Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has described Vice President Kashim Shettima as a loyal, dependable and reliable partner to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose experience and commitment have continued to strengthen the Renewed Hope Administration.

Governor Otu, in a goodwill message conveyed by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, congratulated the Vice President on his 60th birthday, commending his courage, competence and dedication to public service.

The Governor said the strong working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima has remained critical to the administration’s efforts to tackle the country’s challenges, drive economic growth and improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He noted that Shettima’s experience as a former Governor and Senator, coupled with his understanding of governance and national affairs, has positioned him as a valuable asset to the President and the country.

Governor Otu also acknowledged the support and goodwill of President Tinubu and his Vice President towards Cross River State, particularly their responsiveness to the state’s development aspirations and willingness to engage constructively on issues affecting its people.

He said the positive relationship between Cross River and the Presidency has continued to create opportunities for greater collaboration, adding that the state remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.

‘On behalf of the government and people of Cross River State, I warmly congratulate Your Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, on your 60th birthday.

‘Your years in public service have demonstrated loyalty, courage, competence and an enduring commitment to Nigeria. As Vice President, you have remained a dependable partner to our Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and a strong contributor to the success of the Renewed Hope Administration.

‘Cross River State appreciates your support, encouragement and goodwill. Your readiness to listen to our aspirations and engage with our development priorities is deeply valued.

‘As you mark this important milestone, I pray that Almighty Allah will grant you continued good health, wisdom and strength, and bless you with many more years of impactful service to our nation.

‘May you continue to contribute to the peace, unity, prosperity and development of Nigeria.’

Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Tinubu-Shettima administration and supporting initiatives that advance the development of Cross River State and Nigeria.

He wished the Vice President many more years of good health, wisdom and distinguished service to the nation.

A support group, The Grassroot Governance Performance Awareness Network Initiative (GGPANI), has described the emerging coalition of political parties and politicians (G-100) seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition as a ‘failure on arrival’.

The group said that the alliance is driven largely by personal vendetta and political interests rather than the welfare of Nigerians.

National Leader of GGPANI, Alhaji Korede Quadri (KQ), made the position known in a statement on Wednesday, saying those behind the coalition do not represent the genuine interests of the Nigerian masses.

Quadri said many of the politicians now positioning themselves against President Tinubu were either beneficiaries of the old fuel subsidy regime or political actors who became aggrieved after losing political influence and access to power.

According to him, the coalition is coming at a time when Nigerians are beginning to experience what he described as the benefits of the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidy.

‘The coalition of some political parties trying to gang-up against the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections is, to us, a failure on arrival. The people putting themselves together are largely driven by personal vendetta and do not represent the interest of Nigerians.’

Quadri argued that the removal of fuel subsidy, despite the initial economic difficulties associated with the policy, has enabled the Federal Government to generate additional resources which have subsequently been deployed to support development across the states and local governments.

He said the Federal Government has continued to share the gains from the subsidy removal with the sub-national governments to enable them provide infrastructure and other services for the people.

‘The masses already know the gains of fuel subsidy removal. President Tinubu has continued to use the gains from the removal to build and give to the sub-national governments to cater for the development of the masses. Now that the masses will start to enjoy the effect of subsidy removal and autonomy of local government administration, some people are coming together to set the clock backwards.’

The GGPANI leader also defended the Federal Government’s handling of the foreign exchange crisis, recalling that there were widespread speculations ahead of the 2023 elections that the naira could depreciate to about N2,000 to the dollar.

He said that although the country experienced a significant exchange rate shock following the reforms, the situation subsequently witnessed periods of stability, which he attributed to measures taken by the Tinubu administration and renewed interest from foreign investors.

Quadri further linked the administration’s economic policies to developments in the nation’s refining sector, arguing that the reforms have contributed to creating an environment capable of supporting investment and a functioning domestic refinery.

‘Ahead of 2023, there were speculations that a dollar might rise to N2,000. Unfortunately, when the collapse happened, there was stability in the exchange rate courtesy of the Tinubu-led Federal Government. Foreign investors have also been coming in for investments, and this has helped the nation to have a formidable functioning refinery.’

He alleged that some of the individuals opposed to President Tinubu’s re-election were among those who had historically benefited from preferential access to foreign exchange and other economic opportunities, adding that such interests should not be allowed to override the collective interest of Nigerians.

Quadri also questioned the political compatibility of some of the leading figures associated with the emerging coalition, particularly over comments reportedly made by one of its spokespersons on national television suggesting that Peter Obi was better than the other presidential contenders within the coalition.

He asked whether such a position meant Obi was considered superior to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, under whom Obi served as running mate in the 2019 presidential election, or Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.

‘If Obi is better than all the presidential candidates in the coalition, as one of the coalition spokespersons reportedly said on national television, does that mean Obi is better than Atiku, whom he was Vice Presidential Candidate to in 2019, or better than Kwankwaso, who was the parallel presidential candidate of the NNPP in 2023?’

The GGPANI National Leader further recalled that some of the politicians now participating in the coalition were involved in political opposition to President Tinubu during the 2022 All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary and the 2023 general election.

He alleged that some of them worked against Tinubu’s emergence during the APC primary and subsequently opposed his election in 2023, only to return to the political arena under a new coalition after failing to secure the influence they sought.

‘Some of them who ganged up against President Tinubu in 2023 in the APC are now present in the coalition because they lost out, simply because they worked against his APC primary election in 2022 and eventually against his election in 2023. Now they are back in the coalition because they could not get power to continue to use it to suppress the masses as they did in the past.’

Quadri described the development as political vendetta rather than a genuine movement for national transformation, saying the coalition should be honest with Nigerians about its objectives instead of repeatedly invoking the name of the Nigerian masses.

He maintained that political actors seeking power for personal reasons should not disguise their ambitions as a struggle for the people.

‘They keep saying Nigerians in their speeches, but they could have been direct and not pitch the masses against the President for their own interests. Nigerians deserve to know whether this is truly about their welfare or about the personal political interests of those involved.’

According to him, Nigerians are becoming increasingly conscious of the democratic process and are capable of making independent electoral decisions based on their assessment of government performance.

He cited the Federal Government’s support for education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as one of the areas where resources from government reforms are being deployed to expand access to higher education.

‘Nigerians are beginning to enjoy the gains of the democratic process as against how it used to be, and Nigerians are now wise enough to stand firmly on their electoral decisions. Many children can now go to the university as the proceeds from oil subsidy removal and the exchange rate reforms are being used to fund NELFUND for seamless university pursuits.’

Quadri insisted that the political coalition would not succeed in reversing the direction of the country’s ongoing reforms through what he described as blackmail, envy and hatred against the President.

He said GGPANI was convinced that Nigerians at the grassroots were increasingly recognising the benefits of the administration’s policies and would support the continuation of the Tinubu/Shettima administration in 2027.

‘No amount of blackmail, envious statements and hatred will stop the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027. We in the Grassroot Governance Performance Awareness Network Initiative, GGPANI, are convinced, and we know that the masses are with the candidature of Tinubu/Shettima to continue as President and Vice President in 2027.’

The GGPANI National Leader therefore advised the politicians behind the emerging coalition to study the principles and history of successful political coalitions, saying genuine coalitions should be established around the interests of the people rather than personal ambitions.

‘They should go and learn how coalition really works for the best interest of the people and not for the personal gains of some selected few.’

Quadri urged Nigerians to remain discerning and judge political parties and candidates by their policies, records, intentions and commitment to the welfare of ordinary citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Home side Katsina Danmarna and Katsina Aldusar produced masterclass performances to claim top honors at the 2026 Katsina International Polo Tournament, which climaxed with fanfare over the weekend at the iconic Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Ground.

The eight-day fiesta, which officially flagged off the new Nigerian polo season, saw Danmarna lift the event’s premier prize, the Nigerian Cup, alongside the prestigious Muhammadu Dikko Memorial Cup. Led by Ibrahim Sarki, Danmarna overcame fierce competition from former champions Jos Malcomines and Katsina Max Air in a high-stakes campaign to emerge overall winners.

Katsina Aldusar delighted the home crowd by outpacing two tough opponents to capture the General Hassan Katsina Cup.

Visiting teams also made significant marks at the tournament. Kano Pop-Cola secured a double title victory, clinching both the Talba Cup and the Wazirin Katsina Cup after navigating a field of over six ambitious contenders. Jos Malcomines claimed the Governor’s Cup, while the long-traveling Port Harcourt squad from Rivers State won the Abdulmumin Kabir Cup, played in honor of the Emir of Katsina and Life Chairman of Nigerian Polo, HRH Dr. Abdulmuminin Kabir Usman.

Kaduna Trappco and Kaduna Mulhali Ranch shared podium honors as runners-up in the Talba Cup and Wazirin Katsina Cup respectively. Meanwhile, Katsina Max Air finished as runners-up in both the Nigerian Cup and Muhammadu Dikko Memorial Cup contests.

In other major results, Katsina Shagumba won the coveted Kabir Usman Cup, while Kano Golden Alchemy triumphed in the Maidabino Cup race.

The annual festival featured significant off-field events, including the traditional turbaning of Katsina Polo Club President, Sanusi Kabir Usman, and the appointment of Kaduna Polo First Vice President, General Kazir Kapeh, into the Katsina traditional council.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman of Katsina Polo Club, Muhammadu Sarki, expressed delight at the tournament’s success and thanked the Katsina State Government, the Katsina Emirate Council, sponsors, and visiting teams for their support.

Sarki commended the players for their sportsmanship and discipline throughout the week, noting that the club consistently strives to blend sport, culture, and community tradition to deliver a memorable experience for enthusiasts across the country.

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday revealed that the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) collected N191.86billion revenue from customers in June 2026.

In the period under review, the companies issued N240.71billion bills to the customers for the N315.73 billion energy that was received.

This was contained in the June 2026 Factsheet, which broke down the financial health and efficiency of the Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country.

In June, said NERC, the companies failed to collect N48.95billion revenue.

While the energy distributors recorded 76.24 pper cent billing efficiency, 79.71 per cent collection efficiency, the industry posted 74.24 per cent revenue performance efficiency.

In the highlights of the factsheet, NERC said, ‘Billing Efficiency: Stood at 76.24 per cent, with total energy billed reaching ?240.71billion out of ?315.73billion energy received.

Collection Efficiency: Recorded at 79.71 per cent, resulting in a total revenue collection of ?191.86billion for the month. Revenue Recovery Performance: The industry reached an overall Recovery Efficiency of 74.24 per cent.’

The factsheet also disclosed that with 87.04 per cent, Eko DisCo was top on the list of performance as Port Harcourt trailed it with 86.33 per cent.

With 82.23 per cent, Benin DisCo, according to NERC, was the third on the performance ladder.

‘Top Performers: Eko (87.04 per cent), Port Harcourt (86.33 per cent), and Benin (82.23 per cent) DisCos stood out with the highest recovery efficiency levels for June,’ NERC said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Niger/Kogi Area Command, has handed over 189, 189,000 rounds of confiscated live ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in a major push against arms proliferation.

The handover of 7, 560 packages of cartridges, a significant victory in inter- agency border security, took place in Minna.

The Controller of the Niger/Kogi Area Command, Sani Mohammed Umar, confirmed the transfer to Abdul Adamu Eneche, the Director of the NCCSALW North Central Zone.

Umar explained that the ammunition, seized in 2018 during a patrol near the Babanna border in the Wawa axis of Niger State, had been held at Customs premises pending the resolution of legal processes.

According to Umar, intelligence led to the interception of the massive haul. Each of the 7, 560 packages contained 25 rounds. He added that the suspect involved managed to escape and remains at large.

The Controller emphasised that allowing such a volume of ammunition to enter society could severely exacerbate the country’s current security challenges.

‘The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has directed officers to remain vigilant and strengthen operations along the borders,’ Umar stated, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to blocking the illicit arms trade.

Receiving the ammunition on behalf of DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, the Director General of the NCCSALW, the Director of the NCCSALW North Central Zone, Abdul Adamu Eneche, praised the Customs Service for its vigilance, assuring the public that the seized rounds would undergo the necessary protocols before being permanently destroyed, ensuring they never reach criminal elements.

Eneche highlighted that illegal arms directly fuel terrorism, kidnapping, insurgency, and communal clashes across Nigeria, noting that the NCCSALW has already facilitated the destruction of more than 19, 000 illicit weapons since its inception, continually trains security agencies to identify new smuggling tactics, and conducts public awareness campaigns to encourage community intelligence sharing.

The meeting that took place four days ago, on Monday, August 31, 2026, by the group called G100, which was actually a culmination of initiations of these conversations as another attempt to organise a coalition of Nigerian opposition political parties.

This is after the failed attempt in Ibadan, Oyo State some months ago. The G100 is attempting to galvanise the possibility of the emergence of a single candidate be supported by the coalition of opposition political parties to contest against and win President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

However, attempts to organise a political opposition coalition consensus started a least one year ago. In my view, the process of forming a solid coalition should have been started immediately at the beginning of President Tinubu’s administration in 2023. This would have given the opposition political parties two clear years ahead to organise, galvanise, convince, and negotiate a strong, vibrant and effective opposition political party and leadership. But, as of today, less than four months to the 2027 presidential and general elections in Nigeria, the opposition politicians are unable to unite to produce a single opposition presidential candidate that is supported by a coalition.

Indeed, the existence of a formidable opposition political is a critical success factor in any democracy. One-and-a-half year ago in the March 21, 2025 edition of this column titled, ‘Opposition leaders should stop wishing away Tinubu’, I raised the issue of the need for a virile and effective opposition political party and leadership, to keep the administration of President Tinubu on check, as should be the tradition in a democracy. I have also reiterated the opposition political parties in three other essays and various other discussions in the past three years since the beginning of this administration. I have variously alerted the opposition to start envisioning, aligning, organising, structuring, and mobilising early enough.. But they never did.

In the absence of a formidable opposition political party, the ruling political party will run roughshod, unperturbed, and a country in this situation runs the risk of having the incumbent President, Governors, and other political leaders with absolute power. And absolute power corrupts absolutely! As it is today in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has the overwhelming majority in the executive and the legislature.

There is currently there is no strong, cohesive, coherent and loud opposition pressure, constructive criticisms and engagements. Consequently, there is currently no solid and effective political competition that will keep the ruling party and political leadership in Nigeria on its toes. That is what makes incumbent political leaders to deliver their campaign promises and mandates, to ensure that they are re-elected by the people. As it is today, I have a sense of foreboding, not because I have anything personal against the APC, or its leaders; but because they have the APC has the mandate of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and if they don’t deliver, and if there is no veritable opposition political party and leaders that are organised and united with a cohesive force to counter the ruling political party by presenting alternative solutions to give the incumbent a run for their money; then Nigeria is doomed.

Of course, there have been a lot of allegations, and in some cases indications of subterfuge, or pressure by the ruling party to ensure that political opposition does not thrive. But I do not expect the ruling party to actually make it easy for the opposition to remove it from power. I will say with profound respect, that it is impractical for opposition political parties and their leaders to expect the ruling party, whether it is APC or any other political party anywhere in the world, to sit on their hands, and allow the opposition political parties to take over.

Certainly, I not promoting impunity, or any attempt to choke the opposition political parties and their leaders. But, indeed it is the duty of the opposition political parties to do their homework, work hard, organize, unite, mobilize and to have a unanimity of purpose for the people, of Nigeria, and not for themselves. The opposition political parties should have entrenched internal democracy, and to model themselves in ideology and practice, as the credible, suitable, and formidable alternative to a ruling party, in this context – the APC.

But the current situation whereby the various political leaders have their own agendas and they are so recalcitrant in pursuing those agendas, especially at the presidential candidature level is a critical failure factor for them. As of today, None of the front line political leaders is ready to concede to anyone, due to personal ambition, ego, identity politics and other parochial considerations. It appears to me that the opposition political leaders have decided to continue the very unfortunate and untenable fragmented opposition and ambition.

Like I have said variously, to the opposition political parties; united they stand a chance to win against the incumbent, divided they lose! The political permutations and combinations vis-à-vis voters demography, identity politics, etc. clearly shows that the opposition’s best play is to put their differences aside and come together with a view to marshaling their electoral powers and numbers, combine their forces and their strengths, which could give them the chance to win the presidential and general elections. Indeed misalignment of visions and objectives, disparate political ideologies/ missions, identity politics, selfish interests, egos, mutual mistrust by principal actors, and scars of toxic politics will remain the weaknesses of the opposition political parties and their leaders.

With less than four months to elections, the G100 have already lost the element of time. I hear the promoters of the G100, mentioning that they want to do what the APC coalition did to the PDP in 2015, and I will tell them that the scenarios, are entirely different. Therefore, the G100 initiative is a good idea, but wrong timing.

Love them or hate them, President Bola Tinubu, former President, late Muhammadu Buhari, and other key political leaders were able to manage various power blocs, egos and interests, efficiently and effectively when they were in opposition. They played the long game for 15 years losing and trying again, building political structures across Nigeria, building political networks and consolidating, which culminated in the consummation of the merger that birthed the APC which subsequently won the presidential elections in 2015.

If we may recall, by March 2013, two clear years agreed of the 2015 general elections, when the legacy parties have agreed to merge, the APC had taken a clear position on zoning, by zoning the presidency was zoned to northern Nigeria. That is very critical. Secondly, by November 2013, they had in their kitty a total of 16 incumbent governors, including the PDP governors that joined the legacy party governors, like the governors Adams Oshiomole (ACN), Tanko Almakura(CPC), Kashim Shettima (ANPP), Ibrahim Gaidam (ANPP), Rochas Okorocha (APGA), all Governor of South West Nigeria (ACN), and five Governors that defected PDP to APC. In the January, APC and had over 170 incumbent legislators in the Senate end house of representatives at the National Assembly and majority of the members of the state house of assembly in those 16 states.

By 2014, one year before the 2015 general elections, the APC was fully executing its strategy, and its road map to the win the presidential and general elections was clear. And they had already started getting the attention of Nigerians. This is how you run coalition. This is how you run opposition.

The opposition political parties are confused, disillusioned, fighting each other, and living in what I call, the ‘virtual reality’ of winning elections without uniting. You don’t win elections by wishing to do so. You don’t win elections by talking your way, or insult your way into power. In a democracy, political leaders organise themselves, convince the electorate that they have have better solutions, and work to win elections.

As it is today, I repeat, none of the opposition political leaders has the gravitas to muster the constitutionally required numbers and spread to win this election on his own, and that is the bottom line.

My parting words for the opposition political figures; United you stand, divided you fragment your votes and make it easy for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to coast into his second term. The rhetorical question is, ‘Will the opposition political leaders rise above their selfish and/ or parochial interest to actually unite to win President Tinubu?’ Your answers are as good as mine.

OPay, a leading fintech company, has reaffirmed that it remains fully operational and has no plans to suspend or discontinue its operations in Nigeria.

The firm gave the assurance during a Live Town Hall in Lagos on Wednesday to address misinformation on social media.

The Town Hall brought together OPay senior leadership, industry stakeholders, media representatives, and other key partners to provide clarity on the false claims and to reaffirm the company’s commitment to its customers, merchants, and the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at the event, Dotun Adekunle, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, OPay, said:

‘OPay is here, OPay is operating, and OPay is going nowhere. The message circulating online is false. There is no decision by OPay to shut down its operations in Nigeria, and there is no indefinite leave.’

Adekunle noted that the false message had claimed that OPay would stop operating in Nigeria from September 1. He pointed out that OPay remained fully operational with its services continuing normally. He also urged Nigerians to verify information through OPay’s official communication channels before taking financial decisions based on messages shared online.

Besides, Adekunle confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has acknowledged the information as fake news.

OPay also made it clear that it will not allow deliberate misinformation capable of causing fear, financial loss or damage to public confidence in the financial system to go unanswered.

Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, OPay, said:

‘OPay is taking legal action against those responsible for deliberately creating and circulating this false information. We will pursue them and ensure that the law takes its full course. There will be no impunity.’

Rokosu confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force are investigating the matter and working to identify those responsible. OPay has provided relevant evidence to support the investigations.

He stressed that OPay’s action is not about preventing criticism or legitimate questions about the company.

‘This is not about silencing anyone. It is about accountability, customer protection and respect for the rule of law,’ he continued.

OPay said it will commence legal proceedings against individuals linked to the circulation of the false information and will see the process through in accordance with the law.

The false information has also drawn concern from industry stakeholders, who stressed that misinformation about a licensed financial services provider can have consequences beyond the affected company.

Olalekan Disu, financial secretary of the Association of Licensed Mobile Payment Operators (ALMPO), and an Executive at eTranzact PLC, said: ‘Trust is the foundation of digital payments. False information about a major player can weaken confidence in the wider industry and discourage people and businesses from using digital payments.’

Disu also stressed that there is a clear difference between legitimate scrutiny and deliberate misinformation.

‘There is room to criticise and to ask difficult questions, but we must collectively guard against the creation and amplification of false information,’ he continued.

Stanley Jacobs, President FintechNGR and Group Chief Innovation and Technology Officer (GCITO) at Meristem, said:’Trust is crucial to the growth of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem. Misinformation about financial institutions can undermine that trust, making accurate information and responsible communication essential.’

OPay used the Town Hall to reaffirm that its commitment to Nigeria goes beyond its day-to-day financial services. The company highlighted its N1.2 billion 10-year scholarship commitment, which supports students at tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers to education and help talented young Nigerians remain focused on their studies.

The programme has already supported students across institutions, including the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University and Lagos State University, among others. OPay has continued to extend the programme to additional institutions, with its broader OPay Scholars Programme now combining scholarships with innovation, skills development and career opportunities.

At Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the partnership provides scholarship support to students over a 10-year period. The institution has firsthand experience of OPay’s commitment to education and youth development.

Speaking at the Town Hall, Prof. Babajide Odu, director, University Research Office, Obafemi Awolowo University, said: ‘OPay’s 10-year, N1.2 billion scholarship commitment is more than financial support; it is a long-term investment in the future of Nigerian students. At OAU, we have seen firsthand how this partnership is helping students pursue their education with greater confidence. Also, the support for our recently concluded 2026 Academic and Research Excellence Awards further reflects OPay’s commitment to academic excellence.’

Opay said its continued investment in education, technology, financial inclusion and digital payments reflects its long-term commitment to Nigeria.

It reaffirmed that its customers and merchants can continue to use its services normally and should rely only on verified OPay communication channels for information about its operations.

The company also called on members of the public, media organisations and social media users to verify information before sharing or acting on claims concerning financial institutions.

OPay said it remains focused on providing reliable digital financial services, supporting businesses and consumers, investing in young Nigerians and playing its role in the continued development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

About OPay:

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading fintech company in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology.

The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfers, bill payments, card services, airtime and data purchases, and merchant payments.

Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customers’ funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has expressed concern over the alleged ill-treatment of passengers by e-hailing operators offering shuttle and car-hire services at airports.

Kuku said FAAN could not fold its arms while complaints about passenger safety, security, fares, and other issues remained unresolved.

She said although passengers were free to choose their preferred e-hailing or car-hire operator, the authority remained concerned about the quality of their experience, safety, liability, and operators’ responsibility for their drivers.

Kuku spoke in an interview in Lagos while clarifying issues surrounding the exit of Uber, one of the major players in Nigeria’s e-hailing industry.

She said Uber’s decision to discontinue its services in Nigeria was based on its own economic and regulatory considerations, stressing that the development had nothing to do with FAAN.

According to her, FAAN received several complaints, particularly during the December holiday period, from passengers who used e-hailing and car-hire services at airports.

‘Some of them went all the way from intimidation, to being dropped in other places, and even more extreme situations,’ she said.

Kuku also disclosed that FAAN had encountered situations where drivers associated with e-hailing platforms would leave their vehicles and join car-hire operators at airports, allegedly to charge passengers higher fares.

She said the complaints prompted FAAN to introduce regulatory oversight for car-hire services at airports.

‘The app that was developed was strictly to focus on the fact that you have visibility on who the car-hire companies are, you know who the driver that is taking you from Point A to Point B is,’ she said.

Kuku clarified that FAAN did not collect fares on behalf of car-hire drivers, who were not employees of the authority.

She said FAAN’s role was to provide passengers with information on the operators and indicative fares based on their destinations.

The FAAN boss added that car-hire services generally charged higher fares because their business model involved transporting passengers to the airport and returning to the airport.

She stressed that passengers retained the right to choose between pre-booked cars, e-hailing services and car-hire operators.

On its dealings with e-hailing companies, Kuku said liability remained a major area of disagreement.

She said the companies had requested dedicated pick-up zones at airports, which FAAN agreed to provide, but the authority also wanted the operators to accept responsibility for their drivers.

‘Those drivers are not the drivers of Uber; rather, they’re independent drivers,’ she quoted the companies as saying.

Kuku said FAAN was dissatisfied with the position, particularly as the companies directed passengers to use safety features on their platforms rather than accepting responsibility for safety concerns involving the drivers.

She maintained that Uber had been considering exiting Nigeria for some time, adding that the disagreement over liability was one of the issues that created a stumbling block between the company and FAAN.

‘I’m sure that they had their own reasoning, and I know that they had been considering exiting Nigeria for a while,’ she said.

Kuku stressed that Uber’s exit was not connected to FAAN, noting that airports constituted only a small part of the company’s operations in Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for the speedy passage of Nigeria’s proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalisation Bill, saying the legislation is critical to improving farm productivity and building a resilient agri-food system.

Kyari made the call while speaking with Nigerian journalists covering the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.

He said the outcomes and discussions at the continental forum aligned closely with Nigeria’s agricultural priorities, particularly efforts to move the sector from subsistence farming towards a productive and competitive agribusiness system.

The 20th AFS, held under the theme ‘Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience,’ focused on food security, job creation, climate resilience, investment and inclusive agricultural development.

According to Kyari, these priorities are also reflected in the proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalisation Bill currently before the National Assembly.

He described agricultural extension as a critical driver of food sufficiency, increased productivity and sustainable agricultural development, stressing that the proposed law would provide a stronger framework for modernising extension services and improving farmers’ access to knowledge, technology and markets.

The minister disclosed that the bill had already passed first reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to give it urgent attention.

‘It is important to invest in agri-food systems, include women, youth and persons with disabilities, build climate resilience, and provide opportunities for finance and markets through a professional extension service,’ Kyari said.

He added that strengthening agricultural extension had remained one of his priorities since assuming office.

Kyari noted that several issues discussed at AFS 2026-including technology adoption, improved seed systems, climate-smart agriculture, digital transformation, data management and stronger collaboration among farmers, researchers, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector-were central to the proposed legislation.

He recalled his call at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja in July 2025 for stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, development partners, the private sector and farmers, saying such partnerships were essential to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Also speaking in Kigali, the Founder and Global Advocate of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and Head of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project, Hajia Salamatu Garba, expressed support for the proposed legislation.

Garba said WOFAN was among the co-sponsors of the Agricultural Extension Services Bill and had been working with stakeholders, private-sector partners and farmers’ clusters to strengthen Nigeria’s extension system.

She said the key themes of AFS 2026, including investment in agri-food systems, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, women’s inclusion, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, closely mirrored the objectives of the proposed bill.

Garba confirmed that the legislation had passed its initial stages in both chambers of the National Assembly, while the public hearing and other legislative processes were still outstanding.

She appealed to Kyari to support efforts to fast-track the bill’s passage, expressing optimism that its enactment would strengthen agricultural extension services and help address major challenges confronting farmers across Nigeria.

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to travel to the United States and address questions surrounding the corruption case involving former US Congressman William Jefferson.

The group, which is campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said Atiku should be prepared to face scrutiny over controversies surrounding his past as he seeks to return to the presidential race in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, FIMC, CMC, the movement said the issues linked to the Jefferson case stemmed from a US federal investigation and court proceedings, not mere political speculation.

Jefferson, a former Congressman from Louisiana, was convicted on corruption charges following a federal investigation into his financial and business dealings.

The group alleged that the proceedings raised questions involving Atiku, who was Nigeria’s vice president at the time, including an alleged $500,000 payment it said was linked to him.

It urged Atiku to explain the circumstances surrounding the allegations rather than allowing them to remain subjects of political controversy.

The movement also raised questions over a US Senate investigation into millions of dollars allegedly moved into the United States through financial arrangements involving Jennifer Douglas, Atiku’s former wife.

According to the group, the investigation examined offshore transactions and other financial dealings, including transactions it said were linked to Siemens.

The movement argued that the issues formed part of Atiku’s historical public record and should therefore be open to scrutiny.

It stressed, however, that raising the allegations did not amount to declaring Atiku guilty of any offence, but maintained that a politician seeking the presidency should be willing to answer questions about controversial aspects of his public record.

To underscore its challenge, the group offered to finance Atiku’s proposed trip to the United States if financial considerations were preventing him from travelling.

Asuku said the movement was prepared to pay for Atiku’s flight, accommodation and other travel expenses, including those of his aides, if he accepted the challenge and travelled to the US to address the issues being raised.

‘We are ready to foot his bill for the trip, even if it is for him to land in the US and spend just five hours. Let him just land in America. We are ready to pay for his flight and accommodation for him and all his aides if he cannot afford it,’ the statement said.

The group also urged Atiku to address other controversies associated with his political career, including issues surrounding the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the privatisation programme under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It said Nigerians should scrutinise the records of all presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 election, including their achievements, experience, policy positions and controversies associated with their years in public office.

‘Leadership is not about choosing which parts of one’s history Nigerians should remember. It is about having the courage to confront the entire record, explain the difficult chapters and allow the people to make their judgment,’ the movement said.

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement said it remained confident in its support for President Tinubu but offered to reconsider its political position if Atiku could convincingly address the issues it had raised.

‘We are a movement supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but we are confident enough in our position to make this commitment: if Atiku can meet the challenge we have put before him and provide the clarity Nigerians deserve, we will reconsider our support and switch allegiance to him,’ it said.

The group consequently called on Atiku to respond to the challenge with facts and explanations rather than dismissing the issues as political attacks, insisting that anyone seeking the presidency must be prepared to face scrutiny over his public record.