Category: Nigerian Tribune

The nation’s equities market ended the week at a fresh record high, with market capitalisation climbing to N163.66 trillion, as the return of foreign investors, following Nigeria’s re-entry into the FTSE Russell Frontier Market Index combined with renewed buying of energy stocks to extend the NGX bull run.

The market value, which stood at N162.16 trillion at the close of trading on Friday, September 18, rose by about N1.50 trillion, or 0.93 per cent, during the five-session week ended September 25. The NGX All-Share Index similarly advanced from 249,804.56 points to 252,113.41 points, representing a weekly gain of about 0.92 per cent.

The latest record came barely a week after the NGX crossed the N162 trillion capitalisation threshold for the first time, underscoring the speed at which equities have recovered from the sharp correction recorded earlier in the year.

But while the numbers point to another broad market rally, the underlying drivers suggest a more nuanced picture: FTSE-linked foreign and institutional buying provided an important catalyst at the start of the week, while energy stocks became a major source of upward momentum later in the week.

Nigeria formally returned to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market classification on Monday, September 21, after being moved to ‘Unclassified’ status in 2023 amid concerns over foreign-exchange liquidity, capital repatriation and market accessibility. FTSE Russell’s decision followed improvements in those areas and the country’s transition from T+2 to T+1 settlement.

The reclassification immediately produced evidence of targeted buying. On Monday, the first trading session under the new classification, the NGX All-Share Index rose 0.14 per cent to 250,156.80 points, while market capitalisation increased to N162.39 trillion. Reports indicated that foreign and institutional investors targeted tier-one banking stocks, particularly those included in the FTSE Frontier index basket.

The buying broadened on Tuesday, pushing the index another 0.18 per cent higher to 250,614.66 points and lifting market capitalisation to N162.68 trillion. Fourteen of the 31 Nigerian stocks in the FTSE Russell basket gained that day, with Stanbic IBTC Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Fidelity Bank among the major advancers.

Banking stocks were particularly important to the early-week rally. On Tuesday alone, financial-sector equities accounted for a substantial share of market activity, with Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Holdings, Sterling Financial Holdings and GTCO among the most actively traded stocks.

However, the market’s record run cannot be attributed exclusively to foreign capital.

By Wednesday, buying had spread across a wider group of domestic equities, with 43 stocks gaining against 20 decliners, lifting market capitalisation by N374.1 billion to ?163.06 trillion and the ASI by 0.23 percent to 251,191.02 points.

The decisive sectoral shift came on Thursday, when the NGX Oil and Gas Index surged 3.95 percent, making it the day’s strongest sector and helping push the overall market capitalisation up by N622.51 billion to N163.68 trillion.

The ASI gained 0.38 per cent to a record 252,150.01 points.

Seplat Energy was central to the energy-sector advance, rising 7.33 per cent to ?16,000, while the wider oil and gas sector attracted renewed buying interest.

The Thursday surge is significant because it shows that the market’s latest record is not being driven by a single trade or one group of stocks. The rally has rotated between financials, large-cap equities and energy names, although the intensity of buying has varied from session to session.

Friday provided the clearest indication that investors were beginning to take profits after the record-setting run. The ASI slipped marginally by 0.015 per cent to 252,113.41 points, while market capitalisation eased by about N20 billion to N163.66 trillion. Yet market breadth remained positive, with 39 gainers against 27 decliners, suggesting that the marginal retreat did not represent a broad reversal of sentiment.

The more important question for the market now is whether the renewed foreign visibility created by the FTSE reclassification can translate into sustained portfolio inflows rather than a short-lived repricing of selected large-cap stocks.

The reclassification creates the opportunity for Nigerian equities to return to the radar of global frontier-market investors. NGX Group said the inclusion of Nigerian companies in the FTSE Frontier Index Series should increase the market’s visibility and potentially stimulate global investor appetite.

That opportunity, however, comes with a requirement for the market to demonstrate greater depth, liquidity and accessibility. The fact that buying following the FTSE event was selective rather than uniformly spread across the market also suggests that international investors may initially concentrate on the largest and most liquid Nigerian stocks.

For domestic investors, the implications are equally important. A sustained return of foreign participation could increase turnover and liquidity in large-cap equities, while potentially narrowing the valuation discount attached to Nigerian stocks. But stronger foreign participation would also make the market more sensitive to global portfolio flows, meaning that changes in international risk appetite could amplify both rallies and corrections.

The latest record therefore represents more than another numerical milestone for the NGX. It is an early test of whether Nigeria’s return to the global frontier market investment universe can convert renewed international attention into deeper and more durable capital-market participation.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the North would be the ultimate loser if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not secure a fresh mandate in the 2027 general elections.

The APC National Chairman made the remarks on Monday while receiving certain members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who defected to the ruling party.

The erstwhile ADC chieftains were led by Princess Aslam Aliyu.

Professor Yilwatda, who listed ongoing and completed road infrastructure projects across states in the region, also noted that the main beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) were from the Northern region.

In apparent reference to the vow by the ADC Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to return fuel subsidy if elected as President, the APC National Chairman equally declared that states in the North benefited more from the removal of the subsidy regime, as he maintained that most states in the region could not pay the salaries of workers and the gratuities of pensioners before Tinubu came to office.

He said: ‘The same thing they keep on saying, you know, the outside radio stations tell us that they will return the subsidy. I keep on asking, how are they going to return the subsidy?

‘You mean they will stop all these road constructions because they want to return the subsidy? Because there will be no money for this construction, all this road again. The gas they are bringing to the north.

‘That gas will go with fertiliser. And we in the north, we need those fertilisers. You mean they should stop it? The CNG, they will come with the gas. We make transportation easier for the vulnerable people. Should we stop it?

‘The beneficiaries of the student loan, most of them are from the north. We have more and more of them in this part of the country. Should we stop it? And most of our people who can’t afford school fees should go back as wheelbarrow pushers in the villages? Questions are too many. We can’t answer them all here.

‘And I can also assure you, among the about 30 states that could not pay salaries in Nigeria, all the states in the north, none could pay salaries. None could pay salaries as of 2023, when President Tinubu took over. So should we say our state now should go back again? They can’t pay salaries, they can’t pay gratuities… increase poverty again in the north. These were some of the factors that were making poverty prevailing in the north and other parts of Nigeria also.’

Earlier in his presentation, Honourable Mohammed Hassan, who spoke on behalf of his other colleagues, pleaded with the APC National Chairman to ensure that they are integrated as members of the APC political family.

‘We are not here merely to change the political platform, but to begin a new chapter of service and a great contribution to our people by supporting Baba Tinubu’s Renewable Agenda 2027.

‘We respectfully ask the National Chairmanship and the entire leadership to receive us as brothers and partners, to give us the opportunity to contribute and support us as we take this new message back to our people.

‘Our commitment remains clear: to support the party, mobilise our people, promote development and services to Nigeria with sincerity and dedication.’

The rising cost of transportation across the country has continued to cause concern among Nigerians, as commuters, workers, traders, parents, students and other members of the public struggle to cope with increasing transport fares.

The development has made daily movement more expensive for families and individuals. Parents are particularly affected as they have to spend more money transporting themselves and their children to work, schools, markets, hospitals and other important places. For many households, the increase in transport costs has added to the financial difficulties they face in meeting their daily needs.

Transport operators have attributed the increase in fares to the rising cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, spare parts and other operational expenses. They explained that the increased cost of running their businesses has made it difficult to maintain previous transport fares.

For commuters, however, the situation has become a serious financial burden. Many people now spend a significant part of their daily income on transportation, leaving them with less money for food, education, healthcare and other basic needs.

Some commuters have resorted to walking long distances, reducing the number of trips they make or looking for cheaper means of transportation in order to reduce their expenses.

The government is being urged to improve public transportation, support affordable mass transit systems and address the factors responsible for the increasing cost of transportation.

Government intervention, stakeholders say, would help make transportation more affordable and reduce the financial pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on public transport for their daily activities.

However, beneath the gleaming factory paint and clean interior seats often lurks serious mechanical decay. Severe weather elements like road salt, relentless rain, and freezing winters take a severe toll on mechanical parts over time.

Unsuspecting buyers frequently spend millions of Naira only to face persistent gearbox failures, overheating, and dangerous electrical faults within weeks of purchase. A shiny dashboard can hide severe engine distress that leaves motorists stranded along dangerous expressways.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the critical, hidden mechanical warning signs every Nigerian buyer must inspect step by step to buy UK used cars Nigeria safely.

Check for corrosion underneath the vehicle

British roads are often treated with salt and other materials during winter to improve traction and melt ice. Prolonged exposure to moisture and road salt can contribute to corrosion, particularly underneath vehicles.

According to technical vehicle assessment reports by the British motoring organisation The AA, unchecked underside rust eats away structural integrity long before any visible rust breaks through the painted exterior body panels.

You must lower yourself to inspect the suspension arms, exhaust piping, and subframe anchors using a bright flashlight.

If you poke the subframe with a hard key or screwdriver and notice crumbling flakes of metal, walk away immediately. Structural frame rust cannot be welded reliably to survive rough Nigerian terrain.

Pay attention to exhaust smoke

Checking exhaust emissions during startup is a simple diagnostic step that immediately reveals internal engine health without taking apart a single bolt.

Take along an assistant to turn the ignition key while you stand at the rear bumper observing the tailpipe directly.

A thick plume of blue smoke indicates worn piston rings or damaged valve stem seals letting engine oil leak directly into combustion chambers. Thick black smoke signifies excessive fuel burning, frequently traced back to leaking fuel injectors, clogged air sensors, or a compromised turbocharger assembly.

Continuous billows of milky white smoke that persist long after warmup indicate that coolant is leaking directly into the engine block due to a cracked cylinder head or blown head gasket. Replacing an engine block in Nigeria easily costs millions of Naira, making this an immediate deal-breaker.

Test the transmission carefully

Transmission problems can turn an apparently affordable vehicle into an expensive repair project.

With your foot firmly on the brake, move an automatic transmission from Park to Reverse and then Drive. The engagement should be reasonably smooth. Harsh clunks, significant delays or pronounced jolts should be investigated.

During a road test, pay attention to how the vehicle accelerates and changes gears.

If the engine revs rise sharply without a corresponding increase in speed, the transmission may be slipping. Delayed engagement, repeated hard shifts, unusual noises or hesitation can also indicate a transmission problem.

Do not rely on a short drive around a car yard. Where possible, test the vehicle at different speeds and on different road surfaces.

Inspect the coolant and engine oil

Overheating remains the primary killer of imported vehicles operating under Nigeria’s high ambient heat. UK cars run on cooling systems designed for temperate climates, meaning any pre-existing weakness will cause immediate breakdown under tropical heat waves.

Before starting the engine, unscrew the radiator cap and coolant reservoir to examine fluid color. The coolant should be transparent green, pink, or blue; murky brown water points to long-term neglect, internal rust, and poor cooling circulation.

Next, unscrew the engine oil filler cap and inspect the underside of the plastic cap closely. If you see a thick, creamy sludge that looks like mayonnaise or coffee with milk, coolant has contaminated the motor oil. This condition directly proves a blown cylinder head gasket or internal engine block fracture.

Check the dashboard warning lights

Modern vehicles imported from Europe feature intricate Controller Area Network (CAN-bus) wiring networks that react poorly to amateur repairs. Dishonest sellers often clear warning lights with cheap scan tools or physically remove cluster bulbs to conceal active engine failures.

Before cranking the engine, turn the ignition key to the ‘ON’ position so all dashboard warning indicators light up simultaneously. Confirm that the Check Engine light, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Airbag (SRS), and Oil Pressure lamps illuminate clearly.

Start the engine and watch the instrument display carefully; every single diagnostic lamp must turn off within three to five seconds.

If the Check Engine or Oil light stays illuminated, or if it never turned on during the key-on check, someone has deliberately tampered with the cluster. Plug an OBD-II diagnostic scanner into the port beneath the steering wheel to detect pending diagnostic trouble codes.

Test the suspension and steering

British country lanes and speed calming humps take a massive toll on suspension linkages that will quickly disintegrate when introduced to Nigerian potholes. A vehicle with ruined bushings or bent steering racks compromises high-speed braking stability and driver control.

Drive the vehicle slowly over uneven surfaces while listening intently with the windows rolled down. Any pronounced hollow knocking, metallic rattle, or creaking sound points to damaged ball joints, worn sway bar links, or blown shock absorbers.

Keep the vehicle parked on level ground and turn the steering wheel completely from lock to lock in both directions. Any groaning noise, heavy resistance, or loose free play indicates power steering rack wear or failing electronic steering columns that require expensive complete replacements.

Verify the vehicle’s MOT history and mileage

One major advantage of buying a UK-used automobile is the strict annual safety inspection system known as the MOT test. Every car driven on UK roads undergoes this mandatory mechanical safety and emissions check yearly once it surpasses three years of age.

The UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency maintains an open, searchable digital database accessible directly via the official UK government portal Gov.uk. Simply request the vehicle registration mark or logbook number from the Nigerian clearing agent or car dealer.

Inputting the registration allows you to read past MOT test records, inspect previous failure notices, and review past advisories regarding rust, fluid leaks, or braking defects. It also creates an unbroken record of yearly mileage readings, instantly showing whether a seller rolled back the odometer before shipping the car to Lagos.

Solidaridad, a solution-oriented civil society organization, has presented an Oil Palm Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) to the Kogi State Government as part of efforts to promote sustainable and climate-smart oil palm production.

The plan was developed under the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS), a project designed to support smallholder farmers in improving productivity and incomes while strengthening their access to markets.

The SMP is structured around four key pillars: environmental stewardship and climate resilience; sustainable economic development and competitiveness; social inclusion, livelihoods, and human rights; and governance, institutions, and policy alignment.

The framework seeks to tackle challenges affecting the oil palm sector, including low productivity, deforestation, fragmented and underfunded smallholder farms, weak policy and land-tenure systems, limited use of technology, climate vulnerability, greenhouse gas emissions, poor access to finance, and the aging population of oil palm farmers.

Speaking on the initiative, the program manager of Solidaridad Nigeria, Ernest Ita, said the plan was designed to help farmers increase productivity on existing plantations instead of expanding their farms through forest clearance.

Ita said assessments conducted by the organization identified aging plantations, poor-quality planting materials, inappropriate use of fertilizers and agrochemicals, deforestation, and insecure land tenure as factors limiting the productivity and sustainability of smallholder oil palm farming.

According to him, Solidaridad’s intervention had so far reached more than 10,000 smallholder farmers and nearly 5,000 palm oil processors, while about 7,000 farmers had received harvesting tools and approximately 600 farmer groups had been supported with improved planting materials.

He added that the adoption of recommended Best Management Practices had led to productivity improvements among some farmers, with yields rising from a baseline of about 2.7 tonnes per hectare annually to more than six tonnes.

Ita urged the Kogi State Government and local government authorities to incorporate the SMP into their agricultural policies and strategies.

‘We are hoping that government, at the local government level and at the state level, will adopt this Sustainable Management Plan into their agricultural strategy so that our oil palm farmers, and even palm oil processors, can produce sustainably,’ he said.

He said the framework could be adopted or adapted into government agricultural policies and local bylaws, adding that its implementation would provide a common direction for farmers, processors, and other stakeholders across the oil palm value chain.

Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Samson Shaibu, described the SMP as ‘the practical framework of oil palm development,’ saying it was anchored on environmental stewardship, social inclusion, economic development, and policy coordination.

Shaibu said smallholder farmers accounted for between 80 and 82 percent of oil palm production, making their productivity important to the growth and sustainability of the industry.

He noted that many existing smallholder farms were dominated by wild and aging oil palm trees, stressing that replacing them with improved planting materials and intensifying production on existing farms could increase output without encouraging unnecessary expansion into forest areas.

Ita further said the framework promotes the participation of women and young people in the oil palm sector and encourages the use of Free, Prior and Informed Consent before development activities are undertaken in communities.

He explained that the SMP was developed through consultations with community, local government, and state-level stakeholders before it was validated.

Ita expressed optimism that the four states covered by the project would adopt the framework and that other oil palm-producing states across the country would eventually follow suit.

The initiative is also expected to support Nigerian oil palm producers in responding to international sustainability requirements, particularly those relating to deforestation and access to the European market.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said his administration would reset Nigeria within four years if he is elected president in 2027.

Makinde made the declaration on Monday at the APM North-Central Town Hall Meeting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where he outlined his proposed approach to security, education, the economy and the country’s socio-political system.

He said the proposed reset would involve a new security architecture, reforms in education and an economy driven by data, science and logic.

‘The reset agenda can be concluded in four years. We had someone who was head of state in this country for 10 months, and he was able to end military rule and usher in the democracy we now enjoy in Nigeria.

‘We can reset and give Nigeria a new security architecture, a new path for education, our economy utilising data, science and logic, and our socio-political environment in four years.

‘So, as your president from 29 May 2027, we will run a transitional government of national unity that will culminate in new players and an agenda for Nigeria’s sustainable development,’ he said.

Makinde had earlier announced his participation in the APM’s North-Central engagement in a post on X, while also disclosing that he had met with the party’s candidates from the zone behind closed doors.

‘We are presently in Lafia for the APM North-Central Town Hall Meeting today.

‘Last night, we held a closed-door meeting with APM candidates in the North-Central Zone. We will work together to reset Nigeria so that it works for all Nigerians.’

The governor also raised concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, particularly across the North-Central region.

He questioned the budgetary planning behind the establishment of additional army divisions, saying he could not identify provisions for them in the 2026 budget.

‘Midway into 2026, insecurity is a big issue, especially in the North-Central zone. They set up army divisions, and I was looking at the 2026 budget. For the item relating to the setting up of those army divisions, I did not see it.

‘If they have it in the budget they prepared for 2026, they should bring it up,’ he said.

Makinde argued that addressing insecurity would require more than the establishment of security formations, stressing the need for adequate planning and funding.

He also questioned whether the increase in allocations to state governments had resulted in tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.

‘Yes, they claim the state government has more money from the federation account. I’m not arguing that we have more money, but has it translated to fighting hunger in our society? The answer is no,’ he said.

On Oyo State’s finances, Makinde said the state had significantly reduced its reliance on federal allocations after he assumed office in 2019, although he said the level of dependence had subsequently increased.

‘When I came in as Oyo State governor in 2019, the state’s dependence on federal allocation was 80-plus per cent; we worked really hard to bring it down to about 65 per cent in 2022, then came the statement ‘subsidy is gone’. The result is that today, Oyo State is back to almost 80 per cent dependent on federal allocation.

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo says he does not blame Nigerians who travel to Libya in search of better economic opportunities, despite the Libya migration dangers they may encounter along the route and after arriving in the country.

Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, said some Nigerians would reconsider the journey if they had adequate information about the conditions awaiting them.

He made the remarks during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, while discussing his 47-day undercover journey from Kano through Niger to Tripoli, where he documented the experiences of migrants travelling along the Sahara Route.

‘I don’t blame them, I will never sit anywhere and blame anyone who has gone to Libya. Because on that trip, a lot of migrants told me, Oh, if I knew I would suffer this much, I wouldn’t come,’ he said.

According to Soyombo, economic hardship can make migration appear to be the only available escape for some Nigerians, even when the alternative may expose them to harsher conditions.

‘You know, when you are trying to escape economic deprivation, you think that any other option is good. The options in Libya are worse,’ he said.

He explained that some migrants become stranded after reaching Libya because they lack the funds to continue towards Europe. Many then take up jobs to meet their immediate needs and save towards another attempt to cross into Europe.

‘What happens a lot of time is, they get to Libya, they realise they can’t cross. They are stuck. They run out of funds. Then they have to go into many jobs to at least be able to eat. Then they start saving to cross,’ he said.

Soyombo said the migrants also face difficulties protecting whatever money they manage to earn. He noted that irregular migrants cannot open bank accounts because Libya has criminalised irregular migration, leaving them dependent on cash.

‘But don’t forget, you’ve gone into Libya illegally because Libya already criminalised irregular migration. You can’t open a bank account. So you keep cash. Anyone can rob you,’ he said.

He also recounted his observations of Nigerians working on farms in desert areas, where he said they could face temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or more and, in some cases, go without payment.

‘The Nigerians who are in Libya are farming. Do you know the temperatures in Libya? It’s a desert. The hottest Nigerian state I’ve been to is probably Yobe,’ Soyombo said.

He said the journey into the desert exposed migrants to temperatures significantly higher than those they might be accustomed to in Nigeria.

‘The Agadir that was the start of the desert was like 20 degrees centigrade to 32 degrees centigrade. In the desert, you are talking temperatures of 40 and more as you go to farm,’ he said.

Soyombo further described an incident in which some migrants were allegedly taken to a farm and made to work without pay.

He said the migrants were stopped at a village by an Arab man while he was travelling undercover. Soyombo said he escaped when he saw the man approaching, but those who could not get away were taken to work on a farm.

‘The guys that were not fast, he conscripted them to the farm. They worked for like three hours in this scorching sun. And he didn’t pay them a dime,’ he said.

According to Soyombo, the same man returned the following day, took the migrants’ money and sent them back to work.

‘The following day, he came back, went to a nearby hut, passed them and said, ‘Why would you be a migrant and you have money? No migrant; if you want money, go and work on the farm,’ he said.

He added, ‘Robbed them, took their cash, took them to the farm, and he didn’t pay them a dime. Who were they going to complain to? He robbed them, and then he enslaved them.’

Soyombo said his experience demonstrated how difficult it was for migrants to predict what they would encounter along the route, regardless of how much preparation they put into the journey.

He said he spent six months preparing for his undercover investigation and was initially advised to budget for 30 days, but eventually spent 47 days completing the journey.

‘So, for instance, the first thing is that you can never predict that journey. I spent six months preparing for this project. I was told to budget 30 days. I ended up spending 47 days,’ he said.

He said many Nigerians undertaking the journey did so without sufficient information about the risks involved.

‘So they embark on that journey not knowing how dangerous it is. It’s far more dangerous than… It’s not a journey I would wish on my enemy,’ he said.

Soyombo said the purpose of documenting his experience was not to condemn Nigerians seeking to leave the country, but to give potential migrants first-hand information about what the journey entails.

He said some of those he encountered told him they would not have undertaken the journey had they known the difficulties they would face.

‘So we have to help people to let them know how that Europe they want to get to is extremely difficult,’ he said.

According to Soyombo, sharing photographs and videos from his journey could help Nigerians make more informed decisions before attempting the route.

‘And for me, the most straightforward way to help them is to say, ‘This journey you’re about to go through, I went through it and have documented it.” These are photos; these are videos,’ he concluded.

Congratulations on graduating with First Class Honours from Osun State University and emerging as the best graduating student of English and International Studies in the 2025/2026 academic session, with a CGPA of 4.56. How did you receive the news, and what did the achievement mean to you personally?

Thank you. My level adviser, Dr Olaniyan had always encouraged me, always told me I could do it. So when our results were released, even though I hadn’t checked mine yet, she was the first to reach out and congratulate me. ‘You made it,’ she said. I just knew, and it made me really happy even though I still didn’t know what CGPA I had graduated with. It wasn’t until I checked the portal that I saw the number: a 4.56 CGPA.

That achievement means a lot to me, considering how much time I had spent at home before I eventually gained admission. I had never once aspired to First Class, either while pursuing admission or after I eventually gained it.

what point during your undergraduate journey did you begin to realise that you could emerge as the best graduating student in your department? And did that possibility put any additional pressure on you?

The accurate answer would be in my 300 Level. My first result as an undergraduate, I had a 4.27 GPA, and at the end of 100 Level, my CGPA was 4.54. My sisters were happy, and I told myself that maybe I could maintain it, but by 200 Level first semester, it dropped, and at the end of 200 Level, I was no longer on First Class.

Since I was no longer on First Class, I still did my part as a student, but I wasn’t chasing it anymore, especially with the notion that 100 Level and 200 Level determine a person’s eventual CGPA.

After our final exams in 300 Level, we had a meeting with our supervisor, Prof. Rotimi Fasan, and he asked for our CGPA. I told him I was on 4.48. He was really impressed and told me that if I tried harder, I could still make First Class.

Although I had thought about it before, that conversation really made it resonate with me, so much that I was determined that whatever the outcome of my results that semester, I was going to try harder in 400 Level.

When my results came out for 300 Level, my CGPA was 4.50, and that was the push I needed. I was determined it wouldn’t go below that.

You are from Akoko South West in Ondo State and grew up in a family of six as the last of five daughters. What was your childhood like, and what values from your family have influenced the person you have become today?

My mom and sisters are my life. I am the last child, so I was treated like the baby. I’m still treated like a baby. My sisters still hold my hands when we cross the road.

My family has always been supportive, and that support is what makes me who I am. There has never really been pressure, maybe sometimes they try to impose their view because they’re older, but eventually they just listen and support.

You lost your father in 2015, when you were still relatively young. How did losing him affect you and your family, and did that experience influence your determination to succeed academically?

I was in JSS 3 when I lost my dad. Maybe young, but not too young. He had cancer, so he was sick for a long time before we eventually lost him. My dad loved education; as kids, we usually had lesson teachers take us after school hours. He would have been so proud of this achievement.

Losing my father meant losing the major breadwinner and placing more responsibility on my mom, and knowing how much she strives to pay my fees keeps me in check. I never want to disappoint her.

As the last child in a family of five girls, what role did your mother and sisters play in supporting you throughout your education, particularly during your university years?

They did everything! Everything!

Monetary, emotional, spiritual, moral- all kinds of support.

Why did you choose to study English and International Studies at Osun State University? Was it a course you had always wanted to study, or did your interest develop along the way?

I’ve always wanted to study English and literary studies, out of love for literature. Osun State University at the time offered English and International Studies, which I think was a plus, because I got to study English, literature, and international relations.

What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced during your undergraduate years, academically or personally, and how did you overcome it? Were there moments you felt discouraged, and what helped you push through?

The biggest challenge has always been finances, like rent, buying this, buying that, printing, paying for group work, not to talk of feeding and other expenses. Someone recommended me for a scholarship at Temvert Empowerment Foundation in 300level first semester, which I got, and they paid my fees that semester. It was one of those periods where I didn’t know how my fees would be sorted.

In my 400 Level first semester, my phone spoilt, and there was no money to fix or replace it. I was without a phone for more than a month, with no access to class information and all that. It was one of those moments where I was really tested. A week before my exams, I still didn’t have a phone. It was on a Thursday, just days before my exams on Monday, that I was finally able to get it fixed. God is good.

I believe in God, I know He loves me, and He won’t leave me stranded. He has never disappointed me. And I also don’t like to panic when things go wrong; I just try to find possible solutions, and this habit has helped me overcome quite a number of things. I like to rant only after my problems have been solved.

First Class students often have particular habits or routines that help them stay consistent. What did your approach to studying look like, and were there any specific strategies that helped you maintain your grades?

Studying, to me, is understanding. Once I understand something, then there is no problem, all I need to do is understand what I am reading or trying to read. I also attend classes consistently; listening to people talk about a concept makes it stick better than just reading.

Whenever some courses feel too difficult, I pray and I take long walks. I walk a lot, it helps me stay sane. And even when I don’t fully understand something, I try to teach it; in the process of teaching, it kind of just untangles itself.

Aside from studying, research, and other academic work, what did you do to unwind? What hobbies or activities did you enjoy when you weren’t studying?

I love photography – I’m actually a photographer. I freelance because I don’t have equipment yet, but yes, I love photography. I write too: I write poetry, I’ve written a drama that’s unpublished, and one or two short stories that are also unpublished. I also write essays on my Substack, just for fun.

Were you involved in any other activities or organisations during your time in school, such as fellowships, student associations, departmental activities, leadership roles, or other extracurricular engagements?

I was the PRO in my fellowship, WCF (Winners Campus Fellowship). When I was in 200 Level, and in 400 Level I was the General Secretary and Academic Coordinator.

I was also a member of the Litera community, a community of writers and readers in my department, and a member of the Cowrywise Ambassadors Program, under the Programs and Initiatives team.

Before you graduated, when was the last time a student from your department or faculty graduated with a first-class degree?

That would be two years ago. Before her, it had been a long, long time.

Looking back at your four years at the university, what was the biggest sacrifice you had to make to achieve a First Class, and was there anything you had to give up that you sometimes wished you could have enjoyed?

Honestly, I don’t think I really gave up anything to achieve a First Class.

Now that you have graduated with a First Class, what are your plans for the next stage of your life, and what would you say to young students who want similar results but may be struggling with self-doubt or the pressures of university life?

I’m open to opportunities that will launch me into something bigger. The kind of role that stretches me with real range. Opportunities that test me, not work that simply occupies me.

A lot of the time, we determine the outcome before we even start, and that’s why a lot of people fail. If you think you will fail, you most likely will. I know pressure is real and there are forces beyond your control that make already difficult situations harder. The trick is to do what you can control, and do it well. I believe the universe has a way of blessing you in return.

Pressure comes, but the biggest pressure is the one you place on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Know what you want, and let it lead you.

FOR decades, Nigerian election cycles witnessed a familiar ritual wherein an influential politician loses a party primary in mid-May, decamps to a rival platform by late May, and secures a consensus ticket by early June. The Supreme Court’s judgment firmly closes this door. Because a late defector was still actively contesting primaries under their original party when the receiving party submitted its membership register to INEC, their name cannot legally exist on the receiving party’s pre-submitted database. Under Section 77(6), the receiving party cannot modify or update its register to accommodate the new arrival, rendering any consensus or nomination process built upon such an unsubmitted list statutorily void. In striking down these sections earlier in the year, the Court of Appeal had reasoned that Section 77 created extra-constitutional eligibility criteria beyond the personal qualifications listed in Sections 65, 106, 131, and 177 of the 1999 Constitution. The Supreme Court dismantled this reasoning, holding that while constitutional qualifications govern personal eligibility, Section 228(a) of the Constitution empowers Parliament to enact laws regulating political party execution, internal administration, and candidate sponsorship. Section 77 does not add to personal qualifications; rather, it regulates party sponsorship; a privilege granted strictly by statute under Section 221.

Crucially, because the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the doctrine of reversal ex tunc (from the beginning) applies. The Court of Appeal’s decision is deemed erroneous ab initio, meaning that political parties and candidates who engaged in post-primary cross-carpeting while relying on the appellate ruling acted pendente lite and assumed the absolute legal risk of reversal. The operational consequences for aggrieved candidates jumping ship and the political platforms accommodating them are severe. Any candidate who lost a primary in Party A, defected to Party B, and secured a consensus ticket without appearing on Party B’s pre-submitted Section 77 register faces total judicial disqualification. Beyond disqualification, Section 115 of the Electoral Act 2026 explicitly criminalises dual party membership and signing nomination papers for multiple platforms during the same election cycle, exposing defectors to heavy fines and imprisonment.

Furthermore, under established legal precedents affirmed in Amaechi v. INEC and APC v. Marafa, votes cast in a general election for a candidate who was invalidly nominated are legally classified as ‘wasted votes’, with victory automatically awarded to the runner-up who met all statutory conditions. Coupled with Section 33, which strictly limits candidate substitution to death or voluntary written withdrawal, a political party whose defector ticket is voided by a court after primary windows have closed cannot hold fresh primaries or swap candidates, leaving its ballot slot completely vacant.

Despite these substantive illegalities, judicial enforcement remains strictly bounded by procedural mechanics. Under Section 285(14) of the Constitution and Section 88(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, only a cleared aspirant who participated in the receiving party’s primary process possesses the locus standi to challenge an illegal consensus nomination, and this challenge must be filed at the Federal High Court within 14 days. Rival political parties cannot challenge a defector’s nomination pre-election due to lack of standing, and as affirmed in Ahiwe v. Otti, Election Petition Tribunals lack jurisdiction post-election to entertain petitions grounded on pre-election Section 77 register compliance. Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s ruling in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party establishes an era of mandatory statutory discipline in Nigerian democracy. While political parties retain the right to nominate candidates, that privilege must be exercised strictly within Parliament’s statutory framework. For political platforms and ambitious defectors alike, ignoring the 21-day digital register mandate transforms electoral tickets into legal nullities.

Excitement is building across Ibadan as music lovers, entertainment buffs and members of the city’s high society eagerly await the much-anticipated Fola Homecoming Concert, scheduled to hold this weekend at Agodi Gardens, Ibadan.

The concert, billed for Saturday, 3 October 2026, is expected to turn the ancient city into a major entertainment destination as fans prepare to welcome Fola home for what promises to be a memorable night of music, fun and celebration.

And Fola is not returning alone. The Ibadan-born music star is expected to storm the city with some of his superstar friends, promising fans an impressive evening of live performances. Among those expected to join him are popular Nigerian artistes Zlatan, Ayo Maff and Mayorkun, among other music stars.

The appearance of the heavyweight artistes has further heightened anticipation, with fans already looking forward to seeing the stars share the stage in Ibadan. Their expected performances are set to add extra glamour and energy to what is shaping up to be one of the city’s biggest entertainment gatherings of the year.

Already, the buzz surrounding the event has begun to spread across the city, with young people and entertainment enthusiasts making plans to be part of the highly anticipated homecoming. Social media has also been abuzz with conversations about the concert, further heightening expectations ahead of the big day.

Adding further excitement to the countdown is the support of Hon. Stanley Olajide Odidiomo, who recently endorsed the concert and purchased 500 tickets for youths in Ibadan, giving hundreds of young people the opportunity to attend the show.

Odidiomo, who expressed his excitement about Fola’s return to Ibadan, said he would be glad to welcome the artiste home, while his gesture has been widely welcomed by young entertainment lovers in the city.

Beyond the music, the event is expected to attract celebrities, business personalities, socialites and other prominent guests, making it one of the major talking points on Ibadan’s social calendar this weekend.

For Fola’s fans, however, the biggest attraction remains the opportunity to see the artiste perform in his home city, surrounded by friends, family, supporters and an audience eager to celebrate his journey.

With preparations reaching their final stages and anticipation growing by the day, Ibadan is gradually slipping into concert mode.

Come Saturday, the city is expected to come alive as Fola returns home with Zlatan, Ayo Maff, Mayorkun and other superstar friends, bringing music, entertainment and the unmistakable Ibadan spirit to the heart of the city.