Category: Nigerian Tribune

Three persons have been killed and 20 others injured in a road crash involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a Volkswagen Golf car at Tonkere town, along the Ife-Ilesa Expressway in Osun State.

The accident, which occurred on Saturday, involved 23 people comprising nine males, 11 females and three children – two boys and a girl.

The Osun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Sunday Adebayo, confirmed the casualties in a statement issued in Osogbo.

According to him, the three fatalities comprised two females and one male, while the 20 other victims sustained various degrees of injuries.

Adebayo attributed the crash, based on preliminary findings, to speeding and dangerous driving, warning motorists against behaviours capable of endangering their lives and those of other road users.

He said the accident prompted the immediate deployment of FRSC rescue teams from Ile-Ife and Ilesa to the scene to evacuate victims and manage the aftermath of the collision.

The injured victims were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment, the sector commander disclosed, although he did not identify the facility where they were admitted.

The incident has again highlighted the dangers posed by excessive speed and other forms of reckless driving on major highways, particularly routes experiencing heavy vehicular movement.

Adebayo urged motorists plying the state’s highways to exercise greater caution and comply with traffic regulations, stressing that driving at a safe speed could reduce both the likelihood and severity of road crashes.

He noted that motorists had a responsibility not only to protect themselves but also to safeguard the lives and property of other road users.

The sector commander assured residents that the FRSC would continue its enforcement operations, public enlightenment campaigns and other road safety initiatives across Osun State as part of efforts to curb crashes and prevent avoidable deaths.

He called for greater cooperation among motorists and other road users, stressing that road safety remained a collective responsibility requiring discipline and caution from everyone using the highways.

Monininuoluwa ‘Moni’ Ajani is an award-winning event strategist, wedding planner, author, educator and founder of Mo’ Events Ville. In this interview with YETUNDE AJANAKU, she shares her journey from customer service to event planning, her passion for creating memorable experiences and building a successful career in the events industry.

The events industry in Nigeria is largely powered by women, yet many of the women behind successful event businesses are not always recognised as business owners and professionals. Why do you think this is so, and what needs to change?

I think part of the problem is that some women have contributed to this by not seeing themselves as business owners or professionals. Imposter syndrome can make women allow their voices to be drowned out, while others see what they do as a hobby or something they simply enjoy doing, rather than a career.

In the events industry, people see the glamour and celebration but often don’t see the business behind it, from the strategy, negotiation, finances, team management, logistics and problem-solving.

I believe we need to encourage more women to take themselves and their businesses seriously. Put structure in place, invest in business education, understand their numbers, charge professionally and confidently own their expertise. The more we see ourselves as professionals, the easier it becomes for others to see us that way too.

For many Nigerian women, entrepreneurship is not necessarily a choice but a response to limited opportunities in the formal workplace. From your experience, what are some of the realities women face when trying to build sustainable businesses in Nigeria?

Entrepreneurship was actually a choice for me. I left my job as a customer service representative to pursue a career as an event professional. In hindsight, I probably would have done both for a while, because having another source of income can make a huge difference when you’re trying to build a business.

One of the realities I have experienced is financing. Access to funds can determine how much you are able to invest in your business, and sometimes limited finances also limit creativity and growth.

There is also the pressure of being everything in the business , a marketer, administrator, customer service representative, strategist and sometimes the person executing the work. Building a sustainable business requires more than passion. You need structure, financial discipline, systems, support and continuous learning.

Women are often expected to balance career, family, marriage and societal expectations while building their businesses. How realistic do you think this expectation is, and what conversations should we be having about it?

Realistically, I think it is almost impossible to be fully balanced in all these spheres at the same time without a strong support system, compromise, or consciously giving more energy to one aspect than another.

We need to have more honest conversations about this. Vulnerability is important, because women often see other people’s successes without seeing the sacrifices, struggles or seasons behind them. We should share our stories more openly so women understand that they are not alone and that they don’t have to have everything figured out all at once.

Rather than constantly asking women how they will ‘do it all,’ I think we should also be asking, ‘Who is supporting her?’ Building a career, family and business should not be a one-woman responsibility.

With the rising cost of living and the changing economic realities in Nigeria, celebrations are becoming increasingly expensive. How is this affecting women who work in the events industry and the clients they serve?

The rising cost of living is affecting both clients and professionals in the industry. Almost every element of an event costs more today, so clients are having to make more intentional decisions about what they spend on.

I also think we are getting to a stage where, when it comes to celebrations, people will either go all out on the details and experience, or decide not to bother at all. That means women in the events industry have to be intentional about the value they create.

We have to invest in our craft, continually improve, communicate that value and position ourselves to attract clients who are willing and able to pay for it. But ultimately, value has to come first. In a difficult economy, people may spend less, but they will still pay for something they genuinely believe is worth it.

You studied Economics at the University of Ibadan and initially had experience in customer service and fashion. What happened between studying Economics and discovering that event planning was something you wanted to build a career around?

Studying Economics at the University of Ibadan didn’t necessarily point me towards event planning. After university, I worked in customer service and also explored fashion, but along the way I began to realise that I had some natural skills that I could actually monetise – welfarism, paying attention to detail and genuinely caring about people’s experiences.

When I coordinated my first event in 2016, I discovered that I could combine those natural abilities with something I genuinely enjoyed. The idea of working and having fun, rather than working purely out of obligation or duty, sounded like a very good idea to me. Of course, work can be stressful, but at least it would be happy stress.

You coordinated your first event in 2016 and eventually established Mo’ Events Ville in 2018. What did you see in yourself or in the industry at that time that made you believe you could turn event planning into a serious career?

To be honest, I didn’t see anything particularly special in myself at the time. I simply knew that if other people could thrive in the events industry, I could too.

More importantly, my heart was drawn to making happy people even happier through their milestone celebrations. I enjoyed being part of those moments and I loved the responsibility of helping people bring their vision to life.

So I started learning, doing the work and figuring things out along the way. My first event was in 2016 and Mo’ Events Ville was established in 2018. What started with the belief that I could do it eventually became a serious profession and a business I have spent the last decade building.

Your work has taken you from weddings to corporate events and destination celebrations. At what point did you realise that you were no longer simply planning events but had actually built a profession and a reputation for yourself?

Interestingly, I think I realised it wasn’t just about the events I was planning when I started seeing the impact of what I knew on other people.

People began to glean from me, apply what I taught them and actually get results, whether that meant establishing or growing their brands as vendors or planners, or simply being able to plan their own events more seamlessly as clients.

That was significant for me because it showed me that my value wasn’t only in executing events. The knowledge, experience and judgement I had developed could help other people make better decisions and achieve better outcomes.

That was when I truly began to see that I had built not just a business, but a profession and a reputation around my expertise.

You have also moved into training, writing and speaking. What personal experience or gap in the industry made you decide that you wanted to teach and document what you had learnt rather than keep the knowledge to yourself?

I believe the event ecosystem is a sweeter place to thrive in when everyone is doing events right. When professionals are better equipped and clients are better informed, there is less friction, better decision-making and ultimately better experiences for everyone involved.

Over the years, I have learnt a lot through experience – what works, what doesn’t and what could be done better. I realised that keeping that knowledge to myself didn’t make much sense.

Through training, writing and speaking, I get to share those lessons and hopefully contribute to raising the standard of the industry. If one planner becomes better, one vendor builds a stronger business or one client has a smoother event because of something I taught or documented, then the knowledge has served its purpose.

Basically, I’m hoping we all do events better and live happily ever after.

Behind the beautiful pictures and seemingly perfect celebrations, event planning can be extremely demanding. What has been one of the most difficult experiences you have had in the industry, and what did it teach you about yourself?

One of the most difficult things event planning has taught me to navigate is people. Beyond technical expertise, you need a lot of emotional and social intelligence to manage different personalities, expectations and sometimes difficult situations.

I’ve learnt that expertise is not just knowing what to do; it is also knowing how to communicate it, when to stand your ground and how to remain calm when things don’t go according to plan. It has taught me a lot about myself, particularly patience, resilience and emotional intelligence.

Have there been moments when you questioned whether you had chosen the right career? If yes, what kept you going during those periods?

Of course. I’m human! I’ve experienced imposter syndrome several times, especially during seasons when everything seems quiet. I’ve also questioned why I hold so dearly to some of my personal beliefs and core values when taking the easier way out might seem more attractive.

What keeps me going is my mantra: ‘Never let a crisis go to waste.’ I understand that life happens in seasons, and every season has to be maximised, whether quietly or loudly. I try to channel my energy into productive things rather than constantly focusing on what isn’t working.

Interestingly, some of my quietest seasons have birthed some of my biggest expressions – the academy, my books and several other initiatives. Sometimes the pause is actually preparation for what is to come.

What is one lesson about people, business or leadership that event planning has taught you that you probably would not have learnt from studying Economics or working in a conventional job?

Emotional intelligence is such a big deal in this craft. Economics taught me about numbers and resources, but event planning has taught me how important it is to understand people.

You need empathy, self-awareness and the ability to understand why people behave the way they do, especially when emotions and expectations are high. I have learnt that you can be technically brilliant, but if you don’t know how to manage people, you will struggle in this industry.

You have written resources for planners, vendors and brides, and you also mentor aspiring professionals. What are some mistakes you see young women entering the events industry making, and what would you advise them to do differently?

One mistake I see is the expectation that once you start managing events, you will immediately ‘blow’ and start controlling billions the next day. Young professionals sometimes don’t want to slow down, learn and go through the process.

But mistakes are meant to be made. What matters is what you do with them and what you do after them.

My advice is to learn the craft, get practical experience, understand the business side, build relationships and give yourself permission to grow gradually. Don’t be in such a hurry to look successful that you skip the process of actually becoming good.

Looking at the woman you were when you coordinated that first event in 2016 and the woman you are today, what would you say has changed the most about you-and what advice would you give the younger Moni if you could sit with her today?

I have evolved, and I’m still evolving. I’m much calmer now, and I think things through more before I react or make decisions. Ten years of experiences will do that to you!

If I could sit with the Moni of 2016, I’d simply tell her: ‘Farabale. Everything good will come.’

I’d tell her to enjoy the process, trust herself more and not be so anxious about figuring everything out immediately. Most importantly, I’d tell her to trust God and remember that God cannot mismanage her life.

When his longtime associate and composer, Akanni Fatai (alias B’olodeoku), died in the late 1970s, the Apala music emperor, Ayinla Omowura, captured the shock in a tear-jerking elegy. He described the news of Fatai’s passage as ‘agbo-ju-‘gba-nu’ -news so rudely shocking that, upon hearing it, you instinctively throw away the calabash bowl in your hand.

The news of the death of my friend, Dotun Oladipo, reached me in the quiet of an early morning. Opening my phone to check the world’s daily anxieties on social media, I was struck by that same Ayinla’s agbo-ju-‘gba-nu impulse, momentarily casting my device away like a leprous chattel.

Oladipo passed on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56. Only three weeks or so earlier, we had met at a gathering in Lagos. With the painful clarity of hindsight, how was I to know that as he walked up to exchange a warm, long-overdue pleasantry, Dotun was actually bidding me farewell?

Ever since the reality of his passage sank in, I have searched philosophical texts for explanation. I wanted something beyond run-of-the-mill theological interpretations -something activist, probing, and unconventional.

I first turned to the British sociologist Geoffrey Gorer. In his 1955 study, The Pornography of Death, Gorer argued that because modern society hides death from public view, our fascination with mortality manifests through ‘reprehensibly graphic and violent representations.’ Yet, Gorer’s thesis offered no solace; it left me more bewildered than before.

Next, I sought refuge in Epicurus, who counseled against mourning because death, as the complete cessation of sensory consciousness, is ‘nothing to us.’ Epicurus argued that while we exist, death is absent, and when death arrives, we no longer exist to feel it. Therefore, dreading a state which we cannot fathom or suffer is irrational.

Socrates took a similar view. He maintained that death is not to be feared. It arrives either as a peaceful, dreamless sleep or as a migration of the soul to another realm where one joins the great minds of history. His disciple, Plato, carried the thought further: the body is merely a prison for the immortal soul, and true philosophy is the lifelong practice of freeing that soul to contemplate eternal truths which death reveals.

For the Stoics – chief among them Seneca and Marcus Aurelius – a constant awareness of mortality was necessary to strip away life’s trivialities. The existentialist Martin Heidegger echoed this: knowing that life is finite and time bound should compel us to live authentically.

African cosmology, however, offers a fundamentally different perspective of death. It is never a terminal end. The deceased transitions into the realm of the ‘living-dead,’ acquiring the status of ancestors who maintain an active, powerful relationship with the world they left behind.

In Yoruba thought, the physical (Ayé) and spiritual (Òrun) worlds are interconnected mirrors. To earn passage to the afterlife as a respected ancestor, one must hold a passport stamped by a life lived in service to others. Across the border in Benin Republic, death is seen as a loop where man sheds the garment of mortality to don the apparel of immortality, returning as the Egungun to bless the living.

Similarly, in Igbo cosmology, the lands of the living and the dead are Siamese twins; a righteous earthly existence is the prerequisite for ancestorhood. Among the Ga of Ghana, the BaManianga, a subgroup of the Kongo (Bakongo) ethnic group who primarily live in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Tshivenda, a distinct Bantu ethnic group living primarily in the northernmost Limpopo province of South Africa, near the border with Zimbabwe, Zulu of South Africa, as well as the Gikuyu and Nandi of Kenya, death is universally understood as a transition rather than an erasure.

Yet, despite this vast repository of philosophical and ancestral wisdom, none of these theories offers comfort or clarity for Dotun’s sudden exit. The question that continues to torment me remains simple and unanswered: why do good men die?

I met Dotun during his days at The Punch newspaper. A gentleman to the hilt, he possessed the rare selflessness of a man always ready to shoulder another person’s burden alongside his own.

To contemplate that the earth will open its audacious mouth to swallow such a good man is the ultimate testament to death’s cruel daring. I closed all textbooks, allowing the presence of a trickling tear violate the borders of my roving thoughts. Then, I tuned my device to listen to a sermon from the Apala music lord to Yusuff Olatunji at his own death. It sieved into my ears… ‘Gbere o, arin’ako, o d’oju ala…’ he sang – Never to be seen again, except a chance meet with someone with his similar bodily features, or in the dream!

When you drop your vehicle at the mechanic’s workshop, hand house keys to a painter, or engage a real estate agent to secure an apartment, you naturally expect professionalism.

However, routine service transactions often cross into high-risk territory when personal and financial paperwork is left unattended. Many unsuspecting citizens have become targets of identity theft, unauthorized property sales, and criminal investigations simply because they left sensitive records behind.

According to security advisories from consumer protection advocates and anti-fraud experts, a large percentage of local identity fraud begins with documents carelessly left in vehicle glove compartments or shared recklessly with middlemen.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the five critical documents you must never leave with mechanics, agents, or artisans, along with practical steps to safeguard your identity.

Original vehicle proof of ownership and custom papers

Leaving your original vehicle license, Custom clearance papers, and Proof of Ownership Certificate inside your car’s glove compartment at the mechanic workshop is a dangerous gamble. Mechanics often test-drive vehicles or leave workshops unattended overnight, making these documents vulnerable to opportunistic theft.

According to fraud trend reports highlighted by legal practitioners and law enforcement, rogue elements can duplicate your vehicle’s identity, create fake chassis numbers, or even pledge your car as collateral for illicit loans using authentic original papers.

To stay protected, remove all original vehicle documents before handing over your car keys. Keep clear photocopies or digital versions on your smartphone for routine road checks, and only present original documents when dealing directly with authorized law enforcement officers.

National identity slip (NIN) and voters card

House agents and business intermediaries frequently ask prospective tenants or clients for proof of identity before showing properties or providing services. Handing over your original National Identification Number (NIN) slip, Permanent Voter Card (PVC), or International Passport leaves you wide open to impersonation.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has repeatedly cautioned that identity documents contain sensitive biometric markers and verification numbers that fraudsters exploit to open fraudulent bank accounts or register untraceable SIM cards.

Never leave an original identification document in the custody of an agent or artisan for ‘safekeeping’. If verification is mandatory, provide a masked photocopy where non-essential identification digits are blacked out, and write a clear watermarked purpose across the page, such as ‘For Tenancy Verification Only’.

Original land title documents and survey plans

When carrying out building renovations, property valuations, or structural repairs, you may be tempted to hand original Deeds of Assignment, Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), or registered Survey Plans to draughtsmen, surveyors, or property agents.

Property fraud syndicates actively target original documentation to fabricate parallel titles, clone land records, and execute unauthorized sales of innocent people’s land. Once a rogue agent gets physical hold of an original title, undoing the legal damage in court can take years.

Always keep your original land titles secured in a bank safe deposit box or a fireproof safe at home. Provide only certified true copies or clearly marked duplicates when collaborating with verified professionals.

Signed chequebooks, debit cards, and BVN records

It is surprisingly common for busy individuals to leave signed cheque leaves, discarded ATM slips, or written Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) inside cars or home drawers accessible to domestic artisans and technicians.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regularly warns that access to a victim’s phone number, BVN, and basic banking details provides cybercriminals with the exact credentials needed to execute unauthorized SIM swaps and drain bank accounts.

Ensure that all financial records, withdrawal slips, and payment cards are kept out of sight before opening your home or vehicle to artisans. Treat your BVN and banking details with the same absolute confidentiality as your ATM PIN.

Blank signed letterheads and official stamp sheets

Business owners and corporate professionals sometimes leave pre-signed blank sheets, letterheads, or company seals in office spaces undergoing repairs or inside personal vehicles handed to drivers and mechanics.

An artisan or middleman with access to a signed company letterhead can easily draft fraudulent contracts, request unauthorised bank authorisations, or generate false letters of introduction for visa fraud in your name.

Audit your workspace and vehicle interior thoroughly before granting access to third-party workers. If official correspondence must be issued, draft and sign the specific document directly rather than leaving blank authorisation behind.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi, received an outpouring of prayers and goodwill from mothers and families who benefited from her food donation in Lagos.

The actress, who celebrated her birthday on September 5, chose to mark it in a different way by bringing relief to women and families facing food insecurity through a giveback initiative held last Thursday.

The outreach, organised in partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative under its Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), saw beneficiaries receive food items and other essential provisions.

For many of the mothers who attended the programme, however, the gesture went beyond the food supplies. They showered Abraham with prayers and heartfelt appreciation, expressing gratitude for remembering families in need as she celebrated another year of her life.

The emotional moments added a personal dimension to the birthday initiative, as beneficiaries prayed for the actress’ continued success, long life and greater accomplishments.

Tagged ‘Bestie Jesu,’ the initiative also formed part of activities surrounding the promotion of Abraham’s forthcoming movie, Bestie, which is scheduled to arrive in cinemas nationwide on December 16.

Rather than concentrating solely on the glamour and festivities that often accompany celebrity birthdays, Abraham used the occasion to make direct impacts in the lives of vulnerable families.

The Lagos Food Bank Initiative described the outreach as part of the actress’ decision to celebrate differently by using her milestone to make a positive impact on people experiencing food insecurity.

The gesture has continued to attract attention, particularly for the emotional response from the mothers who benefited from the programme and turned the occasion into a moment of prayers and appreciation for the actress.

With the birthday celebration, Abraham has once again combined her influence in the entertainment industry with philanthropy, using her special day to create moments of relief, gratitude and hope for families in need.

In this interview with PHILIP IBITOYE, Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, Director-General/CEO of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), discusses the commission’s reforms to accelerate Public Private Partnership (PPP) approvals, strengthen investor confidence and improve infrastructure delivery. He also explains the new threshold-based approval system, Nigeria’s Model PPP Agreement and the reforms aimed at making the country a more attractive destination for infrastructure investments.

You have described Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit as about $2.3 trillion, requiring roughly $100 billion in annual investment. Given the scale of the challenge, where should Nigeria’s infrastructure priorities lie over the next five years?

Since the Commission came into being under the ICRC Act of 2005, it has facilitated several projects that have brought private capital into the delivery of public infrastructure. By some estimates, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit stands at about $2.3 trillion, and closing this gap by 2043 will require roughly $100 billion in annual investment. The capital component of Nigeria’s entire national budget cannot meet this need on its own, which is precisely why Public-Private Partnerships are the way forward. Rather than looking at the next five years in isolation, I would rather point to what has already been achieved in the last two to three years under the leadership of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and under the renewed direction of this Commission. We identified the major bottlenecks that had historically hindered PPPs in Nigeria – cumbersome, long-drawn approval processes – and we have streamlined them, in line with the President’s charge to me to seek innovative ways of attracting private capital and private finance into public infrastructure. Under this administration, the President has demonstrated the sacrosanctity of PPP agreements. No PPP has been cancelled under his watch; in fact, projects that had stalled for years before he came, including long-delayed concessions, have had their hindrances removed and are now progressing. Nigeria today stands as an investment destination, and indeed an investment haven, for both local and foreign capital. I would resist naming a single priority sector, because Nigeria’s infrastructure needs cut across every sector – healthcare, education, roads, ports, power. Name any sector, and I will show you the need in it. The focus for the next five years, therefore, is to consolidate the gains already made, sustain investor confidence, and ensure that Nigeria remains the pride of Africa in terms of investment, not just through this administration but into the next, by 2031 and beyond.

Government revenues alone cannot close the infrastructure gap. What specific reforms are necessary to make Nigeria significantly more attractive to long-term private infrastructure capital?

One of the reforms already touched on is our commitment to identifying gaps and fixing them directly. We have streamlined the approval process for Outline Business Cases: what used to take about six months now takes about seven days, once a business case is free of complications. Upon assuming office, I rolled out a six-point agenda, one pillar of which is leading from the front. This has meant cutting out unnecessary correspondence between the Commission and MDAs and holding direct meetings with MDAs and proponents to resolve issues that might otherwise have lingered for months, in a matter of weeks. Under the guidance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have issued guidelines that walk investors and proponents, step by step, through the PPP investment process in Nigeria. We recently unveiled the Nigeria Model PPP Agreement, a template that guides all proponents and MDAs on how their agreements should be drafted, so that investors know what they are getting into even before pen is put to paper on an Outline Business Case. We have also deepened inter-agency collaboration, with me personally engaging MDAs and agencies on their infrastructure needs. Where projects have stalled, and some have called for termination, Mr President has sought the Commission’s advice, and we have reminded him of the sacrosanctity of PPP contracts as live documents that can be worked back to sustainability rather than abandoned. Perhaps the most significant reform is the threshold system: projects below ?20 billion for Ministries and ?10 billion for Agencies and Parastatals no longer need to go before the Federal Executive Council. Once due process is followed, and the Commission is satisfied, such projects can be approved by the Project Approval Board at the level of the Ministry or Agency concerned, with the ICRC continuing to provide regulatory guidance throughout.

You introduced a six-point agenda when you assumed office in 2024. Which of the six priorities has produced the most significant measurable impact so far, and which remains the most difficult to implement?

None of the six-point agenda was designed to work in isolation. They are six parts of the same goal: building an institutional framework and direction that can streamline and accelerate project delivery, in view of the scale of Nigeria’s infrastructure need and the role Public-Private Partnerships must play in meeting it. This is why, on assumption of office, I rolled out the six-point policy agenda: Innovative Financing, Service Delivery Optimisation, Project Categorisation, Time-Bound Delivery of Projects, Inter-Agency Collaboration, and Strategic Partnerships. On Innovative Financing, which was the core of Mr President’s charge to me, we have seen finances flow into Nigeria over the last two years under this administration, with more projects in the pipeline awaiting transmission to the Federal Executive Council. Projects are also coming on stream under our new threshold system, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria project. On Service Delivery Optimisation, we are streamlining our processes to ensure they are faster and delivered on time, because Nigerians cannot wait indefinitely for the infrastructure they need – even as we ensure the right scrutiny is maintained. On Project Categorisation, the threshold reform has already begun recording milestones, with several projects nearing final approval at their respective Project Approval Boards, spanning agriculture, healthcare, and education. On Inter-Agency Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships, we have built strong working relationships with MDAs and with the private sector. Many MDAs that were previously hesitant or unaware of our regulatory role are now aware of it, particularly following the presidential directives of 2025 and their reinforcement in 2026, and they are actively partnering with us in pursuit of the same national goal: delivering the infrastructure that Nigerians need. All six points of the agenda are working in sync, and I am confident that by the end of this administration’s first term, we will have a compelling story to tell about what just two years of my leadership, and three years of President Tinubu’s administration, have achieved. It remains a work in progress, and we will continue to do our best.

The new threshold-based approval system allows ministries to approve PPP projects up to ?20 billion and agencies and parastatals up to ?10 billion. What evidence do you have that this has actually reduced delays in project delivery?

The essence of the threshold is not primarily about reducing delays in the process. Every project subject to the threshold still passes through the Commission’s full regulatory process – review of the Outline Business Case, due diligence, procurement monitoring, negotiation, and approval of the Full Business Case. What differs is the point of approval: once the ICRC has issued the Certificate of Compliance for the Full Business Case, the project proceeds to the Project Approval Board of the relevant Ministry, Department, or Agency, rather than to the Federal Executive Council. The value of this reform becomes clear when you consider what used to happen. A project worth ?2 billion, ?5 billion, or ?7 billion would compete for space on the same Federal Executive Council agenda as projects worth ?500 billion in power, or ?700 billion in roads. This was not because the smaller projects were unimportant, but because larger projects, by their scale, tended to take precedence. Yet these smaller projects are often the ones that touch lives most directly and immediately – the deployment of an MRI machine in a hospital in Calabar, a hostel for a university in Lagos, or a farming centre for a community in the north. Such projects should not need to compete at the Federal Executive Council level for approval, which is why Mr President graciously approved this threshold arrangement in 2025. Since its introduction, the Commission has already streamlined its own internal processes to ensure that projects move at record speed, while efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory guidance are preserved throughout.

Does decentralising approval authority create any risk of weaker scrutiny, inconsistent standards or abuse by MDAs, and how is the ICRC guarding against that?

Decentralising approval authority does not in any way weaken scrutiny, nor does it expose government to greater risk. The ICRC continues to exercise its full regulatory oversight over every project subject to the threshold, from review of the Outline Business Case, through due diligence, procurement monitoring, negotiation, and approval of the Full Business Case, to the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. Even after a project has been approved by the relevant Project Approval Board and vetted by the Ministry of Justice, exactly as is the case with projects that go through the Federal Executive Council, the ICRC continues its regulatory mandate of monitoring compliance, on the part of both the concessionaire and government, to ensure that every party remains bound by the terms of the agreement they have signed. Nothing changes in the substance of our oversight. Only the point of approval changes.

You recently unveiled Nigeria’s Model PPP Agreement. What were the major weaknesses in the old project-by-project contracting system that this new template is intended to eliminate?

For nearly two decades following the enactment of the ICRC Establishment Act in 2005, Nigeria approached Public-Private Partnerships on a project-by-project and MDA-by-MDA basis, with each concession frequently negotiated from first principles. Definitions, risk allocation, default clauses, and dispute mechanisms were repeatedly reinvented, and often inconsistently, leaving Nigeria exposed and investors uncertain. This carried real costs: concessions took years to negotiate, disputes escalated into litigation where risk allocation was ambiguous, and lenders remained hesitant to commit long-term capital, because protections such as step-in rights, direct agreements, and predictable termination compensation were either absent or inconsistent from one transaction to the next. The Nigeria Model PPP Agreement, Version 1.0, unveiled in June 2026 and developed in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, was designed to close that gap. It is not a one-size-fits-all template, but a dependable point of departure, benchmarked against Nigerian law and global best practice, from which every MDA can now negotiate with greater speed, security, and sophistication.

Its architecture reflects this purpose. It allocates risk deliberately, assigning each risk to the party best placed to manage it. Its default and termination regime is carefully balanced between Concessionaire and Grantor, with clear cure periods and compensation formulas. It safeguards project financiers through the Direct Agreement, giving lenders clear cure and step-in rights before termination. It resolves disputes through a graduated ladder – consultation and negotiation first, then confidential intervention by the Commission, and only then arbitration in Abuja under the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023 – rather than jumping straight to litigation. It distinguishes clearly between waivable and non-waivable Conditions Precedent, establishes a comprehensive insurance framework, and draws a clear line between Force Majeure and Change in Law. It also embeds a Contract Management, Reporting, and Performance Monitoring Framework that continues well beyond signing, and it weaves anti-corruption and ethical conduct through every clause. Beyond fixing these historical weaknesses, the Agreement is also meant to make the process faster, not slower. It gives investors a clear picture of what they are getting into before negotiations even begin, which speeds up contract drafting and reduces the back-and-forth that used to characterise our transactions.

How will the Model PPP Agreement balance investor protection with the public interest, particularly where a concession involves essential services that ordinary Nigerians cannot afford to lose access to?

The Model PPP Agreement was built on one guiding philosophy: predictability for Government, protection for investors, and performance for the Nigerian public. These three objectives are not in competition; they are designed to reinforce one another. On the investor side, the Agreement’s risk allocation is deliberate – assigning each risk to the party best placed to manage it – and it protects investors against measures that unfairly or disproportionately target their project, while equally shielding Government from liability arising from routine policy and legislative action. Investors are further protected through the Direct Agreement, which gives lenders clear step-in and cure rights, and through a graduated dispute resolution process that gives every party a fair opportunity to resolve issues before resorting to arbitration. On the public interest side, particularly for essential services that ordinary Nigerians cannot afford to lose access to, the Agreement embeds a Contract Management, Reporting, and Performance Monitoring Framework from day one. This gives Government visibility, oversight, and, where necessary, step-in capability, while fully respecting investors’ rights. Long-term concessions are not left frozen to first-day assumptions; they can be recalibrated through periodic review as circumstances change. In this way, the Agreement protects investor confidence and capital while ensuring that essential services remain accountable to the Nigerian public they are meant to serve.

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has debunked a viral notice directing newly admitted students to sign the matriculation list on September 23, 2026.

The university described the notice as false and unauthorised, saying the matriculation list signing exercise has not commenced.

In a statement signed by the Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Balogun, the university said it was currently on break and that no Faculty Office was conducting the exercise.

It said the actual commencement date would be communicated through official channels after the university resumes.

However, an official memo dated August 24, 2026, also signed by Balogun, confirms that the matriculation lists for newly admitted 100 Level and Direct Entry students for the 2025/2026 academic session had been sent to the Faculties.

The memo, titled ‘Dispatch of Matriculation List for 2025/2026 Newly Admitted Students,’ directed Faculty Officers to ensure that every newly admitted student signs against his or her name.

It also required three copies of the completed lists to be submitted to the Registrar’s office ‘on or before Wednesday, 30th September, 2026.’

The memo described the matriculation list as ‘an important statutory document of the University’ and urged Faculty Officers to comply with the directive.

The university, however, clarified that the September 30 date is the deadline for submitting the completed lists and does not validate the September 23 date circulating online.

It urged newly admitted students to disregard the viral notice and rely on official university communication channels for updates.

Management assured the students that the commencement date for the signing exercise would be announced after resumption.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adamu emerged at the party’s special delegates congress held on Saturday in Lafia, the state capital, to replace Mr Musa Angba, who withdrew from the governorship race.

Declaring the result, Mr Joseph Achile, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, said Adamu, who was the sole candidate, polled 28,637 votes from delegates across the 13 local government areas of the state.

Achile said having met the requirements of the party’s constitution and scored the highest number of votes, Adamu was declared the winner and returned as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

‘Having met the requirements of the party constitution and scored the highest number of votes, I hereby declare Adamu as the SDP governorship candidate for Nasarawa State,’ Achile said.

In his acceptance speech, Adamu thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, promising to work tirelessly to address what he described as bad governance in the state.

The former IGP said that his administration, if elected, would prioritise basic infrastructure and social services across the state.

He said that his decision was informed by his assessment of the condition of roads and other infrastructure in the hinterlands during his visits to various parts of the state.

Adamu also promised to run an inclusive government with a focus on security, education, agriculture and job creation.

‘Nasarawa State has great potential. My administration will prioritise the welfare of our people, strengthen security, and ensure that resources of the state are used for the benefit of all,’ he said.

He urged members of the party to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the SDP was poised to provide an alternative leadership in the state.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State Senator Sharafadeen Alli has stated that the victory of the party in 2027 would depend largely on its ability to overcome internal divisions and present a united front to the electorate.

He adding that members of the party should put behind them what had happened in the past and forge a common front.

Alli said the APC is the only credible party that can oust the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Oyo state in 2027.

He made this known at the unveiling of the 50 candidates of the party for the various elective positions in 2027.

According to Alli, ‘Those who contested the governorship ticket alongside me should not be regarded as opponents but as brothers and critical stakeholders in the collective struggle for the party’s victory.’

He warned that internal disagreements and divisions could undermine the party’s prospects at the general elections, stressing that unity remained essential if the APC was to secure victory across the state.

The governorship candidate said, ‘A united APC would present a stronger front and improve the party’s chances of electoral victory across Oyo State.’

Alli also sought to broaden the appeal of his candidacy by promising an inclusive administration if elected governor, saying his government would place emphasis on sectors with direct impact on the wellbeing and economic prospects of residents.

He specifically listed education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure among his priorities, promising that every part of the state would receive attention under his administration.

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said troops rescued 36 abducted persons and killed several terrorists in fresh operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday on the military operations conducted between August 31 and September 3.

He said the operations targeted terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers, criminal networks and secessionist elements across various theatres.

Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained counter-terrorism operations in Borno and Yobe states, killing terrorists and disrupting their logistics networks.

He said troops killed one terrorist on September 1 after detonating an improvised explosive device along the Miyanti-Banki Junction main supply route in Bama, Borno State.

He said another terrorist was killed during an encounter at Lamusuri Crossing Point in Gujba, Yobe State, with a rifle and ammunition recovered.

Onoja said troops also intercepted a terrorist escapee around Sabsawa, Bama, on August 31, after he fled captivity due to hunger and hardship.

He said troops arrested a suspect in Konduga for conveying foodstuffs allegedly destined for a terrorist enclave in Bama.

According to him, troops also arrested a suspected former terrorist fighter turned informant at Damasak, Mobbar, on September 1.

He said several terrorist fighters surrendered between September 1 and 2, while suspected logistics suppliers, informants and spies were arrested.

Onoja said 21 women and children surrendered to troops at Mafa, Dikwa, on September 2, following clashes between rival terrorist factions.

He added that another terrorist escapee was intercepted near Amuda Bridge, Gwoza, while a suspected terrorist spy was arrested along Kauwa-Kukawa Road.

Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations against terrorists and kidnappers across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

He said troops killed two terrorist kingpins and wounded another during a raid on suspected hideouts at Kogo, Matazu, Katsina, on August 31.

He said troops intercepted a vehicle at Kadage, Giwa, Kaduna State, on September 2, containing 793 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of grain.

He said one fleeing suspect was killed during the operation.

Onoja said troops also ambushed terrorists riding motorcycles at Kwanar Jolof along the Shinkafi-Zurmi axis in Zamfara.

He said troops recovered an RPG launcher, rifle, ammunition and other items, while several terrorists were killed.