Category: Nigerian Tribune

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the National Assembly, demanding comprehensive legislative records on the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following concerns by public health stakeholders that proposed changes would weaken Nigeria’s tobacco-control framework.

The request, dated August 13 and addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, comes days after the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community – a coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations, public-health advocates and tobacco-control stakeholders – rejected the proposed amendments and called for the Bill’s immediate recall.

CAPPA said it is seeking the records to establish the legislative history of the Bill, promote transparency in the lawmaking process and clarify how provisions that the tobacco-control community considers dangerous to public health came to be included in the current consolidated text.

The FOI request asks the National Assembly to provide certified copies of the Senate and House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings reflecting every stage of the Bill’s consideration, including first and second readings, committee referral, consideration of committee reports, third reading and passage.

It also requests the dates of each legislative stage, the names and constituencies of sponsors and co-sponsors, records of any divisions or recorded votes, relevant committee reports, details of public hearings and stakeholder submissions, and the Bill’s current status, including whether it has been transmitted for presidential assent.

CAPPA invoked Sections 1(1), 2(3)(f) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and requested that the National Assembly provide the information within the statutory seven-day period. It said the records could be supplied electronically or as certified physical copies where applicable.

At a press briefing in Abuja on August 9, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, which includes CAPPA, warned that the consolidated Bill could weaken important safeguards under the NTCA 2015 and create regulatory openings for tobacco and nicotine companies.

Among the criticised provisions are proposed changes concerning non-combustible nicotine products, advertising and promotion, online sales, point-of-sale promotion, product sampling, packaging and penalties.

The groups also questioned the legislative history of some of these provisions, saying controversial provisions were not contained in the versions of the legislation presented at a public hearing on November 22, 2024. They consequently demanded answers about how the provisions subsequently entered the consolidated Bill.

‘This request is made in the interest of promoting public health, accountability, and transparency,’ CAPPA stated in its letter to the Clerk of the Senate, stressing that it concerns the legislative history of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The tobacco-control community has questioned who introduced the provisions it considers concessions to tobacco and nicotine interests, and which public-health institutions reviewed them.

It argued that updating tobacco control legislation to address emerging nicotine products should strengthen, not weaken, Nigeria’s protections against tobacco-related disease and nicotine addiction.

It particularly objected to provisions it says could permit forms of promotion of non-combustible products through adult publications, point-of-sale materials and online platforms, as well as sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events. Its concerns also cover proposed changes to online sales, product sampling and the classification of heated tobacco products.

The groups contended that given Nigeria’s large youth population and the rapid circulation of digital content, exemptions ostensibly designed for adults could nevertheless expose young people to tobacco and nicotine marketing.

The coalition has therefore called for the immediate recall of the consolidated Bill and a fresh, transparent, public health-led review.

Nigeria’s insurers may have crossed the recapitalisation hurdle, but the bigger test is only beginning: whether they can turn higher capital into stronger credit profiles, according to DataPro.

With the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) clearing 48 insurance companies and two reinsurance companies that met the new minimum capital requirements under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA), attention is now shifting from capital mobilisation to the quality and resilience of the businesses behind the numbers.

DataPro, in its latest report ‘Insurance Today: RAAC Capital and Ratings’, said meeting the regulatory threshold does not automatically translate into stronger ratings, as rating assessments will also consider the quality and sustainability of capital and an insurer’s ability to withstand changing operating conditions.

The analysis followed the recently concluded Risk Audit and Compliance Committee (RACC) 2026 annual retreat, themed: ‘Capability: Driving Resilience, Innovation and Trust through Governance, Risk and Compliance’.

DataPro said the key post-recapitalisation question is no longer simply whether an insurer has enough capital, but whether it has the capability to protect and deploy that capital effectively.

A central framework highlighted by the agency is the resilience chain: governance, risk, controls, data, capability, trust.

‘Capital gets in the room. Capability keeps you in business,’ DataPro stated.

The agency identified counterparty and credit risk, underwriting risk and operational risk among the exposures capable of testing insurers’ strengthened balance sheets.

Counterparty risks could arise from exposures to banks, reinsurers and other financial institutions, particularly where concentrations are high. Underwriting weaknesses, including inadequate pricing, reserving and claims management, could put pressure on profitability and capital.

Operational threats such as technology failures, fraud and control deficiencies could also generate unexpected financial and reputational costs.

DataPro said insurers must, therefore, demonstrate that their stronger capital positions are supported by effective governance, robust controls, reliable data and the organisational capability required to manage risks.

For rating agencies, these factors are likely to become increasingly important in determining whether recapitalisation translates into lasting credit strength.

The agency described recapitalisation as the beginning of a new phase of financial-strength assessment, rather than the conclusion of the capital story.

While stronger capital gives compliant insurers greater capacity to absorb shocks, DataPro maintained that its real value will ultimately be determined by how well it is preserved and deployed.

The post-recapitalisation challenge, therefore, is clear: insurers must show the market that they have not only raised the capital, but built the capability to keep it.

The House of Representatives Committee on Power has charged electricity distribution companies (DisCos) with outstanding market obligations to take urgent steps to clear their debts, stressing that improved liquidity is critical to strengthening the electricity market and ensuring the sustainability of the power sector.

Committee chairman, Victor Nwokolo, made the remarks during an oversight visit to Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) headquarters in Abuja, where the lawmakers witnessed a public hearing on the outstanding market obligations of the DisCos.

The hearing, chaired by NISO’s Executive Director, Market Operations, Engineer Edmond Eje, formed part of the Company’s ongoing engagements with selected DisCos over outstanding market obligations, events of default and other compliance matters under the Nigerian Electricity Market.

The affected DisCos are Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

Nwokolo, who expressed concern over the accumulation of market debts by the affected DisCos, said prolonged failure to meet financial obligations could adversely affect the liquidity and sustainability of the electricity market and called on the DisCos to make every effort within their capacity to settle their outstanding obligations and strengthen compliance with the rules governing the electricity market.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Abdu Bello Mohammed, commended the Committee for its oversight role and continued support for reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

He noted that the establishment of NISO was a significant outcome of the reforms introduced under the Electricity Act, 2023, which provided the framework for the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the establishment of an independent system operator.

The NISO chief briefed the Committee on the operator mandate, its comprehensive five-year development plan designed to guide the organisation’s efforts towards strengthening system operations, improving electricity market operations, enhancing system planning and supporting the effective coordination of Nigeria’s power system.

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the National Assembly, NISO and other institutions within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in addressing the structural and financial challenges confronting the sector.

Engineer Mohammed, while commending the Committee for lending its voice to the issue of market defaults by DisCos, said improved liquidity across the electricity market would strengthen the capacity of market participants to meet their obligations, sustain operations and ultimately contribute to improved service delivery to electricity consumers.

He, however, appealed for continued support and constructive oversight from the National Assembly, noting that sustained collaboration among the various institutions in the sector remains critical to strengthening the electricity market, stabilising the national grid and advancing efforts towards a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply in Nigeria.

The Oyo State Government has intensified its crackdown on street trading and illegal occupation of public spaces at Gate, Bodija and Ojoo markets in Ibadan.

The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), in collaboration with security operatives, as part of efforts to enforce laws regulating trading activities and the use of roads, walkways and other public spaces.

OYRLEA, in a statement issued on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the operation became necessary following observations that some traders continued to display and sell goods on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks despite the availability of government-provided market facilities.

The authority said the continued occupation of public spaces by traders was capable of affecting the free movement of motorists and pedestrians.

OYRLEA said, ‘Many traders still display and sell goods on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks, despite the provision of adequate market facilities by the Oyo State Government.’

According to the authority, the designated markets were provided to enable traders to conduct legitimate businesses without encroaching on public infrastructure.

During the exercise, substantial quantities of both perishable and non-perishable goods were impounded from locations where trading activities were found to be in violation of the law.

The authority, however, said the enforcement was not targeted at legitimate business owners but was aimed at ensuring compliance with the law.

OYRLEA stated, ‘The exercise is not intended to frustrate legitimate business owners, but to ensure that traders operate within legal boundaries while safeguarding the rights of motorists, pedestrians and the general public.’

The authority consequently urged market men and women to stop trading on roads, walkways, drainage channels and road setbacks, advising them to make use of designated spaces provided for commercial activities.

It warned that the enforcement would be sustained across the affected markets and other parts of the state until significant compliance with relevant Oyo State laws was achieved.

OYRLEA further appealed to traders and members of the public to cooperate with enforcement personnel, stressing that maintaining orderly markets and accessible public spaces remained a collective responsibility.

The authority said, ‘Market men and women are advised to desist from trading on roads, walkways, drainage channels and setbacks, and to utilise the designated spaces provided for commercial activities.’

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved an increase in the remuneration of traditional rulers across the state, covering paramount rulers such as Emirs and Chiefs, as well as district and village heads.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, disclosed this in a statement by its chairman, Sheikh Jamilu Abubakar Albani, describing the gesture as a major boost for the state’s traditional institution and its role in sustaining peace, security and grassroots development.

ALGON said the pay increase would strengthen the capacity of traditional rulers to support intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence and community mobilisation, noting that they remained indispensable partners in governance and a vital link between government and the people.

The association added that improved welfare for traditional rulers would help address security challenges and deepen peace and harmony across the state’s 23 local government areas.

ALGON further commended the governor for reinforcing the relevance of traditional institutions as key partners in his administration’s peace-building and development agenda.

On behalf of the 23 local government councils, the association pledged continued collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders to consolidate peace, security, good governance and sustainable grassroots development.

It also called on traditional rulers to reciprocate the gesture by deepening their cooperation with local government councils and relevant agencies in promoting peaceful coexistence, security and overall development in the state.

Nigeria and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed an agreement for a Joint Work Programme to strengthen strategic partnership in the development of data for energy policy and investment across the value chain for economic growth and energy security.

This is just as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said Nigeria’s formal admission into the IEA as an Association Country is a significant milestone for the country and another testament to the gains of the economic reforms of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Shettima stated this on Thursday during the signing of the agreement for the Joint Work Programme between Nigeria and the IEA, signalling the formal commencement of the partnership.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the Vice President noted that Nigeria’s formal entry into the fold of the Paris-based non-governmental organisation justifies his administration’s policy choices and efforts aimed at leveraging the country’s abundant energy resources scattered across the nation.

Commending the IEA for the important role it is playing in shaping the global energy landscape, he said the effort of the agency in the global energy conversation and in supporting countries to navigate the challenges of energy security, affordability, sustainability and economic development cannot be overstated.

His words: ‘Nigeria’s admission as an association country with the IEA is a significant milestone for our country and it reflects Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global energy landscape and the confidence that IEA has placed in our commitment to constructive international energy cooperation.’

VP Shettima added that given Nigeria’s potential, ‘the country will benefit from IEA’s institutional knowledge, the intellectual resources, the reach and expertise to support our nation’s ambitions in this sector.’

He acknowledged Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources and his commitment to repositioning the economy by leveraging available resources, which are already manifesting across different sectors of the economy.

The Vice President assured the IEA team of his administration’s commitment to continue partnering with other stakeholders within the setting to contribute to the global energy debate on a fair and just energy transition.

Earlier, leader of the IEA delegation, Dr Fatih Birol, explained that his organisation is an organisation of governments that covers all technological fields, including oil, gas, solar, nuclear power, artificial intelligence and electric cars, based in Paris.

Working with the top 500 energy experts in the world in giving policy advice and sharing data and expertise, he said that being a member of the IEA family is not an easy task, as it requires a lot of consideration and testing.

According to Dr Birol, after detailed discussions with the Minister of State for Petroleum and Gas, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Board, comprising the governments of the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the UK, voted and accepted Nigeria unanimously as a member.

‘The IEA will accompany the Nigerian energy sector for the next few years to come for a much better energy future. We will provide policy advice from clean cooking to gas markets, from gas markets to training Nigerian experts at the IEA on our own,’ he assured.

Earlier, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, stressed that Nigeria’s admittance into the IEA was based on the performance of the Tinubu administration, reflected in the reforms undertaken in the economy.

He said the signing of the Joint Work Programme portends the involvement of the technical team of the IEA with Nigeria in the development of data for energy policy and investment across the value chain, targeted at economic growth and energy security.

On his part, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanoaiye, described the IEA’s partnership with Nigeria as strategically important, noting that the Nigerian Mission in Paris played a critical role in ensuring its success.

Pledging the commitment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, towards the process, ‘Our role is to ensure that whatever government does at home is projected effectively in advancing and promoting the interest of Nigeria.

‘We take this as a critical component of our national interest and we will not fail in ensuring that we assist, as facilitators and coordinators, in ensuring that the maximum benefit of this endeavor is derived for the benefit of the Nigerian people.’

Also, the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the Commission’s relationship with the IEA led to the joint sponsorship of Nigeria’s last National Energy Master Plan, even though there was no structure to their relationship.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s formal joining of the IEA and the agreement will strengthen the Commission’s relationship with the organisation.

The Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar, Cross River, is holding 784 inmates, 334 above its designed capacity of 450, with awaiting-trial inmates accounting for about 68 per cent of the prison population.

This was disclosed during an educational excursion to the facility by scholars of Rights Academy as part of efforts to expose them to the practical realities of human rights, justice administration and correctional services.

Figures made available to the scholars during the visit showed that the facility has 756 male and 28 female inmates.

Of the total population, 531 inmates are awaiting trial, comprising 520 males and 11 females, while 170 have been convicted, including 154 males and 16 females.

The facility also has 48 inmates on death row, comprising 47 males and one female, while 35 male inmates are serving life sentences.

The figures raised concerns over overcrowding and the large proportion of inmates who have not been convicted, with scholars questioning the impact of prolonged detention on access to justice and the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

Tribune Online reports that the high awaiting-trial population underscored the need for greater attention to delays in the criminal justice system.

While showing the scholars around the facility, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, A.E. Edet, emphasized that extended periods of pre-trial detention can impact inmates’ job prospects, educational opportunities, family connections, mental health, and their capacity to engage fully in society.

The scholars were also informed that the Judiciary and the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are among the key institutions whose processes could affect the length of time suspects remain in custody.

Worries were also expressed regarding how often judicial oversight occurs, with scholars mentioning that the Chief Judge of the state last conducted a jail delivery exercise in September 2025.

They stressed that regular jail delivery exercises were important for identifying inmates who might qualify for bail, those whose cases had stalled, and persons who had remained in custody for unnecessarily long periods.

The scholars also visited the female correctional unit, clinic, identified as the C.H.E.W facility, and rehabilitation hall.

During the visit, they were informed that the clinic was facing shortages of drugs, wound-treatment materials, hygiene items, and toiletries.

At the female unit, the scholars were informed that menstrual hygiene materials were being provided through government intervention and support from non-governmental organisations.

On rehabilitation, the scholars were introduced to programmes designed to help inmates acquire skills and prepare for reintegration into society after serving their sentences.

Meanwhile, another observation arising from the excursion questioned the gender imbalance in the correctional population and the way correctional facilities were designed.

The observer noted that the overwhelming male population at Afokang raised questions about whether the physical structures and broader criminal justice system had been designed around assumptions about gender and offending patterns.

The observation, however, stressed that the issue was not about portraying one gender as more prone to crime than the other, but about understanding the social, economic, cultural, educational and institutional factors behind the pattern.

It argued that ‘crime does not belong to a gender’, adding that justice should be responsive to the realities of society rather than assumptions.

The Rights Academy excursion also highlighted the importance of human rights education beyond the classroom, particularly the rights to dignity, humane treatment, healthcare, fair trial and timely justice.

The scholars recommended regular judicial reviews and jail delivery exercises, reduction of delays in criminal proceedings, improved coordination among law enforcement agencies, the DPP, Judiciary, legal practitioners and correctional authorities.

They also called for improved healthcare funding, consistent provision of hygiene materials, stronger rehabilitation programmes and measures to address overcrowding, particularly the large awaiting-trial population.

The scholars further urged greater civil society engagement in healthcare, legal assistance, hygiene, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

The excursion concluded with a call for stronger accountability across the criminal justice system to ensure that administrative and procedural delays do not unnecessarily deprive people of their liberty.

The Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Abel Olajide Olorunnisola, has called on Nigerian universities to adapt their teaching methods to the realities of artificial intelligence, saying lecturers can no longer rely solely on traditional approaches to impart knowledge.

The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan, said the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, as well as online learning platforms, had fundamentally changed the relationship between students and knowledge.

According to him, students can now obtain information, generate learning materials, and seek explanations of difficult concepts through digital platforms without necessarily relying exclusively on classroom lectures.

He, therefore, urged lecturers to rethink their approaches and develop more interactive classrooms that would enable students to participate actively in the learning process.

‘We have to develop ways of meeting the students of today halfway,’ he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said lecturers could no longer operate on the assumption that they were the sole repositories of knowledge, noting that students could readily verify information presented in the classroom through the internet.

He explained that he had adopted a more interactive approach to teaching, distinguishing between merely delivering lectures and engaging students in classroom discussions and activities.

‘When you make the classes interesting, then they will be willing to come. If the classes are boring, they would rather go and stay in their rooms and have ChatGPT or watch videos,’ he said.

Olorunnisola, however, stressed that the adoption of technology should not eliminate the classroom or undermine academic discipline.

He said universities must find a balance between physical classroom engagement and the responsible use of technology, as they seek to prepare students for examinations and the world of work.

He also called for stronger digital infrastructure in Nigerian universities, particularly public institutions, saying inadequate infrastructure had made it difficult for many institutions to sustain teaching and learning during disruptions such as industrial actions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, universities with robust digital systems would be better positioned to continue academic activities when students and lecturers could not physically access campuses.

The Bells University of Technology VC also linked the transformation of university education to increased funding, stating that adequate investment was essential if Nigerian universities were to compete effectively with institutions globally.

He identified inadequate funding as one of the major impediments to the development of the nation’s public higher education sector.

He said government must recognise universities as strategic institutions critical to national development and provide resources for infrastructure, research, human capital development, and digital learning.

Olorunnisola noted that producing globally competitive professionals required substantial investment, including modern infrastructure, competitive remuneration, and conducive working environments capable of attracting and retaining quality academics.

He said despite the challenges, Nigerian universities had demonstrated their capacity to produce professionals who compete successfully on the global stage.

The Vice-Chancellor cited Nigerian doctors, engineers, software developers, and other professionals working across the world as evidence of the quality of talent produced by the country’s higher education system.

He, however, said the government and other stakeholders needed to create an enabling environment for universities to maximise their potential.

Olorunnisola also expressed concern over the welfare of university academics, saying stagnant salaries had significantly reduced the purchasing power of lecturers amid rising inflation and living costs.

He argued that improving the welfare of academics was crucial to sustaining quality teaching, research, and international engagement.

The Vice-Chancellor also noted that the economic situation had placed enormous pressure on students and their parents, particularly those attending private universities.

He said the challenge went beyond tuition fees to the overall cost of maintaining students, including feeding, accommodation, and other daily expenses.

Olorunnisola disclosed that while serving as Vice-Chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan, the institution introduced flexible payment arrangements to reduce the financial pressure on students and their parents.

On his agenda at Bells University, the Vice-Chancellor said his administration would focus on strengthening the institution’s reputation, developing human capital, improving infrastructure, and identifying areas that would distinguish the university from its competitors.

He said no two universities could be exactly the same, stressing that each institution must determine what it wants to be known for.

‘Reputation is number one. If the reputation is bad, students will not want to go, staff will not want to come, and parents will not want to send their children,’ he said.

Olorunnisola said Nigerian universities must, therefore, combine academic excellence with innovation, technology, sound leadership, and institutional integrity if they are to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive global education environment.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the transfer of the inland dry port (IDP) functions of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in a move aimed at creating a clear separation between port economic regulation, development and operations.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister also directed the immediate constitution of a ministerial committee to oversee the transition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the newly established Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the NPERA Act, 2026.

The directives are part of measures to establish a clear institutional framework for the new port economic regulatory regime, eliminate overlapping responsibilities and ensure that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy operate within clearly defined mandates.

The NPERA Act, signed by President Tinubu in August, formally establishes a substantive economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector, bringing to an end a two-decade wait for a dedicated statutory port economic regulator.

With the enactment of the law, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which had operated as the country’s interim port economic regulator since 2014, transmutes into NPERA.

Under the new framework, NPERA is expected to focus primarily on its core economic regulatory responsibilities, including the regulation of tariffs and charges, promotion of competition, licensing, service standards, commercial dispute resolution and protection of port users.

Oyetola said the transition from NSC to NPERA provides an opportunity to establish a regulatory institution that is clearly separated from operational, developmental and promotional responsibilities.

‘We must get the transition right. The establishment of NPERA is a landmark reform, and the process of moving from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency must be carefully managed.

The ministerial committee will provide the necessary oversight to ensure that the transition is seamless and that every function is domiciled in the appropriate institution,’ he said.

The Minister stressed that the credibility and effectiveness of an economic regulator depend, in part, on its ability to function as an impartial referee without being encumbered by responsibilities that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

According to him, the Federal Government’s objective is to ensure that NPERA is allowed to concentrate fully on its statutory regulatory mandate, while functions that are operational, developmental or promotional in nature are transferred to agencies with the appropriate mandates and institutional capacity.

‘The emergence of NPERA marks a new chapter in the governance of Nigeria’s port sector. It is therefore important that the new economic regulator is freed from functions that are not compatible with economic regulation. A regulator cannot function as an operator and, at the same time, be expected to be perceived as an unbiased referee,’ Oyetola said.

He added that a clear separation of responsibilities would strengthen confidence in the regulatory framework, enhance transparency and create a more predictable operating environment for port users, investors, terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.

The Minister assured stakeholders that the transfer should not be interpreted as a reduction in the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of inland dry ports across the country. Rather, he said, the objective is to strengthen the IDP programme by placing its promotion within an institution better positioned to integrate the facilities into the nation’s wider port infrastructure and operational network.

‘We are committed to strengthening the development of the Inland Dry Ports by placing their promotion within the agency with the appropriate operational and infrastructure mandate. The ultimate objective is to create a more efficient and integrated port system that serves the entire country,’ Oyetola added.

Following its participation in the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB 64) climate sessions in Bonn, Germany, the Animal Protection Organisation of Nigeria (APON) has announced a comprehensive national roadmap to scale climate action through sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and green food systems.

APON, according to a statement issued after the event, is urging the Nigerian government to urgently pivot toward agroecological farming practices and financial frameworks that support plant-based businesses to meet national climate adaptation goals.

Industrial agricultural expansion remains a primary driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss in Nigeria. APON’s post-conference strategy emphasises that safeguarding Nigeria’s endangered wildlife requires an immediate shift away from destructive land-use practices. By protecting natural ecosystems from industrial livestock encroachment, Nigeria can preserve vital carbon sinks and protect vulnerable animal species from extinction.

To combat land degradation, APON is launching a nationwide advocacy campaign promoting organic compost application as a direct replacement for chemical fertilisers.

A critical takeaway from the Bonn climate talks is the necessity of shifting financial flows toward low-emission food systems. APON is calling on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to establish dedicated financial support pipelines, including grants and tax incentives, for: plant-based food businesses that will accelerate the growth of sustainable, local meat alternatives, as well as eco-conscious farmers – subsidizing smallholders who transition from intensive livestock rearing to climate-resilient crop cultivation.

‘Climate adaptation in Nigeria cannot succeed without transforming how we treat our land and our animals. By subsidising plant-based food systems and adopting organic soil management, Nigeria can lead Africa in humane, climate-smart agriculture that protects both our wildlife and our food security,’ the statement from APON concluded.