Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has called on the Nigerian electorate to reject the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming general elections following allegations that the party has failed to pay its workers for over 12 months.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja the APC-PCC spokesperson Mr Dele Alake described the ADC leadership’s actions as ‘unconscionable wicked and reprehensible’ arguing that a political entity unable to meet its internal administrative obligations lacks the competence to manage national governance.

Alake criticised the ADC’s National Working Committee headed by Senator David Mark as National Chairman and the former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary accusing it of neglecting its workforce’s welfare.

‘It has come to our attention that the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress led by Senator David Mark as Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary has refused and neglected to pay party staff for over a year’ Alake stated.

He added ‘We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months. Owing staff who come to work every day and who rely on the salaries for their daily sustenance is wicked and reprehensible.’

The APC campaign spokesperson further claimed that the developments reveal the ’emptiness and insincerity’ of opposition leaders posing as alternative governance options. He argued that opposition leaders pursue power out of self-interest and hostility toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national development.

‘A party that cannot pay its cleaners and workforce cannot be entrusted with our country’s affairs’ Alake declared.

Drawing comparisons with the records of key ADC figures Alake pointed to Atiku Abubakar’s history with his private business ventures and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun State.

‘Atiku Abubakar the ADC’s leader and presidential candidate has a reputation for owing his employees. While he regularly junkets to the UAE staff at his Gotel Communication and other businesses also went months without pay and staged protests over unpaid salaries and other benefits’ Alake alleged.

Commenting on Aregbesola the APC PCC spokesperson said: ‘The record of the ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola on paying workers’ salaries and pensioners in Osun State where he was a governor for 8 years was abysmal. As governor he mismanaged the state’s finances to the point that he could not pay workers. His government thus introduced quarter-salary and at times half-salary payments. As for pensioners he abandoned them for more than four years’.

Characterising the ADC leadership as ‘birds of the same feather’ Alake urged working-class Nigerians and voters to distance themselves from all ADC candidates contesting in the general elections.

‘We are sounding a warning to Nigerians and working people now: reject ADC. Reject Atiku Abubakar and reject all ADC candidates in the next general elections. They do not have the interest of our country and our people at heart’ the statement concluded. ‘A party that aspires to govern Nigeria and which cannot be trusted with something as basic as the management of its own affairs and the welfare of its workforce should be rejected by Nigerians.’

The Ondo State House of Assembly has given its nod to a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police joining the growing push for decentralised policing as Nigeria grapples with persistent security challenges.

The lawmakers approved the proposal at a plenary held on Monday in Akure after considering the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill 2026 which the National Assembly forwarded to State Assemblies.

The bill scaled the second and third readings securing the support of more than two-thirds of the lawmakers which met the required threshold for the Assembly’s concurrence.

Recall that the Assembly Speaker Rt. (Hon) Olamide Oladiji had on September 24 read a letter conveying the proposal to the House from the Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana.

Before the approval the Committee of the Whole House examined the bill clause by clause and recommended that the Assembly endorse it subject to an amendment to Section 317A(5).

Speaking Oladiji said the decision reflected the need to explore new approaches to tackling insecurity.

He notes that the establishment of state police had featured prominently in Nigeria’s national discourse for over two decades.

He said the proposed reform would strengthen security and governance by providing a policing structure better positioned to respond to threats within local communities.

‘Following the extensive deliberations and thorough scrutiny of this bill by this Honourable House it is clear that this is the least we can do to strengthen security and governance in our dear state’ he said.

Oladiji directed the Clerk of the Assembly to forward the bill to the National Assembly with the state legislature’s observations and recommendations.

The Speaker described state police as a practical response to the country’s security needs warning that further delays in addressing insecurity could not be justified.

In its consideration of the proposal the Committee of the Whole House identified improved intelligence gathering quicker response to emergencies and more effective crime prevention among the expected benefits of decentralised policing.

The lawmakers argued that officers operating within states would be better placed to understand local security threats and respond to the peculiar needs of their communities.

They also noted that state police could complement the Federal Police Service by handling local security concerns while the federal force concentrates on interstate crimes and other complex security operations.

According to the lawmakers the proposed structure could also strengthen security in rural communities protect farmers against kidnapping and attacks and improve safety along highways.

They said improved security in farming areas would help safeguard agricultural activities and support food production.

The approval forms part of the constitutional amendment process required to pave the way for the establishment of state police.

President Bola Tinubu had on July 7 2026 inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to develop the legal framework for the proposed reform.

The National Assembly’s Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill 2026 seeks to introduce a two-tier policing arrangement comprising a Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will release the final voter register to political parties on December 15 it was learnt yesterday.

A source said the commission had begun cleaning up the register following feedback from members of the public.

INEC displayed the register at Registration Area Centres (RACs) across the country 92 days before next year’s election in accordance with the Electoral Act.

The law stipulates that the register must be displayed not later than 90 days before the election.

The source said: ‘INEC had pasted the register for claims and objections.’

The source added that the feedback had been substantial.

The source said: ‘The voter register was pasted at the Registration Area Centres for people to check for discrepancies make comments and identify dead voters those who have relocated and possibly detect those who may be underage voters.

‘It was done for seven days. The discrepancies also involved minor mistakes such as those who are male but were recorded as female.

‘INEC conducted its findings made corrections and expunged the names that should not be there.’

The source said some people had continued to complain about the method used to display the register.

While some expected the register to be published on INEC’s website the commission displayed it at the RACs.

The source clarified that ‘not posting it on the INEC website does not invalidate what we have done’.

The source added: ‘Nigerians want perfection. There is no perfect electoral system in the world.’

Following the removal of some names after claims and objections across the country the final register may fall slightly below the 103 million voters announced by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Russia has pledged to deepen its economic partnership with African countries through increased investment technology transfer and capacity building in strategic sectors including energy agriculture artificial intelligence (AI) food security and digital infrastructure. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office Dr Maxim Oreshkin made the commitment at the Russia-Africa Forum Partners Hub meeting in Moscow ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for October 28 and 29.

Oreshkin said Moscow was seeking long-term partnerships to strengthen African economies promote national sovereignty develop local industries and unlock the continent’s economic potential through mutually beneficial projects. He explained that Russia’s proposed cooperation would extend beyond infrastructure construction to include workforce development local manufacturing knowledge transfer and greater participation by African companies in strategic investments.

According to him sustainable economic partnerships must reflect the priorities cultural realities and development aspirations of participating countries rather than rely on externally imposed solutions. He maintained that this approach would enable African countries to build productive capacity strengthen technological expertise and gain greater economic benefits from their natural and human resources. Oreshkin said Russia remained committed to expanding trade and investment relations with Africa despite the challenges arising from Western sanctions against Moscow.

He identified Africa and South Asia as key regions in Russia’s efforts to diversify its international economic relationships expressing confidence that stronger cooperation could open new markets attract investment and help solve shared development challenges. On energy development Oreshkin described access to affordable reliable electricity as fundamental to industrialisation digital transformation and improved living standards. ‘Affordable and reliable energy are the foundation of industrialisation digitisation and a higher quality of life which Russia has’ he said.

He said Russia was prepared to work with African governments and relevant institutions to develop long-term energy strategies tailored to their resources infrastructure and growing electricity demand. He explained that the proposed partnerships would cover conventional energy sources liquefied natural gas hydropower renewable energy and nuclear power with an emphasis on building local expertise and supporting domestic industries.

Oreshkin stressed that energy cooperation should not be limited to delivering standalone infrastructure projects but should also strengthen national institutions develop skilled personnel and create opportunities for local companies. He cited Russia’s involvement in Egypt’s nuclear power development valued at approximately $25 billion as an example of an investment model that includes infrastructure construction workforce training scientific research and related industries including nuclear medicine.

Highlighting Africa’s persistent electricity deficit he noted that about 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lacked access to electricity. He said addressing the challenge would require sustained investment in generation transmission and distribution infrastructure to support industrial development economic growth and access to essential services. Turning to agriculture and food security Oreshkin advocated comprehensive cooperation to increase agricultural productivity improve fisheries and livestock production and strengthen logistics and supply chains.

He said Russia was willing to share agricultural technologies and expertise in crop cultivation livestock management and the application of mineral fertilisers to help African countries increase domestic food production. He added that Russian businesses were also interested in investing in Africa’s agricultural sector through joint ventures and partnerships that would support local production processing and international trade. Beyond helping African countries increase production Oreshkin identified significant opportunities for expanding agricultural exports to the Russian market. He listed fruits nuts vegetables coffee cocoa tea spices vegetable oils oilseeds fish and seafood among products African countries could supply to Russia.

Citing figures from his address he said Russia’s food imports were valued at about $43 billion in 2025 with African countries accounting for about eight per cent of the market. He said the relatively small share indicated opportunities for African producers to increase their presence through improved productivity stronger supply chains and investment partnerships with Russian companies. Oreshkin maintained that Russia was prepared to support balanced agricultural trade arrangements that would provide greater market access for African products while strengthening food security and domestic agricultural industries.

He also identified effective water-resource management as a key component of agricultural development saying Russian technologies could help African countries identify water resources monitor water quality and improve their use for farming and other productive activities. On artificial intelligence and digital technology the Russian official called for partnerships that would enable African countries to develop technological solutions that reflect their languages cultures and historical experiences.

He cited Yandex a Russian technology company and its AI assistant Alice as examples of locally adapted digital technologies capable of responding to specific linguistic and cultural needs. He said similar innovations could be developed across Africa through collaboration among domestic technology companies universities researchers and other specialists. Oreshkin also emphasised digital sovereignty arguing that African countries should strengthen their capacity to manage national data information systems and digital platforms. He warned that excessive reliance on foreign-owned technological platforms could expose countries to economic vulnerabilities including the transfer of valuable data and digital revenues beyond their jurisdictions.

He said Russia was willing to collaborate with African partners to develop domestic digital capabilities improve cybersecurity and train professionals equipped to manage emerging technologies. The Russian official reiterated that knowledge transfer local participation and developing skilled personnel should remain central to cooperation across sectors. However African participants at the meeting stressed that the success of the proposed partnerships would depend largely on their ability to deliver practical benefits particularly in education youth development and institutional capacity building.

Speaking during the discussions the Chancellor of the University of Limpopo and former Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma urged Russia to place greater emphasis on developing the skills and capabilities of Africa’s young population. She said youth empowerment and capacity building were essential to preparing the continent’s future workforce to participate meaningfully in economic transformation and emerging industries. Dlamini-Zuma maintained that Africa could realise its development ambitions only if young people had relevant knowledge technical expertise and opportunities to contribute to productive economic activities. She therefore called for stronger educational and professional development programmes within the proposed Russia-Africa cooperation framework.

Similarly Kaduna University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abdullahi Musa called for a clear action plan to translate commitments into measurable development outcomes. Musa argued that education must be central to the partnership particularly to advance cooperation in agriculture artificial intelligence human rights and security. ‘If we are to move forward in terms of agriculture artificial intelligence human rights and security you have to prioritise education’ he said.

He expressed concern that the proposed areas of cooperation did not sufficiently address the role of universities and other educational institutions in driving research innovation and skills development. ‘You have not mentioned the role of education and the part universities can play in line with global development plan’ he added. Musa stressed that meaningful technological cooperation would require sustained collaboration among universities research institutions industries and governments to build the expertise needed to implement agreed projects. He maintained that educational institutions should be directly involved in designing and executing programmes relating to agriculture digital technology security and other development priorities.

The meeting also featured a panel discussion on developing cooperation in the modern era with participants examining new platforms and approaches for strengthening economic and institutional relationships between Russia and African countries. Discussions centred on expanding investment opportunities promoting technology transfer strengthening institutional collaboration and developing practical mechanisms to implement proposed agreements.

While Russia outlined opportunities for deeper engagement across key sectors African participants stressed the need to ensure these partnerships move beyond diplomatic declarations and deliver measurable economic and social benefits. As the third Russia-Africa Summit approaches attention is expected to focus on whether the proposed cooperation can produce concrete investment commitments and strengthen local productive capacity and create sustainable opportunities for Africa’s growing population. The broader challenge for both sides will be to establish partnerships that not only expand trade and investment but also strengthen African institutions develop domestic expertise and support long-term economic transformation.

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 National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that private-sector operators will handle 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Hajj operations in 2027 as part of a three-year phased transition arrangement secured with Saudi authorities.

The development was disclosed at a two-day professional capacity-building programme for licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators held in Kano and Lagos aimed at strengthening operators’ preparedness regulatory compliance and service delivery ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.

In a statement on Monday NAHCON’s Head of Information and Publications Division Shafii Sani Mohammed said the initiative was designed to prepare Nigerian operators for changes in the global Hajj industry particularly reforms driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the emerging business-to-business (B2B) model.

The two-day programme known as the Professional Certificate Programme in Hajj/Umrah Operations and Pilgrim Service Management is organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) in collaboration with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTON).

Declaring the programme open NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf said the training would equip operators with the professional knowledge and skills required to adapt to the evolving international pilgrimage management system.

He explained that the emerging B2B model was expected to shift more responsibility for Hajj pilgrim management to private-sector operators making professional competence accountability and effective regulatory oversight increasingly important.

Yusuf said the three-year transition arrangement would give Nigeria time to strengthen its regulatory framework and prepare licensed operators for their expanded responsibilities.

He urged participants to maintain high professional standards and ensure that commercial interests did not supersede pilgrims’ welfare.

‘The welfare of pilgrims must remain above commercial considerations’ the chairman emphasised reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to professional certification digital transformation and effective regulation of the Hajj and Umrah industry.

Also speaking the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare described professional training as essential to modern pilgrimage management highlighting the need for operators to develop expertise in corporate governance risk management operational coordination and international service standards.

Maiturare also highlighted the institute’s academic initiatives to strengthen professional capacity in the sector including an MBA in Hajj Operations Management delivered in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a National Diploma in Hospitality and Hajj Management developed in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education.

The programme features sessions on professional ethics integrated operations management lessons from the 2026 Hajj leadership conflict resolution pilgrim welfare and collaboration with Saudi service providers.

According to NAHCON the capacity-building initiative is expected to improve operators’ readiness for the 2027 pilgrimage and support efforts to build a professional competitive and pilgrim-centred Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria.

The Commission’s phased transition plan places greater responsibility on licensed operators. Their preparedness adherence to regulatory standards and commitment to pilgrims’ welfare are expected to be critical to the successful implementation of the reforms.

Spain and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has won his third consecutive Best Young Player of the Year award in the 2026 Ballon d’or ceremony.

The Spanish youngster won the first of his three in 2024 when he broke into Barcelona’s first team.

For the women’s side of the award Barcelona Femini youngster Vicky Lopez.

Yamal is also one of the nominees for the Ballon d’or an award that he would be looking to secure.

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.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged African countries to ensure that defence partnerships go beyond equipment procurement to promote technology transfer develop local expertise and strengthen indigenous defence industries.

He said successful defence cooperation must leave African countries with the capacity to maintain military equipment develop homegrown solutions and sustain their security operations.

Tinubu spoke at the opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos. He was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This was contained in a statement that was issued by Jackson Udom Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media.

According to the President defence acquisitions should help develop local skills transfer knowledge strengthen domestic industries and improve countries’ capacity to maintain equipment.

‘Every major acquisition should help develop skills transfer knowledge strengthen local industry and deepen our capacity to maintain what we operate’ he said.

He added that the success of defence partnerships should be measured by the capabilities they leave behind stressing that African engineers must acquire expertise local businesses must grow and national institutions must become stronger.

Tinubu also called for sustained support for African-led peace operations noting that the commitment of troops deployed to conflict zones must be matched by adequate funding equipment rigorous training and institutional support.

‘Those we send to keep the peace must have the means to keep the peace’ he said.

The President described AFRIDEX as a platform for bringing together military experience technological innovation defence industries and strategic partnerships to develop practical solutions to the continent’s security challenges.

He said threats facing Africa from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel as well as across territorial borders cyberspace and outer space had become increasingly complex and interconnected.

According to him these threats endanger lives and livelihoods disrupt trade and undermine development making collective action imperative.

‘Africa’s security must therefore command our collective attention because there can be no enduring prosperity where fear governs daily life’ he said.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria had experienced the devastating consequences of insecurity including loss of lives displacement of communities disrupted livelihoods and lost economic opportunities.

He commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in confronting terrorism insurgency banditry piracy and other transnational threats while paying tribute to personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

He said their sacrifices placed an obligation on the government to provide the necessary leadership equipment training and support.

The President added that lasting security required strong institutions public trust reliable international partnerships and sufficient domestic industrial capacity to sustain defence operations.

On maritime security Tinubu emphasised the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea to regional trade energy security and economic prosperity.

He urged African countries to strengthen maritime cooperation to protect legitimate commercial activities and deny criminal networks safe havens.

He also called for greater investment in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence cyber capabilities space technologies and autonomous systems which he said were transforming the nature of modern warfare.

Tinubu stressed that African countries needed the knowledge institutions and technical expertise to understand and responsibly deploy these technologies while developing indigenous solutions.

He expressed confidence in the continent’s young population saying African youths possessed the talent needed to drive technological advancement if given the necessary opportunities.

The President said AFRIDEX 2026 represented a renewed commitment to translating Africa’s potential into practical defence capabilities.

He urged participants to ensure that partnerships established at the exhibition improved military readiness encouraged innovation and produced tangible benefits for citizens.

Tinubu said the ultimate objective was to build African nations where peace creates opportunities public service earns trust and citizens can look to the future with confidence

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that the ruling party is denying opposition candidates access to campaign venues and billboard spaces across the country.

The APC official who spoke on condition of anonymity described the allegations made by the NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director during a live television broadcast on Monday as ‘pure gibberish’ arguing that they lacked specific details and verifiable evidence.

The ruling party chieftain said he found no state names local government areas or specific agencies in the allegations to substantiate claims that opposition parties were denied access to campaign venues or advertising spaces.

‘Someone sent the allegation to me on WhatsApp and I read it from head to toe’ the APC official said.

‘It just says NDC makes an allegation that we are denying them access to venues and billboards. Where? In Delta State? In Lagos? Or in Abuja? There is no information no context and no specific location. My brother it is hard to dignify this kind of nonsense.’

On whether the APC was ensuring a level playing field for political parties ahead of the forthcoming elections the official said billboard advertising operated on commercial terms with parties competing for available spaces.

He argued that the APC did not exercise physical control over all advertising locations across the country and maintained that the ruling party also had to pay to secure billboard spaces.

‘APC is a political party contesting election and we are not in physical control of all advertising territories across Nigeria’ he said.

‘The idea that APC is denying people space-what level? We are looking for billboards just as they are and we are paying for billboards just as they are. We are all in the same market trying to market our platforms.’

The NWC member also criticised what he described as the opposition’s tendency to make broad accusations without providing specific details saying such claims risked drawing political parties into unproductive exchanges.

The NDC’s allegations and the APC official’s response come amid preparations for the next general elections.

‘If you make an allegation it must be noted if you didn’t provide any specific case state location or names’ he added. ‘Otherwise we get stuck in an endless cycle where someone comes to say ‘they beat our people today’ and we reply ‘oh we didn’t beat your people today.’ That’s childish and joking.’

He challenged the NDC leadership to present concrete verifiable complaints with relevant state authorities or ministries before expecting an official response from the ruling party.

‘If they bring up a credible allegation our party will respond’ the official concluded. ‘If you say that in a specific state you tried to get a billboard in a particular place and a specific ministry denied you after writing to them then we can verify with that state and ministry to answer appropriately. But this blanket idea of ‘they are denying us space’ without any context-their statement is not a statement; it is just gibberish.’

The APC chieftain’s reaction followed an earlier appearance by NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director on ARISE TV on Monday where he accused the APC of trying to frustrate his party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections by blocking access to event spaces and outdoor billboard placements.

The director insisted during the interview that the NDC had repeatedly struggled to secure locations for its public events despite fulfilling payment obligations adding that the party was forced to hunt for alternative sites.

‘This is the fourth venue we are paying for. We kept this one under wraps until just a few hours ago when we issued the press release only for us to be called that the political marauders have come and said they are the owners of the land so we should take back our money’ the Director alleged.

He added that despite operational hurdles and alleged restrictions on billboard bookings the NDC would not be intimidated into keeping its message from Nigerian voters.

‘Nigeria belongs to us all. Nobody owns Nigeria. We fought; we used our life and sweat and blood to fight for this democracy we are enjoying today’ the NDC spokesman said. ‘So who is that person to tell me that I will not have a right to exercise my freedom of speech and freedom of assembly?’