Category: PM News

The Lagos State Government is developing a long-term strategy to modernise public procurement, strengthen accountability and improve value for money in government projects, as the state looks towards its 2036 development vision.

The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA), in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, on Tuesday held a four-day technical retreat to review existing procurement practices and develop a strategic roadmap for a more transparent, efficient and technology-driven system.

The retreat, held at Lime Ridge Signature Hotel in Ikeja, brought together procurement officers, technical experts, consultants, civil society representatives and officials from ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the health sector and local governments.

Declaring the retreat open, LSPPA Director-General, Mr Fatai Idowu Onafowote, said the initiative was designed to prepare the agency for future procurement demands while aligning its operations with the state’s development priorities.

He said the exercise would focus on strengthening compliance with procurement laws, building the capacity of procurement officers, promoting sustainable procurement and ensuring that public funds deliver value through government projects.

Onafowote stressed that the roadmap must extend beyond immediate administrative needs to establish reforms that would endure beyond the tenure of current officials.

‘In all the things we are doing, we are not only thinking of today; we are also mindful of tomorrow. Even when we are no longer here, we must have laid a legacy and made history,’ he said.

He explained that around 2019, Lagos opted to move away from expensive, off-the-shelf foreign software packages in favour of a homegrown platform designed to accommodate Nigeria’s regulatory requirements and operational environment.

According to him, the platform’s Software as a Service (SaaS) model has supported continued upgrades, security improvements and adjustments based on users’ feedback, while offering a more adaptable and cost-effective approach to digital procurement.

He said efforts were under way to extend the application of the technology to healthcare delivery, local government administrations, infrastructure and urban development projects.

Onafowote also welcomed growing interest among local governments in digitising bid-opening processes, describing the development as a step towards improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in public procurement.

Speaking at the event, the RoLAC State Coordinator, Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa, said the partnership with the Lagos State Government and LSPPA was intended to build lasting institutional capacity rather than deliver only short-term operational results.

Ijimakinwa, who was represented by Mr Samson Onwusonye, noted that although RoLAC’s current programme cycle would end next year, its interventions were designed around a longer-term vision, with the data, structures and evidence generated expected to support institutional development in the coming decade.

She urged participants to contribute actively to the retreat, saying their recommendations would help shape future policy and regulatory improvements.

In a presentation on strategic alignment, diagnostic methodology and Vision 2036 mapping, the retreat’s facilitator, Mr Chibuzor Ekwekwo of A.E. Law Partnership, described public procurement as a critical component of modern public financial management.

He said future reforms should be grounded in evidence and a realistic assessment of existing strengths, weaknesses and operational challenges, rather than assumptions.

Ekwekwo also noted that Lagos was increasingly being looked to by other states and countries as a reference point for public procurement, adding that the retreat offered an opportunity to consolidate existing progress and establish clear priorities for the years ahead.

An economic expert and former International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank official, Dr. Ifediora Amobi, has commended the economic reforms of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, describing the government’s policy direction as important to Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability.

Amobi’s endorsement comes amid ongoing debates over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly petrol subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalisation and changes to the tax system.

Oyedele, who previously chaired the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has been at the forefront of efforts to improve revenue generation, strengthen tax administration and establish a more sustainable fiscal framework.

Figures presented by the minister indicated that ?15.8 trillion accrued to the Federation Account as subsidy-removal proceeds between June 2023 and December 2025. The Federal Government received ?5.4 trillion, while state and local governments received ?10.4 trillion.

The government has maintained that the reforms are intended to reduce fiscal pressures, improve public revenue and create room for investment in infrastructure and essential services.

However, the policies have also attracted criticism over rising living costs, inflation and the pressure on households and businesses.

Amobi urged the government to sustain the reform process while ensuring that the gains translate into improved living conditions for Nigerians.

He stressed the need for accountability in the management of public revenue, improved public services and targeted interventions to protect vulnerable households from the effects of economic adjustment.

The economist also emphasised the importance of policy consistency, stronger investment and an enabling business environment in achieving sustainable economic growth.

Oyedele has similarly argued that the next phase of Nigeria’s economic reforms should focus on translating macroeconomic improvements into stronger growth, increased private investment and better living standards.

For the government, the challenge remains ensuring that improved public finances and increased revenue translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

Nigeria has fully paid its assessed contribution to the United Nations’ 2026 regular budget as its Permanent Representative, Amb. Ibrahim Jimoh, presided over negotiations on the organisation’s proposed 3.3 billion dollars budget for 2027.

Jimoh announced the payment on Tuesday while chairing the General Assembly’s influential Fifth Committee during the presentation of the proposed 3.302 billion dollars budget by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Nigeria has also made substantial payments towards its UN peacekeeping assessments with payments to both UN obligations amounting to approximately 6.3 million dollars.

The Nigerian envoy commended President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that Nigeria fulfilled its financial obligations to the world body amid mounting concerns over the organisation’s liquidity crisis.

‘I must also use this opportunity to thank the president of my country, Bola Tinubu, who had also by yesterday fully paid his commitment to the United Nations,’ Jimoh declared.

Jimoh urged other Member States to fulfil their financial commitments promptly, stressing the importance of predictable funding for the UN’s operations and programmes.

‘Member countries must pay their dues on time, on schedule, without conditions,’ he said.

The ambassador thanked countries that had fulfilled their assessed contributions and expressed optimism that others would follow.

He also introduced measures to improve efficiency in the Committee’s proceedings, urging delegations to avoid lengthy diplomatic courtesies and observe strict speaking limits.

‘This is done for the sake of time and efficiency,’ Jimoh explained, limiting national statements to three minutes and group statements to five minutes.

Welcoming Guterres to the meeting, Jimoh described the Secretary-General’s presentation as an important stage in the Committee’s consideration of the organisation’s financial requirements.

The UN chief described the presentation as particularly significant because it would be his final annual programme budget proposal before completing his tenure.

Guterres warned that geopolitical divisions, persistent conflicts, climate disruption and rapid technological changes were placing enormous pressures on the United Nations.

‘The challenges before us are profound,’ he declared, warning that humanitarian needs were soaring while international law was increasingly disregarded.

He added that the Sustainable Development Goals were slipping further out of reach, making the UN’s continued effectiveness essential.

The Secretary-General disclosed that the proposed 2027 programme budget amounted to 3.302 billion dollars, covering 11,150 posts.

The figure would increase to 3.408 billion dollars when major construction projects in Nairobi and the Strategic Heritage Plan in Geneva were included.

According to Guterres, the proposal represents a reduction of approximately 40.8 million dollars, or 1.2 per cent, compared with the approved 2026 budget.

He explained that the proposal reflected continuing reforms under the UN80 initiative, designed to improve institutional efficiency, accountability and service delivery.

Guterres disclosed that the Secretariat had already undertaken measures to mitigate the impact of eliminating 3,116 regular budget posts.

These included voluntary early separation programmes, staff reassignment and measures to preserve workforce diversity.

He also proposed relocating 44 additional functions across 12 UN entities, with Nairobi receiving the largest share.

The proposed restructuring includes the abolition or downgrading of 14 senior-level posts as part of efforts to reduce administrative costs.

However, Guterres emphasised that institutional reforms could not succeed without predictable financing warning, ‘efficiency alone cannot compensate for an unstable financial foundation.

‘Our ability to deliver depends on predictable financing and the timely availability of cash,’ the Secretary-General added.

He urged Member States to fulfil their financial obligations fully and promptly, stressing that payment delays continued to undermine UN operations.

The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority has given telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile, 30 days to verify the licences and tax compliance status of betting and gaming companies using their platforms.

The directive also applies to licensed value-added service (VAS) providers that help gaming businesses offer their services in Lagos State.

The authority ordered the affected companies to submit transaction records, carrier billing data and revenue-sharing information relating to gaming operators from November 22, 2024, to the date of its public notice.

It also directed telecom operators and service providers to stop accepting new gaming businesses that do not have valid state licences. Existing gaming services that lack proper authorisation must also be suspended.

Telecom operators face new requirements

The authority said telecom operators and other service providers must confirm that every gaming business using their platforms has the required licence and complies with gaming tax regulations in Lagos State.

It explained that the records would help determine the gaming taxes, statutory levies and other payments owed by the businesses, including applicable penalties and interest.

The authority stressed that a licence issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telecommunications or value-added services does not permit a company to operate betting or gaming activities in Lagos State.

It added that using a telecom operator, payment channel or carrier billing platform does not exempt a betting company from obtaining a valid licence from the state regulator.

Lagos warns against supporting illegal betting businesses

The authority said the directive is backed by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021, which prohibits gaming activities without the required approval.

Section 33(3) of the law prohibits unlicensed individuals or businesses from operating gaming activities, accepting bets, managing gaming operations or advertising gaming services in the state.

The authority also referred to Section 101(5), which states that company directors, managers and other principal officers may be held personally liable alongside their companies if an offence is committed with their consent, involvement or negligence.

It therefore urged telecom operators and other service providers to carry out proper checks to ensure their platforms are not used to support illegal betting activities.

The authority warned that it would issue statutory notices and take regulatory or enforcement action against companies that fail to comply after the 30-day deadline.

What you should know

Earlier this year, the Nigerian Tax Act 2025 exempted betting stakes from Value Added Tax (VAT).

Section 185, Subsection M of the Act lists money, stakes and securities, including interests in money or securities, among items exempt from VAT.

The exemption clarifies that the money a player wagers on a game should not attract VAT, prompting gaming operators to adjust their systems accordingly.

The National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, has warned that electoral fraud is weakening Nigeria’s democracy and reducing public confidence in elections.

Ameh, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kogi East Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, said credible elections were necessary to ensure that leaders remained accountable to the people.

In a statement, he said allegations of election manipulation since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 had weakened trust in democratic institutions and raised questions about the legitimacy of some election results.

According to him, when election results do not reflect the wishes of voters, elected officials may feel less responsible for meeting the needs of the people.

He said Nigeria could not achieve effective leadership without addressing electoral malpractice and ensuring that votes were properly counted.

Ameh alleged that Nigeria’s electoral history included cases where candidates who believed they had won were denied their mandates, while some declared winners faced questions about the credibility of their victories.

He said such controversies had contributed to public distrust and weakened confidence in the electoral process.

The CUPP chairman also expressed concern about the high cost of contesting elections in Nigeria.

He said the financial demands of campaigns and party politics were making it difficult for people without substantial resources to seek elective office.

According to him, capable Nigerians from low income backgrounds could be discouraged from participating in politics because they could not afford the cost of running campaigns.

He warned that democracy could lose its representative nature if only wealthy individuals and candidates supported by powerful interests could compete effectively for political positions.

Ameh called on Nigerians to take a more active role in protecting the integrity of elections. He urged citizens to safeguard their votes and ensure that the results announced reflected the ballots cast.

He stressed that participation in democracy should go beyond voting on election day to include continued public engagement and monitoring of the electoral process.

He also called on political actors and electoral institutions to promote transparency and ensure that candidates competed fairly.

Ameh said rebuilding public confidence in elections required more than promises from authorities. He maintained that transparent procedures, credible elections and active public participation were necessary to strengthen democracy.

He urged Nigerians to reject political apathy and take greater responsibility for deciding who represents them at all levels of government.

The CUPP chairman warned that continued distrust in elections could further weaken confidence in governance.

He said Nigeria needed an electoral system in which political power reflected the choices of voters rather than money, manipulation or other irregularities.

The House of Representatives has called for urgent Federal Government intervention following the collapse of a section of the East-West Road at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The collapse followed persistent rainfall and flooding that submerged homes, displaced families, damaged infrastructure and disrupted economic activities across several communities.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Francis Waive, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, and seconded by Mukhtar Muhammad during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Presenting the motion, Waive warned that the damaged highway posed a serious threat to transportation and commercial activities across the South-South region.

He noted that the East-West Road serves as a major link between Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states.

The lawmaker also raised concerns over possible disruptions to healthcare and education, warning that continued flooding could expose residents to waterborne diseases and increased road accidents.

Following deliberations, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately mobilise resources to repair the damaged portion of the highway.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide emergency relief materials and assistance to displaced residents in Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu.

The lawmakers further directed the Ecological Funds Office to implement lasting measures against erosion in Agbarho to prevent further destruction of homes and public infrastructure.

Waive acknowledged remedial efforts by the Delta State Government, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s visit to the affected area, but maintained that additional federal intervention was necessary.

The House subsequently mandated its Committees on Works, Emergency Preparedness and Ecological Funds to monitor implementation of the resolutions and report back within four weeks.

The corruption trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai suffered another delay on Wednesday after the Federal High Court in Kaduna adjourned proceedings until December 8, 2026.

The adjournment followed the assignment of a new lawyer to the prosecution, who required additional time to study the case before proceeding with the hearing.

El-Rufai was seen leaving the court premises after Wednesday’s proceedings, with video footage capturing his departure.

The former governor is facing allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office linked to his administration of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

Wednesday’s hearing came barely 24 hours after he appeared before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court in a separate corruption-related case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

During Tuesday’s proceedings, a forensic investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), Segun Kayode, alleged that El-Rufai and some associates earmarked $600,000 to influence officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.

The allegations remain unproven.

The state high court subsequently adjourned that case until November 30 and December 1 for further cross-examination.

El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026.

On October 9, the Court of Appeal in Kaduna upheld the state high court’s refusal to grant him bail, dismissing his appeal for lacking sufficient grounds.

The separate Federal High Court case is now scheduled to resume on December 8.

Nigerian state governments have a greater opportunity to improve people’s lives, but that opportunity must not be wasted. With public revenue rising sharply, citizens should expect better schools, hospitals, roads, water supply and other essential services. More money in government accounts must mean better living conditions for the people.

The World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update provides a clear reason for this expectation. It reports that state governments’ revenues increased by 93 per cent in real terms between 2023 and 2025, while expenditure rose by 92 per cent. The share of spending devoted to capital projects also increased from 46 per cent to 61 per cent.

These figures show that states have more resources to work with and are spending more on infrastructure. Such investments are important. Good roads help farmers transport their produce, connect businesses to markets and make journeys easier. Better public facilities can also support economic growth and create opportunities for employment.

However, development cannot be measured by the amount of money spent or the number of projects announced. What matters is whether these investments improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

The decline in education’s share of state expenditure is particularly concerning. According to the World Bank, education accounted for 14.9 per cent of total state spending in 2021 but only 12.1 per cent in 2025. Health spending remained broadly stable at around seven per cent. Although education spending increased in absolute terms, it grew more slowly than spending on economic infrastructure.

This does not mean that every state has neglected its schools or that education budgets have fallen everywhere. But it raises an important question about priorities. Nigeria cannot build a prosperous future if its children lack good classrooms, qualified teachers and the resources needed to learn.

State governments must therefore explain how their spending decisions address the needs of their people. Roads and bridges matter, but so do functioning hospitals, well-equipped schools, clean water and support for vulnerable families. These are not competing demands; they are all essential parts of development.

The next step must be stronger public accountability. Every state should make its budgets, spending records and project details easily available to citizens. People should be able to see how much was approved for a project, how much was actually spent, when it was completed and whether it is serving its intended purpose.

State Houses of Assembly must also do more than approve budgets. They should closely examine government expenditure, investigate abandoned projects and demand explanations where public money has not produced the promised results. Auditors and anti-corruption agencies must act on credible evidence of waste or misuse.

Citizens, too, have a role to play. Community groups, journalists and civil society organisations should monitor projects, ask questions and report discrepancies. Public funds belong to the people, and asking how they are spent is a legitimate democratic responsibility.

The World Bank has noted improvements in fiscal reporting and transparency among states, but stronger spending efficiency and better service delivery remain necessary.

Ultimately, the test of good governance is not how much money a government receives, but what it achieves with that money. State governors must turn increased revenue into visible improvements in public services and living standards.

Nigerians have endured difficult economic conditions. They deserve governments that treat additional public revenue as a responsibility, not a reward. More money must bring more results. Anything less would be a failure of public trust.

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF said specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have recovered aircraft components from the scene of its ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed recently at Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the divers were sustaining underwater search and recovery operations in support of the ongoing investigation of the crash.

‘The divers are working assiduously to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation.

‘The multi-agency teams are working tirelessly day and night to maintain sustained efforts, supported by hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and pumping out of excess water to facilitate access to relevant areas’, he said.

Recall that the NAF ATR 42-500 aircraft with registration number NAF 931, and with 25 persons comprising five crew and 20 passengers on board had crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State on Oct. 5.

NAF had on Tuesday announced the constitution of a 12-member specialist Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to investigate the crash of the aircraft.

The board was saddled with the responsibility of establishing the circumstances surrounding the crash as well as recommending measures to prevent recurrence.

The Air announced the setting up of the Board just as the Senate called for through probe of the crash which claimed 25 lives.

The ????????resolution followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, during Tuesday’s plenary.

Ngwu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, drew the attention of lawmakers to the crash involving an ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 on Oct. 5.

The Senate urged the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a thorough, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crash and make the findings public.

It also mandated its Committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage relevant Air Force authorities and assess the serviceability and airworthiness of military aircraft.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft to safeguard the lives of military personnel.

A suspected bandit leader identified as Wakiyu has reportedly been killed during a joint security operation in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Wakiyu was reportedly killed in Damari during an encounter involving Nigerian Army troops, police personnel and operatives of the Katsina Community Watch Corps.

According to reports, the suspected bandit leader was linked to the criminal network of Kachalla Maha, whose group has been accused of carrying out attacks and other criminal activities in parts of Katsina State.

North-West security affairs reporter Bakatsine disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 14, alleging that Wakiyu had been terrorising residents of Matazu and neighbouring communities.

The reported killing comes amid ongoing operations by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade and other security agencies against armed groups operating across the state.

Details of the encounter, including the circumstances surrounding Wakiyu’s reported death, remain unclear.

Security authorities have yet to independently confirm the killing or release an official account of the operation.