Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday fixed October 27, 2025 for the arraignment of politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore for alleged false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by tagging him ‘a criminal.’

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, filed a suit accusing Sowore of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act. Also joined as defendants are ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) and Meta Corp (Facebook).

When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to Sowore, Marshal Abubakar objected to reading the charges on the ground that the bailiff wasn’t able to serve his client, Sowore. He also noted that ‘X’ was not represented in court.

However, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, led the team for Meta Corp.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, directed that Sowore be served in court, a move the parties, including Mohammed Babadoko, Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, didn’t oppose. The presiding judge thereafter fixed October 27 for commencement of trial.

In the charge, Sowore, who contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential election on the platform of African Action Congress (AAC), is accused of contravening the provisions of the the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Criminal Code Act.

Counts in the charge read:

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025 did use your official X handle page, @Yele Sowore, to send out a message/ tweet as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals, who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and CommanderinChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 did use your official Facebook page, Omoyele Sowore, to send out a message/ post as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message/post to be false, but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025 using the instrumentality of X, via your official X account @Yele Sowore, did knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander _inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 using the instrumentatity of Facebook, via your official Facebook account Omoyele Sowore, did knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 with intent to cause public fear and disturbance, published false information on your official X and Facebook accounts @Yele Sowore, respectively, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Act.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has instituted a new lecture series to be held in collaboration with leading tertiary institutions across the country over the next three years.

A statement from the CBN on Tuesday said, ‘This initiative is designed to be a platform for thought-leadership discourse on national economic development.’

The CBN considers the initiative central to its strategy of deepening public understanding and strengthening the transmission of monetary policy.

Cardoso is scheduled to deliver the landmark inaugural lecture at the Lagos Business School on Friday, October 3, 2025.

The lecture, titled ‘Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building,’ will serve a dual purpose.

The CBN stated that the inaugural edition will commemorate the second anniversary of ‘Team Cardoso’s’ leadership at the apex bank, a period defined by a renewed focus on price stability, institutional transparency, and anchoring monetary policy to the everyday realities of Nigerians.

The CBN stated that the lecture series also ‘aims to foster dialogue, promote innovation, and advance an inclusive financial system that works for all Nigerians, while positioning the country as a leader on both the African and global stages.’

Since assuming office in September 2023, Cardoso has consistently stressed that the Bank’s core mandate, safeguarding price stability, is essential to driving sustainable economic growth and protecting livelihoods. He had previously spoken about the necessity of adaptive policy in a changing world.

‘Nigeria is at a pivotal moment, where technology, global financial realignments, and the energy of its youthful population are reshaping its economic future. Innovation must be harnessed intentionally and confidently, particularly by institutions like the CBN,’ Cardoso noted in an earlier engagement.

The lecture is expected to draw a high-profile audience, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and students, thereby emphasizing the crucial role of monetary policy in fostering stability, growth, and national development.

Ahead of the maiden State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) conference slated to begin Thursday, Lagos State Government has unveiled popular Comedian, Oluseyitan Aletile alias Seyi Law as Ambassador.

The unveiling was done by the Permanent Secretary (PS) Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu and the General Manager, Lagos State Command and Control Centre (C3), Femi Giwa, after a road show to drum public support for the conference, yesterday.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, Seyi Law was chosen as ambassador to give the youths an icon to look up to, adding that plans had commenced to train young people working as area boys as local emergency responders in order to get them off the streets.

The Nation reports that the roadshow which commenced at the agency’s office in Alausa, proceeded to the Fire and Rescue Services before moving to the relevant stakeholder ministries inside the state secretariat on Awolowo Way and back to the C3.

In an interview with reporters after the roadshow, Oke-Osanyintolu said that LASEMA, NEMA and other stakehodlers were committed to emplacing a robust national emegency response strategy.

He said the goal was to ensure that across the country, emergency workers understood the importance of saving lives and efficiently utilising the golden hour.

The LASEMA boss said already President Bola Tinubu, through his policies, has shown that the safety and security of Nigerians were paramount to him.

He re-emphasised that the 112 national emergency number was currently working, adding that part of the deliverables from the conference would be to sync emergncy responsiveness at state and local government levels so that the SEMAs in all the states of the country would be in tune with global best practices.

‘I want to assure the good people of Lagos that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has put everything in place to ensure a smooth summit for a more resilient Nigeria as it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that created LASEMA when he was the Lagos State Governor, so we are fully ready for the task ahead and we promise participants a more fulfilling time in Lagos,’ he said.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations,Gbenga Oyerinde, during a brief interview in front of his ministry, said the SEMA summit was for participants to brainstorm with relevant stakeholders’ on efficient disaster management.

‘This administration has invested heavily in emergency and disaster management in ensuring the protection of lives and property of the residents of the state, so we are inviting all stakeholders’, professionals and the general public to join us for the three days SEMA conference to chart a new course for national emergency management for the benefit of all Nigerians,’ he said.

Representatives of NEMA, Fire Service, LASAMBUS, Health, among others participated in the walk for the summit awareness with the theme Strengthening a sub-national emergency management for a resilient Nigeria.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to embrace the nation’s unity in diversity and resist external narratives that misrepresent the country.

‘Our unity is our strength. We must be strong enough to tell our own stories against others’ narratives about us,’ Obasanjo said on Wednesday in Sokoto at the commissioning of the St. Bakhita Catholic ICT facility, equipped with 250 computers and 50 tablets for children aged 5 to 10.

The former president stressed that Nigeria must leverage its diversity to drive inclusive governance and prepare for its rapidly growing population, projected to reach 400 million in the next 25 years.

He warned that failure to create opportunities for the youth could worsen current security challenges, noting that education remains the foundation for national service and progress.

Commending Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah for spearheading the ICT project, Obasanjo described it as a facility for all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or gender.

‘Education, knowledge, and learning are basic drivers to unite us, not divide us,’ he added, while recalling his past educational initiatives in Sokoto through the UPE and UBE programmes.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, represented by his Chief of Staff, Aminu Halliru, hailed Obasanjo’s contributions to national unity and reiterated the state government’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure across its three senatorial districts to boost digital literacy, cybersecurity, and software development.

Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar also praised the project, noting its potential to transform lives and foster peaceful coexistence. He emphasized that education is the best legacy for future generations.

Obasanjo lightened the mood with a playful exchange about Bishop Kukah, describing him as a tireless voice against societal ills.

‘He is a Bishop, I am not. I once teased him that I would enter the kingdom of heaven before him,’ he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.

The event highlighted education and technology as unifying forces for Nigeria’s development, with leaders urging collective responsibility to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

‘It is the only long term repayment benefit to the people of Sokoto state for they’re generosity’, The Bishop said noting that the world was moving as Nigeria is.

He pointed out that a large number of Nigeria’s and northern population were poverty stricken with 70% to 90%bof children hovering the streets.

‘Nigeria is not expanding but we can only expand if we help to grow together. Build bridges for the younger ones by teaching them the skills to do better in various trades irrespective of differences’, he pointed out noting that Nigerians were born in different environments not by accident nor by fault hence geography should not be defining factor for their future.

‘So is the world not bounded by where you come from ‘, the Bishop explained emphasising that Nigeria had all it took to full the stomach of citizens yet in hunger.

The Lagos State Government will from Thursday partially close some jetties and ferry terminals along the Five Cowries Creek to pave the way for the hosting of the world’s first all electric powerboat race.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in a statement said the restriction will affect private and commercial ferry operations between Falomo bridge, Oriental Hotel and Mekwen bridge from October 2 to 5.

According to the release, there will be a partial closure from Falomo bridge to Oriental Hotel on Thursday October 2 between 10 am and 6 pm. On Friday October 3, there will be a total closure from Oriental Hotel to Mekwen bridge between 10 am and 6 pm. For Saturday October 4 and Sunday October 5, LASWA said there will be a total closure from Falomo bridge to Oriental Hotel between 8 am and 6 pm daily.

The statement noted that the measure is to facilitate the successful hosting of the E1 Championship, an international sporting event being held for the first time in Lagos.

‘This temporary closure is a vital safety and security measure to ensure seamless event operations, safeguard lives, and project Lagos as a world class destination for international sporting events,’ the agency explained.

Normal operations are expected to resume on Monday October 6.

LASWA appealed to passengers and ferry operators to use alternative routes and make travel arrangements ahead of time.

The E1 Championship is the world’s first all electric powerboat tournament. Lagos is one of the host cities in the global series, a development which state officials see as a boost to the aquatic economy and the tourism profile of Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is one of the options on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) shopping list for presidential candidate in 2027, the party said yesterday.

It also said that it was too late for the allies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in and outside the PDP to stop its convention billed for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party spoke yesterday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, who doubles as the secretary of the Publicity Sub-Committee of PDP’s National Convention Organising Committee.

He told reporters in Abuja that the PDP extended the deadline for submission of nomination forms so that further consultations can be conducted for states to take final decisions on micro-zoning of positions.

Saying he is neither the spokesman for Prof Jerry Gana nor Dr. Jonathan, who Gana recently described as PDP’s likely choice for presidential candidate in 2027, Ologunagba said the party boasts of performing governors and other excellent personalities, who may be considered for the party’s ticket.

He said: ‘I don’t speak for Prof Gana or former President Jonathan but our party has many worthy personalities and we shall cross the bridge when we reach there.’

On reports that a faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT Minister), Nyesom Wike, has successfully conducted a state congress and re-elected PDP’s former National Publicity Secretary, Venatius Ikem as its chairman, Ologunagba dismissed such perceptions as ‘mere hallucination’.

He said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Umar Damagum, had postponed the state congress and decided that Southsouth Zonal Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, will oversee affairs in the Cross River state chapter until a decision is taken to notify INEC and conduct proper state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states, where the exercises have been postponed.

Ologunagba said: ‘Emphatically, there was no PDP state congress in Cross River State; we are getting into the season of carnival in Calabar and those people only went there to do their carnival and it is okay because Calabar is a friendly place where people have a nice time, drink and have a jolly time.

‘This party has its due process and for those who think they can gather people to have drinks and call it a party congress, that’s mere hallucination; as for anyone who seeks to bring the party into disrepute, we will follow them up with proper and due process.’

Commenting on reports about conflicting letters sent to INEC by Damagum and the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Ologunagba said the Damagum-led NWC is the sole body that decides for the party and not any individual.

‘There are people in our fold who are working with APC; we know that but we are united as a political party and we are strongly focused,’ he added.

He also dismissed the possibilities that someone from any state or group can sabotage the party’s national convention plans, saying the PDP train has reached Ibadan while the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) office at Legacy House in Abuja (which he unveiled on Monday), will serve as a hub for all relevant party activities.

On why the party’s micro-zoning process has not been concluded, Ologunagba said talks were still on in parts of the country.

He said: ‘Out of the need to allow for more consultation and consensus-building, the NCOC few days ago approved an extension of deadline for completion of forms as well as the date for screening of aspirants because we want more people to be involved so that we can have a contention-free national convention in Ibadan.

‘The new dates are to be announced later in line with party guidelines but 15 sub-committees have been appointed for a hitch-free convention and these include the screening sub-committee, venue sub-committee, and other committees for transportation, publicity, accreditation, security and intelligence, entertainment and welfare sub-committee, protocols, medical, accommodation and the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.

‘We also have a Constitution Amendment and Technical Committee because there is need to look into our constitution again.’

Ologunagba elaborated further on other issues: ‘We have concluded state congresses in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Borno, Niger, Kogi, Adamawa, and in the next few days, the PDP NWC will receive a report on the conduct of those congresses but the NWC has approved the postponement of congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.

‘As far as we are concerned, there was no state congress authorised by this party or consistent with its processes and procedures in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states where the congresses have been postponed.

‘In the case of Cross River and Plateau states, the NWC will consider a Caretaker Committee for Cross River State chapter under the direct supervision of the Southsouth Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, until the date for a congress because the tenure of the exco in that state expired on September 18.

‘The Ogidi committee will continue to oversee party affairs in Cross River until we give statutory notice to INEC for the conduct of state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.’

‘In Ekiti State, we have five aspirants who have bought governorship nomination forms with three men – Olumayokun Oluwole Oluyede, Dr. Funso Ayeni and two women who did not need to pay for Nomination Forms because of our party’s effort to boost women’s participation.

‘Their screening will take place on October 2 at the NCOC Conference Hall at Legacy House, Abuja.

‘PDP’s scheduled national convention will be very significant for Nigeria’s democracy; that is why you see APC jittery and it is understandable because we have a history of 16 years’ record of prosperity that was unlike APC’s years of scarcity,’ he said.

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as ‘a victory for the rule of law and economic stability’.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.

‘We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,’ Oresanya said.

‘The attempt to cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery by cutting off crude oil and gas supply would have inflicted incalculable damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians. The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest.’

The coalition further warned that industrial unions must not act in a manner that undermines national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

‘While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,’ the statement read.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for acting swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

‘The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,’ Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

‘Independent investigations and facts on ground have shown that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than peddling unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,’ the group noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

‘The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,’ Oresanya added.

The National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Archdiocese of Ibadan, would host the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice events, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

The event will hold at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event will begin with the Holy Mass at 10am, which would have His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan as the Chief Celebrant.

President of NACL, Archdiocese of Ibadan, Michael Agbolade and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Williams Tijani, said this year’s edition would be unique in a number of ways. ‘Firstly, it is organised to mark ‘The Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice’, as declared by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

‘Secondly, it would feature the launch of a booklet titled, ‘Legal Guide for Catholic Faithful’, a practical resource package, compiling insights from the association’s legal clinics on key areas of law that touch on people’s lives in a way that aligns with both civil law and Catholic values.’

They said that the event would serve as an opportunity to reflect on justice as a source of hope in today’s world, and mark the commencement of the new legal year.

The statement said new wigs would be welcomed into the profession, while the St. Thomas More Award would be conferred on some NACL members to recognise their outstanding contributions to justice.

Distinguished guests expected include Catholic Bishops from the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan; Chairman of the Day, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (rtd), Patron of NACL Ibadan and Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria; and the Chief Host of the Day, His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin.

The keynote address is to be delivered by a Professor of Law at the School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Titilayo Aderibigbe and is titled, ‘Is There Hope for Justice in the Present Nigeria?’; and panel discussion including the Pastoral Secretary, Archdiocese of Ibadan; Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; and a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun.

The lawyers have expressed appreciation to Archbishop Abegunrin for his unwavering support and fatherly care for the association and the legal profession.

‘With your continued prayers and guidance, we are confident that the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice will be a meaningful and impactful occasion, advancing the mission of justice and peace in our Archdiocese and beyond’, the statement added. The Ibadan Branch of NACL is dedicated to promoting justice and upholding the rule of law by bringing together Catholic lawyers from across Nigeria to work towards a just and equitable society.’, the statement said.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has hailed the inclusion of scientists from the university in the body of two per cent scientists in the world.

Ndoma-Egba, who was responding to the recent recognition of lecturers of FUOYE by the globally-reputable Stanford appraisal, said the development was a pointer to the great potential of the university.

He said: ‘FOUYE has put Nigeria in a pride of place in scientific researches and recognition and it is a reflection of the sound academic community in the university.

‘I am very proud and I’m elated that FUOYE is certainly on the path to national and, indeed, global distinction and recognition.

‘We will keep our hands on the plough, looking forward to greater glory and ignoring the contrived distractions of the university by merchants of fake news.

‘There are many lofty achievements happening at FUOYE. They are giant strides the faculties and departments, as well as the management, and indeed, the whole university community are proud of.

‘We will advise the media to report these positive developments and be more critical to false stories that only mire the university in needless controversy.’

Sir: Nigeria’s waterways tell a sobering story. Reports of mass drowning, sometimes over a hundred lives lost in a single accident, sit uneasily beside official figures that suggest far fewer. The gap between record and reality is not just a matter of data; it is a measure of whose lives are visible in policy and whose are left to sink in silence.

This dissonance between official counts and lived losses is more than a statistical hiccup. It exposes the politics of visibility in Nigeria, highlighting whose deaths matter enough to be counted, whose disappear into watery margins, and what it says about a state struggling to bridge its reform narratives with the harsh texture of life along its neglected waterways.

Boat mishaps are not random acts of fate. They are predictable collisions of poverty, poor infrastructure, and policy neglect. From January to September, at least 10 major accidents were reported across states like Sokoto, Kwara, Niger, Rivers, Anambra, and Adamawa. Communities described boats packed with traders rushing to market, schoolchildren ferried across swollen rivers, and seasonal workers desperate to reach farmland.

In Niger State in June, villagers spoke of 70 lost; the state’s official report acknowledged fewer than 30. In Adamawa, fishermen counted 40 bodies pulled from the Benue, while federal records insisted on a mere dozen. Numbers shrink, and with them, lives vanish from public memory.

If one traces the trend over the past five years, the pattern is unsettling. In 2021, media tallies suggested at least 500 deaths from boat mishaps, compared to an official 250. In 2022, official counts dropped to 180 while newspapers carried reports of more than 400.

By 2023, the gap widened again, with Sokoto and Kebbi alone producing accidents that eclipsed national totals. In 2024, watchdogs estimated more than 600 waterway deaths; government figures recorded less than half that number.

Now in 2025, even before October, local reporting already suggests upward of 300 fatalities, but consolidated national statements hover below 100. The arithmetic does not add up, unless the goal is to make tragedy less visible.

The gap between official counts and lived losses is not inevitable. Other Global South countries with similar geographies have taken decisive steps. In Bangladesh, once infamous for ferry disasters, strict enforcement of passenger limits, mandatory life jackets, and designated ferry routes cut accidents significantly in a decade.

In the Philippines, public pressure after a string of tragedies forced government to establish a searchable, real-time maritime incident database. Both countries show that visibility is the first step to accountability.

For Nigeria, three reforms are urgent. First, harmonise reporting: independent verification teams including local leaders, civil society, and journalists should cross-check casualty numbers before they are published.

Second, invest in community-based safety infrastructure including subsidised life jackets, regulated boat construction, and trained riverine rescue units.

Third, make water transport part of national economic planning, not an afterthought. If rivers are arteries of commerce for millions, then safety on those waters is a matter of economic justice, not charity.

When policymakers speak of reforms and rising national revenues, they must also account for the ordinary citizens who never see those gains because they drowned on the way to market. The disconnect between Abuja’s statistical optimism and Sokoto’s funerals is not abstract; it is the very definition of a broken social contract.

There is need for a new lens that treats each casualty not as a number to be trimmed but as a life that bore dignity and deserved protection. Critical literacy demands we do not just consume headlines but interrogate them, asking why certain deaths count and others are erased.

Sociological instinct insists we see that statistics are never neutral but reflect power. Policy relevance means creating pathways where communities feel seen, governments are not shamed but invited to reform, and justice is measured not just by GDP but by whose lives the state is willing to keep afloat.

The question is not whether the rivers will rise, but whether Nigeria will rise with them, counting every life, protecting every community, and refusing to let tragedy sink into silence.