Category: Nigerian Tribune

AS the tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) draws to a close, public attention is shifting not only to his legacy, but also on renewed calls on the mode of appointment of the leadership of the electoral body. Yakubu, who steps down in November after a decade at the helm, is leaving behind a commission transformed by technology, institutional reforms, and expanded voter access. Yet his tenure has also been dogged by controversies especially during the 2023 general election. Indeed, some stakeholders are questioning whether the credibility of future elections can be guaranteed without restructuring how the INEC chairman and commissioners are appointed. Even so, potential candidates nominated to succeed Yakubu as chairman of INEC are reportedly being interviewed and vetted ahead of President Tinubu’s consultations with the Council of State. ‘The President will soon convene a Council of State meeting where he will present the names to the council. It is a constitutional requirement,’ argues a source. There are speculations that President Tinubu will likely nominate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional law scholar, as the next INEC Chairman. Amupitan, a professor of law at the University of Jos, is known for his expertise in constitutional jurisprudence, human rights, and democratic governance.

However, civil society groups and election monitors insist that presidential appointments compromise the independence of the commission. At a roundtable in Abuja last week, Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the International Press Centre (IPC), and 12 other organisations unveiled a Citizens Memorandum for Reform of the Electoral Legal Framework. The document recommends amending Sections 154 and 158 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Part F of the Third Schedule, to introduce a multi-stakeholder approach to the appointment of INEC leadership. ‘The scope of consultations should expand beyond the Council of State to other critical stakeholders like traditional and religious institutions, including civil society,’ the groups said in a joint statement. The memorandum outlines 37 recommendations across 15 strategic objectives. Of these, 21 require constitutional amendments, while 16 relate to the Electoral Act 2022.

According to Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, ‘Elections are only as credible as the institutions that manage them. If the president continues to wield the power to appoint, it undermines the neutrality of INEC in the eyes of the public.’ Despite these concerns, analysts acknowledge that Yakubu has advanced electoral management in Nigeria. Under his watch, INEC rolled out the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for biometric voter authentication and introduced the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), which allowed polling unit results to be uploaded in real time. ‘The IReV is Prof. Yakubu’s brainchild. It was designed to digitise Form EC60E that was often destroyed at polling units,’ said Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer at the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network. ‘Unfortunately, technical glitches during the 2023 elections eroded the credibility of an otherwise progressive innovation.’ Yakubu championed Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which added over 12 million new voters-mostly young people-to the register, raising the total to a record 93 million. INEC expanded polling units by more than 56,000, easing congestion in urban and rural areas alike.

‘INEC under Yakubu made genuine attempts to broaden participation of marginalised groups,’ Aigbe added. ‘But perception issues overshadowed many of these gains.’ Another milestone was Yakubu’s role in pushing for the passage of the Electoral Act 2022. The law authorised the use of technology in elections, extended timelines for candidate nominations, and empowered INEC to review results declared under duress within seven days. That amendment was inspired by the 2019 Imo North senatorial election,’ Aigbe explained. ‘For the first time, INEC had the power to intervene in cases of coercion before the courts got involved.’But as Yakubu bows out, opinions still remain divided. Some analysts point to his institutional reforms and technological innovations as a foundation for future progress, while critics highlight persistent logistical lapses, technical failures, and some mistrust in election outcomes. ‘Yakubu moved the commission forward in many ways,’ said a constitutional lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu. ‘But what good are reforms if the public no longer believes in the results?’ For reform advocates, the debate over Yakubu’s legacy has sharpened the urgency of insulating INEC from political control. ‘The real issue is not just who chairs INEC after Yakubu,’ Itodo stressed, ‘but how that person is appointed. Without that reform, Nigerians will continue to question the integrity of our elections.’ As Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle, the story of INEC remains one of promise and paradox.

Yakubu’s era delivered important reforms, but also exposed the limits of technology in the absence of political will and institutional trust. The incoming INEC Chairman now has the task of consolidating those gains while navigating the legitimacy crisis that has dogged the commission.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says Nigeria’s non-oil export rose to $1.791 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation exercise organised for sesame seed farmers on Thursday in Dutse, Jigawa.

The theme of the workshop was: ‘A Tactical Involvement for Enhancing the Production Capacity of Sesame Seed in Jigawa State.’

Represented by Okany Chika Sylvia, Chief Trade Promotion Officer, NEPC, Ayeni said the export value represented a 24.75 per cent increase compared to 19.59 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

She noted that non-oil export performance in 2024 indicated that sesame seed ranked third among the top 20 export products, amounting to 337,825.8 metric tonnes, representing 4.63 per cent of total exports.

‘Nigeria can obtain a significant share in the enormous forex from sesame seed export in the global market,’ she said.

Ayeni stressed the need to enhance the nation’s sesame yields and production to maximise export potential along the value chain.

In her presentation, Sylvia recalled that Nigeria’s sesame seed export to Japan between 2019 and 2021 was allegedly threatened due to the discovery of excess pesticide residue and salmonella.

‘The offshoot of this discovery was raised by the Japan Oil and Fat Importers and Exporters Association (JOFIEA) on 5 August, 2022.

‘Relatively, the Japanese authorities allegedly confirmed that a high dose of pesticide residue found in sesame seed exported to Japan between 2019 and 2021 was 1.9 times in excess of the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL),’ she said.

She identified challenges confronting sesame seed exports, including poor compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, cross-contamination during handling, and lack of proper documentation by exporters.

Proffering solutions, she said the issues could be addressed through tackling contaminants from farm gate to market, adopting a comprehensive approach, and training farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

‘The introduction of technology-driven traceability systems, tackling logistics hurdles, packaging and product differentiation will also curtail the situation.

‘Quality testing, deployment of modern technology, awareness campaigns as well as establishment of proper storage systems are vital,’ she added.

Sylvia further advocated the establishment of clusters within the medium term, stressing that the Council would engage relevant stakeholders to ensure zero rejection of agricultural exports, especially sesame seed.

‘We believe that through strategic engagement and partnerships, Nigeria’s sesame seed export will be boosted and competitively repositioned across major destination markets.’

NEPC’s Jigawa Coordinator, Mr Abdulkadir Aliyu, said the forum aimed at increasing Nigeria’s sesame seed output.

He noted that the overall objective was to help the country tap into growing opportunities in the global market, particularly in foreign exchange earnings.

‘This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and contribute meaningfully to the development of this important sector,’ he said.

One of the participants, Balaraba Ibrahim, called for the establishment of aggregation centres for sesame seed processing in Jigawa.

She expressed concern over the level of exploitation faced by sesame farmers who lack the capacity to process their produce, forcing them to sell at cheaper prices.

Another participant, Magaji Rabi’u, urged farmers and residents of the state to explore export opportunities through the NEPC.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained that its decision to dissolve the party’s executives in Akwa Ibom was due to their alleged alignment with Governor Umo Eno, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the executives were no longer acting in the interest of the PDP but were under the influence of the state governor.

‘In Akwa Ibom State, the governor has left. At the National Working Committee (NWC), we noticed there was no difference between members of the executives and their alignment with the APC,’ Ologunagba said.

Citing the party’s constitution, he added: ‘Section 10, Subsection 6 says no member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP or any of its elected governments. It is an anathema to belong to two parties at the same time. The governor even said on tape that he will be in charge of the two parties.’

Akwa Ibom, once a PDP stronghold since the return of civil rule in 1999, lost its grip on the party following Governor Eno’s defection to the APC on June 6, 2025.

Eno became the second PDP governor in the South-South to join the APC within two months, after Delta State’s Sheriff Oborevwori.

Four months after the defection, the PDP formally moved to dissolve its state executive council in Akwa Ibom, a step Ologunagba said was necessary to protect the integrity of the party.

The Ondo State Government on Friday announced that it has paid over N12 billion in gratuities to local government retirees whose entitlements had been pending for more than a decade.

The government also commended all 18 local government chairmen in the state for their efforts in promoting grassroots development, saving funds, and embracing transparency in governance.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in Akure while briefing journalists on the outcome of the ministry’s inspection tour of the 18 local government areas.

Takuro said the payment covered retirees between 2010 and 2013, adding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the release of the funds to ease the suffering of former workers who had served the state meritoriously but were left unpaid by previous administrations.

‘On gratuities alone, we have spent almost N12 billion to pay local government retirees between 2010 and 2013. These people had retired for ten to fifteen years without receiving their entitlements.

‘Though the backlog was not caused by this administration, government is a continuum, and Mr Governor directed us to save money specifically to clear it. By next week, we will also begin payment for the 2014 retirees,’ he said.

The commissioner explained that the achievement was possible through consistent savings agreed upon at the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) meetings with council chairmen. He stressed that without such an arrangement, it would have been difficult to dedicate funds to retirees given other competing demands.

Takuro recalled that many desperate pensioners had besieged his office when he assumed duty, with some even offering to forfeit a percentage of their entitlements if their payments could be fast-tracked.

‘I felt sorry for them and told them they didn’t need to know me personally before receiving their gratuities. That was why we made proper arrangements with the local government chairmen and started saving. We have done this successfully on several occasions, and today the results are visible,’ he explained.

He praised the local government chairmen for initiating development-oriented projects within their short time in office. ‘We are glad that the local governments are alert to their responsibilities. Some have built markets, provided solar power and potable water, fixed bridges, and graded rural roads. They have also engaged our youths in agriculture, thereby creating employment opportunities and strengthening food security,’ he said.

According to him, these initiatives align with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Aiyedatiwa, both of whom consider grassroots development as the foundation of national growth.

‘If we make rural dwellers uncomfortable, there will be problems. They are the ones who provide food for us. Neglecting them will only worsen rural-to-urban migration and increase pressure on city centres. That is why Governor Aiyedatiwa has keyed into President Tinubu’s vision of grassroots empowerment,’ he stressed.

The commissioner further revealed that the councils had collectively saved N15 billion in a joint account to finance capital projects, describing the move as proof of long-term planning beyond recurrent expenses.

He added that the state government had partnered with the EFCC, ICPC, and the state anti-graft agency to train local government chairmen and senior officials on transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

According to him, the training was aimed at strengthening accountability and preventing mismanagement. ‘The trainings were designed to ensure that council officials handle public funds with the highest standards of transparency and accountability. This is to guarantee that savings and allocations are used for the good of the people,’ he said.

Takuro emphasized that the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa would continue to prioritize both the welfare of retirees and the development of grassroots communities, stressing that without strong local governance, even the state and federal governments would face challenges.

Human rights and accountability organisation, Lawyers Alert, with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), through the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, has launched a project in Katsina-Ala and Otukpo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State to strengthen democratic governance, promote fiscal transparency, and enhance accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The one-year initiative comes in the wake of the recent Supreme Court judgment institutionalising LG autonomy, which mandates direct disbursement of statutory allocations to LGAs.

While the ruling is yet to be fully complied with, stakeholders have expressed concern that many LGAs currently lack the technical and operational capacity to manage funds effectively and transparently.

Speaking on the challenge, Dr Rommy Mom, President of Lawyers Alert, noted, ‘Compounding the issue is the limited capacity of local civil society organisations (CSOs) and grassroots actors to monitor, engage, and influence governance processes at the LGA level.

‘This creates an accountability vacuum where mismanagement can thrive due to a lack of oversight and citizen engagement.’

As part of the project, Lawyers Alert is collaborating with Chairmen and Councillors of Katsina-Ala and Otukpo LGAs to build institutional capacity and empower grassroots actors.

The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Dr Orangoholga Justine Shaku, pledged support for the initiative, stating, ‘Any effort to build the capacity of my team in preparation for the official activation of local government autonomy is highly accepted and will have my full support.’

‘The initiative is a timely response to institutional and technical gaps, especially in fiscal responsibility and citizen engagement,’ he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, expressed readiness to strengthen his council’s capacity to deliver good governance.

Dr Mom emphasised that beyond strengthening LG institutions, the project aims to empower citizens.

‘By far, the most critical aspect is the ability of citizens at the grassroots to influence governance and elections in their localities. We are mapping local actors to build their capacity to engage and exercise their right to vote without fear.

‘Katsina-Ala and Otukpo are pilot LGAs. We intend to share lessons for possible replication nationwide. Good governance starts from the grassroots, and that is where it is most impactful,’ Mom said.

The one-year project is expected to foster collaborative engagement between citizens and local governments, laying the foundation for sustained democratic reforms, improved service delivery, and credible governance at the local level.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two Chinese supermarkets and eight cosmetics shops in Abuja for selling unregistered and harmful products.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the agency said the enforcement in Jabi District and Wuse Market followed consumer complaints and surveillance operations.

Officials discovered food items labelled only in Chinese and cosmetics without proper registration, in violation of NAFDAC’s regulations on sale, distribution and labelling.

The supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street, were closed for breaching the agency’s labelling policy, which requires English translations for all products sold in the Nigerian market.

NAFDAC noted that the action was part of efforts to protect public health and curb the circulation of products that endanger consumers.

The statement reads, ‘NAFDAC Seals Chinese Supermarkets and Cosmetics Shops in Abuja for Selling Unregistered and Harmful Products

‘NAFDAC has sealed two Chinese supermarkets in Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops in Wuse Market, Abuja, for violating regulations on the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products.

‘The supermarkets, located on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street, were shut down following consumer complaints and surveillance, which confirmed the sale of unregistered food items labelled only in Chinese, in breach of NAFDAC’s labelling policy, which requires English translations for the Nigerian market.’

For a long time, society has quietly told us to keep our wins to ourselves. ‘Don’t show it, people will think you’re proud. Stay humble,’ ‘let others show you,’ among other lines you might have come across. Especially for creatives and career-driven people, this has left many hiding their progress, as though celebrating yourself is a crime.

But here’s the truth: success deserves to be seen, not buried. It’s time to stop hiding your wins. You don’t have to shout about your accomplishments; you can show them in simple, non-verbal ways.

The following are ways you can show your success without being loud:

1. Upgrade your work quality

Let your results speak for themselves. If you’re a creative or a professional, a clear sign of success is an improvement in the quality of your work. People will notice the better designs, the clearer videos, cleaner products, and higher standards. You don’t have to say a word to show your success; your work will do the talking for you.

2. Dress the part

Your style can be a quiet but powerful demonstration of success. Investing in neat, classy, or more intentional outfits tells people you value yourself and your journey.

You don’t need luxury brands to make a statement; sometimes it’s simply about looking collected and confident. Think of it as wearing your success, not boasting about it.

3. Upgrade your tools

From laptops to cameras to office furniture, new tools are more than just functional; they’re symbols of growth.

A creative showing up with better gear sends a message without saying anything: ‘I’m investing in myself because I’m moving forward.’ Now that’s a cool way to show your success.

Even for career professionals, something as simple as a better home office setup or new work gadgets reflects advancement.

4. Let your lifestyle show workings

Small changes in your life can also show your success. Maybe you can now travel more, work from a nicer location, or afford healthier habits. These quiet shifts are often noticed by others and speak volumes about your progress.

5. Show up consistently

One of the most powerful ways to show success is simply by being consistent. Regularly sharing your work, staying active in your field, or attending industry events hints that you’re not just surviving, you’re thriving. People respect consistency and see it as a sign that you’re on the right path.

6. Celebrate other people

A great way to show your own success is to celebrate others loudly. When you share a colleague’s work, mentor a beginner, or create opportunities for others, you show confidence.

People notice that those who lift others often have something to be proud of themselves.

7. Quiet confidence

A real sign of success is the inner peace you carry. When faced with challenges or criticism, your ability to stay calm and grounded sends a strong signal that you’ve reached a new level. You no longer need to rush to defend yourself.

You’ve been told to hide your success, but a win that is hidden is a win that is ignored. You don’t have to shout from the rooftops. Your work, presence, lifestyle, and confidence can speak for you.

You can think of it as living your success instead of just announcing it. Because when people see the changes, they’ll know, without you saying a word.

In a bold move to transform Katsina State’s energy future, the State Executive Council (SEC), under the leadership of Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved N19.89 billion for the procurement and installation of 20.1MWp of Solar PV capacity with 10.1MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across 11 key public facilities, with additional 10MWp of solar power at Lambar Rimi.

This approval followed the presentation of a comprehensive memorandum by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power and Energy, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed, during the SEC meeting.

The proposal, backed by the Committee on Alternative Sources of Energy, underscores the administration’s strategic commitment to renewable energy as a sustainable pathway to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, easing the burden on the national grid and achieving long-term fiscal efficiency.

Governor Radda’s administration is determined to lead from the front in the transition to clean energy, setting an example for other states by creating a replicable model for decentralised power generation.

‘This initiative is not just an infrastructure upgrade, it is a deliberate, future-focused investment in energy security, economic competitiveness, environmental stewardship and improved quality of life for the people of Katsina State.

‘The approved deployment will bring solar + BESS systems to critical institutions, including Ajiwa, Zobe and Funtua Water Works; Umaru Musa Yar’adua University; General Amadi Rimi Orthopedic Hospital; Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic; Katsina State House of Assembly; Turai Yar’adua Maternity Hospital; State High Court; Isah Kaita College of Education and the Booster station.

‘These facilities will benefit from uninterrupted, clean and cost-effective electricity, ensuring that essential services such as water supply, healthcare, education and governance operate with efficiency and reliability,’ said Ahmed.

The 19.89 billion investment will be implemented using globally competitive pricing for solar panels, hybrid inverters, and battery storage systems-ensuring the best value for the state’s resources while maintaining high performance and durability.

The project will commence immediately with phased installations, allowing priority institutions to benefit early.

I listened to the independence message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His struggle to assembly plausible statistics to push across a credible message of achievements and hope was palpable. Like a spent swimmer, he was stretching in all directions for a lifeline. I also have this feeling that the speech must have been researched and written by some fellow who studied English or any of the liberal arts in the university. The writer appears low in quantitative reasoning. At best, the speech was a narrative essay on Efforts Without Results. The most that it conveyed was equating growth or sheer addition of numbers with real value or development.

Put differently, the President was campaigning instead of presenting a score sheet of purposeful leadership in 29 months. He needed to be specific with descriptions of what had been achieved within the time under review. He was not expected to dwell on aspirations. He had taken an oath of office on May 29, 2023 to achieve and by reason of which he was forbidden from endless aspiration that puts Nigerians in endless anticipation. To say the least, his speech fell short of a National Day outing. He spoke to the challenges facing the nation as if he was not the President but a candidate for the 2027 presidential election. He was talking of things to come and not things that had come.

Maybe it wasn’t his fault. The speech writer could have searched for some ingenious means to marry the metrics to make the celebrated growth under President Tinubu look like real development. He didn’t do that. In physics, there is a difference between size and mass. In mathematics, also, an ordinal number is a world different from a cardinal number. One and first may invoke preeminence but attract different interpretations if driven down. Next time, the President should do more to bounce his speech off an expert on the subject matter on parade before showing up on national television to reel out statistics that do not add up to an expectant nation.

An economist or a development expert would have approached the task differently. He would have understood, for instance, that a mere increase in the number of universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions, does not translate to real development in the higher education sector in the country. The high numbers of universities and other higher institutions have not meant breakthroughs in research and development to service industries and help real socio-economic growth. It has been sheer addition of numbers without corresponding value. You may wish to ask ASUU if you are in doubt. The much needed collaboration between the Gown and Town to touch off development is still an elusive pursuit in the country.

President Tinubu also talked gleefully of more money for the three tiers of government to spend as they like. This is cheap talk. It is like saying that bank notes and not their intrinsic value define wealth. In real terms, the national budget of N17 billion presented to the National Assembly by President Shehu Shagari in 1982, or thereabout, when the naira was stronger than the dollar, held much more value than the N55 trillion budget that Tinubu took to the National Assembly in 2025. The current minimum wage is N70 thousand. This does not mean the least paid worker in Nigeria today is richer than his counterpart in 2015 who received N18 thousand.

Talking like this diminishes the president. He must be made to understand that for the impact of a changing variable to be measured, all consequential variables must be held constant. This is why all value declarations in economics must contain the proviso: all other things being equal. The problem is that all other things are never equal in intricate processes. They remain an ever changing kaleidoscope that creates the hard issues in micro and macroeconomic planning. The economics of national planning entails, essentially, the balancing of three contending rates. These are the interest rate, exchange rate, and inflation rate. Real leaders are measured by their dexterity in juggling these variables to achieve development. They are not measured by their audacity to offset an existing equilibrium for an adventure without consideration of the attendant risks.

Tinubu has not been doing any serious balancing. He is a reckless driver on the highway of taxation. The more money celebrated in the presidential speech was occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petroleum products and floating of the exchange rate on May 29 2023. No President before him had had the courage to deliver that depth of monetary and fiscal dislocations without due consultation. Therefore, part of the achievements he counted for himself on Independence Day was the raw courage to act alone, and perhaps, the subsequent to suppress arising dissension to force an impression of acceptability and peaceful order. He acknowledged the suffering induced by his tax policies but also said Nigerians should be consoled by the fact that their leaders now have more money to build roads, improve public electricity, health care, education and security among other social services. He was just talking.

The duties of the President are outlined in various sections in the 1999 Constitution. No section specifically compels him to give speeches on special occasions. I am saying that President Tinubu doesn’t have to talk when there is nothing reasonable to say. He can decide to remain silent in Aso Rock Villa or fly to Lagos to see his people or even go to France for a working visit. Why should he take more than half an hour of our hard-pressed time to tell us things that are in the pipeline? While the routes from Benin to Abuja, to Asaba and to Warri remain like portions in the Amazon jungle, President Tinubu felt justified to aim high at new deliveries. He spoke with gusto of a coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, railroads from Southwest to Northwest and Southeast to Northeast, international airports and seaports, etc. I am here to remind him that the state of existing roads in Nigeria constrains the free movement of citizens. In fact, the badness of the roads constitutes a breach of Section 41 of the Constitution which guarantees free movement of citizens.

Let me also add that the Brentwood Institutions have never proved to be reliable healers of developing and bruised economies. Their free market and non-subsidy prescriptions are not blindly followed even in the capitalist West. They hold rigid positions regarding the developing nations as if the economics of Adam Smith do not have compelling alternatives in the economics of Carl Max. And so, to crow about the national GDP growing by 4.23 percent to surpass IMF’s projection of 3.4 percent, is not a super endorsement. In all circumstances, statistics remain mere claims against objective realities. They do not add up specific performance that can be taken to the bank. This expanded GDP has not translated to enhanced purchasing power of citizens or a measurable momentum in the real sector. Factories are closing down everyday due to rising cost amid challenges like non availability of public electricity, insecurity, excessive taxation and regulations that seek to stifle rather than support investment and production.

Notwithstanding, President Tinubu did a lot of chest thumping on October 1. Like the lizard that survived a fall from top of the iroko tree, he proclaimed his own prowess when not too many people outside his clan of special men and women seemed ready to give it to him. For effect, his claims of super performance in all the sectors of the economy were distilled into 12 milestones. It was Josef Goebbels, the Nazi’s minister of propaganda who noted that, for a lie to displace truth, its misleading elements must be consistently and persistently maintained in all arising narrations. In other words, it remains a task to tell a credible lie and still remain unruffled. In the 12-point summation, there was a significant alignment with the main body of the narration. Disbursement of N330 billion to eight million households at N25,000.00 per household was part of the achievements. PBAT was cool proclaiming that.

I should not forget this. There was something nice in the presidential speech for Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his refinery to take home. President Tinubu proudly proclaimed that Nigeria is now a leading exporter of aviation fuel. Hear him: ‘.the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel. Apparently, grandstanding to look and sound real is part of statecraft. Tinubu, by that declaration, reaped bountifully in where he did not sow and then walked away with the confidence of the real farmer.

While saying it, the President maintained a straight face as if he was describing a feat achieved by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation through the nation’s four refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri. His speech did not mention Dangote Refinery anywhere as the actual miracle worker.

But coming, albeit indirectly, from the President after the many battles to stay afloat with powers and principalities in the mid and down streams sectors of the petroleum industry, Dangote should gladly accept this as enough compensation and endorsement. Whatever takes the load home is called the head pad. A good listener does not search beyond the radio message to see who is talking inside the radio box. He would end up destroying the happiness.

The Independence Day’s edition has come and gone. Ahead is the New Year Day’s version. We cannot comment on what it holds in stock. It is too early. A lot can still happen between now and then to lift up the presidential speech from the doldrums to high grounds. It is possible to witness a transition from endless aspirations to beautiful descriptions of concrete and measurable achievements in governance. We pray O God!

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the full implementation of state-driven rural electrification programmes, saying such initiatives could accelerate access to power and reduce the country’s dependence on the federal grid.

The call was made in Abuja on Friday during the 29th edition of the NSE October Lecture, themed ‘Evaluating Nigeria’s Power Sector Reform 2005-2023: A Quantitative Analysis of Technical Performance and Regulatory Impact.’

Delivering the keynote address, former NSE President (2022-2023), Mr. Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, said the 2023 Electricity Act created new opportunities for states to take greater responsibility for their electricity needs.

‘I am advocating for state rural electrification programmes across all 36 states and the FCT, in addition to the Nigerian Electricity Commission,’ he said.

‘In the U.S., where I did all my regulatory trainings, every state has a public utilities commission, while the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is at the centre, managing all interstate businesses and large hydro plants. Beyond that, even small villages can form cooperatives to generate electricity for themselves with the resources they have. That is the model we should adopt.’

Gidari-Wudil said unreliable electricity remained one of the country’s most pressing infrastructure gaps, with wide implications for economic growth and industrial competitiveness. Although reforms since 2005 had encouraged private sector participation, broadened regulatory frameworks, and increased installed generation capacity, he noted that Nigeria was still struggling to achieve a reliable and affordable supply.

He listed persistent challenges such as political interference in tariff setting, inadequate infrastructure, and a power market that remains financially unsustainable. According to him, electricity failures result in annual economic losses of about $50 billion, with manufacturers among the hardest hit as many rely heavily on diesel generators.

Consumer satisfaction has also remained low, he added, with more than half of Nigerians saying they had not directly benefited from the reforms.

‘Tariff reforms like the Service-Based Tariff have improved revenue but not necessarily service delivery, as monitoring remains weak,’ Gidari-Wudil said.

Looking ahead, he called for reform models to be tailored to local contexts, stronger regulatory capacity, transparent subsidies, and deeper community-level engagement. ‘If we want electricity, we have to do the right thing,’ he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, emphasised the importance of private sector investment in the sector. Represented by Godwin Emmanuel, Head of Generation at Sahara Power, Adesina said: ‘The reforms of yesterday must therefore evolve into the reforms of tomorrow. They must be reforms that inspire investor confidence, encourage technological adoption, and ultimately serve the Nigerian people.’

He added that the success of the power sector depended on consistent policies, respect for contractual agreements, and the creation of a conducive investment climate. ‘We will continue to invest, innovate, and collaborate because we believe that Nigeria’s future is bright and that with collective effort, indeed, there will be light,’ he said.

The NSE President and Chairman-in-Council, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, described the lecture as timely, saying its theme aligned with ongoing national debates about sustainable electricity supply, energy transition, and the efficiency of power reforms.

Oguntala explained that the annual October Lecture was designed as a platform for the NSE to present its stance on major national issues. ‘Most importantly, it is to showcase the knowledge, wisdom, and professional expertise of our revered past presidents, whose leadership and contributions continue to inspire generations of engineers,’ she said.

She noted that the lecture brings together thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts,s and engineers for dialogue on pressing issues shaping Nigeria’s development. ‘With over six decades of service to the nation, the NSE remains committed to promoting engineering excellence, upholding ethical standards,s and contributing meaningfully to nation building,’ Oguntala added.