Category: The Nation – Nigeria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has explained why the Federal Government approved the medical evacuation of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient to Switzerland citing diplomatic considerations human rights and compliance with international health regulations as authorities identified a new suspected case linked to the patient.

The NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris disclosed on Monday on national television that the new suspected case involved an Uber driver who transported the index patient to an earlier hospital in Abuja before her diagnosis.

The DG said the development followed additional information obtained during contact tracing bringing the number of primary contacts identified in the outbreak to 54.

He said the patient a Swiss national who travelled from Uganda had tested positive for Ebola twice before being evacuated alongside her husband to Switzerland. Her husband however had tested negative.

Idris dismissed suggestions that the patient had been secretly removed from Nigeria explaining that the Swiss Embassy formally requested the evacuation which was approved after consultations with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

‘I won’t use the word ‘snuck out’. That’s a no-brainer. It is the first time something like that has happened’ he said.

According to him the government weighed public health risks international obligations and the patient’s rights before approving the transfer.

Authorities also ensured that infection prevention and control measures were maintained throughout the process from the hospital to the aircraft he said adding ‘There is an infection prevention and control guideline starting from the hospital where the patient was taken and that was maintained.

‘This was how the patient was protected.’

He added that the government was satisfied that appropriate arrangements had been made to receive the patient safely in Switzerland.

The NCDC chief maintained that the evacuation did not reflect a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system stressing that the country had competent infectious disease specialists and medical personnel capable of managing Ebola.

He said experts who helped contain the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Lagos had been mobilised to support the current response assess facilities and strengthen infection prevention and control practices.

Idris explained that although Nigerian doctors had stabilised the patient who reportedly developed multiple organ failure clinical improvement did not necessarily mean the virus had been cleared from her body.

‘The patient can remain positive because the virus is still in the blood. There are no drugs to deal with this virus’ he said referring to the absence of an established antiviral treatment specifically targeting the strain responsible for the outbreak.

Meanwhile the NCDC said contact tracing and surveillance remained critical despite evacuating the confirmed case.

Idris said health authorities were monitoring identified contacts for 21 days corresponding to Ebola’s maximum incubation period.

More than 40 contacts were in quarantine facilities in Abuja while six others were under home-based self-quarantine because their assessed risk was low he added.

According to him officials contacted those quarantined at home regularly checking their temperatures in the morning and evening.

He also disclosed that three people who were retested after developing symptoms or showing changes in their clinical condition returned negative results.

The agency clarified that Nigeria had no confirmed active Ebola case after the evacuation but warned that the risk would persist until it had monitored all contacts and investigated potential secondary exposures.

‘We are not out of the woods yet until we are sure that all the contacts have been followed up. Because the index case is out doesn’t mean that we don’t have an active positive case’ Idris said.

He urged anyone with information about possible exposure to contact the nearest public health facility or call the NCDC’s toll-free hotline 6232 which he said was available round the clock.

On the government’s reported plan to provide ?100000 weekly to people in quarantine Idris said support was being considered on compassionate grounds.

Some contacts complained that isolation prevented them from attending to their families and businesses and some threatened to leave quarantine facilities.

He said the government intervened to provide feeding accommodation and other essential support to encourage compliance with public health measures although quarantine facilities are ordinarily the responsibility of state governments.

Idris also said the government approved a ?10 billion intervention fund to strengthen preparedness and control measures for Ebola and other endemic diseases including Lassa fever.

The money would support personal protective equipment laboratory supplies surveillance contact tracing transportation and the rehabilitation of treatment and isolation centres.

Addressing public concerns about transmission he stressed that Ebola was not airborne and spread primarily through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials.

‘Transmission is not airborne. It is by touch by touch contact’ he said urging Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention if they developed symptoms particularly after possible exposure.

He also cautioned against relying on herbal preparations to prevent or cure the disease noting that their effectiveness against Ebola had not been established.

The NCDC chief further rejected suggestions that the outbreak could be used as a political weapon ahead of the 2027 general election.

‘We in the health sector will not use disease issues as a political weapon and there will not be any postponement of the election on the case of Ebola’ he said.

Nigeria’s response remains focused on surveillance contact tracing and preventing further transmission following the imported case.

Idris said authorities had been monitoring international developments including the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and would continue strengthening surveillance at ports of entry as investigations progressed.

The Federal Government has released N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions across the country to improve infrastructure and provide better facilities for teaching and learning.

The intervention under the NEEDS Assessment Revitalisation Fund covers 79 universities 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education with the money earmarked for approved projects to address critical infrastructure shortages and other identified needs.

The Head of Media at the Federal Ministry of Finance Mrs. Efe Ovuakporie announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

She said the funds would enable the beneficiary institutions to begin or continue approved projects designed to improve their facilities and strengthen their capacity to provide quality education.

A breakdown of the disbursement shows that universities received the largest share of N28.5 billion allocated to 79 institutions. The 46 polytechnics are to receive a combined N5.8 billion while 41 colleges of education have been allocated N4.7 billion.

The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the funding and infrastructure needs of public universities and implement measures agreed upon with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The agreement contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the university lecturers’ union provides a framework for addressing issues affecting public university education.

The latest disbursement is expected to help beneficiary institutions tackle infrastructure deficiencies and improve the facilities available to students and lecturers.

According to the Finance Ministry effective cooperation among the Federal Ministry of Finance the Federal Ministry of Education and the beneficiary institutions is necessary to ensure that the money produces measurable improvements in the education sector.

The government is expected to ensure that the funds are applied to the approved projects so that the intervention delivers the intended benefits to the institutions and their students.

The ministy advised members of the public seeking details of the beneficiary institutions and their individual allocations to visit its official website www.finance.gov.ng.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Gerd Mller Trophy for his sensational 2025-26 campaign for club and country becoming just the second player in history to win the prize twice.

Since its inception in 2021 the Gerd Mller Trophy is awarded to the player with the most goals scored across a singular campaign. Named after the late German legend Gerd Mller.

The 33-year-old scored a total of 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season crowning him as the sport’s top goalscorer in the 2026 Ballon d’or ceremony.

Kane’s goals helped Bayern Munich add another Bundesliga title to their trophy cabinet. The defending German champions also won the DFB-Pokal and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday said a newly suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State tested negative.

At a briefing on Nigeria’s response it said the monitoring of contacts linked to the index case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was ongoing.

NCDC said: ‘A newly suspected case reported in Rivers State has tested negative for Ebola disease.

‘The only confirmed case recorded in the FCT remains in isolation and is receiving treatment. No deaths have been recorded.

‘Contacts identified have risen to 53 including healthcare workers and household members and are being followed up for 21 days.’

NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris said investigations were ongoing to establish the source of infection and trace the confirmed patient’s movements before she was diagnosed.

The 53 contacts comprise 44 people at a health facility and nine others identified during further investigations.

The additional contacts include three household members three healthcare workers at a university teaching hospital the patient visited before arriving at the facility where her infection was identified and three members of the team that collected her samples.

Idris said the number could change as investigations progressed and more people who might have been exposed to the virus were identified.

Health officials are interviewing the contacts to establish whom they have interacted with and determine whether additional people need to be monitored.

Those without symptoms may be monitored at home with their temperatures checked twice daily while anyone who develops symptoms will be assessed promptly and isolated where necessary.

Idris urged those identified as contacts to cooperate with public health officials stressing that being listed did not mean they had contracted the disease.

Financial assistance considered

The NCDC chief said the government was considering financial assistance of N100000 weekly for the 53 contacts to cushion the effects of isolation on their businesses and families.

He said some of those being monitored had complained that the restrictions were affecting their livelihoods and family responsibilities.

Idris however indicated that the proposed assistance would require coordination with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration which could take over the process.

He urged state governments to prepare for similar situations should the outbreak require restrictions that affect the livelihoods of people placed under monitoring.

On the confirmed patient Idris said her condition had improved while tests on her husband had returned negative.

‘The husband has been with the wife. The husband is negative. They travelled together to various places so the travel history is still unfolding to give us a clear picture’ he said.

He explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria without symptoms making it difficult to detect the infection through routine screening.

‘It was in reviewing the history that we started hearing about the case. Because she was symptomless there was no way it could be tested at that point’ he said.

The NCDC DG said the national incident management system had been activated to coordinate the response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare the NCDC FCT health authorities other government agencies and technical partners.

He said the agency had stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and was expecting additional supplies for healthcare facilities and states managing suspected cases and contacts.

‘We have PPE right now we have stocks we are getting in more and we are prioritising for close contacts where they are very necessary’ he said.

Idris stressed that protective equipment must be appropriate to the duties being performed noting that healthcare workers treating patients require different levels of protection from those carrying out other tasks.

On diagnostic capacity he said Nigeria had identified about 12 laboratories capable of testing for Ebola including the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology in Lagos.

According to him laboratory readiness is being strengthened through additional reagents consumables and technical support while genomic sequencing is ongoing to help establish the relationship between the virus detected in the patient and previously identified strains.

He cautioned however that not all laboratories had the biosafety infrastructure and expertise required to handle Ebola samples.

Idris said the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak had no approved vaccine although vaccine candidates were undergoing clinical trials.

He added that any potential treatment must comply with established clinical and regulatory protocols.

He urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures maintain a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases promptly.

Healthcare workers he said should implement protective measures immediately when they encounter a suspected case rather than wait for laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC chief also advised Nigerians to avoid misinformation and rely on verified updates from authorised health agencies.

He urged the public to practice regular hand hygiene avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and promptly report possible exposure or symptoms.

‘Our immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts protect healthcare workers provide appropriate care and prevent transmission into the wider community’ he said.

Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Dr Jean Kaseya had said the index patient was born in Uganda and arrived in Abuja with her husband on October 3.

The husband is a diplomat with the Switzerland Embassy in Nigeria.

Kebbi strengthens border surveillance

In Kebbi State the government has intensified measures to prevent the possible importation and spread of Ebola.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr Zaki Abubakar Zaki disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

He said the ministry through its Department of Public Health had strengthened disease surveillance and screening of travellers at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi and designated land border entry points across the state.

Passengers arriving at and departing from the airport are being screened at designated gates to facilitate the early detection of suspected cases and identify travellers exhibiting symptoms consistent with Ebola.

Similar screening measures have been introduced at three land border entry points in Bagudo Kamba and Arewa local government areas.

Zaki said the measures were designed to ensure the prompt identification of suspected cases timely referral for medical assessment and implementation of appropriate public health interventions to minimise the risk of transmission.

He added that the ministry had supplied PPE to all general hospitals across the state to strengthen infection prevention and control.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents through proactive surveillance stronger border screening and coordination with relevant health authorities and stakeholders.

It urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant cooperate with health officials and promptly report suspected symptoms to the appropriate authorities.

Lagos steps up surveillance

The Lagos State Government also intensified disease surveillance and preparedness following the confirmation of the imported Ebola Bundibugyo virus case in Abuja saying no suspected case had been detected in the state.

Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi said the state was strengthening surveillance public awareness and collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure early detection and a prompt response to any suspected case.

In a statement Abayomi said the Ministry of Health had conducted an assessment and strategic engagement with airport management Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.

He said the engagement focused on passenger screening information sharing infection prevention and control and coordination of emergency response measures.

The ministry is also intensifying public enlightenment on the symptoms transmission and prevention of Ebola Virus Disease.

Abayomi urged residents to remain calm but vigilant warning that Ebola is a severe disease that can be fatal.

He said the virus spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of infected people showing symptoms contaminated materials and the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals.

Symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever severe weakness headache muscle pain sore throat vomiting diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur.

He advised people who develop symptoms particularly after possible exposure or travel from an area with active transmission to seek prompt medical assessment.

The commissioner noted that early Ebola symptoms could resemble malaria and other common illnesses urging residents to avoid self-medication.

He added that under Lagos State’s fever-management policy people with fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial drugs.

Those who test negative should be assessed by a healthcare professional for other possible causes.

Residents were also advised to wash their hands regularly avoid contact with the bodily fluids of sick people and potentially contaminated materials and stay away from sick or dead wild animals.

Abayomi urged travellers arriving in Nigeria particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission to cooperate with Port Health Services provide accurate travel and health information when requested and comply with public health guidance.

Anyone who suspects exposure to the virus should contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

Residents can report suspected cases or exposure concerns through the state’s emergency numbers 112 or 767 or contact the Directorate of Epidemiology Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.

Abayomi said the government would continue to monitor developments strengthen its response capacity and provide updates as necessary.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has published the voter register on its website ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission has asked Nigerians to use the publication to submit observations on the register noting that it is processing claims and objections arising from the earlier display of the register at the registration level.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Mohammed Haruna the commission noted concerns from Nigerians and other stakeholders about making the register accessible through its online platform.

The statement read ‘The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to provide an update on the display of the Preliminary Register of Voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

‘In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026 the Commission conducted the physical display of the Register at Registration Areas nationwide from 9th to 15th October 2026 providing registered voters the opportunity to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as prescribed by law.

‘The Commission has taken note of the concerns expressed by Nigerians and other stakeholders regarding the desirability of making the Register accessible through its online platform in addition to the physical display already conducted.

‘Accordingly and in furtherance of its commitment to transparency accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process the Commission has decided to make available on its online platform https://display.inecnigeria.org the same Preliminary Register of Voters earlier displayed at the Registration Areas.

‘This additional measure complements the physical display already undertaken and is intended to facilitate wider public access to the Register.

‘Meanwhile the Commission continues to process claims and objections arising from the exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 preparatory to the certification and publication of the Final Register of Voters on 15th December 2026.

‘The Commission appreciates the continued interest and constructive engagement of Nigerians and stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to transparency accountability and the faithful implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 in delivering credible elections.’

Billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has gifted Afrobeats rapper Zlatan Ibile wedding presents following his traditional marriage.

The rapper whose real name is Omoniyi Raphael shared the gifts on his Instagram story on Monday two days after his traditional wedding to his partner Davita Lamai on Saturday October 24.

The gifts arrived in Heirs Holdings-branded packages with handwritten notes reading ‘Zlatan well done’ ‘Our wife’ ‘Congrats’ and ‘Zlatan.’

Elumelu’s signature initials TOE were also boldly inscribed as the sender’s sign-off.

Appreciating the gesture Zlatan thanked the billionaire businessman on his Instagram story tagging his handle with a love emoji.

The couple announced their wedding date in a video posted on October 8.

Their traditional wedding featured Edo-inspired outfits to honour Davita’s heritage followed by a second look in coordinated Yoruba attire.

Several personalities attended the ceremony including Davido Seyi Vodi Young Jonn Iyabo Ojo Papaya Ex Lil Kesh and Teni.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Dr. Adewole Adebayo has urged the media to ensure balanced coverage of political parties and their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebayo who made the call yesterday during a meeting with reporters in Abuja stressed the need for independent impartial and responsible reporting on issues affecting Nigerians.

He urged the media to give adequate attention to insecurity poverty corruption and democratic governance while providing different sides an opportunity to present their views.

According to him fair coverage of political parties and their candidates will enable Nigerians to access diverse opinions and make informed electoral choices.

He urged media houses to ensure that their coverage did not create the impression that only a few candidates were relevant in presidential elections.

Adebayo said the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had important roles in promoting credible elections adding that responsible reporting was essential to the democratic process.

He also urged the organisations to ensure that commercial interests did not compromise fair coverage of political parties and their programmes.

Reflecting on the SDP’s history Adebayo recalled the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by the party.

He said the experience reinforced the party’s commitment to democratic governance and the right of Nigerians to choose their leaders through credible elections.

Adebayo urged political parties to present clear policy proposals to address the country’s challenges while the media should provide adequate platforms for public discussion of their manifestos.

The SDP candidate said the party’s vision was anchored on the principle that the primary responsibility of government was to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

According to him the SDP had published its 2027 presidential manifesto – Farewell to poverty and insecurity – in English Hausa Igbo and Yoruba as well as other languages to make its policies accessible to a wider audience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his historic re-election for a record fourth term declaring Nigeria’s readiness to expand its strategic partnership with Brazil across critical sectors of both economies.

The President said Lula’s renewed mandate presented a fresh opportunity to consolidate the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Brazil particularly in trade investment agriculture energy manufacturing and technological development.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed on Monday in Abuja Tinubu described the Brazilian leader as a friend and expressed optimism that his electoral victory would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

‘I congratulate my friend President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on his re-election for a record fourth term.

‘Your renewed mandate offers an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Brazil dating back to 1961’ Tinubu stated.

The President emphasised the strategic importance of cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil as two influential countries of the Global South stressing the need for stronger economic integration and collective action in addressing emerging global challenges.

According to him both nations occupy important positions in their respective regions and possess enormous potential to influence economic development international cooperation and the advancement of developing economies.

‘As two leading nations of the Global South we can promote economic integration and advance our shared interests in a rapidly changing global order’ he said.

Tinubu identified trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange as priority areas in which his administration would seek expanded cooperation with Brazil.

‘I look forward to expanding cooperation in trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange’ the President declared.

He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening multilateral engagement with Brazil particularly in advancing common priorities affecting Africa South America and other developing regions.

The President said stronger collaboration between the two countries would contribute to the pursuit of shared economic and diplomatic interests within the evolving international system.

‘I affirm Nigeria’s continued commitment to working with Brazil to strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance shared priorities in Africa South America and across the Global South’ Tinubu said.

He concluded by extending the goodwill of the Nigerian government and people to the Brazilian leader as he prepares for another term in office.

‘On behalf of the people of Nigeria I wish you a successful new term in office’ the President said.