Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Former Petroleum Minister (State), Chief Timipre Sylva, is not involved in any coup as rumoured in some quarters, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, has said.

Bokoru, in a statement on Wednesday, said desperate and narcissistic politicians plotting to actualise their ambitions in 2027 were behind the rumour because of their perception of Sylva as their obstacle.

He said such evil politicians took their desperation to a sickening level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility exposing their dark, self-serving ambitions.

Describing the former Governor as an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat, Bokoru said Sylva had shown unwavering support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

He recalled that Sylva recently mobilised the entire structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa expanded stakehokders’ meeting.

Bokoru, however, admitted that Sylva’s Abuja home was subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters, saying they inflicted significant damage on the property.

He said the security operatives that raided Sylva’s house did not provide any reason for their action.

He confirmed that Sylva and his wife were already out of the country at the time of the raid.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for a routine medical check and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

Bokoru added: ‘In the past forty-eight hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has ‘fled’ the country in connection with certain purported matters.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

‘Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

‘It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

‘As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

‘The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence’.

He added: ‘While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever-either in planning or in logistics-with any such plot.

‘Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.

‘His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.

‘These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle-a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions’.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government has released ?2.3 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country.

The fund is expected to be used to clear the salary backlogs as well as promotion arrears of teaching and non-academic staff in public universities.

The Minister explained that the disbursements, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), reflected President Bola Tinubu Administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the tertiary education sector.

In a statement on Wednesday by Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo the Minister said: ‘A total of ?2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.’

Alausa said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to Nigerian University Pension Management (NUPEMCO), expected to be completed in the coming days.

The Minister added that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026.

He noted that this will ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward. In addition, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain the initiative.

According to Alausa, these measures demonstrated the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades.

‘Within the last twenty-six months, the Federal Government has paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions.

‘The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith. However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,’ Alausa stated.

He explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and the tertiary institutions’ unions, ensuring that all pending welfare-related issues are addressed through honest and mutually respectful dialogue.

‘Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,’ he added.

Alausa noted that the federal government will not engage in unsustainable fiscal practices.

‘Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,’ he said.

The Minister stressed that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.

He commended President Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to the education sector, noting that several challenges that had persisted for decades are now being tackled decisively under his administration.

Alausa expressed optimism that the current wave of reforms and fiscal interventions will usher in lasting industrial harmony, restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.

The House of Representatives is to investigate the activities and accounts of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2015 to date, while resolving to take appropriate action aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability of NFF, with a view to restoring national and international confidence.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dr Adedayo Samuel Adesola (APC, Lagos and Nwaeke Felix Uche (PDP, Rivers), the House asked the leadership of NFF to appear before the House Committee on Sports with records of activities, receipts and disbursements of funds from 2015 to date.

Leading debate on the motion, Adesola recall recent lamentation of former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh, accusing the NFF of undermining the growth of soccer in Nigeria through misappropriation of grants from FIFA and CAF, citing the questionable handling of USD 1.0 Million NFF got from FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.

He said between 2015 and 2025, NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of USD 25 Million from FIFA and CAF with nothing tangible on ground to justify the huge capital inflow from these soccer bodies.

He said ‘in December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of US$1.1 development grant to NFF and reported that USS802,000 lacked proper documentation; prompting Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and asked NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.

According to him, between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials (including the then President, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies. One of these monies, US$1.2 Million is the subject of a news item currently trending on the social media which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.

He said a physical inspection of the Stadium In Birnin Kebbi showed a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 claimed to have spent on the project by the NFF,whereas Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility, to further raise eye brows on the profligacy in NFF F.

He said with another African Cup of Nation round the corner and the World Cup play off, both involving the Super. Eagles of Nigeria, there is need to take decisive action on further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has begun revalidation to register members ahead of 2026 governorship election.

The Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, who hosted the 12-member revalidation team and state co-ordinators led by Mr John Malumi, the deputy director, Elections Management (Organising Department), enjoined the party chairmen in the local governments and area office in Modakeke to assist the team during the exercise.

He said it was imperative for the party’s stakeholders to join hands with the visiting team for a desired result.

Lawal, represented by the state Secretary of the party, Alhaji Alao Kamoru, told the visiting membership validation team that the party had put everything in place for them, in order to make the programme a success.

Malumi told the APC state Working Committee and the chairmen of the party in the local governments that the exercise was not about registration of new members into the party, but rather to work on the existing members.

Seeking the cooperation of the party chairmen in the local government, he said members of the party must be financial members and that they all had the right to vote and be voted for.

He said: ‘Credible members of the party must pay N200 per month for one year each and they have the right to contest for any position.

‘Some members have left the party; some are dead, while others have just joined. We have a mechanism of authenticating if any member of our party has paid.

‘The ward secretaries, ward organising secretaries and similar officers of the party at the local government level will have crucial roles to play in the party’s membership revalidation.’

He said the exercise, which started on October 20, would end on the 31st, in line with the APC National Headquarters’ outline for the 2026 Osun State governorship primary election.

Lagos is already the Afrobeats capital of the world, the only problem? It hasn’t been officially recognised. Lagos, the heartbeat of a genre that has crossed oceans and conquered global charts, stages and audiences across the world, from the bustling streets of Surulere to the neon glow of Victoria Island, the city has nurtured the sound, raised its stars, and set the rhythm for a generation. The official recognition and declaration from the state, federal government and international organisations like the UN Tourism and others of what the world already knows and is a fact, Afrobeats begins and thrives in Lagos, Nigeria is what is needed next.

Afrobeats superstars like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr and many others have transcended regional and continental lines to become a global cultural force. From chart-topping hits dominating international airwaves to selling out arenas from London to New York, the world is listening and Lagos is always at the center. The city is in the lyrics, the visuals, and provides the soundtrack for the creative energy that fuels the culture. Lagos is the origin and Launchpad for this global phenomenon.

But, every day without the official recognition, Nigeria loses vast opportunities in year-round sustainable tourism, massive job creation, foreign and local investment, and the global branding power Afrobeats offers. This recognition is not merely symbolic but catalytic. It positions Lagos as a year-round sustainable creative tourism destination, beyond the now popular Detty December, for signature festivals, conferences, creative residencies, heritage trails, and cultural expos that keep the megacity vibrant all year long.

Other cities have successfully done this. New Orleans, Louisiana is officially branded the home of Jazz. Kingston, Jamaica, is synonymous with Reggae. Nashville is celebrated worldwide as the Country Music Capital. Seoul turned K-Pop into a multi-billion-dollar economy. These cities did not just create sound, they recognized it, branded it, invested in it, and built thriving cultural tourism industries around them. Lagos must now do the same with Afrobeats.

From examples sighted, the numbers speak for themselves. Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign generated approximately $2 billion in 2019. K-Pop contributed approximately over $4 billion to South Korea’s GDP in 2024. Nashville’s music tourism generates over $5 billion annually. With Afrobeats as its strongest cultural export well managed and organized, Lagos with its size has the potential to meet or surpass these figures. The official recognition would drive year-round cultural tourism through festivals, expos, conferences, and residencies; generate jobs across its ecosystem including music, fashion, film, food, dance, and allied industries; boost local industries such as hotels, airlines, restaurants, lounges, and event venues; strengthen Nigeria’s global brand and increase its cultural soft power.

The Planet Afrobeats project, powered by Inspiro Productions, is spearheading the Lagos Afrobeats Capital of the World Campaign. The mission is clear: brand Lagos as the Afrobeats capital of the world with a master-plan, empower youth by connecting and converting talent to wealth, and create multiple economic opportunities across the value chain. Ayoola Sadare, CEO of Inspiro Productions and the brain behind The Planet Afrobeats project and his company, have dedicated over two decades to championing Nigeria’s creative industries with several initiatives such as the Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF), NAIJAZZ – The Nigerian Jazz Project, LABULE – The Creative Community, The Tale of Two African Cities (TOTAC – Lagos/Johannesburg) amongst others.

At inspiro we drew some of our inspiration from cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, in Africa, Stuttgart and other cities in Europe amongst others which have built thriving tourism economies around jazz festivals such as Joy of Jazz, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Jazz Open and others. Lagos, with its strong Afrobeats culture, has the cultural capital and firepower to drive sustainable year-round inbound tourism beyond Detty December. This is not just about music. It is about jobs, pride, investment, Lagos and Nigeria’s creative economy future. Afrobeats is perhaps now our strongest cultural export alongside Nollywood and Lagos is its undisputed home.

The Planet Afrobeats initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Agenda Plus, particularly in Tourism, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy as well as the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy’s Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere vision. Recognising Lagos as the Global Afrobeats Capital would institutionalise the city and nation’s cultural leadership and secure billions in creative economy revenues. The time has come to officially recognize this.’

Lagos doesn’t need permission to be Afrobeats’ home because it already is. What is needed is an intentional declaration, a master-plan and the courage to brand it boldly. The time is now. Lagos is ready. The world is waiting.’

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has decried the failure of most states to adopt and implement the Urban and Regional Planning Law (Decree 88 of 1992, Cap. 138 LFN 2004) more than 30 years after its passage, calling it a major setback to the nation’s quest for orderly and sustainable urban growth.

Speaking at the National Colloquium on the Implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning Law, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) in Abuja, he expressed concern that only two States, including Katsina, have domesticated the landmark legislation since its enactment in 1992.

‘It is regrettable that more than three decades after the promulgation of this progressive law, only two States, including my home State of Katsina, have adopted and operationalised it. This has contributed to the uncoordinated growth of our cities, the proliferation of informal settlements, and widening gaps between planning ideals and urban realities,’ Dangiwa stated.

He commended the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners for convening the colloquium, describing it as timely and essential for national reflection on how to revitalise planning practice as a tool for sustainable development.

The Minister explained that the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law was a bold reform that replaced the obsolete 1946 Town and Country Planning Law – providing, for the first time, a comprehensive framework for land use and physical development across all tiers of government. However, he lamented that weak institutional capacity, inadequate manpower, poor intergovernmental coordination, and low public awareness have hindered its implementation.

Dangiwa noted that the realities of rapid urbanisation, climate change, and technological advancement have further outpaced the provisions of the law, making its review and update both urgent and necessary.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to driving the nationwide adoption, domestication, and effective implementation of the law. He added that the Ministry is also working to review and modernise the legislation to align with current realities and emerging global standards in spatial and physical planning.

‘We are determined to ensure that every state of the federation adopts and operationalises this law; urban and regional planning is not a theoretical exercise – it is the backbone of sustainable growth, efficient infrastructure, and social well-being,’ he said.

Dangiwa disclosed that as part of its reform agenda, the Ministry has completed the review of the National Urban Development Policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and is finalising the National Physical Planning Standards and the National Policy on Rural Settlements Planning and Development to promote balanced regional development and reduce migration pressures on urban centres.

He further cited the Renewed Hope Housing Programme as a practical demonstration of integrated land use and planning principles envisioned under the law, with each housing project reflecting proper spatial planning and environmental sustainability.

‘Through the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, we are showing that effective planning leads to better, more liveable, and inclusive communities,’ he noted.

The Minister urged State Governments, professional bodies, and development partners to work collectively to reposition urban and regional planning as a strategic instrument for economic transformation, social equity, and environmental resilience.

The Federal Government has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy will attain the $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target set by President Bola Tinubu by the year 2030.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this known in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the European Union (EU) Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Mr. David McAllister.

Bagudu said the administration is working closely with both local and international partners to achieve the goal, noting that the government’s growth strategy places significant emphasis on private sector participation.

‘Our President has set a clear target for Nigeria to achieve a one trillion-dollar GDP by 2030,’ the minister told the EU delegation. ‘This is ambitious, but achievable through partnerships such as ours with the European Union.’

In a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday, Bagudu explained that the government’s economic blueprint is built around strong collaboration with the private sector, which he said would provide 86 percent of the investment required to reach the $1 trillion GDP target.

He said the Tinubu administration is determined to achieve double-digit economic growth in an environmentally sustainable manner within the target period. ‘We are pursuing growth that is both inclusive and responsible-one that creates jobs, strengthens productivity, and protects the environment,’ he said.

Bagudu credited the ongoing reforms under President Tinubu for placing Nigeria’s economy on a more sustainable path and expressed appreciation to the European Union for its continued partnership and support.

The minister specifically thanked the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Gauthier Mignot, for facilitating Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Global Gateway Forum and for securing a N320.5 billion (pound 190 million) credit line allocated to Nigerian commercial banks and financial institutions to boost lending to the agricultural sector.

He noted that the EU’s Global Gateway Project, which plans to invest pound 300 billion in Africa, aligns with Nigeria’s priorities of promoting a green, digital, and inclusive economy while enhancing healthcare, education, and democratic governance.

Bagudu assured the EU delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest. ‘We believe the absorptive capacity of our economy is strong, whether in agriculture or other forms of infrastructure. We are committed to partnering with you and fostering mutually beneficial relationships for our people,’ he said.

The EU delegation leader, Mr. David McAllister, described Nigeria as the EU’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa, accounting for a significant share of imports and exports between both regions.

McAllister said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical areas such as clean energy, industrialization, and economic diversification. ‘We seek to encourage investment and renewal in clean energy, to bolster Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and industrial capacity, and to broaden cooperation and sustainable economic diversification beyond oil exports,’ he stated.

Earlier, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, welcomed the EU delegation and commended their efforts in promoting democratic governance and sustainable development across the globe.

He described the visit as an opportunity to explore how Nigeria and the EU can work more closely to address shared priorities and accelerate economic progress. ‘This engagement provides a platform to align our development goals and strengthen institutional cooperation for mutual benefit,’ he said.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to expanding economic cooperation, improving access to investment capital, and driving inclusive development through sustainable partnerships.

Pan-African Economic Reformer and Founder of the Compassionate Capitalism Economic System, King Charles Lambert, has premiered a groundbreaking African traditional theatre masterpiece titled Wait Until Dawn – a sweeping tragedy that fuses myth, politics, and morality to illuminate the timeless struggle between ambition and truth.

In Wait Until Dawn, Lambert rekindles the soul of traditional African drama, using theatre as a mirror for society’s moral crisis and a beacon for its ethical revival

Lambert, known for merging ideology with artistic expression, uses literature and theatre as tools for African moral and economic awakening. Wait Until Dawn reflects his conviction that financial liberation must be grounded in ethical and spiritual renewal.

Set in the fictional precolonial kingdom of Ameke, the play unravels a gripping tale of royal betrayal, murder, and divine justice. It opens with the shocking assassination of Eze Kalu Ibi, Ameke’s revered king, which triggers a storm of suspicion among his council of elders.

At the heart of the crisis is Akaike, a power-hungry elder whose deceit leads to the tragic downfall of Dike Ugwuala, a proud rival wrongly accused of regicide. Dike’s suicide, borne out of humiliation, exposes the devastating cost of falsehood and moral decay.

‘The house is now on fire. There is no hiding place for the rat anymore,’ says Akaike in one of the play’s most haunting lines – a chilling echo of the corruption and moral tension that drives the drama.

As chaos deepens, the women of Ameke emerge as spiritual anchors. Ogonna, the widowed queen, invokes ancestral spirits in search of truth, while Ugonma, Akaike’s wife, becomes the voice of conscience. In a climactic moment of revelation, Ugonma confronts her husband: ‘Akaike! Akaike! So, you killed my father?’

Her courage pierces the veil of deceit and restores the kingdom’s moral order, affirming the ancient African belief that truth, like dawn, can never be hidden forever.

Rich in proverbs, chants, and traditional symbolism, Wait Until Dawn captures the rhythm and depth of African oral heritage. From lines like ‘The widow’s cat would never leave the rat that stole her fish,’ to ‘When a child cries and points in one direction, if the father is not there, the mother must be,’ Lambert invokes the timeless wisdom of the continent’s moral code.

Critics have likened Wait Until Dawn to the grandeur of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame and Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, yet Lambert’s storytelling remains distinct – lyrical, direct, and charged with philosophical and spiritual energy.

Each act of the play builds toward the metaphorical dawn – the inevitable triumph of truth over deceit. From the queen’s incense-filled invocation to Akaike’s blood-soaked confession, the production is designed for visual richness and emotional intensity.

Lambert describes the play as more than art – ‘a cultural statement and moral call to Africa.’

‘The gods may wait, the people may suffer, but justice never sleeps,’ he declares.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Anambra State Command has arrested five suspected illegal private security operatives in Awka, the state capital.

State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Maku Olatunde who disclosed this on Tuesday said the suspects were apprehended during series of raids conducted by operatives of the Command.

Parading the suspects at the State Command Headquarters, Maku said a pump action rifle was recovered during the operation targeted at riding the State of individuals masquerading as private security operatives.

He added that the suspects are currently being interrogated and would be charged after investigation.

He said: ‘The raids conducted in Awka on Tuesday October 28, 2025 at about 11: 00 hrs was based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of individuals dressed in attire resembling that of a security outfit, who may have been hired by political actors with the intention of utilizing them to cause chaos during the election.

‘The arrested suspects include: Mmeka Ekene, male, aged 43; Peter Detuchi Kelvin, male, aged 28; Sunday Akpan Idiong, male, aged 45; Enemuo Ifeanyichukwu, male, aged 26; and Francis Ugochukwu Nwosu, male, aged 28.

‘The operation, carried out by the Private Guard Companies Department, was aimed at curbing security threats, illegal possession of firearms, and preventing any form of violence or intimidation likely to undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

‘We are resolute in our commitment to providing a secure environment for the conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial election, slated for November 8, 2025.

‘We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Anambra State remains peaceful and secure.’

While reassuring the Command’s readiness not to be swayed by tactics of individuals pretending to be private security operatives in a bid to disrupt electoral process, Maku pledged continued enhancement of the Command’s robust security measures to stay ahead of individuals suspected of being used as political thugs.

‘The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will take all necessary measures within its operational guidelines to counter and suppress any act that could potentially destabilize the peace enjoyed in the state.

‘Strengthened surveillance and enhanced intelligence gathering have been implemented by the Command to thwart any attempts by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to compromise the electoral process,’ he added.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have met to strengthen their efforts in improving safety and emergency response on Nigerian roads through the Motor Third Party Insurance Scheme.

A statement made available to journalists stated that this development follows a courtesy visit by the FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Muhammed to the Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin at NAICOM Headquarters.

During the meeting, NAICOM said, the Corps Marshal congratulated NAICOM on the signing of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and acknowledged the Commission’s efforts in driving reforms in the industry.

‘He emphasised the need for enhanced data exchange between NAICOM and FRSC to develop a robust system for quick response to road accidents and compensation. The Corps Marshal also stressed the importance of digitising the process for prompt emergency response and eliminating fake motor insurance policies.

‘The Commissioner for Insurance, in his response, thanked the Corps Marshal for the visit and commended his efforts in upgrading the licensing system.

He highlighted that NIIRA 2025 has strengthened the compulsory third-party motor insurance policy and established a fund for compensating road accident victims, which will be administered by a committee that includes FRSC representation.

‘The Representative of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Ajodi Nuhu Nasir expressed profound satisfaction at the collaborative efforts among the agencies, noting that this synergy will culminate in a robust system that not only safeguards our roads but also ensures prompt and quality medical treatment for accident victims, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with road crashes.

The meeting culminated in agreements such as Data Sharing Integration where NAICOM and FRSC will integrate their data sharing systems to enable seamless information sharing; and Joint Awareness Campaign where the agencies will develop a joint awareness campaign strategy to educate the public on insurance benefits and road safety. Others are Enforcement Committee where a joint committee will be established to collaborate on enforcement of proper insurance coverage and address cases of fake insurance policies; and Inclusion of Insurance Requirements: FRSC will include insurance requirements, especially for valid third-party motor insurance, in its awareness and enforcement efforts’, the statement read.

The collaboration aims to promote road safety, ensure prompt treatment for accident victims, and protect the interests of motorists and other road users. A date will be announced for the inauguration of the joint committee.