Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) totaling about 500 megawatts, which are currently awaiting regulatory approval. Once approved, these agreements are expected to significantly boost NDPHC’s performance and revenue base.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, an engineer, said with liquidity issues easing, the company is stepping up reinvestment, particularly in the transmission subsector.

Adighije made this know while speaking on the sidelines yesterday at an annual energy conference organized by the National Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) in Lagos, with the theme Nigeria’s Energy Future: ‘Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth.’

According to her ongoing projects are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network and ensure that the country’s generation capacity – which currently exceeds available transmission infrastructure – can be more effectively utilised.

‘Our investments will help deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to consumers, including those at the last mile,’ she stated.

She further highlighted progress on the Agbara Industrial Cluster Project, describing it as one of its most promising initiatives. The project, part of NDPHC’s commercialisation drive, is aimed at unlocking industrial power opportunities through new infrastructure investments and customer connections.

‘We’ve received preliminary clearance to begin execution, and several customers have already expressed strong interest,’ the Managing Director revealed.

Beyond Agbara, Adighije said the company is extending similar initiatives to industrial clusters across the country, including Kano, Challawa, and Dawanu in the North.

Speaking on recent developments, Adighije noted that the ongoing transition to bilateral electricity trading is already creating new and exciting opportunities within the market.

‘We are leveraging these opportunities to innovate, collaborate strategically, and operate at levels we’ve never reached before,’ she said.

NDPHC also welcomed the decentralisation and liberalisation introduced by the new Electricity Act 2023, which empowers states to participate directly across the power value chain.

Adighije said: ‘We are open to strategic partnerships with states ready to collaborate,’ citing Ondo State as one of those already engaging with the company through its State Electricity Bureau.

According to the Managing Director, these partnerships are crucial to unlocking new value and accelerating power sector growth nationwide.

She commended President Bola Tinubu, Minister for Power and other key stakeholders for driving policy and regulatory reforms that are repositioning Nigeria’s power sector for growth.

Thousands of protesters comprising students, workers, women, youths, and members of various civil society organizations on Thursday stormed the Niger Bridge, linking Asaba in Delta State and Onitsha in Anambra State, to demand greater government support for local refineries, including the Dangote Refinery.

The demonstrators, under the aegis of the Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP), carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop Petroleum Importation Now,’ ‘Encourage Local Refineries,’ ‘Oil Cartels, Stop the Sabotage,’ ‘Dangote Refinery is a Blessing to Our Economy,’ and ‘Nigerians Demand Prioritization of Crude Supply to Local Refineries.’

Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters occupied the entrance to the Niger Bridge, causing a gridlock that left vehicular movement paralyzed for several hours.

Heavily armed security operatives were deployed to maintain order and prevent hoodlums from hijacking the peaceful demonstration.

Speakers at the rally, including student leaders, youth representatives, and coordinators of civil society organizations, accused oil cartels of frustrating Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum refining.

They emphasised the need for the Federal Government to ensure a consistent supply of crude oil to local refineries at fair and stable prices.

Reading a speech on behalf of the group, one of the conveners, Comrade Danesi Momoh, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for local refining initiatives and urged him to intensify efforts against economic sabotage in the oil sector.

He explained that the Asaba protest, tagged ‘Mega Citizens’ Rally and the Movement Against Sabotage and Economic Saboteurs in the Nigerian Petroleum Sector,’ followed similar rallies held in Abuja on October 2 and Kaduna on October 6, 2025.

Momoh said the movement’s goal is to ‘end economic sabotage, save the Dangote Refinery, and strengthen the campaign for sustainable local refining to protect jobs and revive Nigeria’s economy.’

The rally drew hundreds of residents, onlookers, and passersby who expressed support for the protesters’ demands, urging the government to heed their call to safeguard the nation’s economic future.

He further said, ‘This is a powerful movement of the people to demand freedom from a heartless unpatriotic cartel that has held the country down. Their reign is over’.

‘This has become evident, the Nigerian people have risen to this very important and urgent occasion of national economic salvation by rooting out all manifestations of the Nigerian oil cartel, whether in the forms of PENGASSAN, NUPENG, DAPPMAN, PETROAN or Government Agencies’.

‘These people and their agents are public enemies, with PENGASSAN which has shown the ugliest face as public enemy number one! There will no longer be any space for dubious labour leaders and their cohorts to operate and no way for them to hide their monstrous faces.

He added, ‘These people must leave the Dangote Refinery alone. The business space is wide. They should find their own space.

‘Dangote Refinery has faced too many fights that nobody can pretend that there is no orchestrated attack on the business. When did it become a crime to invest and to do so patriotically?’

Other leaders who addressed the massive Asaba rally included Comrade Olamide Odumosu, and Comrade Adeyeye Olugbenga.

They said they volunteered themselves to demand an end to the injustices and unpatriotic practices in the nation’s petroleum sector.

They commended Nigerians and the media for their solidarity with the Asaba mass rally.

Among the conveners of the rally included Comrade Igwe Ude-umanta, Comrade Olayinka Dada, Comrade Olamide Odumosu, Comrade Omaga E. Daniel, Comrade Jabir Maiturari, Comrade Solomon Adodo, Comrade Adeyeye Olugbenga, Comrade Jide Wolimoh, and Comrade Fisayo Olubayo.

The Nigerian Army has urged the media to join forces with the military to checkmate terrorists’ propaganda and prevent enemies of the state from eroding public trust and troops’ morale with falsehood.

The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele, said this at the closing ceremony of the combined third and fourth quarters’ training seminar for the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) yesterday in Abuja.

She said the current counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism campaign cannot be won by firepower alone, but by also mastering the dissemination of credible information.

The seminar, with the theme: Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security, was attended by army officers, sister services, security and intelligence agencies, as well as defence correspondents.

Anele noted that propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have become dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists and other non-state actors.

The Army spokesperson said this was the reason the media must work with the military to cushion the effects of these propaganda devices on national security.

She said: ‘Over the past days, we have engaged in rigorous discussions, insightful presentations, and stimulating exchanges that have sharpened our perspectives on the vital interface between the military and the media in safeguarding our nation.

‘The issues dissected in this seminar have underscored a clear truth, that in today’s complex security environment, the battle is not won by firepower alone, but equally by the mastery of information. Propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have become dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists, secessionists, economic saboteurs, and their collaborators.

‘Our collective task is to ensure these falsehoods do not erode public trust, weaken national morale or undermine the sacrifices of our gallant troops who daily confront enemies of our state.’

The spokesperson stressed that the Nigerian Army remained unwavering in its constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

‘Yet, to achieve lasting victory, the cooperation of the media is indispensable. You are not bystanders in this fight; you are strategic partners whose words and reports shape perception, build resilience, and mobilise public support for the armed forces,’ Anele said.

The Army spokesperson explained that the seminar was organised to provide a platform for deepening the partnership between the Army and the media, strengthening mutual trust and charting a clear path for more responsible, balanced and conflict-sensitive reportage.

She urged the participants to translate the lessons they learnt into action, in the newsroom, on the field, or in various deployments.

‘It is only by doing so that the enemies of the country can be denied the oxygen of propaganda,’ Anele said.

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused some All Progressives Congress (APC) members of sponsoring what he called renewed allegations against him through his estranged wife.

He described the development as part of a smear campaign to discredit him ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his ex-wife’s recent claims in the media were orchestrated by those he called remnants of the same political handlers who allegedly plotted to stop his 2019 presidential bid.

He said: ‘She had been recruited by elements around (the late President Muhammadu) Buhari in the UK High Commission and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA). Apart from other sinister things they did, they tried to frame me up for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK and released when no evidence was found. She was the one who gave the information to the UK authorities.’

The businessman-turned-politician alleged that the same group seized two of his oil assets during the period, forcing him into a prolonged legal battle.

He recalled that in November 2020, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), after ruling that the government’s revocation of the fields was illegal. The court also awarded $20 million in damages against the federal institutions involved.

Olawepo-Hashim claimed that his ex-wife’s legal battle in the UK was part of that broader scheme, adding that she was ‘recruited by the then Deputy Director-General of the NIA, Air Force General Bello, who is her in-law’.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart alleged that his estranged wife obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England in which she was awarded £18 million (about N36 billion), but the judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court since their marriage was conducted under Nigerian law.

‘APC handlers funded her with millions of dollars, nominating her for several foreign grants for female entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. My lawyers have written to her several times to provide account details for the children’s upkeep, but she refused because she wants £18 million, not money for their welfare,’ he said.

The former presidential candidate added that his ex-wife had denied his family access to their children, describing her as ‘a professional blackmailer and social climber who has made plenty of money from that trade’.

Olawepo-Hashim said the revival of her story was politically motivated, stressing: ‘Now that the 2027 campaign has started, the same APC team has picked her up again, pushing her story in the media.’

He dismissed reports of a new court order directing one of his companies to pay ?300 million.

The PDP stalwart described the claim as ‘an invention of an APC night court’.

According to him, no such process was ever served on his legal team.

‘This is an act of desperation on their part, and it shows our message is biting them. Picking up stories from bitter women against opposition figures will not save the APC from imminent defeat in 2027.

‘Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God,’ Olawepo-Hashim added.

The Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) recorded over ?673 million worth of diaspora investment deals in 2024, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Dabiri-Erewa also revealed that since its inception in 2018, the Summit has contributed more than ?500 million to Nigeria’s local economy through payments to service providers, creatives, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged around the annual event.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the 2025 edition, she said the forthcoming summit aims to build on previous successes and further deepen diaspora participation in national development.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to serve as the guest of honour at the 8th edition of the Summit, which will take place from November 11 to 13, 2025, in Abuja.

This year’s event, themed ‘Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,’ is projected to attract no fewer than 3,000 participants, both physically and virtually.

She said, ‘We are determined to build on this momentum. This year, we will continue to spotlight sectors critical to Nigeria’s transformation: Finance and Fintech; ICT; Creative Industries, Sports and Entertainment; Agribusiness; Healthcare; Education; Real Estate and Infrastructure; Manufacturing and Energy.’

Dabiri-Erewa added, ‘We are honoured that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will once again serve as the Special Guest of Honour, and we anticipate the participation of distinguished business leaders, diaspora investors, policy champions, and creative icons who continue to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s potential.’

Dabiri-Erewa informed that since its inception in 2018, the NDIS has become a trusted platform that fosters ‘direct, credible and impactful investments’ from the Nigerian diaspora into the local economy.

She highlighted the success of the 2024 edition, saying, ‘The last edition of the Summit, held in November 2024, showed just how much momentum NDIS has built over the years as it welcomed above 1,500 participants, both online and physically, including 236 investors, 1,197 business owners, and 168 government officials. Over the course of the Summit, a total of 56 pitches were presented across eight key sectors, which highlighted the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians. These ideas were not just pitched but attracted about 168 deals worth about N673 million.

‘The Creative, Entertainment, and Sport sector stole the spotlight with 39 deals, showing just how much talent and energy Nigeria has to offer. But when it came to big money, Infrastructure and Real Estate led the way, securing about ?201 million across 22 deals. Energy, though quieter with just four deals, still drew an impressive ?172 million. Agribusiness made its mark too, with 28 deals bringing in ?103 million. While the numbers are impressive, the true story lies in the impact these investments are having on everyday lives in Nigeria.

They are helping to create jobs for young people, giving them opportunities to learn new skills and earn a living. They are helping businesses expand their operations, reach new markets, and become more competitive. For example, GAIN Business Incubator raised over ?200 million to expand its operations. Xtralarge Farms secured international distribution deals through connections made at the Summit. Filmmakers like JohnMark Iyoo found mentors and pathways to bring Nigerian stories to a global audience.’

In addition, the NiDCOM Chairman noted that several state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, have leveraged the Summit in previous years to attract investors and advance major development projects, such as Ondo’s port initiative, which later gained Federal Government approval.

She pointed, ‘These outcomes show that NDIS is more than a conference; it is a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable partnership.’

She therefore called on Nigerians in the diaspora and those at home to seize emerging investment opportunities through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) and invest massively in Nigeria’s economic development.

She asserted that NDIS has grown beyond being a conference but as a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable development, which has fostered job creation, youth empowerment, and connecting Nigeria’s enormous talent pool to its development agenda.

Also speaking, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), noted that over the years, the summit has served as a vital bridge, attracting investments and unlocking the vast potential of the diaspora for Nigeria’s development.

She added that this year’s theme aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy and drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Dr. Adejugbe-Williams also encouraged new sponsors, investors, and media partners to amplify the message of the Summit and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Organised by NiDCOM with NDSI, the Summit connects Diaspora investors with local entrepreneurs across key sectors, including Finance and Fintech, ICT, Creative Industries, Sports, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and Energy.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s legal and judicial philosophy, especially the tendency of courts prioritising technicalities over substantive justice.

Osinbajo, a professor of law, spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the second Prof. Yusuf Ali’s Annual Lecture organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The former Vice President said the essence of any justice system is to serve the people, not to glorify procedural formalities.

He expressed concern that many judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court, often leaned towards form rather than substance.

‘Even English courts, whose practices we inherited, have evolved beyond such rigid technicalities by allowing amendments at any stage to ensure justice is done,’ he said.

Osinbajo posited that Nigeria’s continued attachment to outdated technicalities undermined justice and eroded public trust in the judiciary.

‘In view of this, I urge legal practitioners, academics, and policymakers to adopt critical, decolonised thinking to reform legal education, legal practice, and the administration of justice,’ he said..

‘Though the Supreme Court has occasionally adopted a more flexible approach, particularly in electoral matters, inconsistency remains a major concern.

‘It is important to note that a justice system that glorifies form over substance risks losing its relevance and effectiveness,’ he said.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu (SAN), urged Nigerian lawyers and law students to confront and dismantle the lingering colonial legacies embedded in the nation’s legal system.

Odinkalu, who spoke on the topic: Towards Decolonising Legal Briefs: Effective Implementation of the Local Content Law for the Benefit of Nigerian Lawyers, noted that Nigeria’s justice system is still hooked to the rest of the world.

He said it was high time Nigeria transitioned from political independence to ideation independence by promoting local content.

The professor of Practice and International Human Rights Law said that though Nigeria is independent politically, we lack occupational independence.

Odinkalu stressed that the country’s legal framework still bore the imprint of the colonial intrusion and needed to be changed.

The guest lecturer emphasised the need to build an independent and credible judiciary as a core part of the decolonisation process.

KWASU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman, expressed gratitude to God and stakeholders for the progress recorded in the institution’s Faculty of Law.

He announced that several infrastructural projects, including a departmental building, 500-seat auditorium, and two 250-seat lecture theatres, would be completed and delivered to end users by December.

Also, Prof. Ali said all nations must have a rallying point, which Nigeria currently lacks.

The eminent lawyer said the only time Nigerians truly become united is during international football matches, a fleeting moment of togetherness that quickly faded afterward.

He urged citizens to confront the reality of systemic failures instead of romanticising the past, noting that the country still exhibited all the parameters of failure.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted cautiously to the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to prioritize national interest and electoral integrity above political influence.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC would give the new INEC chairman the benefit of the doubt but expects him to demonstrate personal ambition to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and rebuild public trust.

‘We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian election. He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government.

‘We are willing to give him the benefit of doubts based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy.

‘He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him,’ Abdullahi stated.

Abdullahi noted that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections rests heavily on the independence, integrity, and courage of the INEC leadership, stressing that the new chairman must rise above partisanship to safeguard democracy.

He added that Nigerians and the international community would be watching closely to see whether Prof. Amupitan would live up to the expectations of transparency, fairness, and accountability in future elections.

More than 700 residents of Ibusa (Igbuzo) in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and neighbouring communities benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW) last weekend.

The two-day programme, held in collaboration with the Ibusa Association USA, Inc. and the Foundation Educational Support Programme, Enugu, provided consultations, diagnoses, drugs, and various screenings to hundreds of men, women, and children who had long lacked access to affordable healthcare.

AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, said the massive turnout underscored the growing health needs of the community.

She reaffirmed the association’s 14-year commitment to improving healthcare and education in Ibusa and beyond.

According to her, this year’s edition was expanded to include breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings, mental health checks, eye screening, and the distribution of 200 eyeglasses, while 300 people underwent eye tests in collaboration with VisionSpring.

Beneficiaries were also tested for diabetes and hypertension, while wheelchairs and walkers were distributed to those with mobility challenges.

Career talks and self-esteem workshops were held for young girls to encourage ambition and confidence.

Mrs. Idigbe said over 18 doctors participated, stressing that the event helped bridge critical healthcare gaps caused by rising medical costs.

She appealed to government agencies to support such initiatives through better infrastructure and collaboration.

‘Our motivation is simple-we believe charity begins at home,’ she said.

‘Many of our people can’t afford healthcare, and every year this outreach reminds us why health is wealth. Seeing people relieved of pain gives us fulfilment.’

She advised beneficiaries to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat balanced diets, and engage in regular exercise. ‘Government can’t do it all. But if they support groups like ours with facilities, we can do even more,’ she added.

AIPROW founder and former president, Prof. Ifeoma Utomi, explained that the association was born out of a vision to unite Ibusa women professionals to contribute meaningfully to their community.

‘It wasn’t easy at first, but teamwork and shared purpose made it possible,’ she said.

Prof. Utomi noted that the group initially focused on women and the girl-child, but later included men following community demand.

‘In recent years, prostate cancer screening has become a key part of our outreach.

‘We now also collaborate with the Ibusa Association USA, which sponsors breast and prostate cancer tests,’ she said.

This year’s programme featured the participation of Dr. Iheanacho Emereuwa, a U.S.-based consultant gynaecologist and founder of the African Primary Healthcare Foundation, who flew in to volunteer.

He described the outreach as ‘a much-needed lifeline’ and urged the government to invest more in rural healthcare facilities.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Veronica, expressed gratitude after receiving free eye treatment and a pair of glasses.

‘I couldn’t afford them for years. What AIPROW did for me is beyond words,’ she said.

The Ibusa women’s annual outreach continues to stand out as a model of community-driven healthcare, blending professional expertise, diaspora support, and compassion to uplift their hometown.

As December approaches, all eyes in Nigeria’s boxing and entertainment circles turn once again to the year-end edition of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music, the signature fusion of sport and live performance that has become a fixture on the national events calendar. The event, featuring top-tier bouts and star-studded musical performances, has evolved beyond a celebration of sporting excellence to become a catalyst for local economic growth and creative industry development.

Now a December tradition, GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music has evolved into a platform that blends the grit of boxing with the energy of Nigerian entertainment. What began as an effort to revive interest in domestic boxing has become a multifaceted experience that generates income, promotes tourism, and offers visibility to both emerging and established talent.

Each edition draws thousands of attendees, from die-hard boxing fans to music lovers, while millions follow through live television broadcasts. This level of engagement stimulates business across multiple sectors. Hotels near the venue record spikes in bookings, transport operators see higher demand, and restaurants and bars enjoy increased patronage.

The economic ripple extends to the informal sector. Ushers, security personnel, stagehands, camera operators, and temporary staff find work opportunities during the period. For many, the December edition provides an extra income stream during the festive season. In the broader context, this flow of commercial activity underscores how sports and entertainment contribute to community-level economic growth.

For Nigerian boxers, GOtv Boxing Night remains the country’s most reliable professional platform. It offers fighters fair purses, broadcast exposure, and career visibility before local and international audiences. Several boxers who started on the GOtv stage have gone on to secure regional and global fights, a clear sign of how sustained private-sector investment can strengthen the local sports ecosystem.

The consistency of the event has also brought stability to athletes’ careers. With regular editions throughout the year and the flagship Boxing Jamz Music event in December, boxers can plan their training and livelihoods more effectively. The organisers’ commitment to athlete welfare, transparent contracts, and proper medical supervision has helped elevate professional standards in the sport.

The addition of the Music Jamz segment each December has expanded the event’s appeal and turned it into one of the biggest parties of the festive season. The December crowd does not only come for the punches; they come for the performances that light up the night. Over the years, the stage has hosted some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including Burna Boy, Teni, Mayorkun, 9ice, Zlatan, Wande Coal, and Styl-Plus, among others. Their presence has helped position the event as a true convergence of sport and popular culture, a year-end celebration that captures the energy and rhythm of Nigerian entertainment.

By merging boxing with live music from leading and emerging artists, the organisers have created a hybrid experience that attracts diverse audiences and bridges two of Nigeria’s most vibrant industries. This model has proven effective not only for fan engagement but also for supporting the broader creative sector.

Artists, dancers, stylists, makeup artists, videographers, and content creators all benefit from the production of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music. The event requires a wide network of professionals, from sound engineers to lighting designers and stage setup teams, creating direct employment and project-based income. This collaboration between sports and entertainment also drives online content creation, amplifying the visibility of Nigerian talent locally and abroad.

Beyond economic activity, the December event promotes tourism. Each edition attracts visitors from across Nigeria and other African countries. These guests boost the hospitality and transport sectors, while media coverage projects Lagos as a vibrant hub for sports and entertainment. For tourism stakeholders, the consistent hosting of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music demonstrates how event-based tourism can diversify local economies and enhance Nigeria’s image as a destination for major events.

From an organisational perspective, GOtv Boxing Night continues to set a benchmark for private-sector involvement in sports promotion. The planning, logistics, and production quality reflect growing professionalism within Nigeria’s events industry, one that builds investor confidence and encourages similar initiatives. The integration of music and boxing also highlights how partnerships across creative and athletic sectors can deliver long-term social and economic benefits.

For government and industry stakeholders, the model offers practical lessons. It shows that with consistent funding, professional management, and collaboration, private enterprises can play a central role in driving sports development, youth employment, and creative-economy growth. GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music stands as proof that structured partnerships between corporate sponsors, sports promoters, and creative professionals can produce outcomes aligned with national goals on youth empowerment and economic diversification.

As the December edition draws near, anticipation goes beyond the promise of title fights or headline performances. The event’s impact now resonates across multiple levels, from the boxer earning a living, to the street vendor making festive sales, to the young creative finding work on a production crew. Each participant contributes to a wider story of how sports and entertainment, when strategically developed, can drive sustainable growth and community development.

More than a year-end tradition, GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music has become a case study in how consistent investment in sports and entertainment can transform local economies, support talent, and inspire national pride. As it returns this December, the event continues to prove that the true value of boxing lies not only in the competition inside the ring but in the opportunities it creates far beyond it.

As Nigeria prepares for its crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin, newly invited striker Akor Adams has expressed determination to give his best and contribute to the team’s success.

Adams, who recently earned his first senior national team call-up, said he is focused on helping the Super Eagles achieve their goal of reaching the global tournament.

‘I don’t think there’s a break in personality,’ the 25-year-old striker said. ‘I just have to give what I can to the team. Whoever’s playing, we give support, and if you’re called upon by the coach, you do your best.’

The Sevilla forward added that he is looking forward to building stronger connections within the squad, describing the atmosphere in camp as encouraging.

‘There are a couple of guys that I’m in touch with,’ he said. ‘I’m looking forward to making more relationships and also better friendships.’

Adams previously represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.

The striker was handed his first senior call-up on October 4, 2025, for Nigeria’s two World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic. His inclusion is seen as part of efforts by the technical crew to strengthen the attacking options as the Super Eagles look to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Adams has been in good form for Sevilla and recently scored in his side’s 4-1 massacre of Barcelona in the La Liga , said he is not under pressure but is motivated to make a meaningful impact if given the opportunity.

‘I have to give what I can to the team,’ he reiterated. ‘It’s about giving your best when the coach calls on you and supporting others when you’re not on the pitch.’