Category: PM News

ISWAP’s funding and logistics network in Borno could face serious disruption following the surrender of a senior finance operative who allegedly managed the terrorist group’s money and supplies.

The Nigerian Army said the operative, now undergoing interrogation for actionable intelligence, surrendered to troops on July 25 alongside two male children and could provide information useful in targeting other members of the group.

He reportedly surrendered along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route.

Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement released on Saturday night.

Preliminary profiling identified the surrendered man as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram.

According to Goni, he was responsible for managing the terrorist group’s finances and coordinating its logistics.

Items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ?40,000.

The Army linked the surrender to recent coordinated land and air operations conducted against terrorist hideouts across the North-East.

Goni said the development came amid an increase in voluntary surrenders, with about 46 suspected terrorists and their family members reportedly turning themselves in to troops in recent days.

‘Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province finance operative,’ he said.

The surrendered operative is undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation as troops seek information that could assist ongoing operations against other terrorist elements.

The Army described his surrender as a significant setback for ISWAP’s financial and logistical network.

It said the increasing number of defections indicated growing disillusionment within terrorist camps and weakening command structures following sustained military pressure.

Operation Hadin Kai urged other terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives and surrender their weapons.

The Theatre Command also appealed to members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could support counterterrorism operations across the region.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed claims that he would divide Nigeria if elected president, insisting that his leadership would foster national unity and heal longstanding divisions across the country.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Obi rejected comments by former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff questioning his ability to unite Nigeria, saying his record of humanitarian interventions and inclusive leadership spoke louder than political rhetoric.

‘I will unite Nigeria, and I know what it takes to unite Nigeria,’ the former Anambra State governor declared.

Obi said his commitment to national cohesion had been demonstrated through years of engagement with communities across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he said he had visited states affected by insurgency, flooding and communal crises.

He recalled travelling to Borno State during the early years of the Boko Haram insurgency to condole with Sheriff following the killing of his brother, describing the visit as evidence of his willingness to stand with Nigerians in difficult times.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate also cited visits to internally displaced persons’ camps, donations to victims of disasters and support for education, healthcare and agricultural projects in states including Borno, Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto and Benue.

According to Obi, he has funded boreholes in several northern communities, supported the Faculty of Agriculture at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto and continued to assist Almajiri schools and a School of Nursing in Bauchi.

He maintained that no contemporary Nigerian politician had travelled as extensively across the country by road, arguing that such interactions had deepened his understanding of the nation’s diverse peoples and challenges.

Obi said an administration under his leadership would focus on healing divisions rooted in Nigeria’s past while building an inclusive future where citizens are judged not by ethnicity or religion but by their shared identity as Nigerians.

‘A Peter Obi presidency will commence the healing and the unity that is required to stabilise and build a better Nigeria,’ he said.

Responding to allegations that he had made anti-North remarks, Obi described the claims as false, noting that many of his closest associates, including his aide-de-camp during his tenure as governor, were northerners and Muslims.

He added that his administration in Anambra sponsored Muslim pilgrims to Hajj annually and that all his cooks throughout his eight years in office were from northern Nigeria.

Obi urged political leaders to shift attention from personality-driven attacks to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including poverty, insecurity, education and healthcare.

‘I will never divide Nigeria. I will unite Nigeria. I will show love to every part of Nigeria and make sure things are done differently because I’m going to involve everybody,’ he said.

Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, a former Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs in Kwara, has charged diasporans to support government’s security initiatives.

Adedoyin made the call in Baltimore, United States, while delivering the guest lecture at the 10th Convention of Kwara State Association of Nigeria (KSANG), North America.

A copy of the lecture was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.

Adedoyin, who decried the security challenges in the country, said Kwara South and Kwara North Senatorial Districts were among the hardest-hit areas.

He challenged KSANG members to support the government in tackling insecurity in the state.

‘KSANG has a role to play in securing our state.

‘Local policing has evolved as different communities take measures to secure their communities.

‘Your responsibilities are twofold. Each community is adopting self-defence strategies; as individuals, you should key into the communal efforts.

‘Donate money, equipment and give logistics support,’ he said.

He also urged diasporans to begin their support from their homes and families, extending it to their estates and community level at large.

Adedoyin, a member of the Global Executive Board of the International Press Institute representing Nigeria and Africa, also urged KSANG as a corporate body to embrace and support the initiatives of traditional rulers

‘In Kwara South, a security fund has been set up under the auspices of the Kwara South Traditional Rulers Council and supported by the Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) led by Dr Johnson Adewumi,’ he said.

He expressed optimism of an end to the insecurity in the state, saying military onslaught against criminals had intensified.

‘More lethal weaponry has been deployed, and the recently recruited and trained forest guards are now in active service in their various local governments.

‘Just last week, the Federal Government established a new battalion of the Nigerian Army in Omuaran, Kwara State, as part of its renewed security architecture,’ he said.

He said that the state had more than 1,000 forest guards, while another 1,000 were at various stages of processing, noting that no other state government had that number.

‘In addition to this, I am aware that the government works with community bodies to build local resilience.

‘The Omo Ibile Igbomina and LADDU of Lafiagi can testify to these efforts which are sometimes played down because of the sensitivity of the issue.

‘There is also an appreciable deployment of security gadgets, especially at the level of state security service,’ he added.

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has said its efforts to build a broad political alliance ahead of the 2027 general election are beginning to produce results, expressing confidence that its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, can defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The party pointed to recent developments in Ekiti State, where a group of Peoples Democratic Party members publicly declared support for Makinde while remaining within the PDP, as evidence that its strategy of engaging like-minded political groups is gaining traction.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM described the Ekiti endorsement as an early sign that its outreach to opposition forces is attracting positive responses across party lines.

Yusuf said those backing Makinde had chosen to retain their membership and organisational structure within the PDP while supporting the Oyo governor’s presidential ambition.

‘That is why we have been galvanizing cross-party support for our presidential candidate, and I can confirm to you that our alliance talks with such like-minded political parties are yielding the desired results. We welcome the reaffirmation of support by the Ekiti Chapter of the PDP to our presidential candidate, and I can tell you that you will hear more of such solidarity in the coming days.’

According to the APM spokesman, thousands of PDP members and residents gathered in Ado Ekiti on Friday to publicly reaffirm Makinde as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The party believes the endorsement has strengthened its campaign, insisting it is fully focused on winning the next presidential contest.

‘We are working very hard and putting all our energy into this election because we are running to win. We have a good presidential candidate in Governor Makinde, who has already become the rallying point for Nigerians, especially the youth.’

Yusuf argued that Makinde’s record as governor has made him an attractive option for Nigerians seeking a change in leadership.

‘Giving Governor Makinde’s sterling performance, especially as Governor of Oyo State, Nigerians have accepted him as the credible alternative to President Tinubu, who has failed the nation in every ramification. So, we are in this election to win, and there is no going back.’

He added that support for both Makinde and the APM has continued to expand nationwide since the governor emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

The spokesman credited the growing interest to Makinde’s performance in areas including infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, economic management and civil service welfare. He also said the party is strengthening its grassroots presence while preparing what it described as a policy-driven campaign for the 2027 election.

Yusuf maintained that many Nigerians are embracing the APM because of its commitment to democratic governance, accountability, transparency, improved security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He said the party would prioritise the welfare, safety and prosperity of Nigerians if elected into office.

‘We are building the numbers, we are strengthening the structure, and we will run one of the most robust, issue-based, and winning campaigns in the history of Nigeria. We welcome all Nigerians who share this vision to join the APM and be part of the movement for national renewal.’

The University of Ibadan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of foremost African Linguist, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Bamgbose, who died at the age of 94.

The university in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations, Mrs Joke Akinpelu, on Saturday, described Bamgbose as an eminent scholar and trail blazer.

The university noted that Bamgbose who was the founding President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) made immense contributions to the growth of linguistics.

‘Bamgbose also made contributions to the growth of higher education and intellectual development in Nigeria and beyond.

‘The late professor served the institution meritoriously and was Dean of the Faculty of Arts between 1971 and 1973.

‘Bamgbose was a distinguished contributor to the country’s academic and intellectual life and remained one of Africa’s most celebrated linguists,’ the statement read.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Kayode Adebowale, according to the statement, commiserated with the deceased family, friends and the wider intellectual community over the loss.

‘Adebowale described Bamgbose’s death as a great loss to scholarship, as his legacy in linguistics and education would continue inspiring generations of academics and researchers,’ the statement read.

‘The deceased was a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL).

‘He was awarded the honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by the university in 2017,’ the statement read.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been honoured with the Leadership and Service Award by Babcock University in recognition of what the institution described as his outstanding performance and excellence in governance.

This is even as he challenged graduates to embrace innovation, resilience and lifelong learning while rejecting the growing culture of glorifying ignorance.

The award was presented on Sunday during the university’s 2026 undergraduate convocation ceremony in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, where Sanwo-Olu delivered the convocation lecture titled, ‘Breaking New Ground: Faith, Grit and the Work of New Beginnings,’ before more than 3,400 graduating students, academics, parents and other distinguished guests.

Receiving the honour, the governor described leadership as a sacred responsibility rooted in integrity, accountability and service.

‘It is a humbling experience and another call for us to continue to serve. We must lead with the fear of God, understanding that people are watching us and that we are expected to provide good examples for younger generations,’ he said.

Sanwo-Olu said his presence at the convocation was not only to celebrate the graduates but also to inspire them as they prepared to begin a new phase of their lives.

‘I am not a graduand. I am here because, as a leader, we need to continue to encourage young people, share our experiences with them and let them know that life is waiting for them out there,’ he said.

He congratulated the graduating NOVA Class of 2026, describing their transition from university as one of life’s defining moments and urging them to confront uncertainty with courage and faith.

‘You do not need absolute clarity or certainty to take the next step. More important is faith,’ he said, encouraging the graduates to embrace new opportunities rather than fear the unknown.

Reflecting on his personal journey, the governor recounted how several business ventures failed after graduating from the University of Lagos nearly four decades ago, noting that failure often provides valuable lessons for future success.

According to him, life rewards those who recover quickly from setbacks, adapt to changing realities and remain focused on their goals.

He urged the graduates to believe in Nigeria and take advantage of the vast opportunities available to them through technology, innovation and globalisation.

‘Nearly 40 years ago when we graduated, the world was completely different. We had very little compared to what is available today. They need to understand the world they live in. They should not give excuses or reasons why they cannot succeed. They should embrace the opportunities before them and run with them,’ he said.

Sanwo-Olu also reflected on the defining moments of his administration, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS crisis as leadership tests that underscored the importance of resilience, expert advice and evidence-based decision-making.

Highlighting Lagos’ development over the past seven years, he said the state’s annual budget had grown from less than ?900 billion in 2019 to ?4.44 trillion in 2026, while the government had expanded rail infrastructure, strengthened public transportation, established two new state universities, delivered thousands of housing units and consolidated Lagos’ position as a global technology hub.

The governor advised young innovators to build practical solutions to public problems, urging them to pilot their ideas, generate measurable results and engage government through structured partnerships and innovation frameworks.

He also defended ongoing economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu, describing them as necessary measures aimed at laying the foundation for sustainable national growth despite the temporary hardships they impose.

In one of the highlights of his lecture, Sanwo-Olu cautioned against the growing tendency to celebrate ignorance and social media virality over knowledge and competence, referencing the recent debate surrounding the so-called ‘Olodo Uprising.’

‘There is nothing wrong with building an audience-but let what you offer that audience be built on substance,’ he said, urging the graduates never to glorify ignorance but to remain committed to learning, curiosity and excellence.

He further encouraged the graduates to protect their integrity, seek mentorship, finish what they start and combine education with imagination to create solutions capable of transforming society.

‘The future belongs to those armed with education and vision,’ he said.

Commending Babcock University, Sanwo-Olu described the institution as one that has consistently maintained high academic standards and produced graduates who have distinguished themselves across diverse professions.

He said the university had continued to provide students with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Miss Simisola Abore described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding, thanking God for preserving the students throughout their years of study.

‘It was a struggle, but we thank God that we have graduated. We thank God for keeping us alive throughout the journey,’ she said.

Abore urged her fellow graduates to remain united as alumni and always give back to society.

‘My advice to my fellow graduands is that we should stand firm as alumni of Babcock University and always be ready to give back to the community,’ she added.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated the graduates on completing their studies and urged them to uphold the values of excellence, discipline and integrity instilled in them by the university as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

An Abuja-based international public relations agency, Spotlight PR, has been named PR Brand of the Year at the 6th Eko Heritage Awards, with the company’s leadership using the occasion to reflect on a journey that has seen the agency serve more than 1,000 clients across Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.

The award was presented at the 2026 edition of the Eko Heritage Awards held on Saturday, July 25, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, where individuals, brands and organizations making significant contributions to their respective industries were recognized.

The recognition comes as Spotlight PR continues to expand its international footprint, establishing itself as one of the African public relations firms helping businesses, governments, entrepreneurs and public figures tell compelling stories that resonate across global audiences.

Upon receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer of Spotlight PR, Mr Prince, thanked the organizers for the honour and reflected on the company’s growth from a young public relations firm to an international agency with clients spanning four continents.

‘We are deeply honored by this recognition. Since launching Spotlight PR in 2020, our mission has remained simple: to help brands, businesses and individuals gain the visibility they deserve while taking away the stress that often comes with building a strong public image.’

He added that while the award celebrates the company’s achievements so far, it also represents a challenge to continue innovating and raising the standard of public relations across the continent.

‘Spotlight PR has now worked with more than 1,000 clients across over 20 countries spanning Africa, Europe, America and Asia. This is only the beginning. We are looking forward to introducing even more innovative initiatives and ideas that will help businesses, founders, professionals and organizations own the spotlight and become recognized authorities within their respective industries.’

Over the past six years, Spotlight PR has grown beyond conventional media relations to become a strategic communications partner for clients across government, technology, entertainment, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. The agency provides media strategy, reputation management, executive positioning, crisis communications, digital PR and international press distribution, helping organizations build credibility and strengthen their public image.

Its client portfolio reflects the diversity of industries it serves. Spotlight PR has worked with high-profile public officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu, and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong. In the entertainment industry, the agency has provided public relations support for artists including Fave, Spyro, and 1da Banton, as well as renowned saxophonist Adedoyin Oseni and comedian Ajebo.

The company has also partnered with organizations and businesses such as De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt, Slum2School Africa, the web hosting company Hogan Host, and the Texas-based artificial intelligence company GMind AI, among many others, to support their brand visibility, media engagement, and strategic communications.

One of Spotlight PR’s notable international assignments involved supporting the Government of Cape Verde with public relations and media visibility efforts for the country’s inaugural Web Summit initiative, an engagement that underscored the agency’s growing reputation for handling cross-border communications projects and positioning African initiatives on the global stage.

The company’s continued expansion has been driven by a belief that public relations extends beyond generating headlines. Through strategic storytelling, executive thought leadership and reputation building, Spotlight PR says it is committed to helping organizations create lasting influence and build trust with stakeholders.

For Spotlight PR, being named PR Brand of the Year is more than an industry accolade. It is recognition of years of helping brands, institutions and individuals amplify their voices, shape public perception and connect with audiences across continents.

As the company looks ahead, it says its focus remains on delivering innovative communications solutions that enable clients not only to be seen, but to lead conversations within their industries.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has introduced a new leadership succession framework aimed at eliminating the conflicts and divisions that have often accompanied changes at the top of the union.

The President of the association, Festus Osifo, said the reform was designed to provide certainty in leadership transitions, reduce internal rivalry and preserve stability within the organisation.

Osifo spoke in Abuja on Saturday during a tribute programme held in memory of the union’s former president, Francis Johnson, whose death in office in May 2019 exposed the need for a more structured succession process.

Johnson led PENGASSAN from June 2014 until his death on May 31, 2019, following a brief illness at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Reflecting on the lessons from that period, Osifo said the union decided to review its constitution after studying succession practices in other professional bodies.

According to him, members eventually approved a constitutional amendment in August 2025 introducing a system under which the deputy president-elect will automatically succeed the president at the end of the latter’s tenure.

He explained that the approach removes the need for a separate contest for the presidency, thereby reducing the tensions that typically arise before leadership changes.

He said: ‘In fact, we did a constitutional amendment that was unanimously passed in August last year, where we looked at it: what is the best model that we have in our country in terms of succession? We looked at the Nigerian Bar Association and said no, that is not the best model. We looked at ICAN, for example.

‘We said, yes, I think there is something there. If you look at ICAN, they don’t contest the election into the president, but they contest the election into the vice because the president is already known. Because he is known, the senior or the first vice-president will transit to become the president. So, that balances and smoothens whatever they were doing. And we have imbibed that in PENGASSAN.

‘In PENGASSAN, whoever is the deputy president elected is going to automatically become the president. So, there is no contestation again in the office of the president. So, that is known. So, because that is known, it reduces the tension that normally comes. And I will tell you, our transition is going to be in August. Normally, two years before transition in PENGASSAN, you will see problems everywhere.

‘But I will tell you, 100 per cent stability. The National Executive Council and the Central Working Committee, we are intact. The transition is going smoothly. There is no issue as of today whatsoever. And that is one thing that we are proud of. That is one of the legacies to bequeath to this institution that has been founded since 1978.’

Osifo said the constitutional review followed a careful assessment of leadership succession models used by organisations such as the Nigerian Bar Association and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He noted that PENGASSAN considered the ICAN arrangement the most suitable for its own structure.

He added that the new framework would allow the union to concentrate on protecting the interests of its members instead of being distracted by prolonged leadership contests.

PENGASSAN is expected to implement the new arrangement during its delegates’ conference scheduled for August 22, 2026, when a new leadership is due to emerge.

The NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), and Seplat Energy Joint Venture, JV, has partnered with Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), for a special edition of its signature health Corporate Social Investment (CSI), initiative, ‘Eye Can See’.

The 3-day outreach held at the ESH premises in Benin City recorded a massive turnout, with thousands of eye screenings and surgeries carried out. Hundreds of eye glasses were also distributed free to members of the public.

The programme also featured basic health checks and dental care. The NEPL/Seplat Energy JV provided consumables while ESH supplied personnel and infrastructure.

The outreach provided free eye screening, consultations, treatment, surgeries and other healthcare services, reinforcing the value of strategic partnerships in expanding access to quality healthcare across Edo State.

Speaking earlier, the Director (External Affairs and Social Performance), Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, reiterated the JV’s commitment to ‘Eye Can See’ continues to make meaningful impact across Edo and Delta States through improved access to quality eye care, restoration of sight, and sustainable healthcare interventions.

Afe added that the initiative is improving access to eye care and promoting better vision health in the region.

‘The dividends of the health intervention programme cannot be overemphasized,’ she said.

On her part, the Chief Medical Director of ESH, Dr. Antonia Inibukun-Njoku, described the partnership as a significant collaboration in bringing life-changing medical services closer to communities.

‘This year’s programme is unique because it is being hosted in collaboration with Edo Specialist Hospital. The ‘Eye Can See’ initiative has been implemented in Edo for several years, but this is the first time we are partnering in this way,’ she said.

She noted the collaboration goes beyond eye care, as beneficiaries also accessed a broad range of medical and surgical services.

‘Collaborations like this strengthen healthcare delivery and enable more people to benefit from quality medical services. We hope to see this partnership continue to grow,’ Dr. Inibukun-Njoku added.

In his remarks, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, the Special Adviser on Health to Governor Monday Okpebholo, commended the JV.

‘I applaud the Seplat JV for bringing this initiative to Edo State. I can attest as a beneficiary that this initiative has helped in taking healthcare closer to the people and at no cost to the public,’ he added.

The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) has launched an ambitious waste-to-energy initiative aimed at tackling open defecation in Lagos by converting human waste into clean biogas, marking a significant step towards improving public sanitation, environmental sustainability and renewable energy generation.

The initiative, known as ‘Pee-Po-to-Power Lagos (WEEP – Waste-to-Energy Project),’ will debut at Ojota Bus Stop, where an existing public toilet has been transformed into a modern sanitation facility powered by biodigester technology capable of converting human waste into clean energy.

Speaking at a press briefing held on Friday at the Baganda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Project Team Lead, Dr. Bamidele Yokan Thomas, said the initiative was conceived after extensive consultations with transport workers, traders, commuters and residents to identify the behavioural, cultural and accessibility factors sustaining open defecation across the state.

He explained that Ojota was selected as the pilot location because of its high daily human traffic and the presence of an existing public convenience that could be upgraded into a model sanitation hub.

According to Thomas, the project seeks to redefine sanitation by turning human waste into a valuable resource capable of improving public health, reducing environmental pollution and supporting Lagos’ clean energy ambitions.

He added that the project team would lead a 10-kilometre Walk Against Open Defecation on Saturday, beginning from Allen Avenue and ending at Ojota Bus Stop, with between 500 and 700 participants expected to join the advocacy campaign aimed at promoting better sanitation practices and discouraging open defecation.

Providing insight into the technical design of the project, Head of Projects, Hamzat Sirajudeen, said the multidisciplinary team studied sanitation models from several countries, including India, before adopting an anaerobic biodigester system considered most suitable for Lagos.

He disclosed that the facility is built around a 30-cubic-metre biodigester, one of the largest designed for a public sanitation project in Nigeria, with the capacity to process waste generated by at least 350 users daily.

Sirajudeen explained that waste collected from the toilets is channelled into the biodigester, where anaerobic digestion converts it into biogas before the remaining effluent passes through a filtration system that ensures environmentally safe discharge.

He noted that the technology would significantly reduce the frequency of septic tank evacuation, extending maintenance intervals from every two weeks to potentially several years while lowering operating costs, improving hygiene and reducing environmental pollution.

He added that the project involved the complete rehabilitation of the Ojota public toilet facility, including structural upgrades, improved lighting and enhanced sanitation standards.

According to him, implementation included engineering surveys, technical planning, stakeholder consultations and collaboration with government agencies, private organisations, transport unions and host communities to ensure long-term sustainability.

Sirajudeen said Boff Construction Limited handled the renovation works, while El-Fad Concepts installed the biodigester system.

Speaking on the broader impact of the initiative, Shalom Ernest, Co-Lead for the Walk Against Open Defecation, said the project extends beyond sanitation by creating economic and environmental opportunities for nearby communities.

He explained that biogas produced from the facility would be supplied free of charge to women food vendors around Ojota, helping them reduce reliance on charcoal and other fossil fuels, lower operating costs and cut carbon emissions.

Ernest added that future phases of the project would explore converting the biogas into electricity to power the sanitation facility and surrounding public infrastructure.

Also speaking, Oluwatosin Alabi, who oversees Partnerships, Projects and Finance, described the awareness walk as part of a broader strategy to drive behavioural change and deepen public education on sanitation.

She said the initiative represents more than an infrastructure intervention, describing it as ‘a movement that transforms waste into value, communities into partners and environmental challenges into opportunities.’

Alabi added that the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Lagos State THEMES Agenda, with plans to replicate the model across public sanitation facilities statewide in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.