Category: PM News

Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI), has showcased her award-winning innovation, GenScanAI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging technology capable of reducing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent.

The innovation was presented to medical practitioners, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students and technology stakeholders at Vibranium Valley, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 13, as part of efforts to demonstrate its potential to improve diagnostic services and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Developed to accelerate MRI image reconstruction while maintaining or improving image quality, GenScanAI offers a potential solution to some of the challenges confronting medical imaging, particularly long waiting times and limited access to diagnostic services.

The technology is designed to work with existing MRI infrastructure, meaning hospitals and diagnostic centres could potentially examine more patients without the immediate need to invest in additional MRI equipment.

By reducing the time required for MRI examinations, the innovation could improve scanner utilisation, shorten patient waiting lists and support faster diagnosis and treatment.

The public presentation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to explore the science behind GenScanAI, examine its potential applications and consider how the innovation could help address practical challenges in healthcare delivery.

Presenting her work, Akoda explained the problem that inspired its development, the technology underpinning the innovation and its potential applications in medical imaging.

The engagement also allowed medical practitioners and researchers to examine its possible practical uses, while students gained insights into how scientific research and technological innovation can be harnessed to solve real-world problems.

Speaking at the event, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, said GenScanAI addressed an important healthcare need, particularly as population growth continues to place increasing demands on diagnostic services.

‘Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment, but the time required for MRI examinations can create delays for patients and limit the number of people healthcare facilities can serve. Innovations such as GenScanAI demonstrate how advances in artificial intelligence and computing can be applied to address practical healthcare challenges and improve the efficiency of existing medical infrastructure,’ Horsfall said.

She described the public presentation as an important opportunity to take the winning innovation beyond the Prize adjudication process and encourage engagement with the medical and research communities.

‘This presentation allows healthcare professionals, researchers and students to engage directly with Mary-Brenda’s work, understand its potential and consider how it could contribute to healthcare delivery. The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation recognises scientific excellence and encourages solutions to national challenges. Creating opportunities for wider engagement with winning innovations is an important part of bringing their potential benefits to public attention,’ she said.

GenScanAI’s potential to reduce MRI acquisition time by up to 90 per cent could be particularly beneficial to hospitals and diagnostic centres managing high patient volumes.

Faster examinations could enable healthcare facilities to serve more patients within the same period, improve equipment utilisation and reduce waiting times without requiring immediate investment in additional MRI machines.

The technology’s potential to accommodate patient motion and improve image quality could also support more effective imaging. However, its practical benefits and performance in clinical settings remain subject to appropriate clinical evaluation and validation.

GenScanAI, also known as GenMRI/C-MORE, uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct MRI images. Its approach seeks to address the time-consuming nature of conventional MRI acquisition and reconstruction while preserving the quality needed for medical interpretation.

The innovation is particularly relevant to healthcare systems where access to MRI services is constrained by the cost of equipment, limited infrastructure and growing demand for diagnostic examinations.

In Nigeria, where expanding access to specialised diagnostic services remains an important healthcare challenge, technologies capable of improving the efficiency of existing facilities could offer an additional means of increasing service capacity.

Rather than requiring hospitals to immediately acquire more scanners, GenScanAI seeks to make existing infrastructure more productive by reducing the time needed to conduct examinations.

Akoda emerged as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation following a rigorous evaluation of a record 237 entries, the highest number received since the inception of the Prize.

The competition was organised around the theme, ‘Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development,’ reflecting the growing role of digital technologies in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development.

Her selection followed an independent assessment by the Prize’s panel of judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and the endorsement of the NPSI Advisory Board.

Akoda’s achievement is particularly notable in the history of the Prize, as she became the first woman and first millennial to win it as an individual recipient.

She is a First-Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds a Master of Research with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Imperial College London, where she was a Google DeepMind Scholar.

She has also worked as a software engineer and artificial intelligence research scientist at Microsoft, including at the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab in Cambridge.

The 2026 edition of the Prize followed a 2025 competition in which no winner was declared because none of the entries met the required standard. The return of a winner in 2026, after the competition attracted a record number of submissions, underscored the organisers’ emphasis on scientific quality, innovation and practical impact.

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation seeks to recognise outstanding scientific and technological achievements and encourage solutions capable of delivering meaningful and sustainable benefits to society.

NLNG facilitated the Lagos presentation to provide a platform for Akoda’s innovation to be shared with relevant stakeholders and encourage dialogue about its potential applications.

The engagement at Vibranium Valley reinforced the importance of connecting scientific discovery with the professionals, institutions and communities that could help translate innovation into practical benefits.

Through the presentation, healthcare professionals, researchers and technology stakeholders had an opportunity to engage with a Nigerian-developed innovation that applies artificial intelligence to a critical healthcare need.

As GenScanAI progresses towards practical application, its potential to shorten MRI scan times, improve image quality and increase the efficiency of existing diagnostic infrastructure could make it a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to expand access to medical imaging, subject to clinical validation and implementation requirements.

House moves to establish national authority for renewable energy

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for Second Reading. The amendment proposes the creation of the National Authority for Renewable Energy [NARE] to serve as the principal institution for regulating and promoting renewable energy in Nigeria.

The Bill was sponsored by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, KSM, Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy and Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

Leading the debate, Hon. Ogene stated that NARE will take over renewable energy functions currently domiciled with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission [NERC], the Rural Electrification Agency [REA] and the Rural Electrification Fund [REF].

According to him, this will ensure better coordination, accelerate rural electrification through mini-grids and off-grid systems, and drive stronger investment in local manufacturing and job creation.

The Bill further provides that 40% of the annual funds of the Rural Electrification Fund be allocated to NARE to finance renewable energy development. It also mandates collaboration between NARE and existing agencies for policy harmonization and effective implementation.

‘We must embrace decentralised and renewable energy solutions to reach communities faster,’ Hon. Ogene told the House.

Following debate, the Bill was referred to the relevant House Committee for further legislative scrutiny.

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, has urged party members and political defectors in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State to embrace unity, reconciliation and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the December 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general election.

Ajadi made the appeal after attending an APM meeting in Egbeda organised to welcome and recognise new members from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Boye Nation, particularly those from the local government area.

In a statement issued shortly after the meeting, Ajadi urged the defectors and returning members to put past political disagreements behind them and work collectively to strengthen the party’s structure across Egbeda.

‘Let us not allow personal differences to distract us from the bigger picture. Our responsibility is to reach the people, listen to their concerns and work together for the success of our candidates through peaceful and democratic participation,’ he added.

The Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, who also chairs the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Oyo State and serves as Director-General of Ajadi’s campaign committee, said some members who had previously defected to the ADC and Accord had returned to the APM.

He urged them to work closely with existing party members at the ward, local government and state levels to strengthen the party and improve its chances of electoral success.

A former member of the House of Representatives and Egbeda political leader, Hon. Busari Olayemi, expressed confidence in the prospects of APM candidates, attributing his optimism partly to Governor Seyi Makinde’s political leadership and the party’s candidate-selection process.

Olayemi said Makinde’s approach to candidate selection had helped promote consensus among party leaders. He urged members to support the party’s candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and governorship in the 2027 general election.

Earlier, Hon. Ebenezer Olawale Alawe welcomed the defectors and encouraged party members to remain actively involved in political activities.

Hon. Mogaji Ganiyu Gbolagade appealed to aggrieved members to forgive one another and work towards reconciliation, while Hon. Samson Oladele, chairman of Ward 7 and chairman of ward chairmen in Egbeda, said the party maintained an active presence across the local government’s 11 wards.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, Hon. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, urged members to return to their respective wards and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Other dignitaries at the meeting included the Deputy Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola; the APM House of Representatives candidate for Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, Hon. Ezekiel Temitope Oladimeji, popularly known as Otope, who was represented by his supporters; the APM chairmanship candidate for Egbeda, Hon. Ibrahim Oladebo, popularly known as Simple; Egbeda political leader, Alhaji Lukman Akinpelu; and the Chief of Staff to Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Siyanbola Kabiru.

A senior operative of Department of State Services (DSS) identified as Segun Kayode has told a Kaduna State High Court that $600,000 was allegedly set aside to stop investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into companies linked to former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Kayode, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying in the corruption trial of the former governor before Justice Darius Khobo.

The witness who was described as a digital forensics examiner, told the court that $500,000 was allegedly earmarked for EFCC officials, while another $100,000 was intended for an intermediary to facilitate the termination of the investigations.

The DSS operative said this was discovered from audio recordings examined by his team following a formal request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during a court proceeding that lasted approximately nine hours on Tuesday.

He told the court that his team analysed call data records and audio recordings involving selected telephone numbers linked to El-Rufai and some of his suspected associates, including Jimi Lawal, AU Mustafa, Ahmadu Sule and Sam Darwish.

The witness said the exercise was approved by the Director-General of the DSS, after which the Director of Counter-Terrorism directed his team to conduct the analysis.

Kayode further explained that he obtained the relevant call data records from the DSS telecommunications intelligence unit through a secure server, in accordance with procedures for reserving electronic evidence.

Using information technology tools and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, the team examined communication patterns and relationships among the individuals under investigation.

The DSS operative said the analysis revealed repeated communications between El-Rufai, his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, and Sam Darwish between October 25 and 28, 2025. The findings, he added, prompted further examination of audio recordings obtained from the DSS communication intelligence unit.

He told the court that he created an image of the original audio recording and produced four duplicate copies while keeping the original secured to preserve the integrity of the evidence.

The witness also informed the court that a Hausa-language expert, Aliyu Mainasara, subsequently transcribed the recording and translated its contents into English, according to the witness.

Kayode said forensic experts subjected the recording to technical examinations to determine its acoustic characteristics and assess whether it was a natural recording or artificially generated audio.

He told the court that the analysis identified vocal frequency characteristics and a 50Hz electrical hum, including its harmonics, which he said were consistent with a recording made in a natural environment rather than AI-synthesised audio.

The witness further said biometric voice analysis indicated that the recording contained a telephone conversation between El-Rufai and his elder brother, Bashir.

On the contents of the conversation, Kayode alleged that El-Rufai instructed AU Mustafa and Jimi Lawal to meet Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used in the liquidation of Olam, for possible use in liquidating a company identified as Singularity.

He further alleged that the recording contained discussions about stopping an ongoing EFCC investigation into Singularity and liquidating the company in Nigeria and Mauritius.

According to him, the conversation also referenced an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Mauritius.

Kayode additionally alleged that the recording contained instructions for Sam Darwish, Jimi Lawal and AU Mustafa to prevent the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The witness said the alleged $600,000 arrangement was discussed in connection with efforts to halt the investigations, with $500,000 reportedly designated for EFCC officials and $100,000 for an intermediary.

He said his team subsequently completed a detailed forensic investigative report, which was tendered before the court.

Defence Challenges Evidence

Counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, objected to the witness’s testimony and the tendering of the forensic report, arguing that the defence had not received adequate notice of the evidence before the witness appeared in court.

Erokoro maintained that the prosecution’s decision to subpoena the witness did not exempt it from providing the defence with the proposed evidence in advance.

He argued that the defendant was entitled to sufficient notice of the evidence against him to prepare for effective cross-examination.

The defence counsel also questioned the circumstances under which the report was introduced, arguing that it had been presented without adequate supporting evidence or the appropriate filing. He described the procedure as an ambush.

Erokoro further argued that admitting the report under those circumstances would violate his client’s fundamental rights. He maintained that the DSS, like the ICPC, is a federal government agency and should not receive special treatment in the prosecution of the case.

However, counsel to the Federal Government, Ayodeji Adedipe, dismissed the objection as unfounded and lacking a legal basis.

Adedipe described the objection as an afterthought, arguing that the court had already considered the issue in earlier proceedings, including whether evidence from a subpoenaed witness had to be listed in the proof of evidence.

Justice Khobo overruled the defence’s objection and permitted Kayode to continue his testimony.

The judge also said the defence could apply to the court registry for a copy of the evidence and obtain a certified true copy.

The prosecution informed the court that it had two witnesses, one of whom was present to testify.

Tight Security as Trial Continues

El-Rufai arrived at the court for the resumed hearing accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

Security was tight around the court premises ahead of the proceedings.

The former governor is facing corruption and money-laundering charges filed by the ICPC.

The court adjourned the matter until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for further proceedings.

Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI), has showcased her award-winning innovation, GenScanAI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging technology capable of reducing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent.

The innovation was presented to medical practitioners, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students and technology stakeholders at Vibranium Valley, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 13, as part of efforts to demonstrate its potential to improve diagnostic services and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Developed to accelerate MRI image reconstruction while maintaining or improving image quality, GenScanAI offers a potential solution to some of the challenges confronting medical imaging, particularly long waiting times and limited access to diagnostic services.

The technology is designed to work with existing MRI infrastructure, meaning hospitals and diagnostic centres could potentially examine more patients without the immediate need to invest in additional MRI equipment.

By reducing the time required for MRI examinations, the innovation could improve scanner utilisation, shorten patient waiting lists and support faster diagnosis and treatment.

The public presentation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to explore the science behind GenScanAI, examine its potential applications and consider how the innovation could help address practical challenges in healthcare delivery.

Presenting her work, Akoda explained the problem that inspired its development, the technology underpinning the innovation and its potential applications in medical imaging.

The engagement also allowed medical practitioners and researchers to examine its possible practical uses, while students gained insights into how scientific research and technological innovation can be harnessed to solve real-world problems.

Speaking at the event, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, said GenScanAI addressed an important healthcare need, particularly as population growth continues to place increasing demands on diagnostic services.

‘Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment, but the time required for MRI examinations can create delays for patients and limit the number of people healthcare facilities can serve. Innovations such as GenScanAI demonstrate how advances in artificial intelligence and computing can be applied to address practical healthcare challenges and improve the efficiency of existing medical infrastructure,’ Horsfall said.

She described the public presentation as an important opportunity to take the winning innovation beyond the Prize adjudication process and encourage engagement with the medical and research communities.

‘This presentation allows healthcare professionals, researchers and students to engage directly with Mary-Brenda’s work, understand its potential and consider how it could contribute to healthcare delivery. The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation recognises scientific excellence and encourages solutions to national challenges. Creating opportunities for wider engagement with winning innovations is an important part of bringing their potential benefits to public attention,’ she said.

GenScanAI’s potential to reduce MRI acquisition time by up to 90 per cent could be particularly beneficial to hospitals and diagnostic centres managing high patient volumes.

Faster examinations could enable healthcare facilities to serve more patients within the same period, improve equipment utilisation and reduce waiting times without requiring immediate investment in additional MRI machines.

The technology’s potential to accommodate patient motion and improve image quality could also support more effective imaging. However, its practical benefits and performance in clinical settings remain subject to appropriate clinical evaluation and validation.

GenScanAI, also known as GenMRI/C-MORE, uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct MRI images. Its approach seeks to address the time-consuming nature of conventional MRI acquisition and reconstruction while preserving the quality needed for medical interpretation.

The innovation is particularly relevant to healthcare systems where access to MRI services is constrained by the cost of equipment, limited infrastructure and growing demand for diagnostic examinations.

In Nigeria, where expanding access to specialised diagnostic services remains an important healthcare challenge, technologies capable of improving the efficiency of existing facilities could offer an additional means of increasing service capacity.

Rather than requiring hospitals to immediately acquire more scanners, GenScanAI seeks to make existing infrastructure more productive by reducing the time needed to conduct examinations.

Akoda emerged as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation following a rigorous evaluation of a record 237 entries, the highest number received since the inception of the Prize.

The competition was organised around the theme, ‘Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development,’ reflecting the growing role of digital technologies in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development.

Her selection followed an independent assessment by the Prize’s panel of judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and the endorsement of the NPSI Advisory Board.

Akoda’s achievement is particularly notable in the history of the Prize, as she became the first woman and first millennial to win it as an individual recipient.

She is a First-Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds a Master of Research with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Imperial College London, where she was a Google DeepMind Scholar.

She has also worked as a software engineer and artificial intelligence research scientist at Microsoft, including at the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab in Cambridge.

The 2026 edition of the Prize followed a 2025 competition in which no winner was declared because none of the entries met the required standard. The return of a winner in 2026, after the competition attracted a record number of submissions, underscored the organisers’ emphasis on scientific quality, innovation and practical impact.

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation seeks to recognise outstanding scientific and technological achievements and encourage solutions capable of delivering meaningful and sustainable benefits to society.

NLNG facilitated the Lagos presentation to provide a platform for Akoda’s innovation to be shared with relevant stakeholders and encourage dialogue about its potential applications.

The engagement at Vibranium Valley reinforced the importance of connecting scientific discovery with the professionals, institutions and communities that could help translate innovation into practical benefits.

Through the presentation, healthcare professionals, researchers and technology stakeholders had an opportunity to engage with a Nigerian-developed innovation that applies artificial intelligence to a critical healthcare need.

As GenScanAI progresses towards practical application, its potential to shorten MRI scan times, improve image quality and increase the efficiency of existing diagnostic infrastructure could make it a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to expand access to medical imaging, subject to clinical validation and implementation requirements.

The Edo State Government has announced traffic diversion and temporary road closures in Benin City ahead of the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency (EDSTMA), Engr. Stainless Ijeghede, the diversion will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on the day of the visit.

According to the statement, Senator Tinubu will be in the state capital to commission the fleet of new CNG buses purchased by the Edo State Government and to empower 5,000 Edo women under her Renewed Hope Initiative.

Roads to be temporarily closed include Joromi Junction by Ekewan Road and Stadium Road by Ekewan Road Junction, with motorists advised to use alternative routes to avoid gridlock.

Meanwhile, preparations for the high-profile visit have heightened activities across the metropolis, with ongoing renovation works at the iconic Ring Road and its environs.

Edo State workers have been seen giving the city centre a facelift, including clearing, cleaning and refurbishing public spaces around Ring Road to give the capital a befitting outlook ahead of the First Lady’s arrival.

Similarly, there is ongoing painting and beautification of road dividers and kerbs along Airport Road and other major corridors leading to the event venues.

The beautification exercise, though aimed at improving the aesthetics of Benin City, has added to traffic build-up in some areas.

Residents and motorists have lamented the inconvenience caused by the combined road closures, ongoing painting works and last-minute renovation activities, which have led to heavy congestion during peak hours.

EDSTMA however appealed for understanding, assuring that all vehicles coming for the programme have been directed to park inside the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ekehuan Campus, to ease traffic flow, and urging residents to plan their movements early.

The Federal Government on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and dualisation of the 401-kilometre Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora federal highway in Niger, at the cost of N1.8 trillion.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, explained that the project would be executed through the Dangote tax credit scheme using reinforced concrete pavement.

The the project will involve the construction of a dual carriageway in partnership with the Dangote Group.

Umahi said the project was qualified to become the fifth legacy project of President Bola Tinubu, considering its size and the commitment of the President to complete the road.

The minister appreciated President Tinubu for being intentional in the total development of all the states.

‘In this North Central alone the President is constructing both new and ongoing projects of a total of 5,500 kilometres; Niger alone is having 1,055 kilometres.

‘In North Central alone, all the projects that we have completed are a total of 162 kilometres and 150 metres in length of bridges.

‘I assure you with your support for the second coming of the president, all these roads will be completed,’ Umahi said.

According to him, the President has added 400 km to the initially approved 750 km of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to connect the east-west roads that have been affected by climate change.

He further stated that there was an addition of 410 km to the Akwanga-Jos-Bsuchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri road.

‘So there is no change in any of the alignment; what the President is doing is addition,’ he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, commended the President for taking a bold step in fixing road infrastructure across the country to facilitate socio-economic growth and development.

In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that the reforms of President Tinubu were bearing fruit.

He said the massive infrastructure taking place in the country was unprecedented.

‘This is indeed an expansion and the beginning of the activation of the economic activity of the people of the state,’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Dangote Group, Mr Mansur Ahmed, said the road was very central to the economy of the country.

‘We assure you that by the time this road is completed, this corridor will be one of the most economically active corridors in Nigeria.

‘And it will be one that will create opportunities for businesses and young people to get jobs. It will open up the agricultural sector for food distribution across regions.’

In their goodwill messages, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, and Rep. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, commended the Federal Government’s efforts towards improving road infrastructure across the country.

They said that the National Assembly would continue to provide the needed legislative support that would ensure successful execution of projects across the country.

Mr Yiltong David, Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, said the project represents a significant investment in strengthening economic linkage.

According to him, the project will connect farmers to markets, businesses to customers, and communities to broader commercial opportunities.

‘On completion of this road, it is expected that it will improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods.

Also speaking, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, described the road project as gigantic, commending the Federal Government for approving it.

He noted that the project would greatly improve economic activities and reduce travel time.

Some of the community members who spoke with NAN thanked the Federal Government for the road, saying it was going to bring rapid development to their communities.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Bishop Leonard Umunna, General Overseer of Bible Life Church Cathedral, has lamented what he described as worsening living conditions in Nigeria, citing hunger, insecurity and economic hardship in the country.

He said the country has failed to translate its abundant resources into greater prosperity for its citizens.

Umunna spoke during an interview with journalists at his church in Lagos, where he expressed concern about the country’s development and the difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians.

Asked whether life in Nigeria had improved, the cleric said he believed conditions had not become better for many people, arguing that the effects of government policies were central to the country’s challenges.

‘Generally, no, things are not better now,’ he said.

Umunna argued that Nigeria’s difficulties should not be blamed on a lack of resources, insisting that the country possesses substantial natural and human resources that could support national development and improve the welfare of its people.

He questioned why a country with such endowments continued to depend on external assistance instead of using its resources and capacity to strengthen its economy and improve its international standing.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to contribute significantly to other African countries but has not adequately used its resources to address domestic needs.

The bishop linked the country’s development challenges to policy choices and leadership, arguing that the right people must be given opportunities to serve in positions of responsibility.

He called for leaders who are principled, capable and committed to the public interest, warning against corruption and ethnic considerations in the selection and conduct of public officials.

Umunna said Nigeria had people capable of providing effective leadership but needed to create opportunities for such individuals to emerge and contribute to national progress.

He also argued that sensitive national institutions should operate independently of political parties and government executives, maintaining that institutional independence was essential to improving governance.

The cleric’s comments extended to the challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, which he referenced while discussing the difficulties facing Nigerians. He maintained that principled leadership and better policy choices were necessary to address the country’s problems.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond superficial adjustments and focus on solutions that tackle the underlying causes of persistent national difficulties.

He maintained that Nigeria could make greater progress if its resources were better harnessed and public institutions were led by people committed to integrity, effective governance and the welfare of citizens.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) has approved guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections across West Africa.

The permanent secretary of ECONEC and head of the Electoral Assistance Division at the ECOWAS Commission, Serigne Ka, announced this on Tuesday during a visit by the network’s delegation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

Ka said the guidelines were designed to protect democracy in West Africa as the use of AI continues to grow in public administration and election activities.

He explained that the guidelines were finalised during a two-day meeting in Abuja involving technology experts and electoral officials.

The meeting followed recommendations made at the ECONEC Symposium held in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025.

Ka described the guidelines as necessary, noting that artificial intelligence had become an important part of modern administration.

He added that a special working group was established after the Dakar symposium in 2025 to develop rules for the use of AI in elections.

Ka also called on the international community to support the implementation of the guidelines across ECOWAS member states.

In his response, INEC chairman Joash Amupitan praised ECONEC for creating a platform where electoral bodies in West Africa could share knowledge, strengthen their institutions and address common challenges.

Amupitan said the use of AI and cybersecurity measures was important for protecting election systems, building public trust and improving services for voters.

He stressed that sustaining democracy in West Africa required independent and professionally managed electoral bodies that operated within the law.

He also noted that political parties, the judiciary, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and citizens all had important roles to play in protecting democracy.

The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to support other electoral bodies in West Africa through technical assistance, joint post-election assessments and cooperation.

He said such partnerships would help strengthen electoral institutions and maintain democratic standards across the sub-region.

Nigeria’s passport has improved in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, moving from 94th position in 2025 to 92nd in 2026.

The improvement means Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 destinations without obtaining a visa before departure, compared with 44 destinations in 2025.

The Henley Passport Index ranks countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can visit without getting a visa in advance. The index uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

List of 45 destinations Nigerians can visit without a visa in advance

According to the report, Nigerian passport holders can visit the following destinations without obtaining a visa before departure:

Barbados

Benin

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Cape Verde Islands

Chad

Comoros

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

Fiji

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Haiti

Iran

Kenya

Kiribati

Lebanon

Liberia

Madagascar

Maldives

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Micronesia

Montserrat

Mozambique

Niger

Niue

Palau Islands

Rwanda

Samoa

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

St Kitts and Nevis

The Gambia

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Nigeria’s passport ranking over the years

Nigeria’s position in the global passport ranking has changed several times over the years.

The country ranked 62nd in 2006 but dropped to 76th in 2010 and 87th in 2012. It improved to 78th in 2013 before falling to 95th in 2015.

Nigeria ranked 94th in 2018, 95th in 2019 and 94th in 2020. Its position dropped to 103rd in 2021 before improving to 98th in 2022, 97th in 2023 and 95th in 2024.

In 2025, Nigeria ranked 94th before moving up to 92nd in 2026.

What the improvement means for Nigerian travellers

The latest ranking shows a slight improvement in Nigeria’s international travel access, with the number of destinations Nigerians can visit without obtaining a visa in advance increasing by one.

However, travellers should confirm the entry requirements of their destinations before making travel plans. Some countries may require visas on arrival or electronic travel authorisation, while others may have conditions relating to passport validity, supporting documents and the length of stay.

The ranking also does not mean Nigerians can automatically obtain permission to work, study or live permanently in these countries. Such activities may require separate visas or permits.