Category: Nigerian Tribune

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has selected Ogun State as one of the pilot states for the Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment (OGREE) Waste Management Project aimed at promoting a circular economy and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, disclosed this while declaring open a UNIDO workshop on the State Implementation Plan and Guidelines for Data Collection and Management under the OGREE Waste Management Project in Abeokuta.

Oresanya said the state’s selection reflects the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its readiness to champion innovative approaches that promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, resource recovery and green economic growth.

According to him, Ogun was selected as one of the core states under UNIDO’s Project 220145, Component 2, which is designed to advance Nigeria’s green and just transition to net-zero emissions through the adoption of circular economy initiatives.

He attributed the nomination to the state’s consistent implementation of circular economy programmes and environmental sustainability initiatives.

The commissioner noted that the recognition would further strengthen Ogun’s achievements in climate change mitigation and circular economy projects.

He also highlighted the state’s recent collaboration with the federal government on the distribution of more than 3,000 biomass smokeless stoves to residents as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and ease the economic burden associated with rising cooking gas prices.

‘Aside from this, the state government was one of the first in the country to adopt and launch thousands of electric bikes and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, providing environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-powered vehicles and reducing carbon emissions in line with the state’s Energy Transition Roadmap for a cleaner and healthier environment,’ he said.

Oresanya added that the government has also implemented several initiatives, including the Blue Box Initiative for household waste segregation, the Plastic for Cash programme, community recycling projects, cement industry decarbonisation projects and senatorial material recovery programmes.

He urged participants drawn from government agencies, technical partners, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations to actively participate in the workshop by sharing ideas and experiences that would contribute to the successful implementation of the project.

The commissioner also expressed appreciation to UNIDO for its technical support and partnership in implementing the OGREE Waste Management Project in the state.

Speaking at the event, the National Field Coordinator of the UNIDO Nigeria Office, Ms Emem Umana, commended the Ogun State Government for its commitment to circular economy initiatives and environmental sustainability.

She encouraged the state to sustain its socio-economic and environmental reforms, noting that the efforts had earned Ogun recognition as a leading state in the promotion of green growth and sustainable development.

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tunde Kazeem, to death by hanging for armed robbery.

Justice Lekan Olatawura handed down the sentence on Monday after finding the defendant guilty on a five-count charge of armed robbery.

Kazeem was arraigned on June 16, 2025, over an attack that occurred on October 2, 2024, at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI).

According to the charge, the defendant robbed five students – Adewale Moyinoluwa, Ogunbolude Oluwanifemi, Ojo Oluwamayowa, Sidiq Simbiat, and Oloruntoba Nifemi – of phones valued at ?680,000. The stolen phones included an Infinix Smart 7, an Itel A04, an Infinix Smart 6, a Samsung Galaxy S6, and a Tecno Pop 8.

The prosecution said Kazeem carried out the robbery while armed with a gun, an offence contrary to Section 312(2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Testifying before the court, victim Adewale Moyinoluwa recounted the night of the incident.

‘My roommates and I were in our room around 9:10 p.m. when we heard a knock on the door. One of us went to open it and immediately, a man wearing a lemon shirt and blue denim shorts entered. He was holding a double-barrel pistol. He ordered us to submit our phones. We thought it was a joke until he dipped his hand into his pocket, brought out cartridges and started loading the gun. He then pointed it at us.

‘We submitted all our phones and he packed them. He told us to lock the door behind him and not to shout. But when he left, we started shouting,’ she added.

To prove its case, the prosecution counsel, Salem Bade-Gboyega, called seven witnesses and tendered exhibits, including the defendant’s confessional statements, a lemon-green hoodie cardigan, ATM cards, and a search warrant.

The defendant testified in his own defence through his counsel, Amir Salami. He called no witnesses but pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

In his judgment, Justice Olatawura said the law left no room for leniency in cases of armed robbery.

‘I am unable to exercise any discretion in favour of a defendant who showed no remorse throughout his trial. The punishment for armed robbery is one of strict application.

‘Consequent upon the foregoing, I find the defendant guilty on all counts.

‘Accordingly, the sentence of this court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul,’ Justice Olatawura pronounced.

Singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of the defunct P-Square, has stirred reactions after arguing that Nigerian languages have little practical value while defending his decision to allow his children to speak French instead of an indigenous language.

The debate started on Monday after the singer shared a post on X from Paris, expressing pride in how fluently his children speak French and hinting at the possibility of owning a home in the French capital.

‘Still in Paris! Watching my kids speak French so effortlessly makes me think… maybe it’s time to own a crib here in Paris. Just a thought,’ he wrote.

His post quickly shifted the conversation from life abroad to language and cultural identity after an X user, @sambuddybest, asked whether his children could also speak Igbo.

Replying to the question, Mr P dismissed the relevance of Nigerian languages, insisting they offered little benefit.

‘And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg,’ he wrote.

The remark triggered mixed reactions across social media. While some users maintained that teaching indigenous languages helps preserve culture and identity, others backed the singer’s position, saying parents should decide how to raise their children.

As the criticism mounted, Mr P maintained that the choice of language within a family should remain the exclusive responsibility of parents.

‘When it’s your turn, teach your own kids all the languages in Nigeria if that’s your choice,’ he wrote.

The singer later fired back at his critics through a series of posts, telling them to stay out of his family’s affairs.

‘I’ve got just three words for you: MYB – Mind Your Business.

‘Go and find someone else to pour your frustration on. Not here.

‘As for me and my family, we’re good. Go and find another place to pour your frustration,’ the singer said.

He also questioned why people were concerned about the languages spoken by his children.

‘Again, what exactly do you stand to gain if my children speak Nigerian languages? How does that improve your life?

‘MYB – Mind Your Business. Cry harder,’ MR P said.

The music star further argued that speaking indigenous Nigerian languages had not produced meaningful benefits, pointing out that English remains the country’s official language.

‘Again and again… who has speaking a Nigerian language helped?

‘The official language of Nigeria is English, yet this is what you’re worried about?

‘Una never ready. The joke is on you.’

Mr P also accused some of those criticising him of double standards, claiming many of them would embrace foreign citizenship and raise their children abroad if given the opportunity.

‘Meanwhile, many of the same people criticizing me would jump at the chance to get foreign citizenship or raise their own children abroad if they had the opportunity.

‘With everything going on in Nigeria, your biggest concern is whether my children speak Nigerian languages?

‘Focus on the real issues and let people raise their families the way they choose. Ndi ala.’

Reinforcing his position in another post, the singer again questioned why the issue had attracted so much attention.

‘With everything going on in Nigeria, your biggest concern is whether my children speak Nigerian languages?

‘Out of all the real issues facing the country, this is what keeps you awake?’

NDE RHEI Phase 3 programme is a nationwide vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial training designed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, its primary objective is to combat mass youth unemployment and alleviate poverty by equipping unskilled and unemployed Nigerians with market-driven, self-sustaining skills.

Step 1: Visit the registration portal (https://nderegistrationportal.ng/) and click ‘Sign Up.’

Step 2: Create an account by providing:

First Name

Last Name

National Identification Number (NIN)

Email Address

Create a Password

Step 3: Log in using your registered email address and password.

Step 4: Complete the online application by filling in the following details:

Personal Information

Contact Details

Educational Qualification

Employment Status

Bank Account Details

Bank Verification Number (BVN)

Preferred Training Programme

State, Local Government Area (LGA), and Residential Address

Step 5: Upload the required documents:

Passport Photograph (maximum size: 500KB)

Valid Means of Identification (if required)

Educational Certificate(s)

Step 6: Carefully review all the information you have entered to ensure it is accurate.

Step 7: Click ‘Submit’ and wait for further communication from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Important Information

Ensure that your NIN and BVN belong to you and are entered correctly.

Use an active phone number and email address that you can access.

Submit only one application. Multiple applications may lead to disqualification.

Keep your login details safe for future access.

Registration is completely FREE. Do not pay anyone to register or secure placement under the programme. Beware of fraudsters.

There appears to be no immediate end to the leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly as lawmakers pushing for the removal of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.Olamide Oladiji, accused the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of frustrating the move by allegedly persuading lawmakers to abandon the impeachment.

The lawmakers pushing for the impeachment of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, over the alleged diversion of N44m meant for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), insisted there is ‘no going back’ on the process.

This is just as the lawmakers, challenged Aiyedatiwa to come out clean on the matter, maintaining that the Speaker had lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House and that his removal had become inevitable.

The spokesperson of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olatunji Fabiyi, said all the lawmakers had signed the impeachment notice against Oladiji, stressing that the decision was the collective resolution of the House.

Fabiyi said the lawmakers had already informed governor Aiyedatiwa of their decision, stressing that the impeachment move was purely an internal affair of the House of Assembly.

He however, questioned the governor’s interest in retaining the Speaker, alleging that some lawmakers had been approached by government officials and pressured to withdraw their support for the impeachment process.

He said ‘There is no going back. That is the resolution of members. We have nothing against the governor, but we don’t want our present leadership again.There is no reason why somebody should continue to impose himself on us when we don’t want him again,’

‘I have the opinion that the government is calling some members to backpedal on the issue of impeachment. I don’t know the special interest the governor has. If there is no hidden agenda, I see no reason why he should be protecting the Speaker.

‘So I don’t know the special interest that the governor is having. At least 21 members have signed the impeachment against Mr. Speaker.

To me, I don’t know the interest of Mr. governor. Unless if the government is telling us that they have anything or something in common.

‘Perhaps the governor has reasons best known to him for supporting the Speaker. Otherwise, I see no reason or justification for his intervention.

Both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker committed the error that led to this situation. There is no going back on the impeachment; it is the collective resolution of the members.

‘I see no reason why anyone should still be backing the Speaker at this stage. We have met with the governor and made it clear that we have nothing against him. Our concern is simply that we no longer have confidence in the present leadership of the House.

‘There is no reason why someone should continue to impose a leadership on us when we have made it clear that we no longer want it. It is as simple as that.’

The lawmaker further accused the governor of preventing the House from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

Asked if the governor was stopping lawmakers from performing their duties, he replied, ‘Definitely’ saying that the governor has requested for seven more days.

On the next line of action, Fabiyi said lawmakers would allow the 14-day period requested by the governor to lapse before taking further steps.

‘Initially, we thought it was seven days, but it became clear that the governor requested 14 days. The 14 days will expire next Sunday. After that, members will take the next constitutional step,’ he said.

He maintained that the Speaker had already lost the confidence of the House and should resign voluntarily to protect his political future.

‘We met with the Speaker and told him categorically that he was no longer enjoying the confidence of members.

‘We advised him to resign voluntarily so that it would not have a negative impact on his political future, but it is the collective resolution of the House that he should go,’

He insisted that allowing the Speaker to step aside would restore peace to the Assembly and said, ‘It is the statutory right of House members. The governor should allow peace to reign in the House by allowing the Speaker to step aside,’

The spokesperson for the lawmakers, Fabiyi, however, said the aggrieved members had resolved to suspend the plenary until a new Speaker is elected.

According to him, the lawmakers would not return to legislative business until there was a change in the leadership of the House.

‘We have resolved not to hold plenary until there is a change of Speaker. For now, there is no development except that the Speaker should step aside and allow another member to preside over the Ondo State House of Assembly. If he doesn’t resign, we will impeach him. If he fails to do the needful, we will do the needful.’ Fabiyi said

The Speaker, Oladiji, is facing impeachment after 21 of the 26 lawmakers signed a notice seeking his removal over allegations of financial mismanagement.

The lawmakers accused the Speaker of failing to carry members along in the disbursement of an alleged N44 million released for the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) 2026 budget.

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Federal Government to adopt tougher measures against terrorism, including reviewing the prosecution process for suspected terrorists and kidnappers.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric argued that the current approach to handling terrorism cases has not sufficiently deterred criminal groups.

He said those confirmed to have committed acts of terrorism should face the maximum punishment provided by law, rather than prolonged court proceedings.

‘There should be no court for kidnappers and terrorists; once they have been arrested and confirmed as terrorists, they should be killed immediately. There is no need charging them to court because they won’t get the deserved punishment. Such crimes should attract the immediate death penalty, and those talking to them and paying ransom should also be arrested. This is how terrorism can end,’ he said.

Primate Ayodele also urged the authorities to investigate and prosecute individuals found to be negotiating with or providing ransom to terrorist groups, including public officials where evidence exists.

The cleric commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts in combating insurgency and praised the Minister of State for Defence over the directive for troops to take decisive action against terrorists during military operations.

He further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to honour soldiers and senior military officers for their contributions to the fight against insecurity.

‘The Nigerian Army can do better; there are people who want to destabilise the government through insecurity. I urge President Tinubu to give national honours to our soldiers and top officers. They have done very well and should be appreciated for their good work,’ he said.

Primate Ayodele also cautioned against the proliferation of private security outfits without adequate regulation and funding, warning that poorly managed groups could become security threats.

Instead, he advocated greater support for local hunters and community-based security initiatives operating in collaboration with formal security agencies.

The cleric also called on the Federal Government to ensure the protection of a Plateau-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo.

According to him, the government should take proactive steps to guarantee the cleric’s safety, expressing concern over the implications if any harm were to come to him.

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has intensified efforts to reduce the cost of sugar production in Nigeria.

The Council said Nigerian factories pay between two and 10 times more than their competitors for power, credit and logistics.

According to a statement by the Council, discussions at the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) meeting held in Enugu showed that disciplined pricing of production inputs, as seen in Nigeria’s urea industry, can transform an importing nation into a top-10 global exporter.

The Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, said Nigeria must now choose between competing for the African market or conceding it to others.

He asked the Council to consider two factory managers – one in Aba and the other in Ho Chi Minh City – running the same machines, employing equally skilled workers and serving the same customers.

‘By the time their products reach the factory gate,’ he said, ‘the Nigerian manufacturer has paid between two and 10 times more for the three things every manufacturer in the world must buy: power, money and movement.

‘Industrial power costs a Vietnamese factory about 8 US cents per kilowatt-hour and a Chinese factory about 10 cents. The Nigerian factory pays about 15 cents on the grid, rising to nearly 30 cents once diesel generators take over.

‘Nigerian manufacturers spent an estimated ?1.34 trillion last year generating their own electricity. In Mr Bakrin’s words, ‘Every factory in Nigeria is running a second, unwanted business as a private power station.”

Bakrin noted that working capital costs between 27 and 35 per cent in Nigeria, compared to about 9 per cent in Vietnam and 3 per cent in China. He also said Nigeria ranks 88th out of 139 countries on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, compared to Vietnam’s 43rd and China’s 19th.

‘The result is that, in a country of 230 million consumers, with duty-free access to 1.4 billion more under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), manufacturing contributes barely 8 per cent of GDP, while capacity utilisation has dropped to 57.7 per cent.

‘None of this is a demand problem. Nobody on this continent needs persuading to buy what Nigeria makes,’ he said. ‘It is a cost-of-production problem, and that distinction matters because costs, unlike demand, are within our power to fix.’

The NSDC boss said the timing could not be more significant.

‘The government’s macroeconomic reforms have delivered greater stability, with inflation roughly halved from its peak and foreign reserves standing at $51 billion, the highest since 2009. This gives factories, for the first time in years, the confidence to plan and invest.

‘Global supply chains are being redrawn as companies diversify, and a factory established in another country this decade is unlikely to relocate. AfCFTA also cuts both ways: either our goods cross borders into other markets, or other countries’ goods flood ours. We are either going to compete or concede the market.’

He pointed to Nigeria’s urea industry, which expanded from a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes in 2005 to 6.5 million tonnes today, making Nigeria one of the world’s top 10 exporters of nitrogen fertiliser.

According to him, the transformation was driven by one key policy decision: pricing natural gas as an industrial input rather than treating it solely as a source of government revenue.

‘The whole lesson is in one sentence: when a country prices inputs as if it wants industry to thrive, industry thrives.’

Bakrin then presented four resolutions for the Council’s consideration. These include requiring every state to designate at least one industrial cluster for a dedicated power arrangement within 12 months; establishing a federal-state compact to harmonise levies and eliminate informal checkpoints along industrial corridors; introducing an annual State Industrial Competitiveness Index to publicly rank states on power, land, levies and logistics; and enforcing the Nigeria First procurement policy at both federal and state levels through quarterly compliance dashboards.

He added that all four proposals are built on one guiding principle.

‘Public support must be earned continuously and transparently. Every tax credit, every unit of subsidised power and every act of government patronage should be tied to measurable performance that is independently verified and publicly reported,’ the Executive Secretary said.

The National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) is Nigeria’s highest policy advisory body on industry, trade and investment. It brings together federal and state governments annually. Its 17th meeting was held in Enugu under the theme, ‘Enhancing Competitiveness in Industry, Trade and Investment for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration.’

Lawyers operating under the aegis of the Obident Lawyers Forum have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order President Bola Tinubu to compel the police, Department of State Service (DSS), and others to give special protection to the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 election.

The legal practitioners informed the court that their appeal has become imperative so as not to make Peter Obi a victim of political assassination before and during the 2027 general electioneering process.

The request was contained in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1648/2016, instituted against Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General (DSS), and the Governor of Edo State.

Plaintiffs in the suits filed on Monday predicated their request on a statement credited to Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo to the effect that Obi’s life and security would not be guaranteed in Edo State if he enters the state without getting approval from the governor.

The Obident lawyers represented by Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi and Joseph Enemona Ameh instituted the fundamental rights suit on behalf of Peter Obi, in which they prayed the court to issue an order that Peter Obi has the fundamental right to freedom of movement without any hindrance.

Among other reliefs, they asked the court to declare Peter Obi, the 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has the fundamental right to life and the right to live without any fear, discrimination, threat of assassination, intimidation or any form of harassment whatsoever, as guaranteed in section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

In addition, they urged the court to declare that Peter Obi must not be subjected to politically motivated coercion, threat to life, bullying, harassment, assault, intimidation and victimization whatsoever by any arm of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any authority, person, individual, or group agent/agency of the Federal Government or Government of any sub-regional state on the grounds of his political ideology, ethnicity, and religion; or for any reason whatsoever.

Others are ‘A declaration that Mr. Peter Obi, the 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has the fundamental rights of free ingress and egress into any of the 36 States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT, and can freely move around, enter, visit, stay, reside, inhabit and organize, attend and host his political campaign rallies, consultations, seminars, groups meetings and carryout his lawful activities in any part of Nigeria, without fear of assassination, threat to his life, bullying, harassment, assault, intimidation and victimization whatsoever, by any Arm of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or any authority, person(s) individual or groups, agents/agencies of the Federal Government or government of any sub-regional State, as guaranteed in sections 39, 40, 41, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘A declaration that the threats by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo that Mr. Peter Obi’s life and security are not guaranteed in Edo State, and that Mr. Peter Obi should not to step into Edo State without getting a clearance from him are empty not backed by law, anti-democratic, illegal, unlawful and tantamount to executive rascality, infantile politicking, and power-drunkenness.

‘A declaration that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of The Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the constitutional mandate/responsibility to provide adequate security of life and property to the citizens, which is the fundamental reason/purpose/objective of every government; and the President has the constitutional responsibility as Commander in Chief to direct the 3th, 4th and 5th Respondents and Heads of all Security Agencies in Nigeria to provide maximum security protection/intelligence to Obi and all other presidential candidates’.

Plaintiffs further urged a declaration that the laws setting up the security agencies mandate and empower the 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents to provide adequate security to the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against all criminal activities aimed at depriving citizens of their properties or lives.

They asked the court to make an order ‘compelling, directing, and mandating the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct the 3th, 4th and 5th Respondents and Heads of all other Security Agencies in Nigeria to provide maximum security protection/intelligence to Mr Peter Gregory Obi, the 2027 Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and all other 2027 presidential candidates.

‘An order compelling, directing and mandating the 3th, 4th and 5 Respondents to immediately provide maximum security personnel to Physically Protect and Provide Security Intelligence to Mr Peter Gregory Obi, the NDC 2027 Presidential candidates’.

In an affidavit deposed in support of the suit, the plaintiffs stated that the application was brought on behalf of Mr Peter Obi, pursuant to Paragraph 3 (e) of the Preamble to the Fundamental Human Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

‘That the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, said in a recent live podcast that ‘he may not be alive to contest next ‘year’s presidential election.’

While claiming that Obi has been subjected to serious psychological torture and trauma by the numerous threats to his life and this is detrimental to his constitutional rights, the deponent argued that no person or authority or any arm of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or any authority, person(s) individual or groups, agents/agencies of the Federal Government or Government of any sub-regional State, has the powers to restrict or refuse any citizen from entering and exiting any part of Nigeria to carry out his lawful activities as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘That the 6th Respondent, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, Senator Monday Okpebholo, threatened Mr Peter Gregory Obi not to enter Edo State without his permission and that Mr Peter Gregory Obi’s life and security is not guaranteed in Edo State. A computer-generated printout of the news report is herein pleaded and exhibited as Exhibit 3.

‘That the threats by the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, that Mr. Peter Obi’s life and security are not guaranteed in Edo State, and that Mr Peter Obi should not to step into Edo State without getting a clearance from him are empty, not backed by law, anti-democratic, illegal, unlawful and tantamount to executive rascality, infantile-politicking and power-drunkenness.

‘That the security agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, sued as 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, have constitutional and statutory responsibilities to provide adequate security of life and properties of the citizens.

‘That the constitutional rights guaranteed in Chapter Four of the 1999 constitution are inalienable and cannot be taken away under any guise.’

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION) has called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the proposed NGO Regulation Bill, warning that the legislation could undermine civic freedoms and weaken the role of civil society in Nigeria’s democratic development.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group said it ‘rejects in its totality’ the proposed bill, arguing that rather than strengthening governance, it would impose unnecessary restrictions on the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and shrink Nigeria’s civic space.

According to the organisation, civil society groups have for decades made significant contributions to national development through humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, climate action, women’s and youth empowerment, disaster response, human rights advocacy, electoral integrity, and the promotion of accountability and good governance.

MOTION expressed concern that the proposed legislation could create additional barriers to the registration, governance, funding, and advocacy activities of NGOs, discouraging citizen participation and weakening public oversight of government institutions.

‘The proposed bill risks eroding the independence that enables civil society to effectively serve the Nigerian people,’ the statement said, adding that restrictive regulations could undermine democratic governance and public accountability.

The organisation argued that Nigeria already has sufficient regulatory mechanisms governing civil society organisations, including registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), financial reporting obligations, tax compliance requirements, anti-money laundering regulations, and donor accountability standards.

It maintained that the effective enforcement of existing laws, rather than the introduction of new legislation, would better address concerns relating to transparency and accountability within the sector.

MOTION also cited constitutional and international legal protections for civic freedoms, noting that Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and association. It further referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The group urged the National Assembly to withdraw the bill and instead engage in broad and transparent consultations with civil society organisations, development partners, and citizens before considering any reforms affecting the sector.

Among its recommendations, MOTION called on lawmakers to protect constitutional guarantees of freedom of association, expression, and assembly; promote an enabling environment for civil society organisations to operate freely and responsibly; and strengthen existing regulatory frameworks instead of introducing new restrictions.

The organisation stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges require stronger collaboration between government and civil society, warning that measures perceived as restrictive could discourage local philanthropy, volunteerism, and community participation.

‘A vibrant civil society is a cornerstone of democracy and accountable governance,’ the statement said, adding that Nigeria’s development aspirations depend on creating an environment where citizens and organisations can operate freely, responsibly, and without undue interference.

ECOWAS Parliament has called for urgent policy reforms to unlock the growth potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), warning that millions of businesses across West Africa remain trapped in the informal sector with limited access to finance, markets and legal protection.

The call was made on Monday at the opening of a joint committee meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, where lawmakers said strengthening MSMEs is critical to achieving regional economic integration, job creation and poverty reduction.

Speaking on behalf of the Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Administration, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts, the committee’s Co-Chairperson, Hon. Alhagie Darbo, said MSMEs remain the backbone of West African economies but continue to face structural barriers that hinder their growth.

‘Across our region, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises constitute the backbone of local economies. They generate employment, stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship, empower women and young people, and facilitate cross-border trade,’ Darbo said.

He noted that despite their enormous contribution to regional economies, a large proportion of MSMEs still operate informally, restricting their access to finance, technology, business support services and wider markets.

According to him, the informal sector accounts for nearly 90 per cent of economic activities and employs at least 60 per cent of the labour force across ECOWAS member states.

‘While this demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, it also highlights the urgent need to create enabling policies that encourage formalisation, improve productivity and integrate MSMEs into regional and continental value chains,’ he added.

Darbo urged lawmakers to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on practical policy recommendations capable of removing obstacles facing small businesses across the sub-region.

He said formalising and strengthening MSMEs was not only an economic necessity but also a pathway to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

He further linked the effort to the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, saying the regional development blueprint requires stronger institutions and a more enabling business environment for enterprises to thrive.

‘Our discussions should focus on developing practical recommendations that will support harmonised policies, improve access to finance, enhance digital transformation, facilitate intra-regional trade, strengthen productive capacities and promote the participation of MSMEs in regional value chains under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ he said.

Declaring the meeting open, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, represented by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adjaratou Traore Coulibaly, described MSMEs as a major driver of economic growth and development across the region.

She also linked the development of small businesses to improved security, noting that empowering women and young people through entrepreneurship would help address the root causes of insecurity confronting several ECOWAS member states.

According to her, creating economic opportunities through MSMEs would not only stimulate inclusive growth but also contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

The lawmakers expressed optimism that recommendations from the meeting, if adopted by ECOWAS member states, would strengthen West Africa’s economies, improve regional competitiveness and accelerate the bloc’s economic integration agenda.