is campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said Atiku should be willing to face scrutiny over his past as he prepares to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, the movement said the issues surrounding the Jefferson case were not mere political allegations but were raised during a United States federal investigation and court proceedings.

William Jefferson, a former US Congressman from Louisiana, was convicted on corruption charges following a federal investigation into his financial and business dealings.

The group alleged that the proceedings also raised questions about dealings involving Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice president at the time, including an alleged $500,000 payment which it claimed was linked to him.

The movement urged Atiku to provide Nigerians with an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the allegations rather than allowing them to remain subjects of political controversy.

It also raised questions about a US Senate investigation into millions of dollars allegedly moved into the United States through financial arrangements involving Jennifer Douglas, Atiku’s former wife.

According to the group, the investigation examined offshore transactions and other financial dealings, including transactions allegedly linked to Siemens.

The movement, however, acknowledged that raising the issues did not amount to declaring Atiku guilty of any offence.

It argued that any politician seeking to become president should be prepared to answer questions concerning controversial aspects of his public record.

To underscore its challenge, the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement said it was prepared to finance Atiku’s trip to the United States if financial considerations were preventing him from travelling there.

The group said it was willing to cover his flight, accommodation and other travel expenses, including those of his aides, if he accepted the challenge and travelled to the US to address the issues it raised.

It said the duration or cost of the trip should not be an excuse for declining the challenge.

‘We are ready to foot his bill for the trip, even if it is for him to land in the US and spend just five hours. Let him just land in America. We are ready to pay for his flight and accommodation for him and all his aides if he cannot afford it,’ the group said.