Category: Nigerian Tribune

Over 100 akara sellers in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State have received cash support from Mr. Alli Ibraheem, Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibril.

The empowerment held at the Ayedire Local Government Secretariat in Ileogbo saw each beneficiary receive N10,000. Beneficiaries were drawn from Ileogbo, Oluponna, Kuta and Oke-Osun areas.

Present at the event were APC chieftains led by the Chairman of Ayedire LGA, Hon. Adejare Adigun, who joined Ibraheem to present the cash to the beneficiaries.

Commending the gesture, Hon. Adigun said the empowerment was done without political colouration and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds to grow their businesses.

Speaking on the motive, Ibraheem said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the financial status of petty traders, particularly akara sellers, while also mobilising support for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 16, 2026 election.

‘I chose to empower akara sellers across Ayedire LGA to assist their businesses, canvass more votes for our party’s candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and make political heaven by lifting people in need through philanthropy,’ he said.

He described AMBO’s victory as ‘non-negotiable,’ adding that the political atmosphere in Osun favours the APC.

‘There is a dire need to remove the middle bottleneck frustrating full local government autonomy in Osun State. Osun must join the list of APC states with full identity. We have the federal, we have the local; the middle must be taken for full charge. By God’s grace, AMBO’s victory is non-negotiable,’ Ibraheem stated.

He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting local government autonomy and for efforts to curb political violence. He also lauded the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for supporting petty traders nationwide.

Ibraheem praised the APC candidate’s wife, Dr. Sekinat Bola Oyebamiji, for her ‘outspokenness, confidence and agility’ in canvassing votes, saying ‘she will make one of the best First Ladies in the history of Osun State.’

He declared that the empowerment scheme would be extended to the Iwo Federal Constituency and Osun West Senatorial District.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Monday, expressed his commitment to improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He emphasized the importance of removing regulatory bottlenecks, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

The Speaker made these remarks during a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Commerce in Abuja. He noted that the proposed bills are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s commercial and trade framework.

This includes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Domestication Bill, which aims to position Nigeria to maximise opportunities within Africa’s single market.

Speaker Abbas highlighted that these proposed legislations are part of the 10th House’s economic reform agenda.

The Speaker, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rep Isiaka Ibrahim, described commerce as ‘one of the strongest pillars of our economy,’ stressing that the bills must undergo rigorous public scrutiny to ensure they respond to emerging realities and global best practices.

According to him, ‘the purpose of today’s hearing is to subject these Bills to rigorous public scrutiny, receive constructive input from stakeholders, identify areas that require refinement, and ensure that the legislation we eventually enact promotes enterprise, protects legitimate business interests, encourages fair competition and advances sustainable economic growth.’

The Speaker noted that the exercise aligns with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, which prioritises economic growth, institutional reforms, good governance and private sector development.

According to him, ‘since our inauguration, we have remained committed to enacting laws that improve the ease of doing business, support entrepreneurship, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, attract investment and create opportunities for our people.’

He further said that the legislative initiative also supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by providing the legal framework required to drive economic reforms.

‘As the People’s House, we shall continue to provide the legislative framework and oversight necessary to translate that vision into measurable progress for businesses, investors and ordinary Nigerians,’ he said.

Speaking on the AfCFTA Domestication Bill, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urged lawmakers to expedite its passage, describing it as crucial to Nigeria’s competitiveness in continental trade.

According to her, the African Continental Free Trade Area, which covers over 1.4 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product exceeding $3 trillion, offers enormous opportunities for Nigerian businesses to expand into new markets, attract investment, create jobs and strengthen regional value chains.

She said Nigeria has already made substantial progress since ratifying the agreement in 2020 by establishing implementation structures, submitting tariff concessions, launching digital trade initiatives and supporting local enterprises.

Oduwole disclosed that Nigeria became the first State Party to ratify the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and has launched air cargo corridors linking Nigerian businesses to East and Southern African markets.

She also noted that Nigeria recently hosted the AfCFTA Week, the 18th Meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers responsible for Trade, and the Digital Trade Forum, where the country assumed the Chairmanship of the Bureau of the Council of Ministers.

The Minister, however, stressed that effective implementation of the agreement requires a robust domestic legal framework.

According to her, ‘the Bill is not merely about implementing an international treaty. It is about positioning Nigeria to fully harness the opportunities of continental trade while safeguarding our national interests.’

She added that the legislation would provide legal certainty for businesses and investors while strengthening coordination among government institutions.

‘Its timely passage will consolidate Nigeria’s leadership in continental trade, provide certainty for our businesses and investors, and position our economy to fully harness the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ Oduwole said.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ahmed Munir, disclosed that the committee was considering 13 strategic bills designed to modernise Nigeria’s commercial laws, strengthen professional standards and reposition the economy for global competitiveness.

According to him, the bills are grouped into three broad areas: expanding global trade and protecting local assets; modernising commerce and the digital economy; and strengthening professional regulation and institutional capacity.

He explained that key proposals include the AfCFTA Implementation Bill, amendments to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Act on Geographical Indications and NIMASA updates, amendments to the Sale of Goods Act and the Price Control Act, as well as bills establishing and strengthening several professional institutes.

He said the committee expects stakeholders to provide practical, data-driven recommendations to ensure the proposed laws effectively support economic growth.

According to him, ‘Our goal in the 10th House of Representatives is to ensure our laws actively foster economic expansion rather than obstruct it. The success of this legislative exercise depends heavily on your candid, expert feedback,’.

He urged participants from government, industry and civil society to make constructive contributions that would help the National Assembly produce legislation capable of driving investment, innovation, job creation and Nigeria’s competitiveness in both regional and global markets.

For Nigerians planning international trips, access to foreign exchange remains one of the biggest concerns when preparing for travel. Fluctuations in the foreign exchange market, changing exchange rates and increased demand for dollars during holiday periods often create uncertainty among travellers.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) provides foreign exchange support for legitimate travel needs through Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA).

In this article, Tribune Online explains what Nigerians should know about travel allowance before August.

Understand PTA and BTA

Personal Travel Allowance is designed for individuals travelling abroad for personal reasons, while Business Travel Allowance supports eligible business-related trips.

According to CBN guidelines, travellers can access foreign exchange for travel purposes through authorised channels. The CBN has stated that eligible transactions, including PTA and BTA, are processed through authorised financial institutions.

Use authorised channels

One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is relying on unofficial sources when trying to obtain foreign currency. Legitimate foreign exchange transactions should go through authorised dealers.

Using unregulated channels can expose travellers to unnecessary risks, including fake currency, fraud and financial losses. The apex bank has continued reforms aimed at improving transparency in the foreign exchange market and ensuring that eligible transactions are handled through regulated institutions.

Prepare required travel documents early

Travellers should ensure that their documents are ready before making foreign exchange requests. Common requirements for travel-related foreign exchange transactions have included valid travel documents such as passports, visas where applicable and evidence of travel arrangements.

CBN guidelines have historically required documentation to confirm legitimate travel purposes.Having complete documentation helps avoid delays during processing.

Avoid last-minute requests

Waiting until a few days before departure can create unnecessary pressure. Foreign exchange availability can change due to market conditions and demand. Travellers who plan early are more likely to have enough time to complete required processes and resolve any documentation issues.

Understand payment options

The CBN has introduced approved payment arrangements for travel allowances. According to the apex bank’s FAQ on foreign exchange reforms, travellers can receive travel allowances through a combination of prepaid cards and cash, with restrictions on the amount that can be provided in cash.

Watch for official CBN updates

Foreign exchange policies can change as the CBN reviews its regulations.Travellers should rely on official announcements from the Central Bank of Nigeria and their banks rather than social media rumours or unverified information.

The CBN regularly publishes circulars and updates relating to foreign exchange operations on its official platforms.

The House of Representatives has directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to produce the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeyemi Adeniyi, before its investigative committee within 48 hours.

The order was issued on Monday during the resumed hearing of the House committee investigating the activities of the controversial council at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Representing the IGP, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi appeared before the committee and was directed to ensure Adeyemi is brought before lawmakers by noon on Wednesday.

The committee is investigating how the PFIPC, despite not being legally established, allegedly secured office space at Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and received a budget allocation of ?1.32 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The directive followed the Nigeria Police Force’s confirmation that it is investigating petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, accusing Adeyemi of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Committee Chairman Yusuf Gagdi said Adeyemi’s appearance was necessary because of the seriousness of the allegations.

‘This committee clearly needs the suspected DG to appear before this committee. People’s names are involved. People’s integrity are involved. Institutional names are involved. Institutional integrity is involved.

‘It is not an option now. We will need him here to confirm some documents to us in such a way that will not undermine our investigation to enable us to submit our report on time,’ Gagdi said.

The committee then directed its clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police.

‘The committee hereby resolves that the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do kindly present Mr Adeyemi on Wednesday by 12 noon. That is the ruling of the committee,’ Gagdi declared.

Earlier, ACP Abdullahi told lawmakers that although investigations were still ongoing, the police had already filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi before the Federal High Court.

‘The Nigerian Police Force investigated part of this case late last year and filed eight-count charges before a Federal High Court. The case is ongoing,’ he said.

He added that the suspect had been arrested and arraigned but warned against making statements that could affect the ongoing investigation or court proceedings.

‘We don’t want to say things that are under investigation. It is definitely going to prejudice the ongoing investigation and make people have opinions that may prejudge the outcome of an investigation or judicial decision,’ Abdullahi said.

The police also confirmed that the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned security agencies on October 17, 2025, over allegations against Adeyemi, leading to investigations and criminal charges bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

Investigators further confirmed receiving another petition alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

According to the police, the petition alleged that Adeyemi used the claimed office to secure accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 personnel, attempted to obtain a $1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the non-existent agency, and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the council.

During the hearing, the committee compared signatures on documents said to have come from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President with genuine official documents obtained by the police.

Asked whether the signatures matched, the police witness replied, ‘They are not the same.’

The committee said the difference raised further concerns that official State House documents may have been forged.

Gagdi said, ‘So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged? We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency.’

He disclosed that investigators had identified about 29 allegedly forged documents, including purported approvals from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance and several other government institutions.

According to him, representatives of many of the affected agencies had appeared before the committee and denied issuing the documents linked to their offices.

Gagdi said the committee had deliberately avoided asking the police to reveal information that could interfere with ongoing criminal investigations.

‘We are avoiding a situation whereby they will be pushed to make statements that will undermine their ongoing investigation,’ he said.

The Senate has clarified that its recent concurrent amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007 did not include a ban on street preaching by individuals or religious organisations as speculated in certain quarters.

It also noted that the proscription of hawking/preaching in commercial buses had been part of the law and not a new addition by the National Assembly.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, while making the clarification on Monday, explained that the new legislation merely altered the position of the provision of hawking/preaching in commercial buses from Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act to Item 49.

He added that the law remained what it had been -a ban on hawking/preaching in commercial buses- as against a ban on preaching in the streets by individuals or organisations as claimed.

‘The Senate has duly noticed public concerns on the purported proscription of preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle under the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007.

‘Pursuant to Section 10(4) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007 and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012, preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are offences.

‘The offences have been part of the Act before the current amendment.

‘Entrenched as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are not new provisions in our legal system. The provisions have been part of the Act as far back as 2007. However, it is now listed as Item 49, Second Schedule of the Act’, his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs said on Monday.

The leader stressed that the bill did not outlaw street preaching, adding that the whole essence of the proscription of hawking or preaching in commercial buses was for the safety of travellers.

‘The bill, therefore, does not outlaw preaching on the streets as some interests have claimed in different fora. It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space.

‘The bill is not an initiative of the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. Rather, it is a concurrence bill first amended by the House of Representatives. As required by the 1999 Constitution, the bill requires the concurrence of the Senate before it can become effective’, his office stated.

However, Bamidele said the amendment process was ongoing and could still accommodate more views ‘in the spirit of democracy’, urging stakeholders to channel their concerns to the appropriate institutions before the completion of the process.

In the amended bill, which was passed on July 14, motorists are to pay fines up to N100,000 for traffic offences.

Stiffer penalties await disobedience to traffic lights, road signs and general markings, all of which now attract a fine of N100,000.

Similarly, driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances attracts a fine of N100,000 on conviction.

Motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests carried out on reasonable suspicion of intoxication can be liable to a ?50,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both.

The proposed law also prohibits hawking inside commercial vehicles or making noise to disturb the peace of fellow passengers under the guise of trading or passing messages.

Offenders caught hawking or trading inside commercial buses will pay a fine of N50,000, according to the provisions of the bill.

The bill also targets speeding and dangerous driving. Under the extant law, speed limit violations attract modest fines, but the new bill jacks such offences up to a fine of ?100,000.

In the same vein, reckless driving will attract a ?100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the circumstances of the offence.

The bill was passed as part of measures to strengthen the operations of the FRSC and reduce accidents on the nation’s highways.

No fewer than 40 million Nigerians who place their reliance on airtime borrowing services may be confronted by another round of disruptions if the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) begins complete enforcement of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations 2025 before the determination of a pending appeal.

The above warning is contained in an affidavit sworn to by the Chairman of WASPAN, Ayo Stuffman, in support of the association’s application for an injunction pending appeal following the July 20 judgment of the Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos, which upheld the FCCPC’s authority to issue and enforce the DEON regulations.

The suit, designated FHC/L/CS/760/2026, seeks to determine whether the FCCPC has the statutory authority to regulate telecommunications-based airtime lending services or whether such regulatory powers belong exclusively to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Consequent to the judgment handed down by the Federal High Court, WASPAN initiated a Notice of Appeal on July 21, praying to the court to restrain the FCCPC from implementing the regulations until the Appellate Court determines the substantive issues.

The association, according to Stuffman, became alarmed after the FCCPC announced immediately after the judgment that enforcement of the DEON Regulations had resumed, declaring that the legal impediment responsible for the earlier suspension of implementation had been removed and that the regulations were now fully operational and enforceable.

Stuffman posited that enforcing the regulations before the appeal is heard could expose operators to regulatory sanctions, create uncertainty within the telecommunications industry and disrupt airtime borrowing services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.

Stuffman, in the affidavit, declared that ‘I know for a fact that unless restrained by the orders of this Honourable Court, the Defendant will proceed to enforce the said regulations against members of the Plaintiff.’

He equally contended that FCCPC’s actions would continue to subject WASPAN members to regulatory uncertainty, expose them to sanctions and interfere with their lawful business operations while the appeal remains pending.

WASPAN insisted that its members are already being constrained in exercising their operational responsibilities under the NCC, which it described as their primary regulator, through additional regulatory obligations imposed by the FCCPC, including partnership approvals and service agreement requirements.

Stuffman equally argued that allowing the regulations to be enforced before the appeal is determined would render the appellate proceedings ineffective by creating a fait accompli before the Court of Appeal has an opportunity to rule on the legality of the regulations.

In the affidavit, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chukwudi Enebeli, who represented WASPAN, opined that the appeal raises substantial and arguable legal questions regarding the scope of the FCCPC’s regulatory authority over telecommunications services.

The legal opinion attached to the application further stated that there is a real likelihood that enforcement of the regulations could disrupt the operations of WASPAN members while the appeal is awaiting determination.

The association maintained that refusing its request for an injunction would undermine the purpose of the appeal and expose operators to irreversible consequences before the appellate court delivers its judgment.

It would be recalled that in the proceedings earlier, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had argued that airtime credit is not a traditional financial product but an essential telecommunications service that enables millions of Nigerians to remain connected, especially during emergencies.

In fact, the regulatory disagreement had previously resulted in the temporary suspension of airtime borrowing services by major mobile network operators before the Federal High Court granted interim relief allowing the services to resume pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The FCCPC, through its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, revealed that the FCCPC remains committed to the rule of law and would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities in line with the court’s judgment.

According to him, the Commission had always maintained that the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance, adding that following the court’s affirmation of the DEON Regulations, the FCCPC would continue to implement its statutory mandate professionally and in accordance with the law.

Every election changes a government, but very few of them change an economy. This is one of the most important lessons in political economy, but it is often forgotten in public debate. Elections attract headlines, governments make appointments afterwards, and political parties celebrate victory or explain defeat. But once the excitement is over, the real question remains unanswered: Has anything changed that will make the economy more productive?

This question explains why some nations become prosperous while others remain trapped in the cycle of political competition without achieving lasting economic progress.

For many years, people believed that natural resources determined the wealth of nations, but experience has shown otherwise. Countries with few natural resources have become some of the richest in the world, while many resource-rich nations continue to struggle with unemployment, poverty and slow economic growth. The difference is rarely the resources beneath the ground. More often, it is the ideas that guide those who govern above the ground. And, this is where political economy becomes important.

Political economy begins with a simple truth that, every economic outcome is shaped by political choices. A government’s decision to protect property rights affects investment. Its tax policies influence business expansion. Its education policies affect the quality of future workers. Its infrastructure decisions determine how easily goods move from farms and factories to markets. Even the confidence investors have in an economy is influenced by the quality of public institutions.

In other words, politics creates incentives, and incentives define economic behaviour.

Businesses invest when they believe tomorrow will be more predictable than today. Farmers produce more when roads, storage facilities and markets reduce waste. Young people invest in education when they believe hard work will be rewarded. Investors commit capital where rules are stable and contracts are respected. Productivity does not grow by accident. It grows because political decisions encourage people to produce, invest, innovate and create value.

This is why I believe Nigeria’s political conversation needs a new standard of measurement.

For too long, we have measured politics by elections won, appointments secured and offices occupied. These are political outcomes, but they are not necessarily development outcomes. I propose a different measure, and I call it ‘The Prosperity Test.’

Every major political decision should answer these simple question:

Will this decision increase Nigeria’s productive capacity over the next five, ten or twenty years?

Will it encourage investment? Will it create jobs? Will it improve learning? Will it strengthen institutions? Will it help businesses grow? Will it increase agricultural and industrial production?

If the answer to these questions is largely no, then we should honestly ask whether the decision serves the country’s long-term interest. Because the purpose of politics is not simply to manage power, rather it is to organise society in a way that allows more people to become productive.

This is what I describe as the ‘Politics of Production.’ And a nation focused on it does not judge success by the number of political offices it creates. It judges success by the number of economic opportunities it creates. Its governments compete to attract investment, its states compete to improve education, its institutions compete to deliver better public services, and its policies reward enterprise instead of uncertainty.

History offers many examples. Countries such as Singapore, Vietnam and Botswana followed different political paths, but they shared one important characteristic. Their governments consistently made choices that encouraged production, investment and institutional stability over long periods. They understood that sustainable prosperity is built gradually through predictable policies and capable institutions, not through short-term political victories alone.

Nigeria possesses many of the ingredients required for similar progress. We have a youthful population, vast agricultural land, entrepreneurial talent and abundant natural resources. These advantages should be engines of national prosperity, but advantages alone do not produce development.

Resources create possibilities, institutions turn possibilities into productivity, and productivity creates prosperity. That is why institutions matter so much. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty. When uncertainty falls, investment becomes easier. As investment increases, businesses expand. Expanding businesses employ more people, produce more goods and pay more taxes. Those taxes allow governments to invest further in infrastructure, education and healthcare, creating another cycle of growth.

Prosperity is therefore the result of many good political decisions reinforcing one another over time. And this understanding should also change the way we judge leadership.

A successful leader should not be remembered simply for winning elections. Did more businesses open under them? Did more young people find meaningful work? Did farmers become more productive? Did exports increase? Did institutions become stronger? And, did citizens gain greater confidence in the future? These are the questions political economy encourages us to ask because they measure whether politics is creating lasting economic value.

Nigeria has an abundance of politics. What we need is more productive politics; politics that expands opportunity, rewards enterprise and strengthens institutions. Our national conversation should therefore move beyond personalities and focus more on productivity. Governments should compete not only for political support but also for economic results. And citizens should judge leaders not only by promises made but by opportunities created.

If politics becomes more productive, the economy will become more productive. If the economy becomes more productive, living standards will improve. And if living standards improve, politics itself will become healthier because hope grows where opportunity exists.

The future of Nigeria will not be determined only by who occupies public offices, but whether those in public office understand that political power is valuable only when it expands economic opportunity.

That is the central lesson of political economy.

And perhaps it is the conversation Nigeria needs most today.

Two young Nigerian writers, Uzoigwe Miracle and Aremu Goodness Adejare, have emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Pius Oleghe Poetry and Literary Awards (POPALS), winning a combined N2 million in prize money for their outstanding poetic works.

Miracle won the Young Voices category, reserved for participants aged 12 to 17 years, while Adejare emerged winner of the Emerging Poets category for contestants between the ages of 18 and 35.

Each winner received a cash prize of N1 million, alongside publication opportunities, certificates of recognition, mentorship and other literary development benefits aimed at nurturing emerging talents.

One of the winners, Goodness Adejare Aremu is a Nigerian poet, essayist, and law student at the University of Ibadan, where he maintains a first class academic record.

The winners were selected after an extensive adjudication process by an independent panel of literary scholars, who assessed more than 145 entries submitted from across Nigeria and beyond.

The panel of judges comprised Professors Maria Ajima, Emmanuel Sule Egya, Chimalum Nwankwo, and Chike Okoye, as well as Dr Deji Ige.

The competition was coordinated by renowned poet and former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Professor Remi Raji, alongside award-winning playwright Nnamdi Okose, who served as literary directors.

In a statement jointly signed by the literary directors, the organisers said the inaugural edition, themed ‘Nigeria of Our Dreams,’ attracted impressive entries that reflected the creativity and intellectual depth of young Nigerian poets.

According to the statement, the quality of submissions reaffirmed poetry’s enduring relevance as a powerful medium for imagination, national reflection and hope for a better Nigeria.

The judges described Miracle’s winning entry in the Young Voices category as exceptional, citing its originality, creativity and impressive poetic craftsmanship.

Similarly, Adejare’s winning poem in the Emerging Poets category was praised for its artistic excellence and thoughtful interpretation of the competition’s theme.

The organisers also announced that shortlisted entries from both categories would be published in the inaugural Pius Oleghe Poetry Prize Anthology, showcasing some of the finest works submitted during the maiden edition of the competition.

They expressed appreciation to all participants, noting that the overwhelming response underscored the abundance of literary talent in Nigeria and the importance of creating more platforms to discover and support young writers.

The organising committee reaffirmed its commitment to identifying, nurturing and celebrating literary excellence while providing emerging poets with opportunities to reach wider audiences across Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

It also commended the panel of judges for their professionalism, diligence and integrity throughout the selection process, describing their contributions as instrumental to the successful debut of the awards.

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s latest statistics, covering Phase III, Week Nine of the exercise as of July 17, 2026, indicate that 2,970,257 eligible Nigerians had successfully registered.

Of the total figure, 970,865 registrants (33.79 per cent) completed their registration online, while 2,000,092 (66.21 per cent) registered physically at designated centres.

A demographic breakdown of the registrants shows that women accounted for 1,561,765 (52.57 per cent), while men constituted 1,409,192 (47.43 per cent).

Young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34 years made up the largest category of registrants with 2,003,183 (67.43 per cent).

They were followed by those aged 35 to 49 years with 645,651 (21.73 per cent), 50 to 69 years with 294,443 (9.91 per cent), while 27,680 (0.93 per cent) were aged 70 years and above.

By occupation, students recorded the highest number of registrations with 695,026, followed by business owners (626,523), farmers and fishermen (505,402), and housewives (480,682). Other registrants included artisans (152,184), traders (133,834), civil servants (74,507) and public servants (47,778).

INEC further disclosed that 32,361 persons living with disabilities were successfully registered during the exercise.

State-by-state statistics showed that Kano State recorded the highest number of new registrations with 234,305, followed by Lagos (140,546) and Edo (139,313).

Other states with high registration figures included Delta (132,330), Taraba (113,409), Ebonyi (111,344), Sokoto (109,076), Ogun (96,571), Bauchi (96,061), Jigawa (95,592), Kaduna (92,505), Benue (88,840), Oyo (88,716), Imo (88,155), Anambra (87,195), Nasarawa (86,914), Cross River (86,559), Bayelsa (80,425), Niger (76,841), Kwara (76,084), Katsina (74,896),Gombe (74,152), Yobe (71,382), Kebbi (70,859), Kogi (69,713), Adamawa (65,505), Borno (44,866), the Federal Capital Territory (41,700), and Plateau (31,352).

At the lower end of the scale, Ekiti recorded 841 completed registrations, while Ondo had 17,679.

Registration in Osun State remained suspended because of the forthcoming August 15th governorship election, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2026, leaving the state with no registrations during the reporting period.

INEC noted that the 2.97 million registrations remain preliminary, explaining that the figures are subject to clean-up through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to remove multiple registrations and address objections from citizens.

National commissioner Haruna has said that in continuation of the process, the commission will display the Register of Voters for claims and objections from Thursday, 23rd July to Wednesday, 29th July 2026.

However, INEC has ruled out the possibility of further extension of nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise after the end of its third and final phase on Sunday, 26th July 2026 ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, as well as INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Victoria Eta-Messi, confirmed this to Nigerian Tribune.

Also, in a post on its official X handle, INEC stressed that CVR closed on Sunday, July 26.

When asked if the commission would extend the deadline again, Haruna said, ‘No. There will be no extension of the two-week extension’, while Mrs Eta-Messi simply asked ‘Is there any need to extend the CVR exercise?’

The duo also confirmed the receipt of access codes for the upload of names and particulars of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates by all the 21 registered political parties.

When asked about the number of political parties that had obtained access codes to enable their designated national officers to upload names, personal particulars, and other required information relating nominated candidates, the chairman of IVEC said, ‘All 22 political parties have collected their token for the submission of their candidates’, while the Director of VEP said, ‘All parties I believe have obtained their access codes.’

On the number of captured during the CVR and the total number of registered voters in the country, the national commissioner said, ‘We will not know the total number until after 12 midnight tomorrow (Sunday) when the portal shuts down.’

However, Nigerian Tribune can conveniently report that about 9,291,715 eligible Nigerians may have been added to the register of voters ahead of the 2027 general election during the three phases of the CVR exercise.

A former member of the House of Representatives and senatorial aspirant, Rt Honourable Mayowa Akinfolarin, at the weekend, mobilised his political structures across Ondo South Senatorial District with the directive to ensure overwhelming victory for President Bola Tinubu as well as every candidate within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akinfolarin, who had served as both state and federal lawmaker, emphasised that the interest of the APC and the success of Tinubu’s emergence at the polls in 2027 outweigh every personal ambition.

The APC chieftain, who contested the ticket of the party for the senatorial district during the recent primaries of the party, stressed this while meeting with party leaders, women, youths, and grassroots coordinators across the six local councils of the senatorial district.

According to Akinfolarin, the gathering was aimed at strengthening the APC’s electoral machinery ahead of 2027 and ensuring that the party presents a united front.

While directing all members of his political family to close ranks and work for the victory of every APC candidate in the state, maintained that the APC has always remained a party built on discipline, sacrifice, and respect for constituted authority.

Akinfolarin added that every loyal party member must stand by the decisions of the leadership of the party in order to preserve the unity and strength of the progressive family.

The former lawmaker, who commended the minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his support before, during, and after the party primaries, described him as ‘a political lion’ whose courage, influence, and capacity to defend and protect his followers have continued to inspire confidence across the political landscape of the state.

On his part, the Director-General of Akinfolarin’s political structure, Nimbe Tawose, hailed party leaders, stakeholders, and loyal supporters for their support and prayers for Akinfolarin during the struggle for the party’s ticket.