Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly condemned the recent comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole on national television, describing them as a ‘reprehensible assault on the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers’ and ‘a gross distortion of established labour laws.’

In a hard-hitting statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed ‘profound dismay’ that a former labour leader could now be ‘a vocal advocate for corporate oppression,’ campaigning against the very rights he once fought to protect.

‘We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed,’ the statement read. ‘His attempts to rationalize the victimization of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.’

NUPENG equivocally labelled Senator Oshiomhole a betrayer of labour movement ideas, describing his latest remarks as ‘the prattle of an apostate, intoxicated by the opium of power and dollarized into betraying the cause of the downtrodden Nigerian workers.’

The union said it was ironic that the man once regarded as the voice of Nigerian workers had now become an advocate for the ‘unconscionable capitalists’ opposed to unionization in their enterprises.

Citing sections of the 1999 Constitution and relevant labour laws, NUPENG reaffirmed that ‘every person in Nigeria: citizens and foreigners alike has the right to freedom of association and assembly,’ and that ‘no employer has the right to interfere with an employee’s freedom to join or form a union.’

The union recalled that Section 9(6) of the Labour Act expressly forbids any contract that attempts to exclude a worker from trade union membership, while ILO Conventions 87 and 98, both ratified by Nigeria, guarantee workers’ rights to form and join unions without interference.

The oil and gas workers’ body dismissed as ‘absurd and archaic’ Oshiomhole’s suggestion of a ‘moratorium on unionization,’ calling it ‘a regression to an unknown phase in human history that has no place in a modern democratic society.’ The union challenged him to ‘state to the whole world the section of the Labour Act or Trade Unions Act where such a slavish provision exists.’

Reacting to Oshiomhole’s criticism of the ongoing Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) strike, NUPENG described his position as ‘an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia.’ The union emphasized that PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with its members at the Dangote Refinery, where over 800 engineers were reportedly sacked for unionizing, ‘is a protected legal action under Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act.’

‘The principle that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally,’ NUPENG asserted. ‘For some Undistinguished Senators to now find this principle inconvenient only reveals a trading of once avowed class consciousness for a place among the oppressors.’

The union further expressed dismay that Oshiomhole, who once served several times in the Governing Council of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the Committee on Application of Standards that reviews global violations of workers’ rights, could ‘demonstrate such monumental ignorance of trade unionism.’

Referring to a past comment allegedly made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, NUPENG recalled the description of Oshiomhole as ‘a comrade in the morning and a politician by night,’ suggesting that the statement now rings truer than ever. The union accused the former labour leader of ‘rewriting history to suit his current reactionary advocacy’ and questioned his moral standing to lecture anyone on integrity or strategy.

In a dramatic conclusion, NUPENG declared Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata among Nigerian oil and gas workers for what it described as ‘the Undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers.’ The statement said the declaration means that ‘henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole,’ while urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and ‘conscionable civil society organisations’ to take note.

‘Oshiomhole’s denunciation and insensitivity to the plight of 800 engineers and his resistance to unionism in the petroleum and gas sector is a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class and strengthen the class enemy,’ NUPENG warned. ‘We will continue to deploy every legal and industrial instrument available to us, in full compliance with Nigerian law and global labour standards, to secure justice.’

Declaring that Oshiomhole’s position on the PENGASSAN strike ‘qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,’ the union concluded with its enduring slogan: ‘Solidarity Forever! Our solidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong.’

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed as false, mischievous and politically motivated reports alleging that he ordered the withdrawal of security detail attached to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, the government described the claim as a ‘false alarm’ designed to create unnecessary tension and distrust among leaders in the state.

The rebuttal followed viral reports alleging that policemen attached to the two residences of the former governor in Akwa Ibom had been recalled, sparking mixed reactions and political speculations within the state.

While some commentators accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of attempting to arm-twist the former governor, others interpreted the development as evidence of a possible rift between Governor Eno and his predecessor.

Umanah, however, dismissed the insinuations as baseless. ‘The Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor.

‘There has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,’ he clarified.

The Information Commissioner described the publication as a deliberate act by mischief-makers to distract from the administration’s development agenda and strain the cordial relationship between the two leaders.

He reaffirmed that Governor Eno remains focused on peace, unity, and stability across Akwa Ibom and would not be drawn into divisive or sensational politics.

‘Governor Eno will continue to ensure that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, enjoy the full protection and benefits of the law,’ Umanah added.

He also urged journalists and media houses always to verify reports before publication to avoid spreading misinformation capable of heating up the polity.

Oyo State Government has sealed off Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences, Apata, Ibadan, for operating without proper accreditation and for offering unauthorised health-related programmes.

The enforcement operation was carried out on Friday by a team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Kehinde Oyebode, who represented the Commissioner for Health during the inspection.

Officials revealed that the institution had been deceiving unsuspecting members of the public by running unapproved courses under the guise of legitimate health training. Among the fraudulent programmes identified were so-called ‘Nursing Technician’ and ‘Nursing Assistant’ courses, which are not recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or approved by the Ministry.

‘Let it be clear: there is no such thing as a ‘Nursing Technician’ or ‘Nursing Assistant’ course within the framework of Nigeria’s approved health training curricula,’ Oyebode stated.

‘This institution has been operating illegally and misleading students and parents who believe they are enrolling in accredited professional programmes.’

Oyebode expressed concern over the implications of such unauthorised operations on public health and safety. She noted that the school had not only commenced academic activities without approval, but had also been collecting tuition fees from students despite having no regulatory clearance from relevant authorities.

‘This is a serious violation. The health sector is not one where we can afford to cut corners,’ she emphasised.

‘Untrained and unlicensed individuals posing as health workers endanger lives. The government will not tolerate this kind of illegality.’

She explained that nursing education in Nigeria is strictly regulated, and only accredited Schools of Nursing or approved institutions affiliated with recognised teaching hospitals are permitted to train individuals in the nursing profession.

In line with its findings, the Ministry of Health issued an immediate shutdown order on the college’s operations, pending compliance with all necessary regulatory requirements, including programme accreditation and institutional licensing.

The Ministry further issued a public advisory warning residents of Oyo State and beyond to steer clear of Covenant College of Health Technology or any similar institutions offering unrecognised health programmes.

‘We urge parents, guardians, and prospective students to always verify the accreditation status of any health-related institution before making commitments. The list of approved schools is publicly available through the Ministry and regulatory bodies like the NMCN,’ Oyebode said.

This incident adds to growing concerns over the proliferation of mushroom institutions across Nigeria that exploit the demand for professional training in healthcare by offering fraudulent courses with no legal standing.

Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have repeatedly called on government agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to these illegal setups.

The enforcement action reinforces Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration’s strong stance on education reform, public accountability, and ethical standards in both public and private institutions across Oyo State.

Government officials reiterated their commitment to sanitising the education landscape and ensuring that only credible, accredited, and professionally guided institutions operate within the state.

The Oyo State Ministry of Health reiterates that Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences remains shut until it secures proper licensing and programme accreditation from relevant authorities.

For inquiries or to verify the accreditation status of any health training institution, members of the public are advised to contact the Ministry directly or visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) website.

Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Ltd, Engr Stella Okengwu, has said that the confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria is at risk if their ongoing concerns are not urgently addressed by the federal government.

In a statement signed Monday, Okengwu accused the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi of actions that may threaten foreign investors’ confidence and undermine the rule of law.

She said the project in question, Winhomes Estate, is a $250 million diaspora-backed housing and tourism development designed to promote national growth and attract sustainable foreign investment.

According to her, the initiative was inspired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and has drawn support from Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign partners.

‘We believed in the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a vision that inspired us to invest massively in Nigeria’s future.

‘But the recent actions and public comments of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, have crossed legal boundaries and endangered investor confidence,’ she said.

Okengwu explained that Winhomes legally acquired 20 hectares of land, subdivided into 2,500 plots – each valued at ?150 million – within a serviced estate equipped with roads, drainage, libraries, hospitals, and perimeter fencing.

She added that about 400 plots worth ?60 billion were affected by the ongoing coastal road diversion, bringing total estimated losses to ?85 billion.

‘This is diaspora sweat and real capital – now endangered by ministerial overreach,’ she said.

The Winhomes CEO further alleged that the minister invoked the President’s name in a matter still before the court, calling the action ‘improper and dangerous.’

‘This conduct exposes the President’s office to reputational risk and undermines judicial independence,’ she said, citing Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which upholds the supremacy of the rule of law.

Okengwu clarified that the dispute is still before the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/10063/25), contrary to reports suggesting a judgment in favour of the Federal Government.

‘The case is still ongoing before Justice Akintayo Aluko. No judgment has been delivered. Any attempt to revoke land titles mid-case is contemptuous and unconstitutional,’ she said.

She also alleged that the minister visited the disputed site and declared it under his control – an act she described as ‘deeply corrosive to Nigeria’s investment climate.’

Addressing concerns about the source of project funds, Okengwu said the investment was financed through legal financial channels such as Sendwave, MoneyGram, Western Union, and other CBN-regulated platforms.

She added that Winhomes is certified by the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, confirming the legitimacy and transparency of all inflows.

‘Any suggestion that these funds are illegal is reckless and defamatory. These are lawfully earned funds from hardworking Nigerians abroad,’ she warned.

She called on President Tinubu to intervene by halting further ministerial comments, reaffirming judicial independence, and ordering a transparent valuation of diaspora investors’ losses.

She also urged the presidency to facilitate dialogue between WINHOMES and the Ministry of Works through their legal representatives, and to order investigations into alleged irregularities linked to the project.

‘Mr. President, this is a moment for decisive leadership. Either we protect the Constitution and investor confidence, or we allow ministerial impunity to erode decades of trust. The world is watching.’

She maintained that the Winhomes project represents a model for diaspora-led national development and warned that disputes of this nature could discourage future foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

Marketing experts have urged brands to move beyond price but build trust and deliver holistic value in today’s changing marketing landscape, saturated with choices and increasingly discerning consumers.

The call was made at the third edition of the MediaConsortium Conference and Awards, held recently, in Lagos.

Head of Digital Media at Globacom, Femi Opadere, in his keynote address tagged:

‘Defining ‘Value’ in the Modern Marketplace: Beyond Price, Quality, Experience and Ethics’, challenged brands to shift their focus from cost to benefit.

He emphasised that today’s consumers are digitally active, with numerous options, and can therefore make decisions based on more than just price.

Using Globacom’s introduction of per-second billing as a prime example, he illustrated how delivering genuine value can revolutionise an industry.

Opadere recalled that that seemingly simple, but value-driven strategy led to the telecom company, getting over one million subscribers, within a few months of coming into that space

One of the panelists, Samuel Akinrimisi, warned that brands often fail when they operate on flawed assumptions about their customers.

Akinrimisi, who is the New Product Development Lead at Eko Supreme Resources, stressed the need to take cognisance of the consumer needs into product perspective, at the level of product development.

He argued that true value is ‘needed satisfaction’ and requires brands to understand the cultural relevance of their products and messaging.

Strategy/Creative Director at Hephzibah Experiential Ltd, Ayodeji Ajayi reiterated the power of building an emotional connection and trust to foster unwavering loyalty.

‘You cannot take away emotions,’ Ajayi noted, while attributing a consumer’s preference for a brand to a deep bind shared with such brand.

Speaking on the choice of the theme, Adetunji Faleye, Co-Convener of the MediaConsortium Conference and Awards, described the theme as reflecting a pressing question for today’s brands, businesses, and leaders.

‘We believe the answer lies in a holistic approach, one that integrates all these elements, and goes further to capture the intangible: trust, relevance, purpose, and sustainability; the benchmarks of success in the modern marketplace,’ he added.

The Nigerian government’s plan to remodel airports has raised concerns among experts, who believe that the process is mere window dressing.

Group Captain John Ojikutu, a former Airport Chief Security Officer and airport security expert, expressed reservations about the project, citing the long-standing problems at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), as albatross.

‘The first thing to ask FAAN authority and the responsible government authorities for public properties is to show us the official survey plans for the MMA Ikeja,’ Ojikutu said.

He continued: ‘You can never get it (the survey plan) because more than half of the land has been compromised to private ownership and that is why I have repeatedly said that Lagos Airport is in the middle of uncontrolled urban development and complicated major road networks.’

Ojikutu emphasized that the airport’s security fence is a major concern, as it does not meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17.

‘Without solving the problem of the airport perimeter fence and the security fence, FAAN and the MMA will remain in default of the provisions of Annex 17 Documents 8973,’ he stated.

Ojikutu also highlighted the issue of unruly passengers and the fear of homegrown terrorists becoming moles.

‘What K1 (Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde) did at MMA the last time he misbehaved unlawfully on a moving aircraft was nothing different from being an unlawful act to civil aviation, a criminal offence,’ he said.

He stressed further that: ‘Very unfortunately, the responsible authorities demonstrated to the global regulatory authority that he deserved to be rewarded or awarded a national honour as the president did. It was criminal.’

Buttressing, Dr. Oluropo Owolabi, former Managing Director of Skypower Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) and cargo handling icon,, shared similar concerns.

‘I’m unhappy about our Lagos airport and the way the remodeling thing is being handled,’ he said, stressing: ‘To me, this is just a hish hush arrangement to score undue points. To remodel an airport is not what you do in a hurry. A lot of planning, visibility studies, works come to play to ensure the comfort of passengers which is the key motive for setting up an airport.’

Owolabi cited examples of airports that have undergone successful remodeling projects, such as LaGuardia Airport in New York, which took six to eight years to complete.

‘The LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York that recently undergone a complete remodeling, is an example,’ he said. ‘The project began in 2016 and was essentially finished by 2024, taking roughly 8 years.’

The experts’ concerns highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to airport remodeling, one that prioritizes passenger comfort, security, and safety.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has approved a major redevelopment project for the Lagos International Airport, with an estimated 22-month timeframe.

However, the experts’ reservations suggest that more needs to be done to address the airport’s underlying problems.

According to Owolabi, planning a remodeling of the Lagos airport could take a year, identifying loopholes and devising foolproof means to tackle the problems once and for all before setting to work, which would also take some years.

‘I’m not happy with the situation at the airport today. I entered the industry in 1976 and I know what it used to be then. We travel abroad and we see the trend; what modern airports look like today. To engage in a hurried remodeling at this time and age is not worth being encouraged.

‘What plans do they have for passengers comfort during the remodeling period. How do they think the new terminal they plan to move to, would satisfy the needs of passengers, how do we take care of Nigerians doing businesses in the old MMIA and others providing services for the comfort of passengers, ‘ Owolabi querried.

He encouraged government to ensure a thorough job, noting that such could only happen when the original template and survey plan of the airport is secured to actually arrive at its expansion plan from conception.

‘The Lagos airport is modeled after Schipol Airport in Germany and anybody visiting the latter today can see the wide gap in difference,’ he said.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has declared that the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, is of critical importance to Nigeria and must be supported at all costs to ucceed.

Reacting to the recent skirmish between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and management of refinery, Shettima said it was unnecessary for members of PENGASSAN to hold the nation to ransom over what he described as ‘a minor labour dispute’.

Shettima spoke on Monday at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) held in Abuja.

Recall that on September 28, PENGASSAN commenced a nationwide strike over the dismissal of Nigerian workers by Dangote refinery.

The strike was however suspended after Dangote Group, the parent company of the refinery, agreed to redeploy the sacked workers.

Faulting the association’s move, the vice-president said Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, is not an individual but an institution.

He added Dangote is ‘a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament’.

‘And how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, in Amazon, in Google, probably he might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now. But he opted to invest in his country and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and project the interests of this great Nigeria,’ Shettima said.

‘I wish to call for caution, retrospection and a deeper sense of patriotism from both the labour and the organised private sector in defining and improving the relationship between labour and industry in the interest of maintaining our steadily improving economic fortunes.

‘It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN and Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.’

Speaking further, the vice-president emphasised that he was not acting out of partisanship, but as a ‘patriot in search of solutions to our national challenges’.

He emphasised that in the interest of improving the nation’s fortunes, the government was tasking the NESG with taking more than a passing interest in the matter.

‘The government will expect priority recommendations from the NESG in addressing this issue even as the government is also taking steps to protect big industry and ensuring industrial harmony for the good of the nation. This is a refinery, Your Excellencies, Your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,’ Shettima said.

The vice-president reiterated that the refinery project was financed through a mix of equity investments, debt financing, and loans obtained from both local and foreign banks.

Consequently, he said the refinery has to function to salvage the debt and ‘we cannot hold the whole nation to ransom for some issues that we can amicably settle across the table’.

Shettima said his stance ‘reflects the true position of President Bola Tinubu’ and ‘the Nigerian people’.

On October 2, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, on projected revenue losses due to the suspended strike by the PENGASSAN, resulting from deferred production, missed liftings, and reduced gas sale.

Earlier on Monday, Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), NNPC, said the recent rise in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, was also linked to the recent strike by PENGASSAN.

A coordinated police operation has resulted in the death of several suspected kidnappers following a dramatic ambush and firefight in a forest in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred after operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on intelligence, arrested two suspects, Abubakar Musa, 28, and Yusuf Sale, 25 in separate operations across Rivers and Imo States.

The suspects subsequently led officers to a secluded bush between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor communities to recover a cache of weapons.

According to SP Bright Edafe, as the team exited the bush, they were ambushed by other gang members attempting to free the arrested suspects. A fierce gun battle ensued.

‘The operatives engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel, where the suspects and some members of their gang who came to rescue them sustained gunshot injuries,’ the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command added.

Two police officers were also wounded in the exchange and are currently receiving treatment.

The injured suspects, he disclosed, were taken to hospital but were pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

Recovered exhibits included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 43 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol.

A manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects is ongoing.

In a related development, the Delta State Police have apprehended 12 suspected cultists and recovered a Beretta pistol in a raid on a suspected gang hideout in Jesse town.

Jesse is in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The operation, conducted on Sunday 5th October 2025 by a combined team of the State Anti-Cult Unit, targeted a location believed to be used for stockpiling weapons and planning attacks on rival groups.

Acting on intelligence following recent cult-related violence in the area, officers stormed a property on Sylvester Street, Ethiope West LGA.

During the raid, one Mudiaga Obey, aged 20, and eleven other individuals were taken into custody.

‘The operatives stormed a hideout where stockpiling of firearms, ammunition, and meetings is usually held before attacks on rival cult groups,’ confirmed SP Bright Edafe in a press release.

The police successfully recovered one Beretta pistol and one live round of ammunition during the operation.

All 12 suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has expressed optimism that the party is prepared to offer Nigerians a credible alternative capable of steering the nation out of its current challenges.

Speaking on the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general election, Adebayo said the SDP remains distinct from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as an independent party built on clear principles and integrity.

‘It is very rare to find a true SDP person who will have interest in the APC or the PDP because the idea of what they are doing is totally opposite to what the SDP is preaching,’ he said.

Adebayo noted that efforts were ongoing to strengthen the party and reposition it for the next election cycle, adding that leadership changes were being made to ensure greater accountability and discipline among members.

‘When I ran for president, there were elements that worked against us in the party. There were party agents who would not show up and state chairmen who collected our agent card and then went and gave it to another political party.

‘I went to Kwara and discovered that from our research sheets, we scored 122,000 votes, but they recorded only 22,000 for us. Those who were supposed to defend our votes thought they could have a relationship with the ruling party, and that messed things up. So, we’re changing those leaderships and bringing in new people,’ he revealed.

The SDP leader said the party was focused on building a structure rooted in patriotism and selflessness.

‘It takes a while to get a political party whose majority of members will be people that are selfless, patriotic and in politics because they want nothing other than a better country. That’s what we are building in the SDP,’ he stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, Adebayo lamented the country’s continued disunity, saying the nation’s formation lacked the philosophical and visionary foundation that united other countries.

‘If you study the history of some kingdoms and societies, you’ll find that even when they were divided, a great leader emerged to unite them,’ he said. ‘That’s not the history of Nigeria. Nigeria started accidentally. There were no great philosophers or great thinkers within our population who said, ‘Let us all come together. Let me unite the people.”

Adebayo traced the roots of Nigeria’s disunity to its colonial origins, explaining that the country began as a trade zone under the Royal Niger Company before being merged by the British for administrative convenience.

‘So, Nigeria started merely as a trade zone, just like you have a free trade or export processing zone,’ he explained. ‘It was a business arrangement handed over to the British government to manage as a protectorate and colony. In 1914, they decided to amalgamate the territories, and 46 years later, they handed them over to local leaders who were united only by their indigenous identity.’

He said early nationalist leaders such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello took charge of an inherited structure that lacked unity of purpose, a challenge the SDP now seeks to address through value-based politics and people-focused leadership.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has condemned the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, describing the development as devastating and insensitive to the convictions of the majority of Anglicans worldwide.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Primate, The Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, the Church said Sarah Mullally’s election, announced on Friday, October 3, 2025, disregards the theological and moral challenges currently facing the Anglican Communion.

According to the statement, the decision to appoint Bishop Mullally represents a double jeopardy both because of her being a woman in episcopal leadership, which many Anglicans oppose, and her well-known support for same-sex marriage.

The Church cited Mullally’s remarks in 2023 following a vote by the Church of England to approve blessings for same-sex couples, where she described the outcome as a moment of hope for the Church.

The Church of Nigeria said such a position undermines biblical authority and threatens the unity of the global Anglican family.

‘It remains to be seen how the same person hopes to mend the already torn fabric of the Anglican Communion by the contentious same-sex marriage, which has caused an enormous crisis across the Communion for over two decades,’ the statement read.

The Nigerian Anglican leadership said the development confirms that ‘the global Anglican world could no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England and that of the Archbishop of Canterbury.’

Reaffirming its alignment with the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) movement, the Church of Nigeria pledged to uphold ‘the authority of the Scriptures, our historic creeds, evangelism and holy Christian living,’ in defiance of what it described as the Church of England’s ‘revisionist agenda.’

Archbishop Ndukuba also expressed solidarity with members of the Church of England who continue to reject same-sex marriage and other ungodly teachings, urging them to ‘contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.’

Rev. Mullally’s election marks the first time a woman has been chosen as Archbishop of Canterbury, a move hailed by progressives but met with sharp criticism from conservative Anglican provinces, including Nigeria, Uganda, and parts of Asia.