Category: Nigerian Tribune

The civic space in Nigeria is getting choked day by day through various interferences from both state and non-state actors. The protection and enforcement of civil rights and obligations has become endangered in the social milieu of very undemocratic practices. Some even say it has gotten to such a stage of comparing our current experiences with the military era, which we claimed was a product of dictatorship. Though opinions differ on this, but we should not get to a period when there is even the slightest comparison between civilian rule and military junta, as that would mean a huge loss from the struggles of our heroes past and all that we have gained from our past experiences. In the past, citizens were free to engage the government on burning national issues with the aim of achieving good governance, without the fear of persecution, censorship or collateral liability. The various laws being proposed to regulate the media smacks of intolerance of principled opposition, which from whatever angle it is viewed, is dangerous for democracy. A few weeks ago, activists, civil society and non-governmental organisations gathered together in Abuja to brainstorm on the mode of intervention to rescue our fragile civilian government from its apparent phobia. Please permit me to share with you the details of an abridged version of the press statement released by what can best be described as a gathering of the faithful.

The Press Statement

We, the undersigned Nigerian, African and international human rights organisations and civil society organisations, are gravely concerned by the growing number of restrictive and repressive bills currently before Nigeria’s National Assembly. If enacted, these bills would significantly expand executive control over civic life and further undermine the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association, media freedom, access to information, democratic participation and the rule of law. These legislative proposals are being considered at a time when civic space in Nigeria is experiencing one of its most serious periods of decline since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, the authorities have increasingly relied on restrictive laws, politically motivated prosecutions, strategic lawsuits, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and judicial harassment against journalists, bloggers, media organisations, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and other individuals peacefully exercising their constitutional rights.

Examples Of Intolerance

Recent examples include the continuing prosecution of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to target journalists and government critics, and repeated attempts to intimidate independent media and civil society organisations. International monitoring has also documented this deterioration. In May 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported 91 cases of journalists being arrested, attacked or otherwise harassed across 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the first three years of the current administration. In the context of the broader pattern of repression and authoritarian practices in Nigeria, the pending bills are not isolated legislative initiatives. Rather, they represent an increasingly coordinated legislative effort to expand executive control over civil society, independent media and digital spaces while curtailing civic participation, public scrutiny and democratic accountability.

The timing of these proposals is particularly concerning as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. Rather than creating an open environment where citizens, journalists, civil society organisations and political actors can participate freely, these measures risk entrenching fear, self-censorship and intolerance of dissent. Independent advocacy, investigative journalism and public scrutiny are not threats to democracy; they are essential safeguards of constitutional governance and accountability.Nigeria has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment before the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations and other international bodies to uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The National Assembly therefore has a constitutional and international legal responsibility to strengthen-not weaken-the protections that safeguard civic space and democratic governance.

We are particularly alarmed by the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), which would confer sweeping powers on the authorities to monitor, regulate, sanction, suspend and potentially shut down non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance under the guise of promoting transparency, accountability and the prevention of the misuse of foreign aid.

Clause By Clause Review Of The Proposed Bills

While Sections 1 and 2 of the Bill identify legitimate objectives, including transparency, accountability and preventing misuse of foreign aid, they establish an overly broad regulatory framework that fails to distinguish between public funds received by government institutions and private philanthropic resources received by independent organisations. This risks transforming public financial regulation into state control over the constitutionally protected activities of independent associations. Sections 3-5 establish the Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC) with extensive powers to register recipients, demand information, conduct inspections and audits, impose sanctions and enforce compliance with undefined ‘national policies and priorities’. These powers duplicate functions already performed by existing institutions, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), while creating a new regulator with broad discretionary authority. The Bill fails to demonstrate that these existing legal and institutional frameworks are inadequate or incapable of achieving its stated objectives.

Sections 6-8 require every recipient of foreign assistance to register with FARC within 30 days, criminalise non-registration, impose extensive disclosure requirements through a National Foreign Aid Register, and require detailed reporting obligations regardless of the nature, size or risk profile of the funding.

Sections 9-11 impose further controls by requiring annual audits and compelling foreign-funded projects-including those undertaken by independent civil society organisations-to align with government-defined national development priorities. This creates significant risks of executive interference in legitimate human rights, governance, anti-corruption, public interest litigation and accountability work.Sections 12-16 impose severe criminal and administrative sanctions, including fines, imprisonment, suspension or revocation of operational licences, broad regulation-making powers for the Commission, and an extremely broad definition of ‘foreign aid’ capable of capturing virtually all forms of international financial and technical assistance. These provisions establish a sweeping, duplicative and disproportionate framework that threatens civil society independence, discourages legitimate international cooperation and humanitarian assistance, and interferes with constitutionally protected rights.

Censorship Of Social Media Platforms

We are equally concerned by legislative proposals seeking to compel social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria or face prohibition from operating in the country. Although presented as regulatory measures, such proposals would substantially increase governmental leverage over digital platforms that facilitate public debate, access to information and civic participation. Conditioning access to Nigeria’s digital market on physical establishment, backed by the threat of prohibition, is neither necessary nor proportionate to any legitimate regulatory objective. Such measures risk facilitating censorship, restricting access to information, discouraging innovation and investment, and encouraging private companies to prioritise political pressure over internationally recognised human rights standards. Both the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill and the proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria are incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional, regional and international human rights obligations. Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, while Section 22 recognises the vital role of the media in holding government accountable.

International Covenants And Instruments

Nigeria is also bound by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which forms part of Nigerian law through the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. Article 1 requires Nigeria to adopt legislative and other measures to give effect to the rights protected under the Charter, including freedom of expression (Article 9), freedom of association (Article 10), freedom of assembly (Article 11) and participation in public affairs (Article 13). Nigeria is further bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Articles 19, 21, 22 and 25 protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and participation in public affairs, while Article 2 requires Nigeria to ensure that domestic laws give full effect to these rights. Under Article 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Nigeria must ensure that its domestic legal framework remains consistent with its treaty obligations.

Any restriction on these rights must satisfy the requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and proportionality under Articles 19(3), 21 and 22(2) of the ICCPR. The proposed bills fail to meet these standards. The Foreign Aids Bill is also inconsistent with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Article 13 recognises the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to solicit, receive and utilise resources for the peaceful promotion and protection of human rights. Article 3 requires that any regulation of such activities be consistent with the UN Charter and international human rights obligations. The Bill further conflicts with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa, which require States to facilitate rather than control the work of associations. It is also inconsistent with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 8, which requires measures affecting non-profit organisations to be targeted, risk-based and proportionate and rejects blanket regulatory approaches.

JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS

Regional and international courts have consistently rejected disproportionate restrictions of this nature. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has affirmed that limitations on Charter rights must satisfy strict requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality and must not destroy the essence of the protected right. Similarly, in Commission v Hungary (Transparency of Associations) (Case C-78/18), the Court of Justice of the European Union held that transparency objectives cannot justify discriminatory or disproportionate restrictions on organisations receiving international support or create a climate of suspicion towards independent civil society. International cooperation is essential to the work of many Nigerian civil society organisations. International support enables organisations to undertake human rights monitoring, anti-corruption advocacy, humanitarian assistance, legal aid, election observation, public interest litigation and other activities that strengthen constitutional governance. Such support is a legitimate form of international cooperation, not evidence of foreign interference.

THE RESOLUTIONS

We therefore call upon the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the leadership of both chambers and all members of the National Assembly to:

1. Immediately withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), the Bill requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, and all other pending bills that unjustifiably restrict civic space, the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, media freedom, access to information and democratic participation.

2. Ensure that all future legislation affecting civil society organisations, digital rights, media freedom or civic participation complies fully with the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other applicable international human rights standards.

3. Conduct genuine, transparent and meaningful consultations with civil society organisations, journalists, human rights defenders, professional associations, digital rights organisations, development partners and other affected stakeholders before adopting reforms affecting civic freedoms.

4. Reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The National Assembly now faces a defining constitutional choice. It can enact legislation that expands executive control, shrinks civic space and accelerates democratic decline, or it can uphold the Nigerian Constitution, honour Nigeria’s binding regional and international human rights obligations, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to democratic governance, accountability and the rule of law.

We urge the National Assembly to reject these repressive bills in their entirety and instead enact legislation that protect civic space, strengthen transparency and accountability, promote meaningful public participation, and reinforce the constitutional and democratic values on which Nigeria’s future depends.

The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the eligibility of President Bola Tinubu to participate in the 2027 presidential election has suffered a setback on Tuesday after Atiku was unable to serve the court process on Tinubu as required by law.

When the matter was called, counsel to the former vice president, Joseph Onu Silas, told the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, that he had been unable to reach President Tinubu for personal delivery of the originating summons in accordance with the law.

He asked the court to order substituted service to enable the suit to be formally served on President Tinubu.

However, Omosanya Popoola, SAN, who appeared for President Tinubu, told the Court that he was willing to accept the Court process on behalf of his client. He urged Justice Ekwo to direct Atiku’s lawyer to make the process available to him in open court for delivery to Tinubu.

Atiku’s lawyer, however, insisted that Popoola provide a written undertaking confirming that he had Tinubu’s mandate to represent him before the court process could be handed over to him.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to enable Atiku put his house in order.

An attempt by Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, to persuade the Court to order service of the process on Tinubu through his lawyer so that proceedings could continue was unsuccessful.

Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned further mention of the case until September 28.

It would be recalled that Atiku dragged Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC to Court, seeking the disqualification of President Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election on various grounds relating to eligibility.

Atiku Abubakar, who is the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had deposed to an affidavit in support of his suit challenging the qualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In the suit, which lists Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC as defendants, Atiku wants the Court to invoke Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, to determine whether Tinubu can participate in the election.

Atiku claimed that Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he has presented a forged certificate to INEC. He therefore asked the Court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from the 2027 presidential election over the NYSC certificate presented to INEC in connection with the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.

In his affidavit, Atiku alleged that Tinubu submitted to INEC an NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’, which, according to him, differs from the President’s name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The affidavit further alleged that the same NYSC certificate was submitted in connection with the 2027 presidential election and claimed that the document was not a certificate obtained by Tinubu.

Atiku also placed INEC on notice to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted in connection with the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections, adding that, ‘If the certificate belongs to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let that be established before the court. If ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’ and ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ are one and the same person for the purpose of that certificate, let the evidence establish it. These are questions that deserve answers, not political insults or presidential silence’.

Atiku and the ADC are also challenging provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which restrict who may challenge the qualification of a candidate at the pre-election stage and remove qualification as a ground for questioning an election, as envisaged by Section 139(a)(i) of the Constitution. The provision empowers the National Assembly to make laws allowing the questioning of whether a person elected to the office of President is qualified.

According to Atiku and ADC, the legislation cannot be used to prevent enforcement of an express constitutional provision, arguing that where an Act of the National Assembly conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution must prevail.

The originating summons asks the Federal High Court to determine whether the statutory restrictions complained of can prevent the plaintiffs from invoking Section 137(1)(j) and ultimately whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the plaintiffs’ case is established.

The substantive relief sought is an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the election on the grounds pleaded by the plaintiffs.

Counsel to Atiku and ADC are Edwin Inegedu, SAN, and Joseph Onu Silas.

Abuja private hospital, Wellington Clinics, has suspended all renal transplant-related services following allegations of transactional organ harvesting involving a kidney donor, while denying any involvement in the alleged financial dealings or organ trafficking.

The hospital said the donor nephrectomy was conducted at its facility under the supervision of a licensed senior consultant nephrologist and that it was cooperating with relevant authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the transplant.

In a statement signed by its Director of Administration, Yemi Olatunbosun, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the clinic said its role in the procedure was limited to providing an equipped theatre and medical environment under a pre-agreed facility rental arrangement.

According to the statement, the donor, identified in the hospital’s records as Abubakar Hassan, was admitted on April 24, 2026, as a scheduled kidney donor and underwent a left donor nephrectomy the same day.

The procedure was performed by a team led by Dr Benjamin Friday Oyimeh, a Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Medical and Kidney Centre.

Olatunbosun said the specialist team was responsible for patient recruitment, clinical evaluation, donor-recipient compatibility assessment, informed consent, ethical screening and other clinical and medico-legal responsibilities.

He said the team was also responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Health Act 2014 and guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The clinic said the donor presented several documents on admission, including a court affidavit, digital National Identification Number slip, birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, affidavit of consent and statutory declaration of age.

He was also accompanied by a man identified as Abubakar Isa, whom he presented as his brother, the statement said.

The hospital said its records showed that the donor was admitted as Abubakar Hassan, with a date of birth of February 4, 2000, and hospital number WCA/8066/2026.

It said he was discharged on April 28, four days after the operation, and was subsequently readmitted on July 11 for wound management and removal of residual stitches before being discharged on July 13.

According to Wellington, the donor had explained that he had travelled and was therefore unable to attend some earlier scheduled follow-up appointments.

The clinic said the kidney removed from the donor was immediately transplanted into a patient suffering from end-stage kidney failure.

It stressed that neither the donor nor recipient died as a result of the procedure.

Wellington Clinics strongly denied participating in, facilitating, negotiating or benefiting from any financial transaction connected with the transplant.

‘Wellington Clinics did not participate, facilitate, negotiate, or benefit from any transactional arrangements,’ the statement said.

The hospital explained that it relied on the documents and declarations presented by the donor and the specialist medical team, adding that it had no independent means or legal duty to conduct forensic investigations into the relationship between a donor and recipient beyond the identification documents and declarations submitted.

It said there was no indication at the time of admission that the documents were false or that the donor had misrepresented his identity.

‘Since the records department of Wellington relied on the above documents submitted on admission, as per the current level of practice, we were not aware or suspicious of any misrepresentation or manipulation of identity at the time,’ the clinic stated.

The hospital further said it was unaware of any financial or other transactional relationship between the nephrology team, the donor or any other person connected with the case.

It said the donor was recorded simply as a consenting adult donor.

The clinic also clarified that reports suggesting the donor’s identity had been concealed or altered were matters for the ongoing investigation, noting that the Nigeria Police Force was investigating the case.

Following the emergence of the allegations, Wellington said it had suspended all renal transplant-related services pending the outcome of the investigations.

The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to ethical and evidence-based healthcare, saying it would continue to cooperate fully with investigative and regulatory authorities and abide by the outcome of the probe.

It said its model of practice allows specialist teams to provide highly specialised medical services while retaining responsibility and accountability for their clinical and ethical decisions.

Wellington urged the relevant authorities to consider its medical records and documents submitted during the transplant as part of the investigation, saying they could help clarify the facility’s role in the case.

The controversy comes amid growing concerns over alleged unethical practices in organ transplantation and calls for stronger safeguards to protect donors and recipients.

The Oke Ogun Council of Elders (OCE) has reaffirmed its commitment to the development, security, education and political advancement of the region.

The council stated this in a communiqué after its meeting at the residence of its president and former Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, Bamidele Dada, in Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, .

The meeting was attended by prominent indigenes of Oke-Ogun, including former Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; Professor Layi Egunjobi; Sir Oladoja Oladele; Comrade Remi Adegbola and Professor L. Ojedapo, among others.

The elders congratulated Adebayo Lawal, on his assumption of office as acting governor of Oyo State, commending Governor Seyi Makinde for the seamless transfer of power.

On security, the council commended Brigadier General Kunle Togun, held Primate Samson Ojoawo and Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, for their efforts towards protecting residents.

It also praised the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies for rescuing the recent Oriire abductees.

It urged the authorities to intensify security efforts, prevent further abductions and secure the release of persons still in captivity.

The council expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu’s administration for establishing a federal university in Okeho, Kajola Local Government Area, and appealed for adequate funding to enable the institution to operate effectively.

The body also urged public office holders to protect the interests of Oke-Ogun, as it reaffirmed the region’s aspiration to produce the next governor of the state, stressing that the goal will be pursued through dialogue, democratic processes and constructive engagement.

The council resolved to engage Oke-Ogun aspirants, who have secured party tickets for the coming elections, asking them to present clear programmes and commitments to the region’s development.

It called for greater investment in education, skills acquisition and human capital development to expand opportunities for young people.

It appealed to Oke-Ogun indigenes, regardless of political, religious or social differences, to unite for the region’s progress.

The council said its development agenda is anchored on the Oke-Ogun Development Blueprint (2025-2035), a roadmap for growth across various sectors, and is expected to be formally launched soon.

The group reiterated its commitment to leadership and advocacy on issues affecting Oke-Ogun, with emphasis on unity, security, education, good governance, political representation and sustainable development.

A block of three dilapidated classrooms at Islamic Mission Primary School, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, has received a major facelift, following an intervention by the New Jersey chapter of the Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), USA.

The renovated classrooms were inaugurated on Monday, amid excitement among pupils, teachers, community leaders and education stakeholders.

Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) chairman, Dr Nureni Adeniran, an Executive Secretary at the board, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Adeosun, described the project as an investment in the future of the pupils.

She said the classrooms had previously provided an unconducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

She said: ‘A conducive learning environment is not a luxury. It is the foundation upon which literacy, numeracy, confidence and a child’s sense of dignity are built.

‘By providing this facility, the IDU has done more than renovate classrooms. It has opened doors of opportunity that will shape lives for generations to come.’

Also, Education Secretary, Akinyele Local Government, Comrade Adewale Adesina, expressed appreciation to the union for investing in its community despite the rising cost of construction.

‘We are truly happy and grateful for what you have done for our people. We know the cost of building materials and construction work these days, and we appreciate the resources you have committed to providing this facility,’ he said,

The IDU representative and chairperson of the occasion, Alhaja Saidat Iyabo Azeez, urged other diaspora chapters to emulate the initiative.

She said: ‘We are not affiliated with any political party or person. Whatever we do is not for politics; we are merely giving back to the community and society.

‘The New Jersey chapter has opened the way and shown us what is possible. We will therefore look at how we can emulate this initiative and contribute our quota to the development of our schools and communities.’

One of the union’s representatives, Alhaji Ademola Yusuf, said the project formed part of the IDU’s wider interventions in education, healthcare and community development.

He urged the school and community to protect the facility, saying, ‘This facility should be treated as if it were our own personal property. We must protect it, maintain it and ensure that it remains in good condition.’

The head teacher, Mr Abdulrasheed Agbaje, and the community representative, Mr Akintunde Tajudeen, assured the union that the renovated classrooms will be properly maintained

Africa’s widening energy investment gap presents one of the continent’s biggest opportunities for global investors, with the continent requiring more than $200 billion annually in energy investment by 2030, according to the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Adegbite Falade.

Falade, who spoke on Africa’s upstream outlook, set the strategic tone at the opening ceremony of AOW: Energy 2026 in Accra, Ghana.

He said that Africa’s enormous oil and gas resources, expanding domestic energy demand and growing role of indigenous operators offered investors a compelling opportunity to participate in the continent’s next phase of industrialisation.

The theme of the summit is ‘Investing in African Natural Resources,’ with core discussions directed at accelerating exploration, unlocking upstream partnerships, and aligning policy, infrastructure, and markets.

Falade, however, warned that the opportunity could be lost unless governments, investors and industry players move urgently to close the continent’s financing and infrastructure deficits.

According to him, Africa holds more than 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, representing about nine per cent and eight per cent of global oil and gas reserves respectively.

Yet, the continent attracts only about six per cent of global exploration spending and upstream capital, exposing what Falade described as a huge gap between Africa’s resource endowment and the capital deployed to develop it.

Falade said Africa’s paradox was that it remained simultaneously the world’s most energy-endowed and most energy-poor continent.

Africa produces approximately eight million barrels of crude oil daily but refines barely half that volume, leaving the continent spending more than $60 billion annually on refined fuel imports.

Similarly, while Africa produced about 262 billion cubic metres of gas in 2025, domestic consumption stood at roughly 185 billion cubic metres, meaning a significant portion of the continent’s gas production is exported instead of being deployed to address domestic energy shortages.

The consequence, he said, was the enormous energy-access deficit, with close to 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity.

For global investors, Falade argued, the statistics point not simply to Africa’s challenges but to a sizeable pipeline of potential investment opportunities spanning upstream exploration, gas processing, pipelines, power generation, refining, petrochemicals and renewable energy.

‘Reserves without pipelines are simply stranded molecules benefiting no one,’ he said, stressing that upstream investment must be matched by investment in midstream infrastructure.

Stressing that indigenous operators are emerging as new investment partners, Falade positioned Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas companies as evidence that Africa’s energy assets can increasingly be developed by local operators in partnership with international capital, technology and expertise.

He said indigenous Nigerian companies, which accounted for less than three per cent of national production just over three decades ago, now contribute more than half of the country’s crude oil and gas output following the divestment of several onshore and shallow-water assets by international oil companies.

According to him, about 200,000 barrels of oil per day have been added to Nigeria’s national production by just three indigenous operators over the past year.

Falade said the transition had demonstrated that indigenous companies could revive mature and previously underperforming assets through technical competence, capital deployment and faster decision-making.

For international investors, he said, the changing ownership structure should be viewed as an opportunity for new partnerships rather than as a retreat from Africa.

‘The divestment era is not an exit. It is an invitation to a new kind of partnership – technology, capital and capability alongside local ownership and local urgency,’ he said.

He emphasised that a major plank of the IPPG’s investment proposition is the Africa Energy Bank (AEB), established through a partnership between the African Petroleum Producers Organisation and Afreximbank.

Falade said the bank, headquartered in Abuja, has an initial capital base of $5 billion, with an ambition to mobilise up to $10 billion in its first phase and grow towards $15 billion by 2030.

He described the institution as a potentially critical vehicle for bridging the upstream and midstream financing gap created by the retreat of some traditional international financiers from African oil and gas projects.

But he stressed that the bank’s success would depend on African producers generating commercially viable, bankable projects capable of attracting capital.

Gas infrastructure: the trillion-dollar opportunity

Falade identified gas infrastructure as another major investment frontier.

Although natural gas already generates around 40 per cent of Africa’s electricity, he said the continent’s pipeline infrastructure remains inadequate to fully monetise its vast gas reserves.

Africa has less than 50,000 kilometres of gas pipeline infrastructure, compared with more than 200,000 kilometres of interconnected oil and gas trunk pipelines in Europe, according to the keynote.

The IPPG chairman therefore called for investment in pipelines, gas processing facilities, power grids and export infrastructure to transform Africa’s gas reserves into productive economic assets.

One African market for energy investors

Falade also urged investors to look beyond individual African markets and take advantage of deeper regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He cited the West African Gas Pipeline, which has transported Nigerian gas to Benin, Togo and Ghana for 15 years, as evidence that cross-border energy infrastructure can work on the continent.

He proposed a dedicated AfCFTA Energy Services Protocol to facilitate intra-African hydrocarbon trade, cross-border pipelines and infrastructure, as well as a Pan-African Technical Exchange Programme to accelerate the movement of skills and expertise across producing countries.

For investors, such integration could create larger regional markets for gas-to-power, refining, petrochemicals and energy services, reducing the limitations imposed by fragmented national markets.

The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr Tanimu Turaki, has explained that its participation in the G100 opposition summit was aimed at forging a united opposition front capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The PDP said it joined the G100 process because of the need for opposition parties and other political forces to unite and rescue Nigeria from what it described as the failures of the APC-led Federal Government.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ini Ememobong, conveyed the position of the PDP National Chairman, Turaki, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ememobong, quoting Turaki, said the PDP, as a responsible opposition party, had endorsed the G100 process of creating an all-opposition platform capable of challenging the APC in the 2027 elections.

He said the decision was informed by what Turaki described as the ‘wailings of Nigerians groaning under the repressive Bola Tinubu APC-led Federal Government’ and the need for credible political forces to join hands in the search for the country’s redemption.

According to Turaki, ‘Our participation is anchored on the promise that the process will be hinged on the philosophical underpinnings of transparency, equality, data-driven decisions and egalitarianism.’

He added, ‘Any result birthed by a process midwifed by these virtues will certainly offer Nigerians a credible leadership capable of alleviating the skyrocketing poverty and rising insecurity in the country.’

The PDP chairman said the party’s participation was also consistent with its earlier position on working with like-minded political parties and organisations committed to salvaging the country from what it described as the vices associated with the APC-led administration.

The G-100 Summit was held in Abuja on Monday and brought together opposition political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), National Democratic Congress (NDC), PDP and Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others.

The participants deliberated on strategies for coordinating their activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with the stated objective of wresting power from the APC.

Among the political actors who attended the summit were ADC National Vice-Chairman, North-East, Daniel Bwala; ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Lawal Daura; Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Agbedi Fred; PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Dr Babangida Aliyu; Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Dr Donald Duke; PRP National Chairman, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed; PRP Vice-Presidential Candidate, Ambassador Kabiru Rabiu; SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Abubakar Umar Gombe; SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo; and SDP Vice-Presidential Candidate, Usman Bugaje.

Turaki said the PDP’s participation in the first G100 meeting demonstrated its readiness to contribute to the formation of an all-opposition platform that could defeat the incumbent administration and, thereafter, rebuild the country for the benefit of Nigerians.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, has said efficient railway development will significantly decongest Nigerian roads, particularly by reducing the movement of cargo trucks.

Adebiyi said the railway system had the potential to free the nation’s roads from heavy traffic and prolong their lifespan if its capacity was effectively utilised.

The Permanent Secretary spoke at the opening session of the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja.

He cited the movement of containers by rail from the Apapa Port to the Ibadan Dry Port as an example of how rail freight could reduce pressure on the nation’s roads.

Adebiyi said he recently witnessed the loading of a train with 33 40-foot containers for transportation from Apapa Port to the Ibadan Dry Port.

‘Technically, you have removed 33 trailers on the Lagos-Ibadan Road,’ he said.

He said the Federal Government was also considering the extension of freight movement from Ibadan to other parts of the country, with dry ports serving as points where containers could be transferred closer to their final destinations.

Adebiyi identified employment generation as another major benefit of investment in railway infrastructure.

He disclosed that thousands of Nigerians had been engaged in ongoing rail projects, citing about 4,000 workers on the Kano-Katsina rail project and more than 5,000 workers on the Kaduna-Kano rail project.

According to him, the two projects had provided employment for about 9,000 youths.

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the establishment of the Federal University of Transportation as part of efforts to develop specialised manpower for the nation’s transportation industry.

He said the university would produce graduates with the skills required to meet the manpower needs of the sector.

Adebiyi said the broader objective of the Federal Government was to develop an integrated transportation system in which road, rail, air and water transportation would complement one another.

He noted that a functional rail system would not only ease pressure on the roads but also support economic activities through more efficient movement of passengers and goods.

The 19th National Council on Transportation is being attended by stakeholders from the maritime, aviation, road and rail sectors from across the country.

The Ogun State government has issued a fresh flood alert on Wednesday to residents across flood-prone communities to relocate to safer locations ahead of the second phase of the 2026 rainy season.

The warning followed a forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified Ogun among the states expected to experience heavy rainfall this year.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, the state government said the first phase of the rainy season, which ran from mid-March to July, recorded intense rainfall and isolated flash floods in parts of the state, with limited impact.

Oresanya attributed the impact to measures adopted by the government, including public awareness and education, regular maintenance of rivers, streams and drainage channels, and improvements in waste management services.

He said attention had been given to major river channels and waterways, including Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and Ijamido rivers and streams, among others.

According to him, NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction indicates that the second phase of the 2026 rainy season is expected to begin in September, with Ogun projected to record rainfall averaging about 360mm during the month.

He added that rainfall in the inland parts of the state was expected to decline from October into early November.

The Commissioner, however, warned that the period could bring river and coastal flooding to some parts of the state due to prolonged rainfall, controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations, which could reduce the flow velocity of the Ogun River.

He explained that the combined effect could lead to temporary oversaturation of wetlands and floodplains, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.

Oresanya therefore advised residents in Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, as well as parts of Abeokuta, to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.

The advisory also covers coastal communities including Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area; Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area; Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area; and communities along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju Rivers.

The Commissioner also urged fish farmers operating within floodplains and river corridors to harvest their stocks promptly to minimise potential losses from flooding.

He specifically advised fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, as well as those in other vulnerable communities, to heed the warning without delay.

Oresanya called on relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities, emergency response organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify flood-response activities, regularly monitor vulnerable locations and ensure that drainage channels remain free of obstructions.

He also urged community leaders to strengthen public awareness campaigns in their communities, noting that timely information and early action remained critical to minimising the impact of potential flooding.

The Commissioner said the state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders.

He assured residents that the government would continue its efforts to minimize the impact of flooding across the state and thanked residents for their cooperation with measures that contributed to the low impact recorded during the first phase of the rainy season.

He urged residents to take the advisory seriously and remain responsive to further updates from the government and relevant emergency agencies.

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) and former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, have mourned the death of the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja.

Ugboaja reportedly died on August 27, after a prolonged illness.

NSITF Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, described Ugboaja’s death as ‘a huge loss to the labour movement,’ saying the deceased ‘stood firm for the rights and dignity of labour.’

Faleye, in a condolence message, described the late labour leader as ‘a committed labour leader, an articulate advocate for Nigerian workers, and a patriot who served with dignity and passion.’

He added that Ugboaja was ‘a bridge-builder, a voice of reason, and a dependable partner in the pursuit of protection for all workers,’ while noting that his contributions to workers’ welfare and social justice would be greatly missed.

Also mourning Ugboaja, SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammad Haruna Ibrahim, described Ugboaja’s death as ‘a big blow to the labour movement in Nigeria,’ saying the union had to postpone its National Executive Council meeting in Enugu after receiving the news.

Ibrahim, who is also the national internal auditor of the NLC, described Ugboaja as ‘the fulcrum of the labour movement,’ adding that he was ‘very brilliant, sound and cosmopolitan’ and related well with people.

‘He is leaving behind a very big vacuum that will be difficult to fill in the immediate future, given the wealth of experience he acquired over the years and his ability to relate with different levels of the labour movement,’ Ibrahim said.

In his tribute, former NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said Ugboaja, who was the fifth general secretary of the congress, devoted most of his adult life to the trade union movement.

Wabba recalled that Ugboaja joined the National Union of Chemical Footwears, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees in 1993, before joining the NLC, where he rose through several positions.

He said Ugboaja deployed his legal skills and trade union experience to ‘add great value’ to the NLC leadership, stressing that ‘it was difficult to miss Comrade Ugboaja’s voice in any room of negotiations.’

The NUTGTWN also described Ugboaja as ‘a devoted, dedicated and committed labour leader,’ saying his death ‘leaves an enormous void that will be difficult to fill.’

The union, in a statement signed by its President, Peters Godonu, and General Secretary, Ali Baba, expressed condolences to the late NLC scribe’s family, the NLC leadership, Nigerian workers and the global labour movement.

The mourners prayed for the repose of Ugboaja’s soul and strength for his family, colleagues and the entire labour movement to bear the ‘irreparable loss.’