Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., a leading consumer packaged goods company and member of Coca-Cola Hellenic Beverage Company (CCHBC), has been recognised for its contributions to consumer protection and service excellence.

The recognition came at the 2025 Consumer Service Week Award, hosted by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja.

NBC received the Corporate Partnership Award, presented by Mrs. Ashaye, deputy director of LASCOPA, in acknowledgement of the company’s longstanding collaboration with the agency.

Over the years, NBC has supported consumer awareness campaigns, stakeholder sensitisation programmes and community outreach initiatives, further strengthening consumer rights advocacy in Lagos State and across Nigeria.

Reaffirming the company’s commitment at the event, NBC highlighted its dedication to transparency, responsiveness and responsible corporate conduct; values that have defined its operations since it began serving Nigerian consumers over seven decades ago.

Speaking on the award, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at NBC, Soromidayo George, said: ‘Our consumers are at the heart of everything we do. This award reflects NBC’s consumer-first philosophy, which drives us to continually improve our processes, from feedback mechanisms to robust complaint resolution systems. We are honoured to partner with LASCOPA in advancing consumer protection and engagement in Nigeria.’

The recognition underscores NBC’s core values of excellence, accountability, and consumer trust, which have guided its journey as a heritage brand in Nigeria. For NBC, the award is not just a milestone, but also a renewed call to uphold the highest standards of service in line with its pledge to listen actively, respond swiftly, and always put the consumer first.

As the company looks ahead, NBC remains dedicated to building on its heritage, reinforcing consumer trust, and delivering on its promise of excellence to millions of Nigerians who enjoy its brands daily.

Domestic gas remains the engine of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa in general- from powering homes, to fuelling industry and providing a cleaner alternative for cooking and transportation.

Director, New Energy, Seplat Energy Plc, Okechukwu Mba, who spoke during a panel discussion at the AEW, titled: ‘Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets’, said stakeholders need to ensure that the challenges in the gas to power value chain from molecules at the wellhead to electrons in homes are addressed for Nigeria to realise the goal of increased power supply to Nigerians.

Mba spoke at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

He also emphasised the importance of a commercially viable power sector which is critical to achieving growth in the domestic gas market.

This, he explained, informed the company’s huge investment in gas processing capacity devoted to the domestic market, including the ANOH gas plant which is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

According to Mba, ‘Bankable anchor customers are needed to underpin the development of new gas projects whilst identifying infrastructural challenges in power transmission and distribution as well as the liquidity crises in the power sector as two areas that require urgent attention in order to unlock new gas projects. He highlighted that the firm currently supplies gas to five power stations in Nigeria which underscores its commitment to the power sector, noting that gas is well positioned to provide reliable and affordable base load energy to drive to economic growth.

Speaking further, he revealed that the firm adopts a comprehensive approach to growing the domestic gas market. ‘Beside investments in pipeline gas projects, Seplat is also investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities,’ he added.

In addition to the significant volumes of butane now supplied to the domestic market from its NGL plant in Bonny River Terminal, Seplat Energy also intends to commence delivery of LPG from its Sapele and ANOH gas plants before the end of the year. This, Mba said, will make Seplat Energy one of the leading suppliers of LPG, displacing biomass and providing a cleaner cooking fuel that will improve the health and living conditions of Nigerians. He added that Seplat Energy’s investment into CNG was to make gas available to customers not currently connected to the domestic gas pipeline network.

Mba stated that the company plans to take its operated gas production to over 1Bcf/d by 2030, while noting that the recent incentives granted by government to the gas sector will aid the achievement of this goal.

In a related development, the Director External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, who featured in a panel discuss on: ‘Bureaucracy or Bridge? Tailoring Global ESG Approaches for African Realities’, said in all the company’s moves to drive access to reliable and affordable energy for Nigerians, ESG fundamentals are strongly upheld and practicalised.

According to her, the peculiarities of the Nigerian people and Africa at large remain very germane in implementing Seplat Energy’s ESG framework and affirming its commitments.

She said: ‘For a truly successful and impactful ESG implementation, it is highly imperative to move from a ‘one size fits all’ mindset, to a co-created framework and implementation that is focused on value creation and empowers African nations to define their own sustainable growth plan. One that ensures ESG principles become a bridge across industries and countries driving growth and not a bureaucratic exercise.’

‘Adapting ESG to local needs is key. Therefore, we should explore customising global ESG frameworks to address the unique socio-economic conditions, developmental challenges, including infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as vulnerabilities to climate change and economic empowerment, across the continent.’

Speaking to the company’s model, she noted that: ‘At Seplat Energy, our approach has been a regular and systematic process of identifying and analyzing the development ‘gaps’ in our areas of operation and partnering with our communities to define project goals, prioritise resources and develop effective strategies to achieve them.’

Kwara State Government says it is no longer permissible to charge or collect parent-teacher association (PTA) levy in public primary schools.

It therefore approved annual grants for the schools to replace PTA levy and serve as their running costs.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Shehu Adaramaja, said this in Ilorin at the bid opening for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

‘The governor has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA levy in all public primary schools. From primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA levy in Kwara State,’ he said, announcing immediate launch of disbursement of grants for at least 1,717 public schools.

Adaramaja announced the approval of procurement of English and Mathematics textbooks by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, which he said, would be distributed free of charge to pupils of primary 1 to 6.

On the bid opening, the chairman said the intervention would cover critical projects, including the building of a block of two classrooms with an office, construction of VIP toilets, remodelling and renovation of classrooms, drilling of solar powered borehole with tank stand, rehabilitation of digital literacy across the state, procurement of foundation literacy teaching and learning materials for primary 1, fabrication and distribution of two-seater pupils/students’ furniture, and safe schools initiative in some selected local governments, among others.

Adaramajaa hailed the state government for investing in school infrastructure, human capital development and welfare of teachers.

He said the governor had equally approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

He urged contractors, who would eventually get the jobs, to execute them in line with the specifications, warning that shoddy jobs would not be condoned.

Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) hailed the action.

The association described the development as bold.

CSACEFA’s state Coordinator, Abdurrahman Ayuba, said: ”The decision demonstrates government’s commitment to making basic education free and compulsory, aligning with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Law.

‘CSACEFA commends the governor for prioritising education and promoting a more inclusive and equitable education system. CSACEFA Kwara considers the government step as a big win, especially as the coalition has been at the forefront advocating abolishment of PTA levy.

‘CSACEFA is thus calling on the heads of schools to ensure prudent and judicious utilisation of expected grant in meeting the needs of their schools.

‘We look forward to continued collaboration and support for initiatives that benefit our children and in raising the quality of education in Kwara State and Nigeria.’

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to exceeding customer expectations through continuous investment in technology, people, and operational efficiency, as it celebrates its 2025 Customer Service Week under the global theme ‘Mission: Possible.’

The Pan-African bank said the annual event underscores its Customer 1st philosophy, a guiding principle that places customer experience at the centre of its operations and innovations.

Speaking at the launch of the celebration, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said the bank’s approach to service is built on a clear understanding of the diverse challenges faced by its customers across African markets and beyond.

He said: ‘As Africa’s global bank, we understand the unique challenges our customers face across different markets. That is why we are constantly investing in technology, people, and processes that make banking easier, faster, and more rewarding.

‘This week is not just about celebrating our customers, but about renewing our pledge to make the impossible possible for them, because at UBA, we remain committed to not just meeting expectations; but we are also committed to exceeding them.’

Alawuba explained that the 2025 theme, ‘Mission: Possible,’ aligns with the bank’s vision of transforming challenges into opportunities through innovation and strategic digital transformation.

Also speaking, the Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, noted that this year’s celebration reflects a renewed focus on deepening customer engagement and expanding access to value-driven services across all touchpoints.

‘At UBA, our mission is clear: to make the seemingly impossible possible for our customers. Whether it is enabling cross-border transactions in real time, ensuring seamless digital access to banking, or supporting small businesses to scale against the odds, we are committed to delivering service that transforms lives. This week is a celebration of that mission, and of the customers who inspire us to raise the bar every day,’ she said.

According to the bank’s leadership, UBA’s innovation record speaks for itself. The bank, it added, was the first Pan-African financial institution to introduce a 24/7 multilingual contact centre, pioneer Africa’s first AI-powered virtual banker, Leo, and drive cross-continental remittances that connect millions of Africans in the diaspora with their home markets.

Beyond banking, the 2025 Customer Service Week will feature a series of mission-driven initiatives that highlight UBA’s commitment to community and economic development. These include business empowerment sessions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), financial literacy workshops, and participation opportunities in the UBA National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools – initiatives designed to build resilience and future readiness among customers and young Nigerians.

With a customer base of over 45 million across 20 African countries, and operations in New York, London, Paris, and Dubai, UBA, its leadership said, continues to position itself as a bridge between Africa and the global financial system, offering retail, commercial, and corporate banking, alongside innovative trade finance and cross-border payment solutions.

Alawuba emphasised that UBA’s success story is driven by its ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver value beyond conventional banking.

‘At UBA, we are building a future where every challenge becomes an opportunity. Through innovation, resilience, and a relentless focus on customer needs, we are proving that great service is not just possible – it’s our mission,’ he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is slated to host all-important Council of State meeting at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.

This followed the invitation by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to members of the Council of State and the Police Council to a high-level strategic meeting scheduled for the day.

The notice of the invitation was contained in a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen.

The statement reads: ‘The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has extended an invitation to members of the Council of State and Police Council to a hybrid strategic meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025.

‘According to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, the meeting aims to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing.

‘This high-level meeting underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing pressing national issues and ensuring the safety and security of citizens.’

The Thursday meeting will be President Tinubu’s second Council of State meeting, following his first on August 13, 2024, which included former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, along with governors and other members.

The council passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s administration and discussed key national issues.

Policy Analyst, Habib Sheidu, has said allegations by Jigawa State House of Representatives menber that lawmakers pay to get their bills passed is serious.

Seidu, Project director at AdvoKC Foundation, said although Nigerians always see the legislature as a part of the executive, this allegation seems worse. If bills are passed through financial inducement, then the House is trading representation for transactions.

‘We will know if the House is truly committed to democracy or nothing more than a robber stamp by how it handles the probe. This will tell us if we have a legislature working for us or one trading away our future,’ he said.

He added: ‘The 10th House of Representatives entered office in 2023 with bold commitments through its Legislative Agenda. These promises, if kept, could reshape Nigeria’s future. Among them was a pledge to amend the Universal Basic Education Commission Act to increase UBEC’s allocation from two per cent to four per cent. That change would have doubled resources available to provide classrooms, teaching materials, and teacher recruitment. Two years later, the promise remains unkept.

‘The House also committed to amending the National Health Act to raise Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two percent. Nigerians bear the burden of one of the highest out-of-pocket health expenditure, while hospitals are starved of drugs, equipment, and staff. A doubling of this could change the story by bringing life-saving resources to our primary health facilities. Instead, the silence on this promise has left citizens waiting in vain.

‘Oversight, one of the most sacred duties of a legislature, has fared no better. The House promised to pass legislation enforcing penalties for those who ignore legislative summons. Yet this year, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and officials of his ministry snubbed three separate invitations to answer questions about a ?2.5 million job racketeering allegation. Their defiance made clear what many Nigerians already knew: legislative summons in Nigeria are mere pieces of paper, toothless threats that powerful officials can easily dismiss because no law gives them bite.

‘The House also promised to pass the Electronic Surveillance and Communications Privacy Bill to shield citizens from unlawful wiretaps and misuse of electronic data. In an age of rampant surveillance and weak protections for privacy, this was no small commitment. It was a chance to protect rights, secure freedoms, and build trust in the digital age. Yet the bill continues to languish without meaningful attention.

‘Even in something as simple as updating its own systems, the House has fallen short. It vowed to develop a dynamic and interactive website to engage the public and make its activities transparent. But today, the official website still lists Ugonna Ozurigbo as a member, long after a court removed him from office. For almost a month now, the entire website has been down, making it impossible to access House budgets, reports, or performance records. This means that the promise to mandate the publication of sessional and annual reports detailing House activities, budgets, and outcomes, a medium-term pledge, stands broken. If the House cannot keep its own records accurate or even keep its website running, how can it persuade Nigerians that it is ready to modernise transparency?’

Habi Seidu called on the House of Representatives to sit up to its responsibilities as it resumes plenary on October 7, 2025.

‘That date must be more than a return from recess. It must be a moment of reckoning. The question before the 10th House is simple. Will it keep faith with Nigerians by fulfilling its promises to improve education, health, oversight, privacy, electoral democracy, and transparency? Or will it continue as a rubber stamp, obedient to the executive, and worse still as a robber stamp, treating legislation as a commodity and betraying citizens for gain?’

He called on The House not take Nigerians for granted. He also reminded The House that, ‘Across West Africa, our neighbours are steadily losing their democracies to coups and authoritarian takeovers. The recent turmoil in Nepal reminds us of what poor governance, unchecked corruption, and weak institutions can lead to. Nigeria does not have to follow that path but only if governance is taken seriously, especially in matters that directly affect the people.

‘The House still has time to be born again as the people’s House. To turn its Legislative Agenda from paper into reality. To prove that Nigerian democracy can have a legislature that defends the Constitution, protects the vulnerable, and holds power accountable. Anything less is a theft of trust and a mockery of democracy itself.’ Seidu added.

Embattled Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from his position.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

A statement by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation.

Onanuga said: ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.

‘He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.

‘Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.

‘President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.’

The latest development followed a an investigative report, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial nomination process in 2023.

The report claimed that the UNN disowned the degree certificate submitted by Nnaji, stating that although he was admitted in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, confirmed this in a response to a Freedom of Information request dated October 2, in which he stated that Nnaji was not a graduate of the institution.

This contradicted a December 2023 response from UNN’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who had previously confirmed Nnaji’s graduation but later recanted before the Public Complaints Commission in 23 May 2025 letter that the university searched its graduation records for the 1985 session but could not find Nnaji’s name on them.

The investigation also revealed that in a court affidavit, Nnaji admitted that the university never issued him a degree certificate and that he had ‘never collected one.’

In September, Nnaji filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission, UNN, Vice-Chancellor Ortuanya, and others, seeking to restrain the university from ‘tampering’ with his academic records.

The case was heard on Monday, with Sebastian Hon (SAN) representing Nnaji, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the university and its officials.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that the main online recruitment examination for all shortlisted candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadres will hold on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

In a statement released via its official X handle on Tuesday, the Service described the exercise as a major milestone in its ongoing recruitment process to boost manpower across operational commands and border posts nationwide.

The NCS explained that candidates have been divided into three batches-A, B, and C-and must log in using their National Identification Number (NIN) through https://updates.customs.gov.ng to confirm their batch, date, and time of the examination.

‘Strict compliance with the assigned Batch and Time is mandatory. Failure to adhere may lead to disqualification,’ the Service warned.

It further cautioned candidates against using calculators, mobile phones, or other devices during the exam, adding that any breach of the rules could lead to disqualification.

The NCS also advised applicants to avoid multiple log-ins or switching browser windows, as such actions might disrupt their participation in the exercise.

‘Only Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre candidates are to take part in this stage of the examination. Applicants of the Superintendent Cadre are not to participate at the stage,’ the statement read.

The online examination, Customs said , reflects its growing emphasis on technology-driven recruitment and personnel development, a strategy that aligns with its broader digital transformation agenda. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has continued to modernise its operations, enhance border management efficiency, and promote transparency in staff selection and deployment.

By adopting online testing platforms, the NCS aims to reduce human interference, ensure merit-based evaluation, and reach applicants from diverse locations across the country. This approach, the Service said, not only promotes fairness but also supports Nigeria’s transition to a digital public service environment.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, fairness, and transparency throughout the recruitment process, assuring candidates that only merit would guide selection decisions.

Segilola Resources Operations Limited (SROL), Nigeria’s foremost gold mining company, reaffirmed its leadership in shaping conversations around mining, inclusion, and community wellbeing at the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce breakfast session, held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Themed ‘Unlocking Africa’s Hidden Wealth: Mining as a Catalyst for Bilateral Movement,’ the forum convened business executives, policymakers, and industry leaders from both nations to deepen trade and investment ties.

SROL’s Country Manager, Austin Menegbo, delivered the keynote address and participated in a high-level panel discussion. In his keynote, Menegbo paid tribute to the vision and resilience of Segun Lawson, CEO of Thor Explorations, whose leadership has established the company as a formidable force in Nigeria’s mining landscape.

During the panel session, Menegbo spotlighted SROL’s role in driving inclusive growth and advancing shared prosperity across Nigeria and South Africa. He stressed the company’s commitment to community wellbeing, stating, ‘When communities thrive, investors are protected. When investors are protected, capital flows. That is the essence of bilateral investment. Without the structures, institutions, and partnerships that sustain operations, growth becomes impossible.’

His insights highlighted SROL’s four-pillar agenda with its host communities, which includes gender inclusion and training initiatives, infrastructure development, capacity-building programs that create sustainable local expertise, as well as empowerment initiatives designed to ensure long-term community resilience.

Through these initiatives, SROL continues to demonstrate that responsible mining extends beyond resource extraction; it is about building thriving communities and creating the conditions for bilateral growth between Nigeria and South Africa.

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