Category: Nigerian Tribune

NATIONAL chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has acknowledged growing reservations about the direction of the Nigerian economy.

At a policy roundtable, held in Abuja, on Tuesday, and organised by the All Progressives Congress Professional Forum, the APC chairman assured Nigerians that the present administration would soon shift its focus from macroeconomic stability into microeconomic prosperity.

Amidst growing external reserves, increase in Gross Domestic Product and a relative stability in foreign exchange rate, Nigerians have continued to groan over poor purchasing power.

Professor Yilwatda, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, to present the scorecards of his administration, declared that the next phase of Renewed Hope would translate to more food, stronger purchasing power for the average Nigerian.

He said: ‘A good GDP number does not automatically put food on a family’s table. Stronger reserves do not pay school fees. A stronger stock market does not automatically put money into the pocket of a market woman.

‘Therefore, we are in the next phase of Renewed Hope which must translate macroeconomic stability into microeconomic prosperity: more food, more jobs, lower inflation, affordable credit, reliable power, more manufacturing, greater exports and stronger purchasing power.’

In a veiled allusion to the declaration by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, to return fuel subsidy regime, the APC national chairman advised Nigerians to pick between consolidation of the progress in the economy and a return to the years of fiscal pressures.

He said: ‘As we approach 2027, Nigerians will hear many promises. Some will promise to reverse the reforms; others will promise prosperity without confronting the structural problems that brought us here. The question is whether we go backwards or consolidate and improve the progress we have begun.

‘For the All Progressives Congress, the answer is clear. We choose progress, productivity, investment, infrastructure, innovation, Nigerian enterprise, exports, human capital, and we choose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And we choose the ambition of a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030 by Mr President for our common prosperity.’

Relocating your entire family to the United Kingdom can be a financial requirement that can catch even the most prepared applicants off guard. Beyond visa application fees, flight tickets, and initial accommodation, the single largest upfront expense most families face is the mandatory health levy imposed on foreign immigrants. Many people mistakenly assume that health payments in the UK are deducted monthly from salaries like local taxes. The UK government requires immigrants to pay for multiple years of healthcare access upfront before their visas are even granted. When you are applying as a main applicant alongside a spouse and children, this single bill can quickly wipe out emergency savings if you do not plan ahead.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the essential financial hacks, official exemptions, and practical planning steps every migrating family needs to navigate the health surcharge without running into financial distress.

Understand the true cost before application

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) gives migrants access to the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. According to official guidelines published on GOV.UK, the standard surcharge stands at £1,035 per year for each adult applicant.

Dependant children under the age of 18 and students pay a slightly discounted rate of £776 per year. Because this money is calculated based on the total length of your visa grant, a family of four applying for a standard three-year Skilled Worker route must pay for all three years upfront at the time of submission.

Apply for health and care worker visa exemptions

If you or your spouse has a background in medicine, nursing, caregiving, or allied healthcare services, exploring the Health and Care Worker visa route is the most effective way to eliminate this cost entirely. Immigrants qualifying under this specialized category are fully exempt from paying the surcharge.

This complete waiver also extends directly to every dependant family member accompanying the healthcare professional. Securing a role within an eligible NHS trust or licensed care provider immediately saves an average family thousands of pounds before departure.

Request an employer surcharge clawback agreement

Many reputable international employers and licensed sponsors understand the steep financial burden placed on incoming foreign talent. While some corporate packages only cover the primary worker’s visa fees, several organisations offer relocation assistance loans or full upfront fee coverage for accompanying family members.

You can negotiate an upfront payment arrangement where the employer settles the total visa and health bill during the certificate of sponsorship stage.

In turn, you agree to an interest-free monthly salary deduction spread across twelve to twenty-four months, keeping your immediate liquid capital intact.

Time your visa durations strategically

The UK Home Office calculates the health surcharge in six-month blocks rather than prorating it down to exact days. According to immigration advisory reports from Fragomen Global, extra days granted beyond a full year automatically trigger an additional six-month surcharge fee per person.

When your sponsor drafts your certificate of sponsorship, ensure the start and end dates do not accidentally spill into an unnecessary extra block. Aligning contract lengths closely with exact annual marks prevents your family from paying hundreds of pounds for months you will not spend on that specific visa.

Build a dedicated foreign currency sinking fund

Paying fees across international banking channels exposes applicants to unpredictable foreign exchange rate spikes and extra card processing fees. The official exchange rate applied by visa processing portals is often higher than everyday commercial bank rates.Open a dedicated foreign currency account at least six to nine months before your targeted submission date.

Depositing funds gradually in the target currency locks in your budget, shields your relocation capital from sudden domestic currency depreciation, and ensures your transaction clears smoothly without card limit rejections.

Claim refunds for unused months when switching visas

Many migrants arrive in one immigration category and subsequently switch to an exempt route or leave the country earlier than expected. If your visa status changes or if your initial application is rejected, you are legally entitled to an automatic or requested refund for any remaining full six-month blocks of unused surcharge.

Keep accurate digital copies of every payment confirmation receipt and Home Office case reference number. Monitoring your immigration account ensures that any due reimbursement is credited directly back to the original payment card without bureaucratic delays.

Thorough financial forecasting is what separates a stressful relocation from a smooth transition. By identifying available fee waivers, negotiating employer support, and structuring your family’s application timeline carefully, you can protect your household finances and start your new chapter on solid ground.

THE Federal Government has appointed Dr. Olugbenga A. Awe as the new pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA.

The letter conveying his appointment dated 30th of July, 2026 and signed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reads, ‘I write to convey approval for your appointment as pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State. Your appointment takes effect from 29th July, 2026.’

Dr. Awe replaces Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, who has been appointed as the country’s Ambassador to South Korea.

Dr. Olugbenga Awe is a distinguished physician, academic, entrepreneur, and visionary leader whose career reflects excellence in medicine, higher education, enterprise, and public-spirited service.

A graduate of the University of Lagos with advanced postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine in the United States of America.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday insisted that it did not submit the names or Form EC9E documents of 10 Anambra State House of Assembly candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party, in a statement signed by its Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Agada Abuh Theophilus, demanded an immediate electronic audit of INEC’s candidate nomination portal to establish how the disputed names and documents entered the commission’s system.

The NDC said the 10 names published by INEC were never uploaded by the party and did not emerge from its nomination and appeal processes.

It asked the electoral commission to explain how the documents of the affected candidates got into its system.

The candidates listed by the party are Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South 1; Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2; Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North; Maduagwu Eric K. for Anaocha 1; Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North; Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1; Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South 1; Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2; Nnonyelu Samson E. for Ayamelum; and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.

The party said the nomination process required political parties to submit the names and particulars of their approved candidates, after which INEC would process and publish them.

It maintained that it uploaded only the candidates who emerged from its appeal process, but alleged that the commission rejected those nominees.

‘It is the party’s legal responsibility to submit the names and credentials of its nominated candidates,’ the statement said.

‘The NDC did not collect or forward completed EC9E forms for the 10 persons whose names later appeared on INEC’s published list.’

The party therefore questioned how INEC obtained the credentials of the affected candidates.

‘How did the Commission obtain their credentials when it is the party’s legal duty to submit the names of its approved candidates?’ it asked.

The party recalled an earlier statement by its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, who said he was the custodian of the access code issued to the party for uploading candidates.

The NDC said Cleopas never uploaded the disputed names.

According to the party, after the primaries and appeal process, Anambra stakeholders, working with party leadership, representatives of the presidential candidate and the appeals panel, produced a final list which was signed off by all parties involved.

It said the list was subsequently uploaded using the access code provided by INEC.

However, the party alleged that officials who controlled the backend of the nomination portal kept several of its candidates on ‘Pending’ status, claiming the system already contained names submitted by field monitors during the primaries.

The NDC said it formally appealed the disputed names and submitted its actual nominees with a covering letter, but alleged that INEC refused to replace them.

It further alleged that the commission subsequently collected Form EC9 directly from the disputed candidates, bypassing the party, and published them as authentic NDC candidates.

Cleopas described the development as contrary to the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.

He said that if the names submitted by the party did not tally with those INEC claimed to have received from its monitoring teams, the commission should have left the affected positions vacant rather than preload names and prevent the party from uploading its nominees.

‘At the very worst, INEC could have left us with no candidates for those positions if it was unwilling to engage us on any perceived anomaly,’ he said.

The NDC chairman also condemned what he described as an emerging pattern in which INEC prevents political parties from uploading their preferred candidates while imposing other names on them, particularly opposition parties.

He said such a development could fuel internal crises within political parties.

Cleopas vowed that the NDC would continue to pursue the matter until the situation was reversed.

The NDC called on INEC to conduct an electronic audit trail of its candidate nomination portal to establish how the 10 disputed names were entered into the system.

The party alleged that the names were introduced through the backend of the portal and demanded that the commission explain how and when this occurred.

It maintained that an electronic audit was necessary to establish the source of the disputed nominations and ensure transparency in the candidate nomination process.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has said the committee will invite the former Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, if evidence before it warrants his appearance.

Gagdi, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the committee’s mandate was not restricted to particular individuals, stressing that its primary objective was to establish how an agency allegedly lacking a legal foundation became part of the Federal Government’s administrative and budgetary framework.

He said, ‘A mandate does not restrict us from inviting anybody. But since the central attraction of the resolutions of the House is not about Adeniyi or about Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, it is about first-the central attraction is, how does the agency find itself into the four angles of the administration in Nigeria? That is the first thing.’

According to him, individuals would only be invited where the evidence emerging from the investigation established the need for their appearance.

‘Until evidence led you to inviting the two persons that you mentioned, then you invite them. But if in the course of engagement by the committee, the committee has seen no need to invite anybody based on the relevant available document before them, I think there is no need wasting time to summon them,’ he said.

Gagdi also explained why the committee met Prince Adeniyi at a police facility instead of bringing him before a public hearing.

He said the committee had initially asked the police to produce Adeniyi but was informed by the Inspector-General of Police that he was in custody pursuant to a court order.

‘Based on our principle of democracy, respecting constituted authority and proper separation of powers where you have the legislature, executive and judiciary, I think if we had coerced the police to present him, we would be insulting the supremacy of the judiciary,’ Gagdi said.

He added that the committee subsequently decided to meet Adeniyi behind closed doors at the police facility, where members questioned him.

‘Yes, in person,’ he said when asked whether he had personally met Adeniyi.

Gagdi, however, declined to disclose details of Adeniyi’s testimony, citing the ongoing criminal investigations and court proceedings involving him.

‘Conversation about what he told us is-it will be very limited in view of the fact that he is in police custody, facing prosecution in the court of law,’ he said.

He explained that disclosing the substance of Adeniyi’s testimony could undermine investigations being conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the police.

The committee chairman said the report recently presented by the committee was only preliminary and was intended to inform Nigerians that the investigation was progressing.

‘We presented the preliminary report to give hope to Nigerians that the committee is doing its job and we have gotten to a particular level,’ he said.

Gagdi rejected suggestions that the committee had failed to observe the principles of natural justice by not interrogating all the individuals whose names featured in the investigation.

He said the committee had investigated relevant persons and institutions within the scope of its mandate, but stressed that its fundamental task was to establish the legal status and origin of the agency.

‘One, you cannot say we investigated Adeniyi, but we did not investigate Betta Edu. We investigated everybody. What you are missing is, what is the terms of reference of the committee?’ he said.

According to him, the committee invited government institutions and examined documents submitted by agencies including the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, EFCC, ICPC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the committee also advertised for memoranda from members of the public, adding that none of the three petitions it received was against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

‘The three petitions we received, none of them was against Betta Edu,’ Gagdi said.

He said the committee’s decision to meet Adeniyi was specifically linked to a petition alleging that he defrauded a contractor of N400 million.

According to Gagdi, the petitioner alleged that he was invited from Ibadan to Abuja by Adeniyi, who subsequently showed him a residence and allegedly represented it as part of the process for securing a N2 billion contract.

He said the petitioner provided evidence of four separate transfers totalling N400 million to Adeniyi.

‘That was why we invited Road Safety,’ Gagdi said, explaining that the committee also sought to verify the use of an official vehicle and number plate allegedly connected to Adeniyi.

On Gbajabiamila, Gagdi said the committee examined documents purportedly linking the former Chief of Staff to the alleged agency and discovered inconsistencies in the signatures and other features of the documents.

He said the committee had received several documents from government institutions and compared them with the disputed appointment letter allegedly signed by Gbajabiamila.

‘When we saw the signatures of that letter, common sense, you put them together with the appointment letter by Prince Adeniyi, they are two different,’ he said.

Gagdi maintained that the committee did not need to invite Gbajabiamila merely because his name appeared in a disputed document, arguing that evidence before the committee had indicated that some of the documents were allegedly forged.

He said the committee also examined an alleged National Assembly Act establishing the agency and other documents purportedly signed or issued by senior government officials.

‘The same man got a fake resolution, executive order from the President, Executive Order 5 from the President, equally fake. The same man got a fake Act of the National Assembly that says the Act establishing Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council/Presidential Economic Advisory Council,’ he said.

Gagdi stressed that the committee would invite Gbajabiamila if subsequent evidence established a need for his appearance.

‘If the evidence relevant before us have warranted inviting Femi, if we have invited Secretary to the Government of the Federation, why can’t we invite Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila?’ he asked.

He further said the committee was seeking to establish whether disputed correspondence actually originated from the Office of the Chief of Staff.

According to him, officials summoned by the committee were unable to authenticate some of the documents attributed to Gbajabiamila.

He said the committee also examined the letterheads, reference formats and other identifying features of official correspondence from the State House.

Gagdi insisted that the committee’s preliminary findings should not be mistaken for the final position of the House of Representatives.

‘What the committee said to the general public today is not the position of the House of Representatives, but it is rather the position of the committee. We did that to respect the people of Nigeria that want to know what we have done and how far we have gone,’ he said.

He added that the investigation was still ongoing and that the committee’s substantive report would eventually be laid before the House.

Barring any last-minute changes, the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the unestablished Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) is set to unveil its preliminary findings to the public.

The development comes 33 days after the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, promised that the preliminary report of the investigation would be made public, following a series of investigative hearings at which senior government officials and other stakeholders gave evidence on how the purported Council operated at one the offices allowed to the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (oSGF) located at Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The Ad-hoc Committee was constituted sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Gadgi, over the inclusion of PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of about N1.3 billion despite the Presidency’s position that no such agency had been legally established.

The Ad-hoc Committee had also questioned the sum of N27.4 billion take-off grant reportedly set aside for the fake Council.

At the inaugural hearing, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, told the lawmakers that the purported council had occupied an office space in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, which was originally allocated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

She also disclosed that officials associated with the PFIPC had participated in the manpower budget process and obtained approval for the establishment of 314 positions, including 300 additional positions.

Walson-Jack, however, later told the panel that the appointment letter and other documents presented by the alleged Director-General of the PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, were not authentic. Her evidence became central to the Ad-hoc Committee’s subsequent declaration that the purported appointment letter and an alleged establishment Act presented by Adeyemi were forged.

On his part, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, while addressing the Ad-hoc Committee, explained how the PFIPC found its way into the 2026 budget.

He explained that the Budget Office acted on official instruments attributed to other government institutions, including an administrative code from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and establishment-related documents attributed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service.

Yakubu further disclosed that although the National Assembly appropriated about N1.302 billion for the PFIPC, comprising personnel, overhead and capital provisions, no funds were released or spent because the statutory conditions for expenditure were not completed. ‘There was no financial clearance. There was no lawful recruitment, no payroll enrolment and no salary payment,’ he told the lawmakers.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, subsequently told the panel that a forged State House letter was allegedly used to obtain official recognition for the purported council. His evidence also raised questions about how the organisation secured an administrative code and gained access to other government processes despite the alleged absence of a valid legal foundation.

Meanwhile, the Ad-hoc Committee disclosed that it had identified about 29 allegedly forged documents linked to the fake Council.

While testifying before the Ad-hoc Committee, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), represented by Director of Banking Services, Hamisu Abdullahi, confirmed that two domiciliary accounts had been opened for the PFIPC on the instruction of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The CBN, however, said the accounts remained dormant, with no transactions or funds passing through them.

During his presentation, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, told the Ad-hoc Committee that the Ministry had no official dealings with the PFIPC and did not approve its request to collaborate on a proposed World Investment Summit.

He said Adeyemi had approached the Ministry on several occasions but the requests were declined because of inconsistencies in the correspondence.

The Nigeria Police Force also appeared before the panel and disclosed that investigations into the activities of Adeyemi had resulted in an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court. Police representatives further informed lawmakers that some documents allegedly used by the purported council contained signatures that failed verification, while the committee later ordered the Inspector-General of Police to produce Adeyemi for questioning.

During the investigative hearing, Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Shehu Mohammed, confirmed that seven official Federal Government number plates earlier issued to vehicles linked to the PFIPC are to be withdrawn.

He said that the Commission relied on documents submitted by the organisation, verified its purported website and physically confirmed its office address at the Federal Secretariat before approving the plates.

In a related development, a businessman, Mr. Gbenga Collins, Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, while addressing the Ad-hoc Committee alleged that he paid the sum of N400 million to Prince Adeyemi after being promised a government contract to renovate and furnish what he was told was the official residence of the embattled PFIPC Director-General.

He explained the use of government offices, vehicles bearing official number plates and the presence of security personnel convinced him that Adeyemi represented a legitimate government institution.

While Adeyemi has denied the allegations and challenged the manner in which he was being portrayed, the Ad-hoc Committee’s findings are expected to reconcile the conflicting testimonies and establish institutional responsibility for the PFIPC’s movement through the government system.

Bayelsa State government, has urged communities in Biseni clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, to discontinue blocking of access roads to oil facilities as response to unmet demands from oil companies operating in the area.

The state deputy governor, Dr Peter Akpe, made the call at a meeting with the leadership of Biseni Kingdom, officials of Oando Plc and relevant top government functionaries in Government House, Yenagoa.

Akpe, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, underscored the importance of peaceful means of resolving conflicts, stressing that frequent protests was inimical to the image of the state.

He advised the people of Biseni to document their demands, and submit it to appropriate government offices within a week for action.

The deputy governor equally directed the state Ministry of Mineral Resources to interface with Oando Plc and its host communities in Biseni, with a view to resolving the recumbent issues, including the construction of the dilapidated road linking the communities and some oil facilities owned and operated by the oil firm.

Akpe, who expressed dissatisfaction with Oando’s handling of the issues, urged the company to cooperate with the ministry of mineral resources, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to achieve amicable resolution of the conflict in no distant time.

‘As a government, we are not comfortable with such protests, because we believe there are better alternative ways to go about resolving issues. Road blocks will not solve any problem. They will rather cause more harm than good for you.

‘Let’s not also burst pipelines because the oil that is spilled will destroy our farmlands, our rivers and fishes; it is we that will ultimately bear the economic, social and environmental cost. It doesn’t help us in any way.

‘As paramount rulers, I want you people to deal with these issues. Government works in strata. So, report to the appropriate offices and action will be taken. Clearly, I can see that there is no proper organisation and coordination on the side of the company concerning the issues.

‘So, between now and Friday next week, let there be a comprehensive compilation of everything that has to do with the Biseni matter and it should be submitted to my office for further engagement,’ Akpe said.

In his contributions, chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, said the grievances of the people were justified, which result from alleged failure on the part of the oil companies to implement mutual agreements with the communities.

Ndiwari described the roads being used by the companies to access their facilities in Biseni as deathtraps, which informed the decision of the people to block the roads in protest against Oando Plc, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company for the companies to reconstruct the roads.

Speaking on behalf of Oando Plc, the Lands Manager, Sir Okechukwu Onuemize, disclosed that the position of the company ab initio had remained that of rehabilitating the bad portions in the road and not a full reconstruction of the entire road as being canvassed by the communities.

Artificial intelligence has moved past the simple wonder of creating text or images. The conversation is shifting toward a much more exciting possibility: the ability for AI systems to actually help get things done.

An AI agent is built to understand a goal and navigate multiple steps independently. It can use digital tools and make choices without needing a person to explain every single tiny detail along the way.

For modern teams, this shift brings a fresh and interesting set of opportunities. While managing one AI assistant feels simple, things get more lively when several different agents start working with databases, apps, and human colleagues all at the same time.

This is where AI agent orchestration truly shines. This welcoming field focuses on blending agents, software, and people into smooth, friendly workflows that reach a shared goal together.

The World Economic Forum has identified managing AI agents as a vital new skill. Modern workplaces are beginning to view these systems as helpful digital teammates that thrive with supportive oversight.

What is an AI agent?

Most people are used to chatbots that wait for a question to give an answer. AI agents are more proactive. Instead of just talking, an agent is given a mission and the tools needed to take real action.

Imagine an agent receiving a customer request and jumping right in to find the right account details. It checks a helpful guide to solve the problem, writes a kind response, and updates the team. If things get tricky, it handpicks a human teammate to help out.

The magic lies in being part of a journey, not just a single reply. Microsoft views agentic AI systems as capable partners that can think through tasks and act with helpful independence.

What does ‘Orchestration’ mean?

Think of orchestration as the ‘team captain’ of the digital world. It is the layer that helps different specialized agents play nicely together. One might find information, another analyzes it, and a third writes a draft, all while a human teammate provides the final friendly touch.

Without this coordination, agents are just lonely pieces of code. Orchestration brings them together by deciding:

Orchestration determines which agent steps up, when to act, what details are shared, and how to move the project forward to the next step.

This approach is much more collaborative and holistic than simply learning how to write a good prompt.

AI agent orchestration skill stack

Workflow design

Successful orchestration starts with understanding the heart of the work. Before an agent joins the team, the path must be clear. It helps to ask: ‘What starts the task?’, ‘What is needed to succeed?’, and ‘Where is human warmth and wisdom most important?’

A confusing process doesn’t become better just by adding AI. In fact, keeping things simple and clear from the start ensures that automation leads to truly helpful and positive results.

APIs and tool integration

AI agents are at their best when they can connect with other digital tools. This might mean checking a calendar, looking at a database, or opening a business app to find exactly what is needed.

APIs act as the friendly bridges that let these systems talk to one another. Learning how these connections work is a wonderful way to build better workflows and grow alongside the technology.

Context management

An agent needs the right amount of information to be a good helper. Too little info can be confusing, while too much noise can slow things down and make the task feel cluttered.

Managing context is all about making sure each agent has the right details at the right moment. This keeps everything running smoothly and ensures the whole digital team stays on the same page.

Permissions and access control

Digital assistants thrive when they have clear boundaries. Just like people, agents perform best when they have access to the specific files and systems they need to do their particular job.

Setting defined permissions keeps things safe and organized. It is about being helpful while maintaining a sense of order and security across the company’s digital home.

The principle is straightforward:

‘A great AI agent should have all the tools needed to be helpful, but only the access required for its specific mission.’

This gentle balance of trust and safety becomes more important as AI joins more of the core business infrastructure.

Evaluation

Every efficient process deserves a bit of checking in. It helps to ask: ‘Is the assistant getting things right?’, ‘Are the answers clear?’, and ‘When is the best time for a human to give a friendly review?’

Evaluation is just a way of making sure the team can rely on their AI partners. The goal is to move past seeing what AI *can* do and focus on creating a consistent, dependable experience for everyone.

True success is building a system that feels sturdy and reliable for the people who use it every day.

Human-in-the-loop design

Even with autonomous tech, the human touch remains the most important ingredient. Many choices benefit from the empathy and deep understanding that only people can provide.

While an agent can handle routine tasks, sensitive moments often call for human wisdom. The skill lies in finding that sweet spot where digital speed meets human heart and careful judgment.

Why the skill is emerging now?

A few exciting things are happening all at once. Language models are smarter, cloud apps are easier to connect, and teams have more digital info than ever. It is the perfect time for these tools to bloom. This makes it possible to build workflows that feel much more capable and integrated. The shift is moving away from using AI as just a side tool and toward welcoming it as an active participant. The focus is changing from:

‘How can AI give an answer?’

and more:

‘How can AI be a helpful part of this whole journey?’

AI agent orchestration vs. Prompt engineering

Prompting is about talking to a model, which is a great start. Orchestration takes it a step further by looking at the whole picture; how AI interacts with the tools and data that keep things moving.

In an orchestrated world, the system doesn’t just write a reply; it gathers information, checks its work, and knows exactly when to ask a person for help. It is a thoughtful, step-by-step dance.

This approach moves AI from a solo effort into the heart of a team’s workflow. It is more about architecture and cooperation than just words on a screen.

Where Python fits

A little bit of coding, like Python, can be of great help in this field. It is a great way to tidy up data and help different systems talk to one another more easily.

By combining an AI model with Python and human oversight, a really sturdy and helpful system can be built. This broader approach makes the AI much more effective in the real world.

AI model + Python + APIs + data + business rules + human oversight

The AI is just one part of the family. The system around it is what lets it truly help people and get work done.

Career opportunity

Since this field is so new, the job titles are still becoming clear. It is an exciting time to find a role that fits, whether in automation, engineering, or solutions design.

Roles like AI Automation Engineer or AI Solutions Architect are popping up everywhere. These positions focus on turning AI’s potential into reliable, friendly workflows for the whole organization. The common thread is the ability to turn AI into a dependable partner. It is a beautiful mix of technical thinking and a deep understanding of how work actually happens.

That requires a mixture of technical and operational thinking. Someone who understands only AI models may struggle to integrate them into business processes. The best opportunities live right in the middle, where technical skill meets a helpful, operational mindset. It is a wonderful space for those who love to build and help others.

What beginners should learn?

A great way to start is by focusing on the basics. There is no need to master every single thing at once; building a solid foundation is much more rewarding.

Starting with Python, APIs, and simple automation is a gentle and effective path. From there, it is easy to grow into more advanced concepts like agent design, security, and helpful evaluation.

Small, friendly projects are a perfect way to learn. For example, building a system that helps handle an enquiry and asks for a human’s approval is a great way to see how all the pieces fit together.

That one little workflow can teach so much about the heart of orchestration.

FAQs

Is AI agent orchestration the same as prompt engineering?

Not at all. Prompting is about the right words for a single reply. Orchestration is about the bigger picture; designing a whole journey where AI, tools, and people work together as a team.

Do AI agents completely replace human workers?

Generally not. Agents are here to help with routine tasks, but human heart and wisdom are still essential, especially for choices that need extra care or have big impacts.

Does AI agent orchestration require programming?

It isn’t always needed for simple tasks, but knowing a bit about Python or APIs can really help in building more creative and dependable systems that can do so much more.

What is the difference between an AI agent and a chatbot?

A chatbot mainly talks back and forth. An agent is a ‘doer’ that can take steps, use tools, and reach a goal on its own. They often work together to create a great experience.

What should someone learn to enter AI agent orchestration?

Focusing on Python, APIs, and basic workflow design is a great start. Building small, real-life projects is a wonderful way to learn and show what these tools can achieve.

Why is AI agent orchestration considered an emerging skill?

As agents become more capable, teams need people who can guide and monitor these systems. It is a growing field because it bridges the gap between technology and real teamwork.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday flagged off the payment of N3.82 billion gratuities to 985 retired workers of the state, promising to clear all inherited gratuity arrears before the end of his tenure.

The beneficiaries comprise 509 retirees from the 2020 batch and 476 outstanding beneficiaries from the 2015 to 2019 batches, drawn from the mainstream civil service, secondary school teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as state-owned parastatals.

Speaking at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Aiyedatiwa described the payment as a ‘debt of honour’ owed to workers who devoted their productive years to the service of the state.

The governor said his administration inherited billions of naira in unpaid gratuities dating back to 2015, but decided to confront the liability rather than allow it to continue to accumulate.

‘When our administration came to the saddle, we inherited billions of Naira in outstanding gratuity obligations covering the period from 2015 to date.

‘We did not shy away from this burden. Rather, we confronted it with courage, responsibility and a clear understanding that governance is not only about initiating new projects; it is equally about confronting inherited challenges and resolving them,’ he said.

Aiyedatiwa said the administration had already defrayed outstanding gratuities for beneficiaries covering 2015 to 2019, adding that the payment to the 2020 batch represented another major step towards eliminating the backlog.

He said ‘Today, we are taking another giant step forward with the flag-off of payment to retirees of the year 2020. We give all glory to Almighty God for the grace and enablement to fulfil this important obligation,’

The governor assured retirees that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare, stressing that the payment was not merely a financial intervention but recognition of their years of service.

‘We remember your service; we respect your sacrifice; and we will not forget your entitlement,’ Aiyedatiwa said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Pension Transition Office, Dr Peter Akingbade, disclosed that beneficiaries from the 2015 Batch C, 2016 Batch C, 2017 Batch C, 2018 Batch B, 2019 Batch B and 2020 Batch A were being paid.

He said the beneficiaries would receive their full gratuity entitlements rather than partial payments, adding that the development would provide relief and restore dignity and hope to retired workers.

Akingbade attributed the development to the governor’s commitment to the welfare of senior citizens under the administration’s OUR EASE agenda.

He commended the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, for her contribution to the process and the Head of Service, Mr Segun Odusanya, for his commitment to the welfare of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme.

The permanent secretary said payment of gratuities remained a continuous process, urging retirees who were yet to complete their verification and documentation to do so.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Nike Ogunbodede thanked the governor for the payment, describing it as a remarkable development.

Also, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended Aiyedatiwa, saying Ondo State was among the leading states in the country in clearing the backlog of gratuities owed retired workers.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr Segun Odusanya; members of the State Executive Council; labour leaders and other government officials.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has revealed how he and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders worked with former Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, to frustrate the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections.

Wike made the disclosure during his routine monthly live media chat on Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, monitored in Abuja, where he spoke on internal politics within the PDP and the build-up to the 2027 elections.

According to him, the G5 governors, also known as the Integrity Group, took a collective decision to oppose Atiku’s candidacy because of issues of equity, fairness and power rotation within the PDP.

‘Let me tell you how we used Ortom to block Atiku in Benue. It was a decision we took together as a group. We were fighting for the soul of the party,’ Wike disclosed.

He noted that the 2023 election results in Benue and other states showed the impact of the G5’s stance.

Wike, who is currently serving as FCT Minister in the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu, said he remains a PDP member but will continue to prioritize what he described as ‘national interest and fairness in politics.’

Wike, therefore, declared that he would be the first politician to suffer the consequences should former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Party (PDP) or Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the intensity of his open support for the President.

He said his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election has made him a marked target of the opposition, insisting he has no regrets over his political stance. He said he remained focused solely on Tinubu’s victory regardless of the personal political cost.

‘I will be the first politician that I think they will come after. I will be the first politician. I know they will come for my head.

‘Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the President’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection,’ he stated.

Wike said he was not bothered by the criticisms coming his way because he supported the President, noting that he has been vilified more than any other politician for his loyalty.

‘I don’t see where anybody in this country today that has been called names the way my name has been. I am not bothered about people who say their [own] thing. My business is, like I said, I am going to support Mr President,’ he declared.