Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The House of Representatives is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds and non-payment of stipend from 2015 to date, with a view to finding a lasting solution to support Nigerians studying abroad on scholarships.

This followed a motion sponsored by Chile Okafor on alleged abuse of process, breach of terms of engagement, and failure to pay scholarship stipends to Nigerian students in the diaspora by the federal scholarship board.

Okafor alleged that there exists abuse of process, breach of terms of engagement, and failure to pay scholarship stipends to Nigerian students in diaspora under government-sponsored scholarships and bilateral education agreements.

He said the Federal Scholarship Board (FSB), under the Federal Ministry of Education, is responsible for administering scholarships to Nigerian students at home and abroad, and the implementation of terms and agreements is solely their lawful responsibility for the welfare of Nigerian students in the diaspora.

He expressed concern about the outcry by the Union of Nigerian bilateral education agreements, scholars, and alleged odious mistreatment and starvation of funds, which has led students into unholy survival struggles, endangering their lives and leaving many vulnerable to danger.

He said if the future leaders of Nigeria are abandoned in foreign lands due to administrative inefficiencies or corruption, it is a reflection of poor commitment to education and youth development, and as the people’s representatives, legislators are under a social contract to protect Nigerian scholars on scholarships abroad from abuse and humiliation.

He said Nigerian scholars abroad face delays, non-payment, and unexplained deductions, causing financial distress and tarnishing the country’s international image, thus undermining the scholarship program’s objectives of fostering human capital development.

Also, the House asked the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to complete the construction, equip the Effuruntor Centre for operational activities, and put it to use.

This followed a motion by Francis Ejiroghene Waive, who drew the attention of the House to provisions of the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology establishment act.

He said that since the establishment of the institute, it has provided strategic leadership training to senior and middle-level manpower in the transport and logistics sector, adding that due to the growing need for safety in transportation and logistics modes to reduce accidents and attendant carnage, the institute established training centres in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to provide the much-needed training.

The centres, he said, were proposed and sited in Katsina, Kano, Borno, Benue, Ekiti, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Delta (Effuruntor), all of which are currently operational except the Delta (Effuruntor) centres in Ughelli North and South Federal Constituencies.

According to him, the Effuruntor Centre is about 50%completed but has since been abandoned, making it the only centre yet to become operational, adding that institutions like the University of Petroleum Resources, Petroleum Training Institute, and other Oil Companies within the area are waiting for the takeoff of the centre, with the University of

Petroleum Resources is signing an MOU with NITT to provide pipeline transportation for the nation’s oil and gas industry at the centre because of its strategic location.

The Nigerian Army has recorded another major success in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors across the country.

In coordinated ground and joint operations the troops neutralised nine terrorists, including five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), a Boko Haram splinter group, in Borno.

They also neutralized two terrorists in a border between Ekiti and Kogi state, and one in Delta State.

A military source told The Nation on Wednesday that troops recovered several weapons and logistics items from criminals in the operations that were conducted between October 2 to 6.

Providing details on the operations, the source said 151 Task Force Battalion ambushed ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Dipchari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, and in the firefight that ensued five terrorists were killed.

‘Similarly, 148 Battalion operating around the Iyemero community on the Ekiti-Kogi border neutralized two insurgents and recovered two new AK-47 rifles. While 3 Battalion repelled a large-scale attack on its location, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists, with one confirmed killed and several others escaping with gunshot wounds,’ the source said.

‘Trroops also arrested 8 criminal suspects for various offences including terrorism, kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons across Borno, Katsina, Imo and Plateau States.

‘Among the arrests were an ISWAP logistics courier in Monguno, a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kukawa in Borno State, a wanted IPOB/ESN kingpin in Imo State, and a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State.’

According to the military source, troops rescued 37 kidnap victims across Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Delta and Kebbi States, in ongoing clearance operations.

‘Notably, 28 locals were freed from terrorist captivity in Sakaba, Kebbi State, including a pregnant woman who gave birth during the rescue,’ the source said.

‘In separate missions, troops in Kaduna and Delta States rescued a total of seven kidnapped civilians, while another two victims were freed in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a swift response by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE.’

The source said troops have continued to intensify anti-smuggling and anti-oil theft operations in the South South, noting that in Imo State, combined forces of 34 Artillery Brigade and Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered multiple illegal refining sites, and destroyed over 20,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.

‘Troops equally recovered one dane gun, one fabricated pistol, three AK-47 magazines, 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 93 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO and several motorcycles used for criminal activities,’ he said.

The source acknowledged the contributions of sister services, security agencies and local vigilantes, whose cooperation it said have continued to enhance the success of ongoing military onslaughts against terrorists and other non-state actors.

He assured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Army to ‘create a safer environment that will boost economic and agricultural activities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to food security.’

Popular skit maker Samuel Bankole, widely known as Samuel Banks, is facing a difficult time after losing his newly purchased iPhone 17 Pro Max at a concert.

Just days before the incident, the content creator who recently celebrated buying a new home had been actively promoting the Luli Concert organised by the Celestial Church of Christ, expressing excitement about the event and what attendees could look forward to.

In a promotional video for the concert, which took place on Friday at Tafawa Balewa Square, Samuel was seen dressed in his signature white garment.

However, a viral clip circulating online shows a distressed Samuel Banks searching for his missing phone alongside his partner and several others.

The comedian was seen pacing anxiously while discussing the situation with a man nearby, as his partner stood by looking visibly concerned.

Onlookers could be seen attempting to call his number in hopes of locating the device, but their efforts appeared unsuccessful.

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has suffered such a loss.

A few years ago, popular disc jockey Florence Otedola, famously known as DJ Cuppy, had her phone stolen in London after it was snatched from her hand while walking down the street.

Sir: Three years after seizing power, Burkina Faso’s strongman, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, continues to project himself as the torchbearer of a new African revolution – a reincarnation of the late Thomas Sankara. Yet, his recent performance, marking his third anniversary in power, revealed more theatre than substance. It was less a presidential address and more a self-congratulatory monologue filled with sweeping claims, imagined enemies, and revolutionary soundbites detached from the harsh realities on the ground.

Facing a carefully selected group of journalists – those unlikely to ask uncomfortable questions – Traoré transformed what should have been a serious state briefing into a one-man show. His tone was confident, even prophetic, yet far removed from the desperation of a nation caught in the grip of terrorism, poverty, and displacement.

Traoré opened with drama: when he came to power, he claimed, the Burkinabe army had ‘barely a hundred weapons and 100,000 cartridges.’ Such exaggerations might thrill loyalists but stretch credibility. Even local hunters would scoff at such arithmetic. Yet, the captain reassured his listeners that 15,000 men are now recruited annually and that Burkina Faso will soon ‘make its own weapons.’

How, and with what resources? There were no details – no factories, no engineers, no budget. It was a familiar populist pattern: imagination over implementation, rhetoric over realism.

Perhaps the highlight – or low point – of the press conference came with the grand economic announcement: a tomato processing plant. While jihadists overrun villages and thousands of civilians flee daily, the government’s big victory was the promise of locally made tomato paste.

Agricultural processing is undoubtedly essential. But in a nation where more than half of the territory is under terrorist control, the symbolism felt jarring. The message seemed to be: Burkina may not be safe, but at least it will have sauce.

When policies fail, populists find scapegoats. In Traoré’s narrative, the Ivory Coast has now become the enemy. He accused Abidjan of serving as ‘the rear base of Burkina’s enemies’ and even suggested that President Alassane Ouattara had signed a ‘non-aggression pact’ with jihadists.

Such allegations are not just far-fetched – they are dangerous. They strain regional diplomacy, alienate neighbours, and distract from the government’s inability to secure its own borders. Ironically, when a journalist cited a poll showing that 66% of Ivorians viewed Burkina Faso’s leadership favourably, Traoré shrugged: ‘Really? I don’t follow that. I don’t watch those media outlets anymore.’

This was revealing. In a state where the media is censored and dissent suppressed, even positive news struggles to reach the leader’s ears. Traoré appears trapped within his own echo chamber – and Burkina Faso with him.

Three years on, the outcomes are damning. Burkina Faso remains the most terrorised country in the world. Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and much of the countryside is beyond state control. Schools are closed, health centres are abandoned, and basic livelihoods are destroyed.

Despite fiery anti-Western speeches and his warm embrace of Moscow, little has changed on the ground. Russian mercenaries and propaganda can amplify slogans, but they cannot rebuild schools, protect farmers, or restart an economy in free fall.

And now, with Burkina Faso – alongside Niger and Mali – having withdrawn from ECOWAS, the country faces deepening isolation. What Traoré brands as ‘sovereign independence’ increasingly looks like self-imposed solitude. Without regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, or trade partnerships, Burkina Faso risks turning into a garrison state – fortified in rhetoric but hollow in results.

In just three hours of speaking, Captain Traoré managed to: turn the Ivory Coast into the supposed headquarters of Sahel’s villains; declare tomato paste the new pillar of national resilience; and redefine politics as the art of deception.

But beyond the theatre, Burkina Faso continues to bleed. The ordinary people – farmers, students, traders, and families – pay the real price for this illusion of revolution.

Traoré may parade as the new Sankara, but three years on, his ‘revolution’ looks more like a parody than a legacy. The real revolution Burkina Faso needs today is not one of slogans or posturing, but of results – restoring security, rebuilding trust, and reviving governance.

Until then, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s revolution remains exactly what it appears to be: a show more than a solution.

The Senate yesterday moved to impose a 10-year passport ban on Nigerians who have been convicted and deported from foreign countries over criminal activities.

This move followed the second reading of a Bill titled: ‘A Bill to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. P343 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,’ sponsored by Senator Bello Sani Abubakar (APC, Niger North).

Presenting the lead debate on the Bill on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo said the Bill was intended to highlight the need for more provisions in the extant legislation to globally preserve, sanctify, and redeem the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said the Bill sought to provide for measures towards preserving the image of Nigerians while abroad and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘The implication of the proposed amendment is that where a Nigerian commits any of the foregoing offences in a foreign country and is convicted for the crime, the international passport of the convict would be withdrawn for 10 years. This measure serves as a veritable deterrent to the commission of crime in a foreign country.

‘This proposed amendment will redeem, preserve, and elevate the image and integrity of our dear country. It is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to good governance and stance against crimes and criminalities.’

In his lead debate, Onawo averred that the proposed amendment to the extant Act had become imperative and compelling as a veritable action to effectively redeem the severely tarnished image of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community.

The lawmaker said there was a need to enact a strong disincentive for the commission of crimes by Nigerians across international jurisdictions.

He said: ‘The commission of crimes by Nigerians in foreign jurisdictions has dealt a crashing blow to the reputation and image of Nigeria, and is costing us stupendous disgrace in the diplomatic community and in international transits.

‘It projects Nigerians as personae non grata to whom foreign visas are restricted or denied, with a negative effect on our national interest.

‘Countries like China, Turkey, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, among others, which are destinations of interest to our citizens, apply stringent visa rules to Nigerians.

‘A major reason for the visa restriction is the significant commission of crimes and conviction of Nigerians in those countries.

‘Though profiles of crimes by Nigerians in foreign countries are protected for human rights reasons, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, and being privy to the issues in the diplomatic community, the detriment of such crimes to our foreign affairs, the harm to our bilateral and multilateral interests, and the dent to our image and integrity, I am convinced, that it is incumbent upon us as a country to act and demonstrate responsibility to ending the indulgence of our citizens in crimes anywhere in the world.

‘As a consequence of the injury to the integrity of our country from crimes by our citizens in foreign jurisdictions, innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in international transits, denial and hardship in visa applications, discrimination and negative stereotype in social dealings, costs and distress.

‘The green passport is widely discountenanced and the sovereign pride it intrinsically bears has severely diminished. That is nothing less than a state of emergency!

‘The Legislature is mandated, under Section 4 of the Constitution, with lawmaking for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria.

‘The extant law on Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act is good, but good is the enemy of better.

‘It would do better if amended with provisions that impose an extra layer of deterrents to the commission of crime by our citizens in foreign countries.

‘It would demonstrate responsibility on our part to discourage the perpetration of crime by our citizens and to redeem the image of our country.’

In their contribution, the senators supported the Bill and approved that it should be read for a second time when it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Supporting the Bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) called for a tighter control over passport issuance to prevent non-Nigerians from fraudulently obtaining the country’s passports.

He said: ‘Nigerians of all shades and colours are being disrespected in foreign lands because of the ease of acquiring Nigerian passports.

‘In some cases, crimes committed by foreigners are attributed to Nigerians simply because they carry our passports.

‘We must reclaim the dignity of the green passport. When non-Nigerians use it to commit crimes, and Nigerians are profiled for it, that is an injustice to our people.’

Akpabio also threw his weight behind the Bill, describing it as ‘a bold step to preserve the dignity and integrity of Nigerians’.

He recalled a case in Dubai where a group of black men committed robbery using Nigerian passports but were later discovered not to be Nigerians.

‘This Bill will help tighten the process of passport issuance and ensure that those who mess up the country’s image abroad face the consequences.

‘Any Nigerian who tarnishes our image should not only face imprisonment abroad but also lose their passport for at least 10 years,’ Akpabio said.

The Bill, which enjoyed unanimous support on the floor, was referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work and public hearing.

If passed, the law will make Nigeria one of the few African countries with domestic legislation sanctioning citizens convicted of crimes in foreign jurisdictions, as part of efforts to restore global respect for the Nigerian passport.

Akpabio added: ‘I applauded this bill when I first read it, because it speaks to preserving the integrity and international reputation of our nation.

‘So, as this bill, when it goes through public hearing and all, and comes back to us, and we send it to Mr. President for assent, and the concurrence of our colleague in the House of Representatives who helped to cope such incidents, who tightened the ways and manner in which Nigerian passports circulate in the hands of foreigners, and also where a Nigerian goes to mess up the image of the country, such a Nigerian should not just go to prison and be deported to Nigeria.

‘Such a person should actually lose an international passport for at least 10 years, or 10 to 20 years, to serve as a deterrent.’

A total of 58 start-ups in Nigeria and other parts of Africa raised over $140million last month ramping up the total cash raised this year to date to over $2.2 billion, new data released yesterday has shown.

According to Africa: The Big Deal, the latest update of the monthly start-up deals database gave quite a bit of work, as September saw a total of 58 companies raise $140 million on the continent (exc. exits). From an amount point of view, this is below average, yet equivalent to what had been raised in Sept 2024 ($146million), and above the Sept 2023 tally ($124million).

What is notable though, is the number of ventures who raised at least $100k last month, the second-best in a year (just behind July), the data noted.

Of the $140million raised, $105million (75per cent) were equity, and the rest mostly debt ($32million) and some grant funding ($3million, including 16 match-funding grants from DEG Impulse as part of their new develoPPP Ventures cohort in East Africa – see here and here). The five largest transactions of the month were all equity: Kredete (fintech, Nigeria) announced its $22million Series A; Pura Beverage closed their $15million Series B (not technically a start-up, though they’ve decided to go the VC route for their financing), Contractable (identity, South Africa) bagged $13.5million, Intella (AI, Egypt) closed a $12.5million Series A; and The Invigilator (education, South Africa) secured $11million.

There were also five exits announced in September, including three in South Africa where a consortium led by Twofold Capital acquired fintech TaxTim, edtech Rekindle acquired EpiTek, and fintech Street Wallet acquired Digitip. In North Africa, logistics start-up Cathedis was acquired by super app start-up Ora Technologies in Morocco, and healthtech Duaya acquired EXMGO in Egypt.

‘If we zoom back and look at quarterly numbers, start-ups in Africa have raised $785million in Q3, which is lower than Q2 ($963million) but significantly higher than Q1 ($461million). It is however a very strong Q3, comparing very favourably to the same quarter in 2024 ($649million), 2023 ($496million), but also 2022 ($612million). Start-ups in Africa have now raised $2.2b in 2025 to date (‘YTD’, exc. exits), which is only about $40million from the total raised in the whole of 2024,’ the report noted.

The Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, Omo’ba Adeola Adetoro, has distributed school materials to public schools pupils in her council.

Adetoro said that education is the bedrock of a society’s growth and development.

She added that the initiative reflects her administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that fosters all round development.

‘Our young scholars are the foundation of Eti-Osa’s future, and their achievements will determine the progress of our local government. That’s why we’re committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters learning and personal growth,’ she said.

She urged the pupils to take their studies serious, adding that hardworking and determination lead to success.

She said: ‘I urge our students to approach this new session with discipline, dedication, and excellence. Education is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere, and I have no doubt that with hard work and determination, you will achieve great things.’

She commended the roles of teachers in building the future leaders.

‘To our teachers, I commend your tireless efforts in shaping the minds of our future leaders. Your role is crucial in inspiring and guiding our students to reach their full potential,’ she said.

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Eti Osa Local Government, Aremo Olusegun Oyindasola, urged the pupils to be dedicated to their studies and avoid joining bad gangs.

The schools that benefited from the gesture included Ikota Primary School, Ilasan Primary School, Ajiran Primary School, Lagos State Model Primary School, Mayegun Community Primary School, Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi Primary School, and Jamatul Islamiyah Primary School.

There have been many suggestions on how to build the Nigeria of our dream beyond the rhetoric of politicians, who promise to build bridges where there are no rivers. The Nigeria I have in mind is one where the constitution meets the people’s aspirations, by providing a workable federation structure and processes of governance that take the diversity of the country into account. It should be a constitution that provides opportunities for self-fulfillment for various groups, thereby making separatist agitations undesirable. What is still unclear is a word picture of how such a new Nigeria might look like.

While, despite liars and saboteurs, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been working hard to stabilise the country through globally acclaimed economic reforms, the debate rages on the kind of Nigeria he should aim at building. There are two major suggestions.

The constitutional approach

The constitutional approach has been the default approach, with two distinct groups leading the advocacy. One group argues that there really is nothing wrong with the 1999 constitution (as amended). The problem, they argue, is with the implementation. The country would be fine if only political actors respected the constitution they swore to obey. True, the constitution is flouted here and there, but that is only part of the story.

The other group argues that the constitution is so flawed that it must be thoroughly reviewed. Once the constitution is amended properly, they argue, all our problems will be solved. However, despite many attempts at reviews, including two major constitutional conferences, the constitution stays flawed.

There are far too many problems with the constitution, two of which are paramount. One, it lacks legitimacy, because it was a military imposition, which adopts the American presidential system in appearance but not in details or in practice. It was an attempt to give an acceptable face to the unitary system of government first imposed by the military after the notorious coup of 1966 and then codified into the 1979 constitution.

However, a close look at the 1999 constitution shows how far away it is from the American model. For example, the American constitution guarantees relative autonomy of the 50 federating states, including control over their own local governments, resources, education, agricultural activities, elections, and police for security. The 1999 constitution does not guarantee such level of autonomy to the 36 states and even recognizes 774 Local Government Areas, thus raising questions about their status as political units and complicating the power of states to control them. Moreover, the distribution of the LGAs is far from the realities on ground. For example, Osun and Ondo states have comparable populations, but Osun has 30 LGAs, while Ondo is given only 18!

Two, the 1999 constitution over-concentrates power in the federal government, by giving the centre exclusive control over education (via UBEC, JAMB, NUC, NBTE, TETFund, and so on); elections; domestic security via unitary police; and many others. The constitution also gives the centre a greater share of resources as well as control over the sharing of resources generated by the federating states.

Dr. Joe Abah succinctly outlines the negative consequences of over-centralisation of power and resources in a recent lucid essay (see Rebuilding Nigeria through devolution and decentralisation, The Daily Times, October 1, 2025). They include wasteful spending; corruption; and impunity. Worse still, states depend on monthly federal allocations, leading citizens to overlook states and blame the federal government for everything. This is the dilemma faced by the Tinubu administration, which continues to be blamed, despite providing states with more than double their previous allocations.

The devolution approach

The devolutionists believe that the present arrangement has three major shortcomings. One, the structure of the federation is so unworkable that a new arrangement is needed that provides the incentive for federating units to look inwards rather than to the federal government for sustenance. Less than half of the existing 36 states could be regarded as viable in that sense. Many of them are unable to pay the new minimum wage, while also owing salary and pension arrears.

Two, it is imperative that power and resources devolve from the centre to the federating units in order (a) to encourage the federating units to manage their affairs more productively and empower their residents to strive for self-fulfillment; (b) to allow the federal government to concentrate on its core duties of national defense, economic policy, and citizen welfare; and (c) to shift the blame game from the federal government to the federating units, thereby making both more accountable to the people.

Two tasks must be accomplished to achieve these goals. First, the federating units have to be delineated into manageable entities, while reducing the expensive overhead costs the present 36-state structure entails. Moreover, the new units must be empowered to manage their own affairs for reasons well articulated by Chief Bisi Akande, himself a fervent advocate of devolution of powers and resources: ‘Federating units or subsidiary units are usually the theatre of action. That is where you have the land, the forests, the farms, the schools, the hospitals, the manufacturing industries, and even the roads and the citizens, together with daily economic and social activities.’

There are two competing suggestions on what the federating or subsidiary units would look like. One group advocates a return to the old regions. The advocates of this approach tend to be older citizens, who grew up during the old parliamentary system in which three or four regions were the subnational governments. Critics of this approach cite the large but unequal size of the old regions and the trapping of minority populations within them.

The other group advocates the reconstitution of the present six zones into federating units. Among the advocates of this approach are internationally recognised administration and governance experts, including Dr. Abah and Professor Adamolekun, who has even authored a book on the subject (see Reflections on Governance and Development in Nigeria, published in April 2025).

However, the above task is not achievable unless the constitution makes it possible. Hence, the present constitution must be replaced by one in which the citizens are invested, and which changes the structure of the federation into one in which the present zones are the federating units. The zones would become states, to be known by their geographical nomenclature as Southwest, South-south, Southeast, Northeast, North Central, and Northwest or by some other agreed names. Each state will decide on what to do with the various units within it. However, there should be relative uniformity in the nomenclature. In the United States, for example, the political unit immediately below the state is the County. However, subunits of counties are known by various local names.

A critical aspect of the new constitution should be the allocation of resources. Dr. Abah has suggested a 20-30 percent share for the federal government, while the subnational units receive 70-80 percent. I align with Professor Adamolekun’s suggestion of 35:65 share as in the 1963 constitution.

As indicated at the beginning, state allocations have more than doubled because of President Tinubu’s economic reforms. Yet the evidence of the bonanza is scanty across many states. Unless steps are taken to make the subnational governments more responsible and accountable, it will be difficult to sustain the gains of the reforms. A devolved federation along the lines suggested above is sorely needed to make the subnational governments more responsible and accountable, while making ‘life more abundant’ for the citizens, in the words of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has reaffirmed its commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery through the full integration of SERVICOM principles across its operations.

Speaking at the Bureau’s 2025 SERVICOM Day Symposium in Abuja, themed ‘Reforming Responsibly Through Effective Service Delivery’, the Director General (DG), Ayodeji Gbeleyi said the agency’s progress reflects its alignment with the national ‘Mission Possible’ agenda for public service excellence.

At the event that brought together members of the National Assembly, anti-graft agencies, and other stakeholders, Gbeleyi noted that the Bureau continues to position itself as a trusted knowledge hub for investors and a driving force behind Nigeria’s economic reform under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Our stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian, look up to the Bureau to lead the economic reforms embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have positioned the Bureau as a trusted knowledge hub for investors seeking opportunities in Nigeria,’ he said.

Gbeleyi stressed that effective service delivery remains central to advancing the ease of doing business, adding that the symposium aimed to reinforce the importance of customer service in achieving the Bureau’s mandate.

According to the DG, since establishing its SERVICOM Unit in 2008, BPE has implemented measures to enhance responsiveness and efficiency, including regular customer satisfaction surveys, a Service Charter, and quarterly SERVICOM meetings.

The Bureau, he said, has also improved workplace conditions through electronic registers, CCTV installations, and upgraded reception and canteen facilities.

‘These initiatives reflect the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to upholding SERVICOM’s core values and ensuring service delivery that is efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused,’ Gbeleyi noted.

Highlighting staff training and international exposure as major drivers of service excellence, he noted, ‘In 2023, only 16 staff participated in investors’ fora.

‘That number rose to 49 in 2024, and 70 are already engaged in offshore training this year,’ adding that such capacity building equips staff with global best practices to improve professionalism and efficiency.

He urged participants to apply lessons from the symposium to strengthen service delivery within their institutions, emphasizing that every public interaction should ‘leave a delightful and enduring impression.’

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commercialisation and Privatisation, Senator Shuaibu Lau, represented by Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga, called for responsible reforms and stronger collaboration to enhance service delivery nationwide.

He described the event as ‘A vital platform for dialogue and sharing innovative ideas’ to improve efficiency and accountability in public institutions.

‘Effective service delivery is a vital component of good governance that directly impacts citizens’ lives and the nation’s economic well-being’.

Lau noted that reforms in the privatisation sector could stimulate economic growth, attract investments, and create jobs, adding, ‘By reforming responsibly together, we can not only improve service efficiency but also build public trust’.

Acting National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Anthony Oshin, also commended the Bureau for prioritizing transparency, teamwork, and citizen-centred service.

Oshin, who was represented by Ngozi Akinbodewa, the Head of Operations at SERVICOM stressed that employee experience is the new customer experience, urging the Bureau to invest in staff motivation, technology, and continuous feedback.

‘Every public asset privatized must translate into measurable national development,’ Oshin, while describing customer complaints as ‘free consultancy’ that helps institutions identify weaknesses and improve processes.

He emphasised that genuine reform depends on committed leadership and a motivated workforce, ‘When staff feel valued, they deliver better service. Treat employees as kings, and they will treat customers as kings,’ he said.

Guest speaker, Dr. Sam Ikoku and former BPE Director-General Bolanle Onagoruwa both praised the Bureau’s dedication to service excellence and transparency.

They urged the agency to sustain its reform efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economic environment and accelerate national growth.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday dismissed claims portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as religious persecution or state-sponsored attacks on faith groups, reaffirming the nation’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion and belief.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the House condemned all forms of violence and persecution based on religion or belief and expressed sympathy with all victims, regardless of faith.

The House directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, Interior, Information, National Orientation and Values, Police Affairs, Civil Society, and Human Rights to, within 21 days, coordinate with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to lodge a formal diplomatic demarche with the sponsors of the U.S. bill and relevant congressional committees.

The committees are also mandated to engage the U.S. Mission in Nigeria and interested American lawmakers to propose a Nigeria-U.S. Joint Fact-Finding and Dialogue Mechanism on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), involving faith leaders and independent experts. Additionally, they are to invite the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to a House hearing to review the sources, methodology, and implications of its reports on Nigeria.

The House further ordered that the resolution be transmitted to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, security agencies, the leadership of the U.S. Congress (Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees), the U.S. Department of State, USCIRF, the African Union, and ECOWAS Commissions.

While presenting the motion, Kalu recalled that on September 9, 2025, a bill titled *’The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747)’* was introduced in the U.S. Senate, seeking to designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky Act) and related authorities.

‘Further notes that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has in recent annual reports, recommended Nigeria for CPC designation, citing persistent violations and state failures to protect against non-state actor abuses.

‘The Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and bars the adoption of a State religion, and successive administrations, security agencies, faith leaders, and civil society continue to undertake measures to protect all worshippers and prosecute offenders, as reflected in the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 country chapter and prior reports.

He argued that the insecurity in Nigeria is complex and multi-causal – driven by insurgency, criminal banditry, farmer-herder conflict, separatist violence, and communal disputes – affecting citizens of all faiths; international reporting attributes a significant share of fatalities to terrorist groups and criminal gangs rather than State policy or a single religious dynamic.

He expressed concern that external legislative actions based on incomplete or decontextualised assessments risk undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty, misrepresenting facts, straining strategic relations, and unintentionally emboldening violent actors.

He stressed the need to be mindful of Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States on counter-terrorism, human rights, democratic governance, and inter-faith dialogue, and the African Union’s emphasis on tolerance and inclusive societies.

In his contribution to the debate, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) said the absence of ambassadors in the various countries, particularly the United States of America, makes diplomatic initiatives to address the issue difficult.

He said Nigeria cannot afford to avoid the fact that what is going on is global politics, adding that it is not just enough to say that Nigeria was being targeted for blackmail.

He said the country must put a mechanism in place to fight what is going on presently, while lamenting the absence of Ambassadors who will be equipped to handle the diplomatic angle to the issues, stressing that unless the right channels are followed, every effort being put in place right now may be in vain.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, said the US Senate has since conducted a public hearing on the bill, adding that his committee has held engagements with the US Embassy in Nigeria to let them know that the data being put out in the US was not correct.

He said he drew their attention to several. Instances to convince them that there was a religious or state-sponsored massacre in the country.

House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said the county was being deliberately targeted through deliberate mischief both by Nigerians and people from other countries, adding that the nation must use all necessary channels to engage the US parliament on the matter.

He stressed that deliberate efforts were being made to undermine and rubbish all the gains made so far by the Nigerian government.