Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a wealth-creating and industry-driven economy capable of generating employment and supporting national economic growth beyond food production.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated this on Monday at the Technical Session of the 48th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu.

Ogunbiyi, who spoke during the opening session, said the government was determined to develop agricultural value chains that would connect farmers to processors, manufacturers and markets, thereby creating more economic opportunities across the sector.

He described the Council as the highest policy coordination platform for the federal and state governments on agriculture and food security, providing an opportunity to review developments, harmonize policies, and agree on practical solutions to challenges confronting the country’s food systems.

According to him, the theme of this year’s council, ‘Enhancing Agricultural Value Chains, Agro-Industrialization, and Market Access for Economic Growth,’ is timely and strategic.

‘The task before us goes beyond increasing the volume of food produced. We must build an agricultural economy that creates wealth, supports industries, generates employment, and contributes meaningfully to national economic growth,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary lamented that a significant proportion of Nigeria’s agricultural commodities continued to be marketed in raw or minimally processed forms, resulting in lost opportunities to increase farmers’ income, industrial development, and export earnings.

He said the government’s priority was to strengthen commodity-based value chains and promote processing facilities for priority commodities, including rice, cassava, maize, sorghum, cocoa, oil palm, sesame, ginger, tomatoes, livestock, and fisheries products.

On market access, Ogunbiyi emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural aggregation, improve market information systems, promote product standards, grading, and certification, and leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He explained that while the federal government would continue to provide policy direction, research, and innovation, state governments remained critical to mobilising farmers, providing land and infrastructure, and creating an enabling environment for agribusiness investments.

He, however, assured that the pursuit of agro-industrialization would not undermine food and nutrition security, farmers’ welfare, or the inclusion of women and young people.

He added that government interventions would promote climate-smart agricultural practices, mechanization, irrigation, and access to affordable financing.

Ogunbiyi outlined seven priority areas for the Council, including strengthening agricultural value chains, accelerating agro-industrialisation, expanding market access, mobilising private-sector investment, promoting inclusive growth, strengthening institutional coordination, and ensuring effective implementation and accountability.

He commended the government and people of Enugu State for hosting the meeting, urging participants to ensure that deliberations translated into measurable actions capable of transforming the agricultural sector.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation thanked the Federal Ministry for its partnership in bringing the Council to the state.

He said the collaboration demonstrated the benefits of cooperation between the Federal and State Governments in advancing the interests of Nigerian farmers.

According to him, the Technical Session provided an opportunity for policies to be translated into practical interventions, as papers presented at the meeting would shape programmes, partnerships and investments reaching farmers and agro-processors.

He said Enugu State was pursuing agro-industrialisation to ensure that agricultural harvests translated into employment opportunities and wealth creation.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Administration and Supply, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mrs Ifeoma Onu, highlighted the state’s agricultural development agenda under Governor Peter Mbah.

She disclosed that the administration was pursuing a deliberate transition from subsistence farming to commercial and mechanised agriculture through initiatives such as a 300,000-hectare agricultural land bank, Smart Farm Estates across the state’s 17 local government areas, the 260 Farm Estate Programme and the establishment of a tractor assembly plant.

In a goodwill message, the Senior Strategic Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Idris Mohammed, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

Mohammed highlighted the Council’s support for increasing the NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee coverage for tomato plastic crates from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, with coverage reportedly reaching 75 per cent for some beneficiaries.

He said the increased coverage would help reduce financing risks and post-harvest losses in the agricultural value chain.

The IFDC representative disclosed that the organisation was marking 25 years of partnership with Nigeria, adding that collaboration with the Federal Ministry had been strengthened following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in the year and the establishment of the IFDC-FMAFS multi-stakeholder platform.

He further explained that IFDC, through its Soil Values Programme in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi states, was demonstrating how improved soil management practices could restore degraded lands and enhance agricultural productivity.

The Federal Government on Monday assured Nigerians of concerted efforts to address the structural and institutional challenges confronting the country’s housing sector.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttapha Rabe Darma, gave the assurance while addressing participants at the Stakeholder Conference on the Proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority (NRERA), themed ‘One Vision, One Ecosystem, One National Housing and Real Estate Plan.’

The minister disclosed that the ministry had organised a similar stakeholder engagement in July, during which issues surrounding Nigeria’s housing deficit were examined and validated, with estimates indicating a deficit of over 15 million housing units.

He noted that, despite Nigeria’s estimated population of about 240 million people, access to mortgage financing remained significantly low compared with other countries, limiting the ability of many Nigerians to acquire decent and affordable homes.

‘Our population, as of today, is estimated to be about 240 million. But, as speakers after speakers mentioned, mortgage penetration is very low. It is less than 10 per cent, as against 38 per cent in Malaysia and 40 per cent in South Korea,’ he said.

Darma observed that, although Nigeria had the Federal Mortgage Bank and several other mortgage institutions, the volume of mortgages being accessed annually remained inadequate to meet the country’s housing needs.

He also recalled that the built environment and real estate sector had been identified as the third-largest contributor to the Nigerian economy, stressing the need to create an enabling environment for the sector to perform more effectively.

The minister expressed the ministry’s full support for the objectives of the conference and the establishment of the proposed regulatory authority, noting that the initiative could provide a more coordinated approach to housing development, real estate investment and mortgage financing.

He, however, urged stakeholders to consider situating the proposed authority within the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to ensure effective coordination and alignment with the government’s existing housing policies.

According to him, several countries, including Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Rwanda, have established similar regulatory institutions within ministries responsible for housing and the built environment.

He further advocated a coordinated relationship between the proposed authority, the National Housing Finance Authority and the mortgage policy currently being developed by the Federal Government and awaiting presidential consideration.

Speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin, called for stronger legislation and a comprehensive regulatory framework to address the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria’s housing and real estate sector.

Hon. Jibrin said an effective regulatory framework would help unlock the enormous potential of the housing sector, promote transparency and accountability, attract investment, protect homebuyers and ultimately improve access to affordable housing for Nigerians.

The lawmaker explained that, since assuming office as Chairman of the committee, he had undertaken an extensive assessment of the housing sector, examining its challenges, opportunities and potential contributions to national economic development.

According to him, the findings revealed that Nigeria was yet to harness even a fraction of the opportunities available in the sector, due largely to regulatory gaps, overlapping responsibilities among government institutions, inadequate consumer protection and the absence of a coordinated national framework.

He observed that, although the Minister of Housing and Urban Development was responsible for driving government policies in the sector, several agencies and institutions operating within the housing ecosystem fell outside the ministry’s direct jurisdiction, creating institutional gaps and duplication of functions.

‘There are enormous challenges. We have a wonderful Minister of Housing. But as the Minister of Housing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he does not have jurisdiction over all the agencies and institutions that have to do with housing. There is a link; there is a gap. So, there is duplication of functions,’ he said.

Hon. Jibrin stressed that the challenges in the real estate sector went beyond the activities of property developers, noting that, while unethical practices among some developers remained a concern, consumers also needed adequate protection, information and financial awareness before entering into property transactions.

He explained that some prospective homeowners commit themselves to housing projects they cannot afford, while others fail to appreciate the economic realities, government policy changes and inflationary pressures that could affect developers’ ability to deliver projects as initially agreed.

The committee chairman maintained that a properly regulated sector must establish clear responsibilities for developers and consumers, provide effective mechanisms for dispute resolution and ensure that all stakeholders operate within clearly defined standards.

He further described the housing sector as one of the major contributors to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the capacity to significantly increase its contribution if its enormous opportunities were properly harnessed.

Hon. Jibrin argued that, unlike other major sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, power and telecommunications, the real estate industry had operated with significant regulatory loopholes, allowing individuals to venture into property development without adequate scrutiny or accountability.

He noted that individuals could simply present property brochures to unsuspecting Nigerians and collect money without the necessary institutional oversight to verify their credentials, business operations or capacity to deliver.

According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to address this missing link by establishing a national regulatory framework that will strengthen existing institutions rather than undermine their statutory responsibilities.

He was also quick to allay concerns that the proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority would encroach on the constitutional responsibilities of state governments or take over the functions of established professional bodies.

‘The bill to create the National Housing Regulatory Authority is not going to take over the powers of any state government. We are not going to compete. We are only going to cooperate. And for professional bodies, nobody is taking away your responsibility. It will be protected.

‘For government agencies, it will strengthen you and ensure that every government agency is empowered to perform its statutory role according to its Act,’ he stated.

He added that the proposed authority should not merely be viewed as another regulatory institution but as a strategic intervention designed to unlock the housing sector’s full economic potential by addressing longstanding institutional and regulatory deficiencies.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr Armstrong Ume Takang, commended the House of Representatives for sustaining collaboration with the Executive to address challenges in the housing and real estate sector.

Takang expressed the readiness of the Presidency and the Federal Government to give the proposed legislation a fair and thorough consideration, particularly in addressing critical issues surrounding the country’s existing legal and institutional framework.

He identified the relationship between the proposed legislation and the Land Use Act as one of the important issues requiring careful examination, alongside the regulation of professional practices and the need to prevent excessive regulation that could discourage private-sector investment.

He also challenged stakeholders to develop a regulatory structure that would complement existing government institutions without unnecessarily expanding the government’s recurrent expenditure.

‘To what extent are we going to address the regulation of practice in this sector? To what extent are we also going to ensure that the sector is not overregulated? And how do we create this new agency and fit it into the existing structure of government in a way that we do not expand the recurrent expenditure framework of government?’ he queried.

He assured participants that the government was willing to partner with stakeholders to develop a stronger, more transparent and sustainable housing and real estate sector capable of attracting investment and delivering greater economic benefits.

In his keynote address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, called for a centralised and digitised real estate administrative system to simplify property transactions, strengthen public confidence and make Nigeria’s housing market more attractive to local and international investors.

The Speaker emphasised the need to establish a reliable digital linkage between property ownership records and the identities of property owners, as well as between buyers and sellers, to address issues of fraud, multiple ownership claims and disputes associated with land and property transactions.

In his address titled ‘Building a Trusted and Investable Nigerian Real Estate Market,’ Abbas observed that Nigeria’s housing challenge was not necessarily a shortage of properties but a lack of sufficient trust in the real estate market.

‘Nigeria does not lack property. Nigeria lacks enough trust in property,’ he said.

He maintained that effective regulation should not be perceived as an obstacle to legitimate businesses but as a necessary safeguard against fraudulent practices, unfair competition and exploitation of unsuspecting investors and homebuyers.

According to the Speaker, good regulation protects responsible businesses, strengthens confidence in the market and creates the institutional credibility required to attract long-term investment into the housing sector.

The proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority is expected to provide a coordinated regulatory framework for the sector, strengthen consumer protection, promote professional standards and address institutional gaps that have continued to undermine the growth and development of Nigeria’s housing market.

The Federal Government has called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, parents, schools, traditional rulers, corporate organisations and development partners to end period stigma and improve menstrual health education among Nigerian girls.

The call was made at the She Is Ready 2026 event organised by the Lola Cater Foundation in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, where stakeholders stressed the need to ensure that girls have access to accurate information, menstrual hygiene products and supportive environments to discuss menstruation without shame.

The event also featured the launch of a book titled My First Period: A Young Girl’s Guide to Confidence, Courage and Growing Up, alongside the announcement of a target to reach 5,000 girls across Nigeria with menstrual health education, books and hygiene support by May 28, 2027.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, represented by the Director of Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs Department, Mr Emmanuel Essien, said menstrual stigma, misconceptions and inadequate access to hygiene products and appropriate facilities continued to undermine girls’ confidence, school attendance and participation in society.

She said every girl deserved accurate information, essential hygiene resources and a supportive environment where menstruation could be discussed openly without shame.

‘Girls are not merely beneficiaries of development. They are active contributors to national progress. Their rights must therefore be protected, their voices heard and their opportunities expanded,’ she said.

Keshinro reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting the well-being, inclusion, leadership and empowerment of young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women.

She urged stakeholders to invest in girls’ education, menstrual health, life skills and mentorship, while strengthening efforts to protect them against gender-based violence, harmful practices and child marriage.

Similarly, the Head of the Adolescent and School Health Branch of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Joy Kalu, represented by an Assistant Director, Charity Okala, described the initiative as timely, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, parents, schools, development partners and young people.

She said access to accurate health information would enable young people to make informed decisions about their well-being and prepare adequately for adulthood.

‘We all have a role to play. We need to bring that together to ensure that our roles complement each other,’ she said.

The Chief Executive Director of Lola Cater Foundation, Ms Ololade Ogunnubi, said the initiative was informed by gaps in menstrual health knowledge, persistent misconceptions and the effects of period stigma observed during the organisation’s community outreaches and school engagements.

She said the foundation had reached more than 20,000 people across over 15 states in the last six years through community outreaches, school visits and menstrual health awareness campaigns.

According to her, the engagements showed that menstrual health education must involve both girls and boys, as well as parents, teachers and other trusted adults.

‘Girls need to understand their bodies, while boys also need to understand what happens before, during and after menstruation and how they can support the girl child,’ she said.

Ogunnubi recalled an outreach where a male pupil described menstruation as a dirty substance that came out of girls every month, saying the experience demonstrated the need to address misconceptions from an early age.

She also cited instances where girls lacked basic knowledge of menstrual hygiene, including how frequently sanitary pads should be changed.

‘These experiences remind us that menstrual health education is not just about distributing sanitary pads. It is about knowledge, confidence, understanding and creating an environment where girls can ask questions without fear or embarrassment,’ she said.

She identified inadequate communication between parents and schools as another challenge, noting that some parents expected schools to educate their children about menstruation, while some schools considered it primarily a parental responsibility.

The book, My First Period, she explained, was developed as a practical resource to help young girls understand puberty, menstruation, personal hygiene and the emotional changes associated with growing up.

It is also designed to support parents, teachers, counsellors and other trusted adults in having informed and age-appropriate conversations with girls.

Softcare representative Osasona Micheal Dolapo emphasized that every girl deserves access to reliable menstrual hygiene products, accurate health information, and a supportive environment where she is treated with understanding and respect.

Girls should never feel ashamed of menstruation, nor should a lack of hygiene products prevent them from attending school or participating in everyday activities.

Reliable menstrual hygiene products are essential to safeguarding girls’ menstrual health and personal dignity. For Softcare, its commitment to caring for women is reflected not only in community initiatives but also in its continuous efforts to improve product quality and enhance consumer comfort.

The organisers also acknowledged that 7Up Bottling Company provided drinks and bottled water for guests.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers (WOFCTTRA), Patricia Narai, wife of the Sakari of Karu, called for more open conversations about menstruation to prepare girls for their first menstrual experience.

Narai recalled that her first period left her confused because she did not understand the changes taking place in her body, adding that many girls still experienced similar situations due to inadequate information and guidance.

‘Menstruation is not a source of shame. It is a natural biological process that deserves understanding, care and respect,’ she said.

She urged parents, teachers, traditional institutions and community leaders to improve access to accurate information, menstrual hygiene products and safe sanitary facilities.

The event featured a learning session on the body, menstruation and confidence, as well as a panel discussion themed, ‘Creating a World Where Every Girl Is Ready.’

As part of the national outreach, the foundation said it would prioritise girls in underserved and rural communities, displaced communities and girls with disabilities through book distribution, menstrual hygiene support and school-based and community education.

Ogunnubi called on government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners, healthcare professionals, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to support the target of reaching 5,000 girls by May 28, 2027.

‘Every girl deserves to meet her first period with knowledge, dignity, confidence and support. We cannot achieve this alone. It will take parents, schools, government, traditional institutions, healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals working together,’ she said.

The foundation said individuals and organisations could support the initiative by sponsoring copies of the book at N3,000 each, donating menstrual hygiene kits or establishing partnerships to reach more girls.

A major highlight of the event was the support of the member representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, Hon. Bamidele Salam, who facilitated the purchase of 500 copies of the book through his foundation, Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV Africa).

The contribution is expected to expand access to age-appropriate menstrual health information and make the resource available to more girls.

Lawyer and politician, Chief Robinson Ariyo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the Warri delineation exercise amid allegations of financial inducement, procedural irregularities and possible security compromises.

Ariyo, in a statement, called on the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to provide an independent legal opinion on the exercise and ask the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish its delineation report, maps, methodology and supporting data.

He also urged relevant agencies to preserve documents relating to the exercise and investigate credible allegations of suspicious financial transactions and possible misconduct involving political actors, public officers and security personnel.

Ariyo further called for an independent audit of private surveillance contracts connected to oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, including an examination of contract awards, financial disbursements and possible diversion of public funds.

He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to investigate any credible evidence of financial wrongdoing within their respective mandates.

The lawyer also appealed for impartial security measures in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas to protect residents and prevent violence, regardless of ethnic affiliation.

He called for an inclusive dialogue involving traditional rulers, community representatives, political stakeholders and legal practitioners from the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo communities, saying the engagement should allow all sides to present their concerns and supporting evidence.

Ariyo cited Sections 112 to 115 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and questioned whether INEC could implement changes to existing State Constituency boundaries without the required National Assembly approval and before the current tenure of the relevant State House of Assembly expires.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the controversy was resolved through constitutional processes, transparency, and dialogue to prevent further tension and protect democratic institutions.

Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has said leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the Southwest have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, despite internal differences and challenges confronting the country.

Mimiko, who spoke at a meeting of the party’s presidential campaign stakeholders in the Southwest, said representatives of the six states had resolved to set aside their grievances and work together to secure Tinubu’s victory in the next presidential election.

He said the meeting demonstrated a common commitment among the various political tendencies within the party to ensure the success of Tinubu’s campaign.

‘We have heard from all of the representatives of one house, all of the representatives of the states who are here. They also represent very different interests in their respective states, but they have spoken with one voice,’ Mimiko said.

He added that the stakeholders had agreed that achieving Tinubu’s presidential campaign objective was a task that must be pursued without delay or surrender.

According to the former governor, the meeting also expressed satisfaction with the President’s performance, acknowledging that although there were challenges, his administration had initiated programmes that could deliver significant benefits to Nigerians.

Mimiko said the stakeholders particularly recognised the administration’s interventions in education, describing the restoration of predictable academic calendars in tertiary institutions as a major achievement.

He said the development had brought relief to students and families who had previously experienced repeated disruptions caused by industrial actions.

‘We have agreed that, perhaps for the first time in our recent history, every home in Yoruba land that has students in institutions in Nigeria knows that there is a predictable calendar. This never happened before,’ he said.

Mimiko also said the stakeholders supported the administration’s ambition to expand access to tertiary education, adding that the next phase should ensure more young Nigerians, particularly those in the Southwest, could benefit from higher education.

He further highlighted the Federal Government’s plan to expand fibre-optic infrastructure, saying the initiative would improve access to information, knowledge and educational opportunities for young people.

The former governor said the stakeholders had resolved to take the administration’s achievements to the grassroots, particularly by explaining its economic reforms in local languages and terms that ordinary Nigerians could understand.

He said the campaign would focus not only on macroeconomic indicators but also on the effects of government policies on individuals, households and communities.

Mimiko said the stakeholders had also agreed to put aside intra-party grievances in the interest of Tinubu’s re-election and the future of the Southwest.

‘We have all agreed that we bury all grievances, all intra-party differences, in the interest of Asiwaju, Yoruba land and the future of our great country,’ he said.

He described the consensus among Southwest political leaders as significant, particularly in view of longstanding disagreements over major national issues.

Mimiko cited the proposed decentralisation of policing as an example, saying Tinubu’s political leadership had helped build a consensus around the need to restructure the country’s security architecture.

He expressed optimism that state police would soon become a reality, adding that decentralised policing would improve security in the Southwest and other parts of the country.

The former governor, however, acknowledged that Tinubu was not perfect but said his courage and policy direction deserved continued support.

‘Asiwaju is not a perfect human being, but thanks to courage and conviction of action, he has done well. And we are going to support him to continue along this path,’ Mimiko said.

He urged sons and daughters of the Southwest to support the President, insisting that the region’s political leaders had reached a common position on his re-election.

Oyo State government has redeemed its pledge to support victims of the Bode market fire disaster by donating N100 million to affected traders.

No fewer than 400 victims of the fire incident received N250,000 each at a disbursement ceremony held at the market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Presenting the financial assistance to the beneficiaries, chairman of the local government, Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for providing the support.

He said the intervention would help cushion the effects of the disaster on more than 400 traders affected by the fire outbreak.

Akande described the gesture as a timely demonstration of the governor’s commitment to the welfare of residents, particularly traders whose livelihoods were affected by the unfortunate incident.

He added that the assistance would provide relief to the affected market women and other traders, helping them rebuild their businesses and restore their sources of income.

The council chairman urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the financial support, assuring them of the local government’s continued commitment to grassroots development and the welfare of residents.

Akande further stated that the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM)-led administration in the state was committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to citizens at both the state and local government levels.

He, therefore, solicited support for the present administration and urged residents to vote for Governor Makinde at the federal level and Bimbo Adekambi at the state level.

In their separate remarks, the Babaloja and Iyaloja of Bode market, Adeniran and Fatima, respectively, appreciated Governor Makinde and the local government chairman for their support, pledging their continued support.

Those present at the ceremony included Honourable Saheed Akinade Fijabi, Chief of Staff to the chairman, Alhaji Abolaji Hassan Bello; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Information, Honourable Yinka Oladoyinbo; Senior Executive Adviser on Security to the Governor, Sunday Odukoya; Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Tunde Taofeek Olagunju; Director of Education and Social Services, Mrs Justina Oluwayanju and Director of Administration and General, Mrs Titilola Amusat, among others.

The Police Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) has arrested three suspected international human traffickers and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.

The police also disclosed that about 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution, severe beatings and slave-like conditions.

The Commander of the FID Special Tactical Squad, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Ogbiede Victor, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

He said the operation, conducted between October 1 and 27, 2026, followed actionable digital intelligence and directives by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, particularly those of vulnerable persons.

According to him, the three suspects arrested in connection with the international human trafficking operation are Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, also known as Terry, 28, identified as the gang leader residing in the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25.

He said all three suspects were indigenes of Benue State.

Giving details of the trafficking operation, Victor said investigations revealed that the victim, identified as Miss Godiya Amos, not her real name, a 21-year-old woman from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was allegedly lured by Solomon with promises of lucrative employment abroad.

He explained that on September 26, 2026, the victim was transported through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin before being moved to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were allegedly forced into prostitution.

The police commander said that before her departure from Nigeria, Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents, thereby cutting off communication with her family.

She was subsequently handed over to other members of the trafficking network and allegedly sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately N770,000.

According to the police, her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, while she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being compelled into sexual exploitation.

Victor said the breakthrough followed a report by the victim’s sister, which prompted FID-STS operatives to commence an intelligence-led investigation.

He disclosed that on October 18, 2026, Solomon returned to Nigeria to recruit more females for trafficking to Senegal and Mali.

During the operation, three other female victims, identified as Miss Martha Godiya, Miss Amina Usman and Miss Hadisa Yahaya, were rescued and reunited with their families.

He said further digital intelligence led to the arrest of Solomon and two other members of the trafficking network, Aondofa and Ocho.

The suspects, according to him, confessed to their involvement in the criminal enterprise and provided useful information that facilitated the rescue of Godiya Amos from Mali.

The rescued victim further disclosed that approximately 42 Nigerian females were being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement, where they were subjected to forced prostitution and severe, slave-like conditions.

She reportedly told investigators that the women had their movements restricted and that escape from the camp was extremely difficult.

The police commander said the investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the trafficking network and rescue additional victims.

In a separate operation, the FID-STS arrested two suspected members of a criminal syndicate in Taraba State over alleged armed robbery, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.

Victor said the suspects, Aminu Shafiu, 35, and Mohammed Yahaya, 33, both from Yola, Adamawa State, were arrested on October 16, 2026, at about 12 noon.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed their alleged involvement in armed robbery, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.

He added that during interrogation, the suspects confessed and provided useful information about other members of the syndicate and their criminal operations.

The police commander listed the recovered exhibits as a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC 81 AA; an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla without a registration number; a maroon Toyota Pontiac Vibe with registration number YABC 325 AM; a gold Toyota Sienna with registration number YMT 728 SU; and a white Toyota Pontiac with registration number ABJ 226 EX.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, establish the rightful ownership of the recovered vehicles and recover additional exhibits.

In another operation, the police said FID-STS operatives arrested three suspected gun runners and individuals allegedly involved in supplying logistics to bandits terrorising residents of the Funtua Zone of Katsina State.

Victor disclosed that the suspects were arrested on October 1, 2026.

They were identified as Musa Lawal, 30, from Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State; Bello Abubakar, 25, from the same address; and Abubakar Mohammed, 24, from Damaturu, Yobe State.

According to him, the suspects confessed to the crimes during interrogation, leading to the recovery of one fabricated pistol, three fabricated AK-47 rifles and eight rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition.

The police commander said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.

He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had reaffirmed the commitment of the FID-STS to sustaining aggressive operations against all forms of criminality across the country.

He urged citizens to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

The unit, he added, assured the public that the coordinated operations would be sustained and replicated across all states of the federation.

The 2027 general elections represent another significant moment in Nigeria’s constitutional and democratic development. Beyond the contest for political offices, the elections will test the strength of Nigeria’s electoral institutions, the commitment of political parties to internal democracy, the independence of the judiciary, the credibility of the electoral process and, ultimately, the willingness of citizens to defend democratic values. The enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which repealed and replaced the Electoral Act 2022, has introduced a new statutory framework for the conduct of elections in Nigeria. The legislation addresses political party membership registers, nomination of candidates, electronic transmission of results, collation procedures, election offences and the determination of election petitions. However, the existence of an electoral law does not automatically guarantee credible elections. The effectiveness of the law depends on its implementation, institutional independence, compliance by political actors, judicial interpretation and the vigilance of the electorate. In this piece, we will examine the Electoral Act 2026 against the background of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), relevant decisions of the Supreme Court and other courts, and the practical lessons that Nigerians can derive from electoral jurisprudence. It argues that Nigeria’s electoral fortunes in 2027 will be shaped not merely by who wins political office, but also by whether the electoral process respects the rule of law, protects the people’s mandate and strengthens democratic accountability.

2027 AND THE DESTINY OF NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY

Democracy is more than the periodic organisation of elections. It is a system of government founded on the sovereignty of the people, constitutional limitations on governmental power, political participation, accountability and the rule of law. Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government derives all its powers and authority. This constitutional provision establishes a fundamental democratic principle: political authority is not the personal property of the President, Governor, legislator or political party. It is a public trust derived from the people. The 2027 general elections must therefore be understood within this constitutional philosophy. The Electoral Act 2026 was signed into law on 18 February 2026 and commenced on the same date. It repealed the Electoral Act 2022 and established the statutory framework applicable to the forthcoming elections. The Act was published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, Volume 113, No. 40, on 2 March 2026. The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. It determines how political parties nominate candidates, how voters are accredited, how votes are counted, how results are transmitted, how electoral offences are prosecuted and how disputed elections are judicially determined. The central question is therefore:

Will the 2027 elections become an opportunity for strengthening constitutional democracy, or will the country repeat the legal, institutional and administrative difficulties that have characterised previous electoral cycles? The answer will depend on the faithful application of the law.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION OF THE 2027 ELECTIONS

The Electoral Act 2026 cannot be interpreted in isolation. It derives its authority from the Nigerian Constitution and must operate consistently with constitutional provisions. Some of the most important constitutional provisions include:

2.1 Section 14: Sovereignty of the people

Section 14(2)(a) provides that sovereignty belongs to the people. This means that elected officials are representatives of the electorate and not owners of governmental authority. A political office is therefore a public trust, not a personal inheritance.

2.2 Section 40: Freedom of association

Section 40 guarantees the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons, including the right to form or belong to political parties. This provision protects political participation and the right of citizens to organise themselves for political purposes.

2.3 Section 221: Political parties and election sponsorship

Section 221 provides that only a political party may canvass for votes for a candidate at an election or contribute to the funds of a political party or candidate, subject to the constitutional framework. This provision makes political parties central institutions in Nigeria’s electoral democracy.

2.4 Section 225: Political party finances

Section 225 provides constitutional controls over political party finances and empowers INEC to monitor and examine party financial activities in accordance with the Constitution.

2.5 Section 285: Election petitions and constitutional time limits

Section 285 establishes the framework for election tribunals and regulates the time within which election petitions and appeals must be determined.

Among other things:

Election petitions must be filed within 21 days after the declaration of results.

Election tribunals must deliver judgment within 180 days from the date of filing.

Appeals from election tribunal decisions must be determined within 60 days from delivery of judgment.

These time limits are constitutionally significant. They prevent election disputes from remaining unresolved indefinitely. In ordinary life, authority should always be exercised within the limits of the law. A person who occupies a position of leadership does not thereby become superior to the rules governing that position. The same principle applies to a community chairman, company director, church administrator, association president or public officeholder. Leadership confers responsibility, not unlimited power.

THE ELECTORAL ACT 2026: A NEW LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR 2027

The Electoral Act 2026 contains 156 sections and several schedules. It regulates the activities of INEC, political parties, voters, candidates, election officials and election tribunals. Some of its most significant provisions deserve detailed examination.

3.1 Electronic transmission of election results: Section 60

One of the most consequential aspects of the Electoral Act 2026 concerns electronic transmission of election results. Section 60(3) provides for the electronic transmission of polling-unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by candidates or polling agents where available. However, the subsection contains an important proviso. Where electronic transmission fails as a result of communication failure and transmission becomes impossible, the Form EC8A signed and stamped by the presiding officer and countersigned by candidates or polling agents where available remains the primary source for collation and declaration of results. This provision establishes a statutory framework for electronic transmission while retaining a manual documentary fallback in specified circumstances.

Legal implications

Three important consequences arise. First, electronic transmission is no longer merely a matter of administrative preference. It has express statutory recognition. Second, the law recognises that technological infrastructure may sometimes fail. The proviso provides a mechanism for dealing with such failure. Third, the circumstances in which communication failure is claimed may become important issues in future election litigation. The existence of the exception makes proper documentation, transparency and verification essential. The legal question is not simply whether a result appears on IReV. It is whether the result was lawfully recorded, transmitted or, where the statutory exception applies, properly supported by the prescribed polling-unit documentation. This provision teaches an important lesson about accountability. In business, government and personal administration, digital records improve transparency, but reliable original documentation remains important. A company that maintains electronic financial records should also preserve authentic supporting documents. A person who makes a payment electronically should retain the receipt. A public institution should maintain verifiable records of its transactions. The lesson is that transparency requires both accessibility and verifiability.

Accreditation and voting procedures

Sections 47 and 50 of the Act are relevant to voter accreditation and the conduct of voting. The statutory framework requires electoral procedures to be followed in the accreditation of voters and the conduct of the poll. Section 50 provides for voting by open secret ballot. The underlying democratic principle is that the process of voting must be transparent in administration while the voter’s actual choice remains confidential. This distinction is essential. The public must be able to scrutinise the conduct of an election without being entitled to dictate or expose an individual’s voting preference. Transparency does not mean the destruction of privacy. In family, professional and public administration, people should be accountable for their responsibilities while retaining legitimate personal rights.

Political party membership registers: Section 77

Section 77 introduces an important framework for political party membership records. Under section 77(2), political parties are required to maintain digital membership registers containing specified personal information, including:

Names of members; Sex and date of birth; Address and geographical particulars; State, Local Government and ward; Polling unit; National Identification Number; and Photograph. Section 77(4) requires parties to make their membership registers available to INEC not later than 21 days before the relevant primaries, congresses or conventions. Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names appear in the register are eligible to vote and be voted for in party primaries, congresses and conventions.

Why is this important?

Political parties are the foundations upon which candidates emerge for public elections. Where membership records are inaccurate, manipulated or unavailable, disputes may arise over who is entitled to participate in party primaries. The statutory requirement is intended to provide a verifiable membership structure. Nevertheless, the collection and use of personal information must also be handled responsibly and consistently with applicable privacy protections. An organisation that maintains membership records should ensure that those records are accurate and accessible to authorised persons. In a cooperative society, church association, professional body or trade organisation, membership records determine who is entitled to participate in elections and decision-making. A properly maintained register reduces disputes. The lesson is simple: good governance begins with accurate records.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday expressed the House’s resolve to scrutinise inter-agency coordination, timely release and transparent utilisation of emergency health funds, as well as the capacity of state governments to respond effectively to public health emergencies.

Hon. Tajudeen, who stated this while declaring open a one-day public hearing on the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria in Abuja, stressed the need for a coordinated national response involving all tiers of government and relevant institutions.

The Speaker, who was represented by Hon. Billy Osawaru, said the recent outbreak of Ebola in parts of Africa and the confirmation of an imported case in Nigeria underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s public health security architecture.

He noted that public health security was inseparable from national security, warning that an outbreak originating outside Nigeria could quickly become a matter of urgent national concern in an increasingly interconnected world.

According to him, Nigeria’s response to the recent development, through the activation of emergency mechanisms, strengthened surveillance and contact tracing, the establishment of a Presidential Task Force and the approval of emergency funding, was commendable but should not encourage complacency.

‘The fact that the confirmed imported case has been evacuated and no onward transmission has been established should strengthen our resolve to prevent a recurrence, rather than diminish our sense of urgency,’ he said.

Hon. Tajudeen recalled that Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak demonstrated that early detection, decisive intervention and effective coordination could determine whether a disease outbreak was contained or escalated into a national health emergency.

He explained that the public hearing was part of the legislature’s constitutional responsibility to assess the country’s preparedness, scrutinise the effectiveness of relevant institutions and ensure that the legal, financial and operational frameworks required to protect Nigerians were adequate.

The Speaker said the exercise would particularly examine whether disease surveillance systems could detect threats early enough, whether laboratories and isolation facilities were adequately equipped, whether healthcare workers had the necessary training and protective equipment, and whether airports and border communities were sufficiently covered by screening and monitoring arrangements.

He further emphasised the need to establish whether emergency health funds were released promptly and utilised transparently, while identifying possible gaps in the capacity of state governments to contain public health emergencies.

‘Disease containment cannot be the responsibility of the Federal Government alone. It requires a coordinated national response in which every tier of government understands its obligations and possesses the capacity to fulfil them,’ Speaker Tajudeen stated.

He also called for accurate and consistent public communication to prevent misinformation and panic, assuring Nigerians that the hearing was not intended to generate unnecessary alarm, particularly as there were no active Ebola cases in the country.

While expressing the House’s resolve to give serious consideration to the submissions and recommendations arising from the public hearing, he assured that the House would provide legislative intervention where necessary and pursue it. ‘Where administrative deficiencies are identified, we will engage the appropriate authorities to ensure corrective action. And where funding or institutional capacity is inadequate, we will discharge our constitutional responsibilities in addressing those gaps. Ultimately, the effectiveness of our response to public health threats should not be measured merely by our ability to contain an outbreak, but also by our capacity to prevent one from escalating in the first place.’

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Joint Committees on Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Services, Aviation and Interior, Hon. Amobi Ogah, said the news of the Ebola outbreak in October had generated widespread anxiety among Nigerians, prompting several calls and enquiries from his constituents and fellow lawmakers seeking clarification on the country’s preparedness.

Hon. Ogah recalled the devastating experience of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which took a physical, psychological and economic toll on the country, with the deaths of several prominent Nigerians.

He said the concerns generated by the recent development compelled the House to initiate high-level consultations, culminating in the resolution to organise the public hearing to establish the preparedness of critical government agencies and determine the measures being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Abia lawmaker particularly expressed concern about the vulnerability of international airports as potential entry points for infectious diseases, insisting that relevant agencies must explain the screening arrangements and other preventive measures in place for passengers travelling into and out of Nigeria.

Hon. Ogah commended President Bola Tinubu for the prompt establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola and the release of ?10 billion to support containment efforts, while also applauding the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for coordinating the national response.

He expressed optimism that reports indicating that two additional suspected cases identified in the North-East had tested negative would further strengthen the country’s prospects of containing the disease.

In his presentation, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, warned that custodial centres required special attention in the country’s Ebola preparedness strategy because of their population density, shared facilities and frequent human interactions.

Nwakuche explained that an infectious disease outbreak within correctional facilities could have serious consequences for inmates, personnel, visitors and surrounding communities, making early detection and effective infection prevention measures imperative.

He disclosed that the service was committed to strengthening disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, emergency response arrangements and collaboration with the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and state health authorities.

The NCoS Controller-General identified inadequate medical infrastructure, protective equipment, trained personnel, emergency isolation spaces and medical transportation as critical areas requiring government intervention, urging the Federal Government to integrate correctional facilities into national and subnational public health emergency preparedness programmes.

He also called for dedicated funding, regular training of correctional officers and healthcare personnel, improved referral arrangements, periodic assessment of custodial centres and the provision of essential medical supplies to prevent the introduction and transmission of Ebola within correctional facilities.

Nwakuche maintained that strengthening the preparedness of correctional institutions would not only improve the country’s response to Ebola but also enhance its capacity to prevent and manage other infectious disease threats.

The Nigerian naira depreciated against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,347.9435, at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window, on Monday, November 2nd, 2026.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1347.9435 per dollar and closed at N1,346.0100 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1,346.2565 on October 30th, 2026, depreciated by at least N1.69 after trading activities on Monday.

At the parallel market, the buying rate remained the same, while the selling rate increased by N2, when compared to the previous trading rate on Friday, October 30th, 2026.

According to Aboki FX , the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Monday, November 2nd, 2026,