Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai to enter his defence if he so desires in his ongoing trial over his alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Monday while ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission.

Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the no-case submission saying the prosecution provided sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the defendant to enter his defence if he desires.

The Towulade of Owu-Akinale Oba Oluseyi Adediran has pledged support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its efforts to eradicate drug abuse through sustained advocacy and public enlightenment across schools and other social institutions.

The monarch made the pledge during a visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) where he expressed appreciation to the agency’s boss for chairing his first anniversary celebration on the throne.

Oba Adediran described Buba Marwa who is the Asoludero of Egbaland and Babaoba of Owu-Akinale’s presence at the anniversary as a demonstration of friendship and support for traditional institutions noting that his contribution had made the occasion memorable.

The monarch said the visit also provided an opportunity to formally communicate his commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s campaign against drug abuse particularly among young people who are increasingly exposed to the dangers of substance misuse.

He said ‘I came to appreciate the NDLEA Chairman for honouring me by chairing my first anniversary celebration on the throne. I am grateful for his support and encouragement and I consider this visit an opportunity to strengthen our relationship in the collective fight against drug abuse.’

Adediran disclosed that through the Towulade Foundation he would embark on advocacy programmes aimed at educating children youths and members of the public about the dangers associated with drug abuse and substance misuse.

According to him the foundation would take the campaign to primary schools tertiary institutions clubs and organisations using sensitisation programmes to discourage drug abuse and promote healthier lifestyles among young people.

‘We must not leave the fight against drug abuse to the government and the NDLEA alone. Traditional rulers community leaders foundations and other stakeholders have important roles to play in educating our people and protecting the future of our children.’

The monarch explained that the proposed advocacy would focus on early education and preventive measures stressing that children and young people needed adequate information about the consequences of drug abuse before they became vulnerable to substance misuse.

He added that the Towulade Foundation would work towards building partnerships with relevant institutions and community stakeholders to ensure its sensitisation programmes reached a wider audience and contributed meaningfully to the national campaign against drug abuse.

Oba Adediran reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s efforts expressing optimism that collaboration between traditional institutions government agencies and civil society organisations would help reduce drug abuse and promote a healthier society.

Nigeria could declare its Ebola outbreak over as early as December 7 2026 health authorities said following the medical evacuation of the imported index patient as they intensify surveillance contact tracing and emergency preparedness to prevent further transmission.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said this in a statement posted on X on Monday October 26 noting that the projected date depends on whether any additional confirmed or probable cases are detected.

Pate stressed that December 7 remains a provisional date subject to validation of the 42-day countdown by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the Minister Nigeria’s immediate priorities after evacuating the imported index patient include actively monitoring all identified contacts promptly investigating suspected cases and strengthening preparedness across health facilities.

He explained that the country could meet the WHO criteria to declare the outbreak over if no further confirmed or probable cases emerge within the required monitoring period.

‘Any further case would require a fresh countdown in accordance with those criteria’ Pate stated underscoring the need for continued vigilance despite the encouraging development.

He noted that the anticipated December 7 timeline is tied to the 42-day countdown under WHO guidance for declaring an Ebola outbreak over and that the countdown must be validated by the relevant public health authorities making the proposed date dependent on ongoing surveillance and epidemiological assessments.

The Minister said response teams were working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) state health authorities and partners to sustain containment efforts and prevent community transmission.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm cooperate with contact-tracing teams and rely on official updates from the NCDC and other relevant health authorities.

The newly appointed Nigerian High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday to officially begin his diplomatic mission.

Fani-Kayode who is also concurrently accredited to the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Eswatini landed at O. R. Tambo International Airport where senior diplomats and a large gathering of the Nigerian diaspora welcomed him.

A statement from his media aide Lizzy Okoji quoted the envoy as outlining his primary objectives emphasising that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate centres on restoring strong bilateral relations and safeguarding the interests of Nigerians living in South Africa.

‘Our focus is to rebuild the bridge of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa while protecting the interests of our citizens’ Fani-Kayode said. He emphasised that as Africa’s two largest economies both nations must maintain a united front to drive regional stability economic prosperity and Pan-African unity.

His arrival comes at a critical juncture for bilateral relations following recurring socio-economic friction and concerns over the welfare of the Nigerian community. The High Commissioner is expected to engage in high-level talks with South African authorities to address these challenges and foster peaceful coexistence.

The airport reception featured cultural displays and fanfare from various diaspora groups. Key officials present to welcome the envoy included Amb. Temitope Ajayi former Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria; Amb. (Mrs.) Ninikanwa Okey-Uche Consul General in Johannesburg; and Mr Puleng Chaba Acting Director for West Africa at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Representatives from major civil professional and regional bodies-including the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) the Nigeria Doctors Forum and student organisations-were also in attendance.

The Federal Government has for the first time given a detailed plan of how it intends to grow Nigeria’s economy from about $290 billion in 2025 to $1.027 trillion by 2030 create nearly six million jobs annually and reduce the poverty rate from 63 per cent to 25 per cent under its new national development plan.

The targets were contained in a presentation by the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite setting out how President Bola Tinubu’s administration intends to achieve its $1 trillion economy ambition by 2030.

The presentation is the first detailed account of how the administration plans to pursue the target explaining the economic growth rates investment levels revenue improvements job creation and poverty-reduction measures expected to support the plan.

Under the projections the government expects annual real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to rise from 3.87 per cent to 10.34 per cent by 2030. Gross capital formation which measures investment in productive assets such as machinery factories and infrastructure is expected to increase from 29 per cent to 40 per cent of GDP.

The plan also aims to raise government revenue from 11.15 per cent to 18.7 per cent of GDP and increase the annual number of jobs created from 3.14 million to 5.93 million.

These targets are part of the National Development Plan 2026-2030 which aims to translate the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable economic and social outcomes over the next five years.

A major part of the government’s strategy is to mobilise more private investment as public funds alone cannot provide the financing needed to achieve the envisaged scale of growth.

To address this challenge the administration plans to establish a national development finance and capital mobilisation platform that will connect investors with properly prepared and commercially viable projects across the country.

The proposed platform is expected to bring together pension funds insurance companies domestic and foreign investors development finance institutions and other sources of long-term capital.

The government believes the arrangement will help close the gap between the large amounts of money available for investment and the shortage of projects that are sufficiently prepared to attract such funds.

Many development projects particularly those proposed by government institutions and subnational authorities struggle to secure financing because their preparation is incomplete their commercial structure is weak or their expected returns and risks are not clearly defined.

The proposed platform is intended to address these problems by helping project promoters prepare viable proposals structure financing arrangements and attract investors.

It will also seek to address the fragmentation of projects across different levels of government. Rather than leaving small projects scattered across states and local governments to compete individually for financing the platform could help them access investment opportunities that attract larger pools of capital.

The plan envisages support from development finance institutions and partners through guarantees risk-sharing arrangements blended finance and concessional funding. Such measures could reduce some of the risks private investors face and make projects more attractive for long-term investment.

The government’s approach is built on preparing projects properly structuring them to meet investors’ requirements and mobilising the money needed to deliver them.

The strategy reflects the administration’s position that achieving a $1 trillion economy will require much more than government spending. Private businesses and investors will have to finance a substantial share of the factories infrastructure technology and other productive assets needed to expand the economy.

The development plan places greater industrial production economic diversification and job creation at the centre of the government’s growth ambitions.

Manufacturing currently accounts for about 8.47 per cent of GDP under the plan’s baseline figures. The government wants to increase this contribution to between 10.2 per cent and 15 per cent by 2030.

Achieving this will require stronger domestic production better access to finance more reliable electricity and improved transport and logistics infrastructure. It will also depend on businesses being able to obtain the raw materials technology and skilled workers needed to expand production.

The government intends to support agriculture and its value chains manufacturing micro small and medium-sized enterprises exports and other productive sectors that can create jobs and generate income.

Increasing domestic processing and production is expected to reduce dependence on imported goods strengthen local industries and create more opportunities for Nigerian businesses to supply both domestic and foreign markets.

The plan also seeks to expand non-oil exports and reduce the economy’s dependence on crude oil. Greater value addition in agriculture energy and other sectors is expected to broaden sources of national income and make the economy less vulnerable to external shocks.

The revenue target is another major part of the strategy. The government wants revenue to rise from 11.15 per cent of GDP to 18.7 per cent by 2030 providing more resources to finance public services and development projects.

However the plan’s success will depend not only on raising revenue but also on how effectively the money is spent. The administration wants government budgets and spending to be more closely linked to projects that improve productivity expand economic activity and deliver measurable results.

Beyond the size of the economy the government has set targets to improve Nigerians’ living conditions.

The plan seeks to reduce poverty from an estimated 63 per cent to 25 per cent by 2030. It also targets increasing adult financial inclusion from 74 per cent to 83 per cent.

The poverty target will require economic expansion to translate into more employment higher household incomes and better access to essential services. Growth in the national GDP alone would not necessarily deliver these benefits if the gains were concentrated in a few sectors or among a limited number of people.

The government therefore intends to link economic development with investment in human capital social protection improved public services and more productive employment.

Agriculture manufacturing small businesses and other labour-intensive sectors are expected to play an important role in creating opportunities for Nigerians particularly young people entering the workforce.

The plan also recognises the importance of financial inclusion in helping households and businesses access formal financial services. Better access to financial services can support savings payments and business activities but wider inclusion must be matched with affordable useful financial products.

The government is also seeking to improve electricity supply transport logistics housing and digital connectivity. These are seen as essential to reducing the cost of doing business supporting private investment and improving access to economic opportunities.

The National Development Plan 2026-2030 is organised around seven broad pillars intended to guide policy decisions and public investment.

They cover macroeconomic stability and sustainable financing; oil gas and energy security; economic diversification productivity and competitiveness; productive infrastructure and environmental resilience; governance and public-sector transformation; peace security and national resilience; and human capital social development and inclusive growth.

Together the pillars provide a common framework for ministries departments and agencies state governments and other development partners.

The plan also includes the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme which is designed to bring national development priorities closer to communities. It draws on work across 8809 wards nationwide to identify local economic conditions infrastructure gaps and development needs.

The ward-based approach aims to make development planning more responsive to on-the-ground conditions rather than relying only on broad national priorities.

The government expects the programme to help identify projects that can improve local infrastructure support economic activity and address community needs. Its effectiveness will depend on how well budgets incorporate the identified priorities and funds and implement them.

The plan is linked to Nigeria Agenda 2050 the country’s longer-term development blueprint while the 2026-2030 document provides a medium-term framework for translating that ambition into policies programmes and projects.

The administration has also acknowledged that the previous National Development Plan covering 2021 to 2025 exposed weaknesses in the way development priorities were financed and implemented.

The experience showed that identifying key projects and setting development goals would not be enough without credible funding arrangements clear institutional responsibilities and stronger coordination across government levels.

The new plan is therefore expected to focus more on project preparation financing implementation schedules and measurable results.

Each major priority is expected to have a responsible institution a clear baseline against which progress can be measured implementation milestones and an identified source of funding.

The plan is also intended to be linked more closely to the government’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and annual budgets. This is meant to strengthen the link between development promises and the allocation and release of public funds.

The government wants ministries and agencies to demonstrate how their spending contributes to agreed national objectives. Monitoring and periodic performance reviews are expected to help identify projects that are falling behind schedule and problems that require corrective action.

The approach aims to reduce the gap between development plans and what citizens ultimately receive.

The plan also places responsibility on state and local governments to support national objectives through local development programmes while private businesses are expected to invest in productive activities and create jobs.

Development partners are expected to provide financing technical assistance and support to build institutional capacity.

In presenting the plan Uzoka-Anite linked the administration’s development ambitions to the economic reforms Tinubu introduced since taking office.

The administration has defended difficult decisions including removing the petrol subsidy as necessary steps to correct economic distortions and improve the country’s public finances.

The government’s challenge now is to ensure that the reforms translate into higher investment stronger industrial production more jobs and better living conditions.

The $1 trillion ambition will require the economy to expand substantially over the plan’s period. That makes the proposed investment increase particularly important as factories infrastructure energy supply and other productive assets will be needed to support higher output.

The administration is also seeking to improve the way public and private capital work together with the proposed capital mobilisation platform expected to play a central role in bringing more investment into bankable projects.

However achieving the targets will depend on whether the government can attract sufficient long-term capital remove major obstacles facing businesses improve the performance of public institutions and ensure that projects are completed as planned.

The targets for economic growth jobs revenue manufacturing and poverty reduction are closely connected. Faster growth will need productive investment to support it and the benefits of that investment will need to reach households through employment income and improved services.

The government’s development plan therefore sets out an ambitious programme that goes beyond increasing GDP. It seeks to change how projects are financed and delivered expand the role of private investment improve domestic production and ensure economic growth delivers more visible benefits for Nigerians.

The test will be whether the policies and financing arrangements outlined in the presentation can translate into funded projects stronger businesses sustained job creation and a measurable reduction in poverty before the 2030 deadline.

Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy will depend largely on its ability to transform small businesses into large enterprises capable of creating jobs attracting investment and competing in international markets.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remained central to the country’s economic development because they sustain millions of livelihoods provide employment and support activities across different sectors.

Oyedele spoke in Abuja at the weekend at the fourth edition of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation.

He said the country must create an environment in which small businesses could grow into medium-sized enterprises medium-sized businesses could become large companies and Nigerian firms could compete across Africa and the world.

He said: ‘Our mission to build a trillion-dollar economy will depend in no small measure on our ability to help small businesses become medium-sized enterprises medium-sized enterprises become large companies and Nigerian companies become competitive players across Africa and the world.’

He said that although investment in infrastructure industrialisation and fiscal stability remained important government priorities the strength of the economy ultimately depended on businesses that produced goods provided services employed people and created opportunities.

Oyedele who was represented by his Special Adviser on Investments Marie Ukpere described SMEs as the backbone of the economy adding that their capacity to innovate increase production and reach new markets would be critical to Nigeria’s long-term growth.

He said the government recognised that many promising businesses struggled to expand because they could not obtain the financing skills and institutional support needed to grow.

He outlined several government interventions intended to address the challenges including the Development Bank of Nigeria the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp).

According to him the NCGC is designed to reduce the risks faced by lenders and encourage financial institutions to provide more credit to small businesses and manufacturers.

CrediCorp he said was working to expand access to responsible consumer credit strengthen purchasing power and support domestic demand.

He also cited the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme described in his speech as a $618 million intervention to provide businesses in Nigeria’s technology and creative sectors with access to finance skills development and business support.

He said the NSIA had played an important role in establishing the Development Bank of Nigeria and the NCGC.

Beyond these interventions the government is looking to expand access to investment capital for businesses with strong growth potential.

Oyedele said the NSIA was anchoring venture capital funds to mobilise institutional investment into promising Nigerian enterprises.

He also disclosed that the authority was developing an impact innovation fund in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with British International Investment expressing interest in participating.

The proposed fund is expected to support commercially viable businesses addressing important economic and development challenges.

He said entrepreneurs often required more than conventional loans to expand their businesses noting that patient capital experienced investment partners and access to networks were also necessary for companies seeking to enter new markets.

He described the NSIA Prize for Innovation as an important platform for preparing businesses for growth by allowing entrepreneurs to test their ideas demonstrate commercial viability and engage with experienced investors.

Oyedele noted that the programme’s focus on viable businesses was particularly important for young Nigerians seeking opportunities to build enterprises rather than depend solely on available jobs.

He said government had a responsibility to create conditions that would allow young people to establish businesses develop new industries and employ others.

He stated that the programme placed commercial viability and the ability to execute business plans at the centre of its selection process.

‘The real measure of your success will not be the prize you receive today. It will be the businesses you go on to do afterwards’ Oyedele said.

He expressed the hope that some of the businesses represented at the event would grow into major companies employing thousands of Nigerians attracting significant investment and developing solutions for markets across Africa.

He urged the entrepreneurs to remain ambitious disciplined and committed to building their businesses regardless of the competition’s outcome.

Managing Director Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Aminu Umar-Sadiq said supporting small businesses was a fundamental part of the authority’s investment strategy alongside its investments in infrastructure.

He said the authority had supported SME development through initiatives including the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria the Development Bank of Nigeria and the NSIA Prize for Innovation.

‘Without SMEs you have no job creation. Without SMEs you are unable to actually grow economically’ Umar-Sadiq said.

He explained that the innovation prize was designed to give Nigerian entrepreneurs the education equity funding and exposure required to develop their ideas into sustainable businesses.

The programme’s fourth edition featured 12 finalists whose businesses were selected following a competitive process. The entrepreneurs were expected to present their innovations to judges and demonstrate how their businesses could address economic and social challenges while building commercially viable enterprises.

He said the programme’s support went beyond the financial rewards available to the finalists.

He put the equity support at about $350000 and said entrepreneurs had access to accelerator programmes designed to strengthen their ideas and business models.

According to him the support process began with the top 200 applicants who were given opportunities to participate in accelerator programmes before the selection narrowed to the finalists.

He said the top 12 would also undertake a six-week learning programme at Lagos Business School after the demo day.

Strategic partners including Wema Bank Pula and Cascador had also provided additional prizes and support for selected entrepreneurs.

Umar-Sadiq described the programme’s approach as ‘education equity and exposure’ saying the combination was intended to prepare businesses for expansion and help them attract further investment.

He said the programme had developed over four years with increased participation by strategic partners and a stronger focus on reaching more entrepreneurs.

The NSIA chief added that the authority would continue to work with businesses after providing investment to improve their operations and prospects for growth.

He said the authority worked with the management teams of supported companies to strengthen their business propositions improve governance and expand demand for their products.

‘This is really the beginning of the journey’ he said adding that the process of creating value in the businesses could eventually produce future unicorns or companies valued at $1 billion or more.

He cited Money Africa and Sycamore among previous beneficiaries whose businesses had continued to perform well.

However he cautioned that the success of such programmes should not be judged only by results recorded within one or two years.

He said a medium- to long-term view including a period of about five years was needed to assess whether businesses had achieved the scale expected of them.

Meanwhile Dr Abdu Mukhtar National coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) said Nigeria’s healthcare sector offered substantial opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.

He estimated the addressable market across the healthcare value chain at about $20 billion and cited International Finance Corporation figures indicating that approximately 250000 SMEs were already operating in the sector.

Mukhtar said opportunities existed beyond hospitals covering pharmaceuticals clinical research medical devices telemedicine digital health and healthcare logistics.

The PVAC boss urged entrepreneurs to develop businesses that could generate profits while helping to improve healthcare delivery and access to affordable services.

He said the sector’s impact should be measured not only by financial returns but also by the lives saved diseases prevented maternal deaths reduced children brought out of malnutrition and jobs created.

Mukhtar added that the healthcare initiative was ready to work with entrepreneurs to make the sector more attractive to investment and support innovative solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of ReelFruit Affiong Williams who served as lead judge urged the finalists to build businesses around customers’ needs rather than concentrating only on the novelty of their products.

Drawing on her 14 years of experience building the dried-fruit manufacturing business she said entrepreneurs must understand what customers want and what they are willing to pay for.

She explained that it was easier to expand a business offering products that people wanted than to develop a product and then struggle to persuade customers to buy it.

Williams also advised entrepreneurs to build strong reputations demonstrate commitment and prepare their businesses to meet investors’ expectations.

The ReelFruit founder said she had raised more than $7 million over the years from individuals and institutions attributing her fundraising experience to preparation resilience a strong track record and the relationships she had built.

She urged entrepreneurs to develop networks of investors advisers and business leaders who could help them improve their businesses and identify opportunities for expansion.

Affiong Williams also advised them to remain resilient in the face of economic pressures currency movements policy changes and other challenges associated with operating in Nigeria.

Recalling her own experience she said she had faced rejection when seeking business support but continued pursuing other opportunities until she achieved success.

She urged the finalists not to regard the competition as their only opportunity to secure support describing their selection as an important step in their entrepreneurial journey.

The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential ambition and join forces with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying the North has demonstrated support for the incumbent.

The APC Publicity Secretary in Kaduna State Hon. Muhammad Sani Haruna made the call while addressing journalists in Kaduna after Tinubu’s campaign rally in the state.

Haruna said the large turnout at the rally showed that the North had accepted Tinubu adding that Kaduna could surpass the two million votes target projected by Governor Uba Sani.

‘I want specifically to call on our former Vice President His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to sheathe his sword and join forces with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the pendulum has swung in favour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ he said.

Haruna argued that Tinubu had helped Atiku secure a platform to contest the presidency in 2011 adding that ‘one good turn deserves another.’

He claimed that more than one million people attended the rally welcoming Tinubu from the airport to the venue.

The APC spokesman described Kaduna as the former capital of Northern Nigeria and a miniature Nigeria because of its diverse population. He thanked Tinubu for choosing the state to host the campaign flag-off and commended Governor Uba Sani for organising the rally.

He also said the event ended without injuries molestation or other negative incidents.

Haruna criticised Atiku’s promise to restore petrol subsidy describing it as a sign of desperation. He also questioned the former vice-president’s repeated attempts to become president.

The APC spokesman further accused opposition figures associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of failing to address the North’s economic and educational challenges when they held public office. He alleged that some opposition politicians relied on religion and ethnicity to attract votes.

‘The North is wise. The North cannot be taken for a ride again’ he said.

Spain’s head coach Luis De La Fuentes has won the men’s coach of the year award in the 2026 Ballon d’or ceremony.

Fuentes led Spain to the World Cup title earlier this year after beating Argentina in the final.

He won the award over four of the game’s biggest names to land the prize: Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain) Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Unai Emery (Aston Villa) and Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich).

Spain were fantastic in the 2026 World Cup and it was down to De La Fuentes’ man management and tactics.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has predicted victory for President Bola Tinubu’s political camp in the next election while attacking a presidential candidate who wants the government to bring back fuel subsidy.

Shettima urged Nigerians to support the continuation of Tinubu’s economic reforms warning that reversing the policies for political reasons could harm the country’s economy.

Speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit he said: ‘Hopefully we are going to support continuity support for economic progress support for the Nigerian nation.’ He added that he believed his political camp would win the election.

The Vice President criticised an unnamed presidential candidate for proposing a return to fuel subsidies saying Nigeria could not afford to return to the old system. ‘One of the leading presidential candidates is advocating a return to the subsidy scheme’ he said.

Shettima argued that President Tinubu took difficult decisions because the country needed them even though the policies had caused hardship for many Nigerians.

He said delaying such decisions would have made the problem harder and more costly to solve. ‘He chose to forfeit the applause of the moment for the enduring gains of generations yet unborn’ Shettima said.

The Vice President also questioned the presidential aspirant’s ability to manage Nigeria’s economy citing the candidate’s background in sanitation. ‘He doesn’t have the skill set to govern a modern economy’ he said.

However Shettima praised Peter Obi for saying he would not restore fuel subsidy if elected President. ‘I respect Peter Obi for having the courage to say that he is not going to restore the fuel subsidy’ he said.

The Vice President also accused some political opponents of using figures he described as doubtful to criticise the government instead of offering better policies.

He urged Nigerians especially business leaders and other influential people to take the country’s political future seriously instead of staying silent.

Quoting political thinker Frantz Fanon he said: ‘Every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor.’

Shettima said Nigerians must decide whether to support the continuation of the current economic reforms or risk reversing the administration’s policies.

He also called on future governments to maintain policies that support economic growth regardless of which political party wins an election.

‘Administrations can come and go; I am the 17th vice president of Nigeria. Well more vice presidents of Nigeria will come after I leave. But the Nigerian nation has to be sustained’ he said.

He added that Nigeria’s progress depends on a stable economic policy that won’t change simply because of political interests.

Defending the removal of the fuel subsidy Shettima said the former system placed a heavy burden on government finances.

He described it as a ‘subsidy scam’ and a ‘subsidy industry’ that consumed public money.

According to him Nigeria faced a serious economic crisis when Tinubu became President making difficult decisions necessary to prevent the situation from worsening.

Shettima also compared Nigeria’s petrol prices with those in neighbouring countries to support his argument against restoring the subsidy.

He said petrol sold for about $0.85 per litre in Niger Republic equivalent to ?1148.36 while the price in Benin Republic was about $1.28 or ?1729.39.

In Cameroon he put the price at $1.44 per litre equivalent to about ?1945.45 compared with ?1309 in Nigeria.

He argued that Nigeria’s petrol price was still lower than the prices he quoted for the three countries.

Shettima also recalled that Nigeria consumed about 67 million litres of petrol daily under the former system.

He claimed that cheap Nigerian fuel had affected neighbouring countries citing the closure of a refinery in Cameroon as an example.

The Vice President urged Nigerians to consider the cost of the fuel subsidy before supporting calls to restore it.

On the economy Shettima said the Tinubu administration’s reforms were beginning to show results in areas such as economic growth investment oil production and trade.

He cited figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showing Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 up from 3.13 per cent in the same period of 2025.

He said non-oil activities accounted for 96.08 per cent of the economy while manufacturing grew by 3.29 per cent and the oil sector by 2.67 per cent.

According to him the figures showed that the economy was recovering and becoming less dependent on oil.

However he said economic growth figures alone were not enough if Nigerians did not see improvements in their daily lives. ‘Our ambition must outgrow favourable statistics’ he said.

Shettima said the government wanted to turn the economic recovery into better living conditions and more jobs for young people farmers manufacturers entrepreneurs and innovators.

He said stabilising the economy was only the first step. The government also needed to create an environment where businesses could invest expand and employ more people.

He added that Nigeria must not only create jobs but also improve work quality and make better use of its available workers.

The Vice President said roads electricity and other infrastructure should be judged by how much they help businesses and the economy. He also said schools should equip students with skills they could use to find jobs and improve productivity.

On investment Shettima said Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026 up 83.83 per cent from the same period in 2025.

He said the money included investments in financial markets and direct investments in businesses.

Shettima said the government would continue to make it easier for businesses to operate by reducing unnecessary rules improving transparency and making its policies more predictable.

He added that the tax reforms were designed to create a fairer system that could fund public development while giving businesses more certainty.

The government was also reforming the electricity market to improve power supply and attract investment in electricity generation transmission distribution and alternative energy.

In the oil sector Shettima said crude oil and condensate production reached 1.735 million barrels per day in June 2026 marking four consecutive months of growth.

He said the government wanted to use the improvement to expand local refining gas processing petrochemicals and manufacturing.

According to him Nigeria needed to process more of its natural resources at home instead of relying mainly on exporting crude oil and other raw materials.

Shettima said the government was taking a similar approach to agriculture by connecting farmers to storage facilities processing centres and markets.

He said the government was also working to expand irrigation provide better farming equipment improve access to finance and develop rural infrastructure.

The Vice President said food output had reached its highest level in 74 months which he described as a sign of progress.

In the solid minerals sector he said Nigeria needed to move beyond digging minerals out of the ground and exporting them in raw form. He said the country should process more minerals locally use them in industries and export finished products.

Shettima also called for increased exports of agricultural produce manufactured goods processed minerals and digital services.

He said Nigeria recorded exports worth ?21.17 trillion in the first quarter of 2026 while imports stood at ?13.62 trillion leaving a trade surplus of ?7.55 trillion.

However crude oil accounted for 52.9 per cent of total exports while non-oil exports were valued at ?3.19 trillion.

He said Nigeria needed to earn more from products other than crude oil to reduce its dependence on oil revenue.

The Vice President also spoke about the growth of Nigeria’s technology industry saying five of Africa’s nine unicorns were Nigerian. Unicorns are privately owned companies valued at $1 billion or more.

He said young Nigerians had shown that they could compete internationally in technology financial services and the creative industries.

Shettima said Nigeria’s large population and natural resources could make it much more prosperous if the country maintained sound policies and showed the commitment needed to implement them.

He noted that Nigeria was projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050 adding that the country needed to turn its growing population into an advantage by creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.

The Vice President also urged business leaders and government officials to work together to grow the economy.

Referring to the book Gambling on Development by Caster Ndakwo he argued that countries progress when leaders and business owners put economic growth ahead of personal interests.

He urged participants at the Nigerian Economic Summit to turn their discussions into practical solutions that would improve the economy.

Shettima said the government’s Renewed Hope development programme was designed to connect national development plans with the needs of communities across 8809 wards and 774 local government areas.

He said Nigeria could not develop properly without strong communities and projects that reached people at the grassroots.

He praised the Nigerian Economic Summit Group for bringing government officials business leaders workers academics civil society groups and development partners together to discuss the country’s economic challenges.

Shettima said the government needed private-sector support to create jobs expand industries and improve living standards.

He admitted that much work remained to be done adding that the country’s economic recovery must lead to real benefits for Nigerians rather than improvements in figures alone.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has recalled attending the shrine of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Lagos in the 1980s alongside the current National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

AbdulRazaq shared the memories while declaring open an exhibition titled Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective at the Institute of Contemporary African Art and Film (ICAAF) in Ilorin.

The exhibition organised jointly by the Kwara State Government and Fela’s family celebrates the late musician’s life music and enduring influence.

Recounting his experience as an Afrobeat enthusiast the governor said he had visited Fela’s shrine since the 1980s and admired the musician’s intelligence activism and ideas.

‘In the late 80s I used to go to the shrine with several notable people now including the present NSA Nuhu Ribadu as well as our friends who were in the military then.

‘We used to attend the shrine then because Fela is highly intelligent. It was during Fela’s Zombie album’ he said.

AbdulRazaq added that a former Inspector-General of Police from Katsina State whose name he declined to disclose also attended the shrine.

The governor said he visited not only for entertainment but also because of Fela’s advocacy for African identity and the black race.

He described the musician as more than an entertainer saying his music challenged established conventions and raised questions about power freedom identity and justice.

‘Fela’s legacy demonstrated the power of art to preserve collective memory challenge established ideas inspire courage and contribute to social change’ he said.

AbdulRazaq stressed that cultural development was as important as physical infrastructure arguing that investment in arts and heritage could preserve history nurture talent and create economic opportunities for young people.

He said establishing ICAAF reflected his administration’s commitment to expanding development beyond roads bridges and buildings to include spaces that promote creativity knowledge and opportunity.

‘While physical infrastructure connects places cultural infrastructure connects people to their history broadens their imagination and encourages critical thinking’ he said.

The governor explained that the institute was established to preserve African stories nurture creative talent and showcase the continent’s artists and thinkers to a wider audience.

He said the exhibition organised by June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA) and Mrs Seun Alli featured photography archival materials film graphic works and other artistic expressions exploring Fela’s life and influence.

AbdulRazaq clarified that the state government was not seeking to claim ownership of Fela’s story but to provide a platform for younger generations to encounter and learn from his legacy.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would mark the beginning of sustained cultural engagement at ICAAF and inspire young people to create question discover and contribute meaningfully to society.

Also speaking the Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju said the exhibition offered an opportunity to revisit Fela’s life and work and examine how his music ideas and artistic expression continued to influence successive generations.

‘For the Ministry of Communications this occasion speaks to an important part of our mandate: promoting the stories talents and creative expressions that shape our identity as a people’ she said.

Olukoju said the state was creating opportunities for young people through investments in film fashion and technology.

She cited projects such as the Sugar Film Factory the Garment Factory and the Ilorin Innovation Hub as examples of the administration’s efforts to develop talent and support enterprise.

The commissioner urged young people in Kwara interested in painting photography filmmaking fashion and design to use ICAAF as a platform to explore their interests learn from others and showcase their work.