Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The names of African Democratic Congress (NDC) National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, are missing on the list of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council released yesterday.

On the list are the campaign principals – presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, national chairman, Senator David Mark and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai is on trial and remains in the ICPC custody.

Also on the list are former presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former Central Bank Deputy Governor Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, Senator Dino Melaye and former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie.

A statement by Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, said Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager while El-Rufai will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named as chairman of the council.

The structure includes a five-member Campaign Advisory Board chaired by former Edo State Governor John Oyegun, a six-member Policy Team headed by Hayatudeen and a seven-member group of Senior Campaign Advisers.

Akobundu will be supported by six Deputy Directors-General overseeing Administration, Operations, Media and Communications, Contact and Mobilization, Diversity and Support Groups, and Technical and Systems.

Dele Momodu will oversee Media and Communications; Dino Melaye, Contact and Mobilisation; Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Diversity and Support Groups; and Lauretta Onochie, Technical and Systems.

The campaign also named five presidential campaign spokespersons. They are Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Uche Diala and Dahiru Maishanu.

Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications to the campaign, said the council was designed as a lean structure.

He said the members will drive an issue-based campaign focusing on the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

He said: ‘Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results.’

The campaign council is also made up of six Deputy Directors-General and 32 named portfolio heads across the six operational directorates.

Shaibu explained why Aregbesola and Abdullahi are excluded from the council, saying that they are among the party leaders who set it up.

He said: ‘These are National Working Committee (NWC) members who constituted the campaign council.’

It could not be confirmed whether the omission of Aregbesola and Abdullahi from the list is as a result of intrigues within the party.

Aregbesola has been absent from some activities of party chieftains, including the burial of vice presidential running mate Amaechi’s mum in Ubima in Rivers State early this month.

Aregbesola and the ADC also failed to make an impact in the Osun State governorship election last month.

Moghalu: I am not in Atiku’s team

However, Moghalu yesterday rejected his nomination.

In the campaign council, he is listed as a member of the policy team for the 2027 presidential election.

Moghalu said in a statement that he was ‘surprised’ to see his name included in the announcement, adding that he never agreed to serve on the team.

The statement reads: ‘I am surprised to see a statement from Atiku and ADC campaign team including my name as a member of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s policy team for the 2027 presidential campaign.

‘I was not consulted and did not give my consent to my name being published as a member of the ADC candidate’s policy team.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned its state chairmen and other officials against demanding money from support groups seeking registration with the party.

The party declared that registration of support groups is free and accused some state chairmen of collecting fees despite the absence of any authorised charge.

In a statement on Friday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said registration was exclusively the responsibility of the Directorate of Support Groups at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

‘The registration of support groups is free. It does not attract any fee whatsoever,’ the statement said.

Director said no state chapter, officer or other party official had the authority to register support groups or collect money from them for the exercise ‘under any guise.’

He directed all state chapters to comply strictly with the directive, warning that violators would face disciplinary measures under the party’s constitution.

‘The registration of support groups is the exclusive prerogative of the Directorate of Support Groups. Therefore, all inquiries and registration must be directed to the Directorate of Support Groups at the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja,’ he said.

The warning comes amid increased mobilisation by various support groups ahead of the 2027 general elections and follows recent disagreements within the party over the role and status of groups supporting its candidates.

The NDC, however, sought to reassure support groups of its continued partnership, specifically mentioning the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements.

‘The NDC cherishes the support and partnership of all support groups, including the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya Movements, and will continue to create an enabling environment for them to work for the victory of the party at all levels,’ the Director said.

The party urged support groups to disregard demands for payment by unauthorised officials and channel registration-related enquiries to the designated directorate at the national headquarters.

It also directed state chapters to ensure strict compliance with the new warning.

Team Pride has secured the 2026 PUBG MOBILE National Championship (PMNC) title on September 13, claiming the $3,000 top prize and earning a spot to represent Nigeria at the PUBG MOBILE Global Open (PMGO) Africa stage.

The winning roster-comprising Oluwadamilola ‘Begho’ Oladele, Kwila Obadiah, Maude ‘Chico’ Usman, and Farid ‘Finish’ Mahri-outperformed runner-up Neon Outlaws and third-place Tribe Warriors. Begho was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The championship received major corporate backing, with Infinix supplying the official tournament device-the GT 50 Pro-while Oraimo provided gaming accessories and itel awarded home air conditioners to the winning squad.

Alongside the tournament finals, PUBG MOBILE rolled out its Version 4.6 update featuring the Vampire Hunters theme and an Afro-pop partnership with Nigerian artist Magixx under the Be the one campaign.

Representing Infinix, Nosa Stephen Ekaghe said the sponsorship reflected the brand’s interest in supporting gaming and the needs of players.

Bella Ibrahim, Content Creation Manager at Oraimo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting gamers with products and accessories suited to their lifestyles.

Also, itel’s ATL Marketing Manager, David Chuks Obikwame, presented air conditioners to Team Pride in recognition of its victory.

From September 24 to October 23, players can participate in the in-game Unlock Magixx Style event to earn exclusive rewards, including a custom Avatar Frame, Voice Pack, Lobby Music, and themed outfits.

PUBG MOBILE Version 4.6 is currently available as a free download on iOS and Android platforms.

ID Africa, organisers of NECLive, will hold the conference’s 11th edition on November 12, 2026, at Alliance Française, Lagos.

Themed ‘Home Advantage: Transforming Local Demand into Global Power,’ the edition is said to be built around the argument that Nigeria’s strongest bargaining chip in global entertainment may no longer be international validation, but the scale and value of its own domestic market.

‘Nigeria has already demonstrated that its creative industries can capture the world’s attention. The next opportunity is to understand how the strength of our domestic market can help us build greater ownership, attract investment and strengthen our position globally ‘ said Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of NECLive. ‘Home Advantage is about moving the conversation beyond how far our creativity can travel to what we can build from the market that exists right here. It is about ownership, investment and creating stronger systems that allow local demand to translate into sustainable power.’

NECLive 11’s theme argues for a different sequence that scale at home is what should now buy Nigeria leverage abroad, better deal terms, equity stakes, a stronger negotiating position with the platforms and partners it once simply courted.

The numbers make the domestic case. Nigeria’s Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector grew 11.93% in Q2 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, nearly three times the country’s overall GDP growth rate of 4.43% for the same quarter.

Cinema tells the story most visibly: the box office closed 2025 at a record N15.6 billion, up 34.7% year-on-year, with Nollywood outselling Hollywood locally for the first time, 49.4% market share against 48.8%, per FilmOne Entertainment’s Nigeria Box Office Yearbook. By mid-2026, Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind The Scenes’ had crossed N1 billion in 19 days.

Data from NECLive’s State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026 Report underscores this home reliance, showing that 56% of creative practitioners rely on local clients as their primary source of income, compared to just 19.4% who draw their primary income from international markets. Yet access to affordable funding and reliable local distribution networks, rather than physical tools, are cited as the primary structural gaps holding practitioners back, confirming that while domestic demand is proven, the capital pipelines to scale it remain severely underdeveloped.

But growth and reach are not the same thing, and this is where the theme’s harder questions live. Ticket prices have more than quadrupled since 2019, and the average cost of 1GB of data more than doubled between 2023 and 2025. Nigerians now spend an estimated ?7.6 trillion a year on internet access alone. Technical infrastructure constraints compound these costs: the NECLive report identifies power outages and poor internet connectivity as the single biggest daily obstacle for practitioners, ranking well above funding delays, IP theft, and regulatory hurdles combined.

Moreover, 83% of creative professionals report losing over 10% of their weekly productive time to non-creative administrative burdens, such as chasing payments and managing logistics. Taken together, this suggests much of the current boom is being driven by deeper spending and effort from an existing base of consumers and practitioners, not necessarily a widening one – a distinction that matters if ‘local demand’ is meant to be the foundation of a global strategy rather than a ceiling on it.

Nigerian music’s 30 billion streams tell a similar story: strong headline numbers, but with significant revenue leakage to intermediaries, and most Nigerians actually discovering and streaming music on Boomplay and Audiomack rather than Spotify, because Spotify’s economics assume an affordability most local users don’t have.

Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate Barry, has emerged winner of the week nine BetPawa Arena Games.

The Friday night games, which have become one of the most competitive highlights of the season, saw housemates battle through a series of skill-based challenges under time pressure.

Barry clinched the top spot after a strong performance, while fellow housemate, Keivo, finished as first runner-up.

Both housemates were rewarded with BBBucks for their efforts, giving them an advantage as the season enters its final stretch.

The win adds to Barry’s impressive run in the house.

The housemate, who earlier won the week eight Head of House and holds the season’s Ultimate Veto Power, had used his veto to grant immunity to all remaining housemates, sending all 10 remaining contestants straight to the finale.

With the development, there will be no eviction in week nine, as Aikou, Barry, Bluethopia, Flora, Keivo, Oyin, Ricky, Sheba, Temi Nkem and Tram are now confirmed as finalists.

The show, which started with 24 housemates on July 26, is set to end on October 4, with the remaining 10 housemates battling for the N160 million grand prize, the biggest in the show’s history.

Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo today, knowing there is little room for error in Group L. With co-hosts Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the finals, the Super Eagles, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively battling for the remaining ticket, writes TUNDE LIADI

Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar today in Uyo, knowing there is very little room for error in Group L.

With co-hosts Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the finals, the Super Eagles, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau are effectively battling for the single remaining qualification ticket. Coach Eric Chelle’s men must negotiate this opener without injured star striker Victor Osimhen, placing greater responsibility on Nigeria’s other attacking options.

Madagascar’s famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria at AFCON 2019 serves as a clear reminder that the Barea cannot be taken lightly. For the Super Eagles, securing a home win provides the ideal platform before Tuesday’s away trip to Guinea-Bissau.

The match takes place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off fixed for 5pm Nigerian time. Ordinarily, the opening game of a qualifying series allows some margin for recovery, but the unique dynamics of Group L change that dynamic completely. For Chelle’s side, securing three points at home represents much more than a positive beginning, especially with another fixture scheduled just four days later.

Nigeria enter this continental campaign still dealing with the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the team has remained competitive at the AFCON level in recent years, reaching the final of the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire and finishing third behind Senegal and Morocco at the 2025 edition. Consequently, qualification for 2027 is regarded as a basic requirement. Chelle’s primary task is to ensure Nigeria establish immediate control of the group rather than leaving themselves chasing results later in the campaign.

Madagascar present an opponent Nigeria cannot afford to underestimate. The Barea famously defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, which remains their only victory in five head-to-head meetings between the two nations, alongside three Nigerian victories and one draw. Prior to that setback, Nigeria recorded a 1-0 win in 2001, followed by 2-0 victories in 2010 and 2011. Seven years after the Egyptian shock, the teams meet once again with critical qualifying points on the line.

The major tactical talking point for Nigeria is the absence of Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who was initially named in the squad but failed to recover from a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi was called up as a replacement. Despite Osimhen’s absence, Chelle has plenty of attacking power available. Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, and George Ilenikhena offer distinct focal points through the middle, while Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze provide established quality on the wings. Ilenikhena is among those hoping to make his senior international debut, alongside potential debuts for Isaac James and Moses Usor.

Without Osimhen acting as the central target man, Nigeria’s attacking dynamics will likely shift toward collective creativity. Ademola Lookman’s form will be vital, while Alex Iwobi’s distribution from midfield will be crucial for breaking down Madagascar’s structure.

Defensively, Ola Aina returns to strengthen the squad after a lengthy absence. With Zaidu Sanusi unavailable, Bruno Onyemaechi is expected to operate on the left, alongside Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi in central defense. In goal, Stanley Nwabali remains a strong candidate to start despite this being his first call-up of the year. The midfield offers ample depth with Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, and Iwobi, giving Chelle tactical flexibility depending on Madagascar’s defensive setup. Nigeria expect to dominate possession, meaning ball retention, patience, and wide play will be essential if Madagascar choose to sit deep.

Madagascar arrived in Uyo early in the week, giving head coach Corentin Martins adequate time to adjust to local conditions. While their recent form has been mixed-featuring victories over Kyrgyzstan, Equatorial Guinea, and Comoros alongside losses to Morocco and Mali-they possess enough experience to be dangerous. Key figures such as Marco Ilaimaharitra, Rayan Raveloson, Loïc Lapoussin, Warren Caddy, Thomas Fontaine, and Hakim Abdallah form the core of the visiting squad, with Raveloson posing a specific goal threat from midfield.

Madagascar’s most realistic route to a result involves frustrating Nigeria, keeping the match goalless for as long as possible, and exploiting open space on the counter-attack. An early Nigerian goal would break that strategy, whereas a scoreless stretch could increase pressure from the home crowd.

This opener represents a key test for Chelle as he balances squad rotation between today’s match and Tuesday’s contest in Guinea-Bissau. Ultimately, Nigeria possess superior individual quality, but the tight format of Group L means securing three points is the absolute priority over performance style.

POSSIBLE LINE UPS:

Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Moses Simon.

Madagascar: Geordan Dupire; Andy Pelmard, Thomas Fontaine, Rado Rabemanantsoa, Mathieu Acapandié; Marco Ilaimaharitra, Rayan Raveloson, Loïc Lapoussin; Warren Caddy, Hakim Abdallah, Arnaud Randrianantenaina.

Africa must strengthen its capacity to deliver the payment systems, efficient borders and infrastructure that businesses need to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, has said.

He gave the advice to project professionals at Project Management Institute (PMI’s) Global Summit Series in Cape Town, South Africa during a fireside conversation with PMI’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani.

Mene outlined the work needed to turn continental trade commitments into easier access to markets.

The priorities include aligning national policies, modernising customs and enabling cross-border payments in local currencies.

Speaking under the summit theme: Africa Delivers M.O.R.E. Together, he urged professionals across infrastructure, construction, agriculture, services and customs to consider how their expertise could help connect African economies.

‘We all have a contribution to creating a single integrated market,’ Mene said.

He illustrated the cost of fragmented markets through a transaction between businesses in Ghana and Kenya. Despite trading within Africa, the businesses may need to purchase a third currency, typically the US dollar, to complete payment. He estimated the associated currency conversion costs across the continent at approximately $5 billion annually.

Mene pointed to the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), developed by Afreximbank in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, as a practical response. The system enables cross-border payments in local currencies, reducing reliance on third currencies. The payments example showed why the mechanics of integration matter to businesses. The ability to trade across borders depends on the systems supporting each transaction, as well as the agreement itself. Reducing friction in those systems can help make access to a continental market commercially useful.

Making trade easier also requires customs authorities to apply agreed rules and governments to align domestic policies with continental commitments.

Asamani connected those requirements to the skills needed to deliver programmes involving multiple institutions and countries.

He said: ‘A continental agreement becomes meaningful when a business can use it. That depends on people who can coordinate institutions, manage risk, deliver reliable systems and keep the intended benefit in view. Project management provides the discipline to carry a policy commitment through to a service that businesses can use.’

Mene also addressed concerns about the impact of liberalisation on domestic industries. He explained that the agreement includes safeguards and that adjustment support can help sectors facing disruption as markets open. ‘We have rules that protect infant industries in a country,’ he added.

He emphasised the need to assess potential losses and support affected businesses, with domestic reform and continental cooperation working together to help firms compete in larger markets. Infrastructure remains central to that effort. Mene called for greater attention to project preparation and trade infrastructure, alongside digital investment. He highlighted the role of the Digital Trade Protocol in creating conditions for investment in emerging technologies and data centres.

That makes project preparation an important part of the integration agenda. Planning must account for how infrastructure will connect with customs processes, digital services and the institutions responsible for operating them. The value of each investment depends partly on whether these connections function effectively. For project professionals, the challenge extends beyond completing individual assets – payment platforms, transport connections and customs systems must work across institutional and national boundaries.

‘Africa needs more project professionals equipped to deliver across these boundaries. Investing in their capabilities strengthens our ability to build infrastructure, implement digital systems and make public institutions more effective. It also gives African talent a greater role in delivering the projects that will shape the continent’s future,’ Asamani said.

The discussion linked Africa’s talent development agenda to the practical demands of integration, with professionals helping institutions translate shared objectives into coordinated delivery across sectors and participating African countries.

For Mene, the ultimate test of AfCFTA is whether businesses can enter new markets at lower cost and with less administrative burden. Delivering those benefits will determine how effectively continental integration translates into commercial opportunity.

The OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum (PGF) has given Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) two weeks to address outstanding issues relating to payments to indigenous contractors, employment opportunities, scholarships and the implementation of Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) projects. The OML 30 is located in Urhobo land in Delta State.

The forum also called for greater consideration of qualified indigenous contractors in the award of projects within OML 30, the review and implementation of its scholarship programme, and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from host communities.

Other concerns raised by the forum include the payment of agreed stipends and appreciation payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, as well as the implementation and award of contracts for already-scoped HCDT community projects.

The demands were contained in a letter signed by the Presidents-General of the affected communities, comprising Evwreni PG, Chief Kenneth Ukpebitere; Afiesere PG, Mr Luke Umukoro; PG Owhe, Engr Wilfred Atunu; PG Kokori, Mr George Eghwrude; and PG Effurun-Otor, Chief Godwin Ikolo.

Others are PG Uzere, Chief Onyagbodor E.; Eriemu CDC Chairman, Mr Ibebe Matthew; PG Oleh, Chief Unuafe Believe; PG Olomoro, Chief Anthony Ukpagha; PG Igbide, Ven. Hon. Augustine Aziakpono Ovie, JP; and PG Eruemukohwarien, Mr Anigboro Godwin.

The letter, addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HEOSL, was copied to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, security agencies, traditional rulers, OML 30 HCDT, relevant PIA authorities, Manager, Contracts and Procurement, HEOSL, Managing Director, NNPCL, Managing Director, Shoreline Limited, and Uherevie Trust.

The forum said it represented host communities in OML 30 and sought urgent attention to issues it described as affecting the welfare, economic development and relationship between the operating company and its host communities.

The statement said the concerns include delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, the review and implementation of scholarship programmes, employment opportunities for qualified indigenous graduates, award of contracts to qualified indigenous contractors, delayed payment of contract sums and the implementation of already-scoped HCDT projects.

The forum particularly called for an urgent review of the scholarship programme, employment opportunities for qualified youths from the host communities and increased participation of qualified indigenous contractors in projects within OML 30.

It said delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders had generated concerns in the communities, noting that such payments had traditionally supported cordial relations between the operating company and its host communities.

The forum also called for the payment of outstanding contract sums owed to indigenous contractors and adherence to agreed contractual payment timelines, including mobilisation funds for future contracts where applicable.

It said greater participation of qualified contractors from OML 30 host communities would support local employment, capacity development and economic opportunities.

On education and employment, the forum called for the implementation of scholarship programmes which, it said, had not been implemented for the past year, as well as opportunities for qualified graduates from the host communities to join the company’s workforce.

The forum also expressed concern over delays in implementing projects already scoped under the OML 30 HCDT and urged the relevant authorities to proceed with the award of contracts for the projects to qualified contractors.

It said its preferred approach remained dialogue, consultation and partnership with the operating company and other stakeholders.

The forum, however, urged the relevant authorities to address the outstanding issues within the stipulated period in order to strengthen confidence and maintain peaceful relations between the company and its host communities.

It also called for compliance with relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly those relating to benefits accruing to host communities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, saying failure to address the issues could result in protests at OML 30 facilities within its jurisdiction.

It appealed to the company and other stakeholders to act promptly to resolve the concerns and preserve the existing peaceful relationship between the operating company and its host communities.

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Director of Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Abdulhamid Suleiman, Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Youth Leadership Clinic, Morufat Aniso and others have urged youths on how to become good leaders for the betterment of their future.

Speaking in Ibadan at the 2026 Southwest Zonal edition of the Youth Leaders Clinic (YLC), with the theme: ‘Empowering the Next Generation, Raising Responsible, Ethical and Transformative Young Leaders’, Suleiman said leadership was one of the most essential pillars of national transformation.

He said the event marked another milestone in the commitment of University of Abuja, through the Abuja Leadership Centre, to develop leaders, who have character, competence, courage and clear vision for positive change.

He said if youths understood self-discipline, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, responsibility, communication, teamwork and national values ”at this stage of life, they will grow into leaders who will resist corruption, avoid negative influence and embrace service to humanity.”

Aniso, who says leadership begins with responsibility, vision and the courage to make a difference, advised youth leaders to see themselves as leaders, and not mere students, but part of the glory and future of Nigeria.

In her presentation titled: ‘Understanding Leadership, Ethical Leadership and Public Governance’, Jokotade Odebunmi urged youths to participate in governance and not leave it to the government alone, saying the task of making Nigeria better is a responsibility of all.

Olugbenro Esther, who spoke about ‘Leading in the Digital Age: ‘Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence and Digital Leadership’, advised youths to be responsible with the use of AI, ”because the future belongs to those who use AI responsibly.”

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Segun Olayiwola, represented by Olajide T. A., hailed the organiser of the event for the initiative, saying the programme would prepare young ones to be better leaders in future.

Oba Ladoja, represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, advised youths to be good citizens.

Police Commissioner Olugbenga Abimbola said the event would assist young leaders to become better in future.

He urged them to be security cautious, avoid hard drugs, and not join cultism, which, according to him, could destroy their lives.

‘One of the swiftest ways of destroying a state is to give preference to one particular group over another or to show favour to one group of people rather than another and draw near those who should be kept away and keep away those who should be drawn near…. Other practices destructive to sovereignty are arrogance and conceit which take away virtues. There are six qualities which cannot be tolerated in a leader: lying, envy, breach of promise, sharpness of temper, miserliness and cowardice. Another is the seclusion of the leader from his people, because when the oppressor is sure that the oppressed person will not have access to the ruler, he becomes more oppressive… A state can endure with unbelief but it cannot endure with injustice.’ [Bayan Wujub al-Hijra]

‘The third category of values is that dealing with the fight against corruption especially in the management of public affairs. Shaykh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio puts the Caliphate’s position in clear and unambiguous terms:

‘A ruler is forbidden to touch property acquired unjustly, such as through bribes obtained for appointing a judge or any other officer. The use of such property is unanimously regarded as illegal. It corrupts the Religion and opens the door wide to abuses and oppression of the poor. For the officials may feel that since money was obtained from them as a reward for appointing them to office, they in turn must recover it from the common people….’ [Diya’al-Hukkam]

It is also the view of the Sokoto Caliphate leaders that those charged with authority must strive to shun corrupt practices and lead by example. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello:

‘Leaders are like a spring of water and officials are like water-wheels. If the spring is pure, the filth of the water-wheels cannot harm it. If, on the other hand, the spring is polluted, the purity of the water-wheel will have little effect [on the purity of the water].’ [Usul al-Siyasa]

The fourth category of values relates to the dignity of labor and indeed the responsibility of government to provide the enabling environment that would allow people to make a decent living. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello:

‘……Guard yourself against poverty by lawful earning, because every poor man is afflicted by three defects: religious weakness, feeble mindedness and loss of honor. Worse than this is the contempt in which he is held by people….There are two assets which, as long as you safeguard them, you will remain alright: Your earnings for your livelihood and your religion for your hereafter…..The recommendable earning is better than supererogatory worship, the benefit of which is confined to the worshipper alone, whereas the benefit of the recommended earnings extend to others.'[Ahkam al-Makasib]

‘The fifth and final category of values… is the uplifting of the status of women, especially through Education. The Sokoto Caliphate leaders, as erudite scholars, lived by the percepts they preached and ensured that their wives and daughters and all others associated with them were educated to the highest standards the society could offer. Many of these women, including Nana Asma’u, became leaders in their own right and played an active role in the political arena. Equally and importantly, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio’s pronouncements, made in the very early part of the nineteenth century, could not be more categorical:

‘One of the great calamities which have afflicted Hausaland is the practice of many of its scholars in abandoning their wives, daughters and servants in a state of ignorance. They are left like animals without any effort to teach them….. This is a grave mistake and a prohibited innovation. They treat them like utensils which they put to use, but when broken, get thrown into the dustbin. What a strange behavior! How could they leave their wives, daughters and servants in the darkness of ignorance and astray, while educating their students morning and evening. This is just for their selfish interest and for show and ostentation….’

Challenges of insecurity

The Sultan who had earlier delivered similar lectures in Cambridge and Oxford and did not stop there. He went further to trace and analyze the challenges of insecurity as well as causes of violence and terrorism in Nigeria and suggested some solutions to those societal vices.