Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared itself fully prepared, politically healthy, and strategically oiled to sweep the 2027 general elections.

The ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC), alongside elected members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and state chapter chairmen, arrived at the resolution following an exhaustive three-day strategic retreat held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the meeting, themed ‘Strengthening Party Organisation, Unity, and Electoral Readiness Towards 2027,’ the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that a thorough review of the party’s operations across all levels gave the ruling party a clean bill of health.

‘At the retreat, the party took a deep dive into our structures at the national, state, local government, ward, down to the polling unit levels,’ Yilwatda stated. ‘After reviewing our performance, we gave a clean bill of health to the APC. We feel strongly that the party is strong, healthy, prepared, and oiled for the 2027 general election.’

Emphasising internal cohesion, the party unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, affirming its full backing for their re-election bid alongside all other candidates produced through official primary processes for the 2027 polls.

‘We strongly believe that we have produced some of the most credible, acceptable, and prepared candidates to serve the people of Nigeria,’ the Chairman asserted, calling on Nigerians and party faithful to come out in mass to re-elect the President for a second term to consolidate ongoing reforms.

Prof. Yilwatda highlighted the party’s shifting electoral fortunes, noting that the NWC will henceforth ‘drive campaigns from the front’ in off-cycle and by-elections to spotlight the achievements of the current administration.

Pointing to recent electoral outings, the national chairman noted that the APC has broken new ground in areas traditionally considered opposition strongholds.

‘We are impressed with the excellent performance of our party, even in areas and states that traditionally were weak before,’ Yilwatda noted, citing historic senatorial victories in states like Delta and God’s state, alongside a dominant performance in recent by-elections where the party won four out of five contested seats.

The APC leadership also condoled with the government and people of Niger State following the tragic loss of 37 miners.

‘Our prayers and hearts are with the people of Niger State over that painful loss,’ the Chairman expressed.

Closing the briefing, Prof. Yilwatda expressed profound appreciation to the government and people of Borno State for their warm hospitality during the three-day event, while commending Nigerians nationwide for three years of organic support for the party and the Tinubu-led administration.

Responding to questions from newsmen, the APC National Chairman noted that their party remains the party to beat in the 2027 election, describing the opposition as ‘cut-and-join political parties.’

Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Academic Forum has endorsed President Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for a second term in office.

The academics announced their endorsement during an interactive session with Governor Namadi at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Dutse, the state capital.

The forum, comprising academics from institutions of higher learning across the country, said the endorsement followed their assessment of the achievements of the Tinubu administration at the federal level and Namadi’s administration in Jigawa State.

Speaking after the meeting, Chairman of the Jigawa State Academic Forum, Prof. Haruna Birniwa, said more than 2,000 academics attended the gathering physically, while others were unavoidably absent.

He said: ‘Those of us here physically present, about 2,000 plus, and others who are unavoidably absent, make an unflinching support for our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Malam Umar Namadi to continue for a second term.’

During the interaction, Governor Namadi reviewed his administration’s achievements over the past three years in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, economic empowerment and employment, in line with his administration’s 12-Point Agenda.

He also highlighted the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, which he said had impacted positively on the country and Jigawa State.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the endorsement, Governor Namadi said the meeting was initially planned to attract about 700 academics but more than 2,000 attended.

He said the large turnout demonstrated the academics’ interest in developments in the country and the state.

Namadi said: ‘After all the presentations we made to them, they were able to appreciate what Mr President has done for Nigeria and what he has done also for Jigawa State.

‘At the same time, they appreciated what we have done for Jigawa State. They were very happy with what we have done and they were also happy with the President.

‘So, at the same time, they endorsed both the President and myself for a second term. That is the climax of this meeting, and we really appreciate what they have done.’

The governor said the endorsement showed that the academics were following developments in the country and assessing the performance of the administrations objectively.

He assured the academics that his administration would continue to improve the lives of the people and would not disappoint those who supported its programmes and policies.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, described the endorsement as significant.

Masari said he was pleased that academics in Jigawa had expressed their support for President Tinubu and Governor Namadi.

He urged the academics to continue to engage with government and encourage both administrations to sustain and improve on their achievements over the past three years.

Stakeholders in Orile-Agege and Agege Local Government Areas of Lagos State have appealed to former Agege Local Government chairman, High Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, and Azeez Yusuf to reconsider their defection to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The stakeholders made the appeal in the interests of peace and development in the area ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They spoke at a peace meeting on Sunday to address concerns arising from political developments in Agege following the defection of two APC chieftains.

The stakeholders comprised traditional rulers, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim clerics and members of the Arewa community.

The Alaige of Orile-Agege, Oba Ambaliu Agbeleyi, said concerns over possible violence arising from the political situation prompted the meeting.

The monarch, who said he had been on the throne for 14 years, said his priority remained the peace, stability and development of the community.

‘We want peace and progress in our community. When I heard that there will be bloodshed in the coming election, I cannot fold my arms and watch without doing anything,’ he said.

Agbeleyi appealed to Egunjobi and Yusuf to reconsider their positions and return to the APC, urging them to preserve the peace that had prevailed during their years in office.

The Olu of Agege, Oba Oyedeji Kamila Ishiba, also urged the politicians and their supporters to shun confrontation.

‘We don’t want fight or rancour in our communities. Promotion is of God. We don’t pray for commotion in our communities. We want you to work on achieving peace and stability,’ he said.

The Baale of Dopemu, High Chief Shuaib Ajayi, called on stakeholders to uphold truth and support the efforts of religious and community leaders to maintain peace.

The chairman of CAN in Orile-Agege, Apostle J.B. Olubode, said religious leaders would continue to pray for the peace and progress of the APC and the community.

The Chief Imam of Dopemu, Alhaji Sulaiman, urged party leaders to intervene in the political disagreement and prevail on their members to avoid actions capable of triggering violence.

He said political positions were temporary and should not result in loss of life.

‘I am for the community. I stand for the peaceful coexistence in Agege constituency,’ he said, adding: ‘I appeal to party leaders. They are at the centre of this. They have the strength to call to order their members.’

The CAN coordinator in Agege Local Government Area, Pastor Bayo Jesuniyi, said the religious community was primarily concerned about peace and continued development in Agege.

He urged political leaders to embrace tolerance and avoid actions capable of undermining peaceful coexistence.

‘We are not going to war. We are going to vote come January 16 to further the development. Let us align with the wishes of our leaders and avoid conflict,’ Jesuniyi said.

Responding, Egunjobi, who is the APM House of Assembly candidate, said he was unaware of the meeting until he was invited by one of the clerics.

Egunjobi, who described the period as politically sensitive, called on the APC leadership to act fairly and pursue reconciliation.

He claimed he won the party’s primary election but that the party subsequently settled for another candidate, arguing that the development should have been followed by a reconciliation process.

He said, ‘When you know that a candidate would be selected, you won’t tell us to go to the field. If I am relieved of my winning, the party should deem it fit to invite us to a meeting.’

According to him, the APC leadership had not reached out to him for reconciliation since the disputed primary, adding that he expected party leaders to convene a meeting involving the contending groups.

Egunjobi also said he and his supporters had considered going to court over the matter but were prevailed upon by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, not to do so.

He said, ‘Before the issue degenerated into this, the leadership of the party in the state led by Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi did not deem it fit to intervene by inviting us to a reconciliatory meeting. They didn’t reach out to us. Not even Mr Speaker. Let us fear God.’

Egunjobi said his decision to leave the APC was not without precedent, recalling a similar political development involving the APC chairman, Hon. Ojelabi, who was then the chairman of Ojo Local Government Area in 1999.

He said, ‘In 1999, when he wasn’t returned, he left the AD for the PDP. Then President Bola Tinubu was governor of Lagos State.

‘We were calm and law-abiding, but the party failed to do what was expected. We own our community, and nobody can dictate to us what to do.’

He added that he had initially not intended to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly but was persuaded to do so.

Egunjobi, however, commended the convener of the peace meeting and assured residents that the political disagreements would not lead to violence in the community.

‘I commend the convener of this peace meeting. The convener wants peace and progress of the community. By the grace of God, there won’t be war in the community. I can only speak for myself; I assure you there won’t be war,’ he said.

Mallam Abdulhafiz Barau Umar, popularly known as Dan Isan Gusau and Founder of AUG Foundation, will join a distinguished lineup of African leaders and professionals as a speaker at the Global Visionary Leadership Summit (GVLS) 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The five-day summit, organised by the Lilian Ike Foundation, is scheduled for October 18 to 22, 2026, at the Holiday Inn, Two Rivers Mall, Nairobi.

The 2026 gathering is designed to bring together founders, CEOs, team leaders, and emerging visionaries for strategic conversations on business structure, leadership, growth, meaningful connections, and legacy building.

Among the speakers announced for the summit are Andrew Musingo, PCC, Founder of Batian Consulting; Chief Gaius Chibueze; Pst. Mueni Wambua; and Dr. Gilda Odera, alongside Mallam Abdulhafiz Barau Umar.

Dr. Gilda Odera also publicly confirmed her participation as a speaker at GVLS 2026, describing the summit as an opportunity to share experiences and engage with other leaders on issues including leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, women and youth empowerment, and Africa’s future.

Mallam Abdulhafiz Barau Umar, widely known as Dan Isan Gusau, is the Founder of AUG Foundation and a community-focused leader whose work is associated with humanitarian support, community engagement and social impact.

His participation at GVLS 2026 will provide an opportunity for him to share perspectives from his leadership and community-development experience with an international audience of entrepreneurs, executives and emerging leaders

His appearance also brings a Nigerian perspective to a summit that is positioning itself as a platform for African and international voices to exchange ideas on leadership, enterprise and sustainable impact.

According to the organisers, GVLS is intended to move beyond conventional motivational talks by focusing on practical business structure, leadership development and legacy.

The summit will provide participants with opportunities to engage in strategic conversations, learn from experienced professionals and build meaningful connections with other founders, business leaders and emerging visionaries.

The event’s international profile is also reflected in partnerships surrounding the 2026 edition. Kenya Airways, for example, is promoting special travel arrangements for delegates attending GVLS in Nairobi and has confirmed the event dates as October 18-22, 2026.

The summit is expected to commence daily at 10:00 a.m., with leadership-focused sessions, business discussions and networking opportunities scheduled throughout the five-day programme.

The bomb has finally dropped. Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 Premier League financial charges – and now English football will never be the same. For 14 seasons, from 2009 to 2023, City were accused of cooking the books, hiding payments, and inflating sponsorships to buy success. On Friday, an independent commission said it was true.

City will appeal, but the guilty finding stands for now. And if the punishment is a massive points deduction, title stripping, or even relegation, half the Premier League will be celebrating. Because City’s punishment is everyone else’s prize.

ARSENAL: FROM HEARTBREAK TO CHAMPIONS

No one benefits more than Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s team have finished second to City twice in the last three seasons, losing the 2023/24 title by just two points on the final day. They did everything right – 89 points, 91 goals – and still lost to a machine later found to have cheated.

If the 2023/24 title is stripped and handed to the runners-up, Arsenal are champions of England for the first time since 2004. The Emirates would finally get its parade. Arteta, Guardiola’s former assistant, would win his first league title because his master was caught.

Even this season, with City top after five wins, a 60-point deduction would turn Arsenal from hunters to champions elect overnight.

MANCHESTER UNITED AND LIVERPOOL: THE HISTORY REWRITE

Jose Mourinho was already celebrating.

‘If they take 2017/18 from City and give it to Manchester United, then yes. I am a Premier League champion with United,’ he said. That was the year City got 100 points and United finished second with 81. Mourinho called it his greatest achievement. If that title is voided, he gets his fourth Premier League medal and United get their 21st title.

Liverpool’s gain would be even bigger. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds lost two titles by a single point – 2018/19 with 97 points and 2021/22 with 92 points – the two greatest second-place finishes in English history. If those titles are stripped from City, Liverpool go from 20 league titles to 22, overtaking Manchester United as the most successful club in English history. Klopp would retire as a three-time Premier League champion.

Chelsea, runners-up in 2021/22, would also be in line for retrospective glory.

NEWCASTLE, VILLA, SPURS: THE TOP FOUR LOTTERY WINNERS

A points deduction this season would detonate the Champions League race. Take 50 points off City now and they drop from 1st to 18th. That means the team that finishes 5th this season will play in the Champions League – a prize worth over £100 million.

That is life-changing for Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Brighton and Chelsea. These are clubs who sold players to comply with PSR while City were found guilty of breaching the rules 114 times. Now they get their reward.

Newcastle, who had to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to avoid a breach in June 2024, would go from PSR victims to Champions League beneficiaries.

THE RELEGATION GREAT ESCAPE

At the bottom, City’s guilty verdict could save three clubs.

The Anambra South Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, has said he has no disagreement with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, describing him as his ‘elder brother’.

Onunkwo said he would work with Soludo if elected to the Senate to advance the interests of Anambra South and the state.

He spoke at the weekend in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, during the community’s New Yam Festival at Agbiligba Square.

His comments followed remarks by Soludo at Ekwusigo Local Government Area during the commissioning of a 1.03km road project, which Onunkwo was said to have contributed financially towards.

The governor had described Onunkwo as a businessman who should focus on his business rather than politics, among other comments.

The Nation gathered that Onunkwo contributed N170 million to complete the road project.

Reacting to the development, the NDC candidate said he would not respond to or attack the governor despite their membership of different political parties.

‘The only thing I can say about our governor is that we belong to different political parties today, but the ultimate priority to me today is to pursue my current ambition of going to the Senate.

‘Soludo is my elder brother and my governor; whatever he describes me to be is not my concern. The only thing that should occupy my time now is the coming election, and when I win, I will work closely with him to bring dividends of democracy to the zone and the state,’ he said.

On his chances against the incumbent senator representing the district, Onunkwo said the electorate would ultimately determine who was popular and capable of representing them.

‘The electorate are the only ones to determine our popularity. They will vote for whoever they see as popular and who they think can represent them well.

‘I want to go to the Senate to represent my people well and lift standards,’ he said.

Onunkwo previously served as coordinator of Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu’s campaign council and chairman of Soludo’s campaign council in Ekwusigo Local Government Area before joining the NDC.

He was subsequently denied the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) senatorial ticket during the party’s primaries before moving to the NDC.

Dr. Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), has received four international honours in the United States.

The awards recognised her leadership, public service, and contributions to social protection, inclusion, and human dignity.

The UNESCO Centre for Peace and its partners presented the honours during the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The recognitions include one from the United States Congress, another from the governor of Maryland, a presidential medal, and the UNESCO Centre for Peace Award, alongside her designation as a peace ambassador.

According to the organisers, the honours recognise Olotu’s leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s social protection architecture, particularly efforts to improve the identification of poor and vulnerable households, strengthen social protection data, and build more responsive systems for vulnerable populations.

Her work at NASSCO has also helped advance an integrated approach to social protection that connects strong institutions and reliable data with resilience, economic inclusion, and improved opportunities for vulnerable households.

Olotu is the second Nigerian to receive this combination of honours from the UNESCO Centre for Peace and its partners.

The honours were presented during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, placing Nigeria’s social protection experience within the broader global conversation on resilience, inclusion, peace, and sustainable development.

For Olotu, the honours represent not only a personal honour but also an acknowledgement of collective efforts to build stronger institutions and ensure that vulnerable Nigerians are reached with dignity, responsiveness, and opportunity.

‘This recognition is an affirmation of the importance of strengthening social protection systems that understand vulnerability, respond to changing needs, and create pathways to greater resilience and opportunity. Ultimately, the true measure of our work is the difference stronger institutions can make in the lives of the people they are designed to serve,’ Olotu said.

Immediate past Federal Character Commissioner for Anambra State, Rev Uche Ibeabuchi, has given reasons why President Bola Tinubu deserves to be reelected in the 2027 general elections.

He said Tinubu has demonstrated courage and visionary leadership, which he attributed to numerous achievements he had recorded within the period of his tenure.

Speaking to newsmen on Friday, the former Commissioner argued that great nations are not built on convenient decisions but rather forged through willingness to confront structural challenges head-on.

According to him, progress required collective vision, adding that nations that achieved industrial development endured necessary periods of transition and fiscal adjustment.

‘President Tinubu’s reforms represent the deliberate choices required to secure a self- sustaining economy.

‘By dismantling long-standing structural inefficiencies, expanding social safety programmes, and investing heavily in youth, housing, and infrastructure, the President is demonstrating the resolute leadership needed to guide Nigeria toward enduring economic prosperity.

‘For decades, Nigeria stood at a critical economic crossroads, relying on unsustainable fiscal policies and short-term palliatives that deferred structural growth.

‘When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, he inherited an economy in need of urgent restructuring.

‘Rather than adopting soft measures to preserve short-term political popular appeal, President Tinubu chose the path of statesmanship.

‘He initiated structural economic reforms designed to shift Nigeria from consumption to sustainable production.

‘Real national growth requires initial sacrifices, but the foundations being laid today are laying the groundwork for a prosperous future,’ he stated.

Ibeabuchi listed Tinubu’s achievements that qualified him for a second term to include the end to fuel subsidy, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said empowered thousands of youth with higher education and technical skills, mass housing and infrastructure development, tax reforms, among others.

The Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to residents to be patient with the government over delays in refuse evacuation across the state.

She assured that the government was working on a new strategy to address the challenges confronting waste management in the state.

Sanwo-Olu spoke while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.

Residents of the area had complained about delays by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in evacuating waste, as well as increases in waste collection charges.

The First Lady attributed part of the delay to operational challenges faced by waste operators at dumpsites.

She said, ‘The turnaround time for the trucks to dump the dirt at the dumpsite takes a long time. They are in the queue for like two, three days before they dump it and then come out, because it’s just one way.’

According to her, the government was working to address the challenges, adding that all stakeholders were committed to ensuring that Lagos remained clean.

‘Our prayer to our people is that they should be patient. We know we have this teething problem; we will overcome our teething problem with time,’ she said.

Sanwo-Olu commended Mafoluku residents for bagging their refuse instead of dumping it beside drainage channels.

She, however, called for improved waste separation at source, noting that recyclable materials were still being mixed with wet and dry waste.

‘The importance of separating the waste is very important. We noticed that we need to advocate more on that, because some of the waste we saw today, we had bottles with dry waste, wet waste,’ she said.

She also commended schoolchildren’s participation in the sanitation exercise, saying the initiative would help instil environmental consciousness in them from an early age.

Assessing the impact of the exercise six months after its commencement, Sanwo-Olu said the state had yet to attain the desired level of cleanliness but noted that public awareness was improving.

‘Six months since we started, we haven’t got to where we want to be. It’s a work in progress. But I can see that the awareness is there. People are conforming,’ she said.

She disclosed that the Ministry of Environment would soon introduce competitions and awards for the cleanest communities as part of efforts to sustain the initiative.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, who monitored the exercise in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, said residents’ participation had improved since the initiative began six months ago.

Agoro urged residents to take ownership of the exercise rather than waiting for government officials to arrive before cleaning their surroundings.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, also said public participation had increased significantly since the monthly sanitation exercise began.

He urged residents to embrace waste separation at the source, noting that recyclable materials such as plastics and paper could generate income.

Moses Simon reached a major milestone during the Super Eagles’ 2-1 win over Madagascar in Friday’s 2027 AFCON qualifying clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Paris FC winger became the fifth Nigerian player to reach 100 appearances for the Super Eagles after coming on just after the half-hour mark during the hard-fought victory over the Barea.

Simon started the game on the bench but was introduced for Akor Adams, who had struggled to make an impact up until that point. The appearance saw Simon join Alex Iwobi as the second active Nigerian player to reach the 100-cap mark.

The Super Eagles eventually got back on level terms in first-half stoppage time when debutant George Ilenikhena found the net.

Another debutant, Moses Usor, then completed the comeback with a superb solo effort to seal a 2-1 victory for Nigeria.

Moses Simon reflects on 100 Super Eagles appearances

The 32-year-old made his Super Eagles debut in 2015 after progressing from the U20 side and has now reached 100 appearances for the senior national team across all competitions.

After the game, Simon expressed his appreciation to everyone who has played a part in his journey with the national team and explained what has motivated him so far.

‘First of all, I would like to say thanks to the coach for the opportunity, thanks to every coach that gave me this opportunity and also thanks to you all, the journalists’, Simon said post-match, via Tribal Football.

‘Of course, this gave me joy and it’s a great privilege to play for the Super Eagles. It’s a dream come true. I never believed I would be there, I never believed I would play 100 games, but I just believe one thing: whenever I’m called up, I will be there to give my 100 percent.

‘The secret to my 100 caps is my family, my friends, Nigerians, journalists, because when I see the passion you journalists have for football, I’m ready to give everything.’

Former presidential adviser and elder statesman, Senator Ben Obi, has called for greater emphasis on practical skills acquisition as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and associated social vices in the country.

Obi, who spoke at the graduation ceremony of Springfield Fashion Academy (SFA) in Abuja, said academic certificates alone could no longer guarantee economic survival in the face of rising unemployment.

He described practical skills and technical competence, popularly referred to as ‘sabificate’, as important tools for empowering young Nigerians to become self-reliant and create wealth.

‘We must not only rely on certificates to survive. We must equally rely on our skills to be able to put food on the table,’ he said.

The former lawmaker praised the creativity and confidence displayed by the graduating fashion designers, saying vocational training could help shift young Nigerians from dependence on formal employment to entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

He urged the Federal Government, corporate organisations and development partners to establish funding mechanisms for credible private vocational training institutions.

According to him, supporting successful vocational institutes would enable them to expand and establish training centres across the 36 states, thereby widening access to skills acquisition.

Obi also advised young Nigerians to enrol in structured skills acquisition programmes rather than wait indefinitely for white-collar jobs.

He said institutions such as Springfield Fashion Academy could make greater impact if adequately supported to establish branches across the country.

The Creative Director of Springfield Fashion Academy, Blessing Ugwuodo, similarly urged unemployed youths and graduates to acquire practical skills instead of relying entirely on academic qualifications.

Ugwuodo said many graduates had remained unemployed for years because of their dependence on white-collar jobs, despite the opportunities available in vocational and creative industries.

She noted that practical skills could provide a more immediate route to self-employment and economic independence.

‘I am educated and I am a graduate, but skill is actually higher and more powerful than certificates,’ she said.

Ugwuodo urged young Nigerians to use the period spent searching for formal employment to develop skills and create products and services that could meet market demand.

She said Nigeria’s large population presented significant opportunities for local producers and entrepreneurs, adding that fashion was only one of several areas where young people could acquire marketable skills.

The fashion academy boss, however, expressed concern over the financial pressures confronting small and medium-scale enterprises in the Federal Capital Territory.

She particularly criticised the increase in levies imposed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), saying excessive charges could undermine the survival of small businesses.

According to her, rather than impose additional financial burdens on emerging enterprises, government should create an enabling environment for them to grow.

Ugwuodo also called for a review of government empowerment programmes, urging public institutions to channel resources to organisations with verifiable records of grassroots impact.

She said government should move beyond publicity-driven empowerment initiatives and support institutions already providing sustainable skills and livelihoods to vulnerable Nigerians.

She noted that Springfield Fashion Academy had trained people from diverse backgrounds, including educated and uneducated youths, persons with disabilities and widows.

Ugwuodo added that the academy had also trained individuals without formal education, stressing that lack of schooling should not constitute a barrier to acquiring skills and becoming self-reliant.

She called for stronger collaboration between government and credible vocational institutions to take skills acquisition programmes to the grassroots.