Category: Nigerian Tribune

Prominent businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, has once again become the subject of public attention after sharing a cryptic message on social media that has set tongues wagging across political, business, and high society circles.

The post, which simply read, ‘Forward is still the only direction,’ immediately sparked widespread reactions, with many interpreting it as a message of resilience and determination amid the challenges and public scrutiny she has faced in recent months.

Although Achimugu did not provide any context or elaborate on the meaning behind the statement, the brief message quickly gained traction, prompting supporters and observers to speculate about its significance. While some viewed it as a declaration of strength and an affirmation of her resolve to remain focused on the future, others suggested it could signal a new phase in her personal or professional journey.

Known for her influential presence in Nigeria’s business and social landscape, Achimugu has remained a prominent figure despite the controversies surrounding her. Her latest post has therefore attracted considerable attention, with many closely watching for any further developments or clarifications.

The phrase has since resonated with many of her followers, who responded with messages of encouragement and optimism, urging her to remain steadfast regardless of prevailing circumstances.

Whether the statement was intended as a personal reflection, a response to ongoing public conversations, or simply a motivational expression, one thing is certain: Aisha Achimugu has once again succeeded in capturing public attention. For now, however, the true meaning behind the message remains known only to her, leaving room for continued speculation while the businesswoman keeps her focus firmly fixed on the road ahead.

As the rains continue and temperatures drop, many Nigerians are turning to one comforting meal – pepper soup. More than just a dish, pepper soup has become a seasonal favourite, offering warmth and comfort on chilly days. Served steaming hot with aromatic spices and pepper, it helps keep the body warm, clears nasal congestion, and provides a soothing experience. For many households, a bowl of pepper soup is not only a delicious meal but also a cherished traditional remedy.

Ingredients

Goat meat, chicken, catfish or any protein of your choice

Pepper soup spice

Scotch bonnet pepper

Onion

Garlic

Ginger

Stock cubes

Salt

Scent leaves or uziza leaves

Water

Preparation Method

Wash protein of your choice thoroughly and place it in a pot. Season with chopped onions, a stock cube, and little salt. Add little water and allow it to boil.

Add more water to pot, then stir in blended pepper, garlic, ginger, pepper soup spice, and remaining stock cube. Mix well and allow soup to cook.

Continue cooking until the meat or fish becomes tender, adding more water if necessary to maintain the soup’s consistency.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add scent leaves or uziza leaves towards end of cooking to preserve their flavour and aroma.

Serve hot. Pepper soup can be enjoyed on its own or paired with boiled yam, bread, plantain, potatoes, rice, agidi, or a chilled drink. It is best served while still steaming hot.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, for his continued support and guidance to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since its inception.

She made the remarks at the Sultan’s Palace during her visit to the monarch in Sokoto.

The First Lady, who reflected on the longstanding relationship between their families, noted that the Sultan has consistently guided the administration in the right direction.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the visit was to personally thank the Sultan for his support.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, said leaders must continue to seek divine intervention, especially concerning those perpetrating evil across the country.

He prayed that such individuals would genuinely repent and embrace lawful conduct.

The Sultan also commended the First Lady for her various interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), noting that the programme has positively impacted the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for visiting the revered monarch and echoed the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative on the lives of Nigerians.

He described the initiative’s interventions as people-centred, aimed at improving the lives of women, youths, children, and families across the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto later invited the Ulama to offer prayers for the nation, the President, the First Lady, the state governor, himself, and Sokoto State as a whole.

The Federal Government on Friday advanced its ‘brain gain’ agenda by unveiling a new Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative aimed at harnessing the expertise of Nigerian medical professionals abroad to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, insisting that migration should be seen as an opportunity for national development rather than a loss of talent.

The position was reinforced at the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced plans to institutionalise the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative (DHII), while the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the country’s growing diaspora community as a strategic asset driving innovation, investment and healthcare development.

The event, themed ‘Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,’ brought together Nigerian health professionals from across the world, government officials, lawmakers and development partners.

Speaking at the event, Enikanolaiye said the migration of skilled Nigerians should not be viewed as ‘brain drain’ but as ‘brain gain’ because professionals abroad continue to contribute significantly to both their host countries and Nigeria.

‘It is a case of talent circulation, brain gain rather than brain loss. Migration should not be criminalised, weaponised or demonised because Nigerians abroad continue to make significant contributions to both their host countries and Nigeria,’ he said.

The minister disclosed that Nigerians in the diaspora remit an estimated $21.8 billion annually, exceeding Nigeria’s official development assistance, and called for greater efforts to channel the funds into productive investments.

He also urged Nigerians abroad to remain united and continue projecting a positive image of the country.

In his address, President Tinubu said the Federal Government would institutionalise the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative to provide a structured platform connecting Nigerian healthcare institutions with doctors, researchers, nurses and other medical specialists living abroad.

Describing Nigerians in the diaspora as one of the country’s greatest assets, the President said their achievements in medicine, science and public health had positioned them to help transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

‘Our diaspora is a source of national pride. Across the world, Nigerian doctors, nurses and public health leaders are saving lives, advancing science and shaping global healthcare. Today, we celebrate not only your achievements abroad but also your enduring commitment to the homeland,’ Tinubu said.

He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for strengthening engagement between Nigeria and its citizens overseas.

Tinubu said the administration would expand diaspora medical missions, establish knowledge-transfer partnerships between teaching hospitals and foreign-based specialists, promote telemedicine, encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, pharmaceutical industries and research centres, and strengthen NiDCOM’s coordinating role.

‘To support this vision, we will create a platform that will institutionalise the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative to coordinate contributions, offer incentives for diaspora medical professionals who return to practise or invest, and ensure transparency so that every effort delivers measurable impact,’ the President said.

He urged Nigerian medical professionals abroad to contribute actively to building a resilient healthcare system.

‘Whether you are a surgeon in London, a researcher in Boston, a laboratory scientist in China or a nurse in Johannesburg, your skills are vital to building a resilient, inclusive and world-class healthcare system in Nigeria,’ he added.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the strong participation of Nigerian medical professionals from across the world reflected growing confidence in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘The enthusiastic participation we have witnessed has attracted surgeons, infectious disease specialists, gynaecologists, specialist nurses and an array of health experts from virtually every continent of the world. It is another validation of the power and reach of the Renewed Hope Agenda,’ Salako said.

He noted that the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative had already delivered specialised healthcare services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including complex procedures such as uterine fibroid embolisation, which ordinarily costs about ?8 million per patient but was provided free of charge during medical missions.

Salako described the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NiDCOM as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, adding that the initiative would become an annual programme.

He also said maternal and infant mortality rates were declining while immunisation coverage continued to improve, although he acknowledged that healthcare worker migration remained a challenge requiring ethical migration policies and stronger international collaboration.

According to him, the Federal Government approved new allowances for health workers in November 2025 at an annual cost of about ?90 billion and launched a digital portal to enable Nigerian health professionals abroad to contribute to the country’s health sector.

In her remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the commission had transformed diaspora engagement from policy into measurable impact since its establishment in 2019.

‘Our mandate was clear: engage, empower and enable Nigerians in the diaspora. Today, we can say with pride that we have moved from policy to impact,’ she said.

She said NiDCOM had institutionalised diaspora engagement through the National Diaspora Policy, the appointment of diaspora focal-point officers across nearly all states and the development of a national database of Nigerian professionals abroad.

According to her, the Diaspora Healthcare Impact Initiative has facilitated medical missions, telemedicine services and diaspora health investments in more than 20 states, with Nigerian specialists abroad conducting remote surgeries and training healthcare workers nationwide.

Dabiri-Erewa said diaspora medical associations from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Australia and South Africa had provided specialised healthcare services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, covering maternal and neonatal healthcare, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, sickle cell management and interventional radiology.

‘Our diaspora medical groups have equipped hospitals and primary healthcare centres with medical equipment worth billions of naira,’ she said.

She disclosed that diaspora remittances had increased from $17 billion in 2019 to more than $21 billion in 2025, while the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit continued to attract investments into healthcare, agriculture, information technology, real estate and the creative economy.

The NiDCOM boss also announced plans to establish a Diaspora Investment Fund, launch a National Diaspora Health Corps expected to engage 1,000 diaspora health professionals annually, and continue advocacy for diaspora voting.

‘When NiDCOM was established in 2019, many people asked what the diaspora could do for Nigeria. Today, the answer is obvious. The diaspora are no longer just about remittances.

‘They are building hospitals, conducting medical missions, lecturing in our universities, investing in agriculture, SMEs, information technology and digital infrastructure, while defending Nigeria’s image globally. They are truly Nigeria’s ambassadors at large,’ she said.

I understand the notion behind the policy, as academic ability alone does not necessarily equate to readiness for the rigours of campus life. Emotional and social maturity are equally important considerations.

I got into the university at age 15, and despite being young, I finished with outstanding results. Worthy of note, however, is that what made this possible was discipline and a strong support system. Surviving the first few months of university was not as difficult as some might have thought. Having attended a boarding school, I was already familiar with being away from home and managing a degree of independence.

More importantly, I understood my primary assignment at the university and remained focused on it. My experience taught me that while age can be a factor in determining readiness for university life, it is not always the defining one. The presence of maturity, discipline, and the right support structure can make a significant difference.

How did you come to study mass communication? And why study it at Babcock University?

I have always been arts-inclined, with my interests growing up centred around speaking and writing. I represented my secondary school in essay writing competitions, which further strengthened my passion for communication and expression.

While exploring the various career opportunities within the arts, mass communication felt like a course I would genuinely enjoy, especially considering my strengths in writing. During the initial stage of university selection, I considered some public universities. However, after factoring in the distance, age requirements, and the unending ASUU strikes at the time, I opted for a private university, and Babcock was a good choice.

I also had family friends who were alumni of Babcock, and their testimonies about the conducive learning environment convinced me that it was an option worth exploring.

Many students start university with the dream of graduating with a First Class, but do not achieve it. How do you feel graduating with a First Class? And what did you do differently to attain the feat?

I feel fulfilled graduating with a first class. For me, it is proof that I can commit to excellence and achieve it. Students who graduate with outstanding results are those who understand that smart work often beats hard work.

I think it is important to mention that I did not aim for a first class from the get-go; I just wanted a 4.0 on a scale of 5.0, but getting a perfect GPA in my second semester of 100 level mirrored that excellence could be achieved. So, it was left to me to sustain it. I did not rely on just materials given by lecturers alone. I would download course materials from other universities, combined with what I was given in class, to give myself a wider perspective on a topic.

There are strategies to get a first class. You have to understand what works for different lecturers and different courses, and also rely on a divine source. I worked hard like there was no God, and I prayed hard like I never studied. My advice to students is to aim for one good result. Once to aim for it and get it, you will be encouraged that academic excellence is possible.

What aspects of mass communication interested you more, and why? Which of the courses did you do well in?

I majored in broadcasting because I was fascinated by the camera and interested in the process behind TV production. I did well in all my courses, exceptionally well in news writing and reporting, film criticism and appreciation, and international communication.

What was your final-year project work about, its findings, and its relevance to society?

My final-year research work is titled ‘Influence of Social media activism on knowledge, attitudes, and involvement in the #EndBadGovernanace protest among youths in Ikeja, Lagos’. Social media has become deeply integrated into our lives, influencing people’s social, economic and political behaviour.

Findings from my study revealed that Ikeja youths were exposed to social media activism content on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) regarding the protest, with their exposure to X being specifically higher. They showed some level of digital activism. However, their involvement did not extend to direct offline engagements.

The study concluded that the media performed its surveillance function by serving as our eyes and ears – helping us see what is happening and keeping us abreast of societal issues. Also, while digital activism offers new opportunities for participation, the effectiveness depends on various factors, including sustained offline engagements, among others.

Would you consider social media platforms and their content as a form of mass communication? And, do you see artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat to mass media content and business?

When we define mass communication, we describe it as the transmission of information through a channel to a large audience simultaneously. Drawing from this definition, social media platforms rightly fit within the scope of mass communication.

As for artificial intelligence, any form of technology has the potential to become a threat when used irresponsibly. AI is helping to detect cancer cells and streamline rigorous processes in business. However, my major concern with the use of AI in the media is the rise of deepfakes. It has become increasingly difficult to simply look at a piece of content and determine whether it is true or false, making stricter fact-checking more necessary than ever.

Individuals will also need to understand that media literacy is their responsibility. In an age where information can be easily manipulated, the ability to critically evaluate content is no longer optional – it is essential.

In your bio, you stated that, ‘I bring a unique blend of skills to the broadcasting and media industry.’ What are these unique skills that you bring to the media industry?

Having garnered experience in stage play productions, TV production, and presenting for radio, I have developed essential skills in content writing, creative fiction, storytelling, research and leadership. I understand that brands and broadcasters do not just need content; they need stories that stick, scripts that resonate, and productions that captivate.

Tell us about Student Evolve and why you founded it. You recently organised a webinar tagged ‘Mastering the attitude of excellence: Achieving a first-class mindset’. What are the major highlights of this programme?

After my convocation in July of 2025, I publicly documented my academic achievement, and that led to many students reaching out to ask how I achieved a first class. Through those conversations, I saw a deep hunger for excellence. I encountered students who genuinely desired academic success but lacked the mindset, strategies, and discipline required to achieve it.

Those interactions opened my eyes to a need that could not be ignored. In April 2026, I founded Student Evolve to help students develop the habits, mindset, and tools necessary for excellence. It was born from the conviction that every student has the capacity to excel when given the right guidance and support.

The highlight of the debut webinar was execution, as this was a vision I had long delayed from actualising.

If you were given a fully funded postgraduate scholarship to study in any university in the world, which course would you study and at which university?

The University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, to study film and television production.

What are your career aspirations after graduation? And where do you see yourself in five years?

This is a particularly interesting question. It is very hard for me to see myself as one thing. I have many interests – literature, filmmaking, journalism, etc.

In the next five years, I envision myself winning an award for best documentary film. One thing is certain: in the next five years, I would be among the global storytellers shaping the narrative about Africa. If we do not tell our own stories, then people would do it for us, but from a distorted lens.

You said the best advice you were given was when you were 15 years old. What was this advice, and how do you think it can impact young people and their studies and future?

The advice I got as a 15-year-old fresh undergraduate was to ask questions. There is a proverb my elders say: If you ask for directions on the road, you will get to your destination. Asking questions from my peers, seniors, and lecturers contributed to my academic success. It helps you avoid costly mistakes.

The bigger advice here would be: To be curious: do not lose your wonder. Be curious to know what would happen if you consistently invest in yourself. Be curious about what systems make successful individuals and countries.

An Upper Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has dissolved a 10-year-old marriage between a woman, Rukaya Shuaibu and her husband, Shehu Zubair for lack of love.

The judge, Mohammed Wakili dissolved their marriage according to Islamic Law, following Rukaya’s prayer for divorce on the ground that their marriage lacked love.

Wakili ordered Rukaya to observe ‘Iddah,’ which is a three-month waiting period before contracting another marriage.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Rukaya had earlier told the court that she got married to the respondent under the Islamic Law, and that she was yet to have a child for him.

She said that their marriage had broken down irretrievably, saying, ‘I pray the court to grant my request for divorce due to lack of love.’

‘The respondent owes me N100,000, which I want him to pay back,’ she said.

Responding, Zubair asked the court to grant Rukayat’s request, saying, ‘I once divorced her in June, 2023. I consent to her request before the court.’

‘I borrowed the money she mentioned on behalf of a friend for his business, which unfortunately went bankrupt.

‘She is aware that I have been pestering my friend to pay back,’ he said.

Every startup faces a similar challenge at some point by finding customers without spending a fortune on marketing. So, whether you are launching a SaaS product, building a fintech platform, or running a digital agency, cold outreach remains one of the fastest ways to generate leads.

The problem is that most cold emails sound generic, get ignored, or land in the spam folder.

Meanwhile, that is where prompt engineering comes in. Instead of asking an AI model to ‘write a sales email,’ founders can use structured prompts that provide compelling context, audience details, value propositions, and desired outcomes. The result is a message that feels more relevant and persuasive. For startups exploring Gemini API prompt engineering startup sales, learning how to design effective prompts can significantly improve outreach campaigns while reducing the time spent writing emails.

Why prompt engineering matters

Prompt engineering is the practice of designing clear instructions that help large language models produce more accurate and useful responses. Rather than relying on vague requests, effective prompts specify the AI’s role, the target audience, business objective, tone, constraints, and expected output.

Google recommended providing detailed context, assigning roles, defining tasks clearly, and refining prompts iteratively to improve response quality when using Gemini models.

The company’s official Prompt Design Guide explains how structured prompts consistently produce better results than broad, one-line requests.

Therefore, this is for startups to generate outreach emails that are tailored to different industries, customer pain points, and stages of the sales funnel instead of sending the same generic message to every prospect.

Build prompts around customer problems

Successful cold emails rarely begin by talking about the sender. They begin by addressing a problem the recipient already faces.

Instead of prompting Gemini with ‘Write a sales email for my Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software,’ provide meaningful context such as the recipient’s business type, common operational challenges, desired tone, and the specific value your solution delivers.

For example, instruct Gemini to act as a B2B sales specialist writing to a logistics company struggling with manual inventory tracking. The AI can then produce messaging that focuses on reducing delays, improving visibility, and saving operational costs rather than listing product features.

This customer-first approach aligns with established sales psychology. HubSpot’s sales research shows that personalised outreach generates stronger engagement because prospects are more likely to respond to messages that address their specific business challenges.

Use repeatable prompt framework

One of the biggest advantages of Gemini API prompt engineering startup sales is consistency.

A structured framework typically includes the role Gemini should assume, a description of the ideal customer, the prospect’s pain points, your startup’s value proposition, the preferred writing style, and a clear call to action.

Using the same framework allows founders to personalise emails for different industries without rewriting every message from scratch.

Google Cloud also recommends defining objectives, providing context, and specifying output formats when developing prompt workflows for production AI applications.

Personalisation beats mass outreach

Sending one thousand identical emails rarely produces strong results. Modern buyers expect communication that reflects their business, industry, or recent achievements.

So, Gemini can help personalise outreach at scale by adapting messaging to different customer segments while maintaining a consistent brand voice. Healthcare providers, e-commerce businesses, logistics companies, and manufacturers all have different operational priorities. Prompt engineering enables startups to generate relevant messaging for each audience while preserving efficiency.

Review before you send

Meanwhile, it is necessary to review and format your email before sending it. Even well-crafted AI-generated emails should be reviewed before reaching prospects.

Verify company names, product claims, pricing information, and industry terminology. Remove unnecessary buzzwords, simplify overly complex sentences, and ensure the message reflects your brand voice rather than sounding generic.

Prompt engineering improves productivity, but human oversight remains essential for accuracy, credibility, and compliance.

Therefore, mastering Gemini API prompt engineering startup sales gives startups a practical advantage in competitive markets. Because, instead of spending hours drafting cold emails, founders can create structured prompts that can generate relevant, persuasive outreach tailored to each prospect.

MultiChoice Nigeria has officially announced that the 11th season of Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), will premiere on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (WAT) across Africa Magic channels.

?The unveiling took place during a media briefing in Lagos , where organizers disclosed details surrounding the show’s return.

In this article, Tribune online highlights ten things viewers should look out for in the new season.

Premiere date and time

BBNaija Season 11 will officially launch on Sunday, 26 July 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (WAT). The opening night will broadcast live on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, introducing the new housemates to the world.

Biggest prize in franchise history (N160 million)

This season’s ultimate winner will walk away with a massive grand prize package valued at N160 million, featuring a N100 million cash prize alongside a brand-new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). The previous season ended with the N150 million grand prize won by Season 10 winner, Opeyemi ‘Imisi’ Ayanwale.

Official theme

Organisers unveiled the official theme for Season 11 as ‘Everything Is For The Taking.’ The tagline signals a highly competitive environment where housemates must aggressively fight for rewards, survival, and the grand prize.

24/7 Live coverage

Viewers won’t miss a moment of the action. The 24-hour live feed will be available on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, as well as streaming live via the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream mobile apps.

New headline sponsor unveiled

Sports betting platform betPawa joins Season 11 as the official headline sponsor.

Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie joins the commercial lineup as an Associate Sponsor.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returns as host

Renowned media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is back to anchor the show once again. Having hosted the flagship show since 2017, Ebuka remains the iconic face of the BBNaija stage.

Physical auditions held in three major cities

To select this year’s housemates, physical auditions took place between 22 and 24 May 2026 across Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu, following initial online registrations for Nigerian citizens aged 21 and above.

Voting perks for active subscribers

MultiChoice confirmed that subscribers who renew or upgrade their packages using the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps will get boosted voting power to keep their favourite contestants in the house.

Beyond entertainment: Launchpad for stars

Over the years, the show has proved to be more than just a 10-week game, acting as a massive launchpad for careers across Nollywood, music, fashion, corporate branding, and digital content creation.

10-week journey begins

The upcoming season will run for 10 action-packed weeks filled with Head of House games, arena tasks, nominations, and regular evictions before a single winner claims the ?160 million prize.

Many people with a penis desire a bigger penis, regardless of whether they think their penis size is average or not. And some people believe they have a small penis when it’s actually within the average range.

Many people with a penis are concerned about its size, but research has shown that most people have an average-sized penis. Penises come in all different shapes and sizes. There’s no one perfect penis, and size doesn’t determine your sexual attractiveness or self-worth.

If your penis is much smaller than the average size, there are interventions that can help promote a positive and fulfilling s3x life. If you’re still concerned with your penis size or feel that it’s affecting your s3x life, reaching out to a sex therapist can help.

Stakeholders have called on dentists to play a more proactive role in safeguarding children by identifying, documenting and reporting suspected cases of child abuse, noting that oral health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognise early signs of abuse and neglect during routine oral examinations.

Speaking during a panel discussion on ‘Safeguarding Smiles: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Child Abuse in Dental Care’ at the 8th Biennial Conference and Scientific Session of the Nigerian Association of Paediatric Dentistry (NAPD) in Ibadan, Oyo State, the experts described child abuse as a growing global public health challenge requiring urgent multidisciplinary action.

Consultant Paediatrician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Joy Alejo, said healthcare professionals must distinguish accidental childhood injuries from those suggestive of abuse.

She identified multiple injuries, bruises on protected areas such as the torso, and delayed presentation for treatment without reasonable explanation as major red flags.

‘When a child falls, you expect injuries on typical impact sites. However, bruises around the angle of the jaw, neck, cheeks or marks on the arms suggesting that a child has been forcefully grabbed are not typical and should immediately raise concern,’ she said.

Alejo urged dentists to thoroughly document suspected cases, photograph injuries with informed consent, maintain detailed clinical records and utilise established child protection and referral pathways.

Also speaking, Dr Nneka Onyejaka of the Department of Child Dental Health, University of Nigeria, Enugu, warned that many abused children continue to suffer because healthcare professionals fail to recognise or act on early warning signs.

She noted that economic hardship and psychosocial stress have worsened child abuse and neglect in recent years, stressing that abuse can occur in homes, schools, churches and even healthcare facilities.

‘It can happen anywhere. We have seen cases in homes, schools, churches and clinics. That is why we must remain observant at all times.’

According to her, dentists are strategically placed to detect abuse because most injuries involve the head, face and oral cavity.

She advised clinicians to watch for unexplained bruises, bite marks, burns, fractured teeth, delayed presentation, inconsistent histories and caregiver-child interactions that raise suspicion.

‘When explanations keep changing or do not match the injury, maintain a high index of suspicion. Listen carefully to the child because children often reveal the truth if we give them the opportunity to speak.’

Onyejaka also described persistent poor oral hygiene, untreated dental caries, recurrent infections and severe early childhood caries as indicators of dental neglect and urged the government to make reporting suspected child abuse by dentists mandatory.

Mrs Temiloluwa Morenkeji, a member of the Oyo State Rapid Response Team (RRT) on Gender-Based Violence and the Child Protection Network (CPN), warned that parents who neglect their children’s dental care may unknowingly be committing child abuse.

‘The best form of child protection is prevention. If we prevent abuse, many children will never have to suffer its lifelong consequences.’

She challenged the belief that abuse occurs mainly in poor homes, noting that neglect is common among affluent families where caregivers ignore professional advice on children’s oral health.

Morenkeji urged dentists to treat severe dental neglect as a safeguarding concern, remain vigilant for signs of sexual abuse, carefully document suspected cases and make prompt referrals while avoiding direct confrontation with suspected perpetrators.

She also emphasised that abused children should receive mental health support in addition to medical care.

Consultant Psychiatrist at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Tolulope Bella-Awusah, said child abuse extends far beyond physical injuries, warning that repeated trauma alters brain development and can affect emotional regulation, memory and decision-making throughout life.

She noted that dental clinics are often safe spaces where abused children can be identified because dentists routinely examine the head, face and mouth.

Bella-Awusah warned that childhood abuse increases the risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm, addiction and suicide, making early detection by dentists critical.

She urged dentists to adopt trauma-informed care by explaining procedures before treatment, involving children in simple decisions, agreeing on stop signals during procedures and taking expressions of fear or distress seriously, saying early recognition could protect vulnerable children from lifelong psychological harm.