Category: Nigerian Tribune

Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday said the support of Nigerians for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government security measures is critical to the nation’s economic growth.

He maintained that various reforms being implemented by the government to reposition the economy, which are already yielding results, could only have more impact on the citizenry with effective security of the country.

A statement by Igboho’s media office quoted the Yoruba nation agitator to have made this disclosure during the launch of Iru Ekun Security Network in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti.

He underscored the need for all regardless of political, religious and ethnic colouration to support security agencies through credible information to dislodge criminal elements in any part of Nigeria, most especially in the South West.

Speaking at the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Igboho said ‘the current infrastructural facelift in South West and other regions, most especially roads network and economic reforms which are ingredients for overall development can only be explored for the betterment of Nigerians by restoration of effective security and safety of all communities.

The statement reads further, ‘Therefore, our conventional security agencies currently being supported by local security initiatives like Iru Ekun should be encouraged and motivated to further tackle criminality in the society.

‘We are committed to eradicating banditry, kidnappers, and other hoodlums constituting a threat to peace, safety, and tranquility of Yorubaland. The era of bandits killing Yoruba Obas is over. We would not tolerate the abduction or killing of our people in the South West.

‘Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ends his second term, Nigeria’s security would have been watertight to speed up the socioeconomic growth of our nation.

‘We don’t want to see any bandits or hoodlums in whatever guise in our farms and forest reserve. That was our plea to Yoruba traditional rulers, and they have made our position known to Mr President. This informed the approval granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of Iru Ekun Security Network.

‘If there are reports of attack or security breach in our farms and villages, our revered traditional rulers should contact Iru Ekun for necessary action. We will not tolerate any ambush of our people again.

‘We want to go back to peace and security of the olden days when our father could decide to travel to anywhere in Yorubaland without any fear of attack or threat. It is possible and we are going to restore such hope and confidence in a safer environment for all.’

Recalling past incidents of abduction in some parts of Oyo State, Igboho explained that ‘there was a case of one elderly man we recently rescued in Okeho, Oyo State. The man, who is a farmer, had only N8,000 on him when he was kidnapped, and he was eating wara, a local snack, when they seized him. The hoodlums demanded N10 million ransom.

‘There was another case of a woman and child abducted in Iwere Ile, where her kidnappers demanded N200 million ransom. Her husband had been a victim of kidnapping before the incident, and he paid N60 million before he was released. While rescuing the woman, one of our Iru Ekun personnel was killed.

‘This time around we squaring up with bandits and kidnappers. We won’t take it easy with criminals until we conquer them. We believe that with the prayers of our traditional rulers, we will win these battles, ‘he was quoted to have stated.

In her remark, the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Princess Bolanle Adenike Ogundola, appealed to all Yoruba indigenes to support Iru Ekun Security Network for our own protection and peace, stressing that ‘as a race, Yoruba should exhibit love and develop more interest in the progress of our tribe.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said Nigerians should not pay more for petroleum products because the Federal Government has failed to secure the country’s borders against smuggling.

Makinde stated this in his newsletter on Thursday while weighing in on the debate over fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections.

He questioned the way Nigeria’s petroleum pricing debate has been presented, saying the government should focus on securing its borders instead of making Nigerians pay more for petrol.

‘We should also reject the argument that Nigerians must pay more for petroleum products simply to eliminate the price difference that makes smuggling into neighbouring countries profitable,’ Makinde said.

‘Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders,’ he added.

According to him, the debate should not be limited to whether fuel subsidy should return or remain removed.

‘For years, the debate in Nigeria has largely been presented as a choice between subsidising petroleum products or allowing Nigerians to pay the full market price. I believe we are asking the wrong question. The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?’

Makinde said Nigerians should have access to information on how the price of petrol is determined.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said Nigerians should not pay more for petroleum products because the Federal Government has failed to secure the country’s borders against smuggling.

Makinde stated this in his newsletter on Thursday while weighing in on the debate over fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections.

He questioned the way Nigeria’s petroleum pricing debate has been presented, saying the government should focus on securing its borders instead of making Nigerians pay more for petrol.

‘We should also reject the argument that Nigerians must pay more for petroleum products simply to eliminate the price difference that makes smuggling into neighbouring countries profitable,’ Makinde said.

‘Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of government’s inability to secure its borders,’ he added.

According to him, the debate should not be limited to whether fuel subsidy should return or remain removed.

‘For years, the debate in Nigeria has largely been presented as a choice between subsidising petroleum products or allowing Nigerians to pay the full market price. I believe we are asking the wrong question. The more important question is: what is the right pricing framework for an oil-producing country like Nigeria?’

Makinde said Nigerians should have access to information on how the price of petrol is determined.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has called for stronger linkages between education, skills acquisition and employment opportunities to address the growing challenge of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

The call was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a pre-summit dialogue ahead of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32).

The virtual dialogue, themed ‘The Missing Link: From Learning to Earning,’ brought together stakeholders from the education, technology, philanthropy, entrepreneurship and youth development sectors to examine the barriers preventing young Nigerians from converting education and skills into sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the engagement, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the dialogue was aimed at laying the groundwork for a focused and implementable agenda capable of moving Nigeria from identifying challenges to delivering practical solutions.

Ibekwe urged stakeholders to sustain the conversation around building an economy capable of creating jobs, improving productivity and delivering shared prosperity.

In her special remarks, Director of Education Planning, Research and Development at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Obianuju Anigbogu, stressed the importance of strengthening education planning, research and development as foundations for building a productive and future-ready workforce.

She called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure that education policies and interventions translate into meaningful outcomes for learners and the wider economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Sulaiman, said the capabilities needed to drive productivity and economic growth must be developed from the school system.

Sulaiman advocated a shift from an education pipeline focused primarily on certificates to an ecosystem that develops capability, productivity and opportunity.

He said graduates should acquire transferable skills that enable them to function effectively across industries, regardless of their fields of study.

According to him, graduates of disciplines such as History, English or Physics should leave school with a meaningful component of workplace-relevant skills that can enable them to contribute productively to the economy.

He added that developing an adaptable workforce capable of responding to changing industry demands was essential to strengthening the relationship between education, employment and economic productivity.

During the panel discussion, Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Lawal Mohammed Faruk, represented by Assistant Director, Research, Planning and Administration, Dr Ezinne Orisakwe, called for effective systems to track graduates and out-of-school young people.

Orisakwe said reliable data on the transition from education to employment would enable policymakers to better understand the challenges confronting young people and design responsive interventions.

She also called for stronger policy coordination and urgent capital investment to address the growing number of graduates and skilled Nigerians seeking employment.

Similarly, Director of Programmes and Coordination at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Oyindamola Egbeyemi, said skills development programmes must respond directly to labour-market demands.

She stressed that such programmes should go beyond training and certification to create measurable pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, productivity and improved livelihoods.

Other panellists, including Managing Partner of FATE Africa, Femi Taiwo, and Ibekwe, highlighted structural and practical barriers limiting young Nigerians’ ability to turn education and acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The dialogue emphasised that bridging the gap between learning and earning requires more than expanding access to education. It requires an education and skills ecosystem that equips young Nigerians with relevant, adaptable and marketable capabilities while creating clear pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and productive economic participation.

The engagement forms part of consultations ahead of NES#32, which will focus on practical measures to build an economy that creates opportunities, raises productivity and delivers shared prosperity.

THE decision by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to approach the Federal High Court over the possibility of suspending the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election is one that deserves careful consideration-and, indeed, applause. At a time when actions involving opposition figures are easily viewed through partisan lenses, Ajayi has demonstrated something often missing in public administration: institutional restraint. More importantly, he has placed a politically sensitive question before the court rather than attempting to resolve it through administrative discretion alone. The request to pause the proceedings should not be mistaken for weakness, political favouritism or an attempt to place anyone above the law. On the contrary, it reflects an understanding that the rule of law also requires fairness, proportionality and respect for the democratic process.

The DSS is not asking the court to terminate the case. Nor is it asking the court to determine Sowore’s innocence or guilt. It is asking the court to consider whether continuing the prosecution during an election period could unnecessarily complicate the democratic process. That distinction is fundamental. Sowore, like every other Nigerian, remains subject to the law. A presidential candidacy does not confer immunity from criminal prosecution, just as an allegation does not amount to a conviction. If the court approves a postponement, the allegations do not disappear. The prosecution can resume after the election, allowing the legal process to proceed without creating avoidable controversy around a presidential candidate at a particularly sensitive political moment. This distinction matters because the credibility of the proposal rests on the fact that it neither extinguishes the case nor predetermines its outcome. It merely asks the judiciary to consider whether timing, in the peculiar circumstances of an electoral contest, warrants a temporary adjustment to the proceedings.

This is precisely where Ajayi’s approach deserves commendation.

Security agencies wield enormous powers, and the manner in which those powers are exercised matters greatly. An institution that knows when to act firmly and when to exercise restraint demonstrates confidence in its own professionalism. The exercise of power is ultimately judged not only by what an institution can do, but by whether it knows the limits of what it should do. The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA), in commending the DSS leadership, described the decision as consistent with democratic principles, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of elections. That assessment deserves attention. Nigeria’s democracy does not only depend on elections taking place; it also depends on citizens believing that institutions are not being used to influence electoral outcomes. That confidence can be fragile, particularly when a candidate challenging the political establishment is simultaneously facing prosecution by a security agency. Even where the prosecution is entirely lawful, its timing can become a subject of political contestation.

By placing the matter before the Federal High Court, Ajayi has allowed the judiciary to determine the appropriate course of action. That is a significant point. Rather than unilaterally making a politically sensitive decision, the DSS is seeking judicial guidance. The court remains free to accept, reject or modify the request on the basis of the law and the facts before it. That is how institutional restraint should work in a constitutional democracy. Ajayi’s record, as highlighted by the FDA, also provides useful context. Since assuming office in August 2024, he has been credited with efforts to strengthen due process within the service, including the release of persons allegedly detained in error and compensation for affected individuals. At the same time, the DSS under his leadership has continued to perform its core national-security responsibilities, including operations against terrorism and insurgency and the arrest and prosecution of high-profile suspects.

These two dimensions should not be presented as mutually exclusive. A security service does not become less effective because it respects due process. If anything, a professional security institution should be capable of combining operational effectiveness with a disciplined regard for the law. This combination of firmness on security and restraint where democratic sensitivities are involved is precisely what Nigerians should expect from a modern security institution. There is sometimes a mistaken assumption that a strong security agency must always be seen taking the toughest possible position. But strength is not measured solely by arrests, prosecutions or enforcement actions. Sometimes, the greater demonstration of institutional strength is knowing when restraint serves the national interest better. That appears to be the thinking behind the Ajayi initiative. There is, however, an important caveat. Institutional restraint should not become selective restraint. The credibility of this approach will ultimately depend on whether the same principle can be applied impartially, regardless of the identity, popularity or political affiliation of the person involved.

The 2027 elections will be an important test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Political parties will compete vigorously, candidates will make competing claims and public institutions will inevitably come under scrutiny.

In such an environment, every effort to reduce unnecessary institutional tension should be welcomed, provided it remains firmly anchored in law. The judiciary, rather than the DSS or any political actor, must have the final say on whether the proposed postponement is legally and procedurally justified.

The proposed pause in Sowore’s prosecution can therefore be viewed as an attempt to protect the credibility of the electoral process without compromising the justice system.

It is also important to stress that the decision does not create a special legal status for Sowore. It establishes no permanent immunity and does not erase the case. It simply creates the possibility of allowing the election to take place without an ongoing prosecution becoming an additional source of political controversy. That is a reasonable question for the DSS to place before the court. Whether it is the right remedy is properly a matter for the court to decide.

Indeed, the principle should be bigger than any individual or political party. If Nigeria is serious about building institutions that command public confidence, security agencies must be prepared to demonstrate impartiality, professionalism and respect for judicial authority regardless of the political identity of the person involved. Ajayi’s approach offers an example of how this can be done.

It is worth stressing this because the real value of the episode should not be reduced to whether one candidate benefits from a postponement. The more consequential question is whether Nigeria’s institutions are learning to manage politically sensitive cases in ways that protect both the integrity of the law and public confidence in the democratic process.

The DSS must remain tough against terrorism, violent extremism, threats to national security and other criminal activities. But that firmness must coexist with respect for constitutional rights and democratic institutions. That balance is not a contradiction. It is the hallmark of responsible security leadership.

For that reason, the FDA’s commendation of Ajayi is understandable. His decision to seek judicial consideration rather than simply allowing a politically sensitive prosecution to become another flashpoint demonstrates an appreciation of the bigger picture.

It also sends an important institutional message: that the DSS recognises that its authority is exercised within a constitutional order, not above it.

In the end, democracy is strengthened not only by the enforcement of laws but also by the responsible exercise of institutional power.

The DSS under Ajayi appears to be demonstrating that restraint can be a sign of strength, not weakness. And if that restraint is consistently applied, transparently justified and firmly anchored in law, the DSS leadership deserves applause.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former Secretary of the Oluyole Local Government, Adedokun Adegboyega, alongside his political followers, has defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The defectors were received at the residence of the executive chairman of the council, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, on Wednesday, August 2.

The defectors include: Mr Akindele Tajudeen, popularly known as Oji; Alhaji Lateef Oladoja; Alfa Morounfolu Isiaka Lasisi, Mr. Ganiyu Olayiwola; Comrades Odunlami Olanrewaju; Akeem Atilola Kehinde; Olusegun Odetayo; and Owolabi Tirimisiyu Ishola, all across different wards in the council.

Adegboyega, a former political ally of the member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, was received into the APM fold alongside the APC Ward 9 Chairman, Akindele Tajudeen, popularly known as Orji, and other members of his political camp.

Tajudeen, who resigned his position as the APC Ward 9 Chairman before joining the APM, was said to have followed Adegboyega, his political leader, into the new political platform.

The development according to the Olatunji, is another major boost for the APM in Oluyole federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, coming amid efforts by the party to expand its grassroots structure across the local government.

Receiving the defectors, the Oluyole APM Chairman, Hon. Nasiru Hamzat, welcomed Adegboyega, Tajudeen and their supporters into the party.

He described their decision as a demonstration of confidence in the APM’s political direction under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, as well as the grassroots dominance of the APM.

In his brief remark, the LG chairman, Akeem Olatunji, described the defection as a testament to the soaring popularity of the APM in Oluyole federal constituency and Oyo State at large.

Olatunji described Alhaji Adegboyega as one of the pillars of APC in Oluyole and a strong grassroots mobilizer whose political experience and support base will in no small measure increase the chances of the APM in Oluyole towards a landslide electoral victory across all elective offices.

‘Our political net has really caught a big fish, and we’re very happy about it. This is a clear testament to the vision and results of good governance under the Makinde-led government.

‘We want to assure the new defectors to freely move around and mix with others within the party without any reservation. This is an all-inclusive party where we are all equal in one big political family.

‘This defection now adds to the growing political activities of our party in Oluyole, where the APM has continued to strengthen its ward structures and woo prominent political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘ We have also positioned the party as a major political force in the local government, with our leaders intensifying consultations, grassroots mobilisation and engagements with political stakeholders across the various wards.

‘The movement of Alhaji Adegboyega and his camp from the APC to the APM is therefore expected to further enforce our strength as we begin to consolidate our structure ahead of the 2027 polls, Olatunji said.

Also present were the party’s Oluyole chairmanship candidate, Hon. Popoola Olaide Settle, and his running mate, Hon. Taofeek Ogunrinde.

Also present were former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Ayuba Balogun; Alhaji Adegbola Mukaila; Hon. Kehinde Abore; Hon. Wahab Kazeem, popularly known as LASKAZ; and Pastor Remi Adedapo, pioneer Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oluyole Local Government.

Others included former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Salawu; Engr. Sola Shofowora; Alhaji Yisau Kobomoje; Baba Alado; and Alhaji Wasiu Arewa.

The event was also attended by all APM ward chairmen and the party’s councillorship candidates across Oluyole Local Government.

Reacting, Adegboyega pledged his commitment to the APM and promised to mobilise his political structure and supporters for the success of the party at the grassroots.

THE Presidency has reacted to conflicting reports on the pending suits before Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court on the civil records-disclosure dispute under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and an American transparency activist, Mr Aaron Greenspan, seeking records relating to President Tinubu between 1992 and 1993 in the custody of the FBI.

Amidst alleged disclosure and release of redacted documents which found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing in forfeiture of $46,000 to the United States Government, the Presidency dismissed the report as unfounded as it maintained that no criminal liability was established against President Tinubu.

Checks revealed that an online platform had claimed that the FBI had officially acknowledged that President Tinubu was the subject of a criminal investigation for drug trafficking crimes in the US in early 1990s.

Setting the records straight in a statement on Thursday titled ‘Clarification on the ongoing Freedom of Information Act Case in Washington, DC.’

Bayo Onanuga,

Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, declared that the case before the court concerns access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.

‘For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.’

The Presidency which recalled that 23 years ago, the FBI issued Tinubu ‘a clean bill of health’, as it ‘records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ noted that the ongoing litigations arising from Mr Greenspan is the insistence by the FBI to apply the contentious Glomar defence which allows the US agencies to shield certain documents or information from public disclosure.

Onanuga, who revealed Nigeria’s president’s role as an intervenor in the court proceedings, maintained that the ongoing ‘litigation is a civil records-disclosure dispute under FOIA. It does not constitute a criminal charge, trial, or judicial finding against President Tinubu. The FBI and DEA have produced records with redactions, and the remaining question is whether those redactions are lawful.’

The statement read: ‘The Presidency has noted recent speculative reports concerning an ongoing Freedom of Information Act case before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

‘For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.

‘Here is the background to the case, which comes 23 years after the American Consulate in Lagos, in a letter dated February 4, 2003, informed the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In 2022, Mr Aaron Greenspan, who is known to work with Nigerian opposition figures including David Hundeyin and Atiku Abubakar, submitted FOIA requests to several United States government agencies seeking records relating to President Tinubu. After the agencies withheld certain records or declined to confirm or deny their existence, Mr Greenspan commenced Civil Action No. 23-1816 before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023.

‘The court subsequently permitted President Tinubu to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor.

‘During the proceedings, the Defendants asserted the ‘Glomar defence, a standard defence that US law enforcement agencies invoke from time to time. It simply means the government agency is not ‘in a position to deny or admit’ the existence of an investigation. It protects government personnel and the techniques and sources law enforcement agencies use to investigate and prosecute crimes.

‘Based on the invocation of this defence, the United States District Court granted summary judgment in favour of the CIA, EOUSA, Department of State, Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It ruled that they be removed from the proceedings, leaving aspects of the claims involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration for further consideration.

‘In compliance with the court’s orders, the FBI and DEA produced 399 pages of records, with portions redacted under exemptions provided by United States law. The Plaintiff challenged the FBI and DEA’s decisions to redact portions of the documents produced.

The FBI and DEA, through the United States Department of Justice (USDoJ), pushed back against the Plaintiff’s requests. The FBI and DEA rejected the application to produce the documents without redactions for the following reasons:

‘Some of the documents are protected from being revealed to the public by law, for example, Grand Jury proceedings. The law exempts transcripts of Grand Jury proceedings from public disclosure. The Pen Register Act also protects from disclosure information about certain court order(s) authorising or approving the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device. (FOIA Exemption 3)

2. Some of the documents fall squarely within the attorney-work product and attorney-client privileges. Some documents contain instances where FBI and DEA agents sought and/or received legal advice from USDoJ attorneys. (FOIA Exemption 5)

3. Some of the documents were prepared for law enforcement purposes. (FOIA Exemption 5)

4. Some of the documents contain information which, if revealed, could lead to an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. (FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7(C)).

5. Some of the documents, if disclosed, will reveal the identities of confidential sources or compromise the techniques that law enforcement agencies use in investigating crimes. (FOIA Exemptions 7(D) and 7(E))

President Bola Tinubu, on advice of his lawyers, has also asserted his rights as guaranteed by FOIA Exemption 7(C).

‘The Plaintiff has until September 11, 2026, to file any opposition and reply to the Defendants’ and Intervener’s processes, while the FBI, DEA and the Intervenor have until September 18, 2026, to respond to the processes that the Plaintiff might have filed.

‘The release or withholding of records under FOIA does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. The case concerns access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.

‘The Nigerian media should note that this case is exclusively within the control of Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court. She will determine its outcome, based on the evidence, applicable law, and the parties’ arguments, not the wishful preference of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or his agent, Mr Von Batten.

‘Recent public commentary by Mr Karl von Batten has inaccurately portrayed him and his client as central to the proceedings. Neither is a party to the case.

The litigation is a civil records-disclosure dispute under FOIA. It does not constitute a criminal charge, trial, or judicial finding against President Tinubu. The FBI and DEA have produced records with redactions, and the remaining question is whether those redactions are lawful.

‘The United States District Court will decide that issue based on the filings and applicable US law, not political commentary.

‘The Presidency therefore urges the media and the public to distinguish verified court proceedings from partisan speculation.’

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.