Category: Nigerian Tribune

The University of Ibadan (UI) has said the opportunity for a special admission window for its Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) undergraduate programmes will close by midnight on Friday, October 10, 2025.

The institution urged all candidates currently undergoing screening or planning to apply directly to complete all requirements before the deadline.

A statement by the Director of UI DLC, Professor Babatunde Omobowale, said the UI-ODeL model provides a flexible pathway to a reputable University of Ibadan degree.

He stated that this provides an opportunity for qualified candidates whose placement is restricted by JAMB/UTME limits related to traditional classroom settings.

It also serves those who need flexible study arrangements due to work or personal reasons, or those seeking a reputable alternative pathway.

He said matriculation for the new intake will hold on Saturday, 30th of October, 2025, at the UI International Conference Centre (ICC), adding that the event is a compulsory, landmark ceremony that formally inducts new students into the prestigious University of Ibadan.

The matriculation will feature a special highlight: the Matriculation Lectures. These addresses will be delivered by the distinguished alumni who achieved a First-Class degree in Computer Science, Psychology and Political Science via the UI-ODeL mode.

‘Three First-Class graduates from the inaugural ODeL programme will share their expertise: Mr Olalekan Akolade Abass (Computer Science) will offer firsthand insights into mastering the flexible learning environment; he will be joined by Mr Akindubi Jelili Babatunde (Psychology), who will explore models for achieving academic excellence at UI; and finally, Mr. Okoye Mark (Political Science) will discuss the unique opportunities for UI-ODeL students and graduates.

‘The centre welcomes applicants with five relevant O’ Level credits in one sitting or six in two sittings to apply to programmes including: Sciences: Computer Science, Statistics; Social Sciences: Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science; Humanities and Education: Philosophy and Public Affairs, Communication and Language Arts, English, Social Work, Educational Management, Guidance and Counselling, and Library and Information Studies.’

THE Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees across the country while appealing for the approval of a new National Minimum Pension of N60,000 for pensioners.

Speaking during the 2025 Pensioners’ Day Celebration held at the union’s national headquarters in Abuja, NUP National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said the union remains deeply appreciative of the President’s ‘numerous interventions and approvals’ which have brought relief to many pensioners. He said Tinubu’s administration has shown ‘unprecedented political will’ in addressing lingering arrears and implementing pension reforms that had been neglected by previous governments.

Comrade Abumisi highlighted several achievements of the present administration, including the payment of 20% and 28% pension arrears, the implementation of the N32,000 consequential adjustment following the approval of the new N70,000 National Minimum Wage, and the recent release of N20.188 billion for the commencement of the new pension increase under the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). He also cited the approval of a N758 billion bond for the payment of arrears owed to pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the commencement of a free National Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners as ‘bold and commendable steps that reflect a humane and responsive government.’

However, while applauding these measures, the NUP President called on the Federal Government to do more to alleviate the economic hardship confronting elderly citizens. ‘In the spirit of our celebration and on behalf of Nigeria’s pensioners, I humbly make a passionate appeal to our amiable and indefatigable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to consider his gracious approval for a new National Minimum Pension of N60,000 instead of N32,000,’ Abumisi said. He stressed that the current pension value has been rendered almost meaningless by the high cost of living, adding that: ‘the hyperinflation which has for long bedevilled Nigeria has eroded the current value of our currency and has, by so doing, rubbished our monthly pensions which can only purchase little or insignificant quantum of food and other welfare items, not to talk of our medical needs.’

Abumisi also appealed to the Federal Government to release the remaining N37 billion out of the N58 billion earlier approved for the implementation and payment of arrears arising from the N32,000 pension increase. He urged the President to ensure the inclusion of pensioners from seven defunct parastatals: PHCN, NITEL/MTEL, Peoples Bank, Assurance Bank, Petroleum Institutes, NICON Insurance, and Nigeria Insurance who were inadvertently excluded from benefitting from the new pension increase. ‘We appeal to Your Excellency to please direct the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to issue a fresh circular to accommodate the affected parastatals,’ he said.

The NUP President further reminded the government of the need to pay the backlog of pay-off entitlements to defunct Nigeria Airways pensioners, estimated at about N36 billion, and to release the three months’ N25,000 palliative earlier approved for pensioners to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Turning to state governments, Abumisi expressed concern that only 13 out of Nigeria’s 36 states currently prioritise the regular payment of pensions and gratuities. He, however, commended governors who have demonstrated responsibility toward retirees’ welfare, singling out Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State for paying N27 billion of inherited pension arrears with a promise to clear the balance before the end of his tenure. He also applauded Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo), Umar Bago (Niger), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Alex Otti (Abia), Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Charles Soludo (Anambra) for maintaining prompt pension and gratuity payments in their respective states.

‘To these pensioner-friendly governors, I say bravo!’ Abumisi declared. He urged other governors ‘with humongous arrears of pensions and gratuities hanging on their necks’ to emulate their peers by beginning payment immediately, warning that failure to do so continues to impoverish retirees who have already given their best years to public service.

The NUP leader also reminded state governors and local government chairmen of their constitutional obligation to implement all pension increases approved by the Federal Government over the years, including the 6.5%, 15%, 33%, 20/28%, ?30,000 consequential adjustment, and the N32,000 pension increase, in line with Section 173 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates pension reviews every five years.

The event, which marked the third consecutive celebration of Pensioners’ Day since its official declaration by the Federal Government in 2021, was a mix of celebration and sober reflection. Abumisi described the day as ‘a proud moment for all Nigerian pensioners to rejoice, reflect, and renew hope,’ while expressing optimism that ‘by the next celebration in 2026, all state councils, branches, and sectoral units will have fully aligned with the October 5 declaration for a nationwide observance.’

Concluding his address, the NUP President reaffirmed his gratitude for being re-elected unopposed for a second term during the union’s National Delegates’ Conference held earlier in April in Kano. He pledged to ‘serve pensioners much better than ever before,’ while assuring that efforts are ongoing to resolve internal crises in some state councils and address outstanding pension arrears still owed by various governments.

He prayed for continued good health and longevity for all pensioners, declaring that ‘the goodness and mercy of God shall never depart from us as we pray to celebrate more of this day in the years ahead.’

An agricultural company based Ibadan FarmerGiant, has reaffirmed its commitment to helping Nigerians achieve their dream farms with ease.

The company also called on the government to implement and monitor effective policies for the growth of agriculture in the country.

This was stated by Dr. Paul Oche, Chairman of FarmerGiant, during the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, alongside the unveiling of the company’s new head office and logo at Apata, Ibadan.

‘Primarily, we are farmers. We operate poultry farms, piggery farms, and crop farms. We also manufacture farm equipment such as incubators, hatchers, cassava processors, feed processors, and palm oil processors. In addition, we offer expertise in farm consultancy, planning, surveys, and business plans to further develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector,’ Dr. Oche said.

He added that while the Nigerian government has introduced commendable agricultural policies-such as low-interest loans, tariff-free importation, and a high prohibition list-it remains a challenge that these policies are not being fully implemented, which poses a major constraint to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the company’s new logo, the opening of its new office in Apata, Ibadan, and the erection of the largest Nigerian flag in the vicinity. The occasion was graced by staff members, farmers from across the state, and other key stakeholders.

HOW will you assess the housing sector in the last 65 years of Nigeria’s independence

Nigeria prides itself in gaining political independence in 1960 but to me, the bondage of Nigerians today is more grievous than we were under the colonial rule. Looking at it from all angles, there is no indication of freedom. Our social, economic and political lives are tied to the desires of the colonial masters. The housing sector has not faired so well because it has suffered so much epileptic policy direction and weak political will. Today, it is rumoured or estimated that the housing deficit is in the region of over 20 million units. Even at a very unrealistic and conservative estimate of an occupancy ratio of 2 persons per habitable room; then we have not less than 40 million persons who are critically in need of decent houses to live. This is to say the least, embarrassing and undesirable. Despite the huge intervention of the private sector in housing by increasing the quantitative availability, affordability of the houses is a problem. Though Nigeria’s housing sector has shown resilience and some positive momentum, especially in the last few years, it is still not well enough. Government initiatives, growing recognition of housing as a priority, innovative models, and increasing private sector engagement are all good signs but they end up as issues in political manifestos. Giving housing a head-on, pragmatic response is still far-fetched. On the whole, the gap between policy/initiative and lived reality is still large. The majority of people who need decent, affordable housing are still priced out, unable to access mortgages, burdened by high rents, or forced into informal housing or overcrowding. If, in the first quarter of the 21st century, some Nigerians are still living in terrible slums, shanties and under bridges in our National capital, State capitals and major settlements, we can conclude that a lot still needs to be done in the housing sector.

Can you say that Nigerians have been properly housed?

As indicated earlier, Nigerians are not properly housed. Apart from the deficit, prices of housing and rents are getting out of reach for an average Nigerian; indeed, they rise much faster than wages. Many Nigerians spend 40-60% of their income on rent, far above the recommended 25-30%. The level of informal housing is high as innumerable number of Nigerians live in slums, informal settlements, or overcrowded conditions without any physical plan for their development and access to safe water, sanitation, or reliable electricity and other basic services. This would also account for incessant building collapses which remain a recurring tragedy, reflecting weak enforcement of standards.

What are major achievements in the housing sector and notable challenges?

There are some achievements made by government over the years. First is knowing that Nigerians need to live in decent houses. It is said that knowing a problem makes it half-solved. In the public sector, a lot of investments have been such as low-cost houses during Shagari regime and other similar interventions by successive administrations upto the current Renewed Hope Housing programmes. But these programmes were simply political programmes whereby they make a lot of noise declaring outrageous number of housing units and building only few. Even the few that are built go to their cronies as rewards for political patronage. Other interventions include the establishment of financial and mortgage institutions such as Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, National Housing Fund, Family Homes Fund, Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and related agencies. The private sector has also made significant impact on housing through acquisition of land for mass housing and constructing them in different parts of the country. Some of the interventions include the rent-to-own programme which has provided an alternative for low to middle income earners. The private sector has also been involved in advocacy through institutions such the Housing Development Advocacy Network and the recently inaugurated Nathaniel Atebije Foundation for Planning Advocacy. Major achievements in the development of local building materials have been made through research by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute which has increased the use of local materials, prefabricated housing, and modular construction to reduce costs and speed up delivery.

The challenges that we still face include the lack of consideration of physical planning for housing interventions. Their locations within the settlement fabric are uncoordinated to make the needed impact. Most times they are cited out of immediate reach of the dwellers of the benefitting town hence, they face challenges of infrastructure, transportation, security and other environmental problems. Therefore, they are left unoccupied until they are vandalized and the houses become useless and wasted investment of public funds. High cost of land, building materials, and finance keeps housing out of reach for the majority while mortgages remain unaffordable due to high interest rates and short tenures. The Land Use Act (1978) is outdated, creating bottlenecks in land acquisition and titling. Numerous housing policies and masterplans have been developed, but weak implementation, corruption, and lack of political will undermine progress.

Can you say the government of the day is living up to expectations in the housing sector?

I would say, not quite. Nigerians expected much more than what they are getting. The current administration launched what they call Renewed Hope Cities and Estates. Good as the idea may be, it was conceived and located without considerations of physical planning. Implementation in some of the States (including even the Federal Capital City – Abuja) did not pass through required planning approvals as prescribed by the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act. Some of the positive efforts include the moves to strengthen the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), expand mortgage access, and create special real estate investment funds (MREIF) showing intent to tackle financing gaps. Another is the strong collaboration with developers, cooperatives, and housing advocacy groups.

However, a lot of negative issues surround the expectations of the Nigerians. Less than two years into the first term of the current administration, efforts have been much on campaigning for a second term. Attention has tilted from housing to the hunger for retaining power. Meanwhile, affordability remains elusive as cement, steel, and land costs continue to soar; mortgage interest rates remain out of reach for the average worker; informal settlements keep expanding in cities, showing that housing supply for the poor is not matching demand; programmes are launched with fanfare, but delivery is slow, fragmented, and sometimes politicised; and, the massive infrastructure deficit as new estates are often poorly serviced with roads, water, and power, making them less attractive or unsustainable.

What are the solutions to the challenges in the sector?

The government needs to take some quick steps to resolve the challenges. First, there is the need to engage consultants to prepare master plans and other levels of physical plans for cities and major settlements in Nigeria. This will appropriately identify the areas of the settlements where housing would be located profitably (in terms of social satisfaction). There is the urgent need to review the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law, which is over 33 years old, some parts of which are greatly inconsistent with contemporary demands of the Nigerian society. Other important steps to take would include reviewing the Land Use Act o 1978, digitize land records to make titles more secure; strengthen institutions by building the capacity of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and state housing agencies to deliver affordable housing at scale; encourage cooperative housing schemes and provide targeted subsidies on land, infrastructure, or interest rates for affordable housing developers. There is the need to invest in local cement, tiles, timber, and alternative technologies (compressed earth blocks, bamboo, prefab); provide incentives for developers by giving tax breaks or reduced duties for developers who commit at least 40-50% of projects to affordable housing. Encourage land-for-housing exchanges whereby government can provide serviced land to developers in return for affordable units. The Federal Government, as a form of technical assistance to the States should embark on upgrading informal settlements by providing basic infrastructure (water, sanitation, roads).

THE Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has said voters across the North and the South will reject President Bola Tinubu’s bid for reelection in 2027.

Reacting to a recent statement by the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the South West coordinator of GHSM, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, said the party’s ‘usual arrogance and false sense of invincibility’ will once again lead to its downfall at the polls.

‘In 2023, it was in this same manner that the Lagos APC dismissed opposition elements as ‘online politicians,’ only to lose the presidential election in Lagos to the very people they mocked,’ Abass stated.

‘The APC not only lost the presidential election in Lagos State, but Tinubu also lost across Southern Nigeria. He was merely rescued by the APC in Northern Nigeria, a base that has now completely evaporated,’ he added.

It said the northern bloc that supported President Tinubu in 2023 has since ‘fractured beyond repair’ due to what it described as the catastrophic economic and security failures of his administration.

Abass criticised the APC’s economic management, accusing the party of presiding over a decade-long collapse that ‘defies logic.’

‘For 10 years under APC leadership, Nigeria’s economy has suffered a collapse that defies logic. The economy has shrunk by almost 50 percent within a decade, an economic disaster unprecedented in Nigerian history.

‘Not even during military rule, nor in the civil war era, did the nation experience this depth of economic devastation,’ he said.

The movement said the APC administration has failed woefully in addressing insecurity, despite campaigning on the promise to end insurgency in the North East.

He described the Tinubu administration as ‘synonymous with hunger, poverty, and hopelessness,’ adding that the people of Nigeria can no longer be deceived by propaganda or empty promises.

Olaniyi emphasised that the 2027 general elections would not be determined by regional loyalty or political coercion, but by the people’s lived realities.

‘With the decapitation of the APC in the North and its dismal record in office, no amount of coercion or conscription of Southern State chief executives into its fold can offer it a pathway out of comprehensive defeat in 2027,’ he said.

‘The South West electorate is far too educated and progressive to reward monumental failure with another term simply because President Tinubu hails from the region,’ he added.

Responding to the APC’s mockery of Dr Gbenga Hashim, Abass drew a parallel with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who contested four times before achieving victory.

‘President Buhari, whose burial site President Tinubu is now clutching to like a political totem for the 2027 election, contested four good times before becoming victorious. The time for victory in the race of life is in the hand of God, and it is our firm belief that 2027 is the time of Dr Gbenga Hashim by the Grace of God,’ he declared.

The GHSM maintained that Gbenga Hashim’s ideology of responsible governance and people-centered politics has become the new hope for millions of Nigerians disillusioned by the deceit and manipulation of the Tinubu political structure.

The movement stated that the 2027 elections will not be a contest of propaganda, but a referendum on competence, truth, and genuine development.

‘The people have seen through the deceit. No political marketing can sell hardship as progress anymore. Gbenga Hashim will not only emerge as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2027; he will defeat Bola Tinubu and restore Nigeria to the path of justice, prosperity, and national unity,’ the group said.

DETAILS of how the South-West caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may adopt a preferred candidate for national secretary ahead of the national convention of the party coming between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital emerged on Monday.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that the battle for the position, which is zoned to the South-East in the outgoing dispensation, was mired on controversy and litigation between two tendencies, which left the PDP almost in limbo for about two years.

The PDP eventually settled for one of the claimants to the post, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in a seeming compromise at the 100th National Executive Committee of party.

Some main stakeholders in the party told the Nigerian Tribune that the leaders from the South-West were holding extensive consultations on how to come up with a consensus candidate since the position is already ceded to the geopolitical zone ahead of the elective convention.

A source said two bigwigs of PDP from the South-West have in London as more party faithful intensified lobbying for their preferred choice from Ogun State, which is micro-zoned with Lagos State.

Incidentally, the current deputy national secretary of PDP, Architect Setonji Koshedo, hails from Lagos.

Other party chieftains informed the Nigerian Tribune that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would be given the right to put forward a possible preferred candidate because of the status and strategic position of the two-term governor in PDP caucus in the South-West.

But his choice, according to the leaders, would not be automatic as it will be subject to due process since, in the words of one the PDP elders; PDP is not a one-man show.

The stakeholders also ruled out the possibility of either Oyo or Osun getting the privilege to present candidates for the post of national secretary, since both states currently hold the posts of deputy national chairman and national vice chairman/zonal chairman respectively.

In a memo dated September 1, 2025, addressed to the PDP national chairman through the deputy national chairman (South), the zoning committee for the Southern Region zoned the positions opf national auditor, and deputy national organizing secretary along with national secretary to the South-West.

The committee recommended the posts of national financial secretary, deputy national secretary, national women’s leader and deputy national leader to the South-East, while the offices of deputy national chairman (South), national publicity secretary, deputy national treasurer and deputy national legal adviser were proposed for the South-South.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on the phone on preparations for the PDP convention as regards national offices, a former deputy national chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George, emphasised the issue of privileged that would be given Governor Makinde in making a greater input into who emerges as the consensus candidate of the South-West as national secretary, in consultations with other elders and leaders of thought of the party.

George, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, said: ‘The governor should have an interest in who emerges as the candidate for the position given his position in the South-West PDP caucus. Though it is not automatic, we must able to concede to the governor. We will share whatever is left.

‘If there are certain things we observe that needs a collective action, we will settle them. He knows what he wants in consultations with elders.

‘Whatever he brings, we will approve and if there are issues, we will address them and move forward. That’s the way the PDP works, once it is something that will bring comfort, unity and progress to the South-West.

He said the PDP was ‘not like the other political party because there is no room for arbitrariness; we have had all congresses at the ward, local and state levels.’

‘The position they gave us, we will have to call a meeting and work with the elders. We will network and get the support of everybody. It is a collective responsibility. It is not a private property,’ Chief George said.

A former national vice chairman of PDP, Chief Eddy Olufeso, said that all processes that will culminate into the national convention remain seamless, citing the conduct of congresses from ward to the local and state levels so far.

He said the leaders do not envisage any form of hiccups because of the ongoing collaborative efforts of the critical stakeholders in the PDP to guarantee the emergence of formidable structures.

Similarly, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Senator Olu Alabi, told the Nigerian Tribune that there are concerted efforts by the leaders to produce a consensus candidate for the post of national secretary.

THE Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has said voters across the North and the South will reject President Bola Tinubu’s bid for reelection in 2027.

Reacting to a recent statement by the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the South West coordinator of GHSM, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, said the party’s ‘usual arrogance and false sense of invincibility’ will once again lead to its downfall at the polls.

‘In 2023, it was in this same manner that the Lagos APC dismissed opposition elements as ‘online politicians,’ only to lose the presidential election in Lagos to the very people they mocked,’ Abass stated.

‘The APC not only lost the presidential election in Lagos State, but Tinubu also lost across Southern Nigeria. He was merely rescued by the APC in Northern Nigeria, a base that has now completely evaporated,’ he added.

It said the northern bloc that supported President Tinubu in 2023 has since ‘fractured beyond repair’ due to what it described as the catastrophic economic and security failures of his administration.

Abass criticised the APC’s economic management, accusing the party of presiding over a decade-long collapse that ‘defies logic.’

‘For 10 years under APC leadership, Nigeria’s economy has suffered a collapse that defies logic. The economy has shrunk by almost 50 percent within a decade, an economic disaster unprecedented in Nigerian history.

‘Not even during military rule, nor in the civil war era, did the nation experience this depth of economic devastation,’ he said.

The movement said the APC administration has failed woefully in addressing insecurity, despite campaigning on the promise to end insurgency in the North East.

He described the Tinubu administration as ‘synonymous with hunger, poverty, and hopelessness,’ adding that the people of Nigeria can no longer be deceived by propaganda or empty promises.

Olaniyi emphasised that the 2027 general elections would not be determined by regional loyalty or political coercion, but by the people’s lived realities.

‘With the decapitation of the APC in the North and its dismal record in office, no amount of coercion or conscription of Southern State chief executives into its fold can offer it a pathway out of comprehensive defeat in 2027,’ he said.

‘The South West electorate is far too educated and progressive to reward monumental failure with another term simply because President Tinubu hails from the region,’ he added.

Responding to the APC’s mockery of Dr Gbenga Hashim, Abass drew a parallel with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who contested four times before achieving victory.

‘President Buhari, whose burial site President Tinubu is now clutching to like a political totem for the 2027 election, contested four good times before becoming victorious. The time for victory in the race of life is in the hand of God, and it is our firm belief that 2027 is the time of Dr Gbenga Hashim by the Grace of God,’ he declared.

The GHSM maintained that Gbenga Hashim’s ideology of responsible governance and people-centered politics has become the new hope for millions of Nigerians disillusioned by the deceit and manipulation of the Tinubu political structure.

The movement stated that the 2027 elections will not be a contest of propaganda, but a referendum on competence, truth, and genuine development.

‘The people have seen through the deceit. No political marketing can sell hardship as progress anymore. Gbenga Hashim will not only emerge as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2027; he will defeat Bola Tinubu and restore Nigeria to the path of justice, prosperity, and national unity,’ the group said.

It used to be sad tales of farmers losing every pod from their cowpea to the devastating maruca vitrata, also known as pod borer insect which has the capacity to destroy over 70 percent of cowpea pods while on the field. The story always ends in misery as rural farmers lose their money and investment.

But for Ogenomor Emmanuel, each leaf, each pod, is a testimony against pests, doubt, and fear that innovation can change the story of beans in Nigeria. For him, what was once a modest yield has become exportable quality, and with it, the promise of better nutrition, income, and a country less dependent on imports.

Cowpea is more than staples in Nigerian homes, they are among the cheapest sources of protein, rich in essential nutrients which include protein, fibre, iron, folate, and other minerals. For many households, cowpeas cushion against hunger, especially this period when meat prices have skyrocketed.

Yet Nigeria’s cowpea story remains regrettable. According to data from FAO and other studies, cowpea/dried cowpea production was around 4.3 million metric tons in 2023 yet demand and consumption deficits is still prevalent.

Nigeria is experiencing a deficit not just domestic. Poor quality, contamination (by pesticide residues, insects, pathogens), storage losses, and insufficient yields have meant that Nigeria often fails to capitalize on export markets or fully meet its own needs.

As Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of Agriculture biotechnology at National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) argues, Nigeria imports hundreds of millions of naira’s worth of beans annually to fill its own shortfall.

Estimates place Nigeria’s cowpea import bill at about N10 billion annually. Furthermore, export revenue is lost when standards are not met. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) reports that failure to meet phytosanitary and pesticide-residue requirements costs the country some US$362.5 million annually in potential export revenue.

On nutrition, UNICEF data show that 32 percent of children under five in Nigeria are stunted, over 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and more than 11 million children face food poverty.

This scary data means that improving access to affordable, nutritious legumes like cowpea (with high protein, minerals, and relatively inexpensive cultivation) could have major public health impacts.

At the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, a team of Scientists, led by Professor Mohammed Ishiyaku developed Bt Cowpea, a variety genetically engineered to resist the Maruca pod borer, a major insect pest that can ravage cowpea yields.

This move is in response to the need to address the ravaging effect of pod borer, increase yield, improve rural farmers’ livelihoods and drive economic prosperity for the nation at large.

With fewer pesticide sprays required and better resistance to insect damage, Cowpea can help raise yields, improve quality, lower costs, reduce environmental, health and residue risks, and support export compliance.

In 2023 Emmanuel began farming with 5 hectares of Cowpea; by 2025 he is also cultivating 7.7 hectares. He recounts how with local varieties he got 3-4 bags per hectare, often losing 60-70 percent of pods to insects despite spraying 7 or 8 times. With Cowpea, he sprays once every 15 days, and the plant endures.

‘This is my farm. It is about 7.7 hectare of land. I Started the farming business in 2023, I started with five hectares, and from five hectares is where we are today. As you can see, the crop is exceptionally doing well’, Emmanuel said as he wears a smile.

Today, he gets 19 to 22 bags per hectare from the Bt cowpea variety, roughly 5-7 times what local varieties would yield under similar circumstances.

Beyond yield, Emmanuel emphasises quality: ‘There’s one thing about this particular Cowpea, maybe because of the gene it contains, when it is being cooked, it takes less time to get done, unlike the normal cowpea variety that will take up to three hours, before it gets ready, but this new variety takes about 35 to 40 minutes before it gets ready’, he said.

Emmanuel, who is also an out-grower for seed companies, has been exporting Cowpea since October 2024, to buyers in the United Kingdom and the United States, fetching double what he would make in local markets because of purity. The export opportunity has been catalytic, not just for Emmanuel’s income, but he says it offers a model that can scale.

‘I have people who I export to in the United Kingdom and the United States, I sold it at double of what I usually sell in the local market. I started exporting beans in October 2024, the people that buy it from me talk about the purity of the particular Cowpea that was what made them actually key into doing business with me.

‘And it’s a kind of variety. The gene is so pure, the one I planted for the rainy season got me 19 bags and half bags per hectare’, he explained.

For the UK market, standards are strict, the regulatory agency there looks out for pesticide residues, traces of insect damage, moisture content, and overall purity are monitored.

Many Nigerian beans fail these tests, or are rejected, costing farmers and exporters. The NAQS figure of US$362.5 million in lost revenue annually reflects how big a prize is being missed.

But because of its pest resistance, reduction on the risk of insect damage and the need for lesser pesticide application, the Bt Cowpea can meet export criteria more reliably.

Also, the UK is a stable market, often willing to pay premiums for quality, clean, certified produce. For Emmanuel, the double value he gets for export versus local market underscores how much extra income is possible.

When Emmanuel visits his farm and sees the flourishing pods and leaves, his strides animate something larger than farming, his life has shifted. Where local cowpea variety gave him just enough, Cowpea has given surplus, export markets, dignity.

He recalled the pains of waiting, spraying eight times, losing half of the pods, then barely making enough to feed family and pay local bills. But now he sprays once every two weeks, the plants stand strong, the pods fill, the beans are clean.

He sells some locally, but more are packed for export. Buyers in the UK notice purity, no damage, minimal waste, grains that pass residue tests.

For Emmanuel, that means not just business, but also hope. Hope that other farmers in Nasarawa and beyond will follow. Hope that Nigeria can reduce imports and lose revenue. His farm is not just a plot of land, it’s a pilot, a beacon.

Cowpea may not solve Nigeria’s malnutrition overnight. But it is a powerful tool that bridges technology, markets, nutrition, and lives. For Emmanuel, for his neighbors, for thousands beyond the borders of Nasarawa, this seed is more than cowpea. It is a seed of change.

As the export boxes move toward the UK, they carry not just beans, but hope that innovation, when paired with support, can feed a nation, elevate its farmers, and heal its children.

The Managing Director of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, has solicited collective actions to expand financial access for small businesses as means of building capacity for economic growth of the country.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a breakfast session during the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit, themed ‘Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments’, Alebiosu reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to bridge financing gaps and leveraging digital solutions to tackle business challenges across key sectors of the economy.

He said that a prosperous nation is built on the backbone of its real sector, adding that access to finance remains fundamental to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

According to him, FirstBank empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporates through tailored products and services designed to stimulate growth across their value chains and support Nigeria’s economic evolution.

Alebiosu stressed that collaboration among policymakers, industry players, and technology partners was vital to achieving lasting impact.

‘By forging partnerships across policy, industry, and technology, we can create an enabling environment that unlocks new opportunities for businesses to thrive. That is the driving purpose of today’s session,’ he said.

He highlighted that with a legacy spanning 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted partner to SMEs and large corporates, offering comprehensive banking solutions that enhance innovation, resilience, and diversification in the economy.

On his part, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North Division, Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, said the middle market and emerging corporates are central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of job creation, innovation, and diversification across key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital services, and light manufacturing.

Bubaram noted that despite their potential, these businesses face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational ecosystems.

‘FirstBank recognises that addressing these barriers is not just a banking imperative; it is a national imperative.

‘This session is not merely about banking; it is about reimagining how finance can accelerate inclusion, how policy can create enabling environments, and how collective action can turn Nigeria’s vast entrepreneurial energy into shared prosperity,’ Bubaram stated.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday disclosed that security and electoral reforms remain top priority.

Hon. Tajudeen who gave the assurance while welcoming members from the resumption from the annual recess, noted the responsibilities before the House are substantial, and the progress we have made so far is meaningful but incomplete.

While acknowledging that Nigerian people look to us for more as they expect deliberate action that improves their daily lives, Speaker Tajudeen said: ‘The Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pursued reforms to stabilise the economy, enhance security, and attract investment.

‘These efforts require a legislature that provides rigorous oversight, crafts sound laws, and engages constructively with all arms of government.

‘Our midterm review confirms that the 10th House of Representatives has been the most productive since 1999, both in terms of legislative outputs and outcomes.

‘Despite political and economic challenges, we have strengthened internal capacity, updated our rules, and expanded citizen participation.

‘We have deepened public engagement through the House Open Week, town halls, media briefings, and the use of digital and new media tools.

‘Between June 2023 and mid-2025, the House considered 2,263 bills, passed 237, and secured Presidential assent for 50, covering power reform, student loans, cybersecurity, tax policy, and regional development.

‘Our oversight is becoming more rigorous, with ongoing investigations and financial recoveries.

‘Crucially, constructive collaboration with the Executive has enabled timely budgets, aligned reforms and effective policy outcomes, all while preserving the legislature’s independence and demonstrating that shared goals deliver more than conflict.

‘Honourable colleagues, during the recess, national indicators showed cautious optimism. Headline inflation decreased for a fifth consecutive month to 20.12 per cent, while food inflation also eased.

‘Diplomatic measures restored United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa services and Emirates flights, reopening avenues for trade and travel. Our security agencies have disrupted insurgent networks and rescued abducted Citizens.

‘While progress has been made, Nigerians still experience high living costs, underemployment, and insecurity in some areas.

‘These challenges present opportunities for us to implement targeted legislative actions and foster ongoing engagement to create a brighter future for all.

‘In the coming months, our attention must turn to several urgent priorities. Chief among them is the constitutional amendment.

‘Eighty-seven proposals concerning devolution of powers, local government autonomy, judicial reform, and socio-economic rights await debate and voting.

‘The national public hearing held on Monday, 22 September 2025, organised by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, was well-attended and highly successful, reflecting broad public interest and support.

‘We must now complete these votes and transmit the approved amendments to the State Assemblies before the end of December to enable early concurrence ahead of the election period.’

While stressing the need for the House to finalise electoral reforms well ahead of the 2027 general elections, Speaker Tajudeen explained that the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill seeks not only to strengthen measures against violence, improve access for persons with disabilities, and establish clearer timelines for resolving disputes, but also to reduce the ambiguities that trailed the last elections.

‘Our goal is to make elections less contentious and litigious, lower their cost through single-day voting, and make the process of party primaries more democratic and inclusive. Related constitutional changes include provisions for an Electoral Offences Commission. Our goal is to produce a new Electoral Act that stands the test of time.

‘Honourable colleagues, another major priority is the Reserved Seats Bill for women. Currently, women hold fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, placing Nigeria among the countries with the lowest female parliamentary representation worldwide.

‘The bill proposes creating additional seats, without reallocating existing ones. These seats will be contested exclusively by women. They are entirely new and will not affect the current 109 seats in the Senate or the 360 seats in the House.

‘This arrangement preserves the mandate and aspirations of existing Members while expanding opportunities for women’s representation and helping Nigeria improve its poor global standing. I urge Members to support this historic step. We are all HeForShe in advancing gender inclusion, and how we vote on this bill will shape how history and our daughters remember us.’

He said: ‘Security reforms remain a top priority. The debate on multi-level policing must move from theory to decisive legislative action. Creating State Police through a constitutional amendment remains an option. At the same time, we must strengthen community policing by revising the Police Act, 2020.

‘While Section 19 establishes Community Policing Committees and Section 33(1) vests recruitment in the Inspector-General of Police, these provisions centralise too much authority and limit local responsiveness.

‘We should consider devolving recruitment, training, and deployment of community police officers to states under federal oversight. This would give states a greater role in shaping their security architecture while preserving national standards and coordination.’

‘Economic recovery and job creation must stay at the core of our agenda. Small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of our economy, continue to face high costs, unreliable electricity, and limited access to credit.

‘We must utilise legislative measures to speed up the implementation of the Startup Act, vocational training hubs, and technology parks.

‘Equally important is progressive legislation to promote renewable energy, enhance grid reliability, and attract private investment to stabilise power supply and stimulate growth.’